It’s finally Autumn ya’ll! The leaves are changing and it’s starting to get little cooler.  As this autumn transition quickly approaches it’s finally safe to say it’s officially pumpkin season. If you need help approaching your inner pumpkin spirit, here are some ways you can bring the flavors of the season directly into your life. 

 Pumpkin carving is a tradition that brings creativity to the Halloween season. Since carving can be messy and isn’t easy for children to do you can try painting pumpkins this year instead. This allows for the whole family to get creative themselves and show their masterpiece. An idea when painting your pumpkins is to only paint half for Halloween. You can then paint the other half for thanksgiving since pumpkins stay in season. Then you can leave your pumpkin out through November. When you don’t cut the pumpkin it stays way longer, which brings a new life to the good ole’ pumpkin carving. Pro Tip: Use Acrylic paint or spray paint so it won’t chip! 

If you do decide to carve your pumpkin don’t forget to keep the seeds! Pumpkin seeds are a great source of potassium that we wait all year for. The seeds are also high in iron and one pumpkin usually has over 500 seeds and not to mention are a tasty snack! You can use different seasonings to mix it up! Here’s a recipe to get you started. 

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/toasted_pumpkin_seeds/ By Elise Bauer 

Another pumpkin treasure worth exploring is trying your hand at a pumpkin pasta dish. This can be achieved in the sauce or inside a pasta like ravioli/tortellini. There are many ways you can use pasta to bring these traditional seasonal flavors onto your plate. You can even try making a Pumpkin Alfredo on butternut squash tortellini. Try this recipe to get you fall-ready in no time. 

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/tortellini-with-pumpkin-alfredo-sauce-recipe-2043207 

One of my favorite things about fall are the scents of the season. Bringing these different flavors into your home can bring comfy feelings of fall straight to your couch. From pumpkin vanilla to apple cinnamon exploring the theme of the season is what brings the true feeling that the holidays have begun. 

https://www.bathandbodyworks.com/p/pumpkin-vanilla-crandegraveme-3-wick-candle-026142002.html# 

Pumpkin coffee drinks are a known must have of the season. When you feel like you just can’t have another pumpkin spice latte (if that person exists) try mixing it up with an iced pumpkin chai tea latte! The spicy taste of the chai tea mixed with the sweetness of the pumpkin will quickly become your new favorite. You can even make them at home by mixing with milk! Try this find this at your local Target: 

https://www.target.com/p/tazo-chai-pumpkin-spice-latte-tea-concentrate-32-fl-oz/-/A-14779718?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012732781&CPNG=PLA_Grocery%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Grocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9011548&targetid=aud-978557310856:pla-867280311247&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=Cj0KCQjw28T8BRDbARIsAEOMBcz4RQa3-DqEcMNB2s80EQg93GIibrxRspWkQxTeGthm3FEF1qNcXc4aAifxEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds 

When dissecting your pumpkin don’t forget to think about your furry friend! Pumpkin is great for your canine companions as well. Use your leftover pumpkin to make some treats that will have your dog begging for more. 

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/133123/peanut-butter-and-pumpkin-dog-treats/ 

Since pumpkins are typically harvested only once a year; we must make sure we are taking advantage of those amazing flavors while we can. After this tragic year of uncertainty let’s start off this holiday season with some pumpkin cheer everyone can enjoy!