After messing these up the first three times, I almost gave up. But I’m not a quitter so I gave it one more shot and came up with these little treats. And shockingly, they really do taste like little bites of pumpkin pie.
Or at least I think so. Just tell me they do so I don’t feel bad about throwing away like 50 inedible bites. 
Continue reading
It’s time. Time for all the pumpkin things. I waited until October to start posting the recipes but I’ve been testing pumpkin stuff for a good month now. Because I’m just as basic as every other white chick. I love Fall and leaves and scarves and jeans and cool air and bonfires. And pumpkin. All the pumpkin.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, only 27 more days until my birthday. Also, 27 days until I’m no longer in my 20’s. Weird. 
Continue reading
It’s been a little over a week since I’ve given you a pumpkin recipe so clearly you were long overdue. 
Continue reading
Guess what time it is? Pumpkin time! This is the third pumpkin recipe this fall so far with at least one more on the way.
Please don’t hate me. 
Continue reading
I’m starting a new Wednesday series, a DIY series. Every Wednesday I’m going to show you how to make your own version of usually store-bought staples. Companies want you to think you can’t live without their products, but you totally can. It’s easier than you think, not to mention healthier and cheaper.
Today I’m going to show you how to make your own spice blends. I used to buy these blends at the grocery store and thought nothing of it. Then I started to read labels and noticed there were some funky ingredients in there. Things like MSG and anti-caking agents. Things that I did not want to be sprinkling over my food and ingesting. So I started to make my own and haven’t looked back. Make these when you have some free time and you will have all the seasonings you could ever want ready to go when you cook.
These are four of my favorite and most used blends.
Ranch Seasoning Blend
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp dill
2 tsp parsley
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp celery seed
Onion Soup Blend
1 tbsp dried onion, minced
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried mustard
1 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Pumpkin Pie Blend
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
Taco Seasoning Blend
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
3 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional (if you want a spicier mix)
Measure out all the seasonings, mix together, and then store in an airtight container like a mason or bell jar. You can adjust the seasonings to your taste or remove the salt to make each blend salt free.
Use the ranch or onion mix for dips by adding to plain greek yogurt, sour cream, or plain cashew ricotta.
Use the taco blend in place of store bought packets and add either tapioca starch or cornstarch to help thicken the sauce you pour over your taco filling.
Sprinkle the pumpkin pie spice over oatmeal or cereal for a little taste of fall.
Of course you can use these blends anywhere, on your vegetables, in your marinades and dressings, in desserts or snacks. It really just takes a few minutes to put these mixes together and the flavor and price can’t be beat. So use your DIY skills and get to blending!
Life Healthfully Lived 