Across the U.S., fall is here with the reddening of leaves, the number of pumpkin patches opening in October, and the crispness of the air, but fall is also ubiquitous in grocery stores and farmers markets.
If you’re looking to warm up with something delicious, or to nourish your skin after spending the summer outdoors, cozy up with a bowl of pumpkin soup this fall.
Squash (the winter species) is native to Central America and evolved around the same time as flowering plants, approximately 350 million years ago. However, it was not until 13,000 B.C.E. that man began using squash to make cups, containers, and floats for fishing nets. It was one of the earliest cultivated plants, first farmed in 10,000 B.C.E., but because of its bitter taste was not used as a food source until several thousands of years later when squash was bred to have a sweeter taste.
The pumpkin is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae, also known as the cucumber family in the genus Cucurbita L. – gourd P, which contains nine species. The familiar orange pumpkin popular in the United States is of the species Cucurbita mixta Pang.
Anything from an unbalanced diet to negative thought patterns can cause someone to feel ungrounded. If you are often stuck in your head or regularly eat a low-calorie diet, getting grounded should be a top priority.
In the United States, pumpkins are the quintessential fall “fruit” – there are pumpkin patches, pumpkin carvings, pumpkin pies, pumpkin soup, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin juice, pumpkin spiced lattes – and of course, pumpkin seeds.&nbs
As winter approaches, healthy, whole-food-based eating seems to go on hiatus during the festivities. Fruits and vegetables often take a backseat, but they can be just as hearty and comforting. These produce staples will keep you grounded.
The agave plant ranges from the southwestern United States down through Central America to the northern regions of South America. It is the same plant that is used to make tequila. For centuries, the native peoples gathered the plants and removed the leaves to extract the sap from the core. They boiled the sap to form a thick nectar. Agave nectar did not find its way into modern America until the 1990’s when the process of hydrolysis could be applied to the agave. This process heats the extracted agave juice in a mass production, making it a viable commercial product.
With fall now upon us and winter just around the corner, it’s natural to crave warm, sweet desserts. While pumpkin pie and holiday cookies might be your weakness, here are a few healthy alternatives to satisfy your craving for sweets while boosting your body with nourishing foods.
Baked Squash
It’s finally fall (only fancy folks say “autumn”). This time of year, in between summer and winter, is my absolute favorite season. I’m a horror film fanatic; this means that, leading up to Halloween, I actually have a chance at successfully convincing the scaredy cat types to let me pick the movie. Also, I’m a sucker for Halloween decorations (if I stop to look around, you’ll have to drag me out of the aisle). Don’t even get me started on how wonderfully crisp the air becomes. Are you as obsessed with the colors of the leaves as I am? Mother Nature is quite the artist.