Pumpkin Muffins & Protein Packed Pumpkin Pie Yogurt

As you may know, pumpkin (a winter squash), is an excellent source of vitamin A (good for those eyes!).  It's also high in fiber, vitamin C and iron.  

The pumpkin muffins were great and made for a fast and easy breakfast.  I added flax seed meal to these muffins for extra fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids.  Also, I cut the amount of honey in half and added a mashed banana.  (Bananas make a wonderful sweetener!)

The pumpkin yogurt is delicious and I love the texture that the Chia seeds give to the yogurt.  Chia seeds not only add texture, but also add fiber, protein and Omega-3 to this dish.  

Both recipes are tasty and very healthy.  I hope you give the muffins and yogurt and try!

Enjoy!
~Davis 


click here for WHOLE WHEAT PUMPKIN BREAD/MUFFINS recipe
(from: 100 Days of Real Food)

Ingredients:
-whole-wheat flour
-cinnamon
-ground ginger
-nutmeg
-cloves
-baking soda
-baking powder
-salt
-eggs
-oil (I prefer coconut oil)
-honey (and a banana-see below*)
-vanilla
-pumpkin puree
-nuts (I used walnuts)
-flax seed (not in original recipe, but I added 1/4 cup flax seed meal)

*The original recipe calls for 1/2 cup of honey, but I used 1/4 cup honey and one mashed banana.  
**I made these in muffin form. 


click here for the original PROTEIN PACKED PUMPKIN PIE YOGURT recipe
(adapted from: Eating Bird Food)

Ingredients:
-plain Greek yogurt
-100% Pure Maple Syrup, to taste
-pure vanilla extract, to taste (make sure it doesn't have corn syrup listed in the ingredients)
-canned pumpkin, to taste (should only have one ingredient: pumpkin!)
-ground cinnamon, to taste
-ground allspice, to taste *
-Chia seeds, to taste (preferably organic)

*The original recipe calls for Pumpkin Pie Spice, but in looking at the ingredients of this spice, I saw that sulfiting agents (food preservatives) was listed.....um, no thank you! 

Directions:
Combine the yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla.  Then add some pumpkin.  Next, stir in the spices, and last mix in the Chia seeds. 

Pumpkin Muffins

Protein Packed Pumpkin Pie Yogurt

Check your ingredient label on your pure vanilla extract and make sure there's no corn syrup added.  Here are the ingredients for this particular brand: Bourbon Vanilla Bean Extractives in Water, Alcohol (35%).