It’s here. The Great Pumpkin. And we aren’t wasting any time.
Since my dad brought me this can last week, I’ve made pumpkin oats….
1/3 cup oats with 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder, pumpkin, cinnamon, stevia, 1 T Nuttzo nut butter
Foodie Diaries-inspired pumpkin cake…
1/2 cup pumpkin + 3 T egg whites + 2 shakes of nutmeg + 2 shakes of cinnamon + stevia, microwaved for 3 minutes and topped with Greek yogurt and White Chocolate Wonderful peanut butter
And, of course, Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Bars, which I’ve been going through quite quickly.
I’m sure a batch of Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Squares will be made soon, too! And perhaps a fall smoothie as well?
What are your favorite ways to use pumpkin?
—
I worked all weekend, but it actually flew right by. After today, my sixth day of work in a row, I have two days off and I can’t wait to just relax and take it easy. It wasn’t all work and no play, though, don’t worry 
On Saturday I met my friend Caitlin for lunch at Nanoosh, a Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean chain restaurant that I’ve always wanted to try. I’ve been particularly curious about Nanoosh because it replaced my favorite NYC sandwich shop, It’s A Wrap, many years ago (way before food blogging emerged) and it still makes me a little sad.
After much debate, I ordered the Mediterranean Tuna Salad: organic romaine, tuna, organic egg, tomato, cucumber, red onions, pepper, pickles, olives, and a touch of mayo or mustard. I asked to substitute hummus for egg and nix the mayo, but it was already all mixed in. My server was nice enough to bring out a dish of hummus for me, though!
Unfortunately I was completely underwhelmed by the meal. I didn’t expect everything, including the lettuce, to be mixed together! I should have asked the server to clarify, but all the same I only ended up eating about half of it because it was way too creamy. The hummus also failed to impress me… too much tahini and not enough chickpea flavor!
The mini whole wheat pita, however, was pretty tasty, and Caitlin’s Chicken Pepper Salad looked good, and she seemed to enjoy it.
After lunch, we strolled through Union Square Farmers Market to look at the gorgeous produce and see what samples were out (Honeycrisp apples are so good right now!). While there, we stumbled upon the world’s smallest peppers! Aren’t they cute?!
On Sunday, even though I had to work a double shift at the restaurant, Ari and I got up early to eat breakfast together at the diner. I ordered my usual egg white omelet with spinach, tomato, mushrooms and feta…
… with a healthy portion of jam-and-buttery 7-grain bread.
I ended up having a pretty substantial lunch on my break, but we’d talked of ordering Indian take-out all week and I just couldn’t resist. I had a Masala crab cake, baigan bhartha, garlic naan and basmati rice.
There was no room left for even a sip of water, but there seemed to be enough space to fit an entire tupperware full of kheer, an Indian rice pudding made with coconut milk, shredded coconut, raisins, nuts and cardamom.
I enjoyed even last bite, and only slightly regretted it while lying in bed, face up, trying not to move for fear of getting sick. But oh, it was worth it.
The most, er, eccentric habit I’ve picked up is, on nights I work until midnight, to order a side of steamed broccoli to go.
It’s got a bit of garlic and more than a little butter, but, when eaten with my fingers in the dead of night on my walk home, it is fanfreakingtastic.
They don’t call me the LVP for nothin’ 
Favorite use of pumpkin? Roasted in a salad, there is a restaurant in Soho – Ruby’s – that makes the most delicious roasted pumpkin salad. I also love it with yogurt as a mouse like dish. In cakes, bread, cookies, oats. Anything. I love pumpkin.
Which diner did you have brunch at? It looks very familiar
Jeff and I hate brunch at the Coffee Shop in Union Square and it was much better than I thought it would be.
Awesome food you’ve been getting lately! You’re making me want to make something indian. Tandoori rice maybe?? Anything with masala and I’m all over it. The last time I made anything with pumpkin has to be downeast pumpkin bread. Pretty much adding pumpkin instead of bananas for banana bread. It’s delicious. Well thanks for the eyecandy to start off this week! Have a good one!
That Indian food looks great, and the the Kheer looks amazing too (love Kheer!) Love the broccoli at the end of your post as well. Hope you have a great week!
You are so right, the Great Pumpkin is here!!
I still can’t do the Indian cuisine yet…wimpy, I know.
XXOOX – where’s the vino?!
Ahhh, can’t wait for my first honeycrisp of the season. I LOVE them!!
I love pumpkin and now that fall is sort of on the way I can’t wait to indulge in all the fall flavors.
I have not yet cracked my first pumpkin (can) of the season, but I love it in so many ways. In baked goods, oatmeal, mixed with yogurt, all yum.
Maybe I could make Indian food with pumpkin. Hmm. Pumpkin curry or something.
Re: Broccoli, my sister likes to order it plain, steamed, from Chinese food places. I tell her I can just steam her up some broc, but she like it there. There’ a good diet AND budget tip though….get steamed broccoli when your friends are ordering chinese, and just steal a bit of their food–mix it together. Tada– Asian food “lite”.
I haven’t done it yet, but the pumpkin can stares me in the face every time I open the pantry. I know its going to happen any day now! But once it does, there is no going back, I go into a pumpkin craze so I’m trying to hold out as long as I can.
Finally–pumpkin has arrived! Your energy bars look fantastic, and I’m looking forward to trying them soon (I agree with your philosophy: why buy them when you can make them yourself?!)
I love using pumpkin for breads and muffins in the fall, and adding toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and toasted pumpkin seeds into the mix as well. Yum
Have a great day!
oooh pumpkin – so delicious in so many ways! Dying to try those pumpkin oats! I love pumpkin bread with chocolate chips – to die! Can’t wait for fall
Too bad about the tuna salad
But hooray for pumpkin! I’d say, use it in pumpkin blondies 
I am so happy you’ve been able to find pumpkin! Maybe that means some will be on my supermarket shelves soon. Here’s hopin’!
my sister’s apartment is right near nanoosh! we’ve been thinking about trying it but now that you’ve said this is makes me thiiink it miiiight not be good! i’m glad you wrote about it though
ugh i can’t find pumpkin anywhere! i’m totally keeping my eyes peeled for it though because you’re so right about it just being the season for it!
yesss coffee or lunch date soon! fridays aren’t so good because i work 9-5 but sundays should work! how about when you get back from france? just because most weekends i’m out east over the summer
let me know what’s good for you! yayy
Mmm…Indian and pumpkin. Two foods I love, but don’t eat often. And I’ve never had rice pudding, but that looks delish!
That Kheer rice pudding sounds delicious, in fact all your eats look pretty good, shame your salad was a disapointment! I can remember looking round the union square market when I visited new york this time two years ago, wish I was back there right now!
i need to go get some pumpkin! i love it! my favorite way to eat it is in pumpkin chocolate chip bread or a protein shake.
You just reminded how much I love using pumpkin in my morning oats. I need to pick up a few cans asap! I also LOVE pumpkin muffins. So good.
Yayyy for Pumpkin! I’ve been so excited for it. I got my first two cans and already made pumpkin muffins. I totally want to try your pumpkin protein bars. Josh doesn’t like pumpkin much- isn’t that tragic??? That egg white omelet looks fabulous! I want some
Thanks for the sweet birthday wishes
I would totally eat broccoli walking down the street. And in a house with a mouse.
My all time favorite is probably pumpkin curry. I’m really into pumpkin smoothies right now though, since it’s still hot. They are a really easy, awesome snack for after workouts.
I love pumpkin in any form, but I really love it in hummus, chili, yogurt parfaits, and oatmeal.
hey gorgeous girlie!
PUMPKIN in the house! whoop whoop! I definitely keep a large stash in my pantry, my fav way to use pumpkin is raw + fage yogurt + cinnamon(eaten on top of an apple or pear)…yummy!
broccoli-LOVERs unite!
i hope your week is off to a great start!
xoxo!
its officially becoming autumn at Lil Veggie Patch’s place hehe <3 i think thats fair to say right..?
im obsessed and excited to bake with some canned pumpkin. ive had it sitting on my shelf for some time now.. think ive been waiting for the first 'fall feeling' to crack it open <3
I’m not quite ready for autumn yet (only because the weather’s been warm and perfect for swimming), as much as I love it. So no pumpkin in our house – but when it comes, I’ll be making chocolate pumpkin bread and muffins, pumpkin oats, and pumpkin straight out of the can, heated up and sprinkled with cinnamon and clove.
*running to the grocery store for pumpkin*
btw doll, i read your post on the dailycandy hair.. loved it!