Carved Pumpkin Faces
Pumpkin Decorations….
Pumpkin Latte’s…
Pumpkin Pie…
Pumpkin Bread…
And so much MORE!
Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins EVERYWHERE!!!
We have officially entered the season where pumpkins are impossible to ignore!
And why should we! They not only fun to decorate with but they are a satisfying and amazing food source… another example of a GOD FOOD FOR A GOD BODY!
Let's take a super quick look at why they are so great for us:
- You will feel fuller
Packed full of fiber equals satisfaction as well as keeping our bowels healthy. - You will sleep better
Improves serotonin which is the “feel-good” neurotransmitter that helps you settle down, unwind and doze off to sleep. - You will have a healthy heart
Remember the fiber from #1?! - You’ll increase your prostate health
Pumpkin is rich in Zinc; it contains more than 2mg per ounce which can contribute to the prevention of prostate cancer, research shows. - You will receive magnesium
Naturally without risking overdoing it. Magnesium is an essential mineral that aids in many physiological functions like the relaxation of the nervous system, muscle growth, and regulating bowel movements. - You’ll feel the antioxidant benefits
Beta carotene is thought to play a role in protecting cells, boosting the immune system, and helping to keep the reproductive system healthy. - When you eat some pumpkin, you burn the fat
It will keep you full longer, and regulate your blood sugar levels to keep food cravings at bay which helps you eat fewer calories and burn more fat. - It’ll keep your eyesight sharp
A cup of pumpkin will meet your daily vitamin A requirements that aid in the integrity of your vision, especially in dim light according to the National Institute of Health. - You will have to eat fewer bananas
Bananas have made themselves popular for their potassium benefits. But pumpkin serves us up more cup per cup. Potassium deficiency can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness and inactive reflexes, so switch it up and rotate some pumpkin into your diet instead of solely relying on bananas for potassium.
PROBABLY THE #1 REASON, TO LOVE PUMPKINS, IS
- AKA: #10 – It will boost your mood
Serotonin deficiency is a growing concern for many people. Researchers claim that it’s an epidemic inflicting its unique dark cloud misery on people and it’s noted that 80% of people suffer from serotonin deficiency. The reason why serotonin is important to overall wellness is that it’s our primary defense against depression and anxiety. A simple way to make sure you’re producing natural serotonin is to include foods that contain the amino acid tryptophan which gets converted to serotonin in your body. Pumpkin seeds contain loads of tryptophan which will help keep your outlook on life bright.
So how do you incorporate pumpkin into your diet?
- PUMPKIN LATTE – this is one of my favorite shakes and/or Latte that I created a few years back that ensures I have to “chew” a shake so I still receive all the gut benefits of creating the enzymes our gut so very much needs to ensure it is breaking things down!
- PUMPKIN BREAD: Christina has created a pumpkin bread that is so good you’re going to want it even during the summer months! This is the perfect time to experiment with going gluten-free if you have been on the fence! Christina’s Gluten-Free cookbook is truly COUNTRY COMFORT MEETS GLUTEN FREE!
Don’t let baking Gluten-Free scare you off
But in case you are feeling a bit intimidated, we have you covered with this video mini-series that we walk you through several recipes as well as what the tricks are to make gluten-free baking super successful!
As always have an amazingly blessed day, week, month and remember to keep journaling your gratitude….this is the perfect time to start doing this if you haven’t already!
Blessings and prayers always,
PS….November’s Coffee Chat and Happy Hour are ready to sign up for! Join us for an hour of fun twice a month as we venture into the holidays….we will be covering gratitude, baking, protecting our immune system as we enter deeper into cold & flu season….and so much more.