For the love of pumpkins

October is one of my favourite times of the year. I love getting cozy as the weather turns, bringing out my comfiest sweaters and scarves, and making all things pumpkin spiced!

I speak a lot about the importance of eating seasonally due to the nutrition seasonal foods have. Eating seasonally helps us learn to eat intuitively, and naturally crave different foods according to what is naturally abundant at a specific time of the year. Not only is this great for our health, as we are provided with nutrients that are readily available according to nature’s cycles, but eating seasonally also helps us have variety in our diets to avoid developing food intolerances and allergies. Plus, seasonal food is more likely to be locally-produced, which reduces our impact on the environment. 

Not only are pumpkin-flavoured goods uber trendy in fall (hello, pumpkin spiced lattes), this seasonal fruit contains potent nutrition. Pumpkins themselves provide ample vitamin A and C, antioxidants, potassium, iron and manganese, and the popular spice, made primarily of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, is loaded with antioxidants, B vitamins, iron, potassium, zinc, and minerals.  Not only do these spices aid digestion, they also help regulate blood sugar -- no wonder we’re all obsessed with this fall flavour!

Here are my go-to pumpkin recipes that you can try. Enjoy!

Pumpkin spice grain-free granola by Mad About Food

This simple recipe, which uses a base of almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut oil and pumpkin pie spice is naturally sweetened with honey and contains no grains. Whip up a big batch of granola on Sunday night to warm your house with the smell of fall flavours and enjoy with your favourite coconut yogurt!

Pumpkin pie energy bites by Deserts with Benefits

Made with vitamin-packed pumpkin, healthy fat-filled almond butter, blood sugar stabilizing cinnamon and fibre-filled oats and quinoa flakes, these pumpkin pie energy bites are the perfect mid-morning or afternoon snack. 

Vegan pumpkin spice superfood smoothie by Arin Solange

This simple smoothie made with anti-inflammatory spices, vegan protein powder (or protein powder of your choice) and superfoods makes a great grab-and-go breakfast.