The Great Pumpkin Season is Here!

It’s October! There’s a chill in the air and leaves starting to fall. The time of boots, flannel, bonfires and pumpkin-flavored everything is upon us!

Pumpkin 101 –

Pumpkins come from the Curcurbitaceae family and are a highly nutritious Winter squash. Contrary to popular belief, the pumpkin is not a vegetable, but scientifically a fruit because of its seeds. Although, nutritionally, its more similar to a vegetable, so we’ll just put pumpkins in that same weird, gray area with tomatoes. The pumpkin is relatively low in calories because it is 94% water. Pumpkin seeds are also edible and highly nutritious.

Pumpkins and Your Skin –

Pumpkins contain vitamins A, B, C and E and are also loaded with antioxidants that fight free radicals that cause wrinkles, sun damage and decreased collagen production. Pumpkin enzymes naturally dissolve and exfoliate dead skin cells. The zinc and potassium found in pumpkins helps to heal and prevent acne as well as combat redness in the skin.

Pumpkins are loaded with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) that increase cell turnover within the skin and boost collagen to reduce and prevent the signs of aging. The molecular structure of pumpkin cells are very small and thus can easily penetrate into the skin’s cells.

Shop Pumpkin Enzyme Peel

Pumpkin and Your Body –

• Boosts immune system – packed with vitamins A, C, E, iron and folate to boost your body’s natural immunity.
• Heart health – pumpkin contains high levels of potassium that lowers your blood pressure that decreases risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Weight loss – pumpkins are a nutrient-dense and low calorie food. Great source of fiber to curb your appetite.
• Improves eyesight – the amounts of vitamins A and C in pumpkins protect your corneas, and help to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.
• Aids in digestion – the same enzymes found in the pumpkin that aid in skin health, promote gut health as well. Pumpkins are also high in fiber to encourage digestive regularity.
• Protects against chronic disease – the high antioxidant levels found in pumpkins can counteract inflammation in the body believed to lead to chronic illness and some forms of cancer.

*Note – stay away from the processed, highly sweetened “pumpkin-favored” concoctions and treats that are everywhere this time of year. Those junky foods have no nutritional value and will give you none of the above-mentioned benefits. We’re talking about real deal pumpkins here.

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Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (organic canned pumpkin will work) NOT pumpkin pie filling!
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch of nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

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Take care and be well!

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