pumpkin granola // pistachio + coconut

Before November is up Imma going to squeeze one last pumpkin recipe in before we are hit with the onslaught of all things Christmas.

A recipe over thanksgiving only called for a bit of pumpkin puree- I found myself with leftover puree and decided to put it to good use. First with this granola and second with an awesome pot of soup which I posted over on instagram.

pumpkin pie muffins // coconut + brown sugar

This recipe was originally suppose to be something completely different but I procrastinated and cherry season came and went. But, I am pretty happy I dragged my feet- if I didn't I am not sure these muffins would have ever come to be. 

These muffins in my book are perfect- everything a muffin should be. Sweet, but not overly so, big and fluffy with the perfect muffin top.

maple coconut granola // flax + sunflower seeds

I love, love, love granola. Granola is so stupid easy to make at home and takes no time at all. The granola I am sharing with you today is pretty unfussy - I love the maple-ly coco-nutty undertones throughout the granola.

coconut cacao nib oatmeal // date sugar + chia

One look at my instagram feed and it is totally obvious that I am a fan of breakfast. 

Breakfast is just so much fun! Everything from smoothies to tofu scrambles, pancakes and cinnamon rolls always have a place on my breakfast table.

During the winter months I crave a warm hearty breakfast. Oatmeal is one of my many go to winter breakfasts. 

A warm, filling and easy way to start the day on a good note.

DIY kitchen series: instant oatmeal // 3 ways

Lately, life has been crazy- in a good way. We are coming up on our busiest time of year at work, which means Summer is just around the corner. Our house will be going on the market towards the end of May, which is a scary and exciting time all rolled in one. Little side projects, both personal + professional have been popping up all over the place.

I like to save time anywhere I can, even if it's just shaving 5-10 minutes off of my morning routine. During my teenage years I was a breakfast skipper, actually, I was a terrible eater in general (hello Swedish fish, Pizza Hut bread sticks + Little Debbie snacks for lunch!). Growing up I have learned to appreciate and look forward to breakfast. During the work week I rely on quick and easy breakfasts, instead of buying pre - mixed instant oatmeal which can get a little pricey, I have learned to make my own. Today, I am going to share with you my three favorite mixes, they take very little effort and gives you a quick breakfast for the week.

raw "cookie" dough balls

After dinner I am always in need of  a little something sweet. It can be anything - a square of sea salted almond chocolate, a cookie or spoonful of nut butter. 

For a while now I have been addicted to little raw cookie dough balls- they are dangerously easy to make, as in anytime I feel like something a little sweet I can throw these together in no time. The beauty of these little cookie dough balls, they give you that little sweet something while staying pretty good for you at the same time.

It's a win win!

peanut butter banana oatmeal

I never tire of breakfast, it is the one meal that I get totally excited over. I love the ritual of our lazy Sunday morning breakfast, the predictability of breakfast during the work week + the quietness of Saturday mornings with just the pup, kitty + a crossword with a bottomless pot of tea.

Saturday is also the day of branching out; a new oatmeal, vegan eggs bene or whatever was found at the Farmer's market that morning.

chai coconut almond granola

Fall is officially here! Here's to comfy sweaters, tall boots, slouchy beanie hats, campfires + s'mores, everything pumpkin, apple picking and the beauty in the changing of the leaves. 

Hands down, Fall is my favorite season of the month- there is nothing I dislike about Fall. When it arrives, it comes in the form of a big long hug from a long lost friend.

To kick off the Fall Season, I'm cranking on the oven and cooking up batches of granola, slowly simmered chilies + stews and canning up a storm. 

This granola is so , so good and super easy to put together , it also has the bonus of making your home smell oh so good.

coconut oat scones // maple cinnamon glaze

I don't make scones very often, but I had a super craving for scones and a cup of tea a couple weeks ago and couldn't get the idea out of my mind. There was only one solution- makes scones! 

Keeping in theme with non dairy month, these beautiful little scones are made with Pacific's Organic Oat Milk. They turned out even better than I had imagined- you will want each and every last crumb.

coconut chai oat smoothie

Out of all the non dairy beverages out there, oat milk is totally new to me. I was taken back of amazing it tasted, truthfully I was a little apprehensive at first- oat milk? I had it stuck in my mind it was going to be gritty and grassy- boy was I wrong! Oat milk is quickly becoming a favorite - just a tad sweet and totally silky smooth, making it the perfect non dairy milk to add to my morning smoothies.

sweet potato carrot puppy treats {vegan}

I haven't made Anna puppy treats in forever- the spoiled pup she is receives a bark box once a month filled with toys and treats galore. However, I found myself with nothing to do on a lazy Tuesday afternoon with a wilted bunch of parsley - mostly dried half alive, it wasn't looking to good for the parsley. Knowing that it needed to be used right away I figured I'd treat Anna to some homemade goodness. These treats are incredibly easy to make with common pantry & fridge items that I am certain most of you always have on hand- they have the added benefit of being lower in calories and full of goodness for the pup in your life.

blackberry peach parfaits

The garden and yard has been mulched- finally. It is only the end of summer, a project scheduled for the start of summer that was continuously pushed back to due busy summer weekends and obligations (fun obligations!). We were so blessed to have the opportunity to help out an outstanding young man named Martin, who was looking to earn extra money for an online theology course. I have never met someone quite like Martin, a Senior in High School he is wise beyond his years. Martin and I worked side by side on Saturday accomplishing a long list of to do's in the yard. You know how some people simply make you want to be a better person and you can't help but smile when you are in their company? Martin is this type of person, it fills my heart with happiness knowing that he is on a mission to brighten and be a positive influence in each persons life that he meets. I see big things for Martin in the future.

blueberry crumb tart

I love all the beautiful fruits available to us in the Northeast this time of year- it is the start of blueberry season and I couldn't be happier. You can find these blue beauties everywhere from farmers markets, road side stands to mountain sides. Each year Justin and I make a special trip up one of the local mountains for early morning blueberry picking complete with a morning sunrise.

pb banana chocolate chip granola

Lately I cannot get enough of homemade granola- seriously I forgot how easy and tasty the granola you make yourself is. A batch made at home literally takes me 5 minutes to throw together then only 30-35 minutes in the oven which gives me time to catch a quick episode of Arrested Development.

(yes, I am a little late in the game - I am finally getting around to watching this hilarious series from the beginning all thanks to my sisters encouragement)

persimmon granola

The start of a new year always brings out the thrifty in me. Maybe its due from all the excess and spending from the holiday season, this time of year I find frugal self again by way of batch dry bean cooking, granola making & an attempt at reigning in the non existent grocery budget - more like creating and sticking to a weekly grocery budget (has anyone else seen a crazy increase in food, have I just been blind for the past year and not noticed until now?).

pumpkin pie bars

one of the best things about autumn and the holidays are the countless treats that fill our home with warm smells of all things good. i am not a big fan of pumpkin pie, however i am a huge lover of anything that resembles the smell of pumpkin. for me, one of the best feelings is to come in from the cold and walk into a warm kitchen filled with smells of cinnamon & spice or a warm soup simmering away.

it reminds me of my mom & gram - the sweet smell wraps around you like a big hug. childhood memories of the fall always included heading in from a chilly day of playing and being welcomed by a sweet treat, mug of cocoa or a big bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.

chunky monkey muffins {gf}

gluten free baking successess are amazing- especially for someone who doesn't bake gluten free often.

i love getting to the point where i am comfortable enough to explore and develop recipes on a whim. there was a time when a recipe was my life line - i would follow it to a T for fear of turning out an inedible meal or muffin. then gradually, after much practice i became more confident in the kitchen, using recipes only as a guideline, often times venturing off from the written recipe and creating something a little different. then a few years later i began creating original recipes - some wildly successful others major fails. this one my friends was one of the successes - a gluten free success which was even more exciting and pretty tasty too.

for anyone still hesitant to stray away from the original recipe - don't be! jump right in and experiment, that's really the best way to grow in the kitchen. keep trying until it turns out just right and before you know it you will be able to create recipes without even giving it a second thought, it will eventually become second nature to you.

chocolate pumpkin mini bundts {gf}

pumpkin everywhere!

this is the time to indulge in pumpkin everything- that is of course if you like pumpkin.

everywhere you turn you are bound to see loads of recipes inspired by the mighty fall pumpkin - some savory, some sweet; pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie filling and fresh pumpkin all find their way into most recipes this time of year- and i love it.

baked donuts // fall classics 3 ways

oh i love donuts - in moderation of course.

thankfully i have shown some self restraint when it has come to my donut making ways.

since receiving my donut pan last christmas this is only my second time making donuts.

i have noticed a trend though - when i bust out my donut pan i tend to make 3 different kinds of donuts in one fell swoop - this time around i decided i wanted to take your classic holiday pie and cake flavors and turn them into donuts - great idea right? right!

well, i thought so anyway and i am sharing with you my insanely delicious take

 on the classics -3 ways.

breakfast parfait // one lovely blog award

routine - sometimes i get stuck in a routine for month's.

change can be hard, going with the flow is something that i still work on becoming better at.

once i do switch things up i realize that its not so bad; it's actually really refreshing.

starting with something small helps to get the momentum going. for me, it was changing up my breakfast habits. predictability has its positives, but going with the flow and spur of moment "creations" or "events" are good for the soul too.

in place of my "predictable" sprouted English muffin with peanut butter - inspired by the fresh local fruits that are starting to show there pretty little faces, i created my version of the breakfast parfait. so versatile, the possibilities & combinations are really, truly endless.