I've got a fever...

... and the only prescription is more... PUMPKIN!

Carrot cake.
Banana Bread.
Pumpkin loaf.

Yum. What would happen if you combined all of these flavors into a yummy dessert... say a "milk" shake?

If that doesn't get you excited, then you might as well just stop reading... KIDDING! Just hear me out.
Lately I've been obsessed with pumpkin, sure partly because of the weather, but also because I am learning how awesome this fruit? veggie? is. I've never been a big fan, but boy am I now. I've put it in my oatmeal, puddings, yogurt, and sometimes spoon it straight from the can. Yup. That's how this pumpkin rolls.
This morning, after my workout, I went to make one of my shakes that I usually make post workout, and after a happy coincidence of ingredients, this is what I concocted.

Yep...

I'll stop and just give you the recipe.

1/2 banana (frozen for a shake like consistency or just add ice)
1/4 C Pumpkin Puree
1/4 C Carrot juice (I use Bolthouse Farm Organic 100% Carrot Juice)
1/4 C So Delicious Coconut milk (or other milk of your liking)
Sweetener (I use 2 packets of stevia, 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar would be yum too!)
1-2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
optional: Whipped topping (I used soy whip), walnuts

Throw all of this into your blender (I like love my Magic Bullet) and blend until smooth, delicious and awesome. Top with your favorite whipped topping and some walnuts if you dare. Enjoy! I sure did!

Nutritional Breakdown (without whipped topping and walnuts)
Calories: 121
Carbs: 26g
Fat: 1g
Protein: 3g
Sugar: 16g

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

Yeah, you heard me.

Kiddos requested pancakes for dinner last night, and who am I to argue?

I wasn't sure what kind of pancakes I was going to make, but contemplated it while cleaning up from a recent round of baking. While I was at the kitchen sink, the wind started kicking up and I watched out the window as the leaves started blowing off the trees. I immediately grabbed my camera and ran outside. While snapping some pictures of the trees it really started felling like fall. No matter how much I try to deny that summer is over, the leaves changing colors and the cooler weather certainly punched me in the face... with a full can of FALL.

Then it hit me. Pumpkin. Pumpkin Pancakes. Mmmm.

I've never been a huge fan of Pumpkin Pie, when I was younger I wouldn't touch it, my fall favorite was Pecan Pie (Mom's, of course). In the last few years I've begun to enjoy it, but still prefer my rich Pecan Pie.

Although the pictures aren't great (had to rush as kiddos were getting upset that I was holding their pancakes hostage for a quick photo shoot), these pancakes are. If you are heading into fall kicking and screaming (as I am) these guys will help ease the pain.

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes
Yield: 8 Pancakes

1 C Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (or regular flour will work)
1 tsp baking Soda
1/8 tsp salt
2 tbsp Ground Flax
1 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Cloves
1 tbsp Dark Brown Sugar (or sweetener of your choice)
1 C So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk (or milk of your choice)
1/4 C Pumpkin Puree
1 egg, lightly beaten (or egg replacer for the lovely vegans)
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

Nutrition Info:
Serving Size: 1 Pancake
Calories: 87
Carbs:15g
Fat: 2g
Protein: 3g
Sugar: 2g

Note: These pancakes aren't very sweet at all, I like to control the sweetness of my pancakes with the toppings (my favorite part).

In a medium bowl combine dry ingredients with a whisk. In a small bowl combine wet ingredients. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and lightly mix until incorporated.
Heat a skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Use a 1/4 cup to scoop pancake mixture onto skillet (lightly spread out if you like your pancakes thinner). Cook until bubbles begin to form on top, roughly 5 minutes. Flip and cook other side.

Top with your favorite toppings. I used this Pumpkin Nut Butter (made with Virgin Coconut Oil instead of nut butter since we happened to be out... Gasp!) from Chocolate Covered Katie, and topped off with a little bit of maple flavored agave syrup. Come on Fall!!

I love the colors of the Fall, but summer is still my favorite, with the least favorite being Winter (hate being cold. What's your favorite season?

Edit: I got so excited about posting these and forgot to add the vanilla extract to the recipe! It's there now. I also want to add that if you don't mind the extra fat/calories (and it's really not that much) you can add 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil for a little more "Pancake-y" taste. I left it out of the original recipe because it's still tasty without, but some people might prefer it. 

If I'm editing this so much, why not add another picture since kiddos requested these again this morning! 

 

Farmers Market, Soaps and Soup

I love going to the local farmers market and now that summer is coming to a close, sadly, so is the market. It's always fun to check out the local vendors and see what's new, I prefer to buy organic as well as support local businesses. Last weekend I made a quick trip to pick up some fresh fruits and veggies. I purchased some organic peaches, strawberries and blueberries. I walked over to the Star Acre Farms stand and picked up some squash and fresh basil.

I'm a sucker for soaps and lotions and the guy at Dope and a Rope Soap saw me coming from a mile away. I walked away from there with three bars of soaps and some Citrus Organic Moisturizing body cream made by Taspen's Organics.

One bar of soap was shaped like a fish and I couldn't resist picking it up for my mom, who is a collector of many things fish related.

The lotion is lovely, goes on well, not too greasy and absorbs fairly quickly without leaving your skin oily or sticky, just nice and soft. I loved when I opened the lotion it looked like vanilla butter cream frosting, anything that looks like frosting can't be bad!

I continued to walk around and sampled (my favorite part) yummy pastries and tasty treats. I grabbed some sweet corn and figured I'd better get out while I was ahead and only carrying one (very full) bag.

It just so happened that  la pure mama posted a Roasted Corn and Peach soup that day and since I had those ingredients, I knew I should try it. Yesterday was chilly and rainy, the perfect day for some soup so I whipped a batch.

I didn't have Thai chilies on hand, but had Serrano chillies, so I substituted and still tasted lovely, perfect for a chilly (almost fall) day. The sweet corn, peaches and basil complimented each other well, without being too sweet. I topped it off with a glass of Our Daily Red Organic red wine, not only a great tasting wine, but I also picked it up for $10! I was happy to find a reasonable priced organic wine that tasted great, but also can be used for cooking without feeling guilty (maybe that's just me, I would rather drink an expensive bottle of wine rather than cook with it!).

I have plenty of my own recipes 'cookin' and will be posting more soon, I've been sitting on this new blog for a while and even had a boring "First blog post" all typed up, but instead I thought I'd dive right in and go for it! I'm still tweaking with the look and feel of the blog, so and any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Check back for more recipes, organic awesomeness, and follow me as I attempt to live a more sustainable and tasty organic lifestyle.