I am thrilled to share another food item with you that I grew up with, of course one I hated at the time, and now have happily rediscovered. What is it? Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil. What? This comes from Austria?
Pumpkin seed oil has been used for centuries in old monasteries in the Austrian Alps. Generations ago, the priests discovered the many health benefits of this oil, which is now being reevaluated in the scientific world.
Studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil contains more than 60 to 90 percent of unsaturated fatty acids, It possesses very high levels of antioxidants and polyunsaturated fats, including fatty acids such as palmitic, stearic, linoleic and oleic acids. As if that weren’t enough, it also contains vitamins and minerals such as A, B1,B2, B6, C, D, E and K.
This oil is a liver detoxifier, skin rejuvenator and is an important overall tonic because of its B vitamin content. In addition, it feeds the brown adipose tissue, which burns our stored white fat tissue around our organs.
Besides all the benefits for our system to keep us younger, more energetic and trimmer even as we age, it adds a new flavor to our palate. Ok, as I admitted, as children, my father made us eat it with salad, and because of its unusual, nutty, intense flavor, I didn’t like it. But thank god we change—and so can you—and try something new.
Use pumpkin seed oil instead of extra virgin olive oil. Yes, keep your dressing interesting to help you stay with your commitment to making your body your business.