A Little Pumpkin Without the Pumpkin Spice
October is here, so I suppose we can officially talk about pumpkin.
I know pumpkin spice has been showing up everywhere since sometime in July, but I prefer to let October have its moment. And rather than jumping straight into pumpkin everything, I’m starting small.
With pumpkin seeds aka pepitas.
But there’s another reason I’ve been thinking about them lately: sleep.
Earlier this week, I shared a reminder on social media about getting some early morning light. Ideally, step outside within an hour of waking and let your eyes take in some natural daylight. Even on a cloudy morning, there is considerably more light outside than there is indoors, and that morning light helps reinforce your body’s natural sleep-wake rhythm. 
In other words, something as simple as stepping outside in the morning can help set the stage for better sleep later.
And then, at the other end of the day, there are pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkin seeds are a particularly good source of magnesium, a mineral that plays many important roles in the body. Magnesium is often mentioned when we talk about sleep, although research on magnesium itself as a sleep aid is still mixed.
I don’t think of pumpkin seeds as a sleep remedy. I think of them as a tasty, nourishing food that can be part of a healthy evening snack when the hunger monster strikes.
One of my favorite combinations is pumpkin seeds with dried tart cherries.
The pumpkin seeds provide protein, healthy fats and magnesium, while tart cherries naturally contain melatonin, a hormone involved in regulating our sleep-wake cycle. Again, neither one is a magic ticket to dreamland. But together, they make a simple little snack that can fit nicely into a sleep-supportive routine.
And the best part? No pumpkin guts required.
I keep raw pumpkin seeds seasoned only with sea salt in my fridge. They’re crunchy, satisfying and ready to eat. Toss a small handful with a few dried cherries and you have an easy evening snack. You can also sprinkle pumpkin seeds over oatmeal or yogurt, toss them into a salad, or add them to trail mix. 
So perhaps this is my gentle introduction to pumpkin season.
No pumpkin spice latte. No pumpkin pie. No pumpkin bread.
Just a little morning light… and a little pumpkin seed at night.
Sweet dreams,
Health Coach Carol
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald