Halloween Pumpkins are the pumpkin fruit decorated for the celebration of Halloween. The pumpkin is usually carved into a jack-o-lantern. The pumpkin is a large pulpy round fruit that has a thick, orange-yellow rind and numerous seeds. The Halloween pumpkins are the most famous symbol of the Halloween festival.

The Halloween is an ancient celebration held on 31st of October every year in the United States and some other countries. The traditional belief is that on that day, the souls of the dead relatives revisit their former homes. The ancient people usually position a pumpkin carved into a jack-o-lantern placed on the window at sun-down to placate the spirits and obtain blessings from these spirits.

Pumpkins can be purchased from the open markets or from the Internet. Some Halloween celebrants also decide to cultivate their own pumpkins. This adds more fun to the celebrations. There are many shapes, sizes, and colors of the pumpkins that can be used for the celebration.

Some pumpkins are a few pounds in weights while there are reports of pumpkins that weigh over a thousand pounds. Cultivation of the pumpkin to make it as large as possible is not an easy task. The farmers still regards their information as technical secrets.

Carving the Halloween pumpkin is very popular. With a sharp knife, one can make openings on the fruit with ease. If one wants it to appear like a human head, then there will be slots for the eyes, mouth, etc. There is an even an online step-by-step guide on some website on how to carve your pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern for the Halloween.

Halloween Pumpkin Carving Pattern Ideas

Halloween carving patterns are easy to find at a variety of places:

• You can often find free Halloween pumpkin carving patterns online. These are great patterns and you can just run them off using your printer.
• Another place to look for Halloween pumpkin carving patterns is at the public library. The library often has various books and publications that feature these kinds of patterns.
• Any bookstore will carry Halloween books or magazines that contain the patterns you are looking for. These books or magazines will have detailed instructions on how to create a fantastic looking pumpkin.
• You can actually buy kits at a hobby or craft store. Sometimes grocery and drug stores also have these kits. The kits are a good buy because not only do they have patterns but they also contain the carving tools needed to carve many marvelous pumpkins.

Once you have the patterns and carving tools you might want to host a pumpkin carving party. Have your friends and neighbors bring pumpkins and a Halloween treat to share and you have almost everything you need for a great party.

There are many choices for Halloween pumpkin carving patterns. You can choose from ghosts, bats, witches and cats. Most of the kits have several patterns and they vary as to degree of difficulty.

Good luck with your Halloween pumpkin carving patterns; it’s a festive fall activity you and your family and friends can enjoy together!

The pumpkin flesh is extremely high in carotenoids, it is this plant compound that gives pumpkins their orange color. Carotenoids are really good at neutralizing free-radicals, as they are powerful anti-oxidants that can protect cell membranes from damage. It doesn’t end there pumpkins are also high in other plant compounds lutein and zeaxanthin, which scavenge free-radicals in the lens of the eye. Helping to protect against the formation of cataracts and reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem than usually results in blindness, very important as we get older. Pumpkins are also a rich source of other nutrients, like iron, zinc, and fiber.

Whole pumpkin – when I cook pumpkin, I cook a whole pumpkin stuffed with some of my favorite recipes, and I place the whole thing in to the oven. This saves me cutting peeling and chopping it. I get a smallish to medium pumpkin, cut the top off and scoop out the middle. I put a cooked mixture inside, for instance I cook a mixture of vegetables and beans in a green Thai curry sauce with coconut milk. I place the cooked veggie curry, or chicken and veggie curry, inside the pumpkin and replace the top. I place the whole stuffed pumpkin in a medium heated oven for about two to three hours depending on the size of the pumpkin. Once the pumpkin is cooked remove from the oven and serve with the top off, it looks really good.

Pumpkin pie has been a traditional favorite at Thanksgiving. Pumpkins make great soups or a vegetable to accompany a main meal.

The flesh of the pumpkin has a mild laxative affect, being useful in cases of dyspepsia and constipation. Pumpkin juice has been used to help heal ulcers and reduce high acidity levels in the body, common these days. This juice needs to be drunk three times a day, half an hour before meals. It is also useful in cases of insomnia, as it has mild sedative properties. Pumpkin is also indicated in cases of hormonal imbalances and menopausal discomfort. Big pumpkins might be great at Halloween for caving up, but not that good for eating as they can be a bit tougher.

Traditional external use of pumpkin was recommended for treating burns, inflammatory conditions, abscesses, insect stings, and softening the skin, the crushed pulp was used, and changed daily until healing was complete.

Pumpkins seeds also contain phyto-sterols, essential fatty acids (EFAs). These EFAs have many benefits that protect blood vessels, nerves, protect all tissue, including the skin, and they can help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. The pumpkin seeds are high in protein, one ounce of seeds provides about seven grams of protein. Contain copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. They also contains vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes healthy, your skin, mucus membranes, and stimulates the T cells of the immune system to help fight off infection. The seeds also contain vitamin E, has excellent free-radicals properties, protecting the circulatory system. The seeds are also renowned for helping protect the prostate.

Studies into the health benefits of pumpkin seeds have revealed they contain a plant chemical (phytocompound) called cucurbitacins that can prevent the body from converting testosterone into a much more potent form of the hormone called dihydrotestosterone, this is thought to be the reason the seeds protect the prostate health. Keep the seeds in the refrigerator.

Salad dressing – these three fresh ingredients are very easy to find at the local markets – parsley, garlic, pumpkins seeds, and cilantro – grind these three ingredients together add a little extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice, use as a salad dressing. The herbs and spices that go well with pumpkin in general are parsley, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamoms.

Pumpkin and ginger soup

1 pumpkin small/medium, peeled and chopped

4 tablespoons coconut oil (found in your local health store)

1 or 2, garlic clove depends on your taste

3 small leeks or onions

3 celery stalks, diced

3 quarts vegetable stock, optional

1 piece grated fresh ginger – size depends on how you like ginger

1 (15 ounce) coconut milk can or fresh

Chopped cilantro

Salt and Pepper to taste

Sweat the garlic, onions and/or leeks in the coconut oil, then add the other ingredients and bring to the boil, lower the temperature and simmer until cooked. Then puree in a blender and then and the cilantro and serve with a decorative swirl of natural yogurt. Enjoy.

Sonia Jones ND
Naturopath, nutritional therapist and author of three published books

http://www.nutritionwithsonia.com

http://www.arthritisalternativetreatment.com

So enough of the small talk. Let’s get to this week’s feature sampling. I’ve been able to find and sieze a reasonably $33.00 priced case of Post Road Pumpkin Ale. Post Road is essentially a spin-off of Garrett Oliver’s Brooklyn Brewery. If you are somewhat familiar with Garrett and his Brooklyn beers, you know that high quality, flavorful and innovative microbrews are what you’ll get in just about anything offered there. Here with Post Road is not all that much different.

I tasted this one first at about 55 degrees in a standard 16oz. pub glass, nothing fancy here. This brew ended up pouring out with a coppery/burnt orangy color with not a whole heck of a lot of head. I’d say about 3/4 finger and quickly extinct. Kinda disappointing right off the start there. Well, I’m here to drink it not to stare. Good thing for me.

Tasting it was just as pumpkin-ey (if that’s even a real word) as I thought and hoped it would be. Very, very good pumpkin flavor here in this craft beer. I liked it, I liked it very much. Just a twinge of nutmeg/cinnamon nudging out in the background. But overall, I could very easily tell this was a traditional pumpkin ale and not some holiday spice laden wannabe.

I really liked the way this one smelled. Overall, I thought that it essentially smelled as close to pumpkin pie as just about anything I’d ever tried (other than actual pumpkin pie that is). Sure it had some spicieness to the aroma but predominantly, I smelled pumpkin. So often in many pumpkin beer offerings from microbreweries, everything seems overwhelmed in spices, spices, spices. Pumpkin sometimes seems an afterthought. Not so with Post Road. Pumpkin rules the day here.

The carbonation seemed right on to me for the style. Drinkability is fair to good but I think this description doesn’t do justice because in my opinion, pumpkin/spiced ales just don’t have alot of high drinkability in many cases (meaning I’d probably try one and not want another, even if I liked it). Too much of a good thing to continue? Maybe, maybe just too rich for my taste.

Anyway, I really did like this beer and I think many looking for a good, true pumpkin flavored beer will enjoy this also. Again, you’ll probably try it, like it, maybe have another and that’s it. You’ll be done. It’s just not all that sessionable. But it’s good and I’ll have it again (I’ve got 23 more in my fridge now and only a week and a half til Thanksgiving to finish it!

One negative I will point out is that, for me, in the background, beneath the strong pumpkin sensation, I perceived this subtle taste that kept bugging me just a little. It reminded me of Yuengling lager. Yes, Yuengling lager. When I got that taste in my mouth, for whatever reason I got the idea imbedded in my brain that this was a beer, first and foremost, with pumpkin flavoring added. You know that whole “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” thing? It just gave me a subtle impression that all in all, everything just didn’t result in a seamless integration of everything put into this beer.

My overall summary is, this beer is good. Above average I would say for the style (pumpkin ales being a niche style of their own). I did enjoy it. Very, very much…I would say no. But again, who’s going to sit down and drink pumpkin beer all day, even on Thanksgiving. Nobody me thinks. But it is a very good representation of the style, and very good for the price I paid. Whether the case is gone by Thanksgiving or not, I just don’t know, but I will continue to enjoy it, one Post Road Pumpkin Ale at a time.

My humble opinion will give this one 6.50 points out of 10 possible. Clocking in at just a bit above 5.0 alcohol by volume, this is a respectable pumpkin beer for the style and Post Road Pumpkin Ale is a beer that I’d recommend to someone who is already fond of microbrews and prefers trying something a little bit different (keeping in mind that pumpkin ales just aren’t everyone’s cup of tea) so I’d expect a widely varying range of agreement/disagreement amongst the masses).

There is nothing quite as enjoyable as a finely produced craft beer (if you like beer of course). Being a microbrew enthusiast for the better part of 10 years now, I am constantly on the hunt for the holy grail of all craft beers. My endless quest has allowed me to sample some of the finest microbrews around. Where each of these beers rate in my quest for the best I’ve put into words for casual perusing by experienced samplers and beginner enthusiasts alike at Microbrew Review Blog and Microbrew & Craft Beer Review

Please feel free to tell me what you think and don’t hesitate to offer your suggestions on any craft beer or microbrew you’d recommend that I should rate at my next microbrew review.

When proudly flashing the most recent photo received from your wife, most people would expect to hear something like,

“What a cute little pumpkin.”

“I know, my wife took this picture during his soccer game. Isn’t it adorable how his ruffled hair radiates the enthusiasm of youth?”

As the husband of a frugal freedom fighter, however, one is more inclined to hear something like,

“What a cute little pumpkin.”

“Yeah, and my wife got it free when she purchased two boxes of stuffing with her coupon from Sunday’s paper.”

Such are the sacrifices made by the spouse of a coupon clipping bargain shopper. Rather than receive adorable photos of my sons playing ball or my daughter as she skips rope with her friends, I get Chronicles of Conquest. These are documentary photographs displaying towers of toilet paper, neatly stacked boxes of corn flakes, or an array of shirts and shorts…pristinely laid out on the floor… empty, rather than filled with any of our cute kids. All are accompanied with the phrase, “guess how much all this stuff cost me?”

Like the brawny woodsman with giant heads of antlered moose mounted to his log cabin walls, my wife loves to festoon my email in-box with photos of her latest shopping victory. With excitement that is filled with unfamiliar phrases like, “Using my BOGO coupon and applying my Easy Saver Rebate…” my wife intricately details how she was able to combine promotions and clearance sales with double coupons and a rewards program to get $200 worth of merchandise for only $1.67. While the concepts are sometimes hard to follow, like the intoxicating accent of a foreign movie star, her strange jargon and animated narration is addicting and adorable.

I will admit that coping with the almost alarming enthusiasm of someone who has just found a “Buy One Get One” free coupon can be a daunting task at first. Indeed, witnessing a bargain shopper discover that the local grocery store is honoring Double Coupons is akin to watching the frenzied stampede of wild horses that have been deprived of water, suddenly smell a nearby stream. It is best to get out of the way of such unbridled passion and just enjoy the beauty of the seemingly effortless bargain ballet. It really is almost a form of art.

For those who have just recently recognized that their beautiful bride has joined the growing ranks of the frugal fanatics, (a term of endearment) I have decided to offer some FREE advice. (That last sentence alone, containing the word “FREE”, has likely triggered the Spidey Senses of coupon sentinels the world over, who, in countless homes across America, stopped in mid-sentence, lifted their head ever so slightly, and while sniffing the air whispered, “I sense the word ‘FREE’ has been posted on the internet. I must go investigate.”)

Coupon Consciousness

The Sunday paper belongs to the mom. If your kids want to read the comics, or if you would like to check on how your favorite sports team faired, these are acceptable desires, but you must surgically extract these sections with the precision of a covert Navy Seals team, carefully ensuring that the ads are not disturbed and that no insert is misplaced. Trust me, she will know if a coupon is missing. She has already researched the matter and knows what coupons should arrive, how they will be incorporated into a comprehensive shopping trip, and whether they can be combined with any other offers resulting in stores paying her to take products from their shelves. (Is that legal?)

Once she has cut out the coupons and arranged them on the dining room table in preparation for the careful cataloguing that will shortly follow, do not disturb the staging area! The slightest breeze could blow these wispy coupon treasures from their stacks, causing a panic reminiscent of a government lockdown initiated after discovering that classified computer systems have been breeched. If your teenage son begins to run past the table as he heads off to a friend’s house, tackling him to ensure that he does not create a draft may be the greatest display of love and concern for his safety that you could offer. Walking slowly, breathing lightly, and talking softly will all improve your chances of survival.

What’s In Store

It may be prudent to sit down with your children and let them know that they do not live in a Target store. This can be confusing for some children who don’t realize that just because there are shelves filled with endless stacks of deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo, their home is actually a private residence. Just because they are given a “shopping list” to go to the garage and get food from the abundant shelves to restock the pantry in the kitchen, does not mean that they will be required to wear a clerk’s smock and don a nametag. Stocking up goes hand in hand with coupon clipping and bargain shopping, but you may consider investing in companies that sell shelving materials.

If you suddenly realize that your daughter is invited to a birthday party that you forgot about, don’t worry. Head to the garage and select any one of the many toys that your wife has purchased from the last Christmas clearance sale or toy mark-down event. It may be a bit tricky selecting one toy from the large stockpile, but the birthday girl will never know that the gift actually only cost $3 even though it retails for $45. You may want to explain to your daughter, however, that the garage is not an actual department store, and they don’t have to worry that another “shopper” will come in to purchase their bike or their roller skates.

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

Living with a coupon crusader means you get to be on the cutting edge. That is to say, you are essentially now a perpetual test market. As your bargain beauty gains greater proficiency, she often becomes the recipient of promotional and test market products. Pace yourself and be a support counselor for your children. While it is fun and exciting to sometimes get the latest product in their lunch, some “new” products are better than others. Pringle sticks are cool and some flavors are yummy, but when your son comes home and begs you to talk to mom about not packing the latest “all-natural” fruit bar, be understanding.

When you discover that instead of a Batman theme, your son is going to have a Juicy Juice themed birthday party complete with Juicy Juice gift bags and playing cards, it may be time for reverse psychology. Casually wonder aloud how much money a person could save if they handed out promotional freebies at Halloween to the little trick-or-treaters and let the money saving instincts kick in and do the rest. After all, you shouldn’t be selfish and keep all the wonderful items to yourself.

All in all, being a part of the coupon community is wonderful. There is a certain camaraderie that exists on blogs like www.TheBargainJargon.com and similar sites. You will grow to love and be amazed by the creativity and resourcefulness of your wife. So if you are the victim of a bargain shopping relationship, hang in there. You can survive. Sure you may forget what your children look like because the only pictures you ever get are of great shopping excursions, but you will never run out of toilet paper, and with all the money your frugal freedom-fighter saves, you can go out and buy yourself a nice pair of cuff links to remind you of the nostalgia of America…as long as they are on sale.

Steve Palmer is not a regular author. He is just a guy that is writing an article to earn some brownie points with his wife.

Success starts with selecting your design

Before even thinking about buying or picking your Halloween pumpkin from the local pumpkin patch, you need to plan the design. You can take the easy way out and buy ready-made pumpkin stencils, or you can design your own.

There are some great on-line sources for free Halloween stencils that you can download and use, or you can hand sketch it. Here are two great places to grab some nice designs. If you’re looking for a really unusual stencil, here’s one that will drive you bats!

I’ll cover how to transfer the pumpkin stencil to your favorite pumpkin after we take a look at actually selecting the pumpkin.

How to pick the perfect pumpkin

The pumpkin’s shape and size will determine what type of patterns and designs you can use. If you are using pumpkin carving stencils then it is essential to purchase a pumpkin that matches the stencil’s size requirements.

If you don’t plan on using a stencil then make sure that your pumpkin is tall and wide enough for the free-hand design that you have in mind.

Look for a pumpkin that’s not too ripe. It should be the right color orange and not have any soft spots or bruises. Look for a sturdy stem and never, ever lift the pumpkin by the stem. Sturdy or not, it’s a short trip from “nice pumpkin” to splat.

Hold the pumpkin and smell it around the stem and top. If it smells very strong and “pumpkiny” then there is a chance that it’s too ripe, pass it up and look for another. Thump the pumpkin and listen for a solid “thunk”. A hollow sound is bad news.

Carry your pumpkin carefully and transport it home safely. A bruised pumpkin rots quickly and might not make it through the Halloween season.

How to prepare the pumpkin for its coming facelift

1. Cut a circle around the top of the pumpkin without damaging the stem.

2. Remove the top and put aside.

3. Remove and discard the pulp and seeds unless you want to make Vampire Fingernails snacks for your Halloween party.

4. With a putty knife or similar scraper, gently scrape down the inside of the pumpkin to remove any moist flesh clinging to the sides. Be careful not to damage the wall of the pumpkin.

Now it’s time to transfer the stencil

1. Wipe the outside of the pumpkin so that it is free of dust and other foreign material. If you need to wipe it down with a wet rag, allow it to become thoroughly dry before proceeding to the next step.

2. Tape the stencil to the side of the pumpkin that you have chosen to be the face. Tape the top left corner first, then the top right, bottom left and then bottom right. Smooth the stencil out as you are taping it. If you have to crease the stencil to make it lie flat then be sure to pick areas that are not part of the design.

3. Using an ice pick or a pin-point punch awl, gently poke holes through the stencil and into the pumpkin. Follow the lines of the stencil carefully. It’s a lot like paying connect-the-dots games. Space the dots out however you see fit but remember that very complex designs are easier to work with if the holes are close together.

4. Check carefully to make sure that you have transferred the entire pattern and then remove the stencil. Keep the stencil handy to refer to in case you get confused while cutting.

Time to put your patient under the knife

Although many a pumpkin has fallen under the standard kitchen knife, it’s both the wrong tool and a very dangerous tool for pumpkin carving. For best results get yourself an X-Acto knife with a #5 knife blade and a #15 keyhole saw. See your home store for both items.

Using the saw for long cuts and the X-Acto for the close-in and intricate cuts, just follow the pattern carefully and, before you know it, you’ll have the pride of the pumpkin patch right there on your table!

Article from www.halloween-blog.com

Halloween-Blog.com for great Halloween Ideas, fun holiday recipes, spooky horror movie reviews and more!

Pumpkin carving is an age old tradition enjoyed by young and old alike. Whether you want a simple pumpkin carving to sit on your own doorstep or you are planning a pumpkin carving party, selecting the right pumpkin is a vital part of the overall process.

As an overarching principle, the pumpkin you select will be picked according to what you intend to carve on it.

You will have seen in the shops and markets that pumpkins range from tiny to huge and all have a place in the rituals of Halloween. The largest pumpkins make fantastic centrepieces and can take the largest carved designs and probably the most elaborate as well. The small examples are used to demonstrate fine pumpkin carving techniques and these artistic examples are usually given pride of place in any display. For the vast majority of stencil designs that you will either make or buy, medium sized pumpkins are ideal.

It’s a good idea that before you make your trip to buy your pumpkin you make a mental note of the size of the stencil(s) that you will be using and that you select pumpkins using this mental image. Look for pumpkins that are uniformly orange which indicates that they are ripe and for those without bruising or other signs of damage. Any damage will adversely affect the life of the carved pumpkin.

When moving pumpkins, they should be lifted from the base and never by the stem. Care should be taken to transport and store your pumpkins carefully to avoid damage and bruising which will shorten the life the fruit. Okay, now you’ve found the perfect pumpkin lets look at a few tips on How to Carve your Halloween Pumpkin.

o Pumpkin carving can be a messy job and you should cover your work area with old newspapers or cardboard o Lots of debris will be produced so a container to put this in as it’s produced will save on clean-up time at the end

o Determine whether you will be cutting from the top or the bottom of the pumpkin. This will usually depend on whether you are using a battery powered light source or a candle. If using a candle, then cutting from the top creates a great venting point for the heat produced. If using a battery, then cutting from the bottom will allow easier access to that.

o If your stencil doesn’t identify how large a hole to cut, cut a hole around 6″ diameter for access as this will allow you to get a scraper and scoop into the pumpkin

o If you are intending to draw directly onto the pumpkin, do not use permanent marker – it will not wash off and don’t use a hard tipped pen or pencil as these will mark and bruise the pumpkin’s skin. Use a crayon or washable marker

o The first cut into the pumpkin should be for the access hole. This should be cut with the blade at an angle of 45 degrees so that it can sit back on when the pumpkin is complete

o The front of the pumpkin should be the side with the smoothest feel as this will be easiest to carve o Once the lid (or base) has been cut, remove all of the seeds and stringy fibrous material from inside and discard

o Scoop the inside of the pumpkin so the side to be carved is about 1″ thick. This will make the effort of carving easier o If using a stencil, cut it out roughly and stick it to the side of the pumpkin to be carved

o Transfer the design of the parts of the pumpkin to be removed using a small toothpick or pumpkin pricker which you can get as part of a set of pumpkin carving tools available cheaply on-line or at supermarkets around Halloween

o Using a combination of a pumpkin saw and other knives and blades remove and create the pumpkin carving according to the design either pricked out or drawn onto the pumpkin

o If you remove a part by mistake it can often be rejoined using a toothpick

o When your carving is complete, smear the cut edges with petroleum jelly to prevent it drying out

o If you are carving in advance, keep the completed pumpkin in a cool dark place

o If your pumpkin does dry out, plunge it in a bath of cold water to revive it.

Happy carving…

Here are some basic pumpkin carving tips and techniques for you to adopt and they should hopefully help you carve the perfect Halloween Pumpkin…

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Article submitted by: KV Sinclair. Keith Sinclair has over 35 years of business experience and in addition to being a part time University Lecturer on Business Studies, he is CEO of Cavalcade; a group of companies operating in the party sector. Cavalcade operates Karnival-House http://www.karnival-house.co.uk one of the UK’s leading internet Fancy Dress Retailers. With massive stocks for immediate dispatch and an ever expanding range, Karnival-House continues to strive simply to offer outstanding service combined with outstanding value.

Years ago, when people carved pumpkins, they generally just never really thought about pumpkin carving ideas. They went along with the usual triangle eyes and nose bit and stuck a light in the pumpkin. Then some tools were put on the market that made it easier to carve pumpkins. Prior to using these tools, there was little that could be used except large knives.

In the 1980s, tools were introduced that allowed children to carve pumpkins. This initiated many different pumpkin carving ideas as well. People were no longer happy to carve simple Jack O’Lantern pumpkins and contests started to take place to carve the most unique pumpkin. Thanks to the new tools, the carving was easier than ever.

Today, there are pumpkin carving ideas just about everywhere you look. You can get the ideas online and even buy kits that have templates as well as tools that allow you to carve a pumpkin that looks like a witch, a black cat, or even a scary face. Nowadays, pumpkin carving ideas are about scenic views as much as they are about scary faces. You can have a lot of fun with the right tools and templates.

Even those who do not have the patience or imagination to come up with pumpkin carving ideas of their own can find them online or in stores where they sell kits. For a few dollars, you can have a pumpkin that looks as if it was carved by a professional. This is all done with templates and special tools.

The beauty part about these pumpkin caving ideas is that once you have the tools, you can use them again. And once your creativity is sparked with the ideas that you find in templates, books and kits, you may feel inclined to come up with your own pumpkin carving ideas. This is how the creative process works. The more you create, the more creative you want to be. And the more you carve pumpkins, the more you will want to continue to carve them. Pumpkin season starts in September and lasts until November, so you have two months to really come up with some clever pumpkin carving ideas.

Take a look online and find some of the most unique pumpkin carving ideas as well as the tools that you will need to make these designs come to life. You can have a lot of fun carving pumpkins and so can the entire family. You can either use pre-conceived ideas or come up with your own pumpkin caving ideas.

The graphite shaft moves more than the metal design allows during the swing and this can give some golfers more distance on their shots. Some players also believe it gives more accuracy from the Tee.

There is traditionally more metal shafts based clubs than graphite versions available, out there. As the advances in technology lower the costs, and players try the graphite shaft it becomes and more popular. I think we can see less metal versions in the future.

Pumpkin Carving Fun.com/provides information, articles and tips including

Pumpkin Carving Kits [http://www.PumpkinCavingOnline.com/pumpkin-carving-kits.php] and ideas. Check out all the styles, origins and history of this ancient art.

Along with all those new-fangled state of the art and traditional Halloween decorations (like lights, ghosts & goblins), no front porch Halloween decoration display would ever be totally complete without the traditional American Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins. But are there all that many folks who truly enjoy the whole messy pumpkin carving experience?

This Autumn, why not try to paint a Halloween pumpkin for your Jack-O-Lantern display? You’ll likely be surprised that once you try painting a pumpkin, you’ll probably never go back to carving your pumpkins again.

Now presenting, my top 5 reasons why you should skip pumpkin carving and learn how to paint a Halloween pumpkin this year instead…

1) Pumpkin Painting is really easy to learn

Just about anyone can quickly learn how to expertly paint amazingly impressive pumpkin designs without much work involved at all. Even young children will enjoy and have fun painting their own personal pumpkins and will feel a real sense of pride when you proudly display their little pumpkin creations on your front porch right along with your expert painted pumpkins. Plus, pumpkin painting doesn’t limit you to what you can create. Many times, carving can make it very difficult to create more than just a basic outline design.

2) Pumpkin Painting is Safe with no knives or sharp cutting tools

Who likes dealing with sharp knives, saws and other pumpkin carving tools? Probably nobody. Plus, knives are dangerous (especially with younger ones) and give you very little control over the more intricate pumpkin design patterns you may want to create. There’s just only so much design freedom when you’re using a big, sharp blade to cut through almost an inch thick of pumpkin flesh. Pumpkin painting is safer and easier and allows even you’re littlest Halloween enthusiast to participate in the pumpkin painting fun.

3) Less mess. No pumpkin guts splattered everywhere

I absolutely hate the whole pumpkin guts mess thing. Once you finally work your way through sawing the top off your gourd, then it’s a sloppy, slimy chore of scraping and pulling all the pumpkin slop and goo out. It takes alot of time and always makes a big mess no matter how careful you are. Add kids to the mix and you’re scrubbing your table, walls and floors for weeks not to mention picking up pumpkin seeds until Christmas.

4) Your painted pumpkins will outlast a carved pumpkin by many weeks

While carved Jack-o-Lanterns can sometimes get saggy, mushy, stinky and rotten in a couple weeks if the weather’s warm, a painted pumpkin design can and will last a month or even two! You can enjoy your pumpkin painting masterpieces right up through Thanksgiving. And when you paint your pumpkins, you can even paint new pumpkins FOR the Thanksgiving holiday. No so with carving. A carved pumpkin on your Thanksgiving dinner table just wouldn’t look right.

5) Pumpkin Painting is really fun, for anyone of any age.

Everyone in your family can have fun painting pumpkins this Halloween. It’s a great family activity everyone can enjoy. Mom’s, Dad’s and kids of all ages can participate in the pumpkin painting fun. And little ones can really enjoy getting creative and expressing themselves in designing their little pumpkin masterpieces.

Go ahead and give it a shot. Skip the pumpkin carving this Fall and instead, paint a Halloween pumpkin this year. I guarantee you’ll have a ton of fun, you and your kids will really enjoy the experience, and you’ll create some awesome pumpkin painting designs so that you’ll probably never want to go back to carving your Jack-O-Lanterns again!

Painting pumpkins is a unique alternative to the old time tradition of pumpkin carving. Pumpkin painting patterns and designs are unlimited and painted pumpkins will endure significantly longer than carved Jack-O-Lantern. While these benefits by themselves are perfect reasons to try painting your Halloween pumpkins this year, there are other benefits too. Become a pumpkin painting expert at:

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Pumpkin is a superfood indeed. In fact, it’s not just the inner meat of a pumpkin that’s virtuous but its seeds are super nutritous too and contain a wealth of health-promoting properties. Like melons, cucumber, and squash, pumpkins belong to the gourd family. They were much celebrated by Native American Indians who made use of their flesh and seeds for culinary and medicinal purposes. Pumpkin flesh is high in fibre and vitamins C and E, magnesium and potassium and a staggering quantity and variety of carotenoids, being one of the most abundant natural sources of these amazing phytonutrients.

Dietary carotenoids correlate with lower a risk of numerous cancers, heart disease, cataracts and blindness. Pumpkin contains heaps of beta-carotene as well as a huge concentration of alpha-carotene, with just a quarter of a cup yielding the recommended daily amount. Alpha-carotene protects against certain cancers and cataracts, and has also been discovered to be a powerful ally against aging.

Both alpha- and beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A within the body, which plays an essential role in growth, development and immunity. Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and prevents cholesterol build up in blood vessels that could lead to stroke or heart attack. The presence of magnesium, potassium and folate in pumpkin heightens its heart-friendly attributes. Beta-carotene works most effectively in combination with other carotenoids and has been found to reduce the risk of lung and colon cancer in particular.

When exploring pumpkin recipes experiment with other squashes too. There are numerous types in all shapes and sizes with many similar nutritional values. One tasty alternative is the butternut squash.

Pumpkins yield delicious and highly nutritious seeds. Known as pepitas, they are dark green and flat with a chewy texture and rich nutty flavour. These seeds are dense in minerals, with just a quarter of a cup providing approximately half the daily recommended dose for magnesium and iron, in addition to high doses of zinc, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, manganese and copper. They also contain the amino acid tryptophan known for anti-depressant qualities, and essential fatty acids.

The dark green oil produced from pumpkin seeds has been used throughout history in India, Europe and America to fight parasites, aid the digestive tract and help with prostate and reproductive disorders. It has also been recommended for pregnant and lactating women because of its high content of essential fatty acids.

Pumpkin seeds have been found to help prevent against prostate gland enlargement due to the chemical substances called cucurbitacins it contains. The essential fatty acids in pumpkin seeds are also necessary for prostate health, and zinc (which pumpkin seeds are especially high in) is great for the reproductive systems and has been shown to reduce prostate size.

The L-tryptophan in pumpkin seeds is known to have anti-depressant properties, so it is suggested eating them can elevate your mood. Pumpkin seeds also contain omega-3 fatty acids known for their role in improving mental function, alleviating depression and aiding memory. Both the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids in pumpkin seeds have a broad range of health functions in the body.

So, for a smashing pumpkin Halloween, as well enjoying carving pumpkins, check out some tasty pumpkin recipes so you can benefit from the super healthy flesh of your pumpkin carving remains, and throw a handful of pumpkin seeds on top for that extra nutritional boost!

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They are probably most well known in their roasted form, but also come as an ingredient to many other foods and dishes, such as pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, etc. sometimes pumpkin seeds are also sprinkled over salads or other dishes in order to add nutrients and flavor. They are especially well-known as ingredients of traditional Mexican dishes.

They are a favorite ingredient in Low Calorie Recipes and are often used in weightloss diets.

There are many varieties of pumpkins, and they produce seeds with or without shells.

Pumpkin seeds have a chewy texture and a sweetish nutty flavor.

While roasted pumpkins seeds are probably best known as the seasonal Halloween treat, there is absolutely no reason not to eat them throughout the year.

Pumpkin seeds provide a wide range of necessary daily nutrients, such as fibers, healthy fats and protein. They are also a great source of minerals such as magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron and copper.

In as little as a handful of pumpkin seeds, you will receive about half of the daily recommended intake of magnesium, half of the daily recommended intake of manganese, about a quarter of the recommended daily intake of copper and iron, and about a fifth of the recommended daily intake of protein and zinc.

Of course these are not all that is required for a healthy balanced diet. But as a between-meals healthy snack, pumpkin seeds are one of the true treasures that mother nature has to offer.

Other Beneficial Qualities of Pumpkin Seeds:

Pumpkin seeds can also be beneficial for people with high cholesterol levels. Pumpkin seeds are rich in phytosterols (compounds found in plants similar to cholesterol and active in reducing cholesterol when present in a large quantities), and as such could be part of a low cholesterol diet.

Pumpkin also improve the immune system and lower the risks of certain cancers.

Pumpkin seeds should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This way, they will maintain their freshness for the longest possible time. Although still edible they start to loose their freshness after about 2 months. If the seeds start to smell musty or rancid they should not be consumed.

Preparing Your Own Pumpkin Seeds:

While pumpkin seeds can be bought almost anywhere, it is also possible to make your own.

- Remove the seeds from inside the pumpkin

- Spread them out on a tray, and let them dry overnight.

- Then roast them at a low temperature (70 Celsius/160-170) Fahrenheit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Roasting them for a short period at a low temperature preserves valuable healthy oils that will be lost if you roast them at higher temperatures. One can of course also add spices or other flavorings while roasting them, should one wish to do so.

Tips on How to Preserve Pumpkin Seeds:

- Add a pumpkin seeds to mixed salads (they go best with green salads, but others are not ruled out).

- Pumpkin seeds can also be ground up and added to salad dressings.

- I personally like to add a few pumpkin seeds to stir-fry vegetable dishes.

- You can add pumpkin seeds to fruit and nut mixes (trail mix).

- They can be added to corn flakes or other cereals (hot or cold).

- When baking bread, they can be added to the dough.

- Add them to your oatmeal and raisin cookie recipes or to your granola recipe.

Pumpkin seeds overall can be very beneficial to your health, weight loss, and wellbeing.

Find more information on Low Calorie Recipes and Articles on Vegetarian Foods and How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds.