A New Challenge + Fall Shortcuts
I love challenges. I’ve been working on my half marathon training, and it’s been fun literally running towards a goal. I knocked out 7 miles over the weekend, which is the farthest I’ve ever gone! My Brooks shoes seem to be working out really well, because my shin pain is basically gone. (Thank you to the sales staff at Roadrunner in Carytown for helping me pick those out!)
All this fun around challenges makes me even more excited to tell you about this new opportunity! I was selected to participate in the “Get Well Challenge” sponsored by Ellwood Thompson.
We have the kick off meeting (and a yoga class!) tonight, so I can’t wait to tell you more about it. I promise I’ll be passing along some healthy tips and tricks that I learn along the way.
Anyways, since it’s Monday, and everything seems harder on Monday, I’m going to share a fall short cut with you, because I’m super nice.
Ready for this?
You can instantly transform your everyday desserts into festival fall treats, with this one simple trick…
Pumpkin.
Don’t believe me? Check out these cupcakes that my roommate and I made last night:
[Festive] Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
- 1 box yellow cake mix (prepared as directed)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 can prepared frosting (about 1 cups)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- sprinkle of nutmeg (optional)
Yep, it’s your traditional cupcakes… pumped up with pumpkin. You just prepare the cake mix as directed, but add in cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Then take your standard frosting, and add a little pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice into the frosting and voila. You’re ready for a fall potluck.
As recipe suggestions are flooded with pumpkin, let me tell you, just take your favorite recipe, and add some pumpkin pie spice.
I use pumpkin to thicken my smoothies, I throw it in my oatmeal, I bake deeeelish pumpkin bread with it — I just can’t get enough! I really want to try making a pumpkin curry or something this fall. I’ve never tried to make a curry before, and I have so much squash to play with!
ps: pumpkin frosting?! Marry me.
Ohh, I bet those little cakes would be even better with chocolate or…SPICE cake mix! Yum! And I can’t believe it, but I never thought about making pumpkin frosting before! What a great (and quick) idea!
Yay for your first 7 miler! That’s AWESOME!
mmm cupcakes!
Those cupcakes look delicious! I am holding off on pumpkin until October 1 – don’t ask lol but I just am. Saw a recipe for pumpkie pie white hot chocolate today that just might have to be my first pumpkin adventure soon tho!!!
Haha it’s so easy to overdose on pumpkin. I’m not even a HUGE pumpkin fan. But I love that it means it’s fall!
I love pumpkin in just about anything, it doesn’t matter if it’s sweet or savoury! These muffins look perfect! 🙂
Ahaha, I totally agree, pumpkin and/or pumpkin spices automatically makes something “fall” 😉 And love that you got the right shoes for you! Always feels good when you finally get “that” pair.
Definitely! The right shoes make running WAY better!
Pumpkin is by far one of the best things about the fall season. These muffins look delicious! My favorite way to eat pumpkin is in pumpkin protein pancakes or I’ll add some to my oats in the morning!
Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are my absolute favorite for fall. As soon as it cools down in Santa Barbara, I’m going to make them.
Oh those cupcakes luck so good!!
Can’t wait to hear more about the challenge 🙂
Congrats on the 7 miles! Distance PRs are so empowering. 🙂
Not sure of my fav pumpkin spice dish… perhaps chocolate chip pumpkin muffins. Yup. Probably muffins.