It's still a pumpkin party around here!

Ok, so Halloween was one big exciting day full of not napping, crying and spit-up. My evening consisted of hiding in the dark with Miss Oakley while eating sweet potato chips and drinking wine. Oh the realities of away-game weekends! And yes, besides dressing up my baby and puppy...I'm kind of a Halloween grinch. Just because I hid from the trick-or-treaters doesn't mean I'm not still loving all things pumpkin. We've got leftover pumpkin puree and some beautiful big pumpkins  so I've got two recipes AND a workout to share with y'all today...GET EXCITED! 

Last week I posted about my ingredient inspiration in the kitchen and a huge can of pumpkin was one of my main ingredients of the week. The first thing I made with it was pumpkin cookies. This was probably a mistake considering I CAN'T STOP EATING THEM. They are so freakin' delicious. I used my mom's recipe and made a few changes. They aren't super healthy but for special fall treat they are one of my favorites! 
Here's the recipe I used:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies {gluten + dairy free}

3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (use Enjoy Life for DF/vegan version)

• Cream the sugar, pumpkin and coconut oil with a mixer in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl whisk together the dry ingredients (except the chocolate chips)
• Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet. Once fully mixed, stir in the chocolate chips. My mom's original recipe called for raisins instead of chocolate which you could totally do too. But why? 
• Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. 

Pumpkin Power Circuit

 We didn't carve pumpkins this year (I know...so lame) so I've got two perfect pumpkins from my favorite farm just looking for love. In an effort to negate my recent pumpkin-cookie-eating-obsession, I decided to use those perfect pumpkins as some extra weight in this Pumpkin Power Circuit! Use your leftover pumpkins or be normal and use hand weights...but who wants to be normal? 

Complete 10 reps of each exercise - Go through the circuit 3 times if you dare! 
Watch the video below for a quick overview of each move. 
(Sorry about my head being cut off for some of the video...one take was all the baby and dog would allow today!)

1. Goblet Squats
2. Pumpkin Overhead Press
3. Pumpkin Smash
4. Pumpkin Tricep Pushups
5. Spooky Side Hops
6. Wood Choppers
7. Twisted Abs

Disclaimer: Although I am an AFAA certified Personal Fitness Trainer, you should consult a physician before starting any exercise program or diet. If you choose to do any workouts on this website, you do so at your own risk. 

After you get a good sweat on, you can use those pumpkins again but this time for a snack! Check out this roasted pumpkin seed recipe I posted last year. 

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Smoothie

Ok, finally my last recipe. I mentioned last week that I've never tried a pumpkin smoothie before. Well I did some experimenting this weekend and came up with a really delicious concoction! It has a mild pumpkin flavor and lots of fall nuttiness and spice. Try it as a post-workout recovery drink or a healthy start for a busy day!

2 Tbsp pumpkin purée
1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
1 banana
1 scoop protein powder
1 packet stevia
Sprinkle of cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
4-5 ice cubes
Blend until smooth and ENJOY!

How about you?

Have you ever been a Halloween grinch?
What's your favorite way to use leftover pumpkin?

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