Since a bunch of people have been questioning me about this little photo I posted on instagram this week…

I figured a post was most definitely in order. I’ve also literally been go go go go go -ing for the past 3 days so I think sitting down is a good idea.

The recipe I used was loosely inspired by Tina’s recipe on health.com but I added my own twist to it. I want to recreate them with raisins instead of chocolate chips (okay, I’ll just admit it–I ate all the chocolate chips in my house !).

Paleo pumpkin cookies
Ingredients:
3/4 c. almond flour
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. pumpkin
1 egg
1.5 tbsp. honey
1.5 tbsp. water
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. slivered almonds (tasty recommendation = toast ‘em first!)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except for chocolate chips and almonds in a large bowl.
Mix well.
Add chocolate chips and almonds, stirring ’til combined.
Drop by spoonful onto a nonstick cookie sheet.
Bake at 325 degrees for ~20 minutes or til golden brown on the bottom.
Remove, cool, and enjoy!

Guess what?

You’re also getting a bonus recipe–and it’s festive too!

Candy Corn m&m Bark 

Ingredients:
~1 c. chocolate (I used mostly unsweetened baker’s squares)
~1/2 c. crushed candies (candy corn m&ms for me!)

Directions:
Melt chocolate in microwave (use 30 second increments, stirring after each).
Spread onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Top with crushed candies.
Place in refrigerator until set.
Break into pieces.
Enjoy!

And just to be even MORE festive…here’s my attempt at pumpkin carving from the weekend. The pumpkin carving party was more of a success than said attempt…

We ate all kinds of paleo/by design food and there was just too much cute all in one house since the ladies with kids brought ‘em along for crafts. I am so glad I met these people through Life By Design, Gainsborough Family Chiropractic, and my CrossFit gym–they’ve become a huge support system and like a second family to me.

In other news, somehow half a jar of nut butter has disappeared over the weekend. I’ve been using it as a snack, adding it to sweet potatoes, plastering it on my thighs…JK! But seriously, I’m going through it at record pace. I’ve also been eating plenty of roasts that I put in the crock pot along with steamed greens that I just use the microwave at work to heat up really quickly with my and potatoes (my kind of “instant dinner”). Easy, delicious, whole food. I call that a win!

Yesterday’s spin class was sweaty awesomeness. Beforehand, I worked and went to a group class at CrossFit. I did 4 chin-ups in a row — my new PR! YAY! Today in class I squatted more than every – 125 for 5 twice successfully! – but gosh it sucked. I’m uber tired now (I also worked all day and taught bootcamp) so you can forgive me for being random and all over the place with this post.

One thing I know that isn’t random and all over the place is my plan to apply to Journalism school again. Tomorrow I’m heading to campus to meet up with some of my writing profs just to ask them some questions about grad school, writing, and all that kind of stuff. My applications are due in December and January but I know at the rate I’m going, it’s going to be time to apply before I know it! I’m also teaching a bootcamp tomorrow but I’ve got no costume as of yet — any last minute suggestions?

How are you celebrating halloween/fall?
Have you ever baked with almond flour?