Tis the Season for...Pumpkins!

A little pumpkin trivia and fun beauty recipes using pumpkin.

*In 2010 the membership of the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers (in Ohio) baked a 20-foot diameter pumpkin pie weighing in at 3,699 pounds -setting the new world record for the Largest Pumpkin Pie.

*Surprise! The pumpkin is actually a fruit, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family of plants with trailing vines.

*Six of the seven continents can grow pumpkins.  Antarctica is the only continent that they won't grow on.

*Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.

*Pumpkins are 90 percent water. Pumpkins have zero cholesterol.  They’re also low in calories, fat, and sodium and high in fiber.

*Pumpkins contain enzymes that when applied to skin, loosen the bonds that keep dull outer skin cells clinging to the surface. Pumpkin also delivers a burst of nourishing and hydrating botanicals, leaving skin as smooth and glowing as a jack-o'-lantern.  So here are “beauty recipes” for you-- using some pumpkin!

                             Pumpkin Face and Body Mask

Mix together: ½ cup canned pumpkin

                       1/4 cup white clay

                       1T. honey

                       2 T. water

                       1 T. almond oil 

                       2 tsp. cinnamon

Apply evenly to your face or anywhere else that you’d like to smooth. Leave on 10 minutes before rinsing. Almond oil moisturizes, clay draws out impurities, honey replenishes collagen and cinnamon improves circulation.                                                                              

                               

                            Pumpkin Face Scrub

• 1 T canned or fresh pureed Pumpkin  
• 1 T cut oats 
• 1 T water 
• 1 t Corn meal

 Directions:    In a small bowl, mix oats with warm (not hot) water. Let it sit for a minute or so to

soak. Mix in the Pumpkin puree, blending well. Add the Corn meal and stir well.

 Apply a small amount at a time to a clean face while scrubbing in circular movements gently. After scrubbing the entire face, leave on for about 5 minutes longer or just until it is almost dry, but not entirely. Gently remove with a warm wash cloth. Moisturize like usual. This amount is enough for the face, neck, chest area and shoulders. Leaves skin silky soft!

From the P. Allen Smith Newsletter:   Score the inside  rind of your Jack-o-lantern and then sprinkle with ground cinnamon, nutmeg or other spices so that as the rind heats it will emit a pleasant fragrance.