More Than One Use for a Pumpkin

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!

Tis' the season...for pumpkins, that is. Harvest season is here in so many fun ways! Various crops are harvested in America right now and pumpkins, a variety of the winter squash family, are colorful, healthful, and sometimes, very, very large. One of the most well-known contests is the All-New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Topsfield, MA. In 2012, one person grew the largest pumpkin of all-time: one ton!!




Be Adventurous!
Most Moms, however, purchase their regular size pumpkins at the grocers. They can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to two months. And many enjoy the best eating around with these delicious seasonal delights. Instead of carving them and ruining the contents, many cooks use them for salads, preserves, casseroles, and even butter as they are low calorie and high in vitamins. Start something different with your kids and try pumpkin fries, pumpkin seed guacamole, and for dessert, there is pumpkin tiramisu or pumpkin ice cream. Mmmm!

Orange Is Happy!
Of course, decorations can be gorgeous, too, using pumpkins on the table, entryways and mini ones in wreaths. With the strange and primitive tradition of carving pumpkins into weird and sometimes scary faces (never mind wearing costumes next week), one would think we had no other uses for this beautiful orange plant. But actually, pumpkins have numerous uses including health benefits for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, hypertension and aging to name but a few.   

Crazy, But So Cool!
Try some of these non-traditional ways to enjoy your pumpkins today:

Try a pumpkin body scrub!

• Use as a body scrub or try this facial mask:
• Wash face completely
• Combine & mix in a small bowl the following: 
• pumpkin puree
• honey
• milk
• Apply to face
• Set 20 min and remove

The results can be amazing!

"He said to his disciples, 'The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields'" Matthew 9:37-38 NLT.