I Heart Pumpkins!

Pumpkins are amazing, chock full of healthy macro/micro nutrients and delicious!  Here are a few ways I like to use mine to get a sweet fix in for a snack, meal, and dessert!

SNACK TIME!

Pumpkin Granola

(from paleomg.com)

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 8-10 dried dates, pits removed, then chopped
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add your pumpkin puree, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and all spices. Mix well.
3. Then add your nuts, seeds, and dates and mix well with your wet ingredients.
4. Place parchment paper on a large baking sheet and pour your granola mixture on top. Use a spoon to spread out the mixture evenly so everything will cook at the same time.
5. Place in oven and cook for 30-40 minutes, moving the granola around half way through to be sure it doesn’t burn.
6. LET COOL. Letting the granola cool will help it harden up, and that’s what you want from granola. Duh.
7. Eat all by itself or top it off with coconut milk or almond milk.

MEAL TIME! 

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake(from fit foodie momma)

• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 scoops perfect blocks, or your fav protein shake
• 1 cup unsweetened cocconut milk
• 2-3 drops liquid vanilla stevia, splenda works too
• cinnamon 
• ice

Blend everything and enjoy!

DESSERT TIME!

Pumpkins Cupcakes

• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 6 omega 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 4 dates, 1 tsp water, 1tsp vanilla(date mixture)
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1tbs vanilla
• 1tbs pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 350.
In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
Add dates, water and vanilla to microwave safe bowl.  Microwav for 30 seconds to 1 min.  Mash mixture with a fork until the dates are evenly mashed.  In a medium bowl combine wet ingredients and blend with a hand mixer.  Pour wet ingredients into dry and blend with hand mixer until evenly combined.  Lightly grease mini cupcake or loaf pans with coconut oil.  Pour batter into pans and bake for 25-30 min.  Bake till toothpick inserted, comes out clean.

Frosting

After the cupcakes cool, blend the following until fluffy, and frost immediately.

• 1 cup palm shortening
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla
• 2 tsp cinnamon