Pumpkin Spice Latte : Healthy Version

It's that's time of year again....pumpkin everything, fall, sweaters, boots, pumpkin patch, and of course you can't forget Pumpkin Spice Latte. Yes, the Starbucks drink everyone waits for. With the delicious drink comes the high calories and sometimes over $5 ; depending on the size. Yet, we love it so much we are willing to pay.

Nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a while, but why not try it in the healthy way. Half the calories, no waiting in line, and the price at $4.30 everyday no matter what size you can enjoy it when you feel like it!

Ingredients :  

- 1 scoop of vanilla or chocolate shakeology (I use the vegan chocolate)

- 1/3 cup pumpkin purée 

- 1 cup almond milk

- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (add more for taste)

- handful of ice

- rediwhip / cool whip optional 

Blend the ingredients together and enjoy! 

French Onion Soup

Tis the season where it starts to get chilly and soup for dinner is all your want. Some quick, easy, and all you have to do is warm it up. I have decided to give this one a try...

Ingredients :

- 4 cups of beef broth
- 2 onions (cut up thin)
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- parmesan cheese is optional


Directions :

- Clean and slice onions.
- In a soup pot saute onions in olive oil until they are soft.
- Add beef broth and vinegar to the pot and boil until liquid has cooked down until approximately half.
- Serve sprinkled with approximately 2 tbsp. parmesan cheese over the top.

Halloween Happiness

 

Halloween is just around the bend. Can you believe it? Everyone is already out picking pumpkins, decorating the houses, deciding what they will dress up as, and what candy to give out. Halloween is a time for the kids to have fun (maybe adults too) dress up and be whoever they want for just one night. Laughing, making memories, and of course getting the candy?!! Who doesn't like to splurge every once in awhile? The season is always a reminder that fall is here for the next couple of months. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and cool. It is time to lounge around in big sweatshirts/sweatpants, cuddle under blankets, and sip on some green tea just for warmth. 

I remember being a little kid and there were so many Halloween costume ideas running through my head. Someone would tell you what they were going to be and you would think in your head, "man why didn't I think of that." Or you were so excited for the night to come that you didn't care if trick-or-treating started at six pm, you got dressed super early and then became antsy and you started to bug your parents on when you could go out. And they would say, "we told you not to get ready so early." Or you make a pact with your siblings combine all your candy together in a big bowl....then you get home and end up fighting over it when someone steals a piece of candy. And you look up at your parents and say, "were hitting every house tonight" and you know they think your crazy because you'll get tired from walking up the hills.

Just sitting here writing this today is putting a smile on my face and I'm just chuckling, because I can honestly remember doing things like this every time Halloween rolled around. It all seemed like such a party. A chance to see how many houses you could reach, who had the best candy, and see how long you could last. One night to have fun and pretend to be whoever you wanted. What is it about Halloween that gets the kids so excited? What is it that gets you excited about Halloween? Do you like decorating. Passing out the candy and seeing all the new costumes. Carving pumpkins & making pumkin seeds. Dressing up. Going trick or treating.

 

So, what are you getting excited about? Will you be dressing up? Going trick or treating yourself or taking your kids out? Halloween parties to stop by at? What is one story that you will always remember about growing up and Halloween!?