Mighty Pumpkin

At this time of the year we have multiple pumpkins decorating the house, and I wanted to make a greater use of them! Pumpkin is loaded with vitamins and minerals, and very low in calories. So, yesterday I made a pumpkin smoothie. Kiddos loved it, and momma loved it too! So, we had some more this morning with a slight variation...Yumm

It is so simple to make, and you can freeze the rest of the pulp for up to 5 months!

Start by washing and splitting the pumpkin in half. Get rid of the seeds. Place both sides facing down on a baking sheet filled with about 1/3 inch of water. Roast them in the oven for 1 hour at 400F. Turn off the oven and leave them there for another hour. Once they cool down, scoop the pulp with a spoon and store it in ziplog bags. Freeze about 2/3 of the pumpkin for future use in soups, desserts, cookies or more smoothies.

Pumpkin Smoothie

Servings: 4 cups

- 2 cups of roasted pumpkin pulp
- 2 tablespoons of honey
-1 1/2 cups of organic milk
- 2 or 3 drops of natural vanilla extract (optional - I didn't use)

Blend all ingredients together and taste a delicious smoothie loaded with vitamins and minerals.
For the variation this morning:

Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
Servings: 4 cups

- 1 cup of roasted pumpkin pulp
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 1/2 cups of organic milk

Blend all ingredients. Another great, nutritious smoothie is ready! Best of all, kiddos loved it all again!

Spicy Pumpkin Latte

If you prefer pumpkin spiced coffee over hot chocolate (recipe below), this one is for you!

Spicy Pumpkin Latte

Agave syrup and soy milk promise lots of full-bodied flavor without breaking the calorie bank.

Ingredients:
1 c. coffee
1/3 c. soy milk  (or use regular organic milk)
2 tbsp. agave syrup
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Directions:
Brew coffee and pour into a mug . Add soy or regular milk. Stir in agave syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Garnish the top with pumpkin pie spice if desired.

Makes one serving.


Sources: based on recipes from Shape Magazine

Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk and Curry

It's pumpkin season.....what's not to love! 
This recipe is fantastic...traditional pumpkin soup with coconut milk and curry. Delicious! Always making the most of seasonal veggies.

Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk and Curry

• 1 medium-sized pumpkin
• 1 can of coconut milk
• curry paste of your choice
• curry powder of your choice
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 small onions
• 1/2 bunch of parsley
• salt

How to prepare and cook:
Wash the pumpkin, cut it into quarters (or even smaller slices), remove the seeds, and peel it.
Cut the peeled pumpkin slices into small chunks.
Cook the chunks of pumpkin in water until soft — to start, some of the pumpkin chunks should be partially above the water.
While the pumpkin chunks and water are cooling, fry chopped garlic and onions in olive oil on the stove.
Once they have cooled a bit, blend the pumpkin chunks (with the “pumpkin water” that remains in the pot).
Add 2 tsp. of curry paste, coconut milk, the fried garlic and onions, a pinch of salt, and curry powder to taste.
Chop parsley and add to the soup.

Source: EatDrinkBetter

Spiced Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

Are you a fan of spiced pumpkin lattes? At Starbucks they cost as much as $5 (but worth it!). Try this spiced pumpkin hot chocolate....your kids (and you) will love it too!

Spiced Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

• 2 cups of milk
• 2 tablespoons hot cocoa mix
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree (if you can't find it, try acorn squash!)

Combine the milk, hot cocoa mix and pureed pumpkin into a saucepan and place on medium heat. Stir the contents of the saucepan until it begins to steam, then remove it from the stove and add the vanilla. Pour the mixture into a blender and blend for 15-20 seconds. Once the content has been blended, pour it into a cup.

Source: based on recipe from Babble.com

A Simple Practice to Make You Happier!

"I do meditation all the time while I'm waiting in line at a grocery store. Remember that you don't have to do meditation with your eyes closed all the time. You can do meditation just by bringing your awareness to your breathing while you're waiting, which will put you in a more centered and balanced state. Try this whenever you're waiting at the bus stop, while sitting in traffic, or even in the parking lot while you're waiting to pick someone up."

Robert Piper, Meditation Instructor