Pumpkin Fever!: Oatmeal

Yes!

As they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day so it's always a good idea to opt for a meal filled with nutrients, fiber, and protein. My favorite that contains all three is the very simple, yet delicious OATMEAL! I usually have my oatmeal with butter, milk, seasonal fruits, and nuts. I replaced the butter with pumpkin puree and sweetened with bananas.

Health-wise, pumpkins are VERY low in calories and pack a whole lot of vitamins like A (vision health), C (immune system), and E (skin and nails). They're also filled with lots of anti-oxidants and all that jazz, so not only is it good for keeping your waistline in check, but it'll also take good care of your heart. Pumpkins contain more potassium than bananas, so I'd also recommend this pumpkin oatmeal not just for breakfast, but as a post-workout meal to replace those electrolytes and restore overall balance.

Related Posts!
Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Protein Oatmeal Snackies

Banana Protein Pancakes

More Pumpkin Fever!
Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Bread Pudding 
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkinsanity Oatmeal

Ingredients

• 1 serving oatmeal
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 banana
• handful pepitas toasted (pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 cup milk
• pinch cinnamon

Cooking Directions

1. Cook the oatmeal following the instructions of brand.
2. Cut banana in half. Mash one half. Slice the other half.
3. Mix into oatmeal mashed banana, pumpkin puree, milk, and cinnamon.
4. Top off with sliced banana and pepitas. 

Get Your Feast On!

Pumpkin Fever!: Bread Pudding

Yay! More pumpkin!  This time I incorporated it into some yummy bread pudding. I made sure to put A LOT of pumpkin because I really love the taste of it. Instead of the traditional caramel or maple syrup that I usually enjoy with this dessert/snack, I topped it off with some Pumpkin Butter that my sister got for the family. Although it's more of a jam, then butter--so good!

Related Posts!
Homemade Pumpkin Puree Straight Up Bread Pudding w/ Caramel Sauce

More Pumpkin Fever!
Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• Huge bowl-ful (8-10 Cups) stale bread torn to medium/large pieces
• 1 1/4 Cups pumpkin puree
• 3 Cups milk
• 1/4 C melted butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 can condensed milk (sweetness to taste)
• 1/4 Cup brown sugar (sweetness to taste)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

 Cooking Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Tear apart stale bread into medium-large pieces. Combine with baking powder in large bowl. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, combine milk (2% & condensed), butter, eggs, brown sugar, spices, and puree. Whisk until smooth.
4. Poor into bowl of bread. Make sure each bread is coated. Let sit for at least 15 minutes.
5. Bake in greased casserole dish for 45-60 minutes or until top is golden and crispy.

that's a lot of stale bread! :p

Get Your Feast On!

Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice

During this time of year, pumpkins are EVERYWHERE including in our beverages! Yesterday, I pureed a huge pumpkin, so I've been brainstorming up ideas on different ways to use pumpkin puree. The first thing that came to mind is THE Pumpkin Spice Latte made popular by Starbucks. I've heard so many people rave and rave about this drink and since I love coffee and pumpkin, I figured I'd give it a try. I looked at some awesome recipes online and was able to concoct my own easy and healthier version of it.

 I opted to use stevia instead of real sugar and I also added some salt because I just think salt enhances anything sweet. In most recipes you can find, people also like to top this off with a lot of whipped cream. I personally LOVE the taste of pumpkin and so I decided that the whipped cream would've been too much....at least for me.

All in all, I LOVE this. It's so decadent!

Hope you enjoy!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients

• 3/4 Mug extra strong coffee (or espresso)
• 1/2 Mug 2% milk (preferrably whole/half & half)
• 3 tablespoons stevia
• 2 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• pinch of salt

Cooking Directions

1. Brew some extra strong coffee.
2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine rest of ingredients (milk, vanilla, pumpkin, spices, & salt).
3. Heat until bubbles start to form. Whisk until it becomes somewhat frothy.
4. Poor into mug with coffee.

As I mentioned, I have A LOT of pumpkin puree, so be on the look out for an onslaught of pumpkin recipes! :)

Get Your Feast On!