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Only the strong survive. Photo, AP
The Maori of New Zealand don't waste a thing. Ever. They respect, and therefore preserve, their environment far too much to simply toss aside fish earlobes or goat kneecaps just because these items might be somewhat less obvious dinner choices. This is true of many indigenous cultures around the globe. Ours is clearly not among them.
However, the noble pumpkin is one thing even we pampered Americans seem to make thoroughly useful. We carve them for Halloween, of course, and the more environmentally respectful and ambitious among us (not me) use the meat, seeds and other jack-o-lantern detritus to make real homemade edible treats.
I am not much of a cook, reader, but there are few fruits more potent and therapeutic for the skin than real, fresh pumpkin flesh. In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I rarely make homemade masks or scrubs; it's too messy a practice, and not luxurious enough for me. The one exception is that every autumn I slather several tons of pumpkin on my face and body, as often as possible.
These iconic gourds are fairly bursting with skin-improving nutrients; for one thing, they contain a ton of vitamin A, which is where retinol comes from and upon which entire skin care lines (Environ is a great one) are based. Three and a half ounces of raw pumpkin contains 41% of the recommended daily amount for adults. Pumpkin also contains a boatload of vitamin C and zinc, powerful antioxidant and capillary-wall strengthener, respectively.
I usually take chunks of raw pumpkin and literally rub them all over my freshly cleansed face, as the fruit's natural acids and regenerative properties are at their most potent in this naked state. I leave the sticky film on my face while I do other stuff, for like 15 or so minutes, and then rinse with lukewarm water. If this feels too strange for you, this mask is simple to make and is more powerfully exfoliating and softening than many prepackaged versions:
Take about 2 tablespoons grated or shredded raw pumpkin and mix in a small bowl with about a teaspoon of raw honey and a splash of milk. Stir it all up really thoroughly and microwave for about 40 seconds. Then, immediately cover your entire (cleansed) face, neck and decollete with the goop. It is essential NOT to exfoliate beforehand, as this mask is super-duper exfoliating in and of itself. Leave this on for 10-20 minutes, being careful to stay away from hungry creatures, human and otherwise, who will be drawn to your sticky, delicious-smelling face. I usually cover my face with a hot, moist towel to intensify the effects (and to avoid being devoured alive by ferocious housecats).
Once the mask has been on as long as you can stand it, rinse it all off with warm water in the kitchen sink and feel how incredibly smooth and bright your skin looks and feels. If you're going out into the daylight soon afterwards, please be extra vigilant about sunscreen, as your freshly revealed skin cells will be particularly vulnerable to sun damage.
You'll be fresh, glowy and naturally radiant, plus you can prance around in the crunchy fall leaves feeling eco-conscious, and even better, oh so Maori-esque.
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