What's a seasonal food??

 Seasonal foods are those that are picked and eaten around the time that they are harvested. Why should we eat seasonally?? Rather than getting produce shipped from other areas where it is in season, seasonal foods are more local, thus more fresh. Crops picked at their ultimate ripeness are tastier too!

 Pumpkins are not just for carving this time of year; they are the perfect seasonal food to eat! Pumpkins are full of fiber and rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. These are great for boosting your immune system, which is so important as we enter the colder months. Pumpkin helps protect your eyesight, lower your risk for certain cancers, and promotes heart and skin health.

 Although it's technically a fruit, pumpkin is often thought of as a vegetable. With it's slightly sweet flavor, it's delicious in both savory (pumpkin chili) and sweet (pumpkin cookies, bars, chia pudding) dishes. Pumpkin can even be a substitution for butter or oil in baking! Pumpkin is a wonderful seasonal food this time of year! 

Some of my favorite pumpkin recipes include Pumpkin Cookies, No Bake Pumpkin Bars, Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl, Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding, and Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili. 

All gluten and dairy free, download them here! 

Submitted by Stephanie Niemis