Halloween’s Coming: Got Pumpkin?
It's almost time to carve that pumpkin to create a spooky jack-o'-lantern.
While carving a lantern for Halloween may have started across the ocean in the UK, the USA is where it's at when it comes to pumpkins.
Over one billion pounds of pumpkins are grown in America by major pumpkin-producing states, according to the USDA.
Indeed, in 2008 Illinois led the country by producing 496 million pounds of the vined orange gourd.
Pumpkin patches in California, Pennsylvania and New York also provided lots of pumpkins. Each state produced at least 100 million pounds.
The value of all pumpkins produced by major pumpkin-producing states was $141 million. That's a lot of jack-o'-lanterns!
Tips For Enjoying The Great Outdoors
Get out there and have some fun! It's the season for hiking, camping or simply enjoying a day with the family at the park. But before running out the door, make sure you're properly prepared and armed with basic safety information.
"With blue skies above our heads and nature below our feet, spending time in the great outdoors can be both an exciting and humbling experience," says Jeff Corwin, explorer, biologist, conservationist and host on Animal Planet. "But before lacing up the hiking boots and packing up the rucksack, there are some crucial things that every novice adventurer should know."
Here are some tips from Corwin to help you and your family safely enjoy the outdoors:
Always Be Prepared
Whether you're going camping in the woods or hiking on a trail, don't forget to pack necessities, such as water and a flashlight, as well as a first-aid kit and any medication you may need. For people with allergies, this probably includes an allergy medication. However, just as you would at home, keep all medicines and first-aid supplies out of the reach of children.
Maintain Your Distance
While the national parks are available for everyone to enjoy, they also serve to protect wildlife and their habitats. Therefore, when observing animals in the wild, use your common sense, follow the rules of the park and keep a safe distance from all wildlife. Protect yourself and the animals to promote good stewardship of the environment.
Don't Miss a Moment
Whether you're venturing out to a national park or staying closer to home, it's always good to do your research before heading outdoors. Our natural spaces have a lot to offer, so select a site that has the features and activities that you and your family can enjoy together.
Preserve Our Parks
With nearly 400 National Parks spread across the United States, your next outdoor adventure could be as close as your backyard. While enjoying the beauty and exciting activities that the parks have to offer, don't forget to clean up after yourself and respect the environment.
Before heading out for a family adventure, be sure to prepare properly. And once you're out and about, always follow basic safety rules and clean up after your fun is complete.
Healthy Snack Ideas for Family Road Trips
Family road trips mean time together enjoying the sights zipping past your windows. They also mean having to get the entire family to agree on snacks or even whole meals munched from the near-comfort of car seats.
"While all parents want their kids to eat right, packing snacks that are healthful only matters if your children will eat them," says Edmond Sanctis, co-founder of Sahale Snacks, a producer of healthy, all-natural snack foods. "The key is to pack fun grab-and-go foods that taste great but are healthful and provide protein and energy to keep going all day."
There are several things to keep in mind when selecting food for the road:
Go Natural:
Whenever possible, choose snacks without preservatives and with all-natural ingredients. Steer clear of high fructose corn syrup, MSG, food colorings and snacks high in trans fats. Ingredients such as organic evaporated cane juice can serve as alternatives to high-fructose corn syrup or other processed sweeteners.
Protein Matters:
Snacks high in protein generate long-lasting energy to help you make it through the day. Mozzarella or cheddar cheese sticks typically go over well with kids. Nuts also are good sources of protein, and don't need to be kept cool. Seasoned nuts will make kids forget about potato chips, but choose ones with all-natural flavorings, such as Sahale Snacks' Barbecue Almonds or Southwest Cashews dusted with cheddar cheese and Poblano and Guajillo peppers. Keep things interesting.
Water, Water Everywhere:
Avoid sugary drinks or keep them to a minimum. Water is best for your health and wallet. Pack your own reusable water bottles for every family member, to do your part for the environment.
Make Fruit Fun:
Fruits may be good for you, but for many kids they're no fun. Mix things up by packing fun dips, like peanut butter for apple slices, carrots or celery. Or avoid messes by choosing pre-packaged fruit-and-nut blends that make kids forget they're eating healthfully. For instance, Sahale Snacks' nut blends combine nuts and fruit in unique, all-natural combinations, such as cashews with pomegranate and vanilla bean, or the very kid-friendly blend of peanuts with raspberries and strawberries. These healthful snacks are available in Walmart, supermarkets and health food stores.
Keep it Clean:
Leave greasy or messy snacks on the store shelf, not your backseat! And choose snacks in resealable bags. This way you can dole out portions and neatly reseal the bag for later. Also bring unused resealable bags for garbage and sanitizing wipes to clean up after snacking.
You don't have to resort to boring, uninspired food, just because you're stuck in the car. That same old trail mix gets dull after a few miles," says Sanctis. "It's all about having a happy backseat."
