The Power of Pumpkin, a look and taste...

You can just say the word pumpkin and I will drool. I love pumpkin!!! I will consider myself fully immersed in fall when I bake my first pumpkin treat and roast my first batch of pumpkin seeds.

So why else is pumpkin so awesome?? Because its SO good for you! Check out these benefits, then try a recipe or two and thank me later. Youuuuuur welcome. 

Benefits of pumpkin:

• Very low calories and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol and a rich source of dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins. 
  
  
• Pumpkin is a storehouse of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-A, vitamin-C and vitamin-E.
  
  
• Excellent source of Vitamin A (246% of RDA) which is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and is required by body for maintaining the integrity of skin and mucus membranes. It is also an essential vitamin for vision. Research studies suggest that natural foods rich in vitamin A helps body protect against lung and oral cavity cancers.
  
  
• It is also an excellent source of many natural poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds such as α and ß carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenes convert into vitamin A inside the body.
  
  
• Helps protect from "age related macular disease" 
  
  
• Rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid.
  
  
• It is also rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
  
  
• Pumpkin Seeds are good source of dietary fiber and mono-unsaturated fatty acids which are good for heart health. In addition, they are very good in protein, minerals and many health benefiting vitamins. For example 100 g of pumpkin seeds provide 559 cal, 30 g of protein, 110% RDA of iron, 4987 mg of niacin (31% RDA), selenium (17% of RDA), zinc (71%) etc... but no cholesterol. The seeds are an excellent source of health promoting amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is converted to GABA in the brain.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Vegan, Gluten free, Dairy free, Sugar free, Yeast free, Corn free

This smoothie is creamy and light. Not only will it add extra fiber to your day, but having pumpkin in the morning will keep you fuller, longer!

Yield: 1 serving, 2 cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup non-dairy milk – I used unsweetened almond
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 banana
• 1 tbsp raisins or 1/2 tsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• pinch ground nutmeg
• pinch ground cloves
• pinch all spice

Blend until smooth

Vegan Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

Every year i speak of this recipe and all my friends ask for the recipe. I don't take credit for it at all but I have become an expert at making it because it's so delicious!!! Enjoy!