All Things Pumpkin

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Recipe:

Your favorite pie crust dough, enough for one 9-inch shell.

For the filling:

1 pie pumpkin

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups organic cream

1/2 cup unrefined cane sugar

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

**1/2 tsp ground ginger

**1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

**1/8 tsp ground cloves

(I substituted pumpkin pie spice for the starred spices)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the pumpkin in half, remove the seeds, place the pumpkin halves in a pan, shell side up, and bake for 1 hour or until the pumpkin is tender, exudes liquid and the shell starts to sag.

Pour off accumulated liquid, scrape the pulp from the shell and purée it with a potato masher or in a blender. Measure 2 cups of the purée and set it aside. Reserve any additional pumpkin for another use.

Place your pie dough on a lightly floured surface and, starting from the center out, roll the dough to about 2 inches larger than the size of the pan. Loosen the pastry, fold it in half, lift it and unfold it into the pan. Press it into place, trim off the excess dough and crimp the edges.

Increase the temperature of the oven to 425°F. In a large mixing bowl lightly beat the eggs. Add the purée and the remaining ingredients and stir to blend. Pour the mixture into the dough-lined pan.

Bake for 15 minutes and then reduce the heat to 350°F and bake an additional 45 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Recipe adapted from www.fullcircle.com

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Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Compliments of http://silk.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 cinnamon sticks or 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground nutmeg

3 Tbsp canned pumpkin

Latte

1 shot of espresso (or coffee)

6-8 oz Silk Original or Vanilla soymilk, steamed

1-2 Tbsp pumpkin spice syrup (or to taste)

Whipped cream, optional (can whip up canned coconutmilk to make whipped cream)

Prepare syrup

1. Cook sugar and water in a small pot over medium heat until the mixture is completely clear.

2. Whisk in the remaining ingredients and continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not allow mixture to come to a boil. Remove from heat.

3. Allow mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes.

4. Strain syrup through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a large jar or bottle of your choice.

5. Keep syrup in the fridge for future use. Recipe yields ~2 1/4 cups syrup. Use 1-2 Tbsp for latte.

Prepare latte

6. Combine espresso with steamed milk and 1-2 Tbsp of pumpkin spice syrup (add to taste).

7. Top with fat-free whipped cream.

Enjoy! :)

Butternut Squash

Fall is my FAVORITE season!!! I'll take hoodies, scarves, boots, and pumpkin flavored goodies over sweaty, hot days and nights. Along with Fall… I love a good, healthy side dish. Especially one that involves cinnamon topping.

I recently bought a Butternut Squash at Trader Joe's.

Here is the recipe I used:

Cut Squash into serving pieces and remove seeds. Bake upside down in over at 400 degrees for 50-60 minutes until tender. Scoop out and add butter and brown sugar. Beat together. Place into serving dish. Combine 1 TBS. butter, 3 TBS. brown sugar, 1/4 cup honey - Drizzle over squash. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Yummy!!!

Have a good night, Everyone.

Feel Good Frittata

Makes 1 Serving

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil cooking spray

1/4 cup diced red bell pepper

1 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach, loosely packed

1 whole egg, plus 3 egg whites

2 TBS crumbled feta

Preparation:

Coat an 8-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat on medium-high. Add red bell pepper, and cook about 5 minutes or until just tender. Add spinach to the skillet, and sauté for 2 minutes or until leaves are wilted but still bright green.

In a bowl, blend egg and egg whites with a whisk. Stir in feta, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour over vegetables. Cook on medium heat until eggs set. Remove from heat.

Place a plate on top of the skillet and invert, so the frittata falls onto the plate. Spray skillet with cooking spray again, and return frittata to brown the other side. Cook for 1 minute.

Serve with an orange and 1 piece of whole-wheat toast.

Nutrition Per Serving: 387 calories, 12g Fat, 46g Carbohydrates, 28g Protein, 8g Fiber

Homemade Pizza

Yum! Yum! Yum!

Who doesn't like homemade pizza? I know I do. In fact, I LOVE it! In my opinion, you can't really ask for anything better than real, fresh ingredients to satisfy that "hot out of the oven" amazing flavor of goodness. Does that even make sense?! Haha. All I know, is I prefer making my own pizza, than paying the same amount-if not more-to get greasy, fatty carb loaded carry out.

To start, I like to get my ingredients from Trader Joe's. They are relatively inexpensive... and the fresh whole wheat pizza dough cooks to perfect every time! Here are some of the things I buy to make this tasty creation.

Steps: Roll out the pizza dough, and place on a pizza pan.

Add pizza sauce, cheese, and your desired toppings (we like mushroom pizza)

Follow the baking directions on your pizza dough package for baking times.

Enjoy!

Sunset Sweet Potato Drop Biscuits

Mashed sweet potatoes keep these biscuits tender and low in fat; the moisture also eliminates the need to add eggs or dairy.

This recipe is a great side to add to any main dish.

It is absolutely delicious, especially drizzled with some wildflower honey!

Here is what you will need:

• 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potatoes or yams (2 small baked sweet potatoes)
• 3 Tbsp. canola oil (I used coconut oil)
• 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat baking sheet with nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray.

Combine sweet potatoes, oil, vinegar, syrup, and salt in a large bowl. Sift in flour, baking powder, and nutmeg.

Cut dry ingredients into sweet potato mixture with a fork until the mixture comes together. Stir in 2 to 3 Tbsp. water, or enough to get dough to hold together.

Drop golf-ball-sized rounds of dough onto prepared baking sheet. Bake 15 to 17 minutes, or until tops are lightly browned and firm to the touch. Serve warm. Drizzle with honey and ground cinnamon, if desired. (12 servings)

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 biscuit

Cal: 80

Fat Total: 3.5g

Saturated Fat: 0g

Carbs: 12g

Fiber: 1g

Protein: 1g

For more recipes, advice, motivation, and support

Email me at: getfitelle@beachbodycoach.com

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Serve up this reduced-fat version of the favorite party treat with a guilt-free conscience. Don't forget the cute cocktail napkins!

My boyfriend and I often get bored with the same quick foods, so I decided to whip up these amazingly delicious meatballs! I wasn't sure how he would like them, but we made it and he LOVED it. We even had leftovers the next evening, which we rarely ever do. Even our puppy wanted some...

So, here is what you will need...

For the meatballs:

• 1 lb. of lean ground turkey
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 8oz. can crushed pineapple in juice, drained
• 1/2 cup green onions
• 1 Tbsp. light soy sauce
• 1 tsp. ginger

For the sauce:

• 3/4 cup reduced-sodium, low-fat chicken broth
• 1/3 cup chili sauce
• 3 Tbsp. rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tsp. cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine meatball ingredients in medium bowl and mix thoroughly. Line a baking sheet with foil (this helps with cleanup). Place cooking racks in foil-lined baking sheet. Shape meatballs, and place on the racks. Bake for about 25 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and cover to keep warm.

Combine the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and stir until cornstarch is dissolved. Place over medium heat and sit intermittently until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and stir for another minute or until mixture thickens slightly. Pour sauce over meatballs, and gently toss to coat meatballs. Serve warm with toothpicks, if desired, or eat on a plate. (makes approximately 37 meatballs)

Tip: If you'll be serving over the course of an hour or two, these keep warm in a chafing dish or on a warmer. Double the recipe if you will be having more guests!

Serve your Sweet and Sour Meatballs with a health side of your choice :)

Serving Size: 4 Meatballs

Cal: 120

Fat Total: 4g

Saturated Fat: 0g

Carbs: 12g

Fiber: 0g

Protein: 8g

Do you want motivation and accountability to eat healthier?

Email me at getfitelle@beachbodycoach.com.

Focus T25: My Fitness Journey

I have been hesitant to write this post, but what good is a transformation story, if you never share it with anyone? At the beginning of summer, I was in a low place with my diet and fitness regimen. It was basically non-existant. I would wake up early, go to school or work all day, eat junk all day long, come home and was exhausted, then I'd eat ice cream before bed... it was a vicious cycle. Before I knew it, the weight was creeping up. My waistline was getting bigger, my clothes were getting tighter, and I finally had enough when I put on my bathing suit sometime around the end of June. I felt disgusting, ashamed, and embarrassed. Now, most people would look at me and say I looked fine. But, I didn't feel fine. I felt like a slob. I wore baggy clothes to hide the weight gain, which probably worsened things. I didn't feel beautiful or sexy. I wanted a change. I needed a change.

One day, while searching for options to get myself back on track, I happened to stumble into the "Team Beachbody" website. I already had done the Beachbody program Turbo Jam by Chalene Johnson, but I bought it on Amazon before I ever knew anything like Team Beachbody existed. So here I was, feeling down about my appearance, with low self confidence... and I decided enough was enough! That was it. I was going to take my body and my health back into my own hands. Excuses were not an option for me. I had been searching for a couple of weeks, when I heard about the release of Shaun T's Focus T25. It sounded like a dream come true. A 25 minute workout that gives you an hour's worth of results, in just 5 days a week. I am a full-time nursing student, I work as a Medical Assistant, and I occasionally volunteer at a Children's Hospital. On top of all of that, throw in studying, family time, taking care of house "chores", cooking, and driving to everywhere I need to be during the week (30 minutes is the closest I drive on a daily basis)... my time is precious, and I didn't have much left of it to give to fitness. This would be the perfect solution. I just knew it.

Get Focus T25 Here

Now, I had already made up my mind that I was getting this. No "if's", "ands", or "buts". I took one look at the price, and pushed aside all objections. I wanted this, and needed this. Remember? It was expensive up front, but it cost me less than half of what I had previously paid for a full year's gym membership. The same gym membership I had to force myself to drive to, waste gas to get there, wait for machines, and fight the crowds around my schedule. No Thank You! Not Anymore! Focus T25 was my ticket away from low self esteem and hiding my body under 2 sizes too big baggy clothes. Plus, it gave me all of the tools I would need to be successful and in the best shape of my life. I got the program, the very delicious, nutritional supplement Shakeology, a Coach to keep me motivated, offer support and guidance, and a free 30 day club membership to the team beachbody website, which is full of recipes, discussion boards to ask questions, a place to log your workouts, and meet like-minded people who are working toward their goals just like you.

I started Shaun T's newest program on July 8, 2013. Day one's workout pushed me hard! I had to pause it a few times. It challenged me farther than I have ever pushed myself. The key is, I never gave up! I kept pushing play. I kept pushing myself a little farther and digging deeper. I kept working towards my goal, eating healthy, and drinking Shakeology every day. Day 70 was September 15, 2013. Two days ago. I DID IT! I wasn't sure I would make it through the first week, but I worked hard, I pushed myself, and I completed the 10-week program. I feel amazing. I have energy, endurance, and have increased my strength.

What makes FOCUS T25 unique?

Each FOCUS T25 workout is only 25 minutes, so you’ll always have time to GET IT DONE. Whether you’re looking to get started and want a workout that fits your busy schedule, or you’re simply tired of workouts taking up 1.5 to 2 hours of your day, FOCUS T25 is the answer for you. But it won’t be easy. And that’s why you’ll get the best results of your life.

GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!

If you are looking for accountability and support through a healthy lifestyle change, email me at getfitelle@beachbodycoach.com. Don't put off until tomorrow, what you could do today. Your health is one of the most important aspects you can take control of. Give yourself the gift of fitness. You're worth it!

...and if price is the problem, email me about how you can get your copy of Focus T25 at a discounted rate. getfitelle@beachbodycoach.com.