Pumpkins

To me, pumpkins signify Halloween.  They instantly put a smile on face, and the thought of picking one with the perfect surface to carve makes me a little giddy.   The ‘scope’ of a pumpkin, however, is much wider! 

Quick facts

-       Part of the squash family

-       Originally from North America

-       Often forgotten about after October

-       Source of Vitamin A, iron and protein

Shopping

-       Keep your eye out for small, heavy pumpkins with firm and smooth skin

-       Steer clear of pumpkins with cracks or bruises

Preparation

-       Bake, boil, steam, or even cook in the microwave

o   Once cooked, easily scoop the flesh from the peel

-       Substitute butternut squash (or other vegetables in the winter squash family) with pumpkin and use in pies, muffins, cakes, casseroles and soups. 

-       Pumpkin seeds can be roasted in the oven on a baking sheet until golden brown for a tasty snack. 

o   Add a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, allspice, or cumin for some extra flavor. 

And don’t forget, pumpkins aren’t just limited to October!

PS.  Here is my Halloween creation.  

Inspired by Peter Pan :)  

Source: Eat Right Ontario

Detox

I recently arrived home from vacation and when asked about my time away, I can’t help but describe it as a perfect detox.  Beach, books, bronze… it was lovely!  Naturally, this got me thinking about detox diets.  Cleanse diets seem to be increasingly popular, but aren’t actually scientifically proven.  These diets typically make 2 claims that I’ll address below. 

1.     They’ll cleanse or detoxify your system

Ø  Well, our bodies are fully equipped with organs like the kidneys and liver that already filter and eliminate toxins. 

2.     You’ll rapidly lose weight

Ø  This may be true, but that’s because most detox diets are essentially starvation diets.  This can be problematic, especially if you require tight monitoring and control of your blood sugars, or if you follow the diet for several weeks.  In addition to nutrient deficiencies, side effects include fatigue, dizziness, bloating and cramping.  Furthermore, weight initially lost is typically gained when regular diets are resumed.

So, at the end of the day, your best bet is to maintain a well-balanced diet, stay active and maintain a positive outlook (and escape to the beach if you can ;)).  

Ps.  Here's  a source: 
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/detox-diets/AN01334

Macarons

According to Merriam-Webster, “a small cookie composed chiefly of egg whites, sugar, and ground almonds or coconut.”

According to my younger sister, “the best dessert ever.”

Macarons are aesthetically pleasing, a great treat for any occasion, and one of the best parts is that you’re not limited to any one flavor.  Even better, they can satisfy your cravings for somewhere between 80-110 calories.  Pretty good deal… I think so!