The best of fall

In a way this topic has been talked to death, but you know, fall, sweater weather, autumn, whatever you may chose to call it, causes excitement to bubble within. It means the holidays are drawing near, everyone's spirits are lifted, and the flavors. Oh, the fall flavors and smells. Pumpkin, cinnamon, pecan, mmhmm, all of the above plus more appear on store shelves and coffee shop menu's.

This time of the year just gives me a excuse to try everything pumpkin and cinnamon. Let's light those candles, get those pumpkin's carved and get into the best of fall.


Smells and flavors (again) 

I cannot not rave about the wonders autumn scents and flavors to my senses. My nose and tastebuds go into a frenzy and are so happy to be in this season. I recently decided to ring in the season by baking some pumpkin chocolate chip cake cookies.  Plus, there's healthy versions of all holiday desserts (and they're so tasty).

These are cake like, different texture from a normal cookie, but so yummy.
Check out the recipe by Civilized Caveman Cooking 
cc: Remi Taum

Clothes
Unfortunately, living in a tropical location doesn't allow for much variety in seasons. Therefore, sweater weather is usually out of the question, say farewell to the daily scarf and pair of boots you'd wear with the sweater. BUT! There are still opportunities to wear these clothes, with the occasional spout of windy, cool air. To take full advantage of this bundle-up weather, take a trip to another state.

Decorations
Oh, the decorations! They are so sparkly, festive, and family oriented. Decorating your house is not just house warming, but it's so much fun! It helps to get in the mood, to spice up the environment you live in a bit. Get those creative juices flowing and throw up some cobwebs for Halloween, or hang some snowflakes from the ceiling during Christmas!

For those of you who are gluten free but want a cake-like treat

Fresh out of the oven, peanut butter cookies. Yes.

Going gluten free is the "in thing" now. It's a lifestyle that dominates headlines, book covers and magazine articles.

Now that I'm on a gluten free diet, do I have to say, "See ya later to my cupcakes?!"

Answer to that: No. You don't! *insert clapping here, please* 

You can live a gluten free lifestyle and still indulge in those yummy cookies, cupcakes, cakes and more! Throw in some chocolate drizzle if you please.

Enough chit chat. Here's a recipe that I discovered the other night, amazing, chewy with crunchy rims, peanut butter cookies. It's glorious because, it only takes about 10 minutes to prep and 13-15 minutes to bake. I did, however adjust the amount of sugar in it.

Ingredients List

1. 1/2 cup sifted coconut flour (I used "Let's Do Organic, Coconut Flour" or Bob's Red Mill Coconut Flour is good too)
2. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3. 1 cup peanut butter (I used crunchy peanut butter)
4. 1 1/4 cup Organic 365 Cane Sugar (original recipe calls for 1 1/2 cup sugar)
5. 4 eggs (I prefer having them at room temperature, but it's not necessary)
6. 1/2 tsp sea salt 

Process

• Mix together sea salt, eggs, and vanilla extract, next add in peanut butter (I used a hand blender, the peanut butter is so thick you'll need it, or you can stir really fast)
• Last, add in coconut flour. Mix well. 

Mix well.

• You can grease your cookie sheet or use aluminum foil. Spoon the cookies out and this batter will make 3 dozen.

Size of your cookies can be smaller...These were a good size.

• Bake for 13 minutes for a chewier inside, and 14-15 minutes for a crispy edge.

Hooray! Time to eat. 

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes -- then indulge. Add some ice cream too, Coconut Bliss is so good and a healthier pick. It's a bit on the expensive side, but you'll be happy you chose this.

The holidays have officially arrived.

You're in luck.

Baked these  Chocolate Chip Pumpkin cupcakes
for Thanksgiving w/ butter cream frosting
 (using grass-fed butter). 

It's not too hard to keep the pounds away and still enjoy your holiday festivities.

First of all, don't be so hard on yourself that when you eat that last pumpkin cupcake you regret it for three days. Just try to enjoy it. You don't do this ALL year long.

• Use coconut or almond flour. Both are kind of tricky to deal with, but you'll get the hang of it pretty fast. 

• And, another option is to make your own cupcakes out of different ingredients. Whole Foods and or a local health store in your neighborhood sells gluten free flour. Try Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour. 
• The thing about this gluten free baking flour is, if you have a hard time baking with coconut flour or almond flour (both take some getting used to, they're both have a thicker texture when you eat it) is that you don't have a hint of coconut taste and it's the same texture and consistency of flour with gluten in it. At least it tastes and feels like it. 

•  Substitute ingredients. If you don't want to cook with sunflower oil, you can simply look up a conversion chart online, and find out how much butter (or quality olive oil, if you must) equals our to the requested amount of sunflower oil (or whatever kind of oil the original recipe requires).

There are little things here and there you can do to keep your holiday flavors in the oven (or microwave) and enjoy the festivities. Dig around and see what you can find, who says you have to sya goodbye to holiday flavorfulness?