In my opinion, pumpkins are the perfect autumn fruit. (Yes, they are fruits!)
One pumpkin can be used to bake delicious treats, refresh your skin, make a table centerpiece,
and educate your little ones on a weekend afternoon. How many other fruits or vegetables can come close to that list?
Here are my five favorite ways to enjoy a fresh autumn pumpkin – not in any particular order by the way…

1.  A Smart Squash
The first and most obvious thing to do with a pumpkin is carve it into a Jack-o-Lantern.
But even if you don’t’ celebrate Halloween, pumpkins make beautiful autumn candle holders.
Instead of carving the traditional face…try making holes, stripes or even autumn leaves.
In addition to creating a pumpkin lantern, carving your pumpkin can become a teachable moment as if you take the time to ask your children simple questions…
Which pumpkin is the largest?
How does it feel?
What color is it?
Is it a fruit or a vegetable? - it’s a fruit because it has seeds inside)
Why do you think the outside is so hard ?  - to protect the seeds on the inside.

Then place 1-3 pumpkin seeds   in a Ziploc bag along with a damp paper towel. Place the bag in a cupboard. Wait a few days and then check …has it begun to sprout? I’ve also had this work when I placed the bag in a window
– try them both and compare.

2. Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
For energy packed breakfast or after school treat, whip up a delicious pumpkin smoothie!
(Recipe below)

3. Ooh La-La Pumpkin Spa
Treat yourself to a skin reviving pumpkin facial…here is my favorite pumpkin facial recipe >>

4. Pumpkin Painting

Use acrylic paint to design your own festive autumn decoration.
First wash and dry the outside of the pumpkin. I used fresh leaves to make prints but you can use a paint stamp instead. Paint eh back of the leaves. Then press the leaf, paint -side down against the pumpkin. Using a paper towel to press the leaf keeps things a bit neater and I found that it produced a better print. Both of these pumpkins were just painted with acrylic paint. Sponge brushes didn’t work as well as a regular paint brush. After I took these photos I sprayed an acrylic sealer/ gloss for extra protection.
 

 

Leave your painted pumpkins just as they are,  or cut and scoop out a pumpkin  before painting.
Then use it to hold a vase of flowers – what a unique table centerpiece!

5. Play pumpkin game or two!
We’ve enjoyed these games as a family and at Halloween/Harvest parties.

Pumpkin Hoop Toss
You’ll need a large pumpkin with a nice long stem.
If you have rings from a summer yard game, use those or make your own rings with
thick rope and duct tape. Take turns attempting to get your ring around the stem of the
pumpkin by tossing it from a distance - like a ring toss or horseshoe game.
Pumpkin Bowl
Have you ever tried to roll a pumpkin in a straight line?
Make your pins using empty plastic soda bottles, filled half way with sand or water.
Then roll a medium or small pumpkin into your pins…. just like you would a bowling game.
It’s much harder than you’d think, especially if you play the game on the lawn.

Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
 1 whole banana
 1-1/2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
 1 whole graham cracker
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Place all of the ingredients into as blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
A variation could include vanilla soymilk and ice cubes in lieu of the yogurt and OJ.

One more pumpkin tip...
Don't toss those pumpkin seeds!
Toast or roast pumpkin seeds in your oven in no time at all with this pumpkin seed recipe >>

Pumpkin and Halloween Crafts for Kids from AmazingMoms >>

Until next week - Keep life fun and festive!
~ Kit
Mother, Auntie, Nana and Founder of AmazingMoms.com