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Kymythy's Kitchen Nutrition: A Delicious Pumpkin Alternative
By Kymythy R. Schultze, CN
Question: I love the flavor of pumpkin, but I'm tired of pie! Is there something else I can make with it? Also, I've heard that pumpkin is high in something called beta-carotene - is that a good thing?
Answer: Absolutely! Pumpkins have been used throughout history as both food and medicine and they're grown almost all over the world, ranging in size from very tiny to giants weighing more than 100 pounds. This winter squash is an excellent source of antioxidants including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin - compounds that help fight the damaging effect of free radicals that can cause heart disease and cancer.
Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, and may be helpful for vision disorders. It also contains minerals such as potassium, copper, manganese, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus; vitamins A, C, B, and E; and enzymes. It's often used as a digestive aid for nausea and diarrhea.
If you're using a fresh whole pumpkin for the following recipe, you can even use the hollowed-out shell as a beautiful bowl!
Great Pumpkin Soup
2 cups pumpkin (canned)
1 1/2 cups unsweetened apple juice
1 cup unsweetened carrot juice
1 avocado, peeled and pitted
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree. Serve warm or chilled. Pour into bowls and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped pumpkin seeds. Makes about 4 cups.
About the Author:
Kymythy R. Schultze is a clinical nutritionist and has been a trailblazer in the field of nutrition for almost two decades.
Kymythy is the author of "Natural Nutrition for Cats", and "The Natural Nutrition No-Cook Book: Delicious Food for You...and
Your Pets!" She is also author of the best-selling book "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Diet." For more
information go to www.kymythy.com.
Let's Get Cooking!
While there are many reasons for teaching kids to cook -- less expensive than eating out, preserves family heritage, etc, the most important
reason is that by teaching your child to cook, you're giving him a better chance to be a healthy grown-up. Enabling your child with the ability
to appreciate freshness and to transform ingredients into tasty foods opens their eyes to making wiser choices about what to eat...
Kymythy's Kitchen Nutrition: A Delicious Pumpkin Alternative
Let's Get Cooking!
