Pumpkin Passion

Name: Pure Simplicity’s Pumpkin Body Butter
Purchased At: Bath & Body Works
Price: $15ish but I buy them in bulk on Ebay
Availability: Year Round

I was recently asked what I’ll do with the blog now that Pumpkin-Eatin’ Season is over. Actually, I’m a little overwhelmed by my ridiculous backlog of pumpkin products that need blog entries.

This is an example of an item I should have written about long ago. There are three pumpkin products that I use almost on a daily basis: Primal Elements’ Pumpkin Sugar Scrub; Pure Simplicity’s Pumpkin Face Scrub; and Pure Simplicity’s Pumpkin Body Butter. All three of these products are becoming more difficult to find and are all possibly being discontinued…great!

I don’t understand people who don’t use it. That vague burning session when your skin is dry irritates me more than most and then there’s the extra bonus of having dull looking tattoos..I need lotion! To combat this issue I begin my day with Pure Simplicity’s Body Butter. I like that it feels substantial–I know that it’s there doing its job–but it’s not overly greasy. The scent lingers but it’s subtle, considerably more subtle than most of the other products they sell at Bath & Body Works.

How is it as a pumpkin product? Describing the pumpkin scent is probably what has caused me to wait so long to write this blog. I love this stuff but I don’t think the scent is quite right. The Pure Simplicity Pumpkin Purifying Face Mask smells like a spicy pumpkin pie but the body butter smells kind of like candy corn. It’s a sweet scent. People have commented before that they like the scent but when they try to guess what it is they never get it right. Only one person has ever guessed right but I was also wearing a pumpkin scented oil and that combination could be what tipped them off.

So, the rating of a 4 is more about my love of the product and less about it really smelling like pumpkin.

Rating: 4 out of 5

On New Year’s Day a big group of my friends went out for brunch in San Pedro at the Omelette and Waffle Shop. There were about ten of us and since certain friends, who shall remain nameless, are frequently late we didn’t come together until late in the afternoon. We are all healthy eaters, particularly the skinniest ones, and we were starving. To keep us from drinking straight shots of syrup, we ordered 3 different types of waffles as appetizers.

The Omelette and Waffle Shop is best known for their billion different types of omelettes. There are over 100 on the menu and then there are the daily specials. One person at our table had an enchilada omelette and another had one stuffed with crab. I’m a broccoli, ham, and avocado type of gal.

The waffle options are limited in comparison to the omelettes but only in comparison. They must have about 15 different choices. We had a coconut pineapple waffle and some other type of waffle, which wasn’t interesting enough to remember, and a PUMPKIN waffle.

Name: Pumpkin Waffle
Purchased At: Omelette and Waffle Shop in San Pedro, CA
Price: $5.99 approx
Availability: Year Round

I’ve had their pumpkin waffle before and really enjoyed it. Most of their other waffles take a traditional waffle and just mix up the toppings. The pumpkin waffle has all the pumpkin goodness mixed directly into the batter. It’s topped with cinnamon, powdered sugar, butter and whipped cream. The waffle is thin and crispy but isn’t quite big enough to fill you up but perfect to share as an appetizer.

There’s not much to say about it except that it’s a good pumpkin waffle. I like it and I would order it again but it’s only extraordinary in its simplicity.

The first solid food in my mouth and belly in 2008 was a PUMPKIN waffle. I’m so proud. I couldn’t have planned it better.

Word of Warning: The pumpkin waffle isn’t on their regular menu but I’ve always seen it on their specials menu listed on the wall.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Things got crazy over the holidays and unfortunately pumpkin postings temporarily stopped. Even though the beginning of the new year signals a decline in the availability of pumpkin products, I have a backlog of reviews to finish and even some recipes to share. Pumpkin postings will continue through to the next “Pumpkin Eatin’ Season.”

Since I’m feeling a little nostalgic, here’s a wrap up of pumpkins in 2007:

Favorite Pumpkin Product Overall
Those dang pumpkin bars at Creative Cakery!!! So yummy! I’ll miss ya till the next season.

Biggest Pumpkin Disappointment
Every pumpkin cupcake I’ve tried.

Pumpkin Discontinuation that will be Most Missed
Primal Elements’ Pumpkin Sugar Whip. Luckily I got a 53 oz. tub on closeout and it’s still half full but I’m not even going to think about what I’ll do once it’s gone…maybe make my own!

***A quick aside: It would have been the Pure Simplicity Scrub and Body Butter at Bath & Body Works but it’s not entirely clear as to whether it’s been discontinued or not. I’ve seen it around since the send off but it’s still not available on their website.

Best Pumpkin Beverage
I haven’t blogged it yet but the Kennebunkport Pumpkin Ale was really good. I’d given up on finding a pumpkin ale that I would look forward to each pumpkin season but this one is a keeper.

Best PumpkinPassion Blog Comment
Kylie’s comment, which can be found on this post. It’s soo freaking sweet! Thanks!!!

I think those are all of the stand outs in 2007 reviews. I hope you all gorged yourself enough on pumpkin this season to last you until the next.

Happy New Year!!!

Photo is courtesy of Teo under a Creative Commons license.