Healthy Pumpkin All The Things Part III.

This is also a lesson in my Special Sunday Brunches.  I really just like to treat myself (and my husband) from time to time!  This isn't something you're going to want to make and eat every day (or maybe you do) but it's a wonderful treat!

The catch is that the recipe includes 1 tbsp brown sugar.  I KNOW.  The Devil Sugar.  But seriously, it's 1/2 tbsp per serving on a special occasion!  Are you with me? I knew you would be, you saucy minx.

There's something about Apple and Pumpkin together though.  It's so satisfying!  They truly do belong together!

Pumpkin French Toast with Spiced Apples 
(2 servings)

2 apples (peeled, cored, and chopped)
1 tsp butter
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

4 slices of sprouted grain or whole grain bread
2 eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp pumpkin puree

In a saucepan, melt the butter then add the apples, butter, brown sugar, honey and pumpkin pie spice. Let saute together over medium heat until the apples are soft and the sauce has become reduced down and gooey.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and pumpkin.  Dip the bread into the egg mixture and transfer to a hot non-stick pan at med-high heat.  Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Stack your French toast and pour the apples on top!

Enjoy!!


Tip-  This recipe would work for just about any fruit. I bet regular french toast with spiced peaches and blueberries would be fantastic!

(21 Day Fixers- My serving was 2.5 yellow (I'm counting the .5 yellow for the sugar content), 1/2 red, 1 purple, 1/2 tsp.  You can omit the brown sugar and use a little cinnamon with Stevia if you're a stricter Fixer then I ;) )

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Healthy Pumpkin All the Things Part Two!

I don't make a lot of pancakes, I'm not generally a "sweet" breakfast person.  But again, this goes back to my Sunday Brunches.  Sometimes I just want something special and rich to treat myself!  These pancakes really did the trick, with some scrambled eggs and a few slices of turkey bacon.

Due to the pumpkin puree and the use of the whole wheat flour, they create a more dense pancake but I'm okay with that!  A little goes a long way here!

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional, I just like cinnamon)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup unsweetened or low fat milk (Use half the milk first then add more if you need it)

Beat all ingredients until smooth.  The batter should be a little bit on the thin side, this could require a little more or less milk then 1/2 cup.  Use your best judgement.

Heat a griddle or non stick skillet to medium heat.  Spray with cooking spray and spoon a ladle full of batter into pan.  Once the sides start to pull up and you see some bubbles in the tops, flip and cook on the other side.

Yield: 6 medium sized pancakes

Tip:  If you're not into maple syrup, sprinkle some toasted pecans and a bit of honey on top of these bad boys.  If you're feeling really crazy, put a scoop of butter pecan ice cream on there!  (Not 21 Day Fix approved lol)

(21 Day Fixers- 2 pancakes=1 yellow, depending on the size)

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Healthy Pumpkin All The Things!!

Fall is here, and Halloween is right around the corner!  I love Halloween, and Thanksgiving...especially Thanksgiving.  Enjoying the pumpkin madness has been a little bit difficult for me, mostly because of my relocation to South Florida from Pennsylvania.  It's hard to feel that Autumn joy in a tank top and flip flops.  But, I live near the beach so I can't really complain! 

Since beginning my healthy lifestyle I really like to keep healthy snacks in the house, especially for when my sweet tooth hits! These have been a wonder, for soothing the sweet tooth and for giving me a little taste of Fall! I hope you like them as much as I do! 

Healthy Pumpkin Cookies

2 tbsp+ 1 tsp almond butter
1 cup pure pumpkin puree 
1 tsp pure vanilla extract 
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips 
1/4 cup chopped pecans 
1 cup rolled or quick cooking steel cut oats 

Preheat oven to 350.  Place parchment, wax or tin foil on a cookie sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray. 

In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, almond butter and vanilla.  Beat until smooth.  Add chips, pecans and oats and mix until combined.  Spoon by tablespoon full onto cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!  

(21 Day Fixers- Two cookies equals one yellow treat replacement) 

Tip:  Sprinkle a little pumpkin pie spice into your coffee filter in the morning with your coffee grinds before brewing.  Automatic pumpkin spice coffee!