Conservation 101: the Compete to Conserve Blog

As pumpkin patches across the country hitch up their hayrides and welcome the harvest with visitors, eco-friendly sites are posting hints and tips to remind readers to choose and use their gourds wisely.

This isn’t going to be much different. In fact, in my search to find options of what you can do with pumpkins—aside from showing off your creative carving prowess—I found that many regions of the US and UK are promoting composting. Pumpkins in a landfill can produce weeds and, believe it or not, sprouts. Only to be covered with someone’s torn up sofa or old alarm clock.

Whether you put the post-holiday pumpkin into a curbside compost bin or into your home kit version, the gourd holds valuable nutrients that can make good fertilizer. In fact, one site even recommended that you just plant the jack-o-lantern shell into the garden, to decompose at will.

The classic suggestion is, of course, to cook whatever parts of the pumpkin you have to spare. This is not to be done post-jack-o-lanterning, but in the process of creating your masterpiece, stockpiled extras can be used in various recipes (including breads, soups, salads…and the old toasted seed standby.)

After it’s done decorating your haunted hearth, the shell could transform into a seasonal planter—complete with twigs, leaves and pine cones.

If pumpkin is not your fave food fare, perhaps your pet will be more accommodating. Homemade dog food and treat recipes can be easy to make and potentially much appreciated.

But for those not into eating pumpkin or subjecting others to pathetic attempts at cooking, it could serve to know that pumpkin is a key ingredient in many beauty supplies. In fact, recipes for pumpkin skin and hair beauty regimens could be fun, albeit sticky, to try.

With talk of another potential pumpkin shortage this season, due to drought and extreme weather across the nation, making good use of what you can get your hands on will be even more essential—not to mention a great way to thoroughly enjoy autumn.

To get you started, here are some sample recipes to explore. (Some call for “canned pumpkin” but fresh, or even organic, is usually a welcomed substitute.)

 

Pumpkin Dog Food/Treat Recipes:

Pumpkin and Syrup Dog Food

http://www.seefido.com/html/dog_food_pumpkin_and_syrup_rec.htm

Pumpkin Dog Treat—with cinnamon and vanilla

http://bowwowdogblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/pumpkin-dog-treat-recipe.html

Pumpkin Dog Treat—with Cream of Wheat and Milk

http://www.all-natural-dog-treat.com/dogtreatrecipe.html

Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-and-Pumpkin-Dog-Treats/Detail.aspx

Pumpkin Dog Treats—rated 4.5 out of 5 stars!

http://www.recipezaar.com/28099

Merry’s Pampered Pumpkin Cookies

http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/dog-food-recipes.html

 

Pumpkin Skin/Hair Beauty Recipes:

Spa Index Papaya Pumpkin Facial

http://www.allnaturalbeauty.us/hbr_ingredients.htm#pumpkin%20recipes

Pumpkin Pedicure

http://www.makeyourcosmetics.com/recipes/viewrec.asp?id=399&cat=hfh

Pumpkin Face Mask and Peel

http://makeyourcosmetics.com/recipes/viewrec.asp?id=116&cat=facial

Hydrating Pumpkin Mask

http://www.lindisima.com/en/pumpkin-mask.htm

Pumpkin Face Pack and Acne Treatment (hint: do “find” for “pumpkin”)

http://www.womanspassions.com/articles/262.html

Related Entries

1. For Seafood Lovers: Making Smarter Choices for You and the Ocean
2. Weekly Green Round-Up: Halloween Edition
3. 5 Easy Ways to Green Your Halloween