December Challenge - Write Down Something You are Grateful for Every Day

It's time for the final challenge of the year. This one is a mental health activity. The idea is that if you write down something that you are grateful for everyday, it helps keep you focused on the positive aspects of your life and improve your overall attitude. It doesn't need much explanation, so good luck!

Jason

Pumpkin Recipes

Well, I did manage to find a few pumpkin recipes that were pretty good. Some I'll just post a link, but a few I'll have to type out. Note that the big carving pumpkins aren't really the ones you would use for these recipes. I found that there are actually several different varieties of pumpkins, many of which look more like a winter squash. Not coincidentally, winter squash can be used as a substitute in most of these recipes. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert here, so ask your local produce supplier for recommendations on what pumpkins to use.

Thai-Spiced Pumpkin Soup - The soup turned out to be fantastic! It was pretty easy to make, too.

Roasted Pumpkin Salad - This was close to one of the prettiest dishes ever served on our table. It tasted pretty good, too. I'd pay particular attention to what type of pumpkin or squash you use, though.

Pumpkin and Beef Stew - I followed an actual recipe for this one, but I'd just say, "Make your favorite beef stew recipe and add cubed pumpkin." The pumpkins turned out tasting similar to the potatoes but with a much different texture. Basically, both soaked up the flavors of the stew quite nicely.

Pumpkin Puree (compliments of Plumper Pumpkin Patch) - To be used with other recipes

1-2 Sugar Pie Pumpkins (or other good tasting pumpkins)

1/2 c. Water

Cut pumpkin in half and remove seeds. Place pumkin halves upside down on a cookie sheet with water in the bottom. Bake in oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool. Remove pulp form skin and puree in blender or food processor. Pumpkin is now ready for use in your recipes.

Pumpkin Bread (compliments of Plumper Pumpkin Patch)

5 Eggs

1 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil

2 cups pumpkin puree

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 packages Cook & Serve Vanilla Pudding (3 oz)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

Beat eggs in mixing bowl. Add oil and pumpkin. Beat until smooth. Combine remaining ingredients; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture. Pour batter into five greased 5-in x 2 1/2-in x 2-in loaf pans (or whatever you use to make banana bread). Bake at 325 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. NOTE: Can use two greased 8-in x 4-in x 2-in loaf pans for 75-80 minutes.

When I made this one I only had one package of instant vanilla pudding, so I used that. Also, I actually made the pudding first. I think you're supposed to put it in dry, but putting in he made pudding turned out quite well!

Try it! You might like it!

Jason

November Challenge - No Fast Food

This month it's no fast food. If you order your food at a counter and pay for it at the counter, it's fast food. If it has a drive-through, it's a definite no-no. The last few challenges should have set everybody up for this one. It's hard to find a super food at a fast food place unless it's covered in cheese or mayonnaise.

Good luck!

On a related note, I went to Five Guys Burgers and Fries last night (since I wouldn't be able to go there for a month), and they followed through on their promise and they aren't using styrofoam cups for fries anymore! Yeah, Five Guys!

Jason

Pumpkins

OK. Pumpkins are on the superfood list, but does anybody know of a way to cook them other than pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread? I've not found much out there...

Jason

Up the Ante

So far I have not found this challenge to be much of a challenge at all. I eat a bowl of oatmeal nearly every day for breakfast, and I'm done. I'm going to up the ante on this one to two superfoods every day. Just do it! Get 'er done! What are you waiting for? Insert company slogan here!

Jason

October Challenge - Eat at least one of the "Superfoods" every day

Did you know there are "superfoods?" These foods can help lower your cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. And, they can help put you in a better mood!

Work these foods into your diet this month, and see how you feel!

• Beans
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Oats
• Oranges
• Pumpkin
• Salmon
• Soy
• Spinach
• Tea (green or black)
• Tomatoes
• Turkey
• Walnuts
• Yogurt

For more details on each, see this article.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/superfoods-everyone-needs

Enjoy!

Jason

September Challenge - Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day

This one seems pretty straight-forward, right? Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Well, how much is a serving? I just had a salad at lunch that included two large cherry tomatos, two cucumber slices, and a pile of lettuce. Is that one serving? Two? I checked the following website to find out. Basically, one serving is about a half-cup.

http://nutrition.about.com/od/fruitsandvegetables/f/servingfruit.htm

Here are some examples:

Fruits

• one banana
• six strawberries
• two plums
• fifteen grapes
• one apple
• one peach
• one half cup of orange or other fruit juice

Vegetables

• five broccoli florets
• ten baby carrots
• one roma tomato
• 3/4 cup tomato juice
• half of a baked sweet potato
• one ear of corn
• four slices of an onion

Good luck!

Jason