6 Genius Ways to Use Canned Pumpkin

When fall is in the air, pumpkins are pretty much everywhere, and that means canned pumpkin gets the front-of-aisle spotlight at grocery stores everywhere. If you’re like many people, you probably only think to grab canned pumpkin for that pie you need to bring to Aunt Bettie’s on Turkey Day. But we’re here to tell you that it’s time to use this orange goodness for more than the typical fare. We’ll get to our 6 Genius Ways to Use Canned Pumpkin below. But first, let’s talk about…  Health Benefits of Pumpkin Pumpkin is ridiculously healthful. It’s loaded with vitamin A (which is important for healthy skin and fighting a cold), flavonoids, carotenoids, and zeaxanthin (which helps keep your peepers strong). On top of that, it’s filled with fiber. So go grab a few cans (try to make them organic and be sure not to get the kind that has added sugar!) and get ready to chow down on this healthy, versatile food. RELATED: What’s the Difference Between Gourds, Squash, and Pumpkins? 6 Genius Ways to Use Canned Pumpkin: 1. Add it… To yogurt To oatmeal To pancakes, waffles, crepes To toast with a drizzle of honey To legume dishes, such as lentils, chickpeas, or black beans To sour cream (for soups and tacos) To curry, soups, chili, or stew 2. Breakfast it. Pumpkin blends into a smoothie like it was invented just for that purpose. It mixes into your favorite hot cereal without making it too heavy. It spreads on toast like a dream. You can even pumpkin-up your morning coffee by mixing a spoonful of pumpkin into your milk and heating it up before pouring it in (and here’s a great place to add a shake of pumpkin pie spices to boost the flavor). 3. Fat-replace it. You already know you can use applesauce in lieu of butter or oil, but pumpkin also works! Try it in cornbread, chocolate cake, and bran muffins. You’ll get all of the benefits, plus the added flavor that your friends will go nuts for. 4. Mask it. Holiday season getting to your skin? Take care of it with a pumpkin mask that is simple to make with ingredients you have in the kitchen. Pumpkin and Greek yogurt in equal proportions is just one simple idea, or try this amped-up version. Just make sure you bring a spoon; you might want to eat the leftovers. Oh, and put leftovers in a glass container to keep it fresh longer. 5. Love it. Pumpkin is a known aphrodisiac. Mix your leftover pumpkin with some essential oils or sensual spices and heat it with a warming candle by your bedside to fragrance the room and amp up the passion. RELATED: 7 Sex-Drive Foods to Boost Your Libido 6. Freeze it. Sometimes, you just want to be done with the leftover canned pumpkin. We get it. But don’t toss it, freeze it! Pour it into an ice cube tray, then, after it freezes, save the cubes in a plastic bag in the freezer. You’ll never be pumpkin-less again, and you’ll actually have smaller portions ready to roll for your next pumpkin recipe. Become a Nutrition Coach Love learning about how something as simple as canned pumpkin can impact your health and wellness? Consider joining our amazing, thriving Become a Nutrition Coach community and learn everything you need to know to make wellness and nutrition your new job or side hustle. Request a sneak peek of our Master Certified program today—we’ll see you inside!

Simple, Fresh Spring Vegetable Recipes You’ll Love

Sure, squash is delish. But after a long, cold winter, you start to crave the bright, fresh flavors of spring. Enter these spring vegetable recipes, which will make enjoying those flavors easy. Think crunchy asparagus with grains, salads filled with artichokes, radishes, and peas, and creative ways to use that first crop of leafy greens. RELATED: Easy Salad Dressing Recipes to Dress Up Your Veggies These dishes of course taste the best if you eat them while soaking up a little sunshine…or breathing in the scent of blooming tulips. Spring Vegetable Recipes Perfect Spring Salad If you’re looking for a dish that really celebrates spring’s veggie bounty, this is it. Peas, radishes, and artichokes all pop up fresh at the start of the season and are filled with vitamins and minerals. Greek yogurt and hemp seeds add protein and a whole lot of other goodness. Snow Pea and Napa Slaw Fresh spring carrots, green onions, and snow peas are paired with nutrient-powerhouse Napa cabbage: The cousin to kale delivers antioxidants like vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin K. Serve the crunchy, zesty slaw alongside burgers, fish, or almost any other protein. Asparagus Farro Salad Farro is an ancient grain that’s an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals and is also higher in fiber than brown rice or quinoa. Its dense, chewy texture pairs perfectly with crunchy, fresh asparagus. Healthy Creamed Spinach Leeks deliver a mild onion flavor and strong health benefits. They contain carotenoids, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and K. Paired with nutrient-dense spinach and goat cheese for protein, this dish is creamy, delicious goodness.