Doin' Some Cookin'... Honey Pumpkin Spice Shakeology

This creamy concoction uses real pumpkin and is a healthier alternative to the Starbucks drive thru. Although not as warm and comforting but for the diet conscious it does the trick. To sweeten things up a little bit o' honey and to spice it up extra ginger in the pumpkin pie spice.

Pumpkin is a good source of Vitamin A which is important for healthy teeth and vision.

Good thing I bought extra cans of pumpkin puree while at Whole Foods over the weekend so I can enjoy this whenever I want. Hopefully all the way to Summer. Ha!

Honey Pumpkin Spice Shakeology

From: The Beachbody Blog

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup water
• 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 cup crushed ice

And Action:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Rigatoni with Pumpkin, Sausage, and Spinach

It's the tail end of Fall and I'm just now jumping on the pumpkin bandwagon. Remember that Pumpkin Spice Latte I made recently? 

Monday night I needed a recipe that was quick, easy and perfect for Game Night and great for hungry tummies. I also had a can of pumpkin puree that was about to expire and no idea what to do with it. 

I follow the blog, The Larson Lingo, and was excited when an Internet search returned her blog with this recipe. I had everything on hand except the cheese and mushrooms. I also did not have the time to bake this dish another 25 minutes since it was already a late night and well past Little Man's bedtime, so I adapted it and just used it as inspiration.

This dish was delicious and the pumpkin cream sauce was lick-the-bowl worthy. I didn't mention to Little Man what was in this pasta dish so score one for this mom in tricking her kid into eating his veggies. 

The only thing that would have made this dish even better would have been a Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale, or two.

Using the entire box of pasta will yield plenty of leftovers. I froze about half of this dish for easy weeknight meals on those work nights when I can come up with a hundred excuses not to cook. 

Rigatoni with Pumpkin, Sausage, and Spinach

Adapted From: The Larson Lingo

Makes 8 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 (1 lb) box rigatoni
• 1 lb ground mild Italian sausage
• 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
• 4 handfuls of fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 12  oz can evaporated milk

And Action:

Cook pasta according to package directions. 

Cook sausage and season with onion powder. 

After sausage is fully cooked, remove the sausage from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, over medium heat add the can of pumpkin, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper. 

Stir well to incorporate.

Then add the can of evaporated milk.

Stir until smooth, 2-3 minutes, or until mixture begins to thicken slightly. 

Add the sausage back to the pan. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Mix in the pasta and spinach making sure to toss ingredients together to coat well.  Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin... Pumpkin Spice Latte

2 things...

1) I know it's time for Christmas brain and

2) No one is thinking about pumpkin after November but...

I saved a recipe for a Pumpkin Spice Latte but never got around to making it during the appropriate season. You know how best of intentions go and how sleep is more important. So I settled for Starbucks saving the recipe for another time.

I fall for it every time at least once a Fall season... a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. After getting to the bottom of my Venti I remember why I only get it once. It's too sweet and getting seasonal favorites from Starbucks Skinny or nonfat is just no fun... and yes, I know, I've heard and read the countless stories floating around on the Internet about steering clear since there is no "pumpkin" anything in their version. 

My version is spicy, actually contains pumpkin, and is topped with a healthy dose of real whipped cream. Don't expect this to taste anywhere close to what Starbucks produces but have piece of mind you will taste the pumpkin and know exactly what's in your PSL. 

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup brewed black coffee
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• pumpkin pie spice, to taste
• dash of cayenne pepper

And Action:

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat to desired temperature. Make sure to continuously whisk to keep the milk from burning on the bottom of the pan. Enjoy!