This week we'll explore pumpkin recipes and healthier Halloween treats. We'll also delve into October's full moon and tips for how to cope with less daylight.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: PUMPKIN

Let's celebrate pumpkin this week since Halloween is on Saturday! In addition to the holiday, though, there are many reasons to enjoy pumpkin. It's rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, and also has fiber and antioxidants. Additionally, it's a versatile fruit that you can use in a myriad of ways.

Did you know that pumpkin is wonderful in savory recipes? It's dynamite in this Savory Pumpkin Hummus, which works great as an appetizer all fall long. If you like things hot, check out the option to make the hummus spicy.

If sweet pumpkin recipes are more your speed, how about trying something more exciting than classic pumpkin bread? This Pumpkin Pie Granola is easy, delightfully crunchy, and super flavorful, plus the whole house smells amazing while it bakes. Since pumpkin replaces much of the usual sugar and oil in this granola, it's a more nourishing option than many store-bought alternatives. Bonus points: make the granola and then use it in this Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait.

Try This Week: HEALTHIER HALLOWEEN TREATS

Want to embrace your inner monster for Halloween without eating something truly scary? This year, how about ditching the store-bought candy and making something delicious (and a bit more nutritious) at home.

These Healthy Monster Cookies are perfect for Halloween since you can dress them up however you like. They're vegan, fruit-sweetened (thanks to dates), and even have some satisfying protein. They're basically made from the same ingredients as a homemade protein bar, but get baked into delightfully chewy cookies. They're easy to make too, and they look especially festive if you mix in a few Halloween-colored chocolates.

If you're more of a candy bar person than a cookie person, then you're going to love these Vegan Grain-Free Snickers Brownies. You'll never believe they're made from nourishing ingredients like dates, peanut butter, and dark chocolate. They take more time than the monster cookies since they have a few layers, but they're a stand-out dessert for a Halloween party.

Live Colorfully

In the Natural World: OCTOBER FULL MOON

Keep your eyes to the sky tonight, since October's full moon is about to peak. Typically called the "hunter's moon", it reaches maximum fullness in the wee hours of Monday morning, just after midnight eastern. That means that tonight (Sunday) is actually the best time to see it.

As an aside, I personally don't love the name of this moon. It describes a time of year when hunters gathered and preserved meat for the winter. I stopped eating meat almost 30 years ago though, so I'm more likely to be thinking about apples, squashes, or beets this time of year. What do you think... maybe it should be renamed as the Pumpkin Moon!

If you want to check out the Pumpkin Moon (cute!), what about planning an outing this evening to see it? Your best view will be right as it rises, looking eastward. You can find your local moonrise time online, but it will be around the time the sun is setting. If you live where it's already chilly, doing an evening hike would be fun. If you live somewhere warm, what about a full moon dinner picnic?

Self-Care Pick: TIPS FOR COPING WITH LESS DAYLIGHT

Is anyone else struggling with the shorter days? Since I know this time of year can be hard for those of us who live at higher latitudes, I wanted to share my top two survival mechanisms for dealing with dark mornings.

Here's the problem with dark mornings. Our bodies are built to wake up when it gets light. Seeing light first thing in the morning helps regulate our circadian rhythms and influences hormones like cortisol, which helps us wake up and feel energized. Unfortunately, since many of us wake up before the sun during parts of the year, we miss those morning light cues. This can affect our circadian rhythms and contribute to changes in mood, energy, and even digestion.

My biggest personal salvation? A sunrise alarm clock. I recommend this so highly. We've had this one for over a decade. It's reasonably priced and works great. The "sun" starts brightening 30 minutes before the alarm is set; it's a very peaceful way to wake up gently, even in the dead of winter. The alarm makes cute bird sounds instead of obnoxious beeping.

A couple years ago, I also added a "happy lamp" into my morning routine. I got this one and love it. It's inexpensive, rechargeable, and portable, plus it's rated at 10,000 lux, a brightness commonly used in light therapy. I carry it around with me in the morning so I can enjoy its light while I do my morning skin care, make breakfast, and get dressed for the gym.

Do you have any tips for coping with dark mornings? If so, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks for joining me for this issue of Eat Colorfully, Live Colorfully! I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to reply with questions, thoughts, or requests. If you missed a previous issue, you can view all my newsletters here. Have a great week!