Ahhhhhh….Pumpkin

I was thinking about Halloween today and how different it is these days. When I was a kid, everyone on the block went trick or treating. Mom and dad at stayed home and handed out the candy. My sisters, brother and I would dress up in our costumes and head down the street. Kids were everywhere and they felt safe when they went out. We had little paper bags to put our candy in. When the bags got full we would go home, sort thru the bags, and give mom the candy we didn’t like so she could give it out. We had so much fun. Back in those days you didn’t have to worry about kidnappings, tainted candy and etc.

When I was a little older everything changed. A young boy died, on Halloween, from a poisoned pixie stick. It turned out that the child was poisoned by his own dad, Ronald Clark O’Brien. How can a father kill his own son for Insurance money? This man lived in a suburb of our town and the story made National Headlines. Mr. O’Brien was sentenced to life in prison. Halloween was never the same after that. No longer could people hand out home made cookies or Carmel apples. Pixie Sticks were rarely seen again. It became common knowledge that you could take your Halloween candy to the hospital and have it x-rayed.

Now days children don’t trick or treat by themselves, parents are seen walking a short distance away. People are advised to take their children to houses of neighbors they know and trust. In the last several years, we have seen more church parties and carnivals. Individually wrapped candy is the advised way to go. Don’t forget to carry that flashlight or wear a light stick. It would be terrible if one of the children got run over. Yes, Halloween is definitely different! I think I liked it better in the old days.

Did you know: 25% of the candy made each year – almost two billion dollars’ worth – is sold for Halloween. 90% of parents admit to dipping into their kids’ trick-or-treat bag.
What is a ghost’s favorite article of clothing? ….Boo jeans!

Did you know? One cup of canned pumpkin provides:
448% of your daily vitamin A - 16% of your daily vitamin C - 40% of your daily fiber - 28% of your daily potassium - 8% of your daily calcium - 7% of your daily iron

Lackluster complexion: Try a Pumpkin Mask! Why: Vitamins and antioxidants in pumpkin smooth and heal skin, as well as brighten the surface. To do: Mix 1 cup canned mashed pumpkin with 2/3 cup mashed papaya (it contains the enzyme papain, which dissolves oil and dead skin cells). Apply to clean, dry face. Leave on 10 minutes: rinse with warm water.

Blemishes and clogged pores: Try: Pumpkin Scrub! Why: Pumpkin contains beta carotene, a natural exfoliant that refines pores and helps prevent breakouts. To Do: Mix 1 cup canned mashed pumpkin with 1/3 cup cranberry juice (no sugar added) and massage over face with fingertips. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry.

Fines Lines? Try: Pumpkin Honey Facial! Why: Pumpkin provides vitamins that restore elasticity and rebuild collagen for youthful skin. To Do: Mix 1 cup canned mashed pumpkin with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 beaten egg and apply with fingers or a brush. Lie down and place a warm wet washcloth over face and relax 5 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry.

Dry Skin? Try: Pumpkin Body Polish! Why: Pumpkin’s enzymes help peel, exfoliate and rejuvenate dull, tired skin. To Do: Mix ½ cup canned mashed pumpkin with ½ cup brown sugar. Massage onto rough spots like elbows and knees while in the shower, then turn water on to rinse.

Recipes from Women’s World magazine 10-25-05