But there is more to the humble pumpkin than pie. Hiding beneath its orange exterior is a nutritional powerhouse, full of vitamin C, potassium, and beta carotene. Pumpkin can be a healthy addition to any diet. Thanks to quality canned pumpkin, one need not wait until October to use it. Pumpkin muffins are quick and easy, and perfect for those busy mornings. Perfect with a cup of coffee or hot tea, a pumpkin muffin is a great start to the day.

For an elegant dessert, try a Swiss roll made from pumpkin and stuffed with a rich cream cheese filling. Topped with sifted powdered sugar, a pumpkin roll is sure to please any dinner guest.

Cookies are another way to utilize pumpkin, and one that is sure to please the children. Add a creative touch by sprinkling the cookies with toasted pumpkin seeds or miniature chocolate chips prior to baking.

Pumpkin is a versatile fruit and full of nutrients needed for a healthy lifestyle. Canned pumpkin makes it easy to use.

1.Use a sugar substitute in place of sugar. In this day and age, there are many sugar substitutes available at grocery stores. However, make sure you read the label to see which ones can be used for baking.
2.Use a different sweetener altogether in place of sugar. Fruit juices, honey and agave nectar can all sweeten baked goods while being better for those with diabetes.
3.Use half the sugar suggested in the recipe, especially if there are other sweet ingredients in the recipe, such as vanilla or honey.
4.For recipes that use white flour, use half white flour and half whole-wheat flour.
5.Use unsweetened apple sauce instead of oil.
6.Substitute low-fat ricotta cheese or low-fat cream cheese for whipping cream in recipes.
7.Look for recipes or recipes books that are made specifically for diabetics. In the case of recipe books, they can offer both sugar-free recipes and advice on diabetic cooking.

If you had tacos and you have some leftover meat, you could use it to make empanada’s or stuffed pasta. If you have left over roast, chicken, pork chops or steak, you could cook up some rice and veggies and have a stirfry. You might have to be a little creative when it comes to using left overs. You never know what you could come up with.

It could also be as simple as using the same veggies or salad from the night before. Another great way to use leftovers is to have a leftover night. Just reheat what ever you have left from dinner and everyone can choose what they want. Leftovers for lunch is also a very yummy economical way to go about having lunch.

Leftovers, the new dinner!

Frozen vegetables are the most economical way of purchasing vegetables. There are tastes for everyone, as most veggies complement any meal. Try buying in bulk as much as possible. Often you can save a lot of money on these frequently necessary ingredients.

Pasta is another great way of eating simply and isn’t expensive. Try making improvised spaghetti dishes that utilize your frozen vegetables. Use spinach, garbanzo beans, broccoli, zucchini, corn, or mushrooms the possibilities are infinite. Mix your veggies into a tomato sauce for a flavorful meal. Add spices to taste.

It is good to have a variety of spices on hand, as they can help to enhance simple meals. Oregano, garlic powder, olive oil, parsley, tarragon, basil, chili powder, and cumin. Buy the dried flakes as they are cheapest, and while fresh herbs are delicious, they aren’t necessary for a beautiful dinner. Salt and pepper are necessary to have in your arsenal, as well as butter, milk, cheese, and flour.

Buying the store brand items is a great idea. The extra cents spent on name brand foods adds up in the long run.