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When we think of pumpkins, we think of Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns, pumpkin pie, and perhaps Thanksgiving.

But, the fact of the matter is, there’s more than one way to use a pumpkin!

During October, pumpkins are abundant. Sometimes, they seem to be too abundant. And it’s not uncommon to see excess pumpkins cast aside or left to rot after Halloween. But, with a little bit of innovation, there’s really no need to let the extras go to waste.

The following are just a few of the great uses for pumpkins:

1. Musical Pumpkins – Yes, that

When we think of pumpkins, we think of Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns, pumpkin pie, and perhaps Thanksgiving.

But, truthfully, there are many ways to use a pumpkin!

During October, pumpkins are abundant. Sometimes, they are too abundant. And it’s not uncommon to see excess pumpkins cast aside or left to rot after Halloween, but there’s really no need to let the extras go to waste.

The following are just a few of the great uses for pumpkins:

Pumpkins in Recipes

As food, pumpkins are low in calories, yet high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, protein, and potassium. Dig out your favorite cookbook and search for recipes containing pumpkin.

Pumpkin breads, pies, and pumpkin muffins are favorites, but you can probably find plenty of others. As an impromptu house guest in Paris, I was once served an incredible pumpkin soup (though I never completed my search for that particular). There are more exotic recipes to try as well – pumpkin juice, pumpkin ice cream, and even fried pumpkin.

Pumpkin Seeds

Also called “pepitas,” pumpkin seeds are known to be highly nutritious, and are used in weight-loss diets. They provide fiber, healthy fats, and protein, as well as such minerals as magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, and copper. They are also known to strengthen the immune system, and to be good for people with high cholesterol.

Roasted pumpkin seeds make excellent snacks between meals, can be sprinkled over a holiday squash soup, and are a favorite in Mexican cooking. Candied pumpkin seeds are great for parties as well – and even your children might accept them among their Halloween candy.

Pumpkins for Later

If you have more pumpkins than you know what to do with, you can save them for later use in recipes and for winter holidays.

There are several ways to create pumpkin puree which can be frozen for later use. The following are three preparation methods:

1. Baking – Cut the pumpkin in half, place it on a baking sheet with the flat side down, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for about an hour, or until it is tender when tested with a fork.

2. Microwave – Follow the same procedure as above, but instead of placing the pumpkin in an oven, microwave it on high for about 15 minutes, or until it is tender.

3. Boiling – Cut the pumpkin into large chunks and rinse. Then, place the chunks in a large pot, cover with water (fully immersing the pumpkins, plus one inch of water on top), and boil until tender.

After you have used one of the methods above to soften the pumpkin, cool it off, peel it, and mash it in a food processor. You can also use a potato masher or similar device.

Then, simply seal the puree into zip lock bags, or whatever is convenient, and freeze it for for the winter. The puree can be used as a substitute for canned pumpkin, in any recipe.

Pumpkin for Pets

Mashed pumpkin is a great remedy for digestive trouble in dogs. It can be used to combat weight gain or diarrhea, and for resistance to infections. It’s also said to be good for a dog’s night vision and general health.

Simply add a few spoons of cooked and mashed pumpkin to your dog’s food. (Important: it must be pure mashed pumpkin, not a mix!)

Cats may like pumpkin as well, and it can be given to help cats with similar digestive troubles, as well as hairballs.

Remember, if your pet is sick, take him to the vet! Also, ask your vet about using pumpkin as a home remedy.

Pumpkins for the Skin

Pumpkins contain anti-oxidants and alpha-hydroxy, which are said to be good for the skin. You can use pumpkin peels as a facial, to combat wrinkles or other skin problems.

Pumpkins as Dishes

You can clean a pumpkin well, cut it in half, and dry it for use as a serving bowl or a flower vase. You can also use a halved pumpkin to cook or bake other foods in.

Pumpkins as Ornaments

Pumpkins, gourds, and squash can be used to create candle holders, Thanksgiving centerpieces, and other ornaments.

Pumpkins for Children and Games

Pumpkins can be used for children’s drawing or carving contests. If your kids are too little to start carving yet, they can also decorate pumpkins with markers or paint – or even create a pumpkin collage. Another use of pumpkins is as targets for archery practice.

But we definitely don’t recommend any games that involve throwing pumpkins, nor using them as substitutes for foot balls.

Possibly even better, how about a cross between a Jack-O-Lantern, a Snow Man, and a Scare Crow? Your kids might have a great time making a Pumpkin Man – and it’s much better for them than watching TV.

Pumpkins for Crafts

If you’re an experienced craftsman or a devout hobbyist, you might try some more advanced and creative uses of pumpkins. You can make pumpkin leather like the American Indians did, or just settle with a simple pumpkin bird house.

Musical Pumpkins

Yes, that’s right, pumpkins make great musical instruments as well. Or, at least they can if you know how to make (and play) them. You can find a variety of ideas for instruments that can be made from gourds, squashes, and pumpkins. Although many musical instruments are made from gourds, one can easily imagine how a large or small pumpkin would do just as well in several cases.

As you can see, there’s really no need for pumpkins to go to waste, either before Halloween or afterwards.

During economic recessions, it’s not uncommon that people have more time on their hands than they have money. A woman who’s lost her job doesn’t stop looking for work. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have more time on her hands, which she can use for a few creative domestic tasks, that help keep costs down.

Instead of letting extra pumpkins go to waste, the above are a few ways you can stretch your grocery budget a bit further, invest some time in your health, get your kids away from the screen, and have some fun at the same time.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others understand how to utilize existing resources in their lives, reduce waste, and adopt eco-friendly lifestyles. Find out more at her blogs, Source and Resource and Build and Rebuild.

Source Article: Different Ways to Use Pumpkins

Getting the proper gift for artistic kids can be complicated. The Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel is one amongst the best things around these days for stimulating a child’s artistic spirit. Like other toys in the Melissa and Doug range of toys, this easel is an all-natural wood creation. The exacting quality standards assure that it can hold up to many years of use.

Kids of ages four through ten are sure to get pleasure from the Deluxe Standing Easel. Parents can appreciate the actual fact that the height can be adjusted, allowing it to grow along with the child. Two other edges are it’s durability which prevents the easel from tipping accidentally, and it’s ability to fold quickly for convenient storage.

Being artistic is made easier with the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel. It is more than just a simple easel. Either of its two sides boast a generous-sized chalkboard or dry-erase board. An easily connected paper roll is also included, giving your child a place to color with brushes or their fingers. All of this will bring out the artistic artist in any child, giving them many fun-crammed hours to paint, draw, doodle, or otherwise express themselves.

The easel arrives with the formerly mentioned dry-erase board and chalk board, a tray for paint, four brightly coloured cups, and 4 clips for displaying the young one’s masterpieces. Whether or not your young artist prefers crayons, paints, chalk, water colors or oil pastels; the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel is sure be a pleasant gift. The sort of gift they can use for many years to come. They will smile when they see their art dsiplayed on the wall. And who knows, perhaps someday one of their first may even be magnificently exhibited in a museum.

When we think of pumpkins, we think of Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns, pumpkin pie, and perhaps Thanksgiving.

But, truthfully, there are many ways to use a pumpkin!

During October, pumpkins are abundant. Sometimes, they are too abundant. And it’s not uncommon to see excess pumpkins cast aside or left to rot after Halloween, but there’s really no need to let the extras go to waste.

The following are just a few of the great uses for pumpkins:

Pumpkins in Recipes

As food, pumpkins are low in calories, yet high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, protein, and potassium. Dig out your favorite cookbook and search for recipes containing pumpkin.

Pumpkin breads, pies, and pumpkin muffins are favorites, but you can probably find plenty of others. As an impromptu house guest in Paris, I was once served an incredible pumpkin soup (though I never completed my search for that particular). There are more exotic recipes to try as well – pumpkin juice, pumpkin ice cream, and even fried pumpkin.

Pumpkin Seeds

Also called “pepitas,” pumpkin seeds are known to be highly nutritious, and are used in weight-loss diets. They provide fiber, healthy fats, and protein, as well as such minerals as magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, and copper. They are also known to strengthen the immune system, and to be good for people with high cholesterol.

Roasted pumpkin seeds make excellent snacks between meals, can be sprinkled over a holiday squash soup, and are a favorite in Mexican cooking. Candied pumpkin seeds are great for parties as well – and even your children might accept them among their Halloween candy.

Pumpkins for Later

If you have more pumpkins than you know what to do with, you can save them for later use in recipes and for winter holidays.

There are several ways to create pumpkin puree which can be frozen for later use. The following are three preparation methods:

1. Baking – Cut the pumpkin in half, place it on a baking sheet with the flat side down, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for about an hour, or until it is tender when tested with a fork.

2. Microwave – Follow the same procedure as above, but instead of placing the pumpkin in an oven, microwave it on high for about 15 minutes, or until it is tender.

3. Boiling – Cut the pumpkin into large chunks and rinse. Then, place the chunks in a large pot, cover with water (fully immersing the pumpkins, plus one inch of water on top), and boil until tender.

After you have used one of the methods above to soften the pumpkin, cool it off, peel it, and mash it in a food processor. You can also use a potato masher or similar device.

Then, simply seal the puree into zip lock bags, or whatever is convenient, and freeze it for for the winter. The puree can be used as a substitute for canned pumpkin, in any recipe.

Pumpkin for Pets

Mashed pumpkin is a great remedy for digestive trouble in dogs. It can be used to combat weight gain or diarrhea, and for resistance to infections. It’s also said to be good for a dog’s night vision and general health.

Simply add a few spoons of cooked and mashed pumpkin to your dog’s food. (Important: it must be pure mashed pumpkin, not a mix!)

Cats may like pumpkin as well, and it can be given to help cats with similar digestive troubles, as well as hairballs.

Remember, if your pet is sick, take him to the vet! Also, ask your vet about using pumpkin as a home remedy.

Pumpkins for the Skin

Pumpkins contain anti-oxidants and alpha-hydroxy, which are said to be good for the skin. You can use pumpkin peels as a facial, to combat wrinkles or other skin problems.

Pumpkins as Dishes

You can clean a pumpkin well, cut it in half, and dry it for use as a serving bowl or a flower vase. You can also use a halved pumpkin to cook or bake other foods in.

Pumpkins as Ornaments

Pumpkins, gourds, and squash can be used to create candle holders, Thanksgiving centerpieces, and other ornaments.

Pumpkins for Children and Games

Pumpkins can be used for children’s drawing or carving contests. If your kids are too little to start carving yet, they can also decorate pumpkins with markers or paint – or even create a pumpkin collage. Another use of pumpkins is as targets for archery practice.

But we definitely don’t recommend any games that involve throwing pumpkins, nor using them as substitutes for foot balls.

Possibly even better, how about a cross between a Jack-O-Lantern, a Snow Man, and a Scare Crow? Your kids might have a great time making a Pumpkin Man – and it’s much better for them than watching TV.

Pumpkins for Crafts

If you’re an experienced craftsman or a devout hobbyist, you might try some more advanced and creative uses of pumpkins. You can make pumpkin leather like the American Indians did, or just settle with a simple pumpkin bird house.

Musical Pumpkins

Yes, that’s right, pumpkins make great musical instruments as well. Or, at least they can if you know how to make (and play) them. You can find a variety of ideas for instruments that can be made from gourds, squashes, and pumpkins. Although many musical instruments are made from gourds, one can easily imagine how a large or small pumpkin would do just as well in several cases.

As you can see, there’s really no need for pumpkins to go to waste, either before Halloween or afterwards.

During economic recessions, it’s not uncommon that people have more time on their hands than they have money. A woman who’s lost her job doesn’t stop looking for work. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have more time on her hands, which she can use for a few creative domestic tasks, that help keep costs down.

Instead of letting extra pumpkins go to waste, the above are a few ways you can stretch your grocery budget a bit further, invest some time in your health, get your kids away from the screen, and have some fun at the same time.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others understand how to utilize existing resources in their lives, reduce waste, and adopt eco-friendly lifestyles. Find out more at her blogs, Source and Resource and Build and Rebuild.

Source Article: Different Ways of Using Pumpkins

Getting the proper gift for inventive children can be difficult. The Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel is one among the best items on the market nowadays for exciting a kid’s inventive spirit. As with other toys within the Melissa and Doug range of toys, this easel is an all-natural wood product. The thorough quality standards reassure that it can enjoy many years of being used.

Youngsters of ages Four to ten are positive to get pleasure from the Deluxe Standing Easel. Folks can appreciate the actual fact that the height is adjustable, permitting it to grow together with the child. Two other advantages are it’s robustness which stops the easel from accidentally tipping, and it’s capability to fold quickly for handy storage.

Being inventive is made easier with the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel. It is more than just a easy easel. Either of its two sides boast an ample-sized chalkboard or dry-erase board. An simply attached paper roll is additionally included, which gives your kid a place to paint with their fingers or brushes. This all brings out the inventive artist in any kid, providing them several fun-filled hours to draw, paint, doodle, or express themselves in other creative ways.

The easel comes with the formerly mentioned dry-erase board and chalk board, a tray for paint, four brightly coloured cups, and four clips for displaying the young one’s art work. Whether your young artist prefers paints, crayons, chalk, water colors or oil pastels; the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel is sure be a pleasant gift. The kind of gift they can use for several years to come. They will smile once they see their art dsiplayed on the refrigerator. Well who knows, maybe someday one of their “early works” might even be magnificently exhibited in a museum.

When we think of pumpkins, we think of Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns, pumpkin pie, and perhaps Thanksgiving.

But, the fact of the matter is, there’s more than one way to use a pumpkin!

During October, pumpkins are abundant. Sometimes, they seem to be too abundant. And it’s not uncommon to see excess pumpkins cast aside or left to rot after Halloween. But, with a little bit of innovation, there’s really no need to let the extras go to waste.

The following are just a few of the great uses for pumpkins:

1. Pumpkins in Recipes – As food, pumpkins are low in calories, yet high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, protein, and potassium. Pull out your favorite cookbook and search for recipes containing pumpkin. Pumpkin breads, pies, and muffins are favorites, but you can probably find plenty of others. As an impromptu house guest in Paris, I was once served an amazing pumpkin soup (though I never completed my search for that particular). There are more exotic recipes to try as well – pumpkin juice, pumpkin ice cream, and even fried pumpkin.
2. Pumpkins in Crafts – If you’re an experienced craftsman or a devout hobbyist, you might try some more creative and advanced uses of pumpkins. You can make pumpkin leather like the American Indians did, or just settle with a simple pumpkin bird house.
3. Saving Pumpkins for Later – When you have more pumpkins than you know what to do with, you can save them for later use in recipes and for winter holidays. There are several ways to create pumpkin puree which can be frozen for later use. The following are three preparation methods: 1. Baking – Cut the pumpkin in half, place it on a baking sheet with the flat side down, and bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for about an hour, or until it is tender when tested with a fork. 2. Microwave – Follow the above procedure, but instead of placing the pumpkin in an oven, microwave it on high for about 15 minutes, or until it is tender. 3. Boiling – Cut the pumpkin into large chunks and rinse. Then, place the chunks into a cooking pot, cover with water (fully immersing the pumpkins, while leaving one inch of water on top), and boil until tender. After you have utilized one of the methods above to soften the pumpkin, cool it off, peel it, and mash it in a food processor. You can also use a potato masher or another similar device. Then, simply seal the puree into zip lock bags, or whatever is convenient, and freeze it for for the winter. The puree can be used as a substitute for canned pumpkin, in any recipe.
4. Pumpkins for Children and Games – You can use pumpkins in children’s drawing and carving contests. If your kids are too little to start carving yet, they can also decorate pumpkins with markers or paint – or even a pumpkin collage. Another use of a pumpkin is as a target for archery practice. We definitely don’t recommend any games that involve throwing pumpkins, nor using them as substitutes for soccer balls. Possibly even better, how about a cross between a Jack-O-Lantern, a Snow Man, and a Scare Crow? Your kids might have a great time making a Pumpkin Man – and it’s much better for them than watching TV.
5. Pumpkin Seeds – Also called “pepitas,” pumpkin seeds are known to be highly nutritious, and are used in weight-loss diets. They provide fiber, healthy fats, and protein, as well as such minerals as magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, and copper. They are also known to strengthen the immune system, and to be good for people with high cholesterol. Roasted pumpkin seeds make excellent between-meals snacks, can be sprinkled over a holiday squash soup, and are a favorite in Mexican cooking. Candied pumpkin seeds are good for parties as well – and even your children might accept them among their Halloween candy.
6. Pumpkins as Ornaments – Pumpkins, gourds, and squash can be used to create candle holders, Thanksgiving centerpieces, and other ornaments.
7. Musical Pumpkins – Yes, that’s right, pumpkins make good musical instruments as well. Or, at least they can if you know how to make (and play) them. You can find a variety of ideas for instruments that can be made from gourds, squashes, and pumpkins. Although many musical instruments are made from gourds, one can easily imagine how a large or small pumpkin would do just as well in several cases.
8. Pumpkins for the Skin – Pumpkins contain anti-oxidants and alpha-hydroxy, which are said to be good for the skin. You can use pumpkin peels as a facial, to combat aging or other skin problems.
9. Pumpkins as Dishes – You can clean a pumpkin well, cut it in half, and dry it for use as a serving bowl or a flower vase. You can also use a halved pumpkin to cook or bake other foods in.
10. Pumpkin for Pets – Mashed pumpkin is a well-known remedy for digestive trouble in dogs. It can be used to combat weight gain or diarrhea, and for resistance to infections. It is also said to be good for a dog’s night vision and general health. Simply add a few spoonfuls of cooked and mashed pumpkin to your dog’s food. (Important: it must be pure mashed pumpkin, not a mix!) For instructions on how to create your own mashed pumpkin, see point #4 below. Cats might like pumpkin as well, and it can be used to help cats with similar digestive troubles, as well as hairballs. Remember, if your pet is sick, take him to the vet! Also, ask your vet about using pumpkin for a home remedy.

As you can see, it’s not necessary to let pumpkins to go to waste, either before or after Halloween.

During economic recessions, it’s not uncommon for people to have more time on their hands than they have money. A woman who has lost her job might not stop looking for work, but that doesn’t mean she won’t have more time on her hands for a few domestic and creative tasks, to help keep costs down.

Instead of letting extra pumpkins go to waste, the above are a few ways to stretch your grocery budget a bit further, invest some time in your health, get your kids away from the screen, and have some fun at the same time.

Source Article: Different Uses of Pumpkins