Pumpkin Love Recipes and Remedies

Holidays all seem to call for goodies, food, something to make us feel good. Holidays like Valentine’s Day usually call for sweets, big sugary send your body into shock treats. Treats that cannot be given to our most loyal loves, our dogs.

When it comes down to it, treats with added sugar should not be part of our human diet either if we are really going to stick to a habit of “I eat very little sugar.” *recipes for you and dog below

Pumpkin Healing and Healthy Properties

• Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
• Pumpkins are high in fiber.
• Pumpkins are low in sodium.
• Pumpkin seeds are high in protein, iron and B vitamins
• Pumpkins are high in beta-carotene which is an antioxidant.
• Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.
• Scientific research believe that eating a diet rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.
• Research also believe pumpkin helps to delay aging.

Healing Pumpkin Properties Specific to Dogs

All of the above properties apply to our best friend the dog as well. In fact, a dog that suffers from soft stools can greatly benefit form the healing properties of pumpkins. The fiber, protein and antioxidant added to any dog food diet is beneficial.

The properties of pumpkin are beneficial for soothing dog stomach upset.

The antioxidant properties apply to our dogs and the increased risk of cancer.

Studies by herbalists have found the seeds of the pumpkin additionally function as an efficient de-worming agent for tapeworms and various intestinal parasites in dogs and humans.

Pumpkins consist of an amino acid called cucurbitin, the compound is efficient in getting rid of worms. The de-worming properties in pumpkin seeds paralyze and eradicate worms from the digestive tract in dogs and and humans.

How to Use For Dog Parasites

The most efficient parasitic treatment comes from pumpkin seeds.

Grind pumpkin seeds into a powder and sprinkle on your dog’s food.

You can make a paste by adding water. Let your dog eat it as a snack by feeding a dollop on your finger or from a spoon. Doses can range from 60 grams to up to 500 grams per dose, subject to dog size and are typically administered two times a day until parasites are gone.

Pumpkin Nutrients

1 cup of cooked pumpkin flesh contains:

• Calories 49
• Protein 2 grams
• Carbohydrate 12 grams
• Dietary Fiber 3 grams
• Calcium 37 mg
• Iron 1.4 mg
• Magnesium 22 mg
• Potassium 564 mg
• Zinc 1 mg
• Selenium .50 mg
• Vitamin C 12 mg
• Niacin 1 mg
• Folate 21 mcg
• Vitamin A 2650 IU
• Vitamin E 3 mg

Baked Pumpkin Recipe – For Human

Ingredients:

• One whole pumpkin
• 1 cup cranberries
• 1 cup chopped tart apples
• ½ cup chopped pitted dates
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon allspice

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Cut top of pumpkin and save for lid. Scoop out the inside seeds and pumpkin flesh, leaving a ¼ inch thick shell.

Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Fill the pumpkin and place on baking sheet. Bake uncovered 1 hour. Place the top back on pumpkin and cook another 30 minutes, until bubbling. Allow to cool 15 minutes and serve.

Pumpkin Recipe for Dogs Treats

Use the pumpkin seeds and insides from the baked pumpkin recipe to make a fresh topping for you dog’s food.

Mix seeds and other pumpkins innards in a blender until it becomes a paste.

Divide paste in half.

Keep 1/2 in bowl and refrigerate. Add 1 tablespoon to each meal until finished.

Fill an ice cube container with the remaining seed paste mixture. Freeze. Give out as treats once the fresh mixture is gone.

Enjoy and make sure to love those you care about like it was Valentine’s Day every day just like your dog acts like it is using that special unconditional love quality they are so good at!

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Jt Clough lives on the Big Island, Hawaii, and practices health, happiness and natural remedies, while working as a Habits Coach for people looking to live healthier and happier lives.  She is a dog whisperer for our best friends; and studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication.  Her latest e-book is 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.