18 Sep Pumpkin Pie Spice Muffins
Fall Favorites
The Starbucks PSL came back on August 27. I’m more of a Pike Place with half-and-half sort of gal, so I didn’t rush out to get one. However, I did start looking for pumpkin pie spice recipes to enjoy with my coffee.
Seasonal Shopping
As we move into fall, fresh and canned pumpkin is more readily available. Consider adding pumpkin to your recipes, including baked goods, soups, and smoothies. Choose 100% pureed pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling to make sure you aren’t getting any added ingredients you weren’t expecting. I buy mine at Costco in a 3-pack. Since I rarely use an entire can of pureed pumpkin for baking, I freeze the leftovers in half-cup portions and have them ready for smoothies or other baking sessions.
Just a Few of the Nutritional Perks
Pumpkin is a great source of beta carotene and other less familiar antioxidants that protect your cells from damage. Your body converts beta- carotene to vitamin A, which supports immunity and bone health. If you are an athlete, staying healthy is an important part of supporting your training.
Speaking of training, pumpkin offers a healthy dose of potassium, a key mineral in blood pressure regulation, bone density, and muscle function.
Pumpkin is also full of brain-supporting nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which you may have heard are good for your eyes. What you may not know is that these phytochemicals can help boost memory recall.
As if that weren’t enough, pumpkin is a lovely seasonal source of fiber. Not only does fiber keep you regular, it is important for keeping your gut flora well-fed and happy.
Gluten-free, Dairy-Free, Flavor-full. I’ve got ya covered.
Since I know many of you are looking for gluten free, dairy free, whole food baked goods that don’t require a ton of time in the kitchen to make, I came up with these beauties. The stir-ins are optional, but I highly recommend them. Consider adding pumpkin seeds, walnuts, or chopped dates as other options.
Click here for the printable recipe. Sign up for my newsletter to get recipes sent directly to you!