The Pumpkin Craze!
Now that it’s fall the pumpkin craze is in full effect. It
seems every store has some kind of pumpkin something. From pumpkin skin care
to pumpkin beer to household products to funny foods, can we say obsession? But
that’s fine by us, we love Pumpkins. Why, you ask? Well, because they’re yummy
and fun to carve! No just kidding. (But seriously....) Pumpkins have such great
nutritional value! Which leads us to consider choosing the pumpkin pie over apple for our next cheat day...
So, what’s the big fuss?
Nutritional Pumpkin Value:
Pumpkins are a tasty source of these vitamins and minerals
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Beta-carotene
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Vitamin C
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Potassium
Most importantly? (For us, anyway...) A serving of pumpkin contains over 200% of your daily recommended intake of Vitamin A, a MUST for great vision. The carotenoids that give the fruit (it has seeds!) its gorgeous orange color convert into additional Vitamin A for double peeper protection.Woah Protein! I'm digging that tan....
Pepitas, also known as pumpkin seeds (or your Abuela's loving pet name for you), are a MAJOR source of of protein; one ounce of seeds provides nearly seven grams!! They also contain copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. The natural oils in pumpkin seeds are high in phytosterols, plant-based fatty acids that are chemically so like cholesterol that they can replace it in the human body-contributing to the reduction of blood cholesterol levels. Finally, a GOOD cholesterol we can talk about!
(And no Regina...butter is not a carb)
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Let's get real now - weight loss:
A study by the USDA indicated that diets high in pumpkin as a fiber source tended to curb the appetite, while simultaneously providing more food and nutrients for the SAME calorie count! Need we say more? Let's let the pumpkin keep those plump curves while we fight holiday season! And with the (literally) millions of different pumpkin recipes available for you to try, there is no reason that pumpkin lovers and naysayers alike shouldn't be able to sneak a bit more into their diet.
Here are a few fun ones we're going to try:
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| How about a healthy pumpkin soup during this chilly weather? |
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| Downeast Maine made this FANTASTIC pumpkin bread! |
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| Pumpkin and Sausage pasta, anyone? |
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| A great step by step on roasting pumpkin seeds to PERFECTION |
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| Ok, how can you say no to Pumpkin Spice cupcakes?? |
What are some of your favorite pumpkin recipes? Let us know in the comments and your recipe might be featured! Also, don't forget about the HUGE $500 giveaway we're doing, check out our social media accounts, upload a pic and use the hashtag #GlobalLaser to be entered! Contest ends November 30th...so get yours in now ;)
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