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Six Reasons To Eat Pumpkin and Pumpkin Seeds

pumpkin-seeds-592x395Here are Six reasons to enjoy pumpkins this autumn season, seeds and all:

1- Reduce your cancer risk: Pumpkins are one of the best sources of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells against free radicals. Research shows that a diet rich in beta-carotene likely lowers the risk of many types of cancer.

2- Boost your immunity: Pumpkin packs nearly 20% of your daily-recommended amount of vitamin C! Combine that with the anti-viral properties of beta-carotene and you’ve got a valuable vegetable during the colder months when colds and flus run rampant. Pumpkin seeds are also packed with zinc, which helps optimize immune function.

3- Improve your vision: Beta-carotene is also essential for eye health, helping the retina to absorb and process light. In addition, pumpkin contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help to prevent cataracts.

4- Lift your mood: Pumpkin seeds are packed with L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid that builds serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of wellbeing and happiness.

5- Protect your heart: Pumpkin seeds are also rich in magnesium, which helps to regulate blood pressure and prevent stroke, and are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which also may improve cardiovascular health.

6- Promotes weight loss: Pumpkin is low in calories but high in fiber, which helps to promote a feeling of fullness, slows down digestion, and keeps your blood sugar levels stable, preventing crashes that tend to contribute to overeating.

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Raw Pumpkin Pie Recipe

imagesThe BEST Raw Pumpkin Pie Recipe

This pumpkin pie, is FOR SURE, the BEST pumpkin pie I have ever had the chance of experiencing. The crust is incredibly tasty, and the filling is to die for! So much better than a plain dough crust and refined-sugar infused filling (with who knows what other chemicals are hidden in there!). It is 100% raw, gluten-free, nut & seed free, low-fat and AMAZING!

Pumpkin is one of my favorite fall treats because it is loaded with so many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients (especially when eaten raw, such as in this recipe!). Pumpkins are packed with muscle-building protein, contain lutein for eye health, help support a healthy prostate, bladder and kidneys, help lower cholesterol, rich in B-complex group of vitamins, and they contain vitamin C, E, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, & alpha and beta carotenoids, which help prevent cellular damage!

Ingredients:
Crust:
– 1 mature coconut
– 1-1.5 cups raisins
– pinch of cinnamon

1. Take the coconut and cut open – take out meat and shred it into flakes (I used my juicer, and just processed the coconut – the pulp that comes out resembles fresh coconut flakes!)
2. Put coconut flakes & 1 cup of raisins into food processor. Blend for awhile, until it starts to clump and turn into “dough” – you can add more raisins if you like, just make sure the mixture is not too sticky, so somewhat dry.
3. Form this into a pie dish to resemble the crust.

Filling:
– 1 sugar pumpkin
– 7-10 dates, pitted
– 1/2 tsp. cloves
– 1 tsp. cinnamon
– 1 inch piece fresh ginger root (or 1-2 tsp. dried ginger powder)

1. Peel sugar pumpkin, and take out seeds.
2. Cut into little pieces and put into a high-speed blender like the Vitamix.
3. Put in dates, and spices and ginger.
4. Put in a little bit of water to get the mixture started.
5. Blend until smooth (the Vitamix is a great blender for blending pumpkin!)

Put filling into pie crust, and voila! You can put it in the freezer to set it a bit if you please, but I just put mine in the fridge and kept it overnight. Enjoy! Leave a comment below and tell me how it went!