Pumpkin-Full Recipes

…drum roll please…

It’s wellness Wednesday! Did you all complete the workout from last week? If not..what are you waiting for?!

On a sweeter note..

Pumpkin is everywhere.

At cider mills, outside of grocery stores, on shelves, in recipes, used as decorations..you cannot escape the pumpkin! But why should you? Pumpkin gives you a hefty dose of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that’s responsible for how our skin looks, our eyes see, and can even improve our resistance to disease.

Not only are pumpkins the perfect accessory for your porch, but the seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids which are important for brain functions, mood, and memory performance; zinc which protects against osteoporosis; and iron which builds and maintains healthy muscles, blood, and regulating body temperature.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds:

• pumpkin seeds (cleaned and dry)
• salt
• olive oil

Preheat oven to 400degrees. Spread seeds on a baking sheet in an even layer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes or when they start to brown.

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes:

• 1/4c. oats (old-fashioned)
• 1/4c. pumpkin (canned)
• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 1 egg
• 3T. milk or yogurt
• cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into a non-stick pan or a griddle. Cook until little bubbles form on top, flip and cook until its cooked through. Top with Greek yogurt, peanut/almond butter, maple syrup, and the other half of the banana!

(180 calories, 2g. fat, 10g. protein, 5g. fiber (nutrition is an estimate without the toppings. don’t quote me!))

Have you heard the latest Starbucks threat? Diehard Starbucks Pumpkin Spice addicts, close your eyes.

Thanks to a spike in demand this year for the sugary, milky, coffee concoction,  some Starbucks locations are periodically running out of the pumpkin spice syrup  that gives the drink its distinct flavor (source)

How on earth are we supposed to bounce back from this?! Simply make your own.

Emergency Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee:

• 1c. non-fat milk
• 2T. pumpkin
• 1/2t. vanilla
• 1/2t. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2t. sweetener of your choice
• 1/2c. brewed coffee

Combine milk, pumpkin, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and stevia in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk. Add coffee.

you will survive the shortage

Pumpkin Chili:

• 2lbs. lean ground beef, turkey, chicken, or tofu
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 (15 ounce) cans of kidney beans
• 1 (46 fluid ounce) can of tomato juice
• 1 (28 ounce) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2c. canned pumpkin
• 1T. pumpkin pie spice
• 1T. chili powder
• 1/4c. sugar
• salt and pepper to taste

Brown meat of choice and drain. Add onion and bell pepper, cook for ~5 minutes. Stir in beans, tomato juice, diced tomatoes, and pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, chili powder and sugar. Simmer ~1 hour.

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How are you doing on the workout-front? Do the workouts seem doable?

What’s your fave way to enjoy the ingredient of the month?