I will be the first to admit, I really missed growing a pumpkin patch this year filled with heirloom varieties good enough to be the centerpiece of a fall family meal or front porch display. Typically fall on the farm is filled with families picking pumpkins, a fall festival, and corn maze. However, this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic looming, we chose to keep our community healthy and enjoy fall on the farm without all the hustle and bustle. We have still felt greatly connected to our community. Cheering families on from a curb-side and home-delivery distance as we watch folks turn to cooking and eating nutrient dense food. It’s time to get creative and make new family traditions. Here is how I am putting a healthy spin on my family’s halloween festivities.

Pumpkin Smoothies

It’s not Halloween on the farm without pumpkin smoothies! I’ve been making pumpkin smoothies as long as I’ve been growing pumpkins - which started in 2007. Here is my go to recipe.

Ingredients:

½ cup of the flesh of a cooked pumpkin or winter squash

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice mix

2 dates

¼ cut up apple

1 kale leaf

1 banana

1 tbsp. honey

½ cup water

1 cup ice

Protein Powder (optional)

Optional garnishes- Chia  Seeds, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, flaky sea salt.

Instructions: Place all items in a strong blender and blend until smooth. Pour into cups and sprinkle with garnishes. Enjoy!

100% Grassfed Beef Hotdogs around a firepit

Typically we have a big pot of chili for Halloween. There is nothing better than a warm pot of soup on a fall evening. Family members come and go as they make their rounds. However, this year, we will be roasting hotdogs outdoors around our fire pit. The kids love collecting long sticks and watching daddy wittle the perfect point to spear the hot dog just right. 

Let’s make the most of Halloween this year! Wishing everyone a healthy, safe, and delicious Halloween. 

Maggie