Happy Fall everyone! As the weather begins to cool down and the leaves change into an array of colors, we are reminded that fall is among us. In addition to this temporal change, new seasonal fruits and vegetables pop up into our local grocery stores and farmers market. In this spirit, we are using the classic autumn fruit, pumpkin, in two different ways! Pumpkin is not only an amazing fall flavor, but it is also filled with nutrients such as beta-carotene and vitamin C which are important for healthy skin and immunity. Pumpkin is a powerhouse source for antioxidants, and it contains fiber which can help satisfy hunger due to its ability to slow down the rate of sugar absorption into the blood.
With school already in week 5, it’s hard to balance maintaining grades, do extracurricular activities, self-care, and eating healthy. This first recipe is given in the hopes that eating healthy is easy and delicious. It’s especially great since granola is so versatile since it can be used as a topping for yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, or just as is in between classes. Happy snacking!
Recipe: Pumpkin spice granola
*Recipe adapted from simplyquinoa
- 4 cup of rolled oats (make sure they aren’t quick cooking)
- 2 cups rice cereal
- 1-1.5 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ tspn pink himalayan salt
- ½ c maple syrup or honey
- ¼ c coconut oil
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoon fave nut/seed butter
- 1 cup of favorite raw unsalted nuts/seeds
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- In a large bowl, Mix the oats, cereal, salt, and spices.
- In a small saucepan, melt the maple syrup, coconut oil, pumpkin puree and nut/seed butter. When melted completely, pour entire mixture over the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10–15 minutes so the granola doesn’t burn. Remove from the oven and stir in nuts/seeds. Put it back in the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the nuts are golden brown.
- When browned, remove from the oven and let cool completely before storing.
Additionally, with any leftover pumpkin puree, you can use it as an opportunity to create your own DIY face mask. If you haven’t FALLen into the autumn spirit yet, this can hopefully get you into the spirit of this new season, help you feel more relaxed, and allow you to take care of yourself!
Recipe:
Pumpkin Face mask
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon ground oats
- 1 teaspoon milk
Mix all of the ingredients together and then put it on a clean face. Wait 5-10 minutes then rinse it off with warm water and make sure to moisturize afterwards!
Sources:
LD, Megan Ware RDN. “Pumpkins: Health Benefits and Nutritional Breakdown.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 5 Jan. 2018, ww.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279610.php.
Healthy Aggies at UC Davis 