Ah, the fall season! Isn’t it just wonderful? The cooler nights, the colored leaves, the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg wafting in the air from the local coffee shop…
Wait – can we have that??
Beautiful, you can have anything! I’m here to tell you my three tips for getting through Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) season without turning into a pumpkin so you can enjoy your pumpkin squares with a side of hot apple cider – and eat ‘em, too!
MY TIPS FOR PUMPKIN SPICE BLISS
Ladies, I am a fall fanatic. Maybe it’s because I’m a Scorpio (that’s late October, in case you were wondering 😉), or perhaps it’s because I adore wearing boots and jackets – yet live in California! No matter the reason, I get excited every year when the thermometer dips and the autumnal seasonings and spices hit the shelves. So, believe me when I say this: I KNOW how to get through PSL season – the not-so-great way and the BEST way!
#1 Pick Your Poison …to Get Your Pumpkin Fix
No, we’re not talking witches’ brew, here. But we ARE talking about making choices that leave us feeling great inside AND out!
And by “feeling great” I mean that mental-emotional great, too – you know, the one where you’re all happy and giddy ‘cuz you just ate something amazing. Do you feel me?
Let’s say, for example, you’re having a plain ol’ coffee and you want something to dunk in it…like, a donut, say. Well, here are a few healthy and delicious options to make you smile from your toes to your nose:
- Made some delicious Pumpkin Donuts on the weekend and pop those babies in the freezer to eat all week! (I just made some last weekend and the kids gobbled ‘em right up. 😊)
- Pumpkin Scones with Pumpkin Spice Glaze, anyone?? Ah, yes, if you like your scones moist and delicious (vs. dry and boring), these are for you! They are, essentially, a thinner version of a pumpkin cake – but healthy and for BREAKFAST!!!
- Feeling like something a little more immediate? Well, get out the waffle iron (or griddle, if you want pancakes) and whip up these easy Pumpkin Waffles with Apple-Cinnamon Compote! Trust me when I say you’ll be happy as a clam after eating these beauties.
But what if you’re not really hungry yet you DO want to kick up your coffee a notch? Here’s a quick-and-easy PSL fix to add to your (8-10 oz) cup of joe:
- ¼ tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 2 tsp Maple Syrup
- 1-2 drops vanilla extract
- Non-dairy milk of choice, to taste
And BOOM! You got yourself a quick latte. Now, if you have a can of pumpkin purée and a frother around (and maybe some coconut whipped cream, while you’re at it), you could go the full Monty on this. You do you.
#2 Go Halvsies
Here’s a trick I learned from my mother (or was it Giada De Laurentiis …?): You don’t need to eat ALL the [insert craving of choice here]. You just need to have a bit of it. To get the taste. To savor and really enjoy it.
You know how when you’re on vacation and food tastes so much better? It’s because you’re:
- In a great mood (science has proven things taste better when we’re happy!), and
- We’re eating more slowly, enjoying and savoring each bite.
So, why not slow down with that pumpkin scone and coffee and taste every morsel? You might find you don’t need to eat the whole batch in one go (just speaking from experience, here). 😉
#3 Trick-or-Treat: Going Big? Then Go Small.
Sometimes, you just go for it.
I mean, what do you do when your boss/MIL/new crush hands you your favorite pumpkin-y treat that he/she/they just knew you’d love?
Or what if it’s been a DAY and that last piece of pumpkin cake from the local grocery that someone got for the team is calling your name?
Listen, we all have our days when we JUST WANT IT!
You know what I mean?
So, how do you turn that one teensy-weensy little (or maybe it was a little big) detour into something that doesn’t derail your normally good habits?
It’s called “offsetting.”
It’s what I do when I’m on vacation. If I know I’m going to have a “splurge” meal, I make sure my other two meals are sensible enough to offset the indulgences.
‘Cuz life isn’t about deprivation, Beautiful!
It’s here to be enjoyed. You’ve heard of the 80/20 rule, right? Well, depending on where you are on your health journey, you can use that one, a 90/10 rule or a 70/30 rule…or rule of thumb. You know your body best so whatever works for you is what works. YOU’RE making the rules!
And so, my dear, I hope you enjoyed these 3 Tips For Getting Through PSL Season (without turning into a pumpkin!). You CAN do it! I believe in you. 😊