Classy, spooky Halloween party table decor
Happy Halloween! Happy Great Harvest! Happy Great Pumpkin!... all of which are a big part of the Fall season of course.
For many of us in the United States, pumpkins are just a popular fun item to use for Halloween. And, of course they are a big part of celebrating Thanksgiving; for the delicious pumpkin pies that follow Turkey Day dinner.
I don't know if you know this or not, but pumpkins bear significant nutritional benefits too.
Many of you love to eat pumpkin seeds and sure, they have healthy benefits and are known to help maintain the health of the prostate gland. But they also possess a good source of key nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, manganese and beneficial plant sterols (Phytosterols [also called plant sterols] are a group of steroid alcohols, phytochemicals naturally occurring in plants) too.
The good news is, leading health oil manufacturers are creating organic pumpkin products comprised of concentrated pumpkin nutrients. In the States, Amazon.com sells several top-quality pumpkin-based products. And, in the UK company, Omega Nutrition, is also selling a line of organic pumpkin-based products.
Pumpkin Seed Oil –
A delicious addition to salad dressings, pumpkin seed oil has been available for several years. Unrefined, it is a very good source of Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids and an excellent oil to use in all types of homemade salad dressings. It is also particularly beneficial for your hair and skin.
Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder –
Pumpkin seed powder is milled from defatted pumpkin seeds and is an easily digested whole food with a high protein content. One 15g serving gives you nearly 10g of protein and a whole spectrum of amino acids.
I was really excited to learn about pumpkin-based products. I'd been looking for a way to weed out dairy products from my diet, substituting some type of organic vegetable protein or protein alternatives to whey and soy. I felt it would be wise to give up incorporating tofu as the protein substitute in my diet when I learned that soy, corn and beets are some of the worse food items to buy due to the financial greed of farmers who grow genetically modified produce; GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) -- who won't eat them, cordoning off special sections of land to grow organic produce for themselves and their family members to eat.
Pumpkin seed powder can be added to green smoothies, yogurt, cereal, juices, sprinkled on salads and can even be used in baking. So, obviously it's extremely versatile to use and is as distinct from many protein products is it is pleasant tasting. It's not just a protein source that body builders use but it's a fantastic "super-food" for everyone. I can admit, until I changed my diet, I'd never heard of pumpkin-based products; outside of pumpkin seeds. But, pumpkin seed powder is very popular in North America and interest is growing fast in the UK.
Pumpkin Seed Butter –
For people who are allergic to nuts, pumpkin seed butter is a nutritious alternative to nut butters. It's a fantastic alternative to peanut butter and other nut butters, when you suffer from nut allergies. It's benefits are the oils and proteins in the form of a great savory spread. So, once again -- the mighty pumpkin has got a lot more going for it than using them just for making fancy lanterns for Halloween, or as the focus of Fall Harvest decor.
Happy Halloween! Happy Great Harvest! Happy Great Pumpkin!
Pumpkins have great nutrient power and are awesome for your diet... unless they too are grown genetically modified.
I dedicate this post to all of the East Coast CH readers (specifically those who reside in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York), who are unfortunately weathering the storms of Hurricane Sandy. I am sending out BIG LOVE to you, and of course am praying for you too. Blessings to you all!
***** I do this... I write to help create opportunities for anyone who wants to pursue their passion to host parties without regard to economic constraints.
I think if we keep talking about the cost of parties (I blog, you write comments), together, maybe we can break down some of the party industry price barriers and shame some of the people who've taken your money and delivered poor quality right into growing a conscious and treating you right (nice thought, isn't it?).
Opportunities to be inspired about parties are everywhere. Yet, people looking out for your wallet are few and far between. My goal is to inspire you, causing you to question the way things are -- that have been the status quo for too long. When we stand together and speak up, we can be a powerful force.
Let's keep the conversation of change going. Because in the sea of everyone talking, one voice is a whisper... several voices are a scream.
Leave a comment and share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions below. Remember to be as specific as possible because what you have to say helps us all.
I really love you guys. There, I said it.
Always... be encouraged and be encouraging to others too, 
“Skepticism doesn't help you hear.” - Seth Godin
