Pumpkin & Cinnamon--- signs of Fall :)

This week has been a pretty good week, I have finally decided to get back to my recipe blog! Now that I am no longer training for a competition, I have a little more give in my diet & can play with more recipes. I am going to try to use Saturday mornings to catch up on blogs and post a few recipes.... let me dig through my photos and see what I can come up with :) 

My Protein Coffee Drinks--- this is what I usually have if I am lifting early in the AM for a little pick me up without going too heavy on my stomach...

 This shown is my cinnamon latte :) Had this when I woke up today. I mix 1/2 scoop of vanilla (or cinnamon) protein with a small amount of unsweetened almond milk (you can add sweetener, a little creamer, extracts etc.) stir it until it is well mixed & add the coffee til the cup is full. I also make a mocha one that is similar with chocolate protein instead and usually a little extra unsweetened cocoa powder. I usually top them with sprinkles of cinnamon or cocoa and some truvia :) **Did you know that cinnamon can help your body metabolize carbohydrates? Try sprinkling on top of your breakfast, coffee grounds or coffee in the morning**

This picture is not as pretty :/ However, this is my Pumpkin Protein Shake :) Recipe--- In a blender-- Ice, 1/4-1/2 cup of canned pumpkin puree (not the pumpkin pie filling!!), 1/2 cup almond milk, 1 scoop of some vanilla type whey protein, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, sweetener of choice (stevia) & BLEND. Yummmmy.... you can also add a little cottage cheese to the mix which can be good :) 

Okay, This one is super easy! But one of my favorites post-workout. AND it can be competition diet friendly depending on what you are following. Here it is..... Go to Quick Trip.... Take that cheap Styrofoam cup, fill it with crushed ice.... now go fill it with black coffee (well, fill it half way so you have room to mix your protein drink in). Also, pick up a muscle milk or other protein drink of your choice. I always go with Muscle Milk Light - Caffe Latte or Vanilla Latte. After you leave, pour the muscle milk into the iced coffee=== Deliciousness!! You can also add a couple extra packets of sweetener if you really need it but this is pretty sweet. 

Okay last one! 

I guess I really need to start taking prettier pictures.... or using bowls that don't look like they are from the 80's.... anyways! This is my pumpkin oatmeal :) In a bowl combine 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup egg whites, 1 cup water, 1/4 cup pumpkin. Cook in the microwave--- keep an eye on it, stirring as needed and making sure it doesn't bubble over. After cooking add in cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, sweetener (stevia) and anything else you please. I top mine with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter or almond butter with a little sea salt. MMMM love it! 



That is all for now. I will post more later. I have some more good pumpkin recipes and some other things I will get back to. Enjoy!