BEAUTY, HEALTH & PUMPKINS

Hello World, Pumpkins are everywhere!! Time to chat about Beauty! Health and the PUMPKIN! The word pumpkin originated from the Greek word Pepõn which means large melon. Although pumpkins are known to be a part of the squash family it is technically a fruit. The good ol' jack o lantern may have some real benefits afterall. Pumpkin's just aren't good for making pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread. Pumpkins are actually a good source of vitamin A and carotenes. Vitamin A is great anti-oxidant. Vitamin A is needed for maintaining healthy eyes, bones and skin. Research says, foods rich in Vitamin A helps body protect against lung and oral cancers. Gotta love that! Vitamin A is normally found in foods that are rich in color.

Everyone knows ORANGE is my favorite color and the bright orange color of the pumpkin is PROOF that it's full of beta-carotene and we need beta-carotene in our lives. Research shows that people who eat a diet rich in beta-carotene are less likely to develop certain cancers... like lung cancer, breast cancer and even skin cancer. Gotta love that also!! I realize pumpkins really do deserve more credit than what I gave them.

Now that we've gone over the HEALTH part TIS TIME FOR BEAUTY! Check out these natural beauty recipes involving a fruit called the PUMPKIN.

Au Natural Pumpkin Mask Time! I checked out this recipe by Erica Katz, beauty guru and author of Bonding Over Beauty. 'Who knew pumpkins can keep your face smooth and wrinkle-free.' Try the pumpkin mask recipe (check out the recipe and make sure you're not allergic to any of this)

• 2 tsp canned pureed pumpkin
• 1/2 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp heavy whipping cream
• Mix all ingredients and apply to face.
• Leave on for 10 min and rinse!

Thank you Refinery 29 for sharing http://www.refinery29.com/a-pumpkin-face-mask

Next one on the list is a Pumpkin Hair Conditioner Recipe!! I love this one... I'm a naturall- coily girl and man oh man the shine this recipe gives my hair is oh so lovely AND chemical free! Thank you Cassidy of the Natural Selection blog for sharing this one!! She is the best!!

THE RECIPE

• 1/2 cup of pumpkin – you can either use puree from the innards of your soon-to-be tossed Jack-o-Lantern, a can of pumpkin puree, or baby food.
• 1/4 cup of yogurt
• 2 tbsp of honey

THE HOW TO

• Put all ingredients in to bowl and mix well
• Separate hair in sections and smooth from root to tip throughout entire head
• Once entire head has been pumpkin-ified, put on a showercap and leave on hair for about 20-30 minutes
• Rinse
• Continue with your normal hair regimen

See the Natural Selection blog for more info. Thank you Cassidy!! http://naturalselectionblog.com/2010/11/03/tis-the-season-diy-pumpkin-goodness-for-your-hair/

The next time you're in the store smile at that gorgeous fruit called PUMPKIN! AND Smile at the canned PUMPKIN too... It can be your best friend.

Picture of Pumpkin courtesty of http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/pumpkin-decorating-1009