Fall is SUCH a hard time for me to eat healthy!

**cab54** · 10-19-2010, 12:48 PM

Ugh. I LOVE Pumpkin everything---pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bars......oooh and pumpkin ice cream!

I also love squash--but I like it with butter and brown sugar! I have been using sweetener, but it is not the same. I also like all of the apple treats that people make this time of year--my Mom's apple pie is to die for. And her apple spice cake. And right next to the register in EVERY store these days are a row of Caramel apples!

I find this time of year harder to be 'good' than even Christmas! Anybody else?

**frugalwarrior2** · 10-19-2010, 01:02 PM

Oh yeah. My body is winter weighting as we speak. Potatoes,corn,noodles and sugar. To the North!!! help us??

**Dancing Lotus** · 10-19-2010, 01:18 PM

I just posted on my blog this morning about how i love pumpkin everything.

As of three minutes ago I put these in my oven! Can't wait until they come out nice and warm.

Vegan Fat Free whole wheat Maple Kissed Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin) Muffins

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

* 2 prepared flax eggs
* 1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
* 2 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
* ¼ tsp salt
* ¾ cup light brown sugar
* 1 cup sweet potato, mashed
* ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
* ¼ cup pure maple syrup

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease muffin pan or spray paper cups with oil-spray to prevent sticking. In a small bowl, prepare "eggs" and set aside. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sweet potato or pumpkin, applesauce and maple syrup on top. Then add "eggs" and stir until just combined. Gently spoon the mixture into the cups or pan, filling 3/4 of the way. Baking 18 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

To make flax eggs you need 1 Tablespoon of flax and three Tablespoons of water per egg. Grind the flax and mix with water, set aside until thick and sticky. You can use real eggs if you prefer but it will alter the nutritional value.

**cab54** · 10-19-2010, 01:44 PM

Those sounds GOOD, Ann. Thanks!

I'm trying not to eat much in the way of grains, as I am trying to ward off impending diabetes. But I think this may be healthy enough to stave off my pumpkin cravings. At least it's all whole foods. Yum.

I'll have to hide them from DH, as he can barely have ANY carbs due to his (already diagnosed) diabetes.

**cab54** · 10-19-2010, 01:50 PM

I DID make some sweet potato oven-fries the other night (with spray butter-flav. Pam and pumpkin pie spice sprinkled on them. Yum.

It did help a little, and didn't raise DH's BS too high, and I didn't feel crappy like I sometimes do after root veggies and other carbs.

**moasmom** · 10-27-2010, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by AnnK

Vegan Fat Free whole wheat Maple Kissed Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin) Muffins

These sound really good. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I have all of the ingredients except sweet potatoes and I just saw that those are on sale this week. Woohoo!

By the way, for the OP, I agree with you about the food this time of year.

Kara

**Debbie-cat** · 10-27-2010, 04:38 PM

Fall and winter are very difficult for me.....all I can think of is homemade baked goods! It is the comfort foods for those cold days that really pack on the pounds.

**moasmom** · 12-03-2010, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by AnnK

Vegan Fat Free whole wheat Maple Kissed Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin) Muffins

I wanted to report back and thank you again for posting this recipe. I made them last weekend and they were great!

Frugal note: I ended up making these with canned sweet potatoes, since that's what was cheaper for me (compared to bulk sweet potatoes or canned pumpkin) and to make this recipe even cheaper, I used the syrup from the can in place of maple syrup. No doubt not as delicious as using real maple syrup, but for my budget, it worked. I doubled the recipe and got 30 muffins. Perfect for the freezer.

Cheers,
Kara

**AnW819** · 12-03-2010, 01:58 PM

I hear ya! I love pumpkin everything!! Pumpkin rolls. Yum!! The holidays kill me! LOL!

**shoiji** · 12-03-2010, 04:12 PM

Every spring and fall my body thinks I need to stock up on fat cells to make it through the summer and winter. I find it maddening.

Right now I have been staying away from processed foods and any products with flour. Once in a while I will let myself eat bread.

**LuLuBleen** · 12-03-2010, 05:29 PM

Every spring and fall my body thinks I need to stock up on fat cells to make it through the summer and winter.

As mammals, aren't we supposed to fatten up in the fall to survive the long, cold winter?

The bears do it right - eat all you want in the fall and get nice and plump. Then sleep all winter and wake up thin in the spring.

I can resist the Christmas sweets, but I love rib-sticking, gut-filling food this time of year. Bring on the mashed potatoes, mac-and-cheese and thick, hearty soups and I'll be happy and full.

**flashyMcGee** · 12-04-2010, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by LuLuBleen

As mammals, aren't we supposed to fatten up in the fall to survive the long, cold winter?

The bears do it right - eat all you want in the fall and get nice and plump. Then sleep all winter and wake up thin in the spring.

I can resist the Christmas sweets, but I love rib-sticking, gut-filling food this time of year. Bring on the mashed potatoes, mac-and-cheese and thick, hearty soups and I'll be happy and full.

That is funny!