Halloween Polenta BitesOctober 25th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner
Sweet potatoes (or pumpkin) give today’s recipe its orange hue. Use small Halloween cookie cutters (right) to create a kid-friendly side dish that’s rich in vitamin A. All of the ingredients should be available at a well-stocked natural and organic food store. Read More:Halloween Polenta BitesHalloween Treats: Black-Cherry Bats & Citrus-Orange PumpkinsOctober 18th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner
Today’s recipes for Black-Cherry Bats and Citrus-Orange Pumpkins won’t screw up braces, fillings or crowns. The key ingredients are natural flavored gelatin (right) and fresh fruit juice. Each recipe makes 2 dozen treats, and all of the ingredients should be available at a well-stocked natural and organic food store. These recipes have been adapted from The Braces Cookbook by Pamela Waterman. Read More:Halloween Treats: Black-Cherry Bats & Citrus-Orange PumpkinsWhen Halloween and Braces CollideOctober 17th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner
Having lived through 4 years of mouth metal back in the day, I know how Halloween treats like caramel apples and popcorn balls can wreak havoc with just a few bites. Is it any coincidence that October is National Orthodontic Health Month? The good news: The American Association of Orthodontists has provided the following list of best and worst Halloween treats. Read More:When Halloween and Braces CollideHalloween Candy Companies Have Brainwashed Us Into BuyingOctober 14th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner
But when trick-or-treating first became popular in the 1920s, children received whatever neighbors had on hand: apples, pastries, breads and even money. Flash-forward to the 21st century: We now spend $1.8 billion on Halloween candy each year—so, what has changed? Read More:Halloween Candy Companies Have Brainwashed Us Into BuyingTest Your Pumpkin I.Q. (Answers)November 1st, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Hope you had a safe, happy Halloween. Here are the answers to yesterday’s pumpkin-themed quiz. Answers
Let us know how you scored! Photo: Read More:Test Your Pumpkin I.Q. (Answers)Test Your Pumpkin I.Q.October 31st, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
To celebrate Halloween, I’m posting a multiple-choice quiz that tests your pumpkin acumen. I’ll post the answers tomorrow, so be sure to tune in. 1. How many pounds of pumpkins were grown last year in the top U.S. pumpkin-producing states? A. 100 million B. 300 million C. 700 million D. 1.1 billion 2. Which U.S. state produced the most pumpkins last year? A. California B. Illinois C. Pennsylvania D. New York
3. A pumpkin’s bright orange color reflects a high level of which nutrient? A. Magnesium B. Vitamin C C. Carotenoids D. Zinc
4. A pumpkin is a: A. Fruit B. Vegetable C. Neither
5. Which of the following is not a variety of pumpkin? A. Spooktacular B. Baby Boo C. Sweetie Pie D. Jack Skellington 6. “Pumpkin” was a character in which acclaimed movie? A. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest B. Pulp Fiction C. Rosemary’s Baby D. The Godfather 7. Toasted pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of: A. Protein B. Fiber C. Magnesium D. All of the above 8. What percentage of a pumpkin is water? A. 20% B. 50% C. 70% D. 90% 9. We have published organic recipes for Roasted Pumpkin Soup and Pumpkin Bisque. What distinguishes a bisque from other soups? A. A milk or cream base B. Thicker than standard soups C. Contains meat or seafood D. All of the above 10. Pepitas are: A. Hulled pumpkin seeds B. Whole pumpkin seeds Read More:Test Your Pumpkin I.Q.Chocolate Milk: Halloween’s Official Drink?October 30th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
When we started our blog in November 2005, my very first post examined a new trend in organic food: flavored milk. Dietitian Julie H. Burns, a nutrition consultant for Horizon Organic, noted:
A day later, we published Organic Flavored Milk: Pros and Cons, in which Chef Ann Cooper, the “Renegade Lunch Lady,” told us:
Now, the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), creators of the got milk? advertising campaign, are promoting chocolate milk as the “Official Drink of Halloween.” The newest print ad, which debuted in the Oct. 16 issue of People magazine, features actress Angie Harmon (Law & Order, Women’s Murder Club) and her daughters, all sporting milk mustaches. “At Halloween and throughout the year, my girls love the flavor of chocolate milk, and I love knowing it contains the same essential nutrients as white milk like calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients kids need to build strong bones,” Harmon states in a MilkPEP press release. “As a mom, it’s important to me that my kids learn healthy habits early—and drinking three glasses of low-fat or fat-free milk each day is one of the best habits I can pass on to them.” Pediatrician Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, is also supporting MilkPEP’s efforts. “With Halloween snacks all around, low-fat chocolate milk is something moms can feel good about sharing with their kids,” says the author of Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents’ Top 101 Questions about Babies and Toddlers. “Here’s a spooky fact: Two out of three kids fail to get enough calcium, which is critical to build healthy skeletons,” Dr. Altmann adds. “And studies show that kids who drink chocolate and other flavored milks have higher calcium intakes than those who don’t drink milk. Milk drinkers also tend to drink fewer sugary sodas and fruit drinks and are more likely to be at a healthy weight compared to kids who drink little or no milk. “Encouraging kids to drink more low-fat milk is a great way to steer them from the nutrient-void temptations at Halloween and beyond,” she concludes. “Chocolate milk and white milk contain nine essential nutrients and are a key component in building strong bones during childhood. Moms can benefit from the calcium and vitamin D in chocolate milk, too.” How do you feel about flavored milks, including the organic kind? Please share your thoughts. Photos: Horizon Organic, MilkPEP Read More:Chocolate Milk: Halloween’s Official Drink?Sweet-Hot Pumpkin Seeds with Autumn SpicesOctober 28th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Yesterday, I provided the basic recipe for Toasted Pumpkin Seeds. Today’s recipe ups the flavor ante, with spices that will remind you of red pepper jelly—both sweet and hot. If you’ve purchased a Halloween pumpkin, you’ll have the basis for a high-protein snack. If not, you may use raw pumpkin seeds from the snack or nut aisle of your local natural and organic food store. Enjoy! Sweet-Hot Pumpkin Seeds with Autumn SpicesMakes 8 servings (2 tablespoons each) 1 pumpkin (or 1 cup purchased raw pumpkin seeds)
Recipe and photo courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research Read More:Sweet-Hot Pumpkin Seeds with Autumn SpicesToasted Pumpkin SeedsOctober 27th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Pumpkin seeds are one of my favorite fall snacks. Companies like Eden Organic offer bags of dry-roasted seeds, including a spiced version. The seeds are a great source of protein, fiber, phosphorus and magnesium. Unlike most of the nonorganic brands, Eden’s pumpkin seeds are relatively low in sodium (75 to 100 mg per 1/4 cup). If you’re carving an organic pumpkin this Halloween, toast your own seeds and flavor them with your favorite herbs and spices. The basic recipe follows. Tune in tomorrow for some kicked-up Sweet-Hot Pumpkin Seeds with Autumn Spices. Toasted Pumpkin Seeds1 small pumpkin
Recipe courtesy of Pumpkin Masters Read More:Toasted Pumpkin SeedsIt’s Organic Pumpkin Time!October 26th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
At this time of year, formerly barren lots on even the busiest city streets are transformed into pumpkin patches. Local farmers’ markets display a bevy of gourds, and kids go into hyperdrive as they suit up to turn their carefully selected finds into jack-o’-lanterns. Pumpkin carving is much like driving: safety first. Thankfully, alternatives to serial killer-style kitchen knives are available at supermarkets, party stores and organic food stores. The Pumpkin Masters Carving Kit, for example, includes five tools and 14 patterns. The company also offers a children’s version. As I’ve admitted in the past, I usually opt to cook with canned organic pumpkin puree—in particular, Farmers Market Organic Pumpkin. It’s a hassle-free base for Early-Morning Pumpkin Maple Oatmeal, Pumpkin Curry Soup, Roasted Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Bisque and Pumpkin Five-Spice Butter. Tune in tomorrow for a new recipe: Toasted Pumpkin Seeds. In the meantime, check out some of my past posts:
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The average American will spend $66.28 on Halloween this year, $20.29 of which will go toward 
