Thursday, November 18, 2010

I might turn into a PUMPKIN...


Seriously, I might turn into a pumpkin! I have been eating a lot of pumpkin lately and really don't plan on stopping anytime soon. It kind of makes my heart sing. I wanted some yogurt and granola for lunch today (yes I know this is usually a breakfast dish, but I love to eat it for lunch some days)...and I ran out of my Trader Joe's gluten-free granola. So of course, I had to make my own. And of course, it had to involve pumpkin :)

BUT FIRST: DID YOU SEE THE NEW ADDITION TO THE BLOG? OUR BUCKET LIST TAB!!! Each week Jeff and I will be checking off 1-2 things of our list and video taping them for you to see as well :) Our first bucket list video will be posted this weekend.

A few small things I am wishing for today...
  • I wish fall was our only season.
  • I wish my cold would go away.
  • I wish it didn't get dark at 4:30 in the afternoon.
  • I wish I would win a shopping spree to Anthropologie.
  • I wish I was in grad school.
  • I wish I didn't have to make up a song about trucks every nap time-I'm running out of ideas. If you know of any good truck songs, send them my way please.
  • I wish I could buy a Pumpkin Spice Latte everyday.
  • I wish I didn't wish so much and could just be content!
  • I'm working on the last one and therefore ending my list now to eat this yummy granola I made for myself.

Without further ado....I present...

Ingredients
Dry:
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup pecans
  • 3/4 cup coconut
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon & sugar
Wet:
  • 1/4 cup (or more) pumpkin butter
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup of almond milk or water

Directions: First, mix all of the dry ingredients together. Next, mix all of the wet ingredients on the stove and heat for a few minutes, until blended well together. Finally, pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir well.



After it is mixed well, line a baking sheet with foil and spread the granola onto the sheet. Make sure your oven is preheated to 300 degrees. Bake for 30-45 minutes, checking its crispiness periodically. If you like crunchy granola (like me), bake for longer.


The whole house smelled like the perfect fall day! I could barely wait to eat it. You can choose to eat this by itself, with milk, or even yogurt. I chose to have mine with some vanilla yogurt.


I added a few blueberries to mine! I also added a scoop of pumpkin butter to the actual vanilla yogurt when I got towards the bottom and started running out of granola. In all, a great lunch! And I'll have plenty of left over granola for tomorrow's breakfast.

So now I have more than a half of a can of pumpkin left...

Question of the day: What should I make with my leftover can of pumpkin? Share any good recipes you have!

Also, just wanted to let you all know how excited I am for the upcoming holidays! Not only does that mean spending some quality time with friends and family, but it also means time for Christmas cards. This year my family is ordering cards through Shutterfly.com. When I was little, I always loved opening up the mail during Christmas time to see who we would receive cards from. The best cards, of course had pictures on them. Through Shutterfly you can order Christmas cards with or without pictures, and any other holiday cards. Need a fun and meaningful gift idea? You can even design your own calendar to give to someone close to your heart! And don’t think Shutterfly.com is only good for the holidays, you can even use their website to create birthday invitations. I am going to make my photo Christmas card tonight and can’t wait for everyone to see it! You should too :)

Ps. Bloggers can get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly! http://bit.ly/sfly2010



8 comments:

a blog full of weldons. said... Best Blogger Tips

i there cait! i just have to say i LOVE you blog! i just found it a few days ago. your photos are awesome!! and you make cooking look delicious and fun! i already have several of your recipes earmarked for the next few week! thanks for the time you put into your posts...it shows!!!

Cait Jensen said... Best Blogger Tips

Hey Angie...thanks for reading! I've secretly been reading yours for a while now, I admire your writing and beautiful family. This blog/cooking has been keeping me sane while I'm out here in Long Island...hope the recipes turn out for you :)

Michelle said... Best Blogger Tips

This is delicious! I had Pumpkin Butter from TJ's in the fall, but I think it's a seasonal item. Made your recipe using all pumpkin and it's wonderful. I have made a lot of your recipes this week. All excellent. As a side note, I'm Nikki's neighbor. :) You have one of the nicest blogs around. Thank you!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Cait :) Love your blog and all your pictures! This sounds amazing. I recently made 2 different types of homemade granola and am now OBSESSED with making it, LOL! I am definitely going to make yours! I have some of the TJ's pumpkin butter already. Did you use sweetened or unsweetened coconut? I have both. Thanks! Lori

Cait Jensen said... Best Blogger Tips

Hey Lori! Isn't making granola so much more fun (and cheaper) than buying it? I used sweetened coconut, however either would work just fine!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Cait! Yes, it is so easy and fun to make and I am hooked on the homemade stuff now! I have been eating all varieties of Kashi cereal every day for YEARS, but now its been pushed aside for the homemade granola! I am wanting to try so many different varieties too. Thanks!

Kathy said... Best Blogger Tips
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathy said... Best Blogger Tips

Cait, I have a question. When you say 'cinnamon & sugar' do you mean 1 Tbsp of cinnamon + 1 Tbsp of sugar, or do you mean the cinnamon & sugar that you roll snickerdoodle cookies in?
Thanks ^^ I plan on making this tomorrow too!

 
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