Thursday, October 25, 2012

Three Things Thursday: The Pumpkin Edition

1.  We carved pumpkins last weekend.  Somehow I always end up being the one who does it.  I don't have the patience for intricate designs, but I don't think they turned out too bad and the kids loved them so yay!

2. I saved the pumpkin seeds and roasted them in the oven with a little soy sauce, garlic, and sea salt. The kids weren't impressed but I really like them.  I guess that means I don't have to share with them.

pre-roasted


 
3.  Apparently this wasn't enough pumpkin because then I whipped up two different batches of pumpkin muffins.  One with cream cheese frosting and one with a cream cheese filling.  Since I had a lot of frosting left over from the first batch they all got frosted.  The were more like cupcakes than muffins and I ate a lot of them. 

I may have to make some more.  I got the first recipe from The Pioneer Woman.  You can find it HERE.  This was my favorite recipe of the two.

The other one I got from allrecipes.com and was also  my favorite of the two. If you want to check that one out you can find it HERE.  The cream cheese filling in it with the frosting on top was really heavenly!

Yes I loved them both.  Maybe I should make them both again so I can really decide which one is my favorite!

 4.  oops yes I am doing four things (shh don't tell)  My little sister discovered pumpkin oil when she lived in Slovenia and was awesome enough to bring us some.  It is so good on salad with a little sea salt.  or noodles.  or to dip bread in.

Besides delicious here are a few health benefits to pumpkin seeds and oil
  • good for prostate health (for all the men in your life)
  • high in magnesium
  • good source of zinc
  • contain phytosterols (inhibit absorbtion of cholesterol, and can help lower cholesterol levels in the body, also can help prevent cancer)
  • can help prevent a certain type of kidney stone
  • contain L-tryptophan which is an anti-depressant
  • In many cultures throughout the world, pumpkin seeds are used as a natural treatment to parasites that invade the body, such as tapeworms.
What is your favorite thing about pumpkins?  I would have to say eating them in cupcakes disguised as muffins right now.


19 comments:

  1. Those pumpkins look pretty good to me. I think the really intricate designs are awesome, but also kind of a waste of time for something so temporary. Yours are right up my alley.

    Those muffins sound amazing. Now I want to bake some.

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  2. Pumpkin oil??? That sounds awesome. Trust me, I LOVE anything pumpkin. Currently drinking pumpkin coffee and eating pumpkin oatmeal. This weekend I am going to attempt making pumpkin mac & cheese. The pictures online made the recipe looks delish!

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  3. Oh I'd love pumpkin oil!!!! I do love pumpkin - pumpkin in my yogurt, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread. Yum!!!! But I hate carving pumpkins. I've stopped doing it.

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  4. LOL @ this is my favorite, and this one too.

    I've NEVER heard of pumpkin oil. I love pumpkin everying. Except the carving, it's such a hassle.

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  5. I hate most things pumpkin, but I love roasted pumpkin seeds. Not enough to actually carve my pumpkin, but maybe pick up a bag at a gas station :)

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  6. I still wonder how I ended up marrying a man that hates pumpkin. THOSE MUFFINS look awesome and thanks for the health facts on pumpkin.

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  7. I really want some pumpkin muffins right now. I'll take any of the pumpkin items that Kara doesn't want. ;)

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  8. We are going to get our pumpkins for carving today--we got snow last night, it's now all melted and more is coming tonight, so I figure we need to get it done. I don't carve mine until right before Halloween because otherwise I'm just giving the squirrels less work to do to devour them.

    I love pumpkin muffins and pumpkin bread! I love everything about fall!

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  9. your pumpkins turned out cute. My lack of patience or artistic ability makes my husband the top candidate for the carving job, every year.
    Pumpkin seeds are my favorite part. I've tried all kinds of variations (even "kettle corn" flavor) but still prefer them with just plain salt, I think.

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  10. Mmm... thank you for the recipe! I have been craving some pumpkin-y desserts. Great job on the carving- I always end up doing all of the carving, too. My arm is dead after 5 pumpkins.

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  11. Love your Jack O'Lanterns. Pumpkin oil, that is a new one on me.

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  12. I love pumpkin bread and cookies. And there is a thai food cart here in Portland that makes pumpkin curry - it's awesome!

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  13. Oh man that frosting looks so gooood! I bet it was delicious with the pumpkin flavor...

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  14. I love the way you carved out those pumpkins. The recipes are amazing.Pumpkin seeds are indeed good for prostate health.

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  15. Well, I ran into this crazy recipe and tried it! You take Duncan Hines yellow cake mix and mix it together with a 15 oz can of that Libby's pumpkin stuff. You then back it for like a half hour at 350, the standard. No eggs, no water. Strange right!? Anyway, it turned out pretty good. The kids would take a bite and say "this is so odd" but then they would just keep eating at it. I had to laugh, there was hardly a bite left for me.

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  16. Oh, and good job on the pumpkins for not being an artist at heart :)

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  17. Those jack-o-lanterns are awesome.
    Nice job! :)

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  18. NICE pumpkins! we'll be doing ours on Tuesday! I will also be tackling some awesome pumpkin cupcakes. I am super excited :)

    I love pumpkins!!! Your jack--lanterns look great :D

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  19. I love all things pumpkin. I have made the Pioneer Woman muffins before and they are so great! I will have to try the all recipes version! I also love pumpkin curry, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin with granola and pumpkin stew!

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Because I love hearing from you all!