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! 

My first blog.  How exciting!

I'm no one special, my story is pretty similar to most people.  I've struggled with my weight most of my life.  After I had my son, I ballooned to a weight that I was uncomfortable with. (Physically and emotionally).  Once I began losing that weight, I had a new lease on life.  I felt better about myself, better about my life, and my family.  I was a better person and a better mother.  I became a BeachBody Coach and began helping other people feel better about themselves.  I don't even care if they never buy anything from me, if I've made a difference in their lives that's what really matters to me.  And that's not just the Skinny Vine Chardonnay talking!

My journey began with the 21 Day Fix.  It gave me the strength to lose weight and eat differently, and the strength to try other, more challenging workouts.  The courage to go out of my comfort zone and join a public class with women with actual metabolisms and let them see me sweat.  Since I love food, and I love to cook I've found a way to make the nutrition fun, exciting and delicious.

I hope you enjoy tagging along on the rest of my journey.  I still have about 65 lbs to go, and I'm going to get it done Stuffing Myself Skinny!!!