cider — Blog — Tara Allen Health

We've made it through our first official week of Autumn. The older I get, the more I realize that I'm a Fall kinda person. The Summer is nice and all (hello beaches and flip flops and berries), but there's just something about the Fall that's refreshing. I like rediscovering my sweaters that were hibernating during the hotter days and I really like when the barista knows that the latte I just ordered is supposed to be hot. In the Summer, it always seems to puzzle people that I still enjoy a hot cup of coffee!

Driving around town, I get excited to see the Halloween and Fall decor on suburban stoops everywhere as we begin several months of back-to-back holidays to look forward to. There are bails of hay, some semblance of a colorful leaf kid's craft hanging on the door, and pumpkins - one for each family member - lined up on the steps. I love that. In fact, that's the extent of the future for all the pumpkins we hunted for today. For the following recipe, I highly recommend purchasing (organic, BPA-free) pumpkin puree. Unless, of course, you're a glutton for punishment and lots of extra work...??

I dreamt up these Pumpkin Cider Muffins when I was feeling left-out for seeing cider-everything. Don't get me wrong, I can get down with some apple cider, but where did the cider doughnut craze come from?

Here's what I needed... a healthier, tasty, Fall-like baked good that made my house smell like one of those toxic candles that we no longer buy. If it was healthy enough to work as breakfast, a snack, or dessert and could be made in batches and frozen so I don't have to make them 28 times this season....even better!

Hope you enjoy these Pumpkin Cider Muffins as much as my family does.

Happy All-Things-Pumpkin Season!

In good health,

Tara

Pumpkin Cider Muffins

Ingredients:

1.5 cups pumpkin puree
6 eggs
½ cup honey
6 T coconut oil, melted
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 cups almond flour
1 cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 T cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
½ cup walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well.

3. Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin tin (or grease muffin tin).

4. Bake for 22 – 25 minutes (until golden brown and toothpick inserted comes out clean).

5. Optional: Serve with nut butter and hemp / chia seeds on top to increase protein content.

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Is it just me, or does the start of a new month make you giddy too? It's a clean slate for personal and professional goals and brings new seasonal activities and holidays to be excited about! November is synonymous with celebration in my household - from my husband's birthday, to Thanksgiving, a season of gratitude and reflection, the start of Christmas music and decorations, and delicious, yummy-smelling, warming comfort foods!

Did you get to go apple picking this year? Or maybe you'll be heading to a farm or farmer's market next weekend? There's always a joy in picking the perfect apples and then a bit of confusion that sets in when you try to decide what to do with your robust harvest, right?

I have a solution...

Spiced Crockpot Apple Cider

Ingredients:

18 cups water
12 medium apples
2 oranges
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cardamom
pinch black pepper

Directions:

Slice apples and oranges.
Place all ingredients in crockpot.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Warning: You house will smell so amazing at this point that you're likely to cancel all plans and stay home. :-)
Strain all contents through colander into a large bowl.
Strain once again through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large bowl.
Your cider is waiting for you!

"But Tara, I don't want to waste all the fruit and spices!"

Yup…I hear ya. Throw it into a pitcher with red wine (or seltzer for an alcohol-free option) for a festive Sangria.

You're welcome.

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Enjoy in health,

Tara