All about Food: Easy Fall Recipes

It's no secret I love to cook and bake, but when the temps start to dip, I feel like it really inspires me to break out of our summer routine and cook up a storm!! I have tried some new recipes and some oldies but goodies, and I figured I'd share them with you.  Since Brooke and I are home all day and we eat 5-6 small meals a day, I'm constantly looking for healthy ways to provide.

I know the importance of protein for all of us, but especially while I'm pregnant I'm being super aware of how much I'm getting and the more I eat, the better I feel. Not surprising!!  I just make sure my protein is the best quality I can possibly get.


Pumpkin Protein Shake:
2 scoops Vanilla Muscle Gain Protein 
1/4 cup pumpkin pureé
1 1/2 cups of unsweetened almond milk
1/2 of a frozen banana
a few dashes of Pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice (or even just cinnamon if that's all you have!)

The frozen banana gives it that frosty/frothy feel and perfect for warm Fall days!

Sweet Potato & Apple Soup

I saw an insta-friend post this one, so I looked into the cookbook--good stuff!

Recipe HERE

I did do up some organic nitrate free bacon to top--and I did make some paninis to go along with it {because my hubby believes soup is not a meal}

Bacon, Apple, Cheese Toastie:

2 slices of bread
1 apple peeled/thinly sliced
1-2 pieces of bacon
1-2 slices of Cooper cheese (any sharp cheese would work)

Used a grill pan or panini maker!  It was sooooo good! The sweetness from the apple and the smokey-bacon flavor OMG. Delish and I will be making it again!

Acorn Squash:

It's Fall so I make TONS of squash!! Easy recipe HERE   You can play around with the flavors.  Add or don't add butter, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, honey or a drizzle of maple syrup.  So good!

Roasting veggies:
Broccoli, carrots, turnips….EVOO and some spices (garlic, onion, sea salt/pepper)

Roast at 375 for about 40 minutes, turning over a few times.

Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker- (You can 'use this recipe' but it's so simple, just throw it all in a crock pot on low for 8 hours and it will fall apart.)
1 onion
5 or so garlic cloves (leave whole)
3 lemons cut up
Poultry seasoning

I fill the cavity and under the chicken.

I even took it a step further and used the bones to make a broth, which I then froze and have on hand for soups/risotto.  Bone Broth Recipe

Applesauce in a Slow Cooker
I just peeled and sliced up a ton of apples and added cinnamon and a little water and let it go on low.  I peel them because my husband doesn't do well with skins of veggies/fruits...

(OR you can follow this recipe)

This book is really very inspiring, simple to follow and great for those who don't even know how to start eating "real food."  I have been eating mostly 'real food' for awhile now, so a lot of it is second nature, but I can see where people are intimidated by the kitchen and don't always know where to begin.  Start here! It's really not as hard as you think it is. You and your family will feel, look, and be so much healthier with just a few adjustments.  I cannot tell you the last time we stopped at a fast food joint for dinner.

Sunday I made Sauce.  Again, simple ingredients but it tastes SO much better than store bought marinara.

You could do this recipe  but I just used canned whole tomatoes and pureé them instead.

Another snack I've recently made are these quick and easy protein packed bars!

No Cook Protein Bars
4 Scoops Vanilla Muscle Gain Protein
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

Stir, lay on parchment paper, freeze 30 mins and slice/refrigerate or freeze.

I will probably add some cinnamon or pie spice…maybe even some pumpkin for a little extra flavor next time, but these are SO handy for me to grab and go, especially when I run out of my Drew Brees Bars! (and patiently await the Gingerbread bars to come back!!)