Download Despite the fact that we jump on every new diet bandwagon that

When the subject of October comes
up, everyone thinks of candy corn
and haunted houses, but there’s a
lot more going on in October
besides Halloween. As we make our
way into the heart of autumn, we
also observe the following.
National Chili Month
October is a busy month for the International Chili Society (ICS).
With temperatures dropping, it’s the perfect month to celebrate a
favorite food that warms the soul and delights the taste buds. If
you have a favorite chili recipe, now is the time to put on your
chef’s apron, and look for local cook-off events where you can
show off your skills.
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The average American eats about 54 quarts of popcorn a year. It’s
Regardless of your age or background,
a healthy, affordable and fun food that almost everyone loves.
breast cancer has probably touched your
Popcorn is harvested in the fall. Sales and consumption of the
life in some way. It is the second
exploding kernels increase as people spend more time indoors, so
leading cause of death in women,
October is the perfect time to sing popcorn’s praises. You can
but early detection can save many
celebrate Popcorn Poppin’ Month with fun popcorn recipes and crafts,
lives. The National Breast Cancer
or just settle down with a giant tub to watch your favorite movie.
Foundation holds fundraising
National Arts and Humanities Month
events in October to help provide
By October, summer’s sun and fun has faded away, but the
mammograms for women in need.
presence of art and culture is all around you, just waiting to be
Contact your local chapter to
discovered. To celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month, buy
participate.
tickets to a play, see a concert, visit an art museum or have dinner
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
at an ethnic restaurant you’ve never visited before. You can even
Domestic violence is a serious issue that should receive attention try your own hand at art by taking classes or just using the fall
all year long. It results in untold suffering, physical disability,
colors and falling leaves as inspiration.
mental illness and often death. October became Domestic
National Sarcasm Awareness Month
Violence Awareness Month in 1995 when the Family Violence
In recent years, sarcasm has been elevated to an art form. It’s been
Prevention Fund, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence celebrated in television shows like House, M.D. and made famous
and other organizations joined forces to combat the problem and by the likes of cute and surly Internet sensation Grumpy Cat. You
raise awareness. To make a difference in the lives of domestic
don’t have to work very hard to celebrate National Sarcasm
abuse victims, contact your local advocacy groups for volunteer
Awareness Month. Just say whatever you’re really thinking. If
opportunities.
you’re lucky, your picture might end up on a can of cat food.
The beginning of fall evokes nostalgic images of warm, glowing colors,
softly falling leaves and cool, refreshing breezes. It’s a time when nature
almost seems to celebrate itself, and as the landscape paints its selfportrait in golden and red hues, communities come together to
celebrate the changing of the seasons and the annual fall harvest.
Traditional Fall Harvest Festivals
Before agriculture became highly commercialized, farmers and their
families would gather together in the early days of fall to dance, play
games, enjoy music and
feast on the fruits of their
labors. Crops associated
with a bountiful fall
harvest include apples,
grapes, pumpkins,
cranberries, pecans and
corn. Early festivals often
featured extravagant
potluck buffets that
included favorite dishes
made from fall’s best
offerings such as pumpkin
pie, roasted corn and
Despite the fact that we jump on every new diet bandwagon that makes the
headlines, Americans still have the biggest obesity problem in the world.
Our constant efforts to lose weight by counting calories just aren’t working.
It’s time to stop kidding ourselves. Regimented diets aren’t the answer. It’s
time to change the way we eat.
Foods that Sabotage Weight Loss
Research is uncovering clues as to why our calorie-counting isn’t resulting in
sustained weight loss. The types of calories we’re eating are the problem.
• When it comes to losing weight, wheat products like bread and refined or
processed carbohydrates are lethal enemies. These foods actually
encourage overeating, cause carbohydrate cravings and lead to insulin
resistance.
• Calories from refined
sugars including high
fructose corn syrup
cause completely
different metabolic and
hormonal effects
than those gained by
eating healthy foods.
In short, sugar turns to
fat more easily.
• Many Americans consume sodas daily. Most contain high fructose corn
syrup and questionable additives, but diet sodas with artificial sweeteners
are not healthy alternatives. One recent study revealed that artificially
sweetened sodas may actually hinder the body’s ability to regulate
appetite and calorie intake.
apple cider. Children would build scarecrows and bob for apples.
A Must-Have Treat in Your Family’s Fall Schedule
Although fewer people harvest their own food in today’s world, fall
festivals are still going strong. They provide a perfect opportunity to
enjoy the crisp air and beautiful autumn landscape while sharing a great
time with family and friends. If you’ve never been to a fall festival, it’s
not too late! Harvest festivals offer something for everyone. Adults can
savor gourmet foods, local brews and live entertainment. Kids can enjoy
corn mazes, hay rides, petting zoos, face-painting, arts and crafts and
fun contests. Every region has its own way to make its fall festival
unique, especially when it comes to food. Coastal cities may incorporate
local seafood. Southern towns often show off their barbecue prowess.
Some treats, like caramel apples, are universal fall favorites.
How to Find Your Festival
Fall harvest festivals usually begin in September or October. If you
haven’t heard where or when your local events are taking place, check
your newspaper or local online news sites. Schools, churches and
charitable organizations may also sponsor fall festivals. While many
privately held festivals are organized specifically for children, you may
find yourself having more fun at one than you expect. Fall is over before
you know it. Be sure to get out and enjoy the natural beauty, fantastic
food and fun festivities before winter’s icy grip returns.
• A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how
strong she is until you put her in hot water.
• The biggest lie I tell myself is “I don’t need to
write that down, I’ll remember it.”
• Being someone’s first love may be great, but to
be their last is beyond perfect.
• If plan A fails, remember that you have 25
letters left.
• I never run with scissors. Those last two words
were unnecessary.
• Optimist; someone who figures that taking a
step backward after taking a step forward is not
a disaster, it’s a cha-cha. ~ Robert Brault
• Who says nothing is impossible. I’ve been doing
nothing for years.
• Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
• Never argue with stupid people, they will drag
you down to their level and then beat you with
experience. ~ Mark Twain
• My room is not messy; it is an obstacle course
designed to keep me fit.
The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Lighthouse Publishing, LLC.
Lighthouse Publishing, LLC assumes no responsibility for any articles or materials
published herein or for any loss or personal injury arising out of the publication of such
articles or materials. Questions? Comments? E-mail us at [email protected].
• Margarine was once
thought to be a healthy
alternative to butter. In
reality, it contains high
levels of unhealthy
trans fat, which can
increase blood insulin levels.
• Fast foods have become a staple of the American diet. They typically
consist of refined, processed wheat products and poor quality meats with
few vegetable and fruits and little or no fiber. Add a soda, and they are a
virtual recipe for altered metabolism, food addiction and weight gain.
Healthy Choices Bring Big Results
Thankfully, nature has provided us with foods that actually help us lose
weight and normalize our metabolism.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables provide fiber and nutrients our bodies need
but don’t get from a typical Western diet. They’re also more filling, and
they don’t lead to harmful blood sugar and insulin spikes. If we choose
organic produce, we can avoid the effects of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
• Healthy protein choices, such as organic meats and eggs, decrease hunger
naturally without altering metabolism.
• Healthy fats such as butter, coconut oil and olive oil satiate our appetites,
and help us absorb nutrients from our foods.
Jump Off the Diet Wagon, and Take Control
Human metabolism is a complex subject, and researchers will likely continue
to debate it for the foreseeable future. One thing is certain; if the crash diets
and quick fixes haven’t worked by now, they never will. Instead, let’s try
eating foods that don’t destroy our metabolism.
Most pumpkin soup recipes are loaded with cream, but this soup recipe is bold and rich
with an unexpected southwest flavor. It’s gluten free, vegan, and a comfort to the soul.
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and
chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, peeled and
chopped
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and
chopped
• 11⁄2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 11⁄2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 11⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 8 cups vegetable stock
• 29 ounce can pure pumpkin
puree
• 15 ounce can of white beans,
drained
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
For the Toasted Pepita Topping:
• 1⁄2 cup pepitas (pumpkin
seeds)
• Ground cayenne pepper
• Salt
Place a large sauce pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil, onion, garlic and jalapenos.
Saute for 3-5 minutes until soft. Stir in the cumin, oregano and salt. Saute another 2 minutes.
Add the stock, pumpkin puree and beans to the pot. Simmer for 20 minutes,
uncovered. Then add the vinegar and honey and simmer another 3-5 minutes.
Use an immersion blender to puree the soup
until smooth. *You can also use a regular
blender, but be careful! Open the vent in the
lid and place a towel over it to protect from
hot splashing liquid.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spread
the pepitas out on a baking sheet. Sprinkle
with a dash or two of cayenne pepper and a
little salt. Toast for 3-4 minutes.
Serve the soup warm, sprinkled with toasted
pepitas.