These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are soft & chewy. They’re also grain and nut free. I originally created this recipe to make pancakes, but that was a major fail. As I mixed everything together, instead of turning out like pancake batter, I had a thick dough. Sooo, I decided to make cookies and add chocolate chips. They’re very lightly sweetened and make a great fall dessert. Once it hits September, I’m all about pumpkin everything. I’m your stereotypical white girl who loves fall. These cookies would pair well with my Pumpkin Spice Coffee and a crisp fall day ;)

Fall is in the air! I get so excited when fall rolls around because that means it’s time for PUMPKIN EVERYTHING! I love all the fall treats and apple cider, apple picking, pumpkin picking, fall fashion and just about everything fall has to offer. The only downside is that it’s followed by winter- which I hate.

This pumpkin butter recipe was inspired by the pumpkin butter that was served with the bread at a restaurant I ate at when I was in Virginia for NTA’s Business Summit this past August. My best friend was nice enough to join me on the 8 hours road trip to Virginia (even though she was not attending the Business Summit with me- best friend award goes to her) and since we’re both pumpkin-obsessed this was pretty much the highlight of our night. We even each bought our own container of it to-go. Since I pretty much know that stuff was not in any way a health food, I got to work on creating my own version made with nutrient-dense ingredients. My first attempt was not the smooth sailing win I expected it to be- the butter rose to the top in the fridge and hardened on top of the pumpkin mixture that remained. My next thought was, “okay, let me add an egg yolk and see if I can emulsify the mixture and make it blend together that way.” Boom. Nailed it. This stuff is delicious and the texture is perfect. This goes great on any gluten/grain-free breads, paleo bagels, crackers, etc. It’s also delicious in your coffee.

Do you suffer from peanut allergies? Let sunbutter come to your rescue! Sunbutter doesn’t taste exactly like peanut butter, but it’s a really great substitute. Peanut butter shakes are so creamy and delicious, which inspired me to make this one made with sunbutter. I have an obsession with the TV show Friends- like serious obsession. It’s my favorite show & my therapy when I’m feeling bad. You know like when you’re having one of those “isn’t that just kick you in the crotch, spit on your neck fantastic” kinda days. So naturally, my 3 (yes, 3!) Central Perk mugs are my favorites. This protein shake is super delicious, thick, & creamy. If you do fine with peanuts, you can go ahead and replace the sunbutter with peanut butter if you prefer.

<– This is the protein powder that I use. Click on it to order via my Amazon affiliate link.

<– This is the collagen that I use. Click on it to order via my Amazon affiliate link.

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I’ve been eating a lot of collagen lately. I mix it in my protein shakes, put it in my coffee, eat Bulletproof collagen protein bars, & now I’m making protein muffins with it! It definitely does have anti-aging benefits – my acne scars have been clearing up and I have younger looking skin. Collagen is also great for your joints & digestive system. It also helps your hair grow and your nails stronger. The brand I use is Vital Proteins.

To make the muffins grain-free and nut-free, I used Otto’s cassava flour and Bob’s Red Mill coconut flour. I also used brown butter because it’s incredibly delicious- I get mine from Tin Star Foods, you could also make your own brown butter if you would like to save money.

If your batter is too sticky/dry you can add more coconut milk.

Who loves ice cream?? Me! Me! Me! Okay, this isn’t really ice cream, but it sure does remind me of ice cream and I put it in an ice cream cup- so let’s just call this protein-packed ice cream. Cool? Cool. I did have to eat this with a spoon rather than drink it with the straw. It’s the perfect cold, creamy treat after a tough workout in the heat of summer. I’m really getting into the protein shakes – in fact, I’m actually going to be doing a detox with some of my fellow NTC classmates in a few weeks, consisting of protein shakes & veggies! I think my body could really use a detox. Learning about detoxification has been really fun for me, so I’m excited (and maybe a little nervous…) to try this detox and see how much better I feel afterwards.

<– This is the protein powder that I use. Click on it to order via my Amazon affiliate link!

The collagen I use is Vital Proteins.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do- it tastes like chocolate – covered strawberries!

Simple dinners are the best! I love making fish since it’s so quick & super healthy. Red snapper is one of my favorite types of fish – I think it was actually the first fish I tried that I liked (before I started eating a paleo diet, I was petrified of fish and refused to try most types). This recipe is SO easy, you may cry from excitement (at least if you’re hardly ever in the mood to cook – like me). Sometimes I do like to make fancy, delicious meals, but I do need to mentally prepare beforehand. When I graduated from Adelphi in 2013, I had a backyard BBQ at my house and I cooked everything for the party. I made bacon meatballs (2-3 trays – I think it was 3), honey mustard dip, paleo almond crackers – from scratch, dairy-free bacon & chive cashew cheese, truffle asparagus, paleo chocolate cupcakes & paleo chocolate truffles, which took me about 9 hours to do. I was completely wiped out at the end, but I was excited to serve all home-cooked healthy food at my party. But on a regular busy day I’d rather make something effortless like this Broiled Red Snapper…

This is the brown butter that I use:

This fish would go great with shaved brussels sprouts and roasted duck fat potatoes!

Who needs Taco Bell when you can make these grain free tacos super quick AND not feel like you just died after you’re done eating?! I love Mexican food and I’m completely addicted to Siete Almond Flour Tortillas, so, naturally, I was excited to make some grain free tacos now that I don’t eat corn or flour tortillas anymore. I used Flavorgod Everything seasoning to whip these up quickly, and they were a big hit with my family. Betcha can’t wait for Taco Tuesday now. Although why wait until Tuesday?! Make them NOW 😉

Now that 4th of July is over, it’s that time of the summer where I start panicking about how summer is almost over and the torturous winter will soon be back. It’s very hot and humid today- but you will not ever hear me complain about that! I don’t get people who complain about the hot weather, seriously. I soak up every ounce of sun I can get and enjoy every second of the hot weather because it’s only here for such a short time. Just thinking about the fact that winter will be here in a flash makes me sad. I cannot wait for the day I am living in San Diego. I’m getting closer to achieving that goal of moving out West, since I recently found someone who also wants to move to San Diego (neither of us want to move alone). We both need to take some time to save up more money before we make the big move, but I will definitely be using that as my motivator during the cold & snowy months. It’s going to be so much fun- 2 girls from New York making the move to Southern California! Yes, Katie, I’m talking about you 😉 beach apartment, here we come!

Anyway, since it is hot and humid during the summer here in New York, I made a cold, refreshing Chocolate Banana Protein Shake for after my workout. I used Flavorgod Chocolate Donut Seasoning in this protein shake, which is a limited edition flavor, so if you can’t get your hands on it you can add extra cacao powder and honey (if desired). Check out the recipe below!

I started working out with a personal trainer about two months ago and he is kicking my ass! His workouts are super tough and I am LOVING it! I decided to try drinking protein shakes so I can help rebuild/repair my muscles after all the heavy lifting. After looking into different protein powders- egg white protein, beef protein, & whey protein, I decided grass-fed whey protein was the way to go. I normally avoid dairy as much as possible (I’ll indulge in some grass-fed cheese on weekends if I’m craving it), but the grass-fed whey that I chose seemed to be the best after reading the ingredients lists on multiple products, as well as customer product reviews.

<– This is the protein powder that I used. (Click on it to order via my Amazon Affiliate link)

I also included collagen protein in this shake because of it’s many health benefits, including: aids in healthy digestion, aids in joint health, promotes youthful skin, strong nails, healthier hair, strong bones, and helps to maintain a healthy weight.

<– This is the collagen that I used. (Click on it to order via my Amazon Affiliate link)

The Flavorgod Chocolate Donut seasoning that I used is a limited edition flavor. If you are unable to get your hands on it you can replace it with cacao powder and a little honey if it’s not sweet enough.

I’m normally not much of a smoothie or shake person, but I must say this Strawberry Strudel Protein Shake I made was delicious.

*Note to self: Do not drink the whole protein shake in under 5 minutes unless you’re willing to suffer the major stomachache/nausea* (Once that passed, I did feel pretty great)

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So, I’ve been using Tin Star Foods grass-fed ghee for a few months now and it has become my favorite cooking fat (as well as a delicious addition to my coconut oil coffee) and last week I finally decided to try the grass-fed brown butter and…

Oh. My. God.

It was heavenly. I am now obsessed. The first day I put it in my coffee and then used it in the pie crust for my Chocolate Pudding Pie. Then as I was preparing dinner the other day, I thought to myself that the brown butter would probably taste amazing on the sweet potato fries, so I tried it out and yup- they were the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever made! If you’ve got some brown butter on hand (or on the way/want to make your own), I highly suggest making these sweet potato fries. I bought pre-cut sweet potato fries from Iavarone, but you can cut your own if you’d prefer.

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