5 Fall Pumpkin Recipes

I did a very similar post last year, showcasing some fall recipes that looked so comforting to me.

This year, I am going to try and share some new and interesting recipe ideas, which all have one main ingredient as the star:  Pumpkin.

Pumpkin and fall go together like peas and carrots, birds of a feather, Ren and Stimpy...well, you get the idea.

I know that I have confessed that I was not always pumpkin's biggest fan, but I have really grown to enjoy the flavour.

Without further ado, here are some recipes featuring pumpkin that I would like to try and I hope you will like them too. (And they are all from new-to-me bloggers!)

Source

Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies from Desserts for Two

Roasted Pumpkin Soup from Joyous Health

Pumpkin Smoothie from Peanut Butter and Peppers

Roasted Candied Pumpkin Seeds from Momtastic

Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars by Sweetly Serendipity



What is your favourite way to eat pumpkin?
Anything in cheesecake form always works for me!


Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Cranberry Almond Granola Bars

I hope you had a wonderful long weekend!

I know that it still "technically summer", but it doesn't really feel the same once September hits.

However, I must admit that I love the month of September.  It is usually still filled with warm days and the night are cool and perfect for sleeping.

It could be that I also love it because I am not a kid going back to school. ;)

I know this a busy time for year for all of us and I know you are going to be looking for something quick and healthy to tuck in your (and your kids) lunches. You are going to love these granola bars.

To be honest, these are the first of about four incarnations of bars I have been working on.  (Keep an eye out for future posts).

In the meantime enjoy these bars.  They are low in fat and super easy to make!

Cranberry Almond Granola Bars (Make. 24 Bars)

2 cups whole rolled oats
1/4 cup ground flax
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray a 8x8 pan with cooking spray.

Combine oats, flax, salt and cinnamon.  In a separate bowl, mix applesauce, brown sugar, oil and vanilla.  Beat in egg.

Add dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combine.  Add in almonds and cranberries.

Put dough into greased pan and press down firmly with clean hands.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until side are golden brown.

How did you feel about you or your kids going back to school today?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Dough Balls

I hope you had a wonderful Canada Day! I am sure many of you are still celebrating with a day off today.

I had to work this weekend, but I still managed to squeeze in a little lounge time to enjoy the lovely weather.

I also managed to squeeze in a little bake time.

I wanted to create a healthy dough ball using a ripe banana that was past it's prime.  Sure, I could have made some banana bread or soft serve, but I wanted something portable that I could take with me in my travels.

These are super easy to make (only one bowl required) and turned out great. 
The secret is this: Refrigerate your dough.

I have seen this tip in quite a few blogs and it really works!  It really helps all the flavours mesh and makes the dough much easier to handle.

Healthy Makeover: Morning Glory Muffins

Morning glory muffins contain everything I love: pineapple, carrots, raisins, cinnamon...the list could go on.  But when I saw a package in the store with a whooping 450 calories and 22g of fat, I could feel a challenge coming on.

I knew I could make a healthier version will all the delicious flavours sans the calories and fat.

Lime Daiquiri Cupcakes with Whipped Strawberry Frosting

There are times for healthy makeovers and there are times for pure indulgence.  Today, it is time for the latter.

These cupcakes are one of the deadliest things to come out of my oven.

Friday Favourites: Easter Ideas

I am north bound shortly for three internet-free days of food, fun and frolic.

However, it is almost Easter and I could leave without sharing some of the fantastic holiday-themed ideas I have found over the last few weeks.

(Oh, and a sneak peak of my recipe coming to you next week. :)

Recipe Repeat: Rosemary Almond Crisps

Some thing are worth repeating.

A day at the spa, an inspirational quote, watching old Hollywood musicals, and this recipe.

These crisps are addictive and perfectly portable.  Bring them to a party or eat them all yourself (I won't tell). 

Friday Favourites: Healthy Recipe Blogs

Happy Friday, my friends!

I have been feeling under the weather the past few days and am looking forward to getting things done this weekend.  Maybe a workout or two, enjoying the sunshine and doing some baking.

I often use other blogs as an inspiration for many of the makeovers I do and there are quite a few bloggers out there who do healthy cooking extremely well.  These ladies consistently post sweet and savoury dishes that will tickle your taste buds while being kind to your waistline.

Without further ado, here a just a few of those bloggers who share delicious and nutritious recipes.

 

Healthy Makeover: Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake

I love pound cake.  From its dense, spongy goodness to its lovely sweetness. This is why I don't make it very often.

Until now.

I posted on Facebook how I was itching to give it a makeover and that is exactly what I did over the weekend.  I even used stevia.

I am excited to say that I have finally found the right sugar/stevia balance.  The sweetness is perfect. The texture is too, the smell divine, the taste... not quite there.

There is something missing and I can't quite put my finger on it.  I think it needs to be flavoured a little more strongly.  I have a few ideas that I am going to share at the end of the post.

No-Bake Date Peanut Butter Balls

Dates and peanut butter is one of my most favourite combinations for smoothies, so I thought that the duo would make some delicious bite-sized treats.

I was right.

It is hard to even call this a recipe, they are so easy to make. When you are looking for something sweet, these really hit the spot.  They also happen to be vegan and gluten free.  A winning combination in my books.

I wanted to add some powder to amp up the protein content, but I only have cookies and cream protein powder and I didn't think that flavour combo would work. Next time for sure.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Recipe Repeat: Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

I miss my camera.  There, I said it.

I really didn't realize how much I rely on my camera since I started blogging regularly.  Photography has always been something I have been interested it and I have really missed practicing and honing my skills. 

Perhaps Santa will bring me one this year. ;)

But, I digress. 

I am planning on a big bake-a-thon this weekend to try out some new holiday recipes I have encountered on a few of my favourite blogs and will be sharing them with you next week.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this recipe from blogs past.

I am afraid that the picture does not do it justice.  This was the most fantastic gingerbread cake I have ever tasted and I hope you try it out for yourself!

Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Makes 20 slices)

1 1/4 cups white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup wheat bran

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup low fat butter milk*
1/2 cup applesauce

1 cup molasses

2 flax eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9x13 pan,

Combine flour, bran, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking powder.  In a separate bowl, mix milk, applesauce and molasses until smooth.  Add flax eggs.

Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until incorporated.

Pour batter into greased pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.  Allow to cool and top with icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup light cream cheese

Nutritional Information (Approx)

181 calories

7 g fat

28 g carbs

2 g protein

1 g fibre

*No buttermilk, no problem!  Add 1 tbsp of vinegar to 1 cup of skim milk and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
  
Which camera do you recommend and why?  Any recipes you have for the holidays that are worth repeating?

Stay Healthy, 

Tracy

Recipe Repeat: Apple-Berry Crumble

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!

I really wanted to dazzle you with a new recipe today.  However, the screen on my camera is broken and I really think that recipes need pictures to do them justice.

So I will put the new recipe in my back pocket and take this opportunity to share with you another one of my favourite recipes from blog posts' past.

If you are celebrating the holiday today, I think this apple-berry crumble would be a perfect addition to your dinner table.  It's delicious, loaded with fibre and super easy to make.

Recipe Repeat: Peanut Butter Balls

I don't have a fabulous new recipe makeover today.

However, following in the footsteps of my friend Lindsay @ Cotter Crunch, I decided to post a recipe that is worth repeating.

I have gotten more comments and feedback about these balls than any other recipe.  They are a fantastic snack, low in fat and have some protein to boot.  They also happen to be vegan.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  (I think it is time for me to make them again. ;)

I'd like to think that my photography skills have improved :)

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls (Makes 30)

1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup oat flour
1/4 cup wheat bran
1/2 cup rice cereal
1/4 cup ground flax
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

Line a large cookie sheet with wax paper.

Mix peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat for 45-60 seconds.  At the same time, combine oat flour, wheat bran, cereal, flax, coconut and chocolate chips.

Remove peanut butter mixture and stir.  If it has not liquefied, heat for another 10-20 seconds.

Pour into dry ingredients and mix with a fork until incorporated.  Take about a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and squeeze in your hand to form into a ball.

Place balls on the cookie sheet and freeze for 15-20 minutes.  Store in the fridge.

Nutritional Information (Approx.)
59 calories
3.5 g fat
5.6 g carbs
2 g protein
1 g fibre

Do you have any recipe in your roster that you love?


Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Homemade Butterfinger Bites

Sadly enough, we didn't have any Halloween candy at my house.

We live in an apartment and don't get trick-or-treaters, so I decided it was in my best interest (and that of my waist line), not to get any candy.

However, I did make one exception.

I saw this recipe for homemade butterfinger bars from Averie, I knew I had to recreate it.

Healthy Makeover: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

I finally did it!  After a few failed attempts, I had a successful recipe makeover. 

Here are the changes I made:

• Replaced the butter with olive oil and reduced it by half
• Replaced the sugar with honey and reduced it by a quarter
• Used whole wheat flour and oats instead of white flour
• Increased the amount of cocoa
• Reduced the amount of chocolate chips by three quarters

I am not usually a huge chocolate cookie/cake fan, but I really liked these.  The result was a cakey cookie that was not to sweet and very chocolatey.   I think they would be perfect to have with a chocolate peppermint latte, but that is just my preference :)

Friday Favourites: Fall Recipes

I decided that my Friday posts needed a better name.

I am also going to start mixing it up by featuring some one-on-one interviews so "My 3 Favourite..."  won't always fit. (More information about that to come!)

Fall is all about comfort food and I love it.

Last week, I shared some of my favourtite cookbooks with you and today, I am going to share some specifc recipes I have stumbled upon in my travels.  I hope you find them as scrumptous as I do! :)

My 3 Favourite Cookbooks

I love baking.  I love making healthy (and not-so-healthy) treats, playing with recipes and just getting dirty in the kitchen.

I also enjoy cooking and trying to find creative ways to spice up old favourites and try new ingredients. The internet has made doing this easy.  There are over 50 variations on any given recipe on blogs and websites.

However, I prefer to use a good, old-fashion cookbook.  There is just something about opening a book and trying not to get it covered with flour as I try to recreate the gorgeous recipe before me.  I don't have as many cookbooks as I would like and am really working on building up my collection.

Today, I honour the cookbook and am sharing 3 of my favourites. 

Four Ways to Stay Fit this Fall

Say that 10 times fast ;)

Fall is one of my favourite times of the year.  Yes, the days are a little bit shorter, but the weather is (usually) lovely and the foliage is amazing.

Here are are four ways for you to enjoy the season and get healthy at the same time (bonus!)

Source

Chocolate Peppermint Latte (Not Pumpkin Spice)

Fall is finally upon us and I have to say, I love it.  It is the time of year for warm days and cool nights.  Perfect.

It is also the time of year when many blogs start to fill up with recipes that include all things pumpkin.  Pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies and pumpkin lattes.

Recipe Makeover: Sour Cream Coffee Cake

I heart coffee cake.

Jenna @ Eat, Live Run posted the most scrumptious looking recipe and I knew I had to try to make a lightened up version.