Pumpkin Seeds: Nutrition with Crunch!

Happy Halloween to all you trick-or-treaters out there!

If you’re responsible for handing out goodies to the ghosts, monsters, pirates, and princesses who come to your door, I’ve got the perfect trick for you so you don’t dip into the treats yourself: snack on pumpkin seeds instead!

Halloween is the perfect time to scoop these big, slimy seeds from the heart of a jack-o-lantern. But they’re a tasty snack any time of year. And you can use them to dodge some common health threats, too, like:

Say “BOO” to B.O. Pumpkin seeds provide a good, concentrated supply of the mineral zinc, a deficiency of which can lead to body odor.

Don’t be a zombie. Make pumpkin seeds part of your mid-day snack — their protein will keep you energized.

Cramps haunting you? Pumpkin seeds are loaded with fatty acids that lower levels of body chemicals responsible for muscle aches and menstrual cramps.

Dr. Frankenstein should have known about this…The minerals in pumpkin seeds, especially zinc, will help your body heal when you have a cut or other injury and especially after surgery.

Here’s the easy how-to for tasty pumpkin seeds that’ll make you forget all about that fun-size Snickers bar:

STEP 1. Rinse the seeds and separate them from the stringy flesh.

STEP 2. Add the seeds to a big pot of saltwater (2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt for every ½-cup of pumpkin seeds). Boil for 10 minutes.

STEP 3. Remove from heat and drain.

STEP 4. Spread the seeds in one layer on a baking sheet, and brush them with olive oil.

STEP 5. If you want a little extra flavor, season the seeds with your choice of flavors: garlic salt, cayenne pepper, Cajun spices, or whatever you like.

STEP 6. Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the seeds for 45 minutes or so. Shake the pan every 10 minutes to keep them from burning.

Enjoy!

Calling All Couch Potatoes!

There are few events in life that will cost you more recovery time than a stroke. So get up already — and get moving! The more you move your body, the stronger your cardiovascular system gets, and the less likely you are to have a stroke. If you can’t even remember the last time you did anything more strenuous than stroll to the kitchen to make a sandwich, start by getting a clean bill of health from your doctor. Then take off by going for a walk every day. It doesn’t have to be fast or far — a moderately brisk walk to the corner and back will do for starters. Gradually increase your time, speed, and distance until you’re really exercising — walking, running, biking, swimming, even dancing — for 15 to 20 minutes each and every day.

If you’ve already had a stroke or know someone who has, this news will be music to your ears: The journal Nutrition Neuroscience reported the results of a study involving 26 volunteers who had recently suffered a stroke. Half of the folks were given 20 milligrams of zinc each day for a month, while the rest took no supplements. At the end of the 30 days, the zinc takers had a 30 percent greater recovery in brain function than those who had not taken the mineral. And here’s even better news: You don’t have to take zinc supplements to get your brain-boosting quota. You can easily get 20 milligrams or more simply by eating plenty of zinc-rich foods like plain yogurt, lean meat, oysters, crabs, lentils, and the dark meat of turkey and chicken.

And for a quick breakfast on the go, this Fresh and Fruity Smoothie is just what the doctor ordered. It’s chock-full of anti-stroke superstars, including vitamin B, vitamin C, and potassium. What’s more, it’s just about as delicious as a drink can get.

Ingredients:

1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped

1 frozen banana, peeled and chopped

½ cup of freshly squeezed orange juice

¼ cup of milk

Combine the ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass, and drink up!