Tasty Tuesday: Pumpkin Cheesecake "Pancakes"

The windows are open. The rain is falling. The leaves are turning.

Each changing season is a gift I welcome as I take in all the little details that make it unique.

While I enjoy the intense sun of summer and the white, snowy world of winter, autumn is my favorite season.

That's why I can't seem to consume enough pumpkin -- I'm even drinking black pumpkin spice coffee as I write this.

Saying I'm addicted to pumpkin-anything is an understatement.

That brings me to this Tasty Tuesday...

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE PANCAKES

After seeing multiple photos of fluffy pumpkin pancakes loaded down with syrup and whipped cream swarming my Facebook feed and Instagram, I decided I needed to dress up my healthy pumpkin pancakes to make it feel a little more naughty -- all the while saving myself from the bajillion calories in the ones I've seen posted. Here's what I came up with:

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 banana, mashed
1/2 cup pumpkin
Spices to taste (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger... or just pumpkin pie spice!)
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. cream cheese

First off, mix up the banana and pumpkin. Then sprinkle in the spices, and mix it again. Add the eggs, beat them, and mix it all up until it's completely combined.

Meanwhile, allow your pan to be heating up over medium-high heat. Then drop spoonfuls of batter onto the skillet. You can make them any size you want, but if you make four bigger ones, cook them for 13-15 minutes -- until they're a bit easier to flip. These "pancakes" can be challenging to flip, but cook them a little longer if they're sticking too much. Like typical pancakes, the edges will dry as bubbles rise to the top when they're getting close to ready for flipping.

After that, it only takes a couple more minutes on the other side before they're finished cooking.

Put them on a plate, spread the cream cheese between each one, and top them off with some extra cinnamon.

My favorite part? Gobble them up! :)

I calculated the calories in them TWICE because they were so delicious and satisfying I was sure they couldn't be only 310 calories! But they are.

My dad isn't even a pumpkin person, and when I let him try mine, he wanted his own plate!

Enjoy!

Side note: My dad informed me that my pronunciation of "voila" was not the correct French form. I told him, it's because I'm using Kentucky French! ;) Coming at you like a true Southern Belle! Maybe I should watch Julia Child before my next cooking video...

Success on Sunday

I have several successes to share with you this Sunday (technically, it's Monday, but I haven't gone to sleep yet, so I'm still on Sunday)!

1. For starters, this week, I signed up for my first half marathon. It was quite daunting to pay $80 for a race for which I have much training left to do by March. However, today was successful in that I accomplished my longest run ever -- 7 miles -- really getting serious about that training. While on that run, I enjoyed exploring a path I hadn't been on before and found this lovely trail just over two miles away from my house...

The last few longer runs I've done, I'm noticing a change in my endurance. I feel like I can run without stopping to walk much if I just keep a steady pace and really focus on my breathing. I still hit some rough spots during the runs and have to talk myself up to keep going, but two miles now feels easy after seeming nearly impossible for so long. It gives me hope that I'm capable of and will be ready to run the 13.1 in a few months.

2. Another success this week: My parents. They've done a fabulous job counting calories and working out since Thursday. I've got my mom to try quinoa, chia seeds and several other healthy foods she hadn't tried before. I introduced my dad to some workouts, including the kettlebell swing.

Basically, they made the decision to jump aboard the healthy train, and I'm so excited to see where the ride takes them! :)

3. Finally, my blog! I put a lot of thought into how I plan to keep myself accountable to writing posts, and even had my dad take some cool pics to go with the new name -- "Runs with Pearls."

So now the rain has begun to fall and I do believe this weather is the perfect kind to fall asleep listening to, so I'm going to hit the hay and get rested up for another week of success -- and please let me know in the comments below what successes you've encountered this week!

Shopaholic Saturday: Old Navy SALE

So, I've really been working to downsize during my move. 

Today, I was feeling really good about the trunk load of clothes I dropped off at the consignment shop before noon. 

However, then I went to Old Navy to make a return, and I took a few steps backward -- not out of the store, of course. That would have been what someone else trying to save money and downsize would do, but not me, not after being greeted by a sign that told me all athletic clothing was half off until one o'clock.

I pulled out my cell phone and checked the time. I had 15 minutes to pick out my favorites and make it through the massive line with other ladies holding yoga pants with that same guilty smile I knew I'd have in just moments.

So I found this great tank top...

And then these yoga pants reminded me a bit of a space, and I decided they'd make my booty look "out of this world" (#cornyjoke)... 

Then I was like, hey, a girl can never have too many sports bras...

Before I knew it, I was in that line with just two minutes to spare before the sale ended.

I walked away with all this for just around $33.

That's about $40 cheaper than the original cost would have been.

So,I pretty much saved myself a lot of money by shopping today.

Timing is everything.

Now, for some squats!

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

I'm back home in Lexington -- the move from Bowling Green has officially started!

My parents have agreed to let me cook all sorts of healthy things for them and start working out while I'm living here, so I'm excited to share all I've discovered with them and discover even more as I continue my own journey (about 10 more pounds to go!).

Last night, I made this AMAZING Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats recipe for my dad to take to work and my mom and I to have here at the house when we woke up.

I tell ya, the hardest thing about preparing these was smelling them last night and having to put the lid on the jar and wait until morning to eat them...but it was well worth the wait! What are your favorite overnight oats recipes?

Pumpkin Spice Your Life

Like many of you, this time of year makes me OBSESSED with pumpkin-flavored EVERYTHING.

So, I thought I'd share with you today a couple of my favorite creations that I've been enjoying the last couple weeks to help you pumpkin spice your life.

First off, my favorite meal of the day... breakfast!

FLOUR-LESS PUMPKIN PANCAKES

1/2 banana, mashed
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 eggs, beaten
Spices to taste (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger...some all-spice if you're feeling it)

Mix it all up. Pour it on a skillet that's been warmed up over medium-high heat. Flip them when bubbles appear on top and they start looking dry. Cook them on the other side. Put them on a plate and sprinkle with more cinnamon. Enjoy!

P.S. I splurged a bit and added a bit of maple syrup, but they're so moist, you don't really need it!

NEXT UP...

250-CALORIE PUMPKIN PIE SMOOTHIE

It took me several tries to come up with a recipe I really loved and was ready to share, and this is the one that hits my spot every time!

1/2 banana, sliced & frozen
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup oats, blended to a fine powder
3/4 cup of almond milk
1 tsp maple syrup
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Blend it all up. Pour it in a cup. Drink it up!

Side note: After a hard workout, I'll replace the oats with a scoop of vanilla protein powder...and it's still yummy!

The Unknown Path

Sometimes I run on the treadmill at my gym.

Sometimes I run the path at my park that I know like the back of my hand -- one lovely 1.25-mile circle.

Other times, I lace up my running shoes, press play on my favorite playlist and just walk out my door -- running wherever my feet take me.

I've found more freedom and success in that unknown path.

You can see new sites, make it as short or as long as you want, and go fast or slow -- just taking in every falling leaf, the wind when that first drop of sweat makes its way down your forehead, and the feeling of your feet each time they land, knowing you're moving just a little bit farther along.

As of yesterday, my work life has met up with my running life. I'm taking a road that will lead me only God knows where and trusting Him to lead me through the unknown.

After more than a year as a television news reporter, I'm turning off the camera and leaving the microphone behind.

The experience was an unforgettable adventure. I met so many wonderful people that I know I'll continue to call my friends even when the moving truck takes me away from this town. I also grew a lot as a person and decided what I want to get out of life.

However, that career -- which I spent four years in college for and dreamed about for much longer than that -- just isn't what I need right now. I don't know exactly how I came to that decision, but I felt God whispering in my ear, "I have something else for you." So, today, when I woke up, I was no longer a news lady.

I'd be lying if I said it was easy, that I wasn't scared or that I won't miss it, but I know it's what I had to do and I feel peace about it.

Still, the emotions of it sent me on a run today along one of those great, unknown paths.

It was my best run yet -- 6.2 miles with a pace right under 10 minutes each mile.

Toward the end, I came across an elderly woman walking her dog.

She smiled and said something I couldn't hear, so I paused my music and slowed down.

"What's that?" I asked.

She said, "I'm jealous of you young people!"

I was already passed her when I thought of a reply, "Hey, you're out here, too!"

That's the truth. Our success isn't based on being able to do what the person next to us can do; it's about taking our abilities and using them as best as we can.

That woman could have used the excuse, "I'm too old to go for a walk." She could have sat on her couch, but instead, she got up and went outside.

I could use the excuse, "I have asthma. Running is too hard." But I've worked at improving my strength for the last several years, and God has allowed me to do so.

I may never run a marathon or be on CNN, but I know I'm doing my best -- and I hope you realize that about yourself too.

If you're not, today isn't too late to start being YOUR best.

Home from Sunny Paradise

I just got back from my happiest place on the earth: Tybee Island, GA.

I went from views like this...

..back to Kentucky -- which I also love, but it's certainly not the beach.

While on vacation, I gained two pounds. It's not ideal, but much better than the usual six I gain on the average vacation. That means, I've really changed my lifestyle overall.

While I did allow myself to indulge a bit at the unique restaurants on the island, I didn't mindlessly snack on junk food. For the road trip there, I took carrots and cucumbers and apples and berries. No vending machine junk for me this time. I asked myself what would be worth the calories and avoided what wasn't.

Being forced to eat out obviously meant no strict calorie counting was possible, so to keep that from blowing up in my face (and butt), I worked out A LOT. I chose the bike over the car whenever possible. I took some weights with me. I jogged four of the five days there...I'd be lying if I said the crashing waves and beautiful sunsets on the beach weren't good motivators!

So, while I would have rather not gained any weight and I could have done some things better, I know I've made a lot of progress mentally by keeping these two simple things in mind -- don't mindlessly eat and do stay active!

---

Yesterday, I woke up in my Bowling Green apartment -- not the beach house.

It was a little sad. I'm still sad today.

I also had a lot of great quality time with my parents and have now been left sitting all alone in said apartment.

So, to fight the frowns and make the most of the return back to fall-like weather, I went for a five-mile run in my new shoes, bought a stability ball to try some new workouts, and made some AMAZING Quinoa Chili yesterday.

I also tried a Skinny Pumpkin Pie Smoothie recipe that wasn't my favorite, but it's made me determined to tweak it to perfection today...now that I'm home from Sunny Paradise.