Pumpkin Two Ways

Tis the season for pumpkin. Two ways.  Many weeks ago in fact I began to see pumpkin take over the interwebs. I’m pretty late to the game having seen all my favorite bloggers already post pumpkin recipes. Better late than never right?

I popped open a can of pumpkin and pondered what to make with it. My assistant was working with me that day to help me get everything ready for the new WR program and she confessed that she had never had “pumpkin anything”. I was like WHAT? What kind of vegan are you? Haha totally just kidding, but I was determined to give this girl something tasty to try with pumpkin.

We decided to make both a sweet and a savory dish with it.  Since I eat grain, beans, and green bowls all the time a savory pumpkin sauce sounded perfect to smother all over the top of that. And boy was it heavenly. It’s picture above with some quinoa and the new “Artisan” Tofurky Sausages (yes I eat package food sometime and yes these were really tasty!).

Savory Pumpkin Sauce
Makes about 3 servings

1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons tamari
1-2 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/4 cup water, more as needed

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except water to a bowl and mix well. Once mixed, slowly whisk in water until desired consistency.

Then for something sweet I couldn’t decide whether this would be considered a breakfast food or a treat. It’s a great topping for toast, waffles or pancakes. Or to slather on a banana for a pre-workout snack. The protein is of course optional, I’m just trying new ways to sneak in more protein whenever I can since I’m in a gaining cycle (What’s a gaining cycle? I’m trying to put on muscle mass so I’ve upped my protein. It’s working because none of my clothes fit anymore!!).

Spicy Protein Pumpkin Butter
Makes 4 servings

1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons almond butter
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon Unflavored PlantFusion protein powder (or your favorite brand)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
Dash ginger powder

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and whisk until well combined.

News: Just a little update on my dad for those of you that have been following his journey. He went to the doctor last month for his annual visit (hadn’t been to the doctor in that whole year) and he’s given a clean bill of health, except his triglycerides were high. He might actually start exercising, which I’ve been begging him to do since even when I lived with him. He might stop eating all the junk food I find when I go to visit him now that the doctor said he should. Stubborn man won’t listen to me but might listen to his doctor! He is no longer anemic or B12 deficient on a mostly vegan diet for the last year!

What have YOU been up to? Let me know in the comments. I miss you guys!!