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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Roasted pumpkin seeds


Roasted pumpkin seeds

Spicy pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with vitamins and minerals, but also with polyunsaturated omega-6 fats. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc, protein, iron, manganese, and muscle relaxing magnesium also sleep promoting tryptophan,   Helps promote joint health and reduce inflammation.
Those fats are very fragile and can go rancid quite quickly so seeds prepared this way should be kept in a air-tight container in the refrigerator and eaten in less than a week. This is also a nice snack kids will like and is very quick to prepare. It’s a great way to use the seeds you get when carving the Halloween pumpkins.  Simply rinse and dry the seeds before using them.
Ingredients
3 cups raw pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp butter or olive oil
1  tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp sea salt;
1 tsp cayenne pepper;
Preheat your oven to 350 F.
In a bowl, toss the pumpkin seeds with the melted oil, chili powder, sea salt and cayenne pepper;
Spread on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes.
Let cool and serve or store in the refrigerator in a air-tight container.

What is Royal Jelly?


Royal Jelly


The beginning of a queen bees life she is just a normal bee. After they choose her to be the queen she begins to eat Royal Jelly and grow 40 percent larger than the regular bees and will lay over 3 million eggs!
Royal Jelly is high in B Complex vitamins. Many diseases respond well to B vitamins because they are needed for healthy metabolism. It also contains amino acids.

Foods that promote healthy hair and nails


Foods that promote healthy hair and nails

swiss chard
almonds
walnuts
cooked eggs
all have Biotin and a biotin deficiency is associated with brittle nails , hair loss, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Protein makes ups hair primarily. So an adequate amount of protein is needed daily.
Fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and cod
flaxseed and walnuts
all are high in Omega 3. Low omega 3’3 cause brittle hair
Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are rich in beta-carotene, which converts vitamin A
Palmetto a dietary supplement can also help reduce  hair loss.

Great reasons to eat pumpkin


Pumpkin


Pumpkin is a heavyweight when it comes to potassium (564 mg ) and only 49 calories per cup. That is 33 percent more than a banana.
Potassium maintains the the water balance in the body. More potassium increases the sodium excreted from the body and lower blood pressure.
Potassium is linked to decreasing the risk of stroke. Athletes need to replenish potassium after exercising. Low potassium can cause the muscles to cramp.
Pumpkin is also high in beta-carotene, it reduces the risk of lung and colon cancers. It can also reduce rheumatoid arthritis by 41 percent.
Pumpkin is also a champion for your eyes. It has carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. All of these nutrients are protect your vision for healthy eyes.
And if that was not enough pumpkin also has Vitamin A plus calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus .
Carotenoids are need for fat absorption, so add a little butter and brown sugar and it is a great substitute for potatoes.
Surprisingly, a simple can of pumpkin puree is a safe and natural home remedy for treating both constipation and diarrhea in cats and dogs. Pumpkin is a wonderful source of fiber and has high water content. If your pet is constipated, the fiber in the pumpkin will soften the stools. If your pet is experiencing diarrhea, the fiber in the pumpkin will absorb the water in your pet’s digestive system which will help make the stools firmer.
Pumpkin is mainly eaten at Halloween and Thanksgiving, but we should eat it more often than that.  I like adding it to my smoothies and my family loves it when I make pumpkin pancakes.
Pumpkin  Pancakes
2 1/3 cups Original Bisquick® mix ( I use gluten free)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
Maple Pecan Syrup
1 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup pecans
Melt butter add pecans and maple syrup. Keep warm.
Stir pancake ingredients until well blended.
Pour batter onto hot greased griddle. Turn; cook until golden brown. Serve with syrup
If I can find it in the store, I like to put in 1/2 package of Jello pumkin spice instant pudding it gives more flavor. If you add the jello don’t add the sugar and pumpkin spice.
Perfect shake  for Autumn …makes your favorite Fall dessert a high-protein shake! 
  • Pumpkin Protein Shake
  • 1 cup of your favorite type of milk (I use unsweetened almond vanilla breeze)
  • 1 serving of vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 cup pure pumpkin
  • 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon each ginger and cloves)
  • 1 cup of ice cubes
  • optional: sweetener of choice (agave, stevia, honey, etc)
Combine  all ingredients into a blender. Process until smooth and thick.  Puor into a large glass, add cool whip to top  if desired and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Makes one serving.

Pumpkin, butternut squash Soup
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 (14.5 ounce) cans vegetable broth
  • 2 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 2 (12 oz) bags of butternut squash
  • 2 small apples cored and sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cup heavy whipping cream or unsweetened coconut milk
  • Pinch of cayenne optional
  • 1/4 cup of maple syrup optional to sweeten
  • 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds for garnish
Saute onion, garlic and celery with oil in a medium saucepan until tender. Add 1 can vegetable broth; stir well. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Add remaining can of broth, pumpkin,apples, butternut squash,  spices; stir well. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Blend mixture in a blender or food processor until smooth. Will need to do in batches. Return mixture to sauce pan and add milk, and maple if desired.
Pour into bowl and garnish with pumpkin seed and Greek yogurt optional
Tastes better the next day as a reheat.