My guess is where many of you live, displays of all sizes and shapes of bright orange-hued pumpkins are everywhere. Real pumpkin patches which invite picking abound as do a seemingly endless supply of irresistible pumpkin sweet treats such as cookies, breads, ice cream, lattes and more. (See my tantalizing array of Healthier Indulgences HERE.)
But oh can those calories add up! So since it is not even holiday season yet, we better commit to practicing “mindful treating,” before unwanted extra “pudge” finds its way to our tummies. Are you with me?
Good News! Not only is my brand new collection of Healthier Pumpkin Treats made with the purest ingredients, they also do not contain unhealthy preservatives, stabilizers and unrefined flours often found in many store-bought confections. Plus, I’ve taken special care to reduce the amount of sweeteners more traditional recipes often have.
MPM Mini-Bite: Now, this doesn’t mean I’m giving you an open invitation to abandon all reasonable thoughts and go on an “sweet treats eating frenzy.” Remember, portion size counts, so indulge consciously. Got it?
In my better-for-you pumpkin recipes, you will find unrefined sweeteners such as coconut palm sugar, honey and maple syrup frequently replace refined sweeteners such as cane sugar and corn syrup. You will also see I have worked hard to replace unrefined white flour with whole-grain and gluten-free flours where possible. For those that prefer to go “dairy-free,” some recipes contain unsweetened coconut milk which swap with the more traditional milk and cream. These healthier alternatives still provide my pumpkin goodies with bunches of “YUM,” without sacrificing the taste you crave.
And PSSST…many of these treats can be frozen for upcoming bake sales and holiday gift giving such as Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake Bars, Double Chocolate Spiced Pumpkin Brownies, Pumpkin-Apple Coffeecake, Pumpkin Cornbread and Pumpkin-Applesauce Bread.
More Pumpkin Goodies…with Healthier Tweaks!
And did you know pumpkin’s popularity is not limited to sweet treats? Two delicious savory dishes I have for you are Butternut ‘n Pumpkin Hummus and Autumn Harvest Turkey Chili.
Added Bonus: by making these pumpkin yummies at home, (including using my tried ‘n true pumpkin pie spice mix) you’ll be saving money as the prices supermarkets, bakeries and coffee shops often charge can be quite high.
So while pumpkin season is in full swing have a blast experimenting-and of course tasting!
Coming to the Blog: Pan-Roasted Green Beans with Caramelized Onions
Ceeya next Time!
Hungry for More?
I invite you to visit my Recipe Collections where lots of goodies goodies such as Autumn Dishes, Thanksgiving Dishes, Favorite Crockpot Dishes, Pack ‘n Go Lunch Favorites, Pudge-Busting Dishes, Favorite Poultry Dishes, Dinners in a Flash, Freezer-Friendly Meals, and Healthier Indulgences are awaiting your discovery!
Can You Become a Meal Planning Maven Success Story?
YES! Contact me for more information about my services. I would love to share my healthy eating secrets you can use, today, tomorrow and always. My specialties include creating customized meal planners and one- on- one food coaching using tried ‘n true methods. Whether your goal is to feed your family healthier meals, build a collection of quick ‘n easy recipes, “go gluten-free,” or perhaps knock off that pesky “pudge” that has already found its way to your middle this summer …I’d LOVE to try to help!
MPM’s Success Stories
I Would LOVE to Hear from You!
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Linda Shapiro, Meal Planning Maven
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