October is in full swing and I am sure you may have seen it— everyone appears to have gone ga-ga for , particularly ! This time of year we can be certain of a few things: cooler weather, kids going back to school, leaves changing and… everything !!!
My Dad and I got to do a little pumpkin picking ourselves last year, which was a really fun and nostalgic time!
Today’s post will share some fun facts, Beauty Detox tips and insight for you to make the best health choices possible when it comes to enjoying this seasonal phenomenon! So without further ado, let’s kickstart this post with some fun !
Benefits & Nutritional Facts of Pumpkins
One of the reasons I like to use in my recipes this time of year is that they are a great source of fiber. Since is such a high source of fiber, you can stay feeling full longer while consuming less. As I talk about a lot with my Glowing Green Smoothie, fiber is essential to flush out your system and make sure everything is working as efficiently as possible!
Another health benefit of pumpkins is that they are also rich in carotenoids! Carotenoids are the compounds that give the its bright orange color. One type of carotenoid you get from is beta-carotene, which the body converts into a form of vitamin A.
Now what about the Spice in “?”
Last week I posted about some of the amazing benefits of common household spices. is packed with some amazing benefits too!
The concept of is actually really healthy when you create recipes using all-natural, whole-food ingredients. Some of the main aromatic spices that are included when making these recipes are cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger.
3 More About Pumpkins!
Pumpkins are so amazing, Beauty! There’s so much more to them than you may expect, so here’s another 3 fun facts about these amazing plants.
1. There Are More Than 45 Varieties of Pumpkins
Pumpkins are really amazing and come in so many varieties, ranging from small, intermediate, large and jumbo. Contrary to popular belief, not all pumpkins are orange. Many are green, white and brown. [1]
The most commonly known is the classic orange which are the most common to use for jack-o-lanterns. Try to get creative this year and seek out a different variety of !
2. Our Beloved Kabocha is Actually Called “” in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan and Korea!
Did you know that pumpkins are actually ?
Pumpkins are a member of the Cucurbita family which includes and cucumbers. Many pumpkins and squashes are part of the species .
Last week I published a new recipe featuring this amazing Beauty Food. I was so inspired by my recent trip to Sri Lanka and the curry they make there, that I made my own variation of the recipe Creamy Vegan Curry! If you are not hungry now, you will be after checking out that recipe. 🙂
3. Pumpkins are Great for Beauty Hydration
Watermelon has some competition… Pumpkins are 90 percent water, so they are amazing to add to your diet when they are in season.
I talk a lot of about the importance of keeping our bodies hydrated in The Beauty Detox Solution. When the body is not properly hydrated, it can lead to an assortment of health issues including constipation, which tends to worsen for everyone this time of year.
Why You Should Eat
are a fantastic beauty food because they contain beauty minerals like zinc, sulfur, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. You can also get a portion of your precious, beautifying B, C, E, and K vitamins, plus protein and omega-3 fatty acids from them. So if you want gorgeous hair and skin, can help. 🙂
But while are a great source of several vitamins and minerals, don’t overdo it by eating them too much.
All seeds and nuts are pretty dense, and their high-fat content can still be clogging to the body if you eat them with abandon. These are powerful little delivery systems for a number of beauty nutrients, but don’t forget that you can get the same benefits from a variety of fruits and vegetables, too.
In other words, sprinkle 1/4 cup or so of into some of your meals and snacks for an extra boost of energy and beauty minerals and vitamins, but don’t chow down on them by the bowlful!
What Type of Should I Eat?
There are four main types of – also commonly known as pepitas.
Not surprisingly, the most popular type is the , as this variety includes the seeds of pumpkins used in and jack-o-lanterns.
that produce are Cucurbita Maxima. Seeds that produce pumpkins that are unique in size, shape and color often come from Cucurbita Mixta. An ideal for canning comes from seeds. [2]
Not All are Created Equal
are a delicious and nutritious snack, but not all are as healthy as you may think. Whether you’re and want to know what to do with the seeds, or you’re just in a fall mood and want to pick up some raw at the store, here are a few Beauty Detox tips to get the best and healthiest !
Can I Eat from Halloween Pumpkins?
I get asked a lot about whether it is a good idea to eat the seeds from inside a normal Halloween . It depends, Beauty.
Typically, these seeds are roasted and are not Beauty Detox friendly, because they are roasted. For the greatest benefits, should always be eaten raw.
(and all nuts and seeds, for that matter) should always, always be eaten raw. As sad as it may be to abandon the tradition of roasting those after , in order to get the nutrition from the seeds, you should ideally eat them raw.
Why is Roasting Bad?
When you roast , their health benefits are altered (you denature the amino acids and vitamins) and your seeds are no longer packing the nutritional punch you’re probably eating them for.
If you just want them as a treat, cool. But if you do want to keep them really nutritious (they are particularly great for healthy hair…) you can dehydrate them. That way you don’t have to give up the enjoyment of munching on crispy, flavorful seeds completely!
How To Dehydrate
While it’s easiest if you have a dehydrator to use for projects like this, you can also use your oven.
Here’s how to dehydrate in the oven:
- Simply turn your oven to the lowest heat possible and spread the on a baking sheet.
- Crack open the door to the oven, and let them go for a few hours.
- Check on them periodically to see when they’ve reached the desired crispiness.
If you are lucky enough to have a dehydrator, here’s how to use one to dehydrate :
- Spread the out on your tray or trays. They can overlap a little, but make sure they’re not stacked more than two seeds deep anywhere so everyone gets their own turn to dry out. 🙂
- Dehydrate the seeds at around 100 degrees.
- Check them after about six hours. If they’re not crunchy enough for you, you can let them go for another two or so hours.
But before you worry about drying them out, you should first soak your overnight and then rinse them before dehydrating them. Soaking allows the nutrients to be more readily available to your body when you eat them and makes the seeds easier to digest.
I know it sounds like a lot! But the soaking step is really just throwing them in water and letting them bathe on their own. Then you’re just spreading them and letting them dry out while you do nothing. That’s doable, right? 🙂
Even gas stations are getting in on it! Pumpkin Spice Oil anyone?
Beware of Processed Products!
Pumpkins are absolutely full of health and beauty benefits, but not if they’ve been super-processed! I think it’s important to address the irksome fact that many companies mass-produce processed foods to profit on the craze this time of year. So, be mindful of the items you purchase and what is included in them.
For example, the granola bars, cookies, chips and candies that you see in stores may certainly seem super yummy with their fancy-schmancy packaging, but beware! If you flip the packages over and read the ingredients, they are really just the same-old, processed, packaged foods dressed up with a flare.
These tricky items also include your beloved store-bought latte, which typically is made with dairy milk, espresso and flavored sugar syrup.
But this can be prevented if you make all your favorite pumpkin recipes. Whenever you can make your own recipes, you can feel good about the ingredients you include because you are aware of everything that goes into it.
Of course, we ALL indulge from time to time, but I just wanted to warn you to be careful not to get sucked into the marketing in your local supermarket for foods that seem healthy but are most certainly not. 🙂
Let’s keep our party going. 🙂 Have a great day and see you tomorrow!
In love & health,
Kimberly
Citations
1. http://www.allaboutpumpkins.com/varieties.html
2. http://www.ehow.com/facts_5625874_types--seeds.html
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