Over 90% of the pumpkins grown in the US are used to make jack o-lanterns – we do that, too, of course, but last year’s bumper crop made us get a little creative in the kitchen: delicious pumpkin pies, pumpkin soup and an amazing pumpkin butter that is incredible when spread on homemade bread.

Pumpkins are rich in carotenoid phytonutrients which give them their beautiful orange color and many of their health benefits.

Canned pumpkin has pretty much the same nutritional value as that which you pluck out of the garden, but there’s one thing they won’t have – the seeds.

Pumpkin seeds are a great source of zinc which is important for a healthy immune system. They also contain a phytonutrient called cucurbitacins which may prevent prostate enlargement.

And if all of this work out in the garden had made your joints ache a bit, adding pumpkin seeds into the diet may be just as effective at reducing joint inflammation as some over the counter pain medications.

To learn more about eating well and living the good life, visitwww.beekman1802.com