Get your pumpkin action on!

So, the carving is done & you find yourself left with a sad looking pumpkin just begging you not to chuck them out? You’re not the only one. Unfortunately, the majority of 'used' Halloween pumpkins go straight from ghoulish window décor, to  fill the nearest landfill where they will eventually contribute to methane levels that are already too high. How sad.

  If that doesn’t sound right for your, here are some alternative ideas for giving that scary lantern a second use & how to bid it a suitable and proper farewell. 

Upcycle It to Food

Creating a yummy autumnal dish with your pumpkin is probably the most obvious way of stretching out your pumpkins life & use. Scoop out the 'guts' of the pumpkin & create a number of delicious, scrumptious treats:

 pumpkin butter, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, & so many more. The seeds themselves are also fantastic when roasted.

Grow Your Own

  Of course, save those seeds you have scooped out of your pumpkin, dry them out on a window sill, then pop them in a bag. Seal the bag, then whip it out when it's planting time next year! Easy peasy.

Feed the Birds 

Yes, literally. Zoologists have confirmed that feeding pumpkins to birds is safe. 

There are also loads of zoos which accept pumpkin donations, then feed them to their animals as local, seasonal treats (green, sustainable, organic zoo food!). Your zoo might even offer a chance to take your kids in & watch (& since lions are on the top of the list for being pumpkin lovers, I imagine this could pretty cool).

Treat Your Skin 

Pumpkin is full of rich vitamins, enzymes & even essential amino acids, all of which benefit your skin. They also boast alpha-hydroxy acids that are known to decrease the appearance of wrinkles. So if you’re in the mood for a homemade face treatment, a basic pumpkin puree is a wonderful place to start. Leave on for approximately 10 minutes & use as a gentle exfoliator when rinsing off.  For a softer, gentler version, add in some honey & a little bit of cream or milk. 

For extra exfoliation, mix in cream and brown sugar.

 Final Goodbye 

 For your pumpkin’s final resting place when you have got your use out of it, simply break up your pumpkin to add to your own compost pile. It will turn itself into a really rich part of your soil ready to fertilize & delight your spring plants in a few months.