Bright Orange is Here!
The leaves are changing and funny/scary costumes are on the horizon. Better yet, fall brings meals and snacks that overlap beautifully with the season of bright orange pumpkins for a “perfect storm” of good nutrition.
Good Nutrition News!
Pumpkin falls near the top of a list of the healthiest vegetables for everyone. It has fewer than 50 calories in 1 cup cooked and over 250% of the RDA (recommended daily allowance) for vitamin A for adults. In addition, pumpkin is mildly anti-inflammatory which means it is ‘kind’ to the body’s cells and physiology in general.
Fun With Pumpkin!
For many families, a fresh pumpkin is carved into a fun jack-o-lantern and the seeds are scooped out and reserved for toasting in the oven with a little oil and salt. There’s great nutrition in the seeds, by the way, with nearly 20% of the RDA for magnesium and zinc. A big pumpkin, though, simply does not fit into the family pantry for cooking purposes. What does fit into the pantry is a convenient and nutrient-dense can of solid-pack pumpkin. Its one ingredient, pumpkin, is versatile and full of flavor.
Pumpkin for Breakfast!
Pumpkin and breakfast? Why not? By pairing the morning meal with a highly nutritious squash, everyone is in for a blast of good nutrition and a tasty, new waker-up. Go ahead, try one of these totally simple pumpkin recipes, or try both!
Pumpkin-Apple Pancakes: Mix together 1 cup Bisquick Heart Smart Baking Mix + 1 cup whole wheat flour + 1 1/4 cups nonfat milk + 1 large egg + 1/2 – 3/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin + 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Cook into pancakes. Serve with warmed applesauce and a little cinnamon-sugar.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese and Bagel: Mix together until creamy 8 oz light cream cheese + 1/4 cup solid-pack pumpkin + 1 Tbsp brown sugar + 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice. Serve with a fresh mini bagel.
Creating a Healthier Kitchen
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