“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” Who doesn’t love the fall with the beautiful multi-colored leaves, hot apple cider and pumpkin recipes? Well I do for sure. The pumpkin was among the harvest of the first Thanksgiving celebration with the Pilgrims and it has been a favorite ever since. Pumpkins are great for carving scary faces into and the seeds are fun to bake in the oven and eat, but are they good for you? Here is some interesting info and four great recipes….Enjoy!
- In a German study entitled, The association between dietary lignans, phytoestrogen-rich foods, and fiber intake and postmenopausal breast cancer risk: a German case-control study. their results provided evidence for a reduced postmenopausal breast cancer risk associated with increased consumption of sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
- According to a study, “The seeds were found to have considerable amounts of essential minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and P). The defatted flour of the pumpkin and melon seeds contained, respectively: crude protein, 55.4 and 39.4%; crude fiber, 28.1 and 24.7%; and ash, 7.23 and 6.18%. The major fatty acid of the oils was linoleic (18:2) at concentrations of 43.1 and 64.6%, followed by oleic (18:1), 37.8 and 20.1%, respectively.”
- They are nutritional and low calorie. The seeds are a rich source of nutrients, including unsaturated fat, antioxidants, and fiber. Pumpkin seeds are a natural source of protein with nearly 12 grams per cup, along with other vitamins and minerals, especially zinc. Only one-quarter cup contains almost 17 percent of your daily needs in zinc.
- Pumpkin seeds are suppose to be great for the enlarged prostate as well. This quote was found in Reader’s Digest, “When I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, a friend encouraged me to eat pumpkin seeds regularly. Three months later, I no longer wake up in the middle of the night to urinate.” Really?
So you see…It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! The pumpkin and its seeds have nutritional value. Go ahead then and visit that pumpkin patch, because the Great Pumpkin has finally arrived. Happy Fall! 
Pumpkin Balls
2014-10-20 15:38:53
Ingredients
- • 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
- • 1/2 cup peanut butter
- • 1/2 cup of honey
- • 1 ¼ cup steel cut oats (gluten free) or regular oats
- • 1 TBSP coconut butter (melted completely)
- • 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- • 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spices
- • 1 TBSP coconut flakes for inside the balls and Coconut flakes to roll balls in.
- • Optional: nuts, protein powder, Craisins, flax or chia seeds
Instructions
- Mix together in a large bowl and roll into balls. Roll into coconut flakes and store in refrigerator or freezer if needed. Yummy!
Home Remedies For Mom https://homeremedies4mom.com/
Pumpkin Smoothie
2014-10-20 15:29:21
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup organic pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup organic milk
- 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients and blend with a mixer or blender. Add more milk or ice if needed. Enjoy!
Adapted from http://sallysbakingaddiction.com
Adapted from http://sallysbakingaddiction.com
Home Remedies For Mom https://homeremedies4mom.com/
Pumpkin Spice Latte
2014-10-20 15:43:53
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 2 cups organic milk
- 2 tablespoons canned organic pumpkin (Trader Joe)
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon natural maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (Trader Joe)
- 1 or 2 shots of espresso
- 1/4 cup all-natural heavy cream, whip for consistency
Instructions
- Heat the pumpkin and spices in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook the pumpkin with the pumpkin pie spice for 2 minutes. Stir constantly.
- Stir in the maple syrup. Be careful not to burn mixture.
- Warm the organic milk over medium heat in another sauce pan and add the vanilla extract. Don’t boil over.
- Blend the milk and pumpkin ingredients with a blender until frothy.
- Mix the drinks: Make the espresso/coffee and add the blended milk and pumpkin.
Adapted from http://www.thekitchn.com
Adapted from http://www.thekitchn.com
Home Remedies For Mom https://homeremedies4mom.com/
Pumpkin Soup
2014-10-20 16:31:05
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon each of chopped fresh thyme and parsley
- 2 (15 oz.) cans organic pumpkin (Trader Joe)
- 1 quart water
- 1 cup organic, almond or coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground pepper or peppercorns
Instructions
- Sautee in a large saucepan over medium heat finely chopped onion, celery, garlic, thyme and parsley. Add puree pumpkin, melted coconut oil, water, milk, syrup, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, whisking often.
Notes
- Soup can be made a day ahead.
Home Remedies For Mom https://homeremedies4mom.com/
Leave a Reply