I almost didn’t believe my eyes when I saw pumpkin spice matcha on Healing Butterfly’s Instagram page. Pumpkin spice matcha….a thing?! Yes, you better believe it pumpkin people! At first I really thought: “Would that even be good?!” One thing was for sure, I knew I had to try it!

Fast-forward to today when Healing Butterfly so kindly sent me a sample of their pumpkin spice matcha, and I mixed up my very first pumpkin spice matcha tea. And I can safely say there will be many more pumpkin spice matchas and even pumpkin spice matcha lattes in my future! Hopefully yours too!

Made with real pumpkin, this matcha is a blend of organic Japanese matcha green tea powder, pumpkin, clove, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, coconut water, honey, and oolong tea power.

I put it in this glass so that you could see the color…not green!  The pumpkin and other spices add a fallish edge to the scent and the overall flavor in a delicate, not overpowering way. The taste? Pumpkin perfection! But not over powering. It’s pumpkin spice the way it should be when it’s mixed with something as earthy and pure as matcha.

I do like matcha in general, but I’m no die-hard…aka I still need my morning coffee! So to me this pumpkin spice matcha was the perfect merriment of the flavors. Less matcha tasting (perfect for me), more pumpkin spicy (also perfect for me!) I will definitely be adding it to my afternoon routine. I can’t wait to try it as a pumpkin spice matcha latte made with almond milk!

As an RD, I can’t go without mentioning the health benefits! If you know about matcha, then you know it’s concentrated green tea powder, high in antioxidants. It’s also known to enhance calm, boost mood and support concentration. Matcha contains an amino acid call L-Theanine, that acts to help your body process caffeine differently, essentially creating “calm alertness”. This is especially good for anyone who gets that jittery caffeine high from coffee. Matcha doesn’t do that and no crash at the end. Take that pumpkin spice latte!

You also won’t get a blood sugar crash from the sugar, because there is none in this blend.

Compared to traditional PSL’s  which can have over 40 grams of sugar, this matcha made with water contains none! No added sugar in a pumpkin spice product is a rarity, and although I realize that’s not comparing apples to apples, it is comparing pumpkin drinks, so the nutritional debate easily goes to the pumpkin spice matcha!

If you’re a matcha lover, or simply need to try the latest pumpkin spice food and drink for fall 2017, put this pumpkin spice matcha on your list! You can order from my affiliate link below, and I’d love to hear what you think!

Pumpkin Spice Matcha Green Tea Powder

Pumpkin Spice Matcha Green Tea Powder, Organic Japanese Premium Culinary Grade, 100% Vegan, Packed with Nutrients and Antioxidants, Boosts Your Metabolism, [113.75g, 4.01oz, 25 Servings]

oxox,

Pumpkin Girl

If you think it’s too early for PUMPKIN season, think again…….

You know I’m not mad about it, but I do feel bad for the die-hard summer lovers out there trying to hold on to every last bit of summer. Don’t get me wrong, I love these beautiful sunny Chicago days (that are all too few) but there’s something about waking up on a crispy autumn morning, dark colored nail polish on my nails, and wearing my favorite booties that just makes me tick.

Hate it if you wish, but when retailers make almost $350 million dollars from the sale of pumpkin spice items, you better believe they will start rolling them out long before the 10-day forecast calls for sweaters. Last week World Market beat Starbucks to the punch as the first retailer to roll out pumpkin spice coffee, and that’s not all. I headed over there to see the pumpkin for myself and that’s not all I saw. Pumpkin bark, pumpkin almonds, pumpkin oatmeal cookies and MORE! As I brought my loot to the checkout counter, the cashier chucked and said “I can’t believe we have this stuff out already!” When I told her how happy I was, and about peculiar passion for pumpkin, she punched in a 10% discount without making me join the store’s loyalty program. I call that winning, my friends!

So you’re asking yourself, what other pumpkin foods can you get your hands on starting now? Well I’m rounding up my favorites for you here, and this is just the start! You better believe I asked Trader Joe’s when they’re expecting their first pumpkin shipment, and you’ll have to stay tuned to my posts and Instagram stories to find out–It’s sooner than you think 🙂

Why I’m loving them: Pumpkin seeds are the first ingredient in these super food bars!  You know we’re going to be eating a lot of pumpkin foods this season, so why not make some of them healthy?!! Grab a pumpkin seed bar for a mid-afternoon pumpkin-pick-me-up. With flavors like honey cracked pepper with turmeric you’re getting a nutritional boost and your pumpkin fix at the same time! Or try the cinnamon spice flavor—pumpkin spice’s little sister.

Why I’m loving them: Try to stop at one bite. You can’t because nothing appeals more to basic bee’s (you know I love you!) than pumpkin spice, and chocolate. Nut free, and made with organic pumpkin makes these cookies the pick of the patch for 2017. Fancy Pants did the fall baking for you, and now you have more time to frolic in a over-sized sweater. You’re welcome!

Why I’m loving them: The smell of fall pours out the minute you open the bag of these overnight oats. Add your favorite nut milk, fresh fruit, and drizzle with almond butter for a dreamy fall breakfast! The best part is with 10g of protein, and no added sugar, you’ll have room to drink a PSL too…while wearing UGG boots and yoga pants, of course.

xoxo,

Pumpkin Girl

JORD Watch Giveaway + Sunny Chicago Weekend

I unloaded some personal things in the previous blog post, and wanted to lighten things up to talk about something I’ve very excited to share with you! I had a nice weekend celebrating my mom’s birthday, and honestly spent a lot of time in the kitchen creating some yummy PUMPKIN things (hint: pumpkin flour)!

I also spent time, re-organizing my room, getting rid of clothes I never wear and sprucing things up. It finally felt like springtime this weekend in Chicago, which was the perfect time to whip out my JORD watch!

I’ve partnered with JORD watches to bring you the perfect accessory for the changing seasons! If you live in Chicago you know that one day it’s freezing and the next is 70 degrees! What is a girl to wear?? Their watches are made from natural wood, and I love the way the face of the mint colored one looks in the light of day! It especially goes with all the pumpkin-y, orange things I eat and wear everyday.

JORD WATCH GIVEAWAY

Want to know the best part? You can get a deal on one! Everyone who enters with the link below gets $25 off a watch, and one lucky winner will receive $100 off a watch of their choice! Follow them on Instagram too to increase your chances!

 Enter here! 

Unique Watch

You can purchase the one I have here. To shop the complete collection for women, visit their website–they also have great options for men!  And since Father’s Day will be here before we know it, I have one earmarked for my dad! I know he will appreciate the look of the wood, and that it’s perfect for everyday wear.

I hope your weekend was also filled with sunshine, warm weather and some R&R! Sometimes the hardest part of waking up for me is picking out an outfit when I’m half asleep. At least I know what I’ll be wearing on my wrist!

xoxo,

Pumpkin Girl