Pumpkin Obsessed
Pumpkin season represents the beginning of the best time of the year. I don’t care what anyone says, October officially kicks off the “holiday season.” The three months when life feels simpler, less intimidating, and more exciting. The happiest, cosiest, most forgiving period. It offers a combination of celebratory, restful, joyful, family and friend-filled moments. Even typing this description makes me feel lighter and calmer. I want to bold, underline, and draw hearts (and Santas) around “holiday.”
I will certainly bother you in the upcoming months to discuss whatever comes to mind around our winter holidays, but today we are focusing on fall. The season of jumpers, crisp breezes, gorgeous piles of leaves, maple and pumpkin flavoured everything. In honour of this very special time, I decided my readers need a list of my favourite pumpkin items and recipes to fully embrace the magic.
The UK is slowly adopting the pumpkin love, but it will take a few more years and crazies like me to encourage the transition. Luckily, I can find pumpkin purée now and a few pumpkin spice lattes here and there. I will take what I can get (while simultaneously pushing for more).
PUMPKIN ITEMS
Decorations & Household
- Mini Real Pumpkins: To look cute on your coffee table
- Big Real Pumpkins: To carve, of course
- Pumpkin Shaped Candle: To set the cosy seasonal atmosphere at home
- Pumpkin Mugs: To make every coffee even more special
PUMPKIN RECIPES
From Scratch
- Pumpkin Smoothie
- 1 big spoonful of pumpkin purée, 1 tsp chia seeds, 1 tsp ground flaxseed, cinnamon, 1 big spoonful yoghurt, frozen banana, 1 tbsp almond butter, ½ cup water
- Pumpkin Oatmeal
- Base: Oats, flax seed, chia seed, pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, water or milk
- Toppings: Yoghurt, almond butter, pecans, or walnuts, sliced banana or blueberries, drizzle of maple syrup
- Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes
- My spin on Sara Haven’s recipe, which simply blends the few ingredients below
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree, ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp baking powder, 1 egg, ⅓ cup oats, ⅓ cup liquid (milk or water), 1 tbsp maple syrup (in the batter or drizzled over the cooked cakes)
- Top with chocolate chips, of course! Add almond butter and yoghurt on the side if you need more protein 🙂
- Pumpkin Scones
- Sally does everything right. If you like Starbucks pumpkin scones, you will love these (and even more because they genuinely taste better – more cakey and less sweet)
- Pumpkin Bread
- My sisters and I found this recipe randomly years ago while spending the weekend together and we’ve been hooked ever since. It’s just perfect and makes two full loaves
- Freeze or gift the second!
- Pumpkin Soup
- I admit that I don’t have a go-to recipe because I enjoy finding this soup out at a restaurant, but I found one that I would choose if I opted to make myself. I prefer a little more spice and a little less sweet
- Always pair with a rustic and crusty bread
- Pumpkin Cookies
- Okay so I couldn’t find the exact recipe my family uses online (ours are in physical cookbooks), but this one is pretty close
- The key is shortening in the batter and brown sugar + powdered sugar in the frosting. Trust me
From Mixes + Products
Sorry to my UK people, but unfortunately, these items are only available in the US. Inspiration for these brands to expand, or for some passionate lad over here to create something similar 😉
- Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix: I truthfully haven’t tried this, but I hear from everyone that it’s incredible, so I will get my hands on it as soon as possible!
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps: It’s the season to host, so grab for your next wine and cheese night!
- Birch Benders Paleo Pumpkin Spice Mix: I mean…how could you go wrong?! The best healthy pancake mix with pumpkin added!! I will be picking up a couple of bags when I am next in the US. Please come to the UK, Birch Benders!
- Pumpkin Spice Perfect Bar: Limited edition seasonal flavour from the best protein bar in the world. Don’t miss out!
Please pass along your recommendations! Happy harvesting 🙂
Much love,
Bea
Pumpkin Word Count: 31
HealthyBea 
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