Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Thoughts on a Pumpkin


It may not be surprising that some pretty cool metaphors and similes were made using the pumpkin, so for day 15 we shall revel in the glory of pumpkin quotations.

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Anyone could see that the wind was a special wind this night, and the darkness took on a special feel because it was All Hallows' Eve. Everything seemed cut from soft black velvet or gold or orange velvet. Smoke panted up out of a thousand chimneys like the plumes of funeral parades. From kitchen windows drifted two pumpkin smells: gourds being cut, pies being baked. - Ray Bradbury, The Halloween Tree

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion. - Henry David Thoreau

Linus: There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.

Only the knife knows what goes on in the heart of a pumpkin. - Simone Schwarz-Bart


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This is Day 15, in my 31 Days of Pumpkin Spice. We will be continuing on into November, just like the holidays of old.


Join in the fun on Twitter with your favorite recipes, quips, or (semi)historical facts by using the hashtag #TeamPumpkinSpice


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Pumpkin Slow Oats


Food made slower tastes better, but it doesn't have to be time consuming. These slow oats can be stirred together then popped in the fridge to be left to do their own thing until the morning...when they are devoured.

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Pumpkin Slow Oats

Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons nut butter (hazelnut, almond, or peanut - your choice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
    1/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/3 cup milk (I used almond milk)
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tablespoon chocolate chips (I used a mix of dark and white chocos)
Note: I used a special ceramic bowl I have that can go from fridge to oven to table and has a lid. It's handy to have just one container for all the steps. A small canning jar will also do the trick - just make sure you can stir easily.

In your bowl (or jar) mix together the nut butter, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Microwave for about 10 seconds, or until just warmed. You want to heat the nut butter up enough to combine everything easily. Stir.

Add the rest of your ingredients, except for the chocolate chips and stir well. Make sure everything is good and mushed together. Stir in the chocolate chips.


Put the lid on your container and hit the fridge. The next morning, open and enjoy with milk or by itself. Say hi to Zuul while you're there.


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This is Day 14, in my 31 Days of Pumpkin Spice. Join in the fun on Twitter with your favorite recipes, quips, or (semi)historical facts by using the hashtag #TeamPumpkinSpice




Pumpkin Spice Milkshake



Ever wished you could make a pumpkin pie drink? You could put a pie in a blender, or you could try this less gross version. I've combined the best of several pumpkin milkshake recipes and got this baby.

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Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 egg (I used The Vegg egg yolk)
  • 1 cup vanilla yogurt (I used So Delicious Coconut Milk, unsweetened vanilla)
  • 1 cup milk  (I used cashew milk, but use your favorite creamy milk)
  • 1 frozen banana (see notes)
  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream (I used So Delicious Cashew Milk)

Optional:
  • Ginger Snap or Graham Cracker crumbs (I used ginger snaps for extra spice)
  • Whipped cream (I used So Delicious brand)

Note: If you have a Vitamix, you can just throw a whole frozen banana in. However, if you are making this in a blender, slice the banana into disks before freezing.

Put all your ingredients in the blender, removing the frozen items from the freezer right before mixing. Blend until creamy goodness happens.



Pour into two large glasses (or more smaller glasses). Add the whipped cream on top and sprinkle a tablespoon or so of cookie crumbs on top. Then call all the boys to the yard.



My choices for  making this alcoholic would be adding bourbon or vodka. Or you could go the other way and make this into a healthy treat by eliminating the ice cream and adding an equal amount of frozen bananas.



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This is Day 13, in my 31 Days of Pumpkin Spice. I am behind on posting- what can I say? I'm a bad blogger. Rest assured there will be 31 Days of Pumpkin Spice.

Join in the fun on Twitter with your favorite recipes, quips, or (semi)historical facts by using the hashtag #TeamPumpkinSpice