It’s that time of year again. Some people dread it, some people love it, but no matter what side you fall on, you know what I’m talking about… Pumpkin is back!
Personally, I love me some pumpkin. I think some people equate the pumpkin craze with other seasonal silliness like breaking out your Christmas lights the day after Halloween. Stores are notoriously awful, getting into Halloween in August, getting into Christmas before Halloween has passed. But to be clear, my love for all things pumpkin is eternal. I wish it wasn’t a seasonal thing, and coffee shops and other places would make it available year round. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin sauce, pumpkin syrup (for all of those pumpkin flavored drinks) – yes please!
The love of pumpkin isn’t just me in this house though. It’s my dog’s go-to whenever she has tummy troubles. She gets a spoonful of pumpkin (real canned pumpkin, not pie filling – know the difference) if she ever is constipated, has the runs or is throwing up. It’s a great fix and the thing we try before we worry and contemplate going to the vet (it’s only failed one time, and in that instance she did need medicine, but the pumpkin didn’t hurt any – it was the vet’s suggestion). While I find it useful to keep my dog’s digestive system in check, it also tastes great so she thinks it’s a treat! Win-win!
I’m not sure if many people know it, but pumpkin actually has a lot of health benefits for people. For example, it’s good for your eye sight, lowers your chances of certain types of cancer and boosts your overall immunity. Eating pumpkin also has some other benefits like making your skin look great! 🙂
I list these benefits to reinforce that my infatuation with pumpkin is not only healthy, but should be encouraged. They are not the reasons I love pumpkin – that’s purely the flavor. I love pumpkin – period. Canned pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin flavoring and syrups that probably don’t have any actual pumpkin in them, pumpkin pie filling – I really am an equal opportunist. In fact, I make sure to have pumpkin or pumpkin pie syrup in my house year round, so I can at least make my own pumpkin-flavored drinks and desserts whether it’s winter, spring or summer – I never have to go without.
While I am happy that pumpkin is back, I’m sad that it will soon be over. Coffee shops near me ran out of pumpkin flavoring more than a week before Halloween! I mean that’s ridiculous. Pumpkin pie is a big deal come Thanksgiving, why don’t places have pumpkin well into December? Okay, I know they have seasonal Christmas drinks and flavors (Gingerbread, Eggnog, Peppermint) but why can’t they have all of them? I mean they really, really should.
I guess that’s all I have to say. This wasn’t my usual post, thoughtful and reflective or serious and opinionated. My blog doesn’t have to just be focused on such things. Every now and then it’s important to take note of the things you love. And I love pumpkin!
Dear Pumpkin,
I love you so much – can we run away together? Don’t worry about my husband; I’m sure he’ll understand. 😛
-ME
Just remember if anyone gets on your case about joining in the pumpkin mania – it’s good for you. And if anyone has the time, please feel free to start a letter writing campaign to coffee houses and bakeries urging them to stop using pumpkin as a seasonal promotion and keep it in stock year round. I would, but I’m lazy, and busy… eating some pumpkin.
-DMW
