Quick Ideas Day 3: Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait & Pumpkin Oatmeal

I have an obsession. An obsession with pumpkin. I love everything made with pumpkin. If it isn’t made with pumpkin, I’ll add it. (I’m exaggerating a bit, just a tinsy bit.) 

What I’m not obsessed with: eating pumpkin straight out of the can. Gross. I like my pumpkin sweet.

Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait

Quick steps:

• Start with a few heaping spoonfuls of yogurt. Plain Greek yogurt for this gal.
• Add one or two large spoonfuls of the star ingredient. Yes this would be the pumpkin.
• Top with agave nectar or honey, cinnamon, and granola. One can never have too many toppings.
• [Side note: If you’re feeling fancy, you can make multiple layers.]
• Stir together and swoon.

Mmmm… good brain food!

 

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Quick steps:

• Cook your favorite oatmeal. I’ve used quick-cooking oats and steel oats, but it’s amazing with Chai spice-flavored oatmeal.
• Add a dash of milk. I like vanilla soy milk for extra flavor.
• Add a large spoonful or two of canned pumpkin. You want more oatmeal than pumpkin.
• Top with sweetener and spice of choice and sprinkle with a few nuts for good measure. I like Agave nectar or brown sugar, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, walnuts, and sometimes a dash of ground flaxseed.
• Mix ingredients together and enjoy!

One can of pumpkin lasted me a little over a week, kept covered in the fridge. Only because I’m not tempted to eat it right out of the can, unlike some other things… but that’s for another post.

Question: Pumpkin — Love it or hate it? (Gasp, if it’s the latter). To what other everyday foods do you add canned pumpkin?

Quick Ideas Day 2: Mixed Berry Smoothie

Smoothies are a simple way to pack in your daily nutrients. Not only can smoothies be healthy and quick, but they are refreshing, portable, and come in many varieties.

With smoothies, the possibilities are endless. Having trouble thinking up a concoction? The Food Network offers 50 smoothie ideas from healthy (carrot-apple, spa cucumber, apricot-almond) to quirky (banana PB&J, mint-jalapeno) to dessert (chocolate chip cookie, strawberry shortcake).

Here’s my version of a quick and nutritious smoothie.

Quick ingredients & steps:

• 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla soy milk (or other low-fat milk)
• 1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt (any flavor)
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• Optional mix-ins: 1 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon protein powder, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Time-saving tip: Freeze several batches ahead of time. Transfer to the fridge the night before and it’s ready for breakfast the next morning. Need more details? Check out the make-ahead smoothies here.

Question: What’s your favorite smoothie creation?