Fresh Friday

So I have been sick with the flu the last two days and I feel really bad that I missed my husbands birthday yesterday.I always bake him a pumpkin pie. So after two days on the couch and the mercy of the flu I mustered up enough energy to bake him his favorite... Pumpkin pie. Of course it is going to be a lighter healthier version. Now it just wouldn't be fall without pumpkin pie right?

So I came across this healthier option for pumpkin pie, and the hubby approved !
so who says pumpkin pie can't be delicious even if it is a healthier low fat version. Now I gave it my own little twist instead of the traditional cool whip topping I melted down some really good organic chocoalte and drizzled it on top.

Organic Low Fat Pumpkin Pie :

For the crust you will need

1 1/2 cups of graham crackers I found low fat ones and just threw them in the food processor
2 Tbsp apple juice
2 Tbsp butter I used smart balance soy butter

mix all ingredients and press mixture into a 9 inch backing dish and bake for 15 min at 350 degrees
let crust cool completely

meanwhile... for the filling

mix together 2 cups organic pumpkin
1 egg yolk I used organic eggs
2 large egg whites
1/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup of honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
Now if you notice you don't use any sugar that's where the honey plays it's part

Once crust is completely cooled pour mixture into crust and bake 1 hour
melt chocolate and drizzle on top. I hope you give it a whirl... now I am not a pumpkin pie fan but I was a little curious so I gave it a try and I have to say it was really tasty! I think I may warm up to pumpkin pie just yet, of course I will have to have a glass of red wine with mine :-)

Something to think about ...

Eat...

....all the colors of the rainbow

...all five tastes

...a varied diet

...locally grown, seasonal foods

and

Enjoy your food and mealtime.

Happy Friday!

Isle Royale August 2009

Even in the woods there are highways and intersections, these posts were always welcoming because the told you how many more miles you had to go before camp.
What a cute little blue sailboat, how fun would that be to have no rules or responsibilities and just tool all around... I could be happy doing that!
Ok I know you are wondering how we look so clean for backpacking, this was actually our last night so we had a chance to get clean , and let me tell you it's the best 6.00 shower you ever had after 7 days in the back country!

Isle Royale has some amazing sunsets...
I know you can't tell but my dogs were barking at this point, this is the Minong trail and it's the hardest and most challenging trail on the island, yes the trail is all rock so it is so hard to walk on this trail especially after several hours and 45 pounds of weight on your back. But needless to say I motored on ...
So after several hours on the trail we were rewarded with this beautiful view of Thunder Bay Canada, if you look close you can see we were as high as the tree tops. This is why I L.O.V.E backpacking ~


"It's not the mountain we conquer but ourselves" Author : Sir Edmund Hillary
A peaceful sunset ... I felt so privileged to be the only two people at this campsite. So amazing
Enjoying a good book and a great view of Lake Holloran, Life is Good !
Yes that is what you think it is Wolf scat, we were just hiking along and right on the trail there it was. How cool to think this wolf walked the same trail we did. It was also kind of erie to think this wolf was in the same area we were and probably not too far ahead of us ,the scat had not dried up yet it was still pretty fresh!
So to our surprise we were still hiking the same trail and we came across wolf tracks , I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. My husband says I have wildlife turrets syndrome when I am out hiking , I can't help myself I get so excited. At that moment I felt special that we got to experince this and it really made me appreciate nature even more.
Yes that is my crazy husband waving moose bones in the air like a crazy caveman, he always makes me laugh, he can find humor in just about anything. Now this was a cool find, those bones still had blood and marrow oozing out of them! Poor Mr Moose :-( but Mr Wolf's tummy was happy...
We found out that these little beauties are called Indian Pipe and are a pretty rare find.
Yes that exposed rock is the trail, at times it was hard to follow the trail sometimes the trail would take you down into the woods then straight back up the steep rock, what a work out.
Our Transportation to the the island a little seaplane.Now anyone who knows me knows that I am terrified to fly but... " I bought the ticket and took the ride" and what amazing views you get when you fly over to the island.

And the last pic is up at Copper Harbor Michigan, we found and awesome beach and had a little vino seeing that it would be awhile before I had my next glass. I hope you enjoyed the pics. I am already getting excited for next years trip. I am just so happy we didn't get trampled to death by that psychotic moose in rut!!! I am just glad we lived to tell about it. :-)

Fall Wine Drive

So it wasn't the best day for viewing fall colors but we do live in the midwest and our weather is so not dependable to say the least... But we headed out with our friends anyway with a little vino and some healthy snacks. Our first stop was Karma Vista winery which was so adorable. We purchased a full glass of wine and sat and enjoyed the view of the vineyards. I really like this winery their wine bottles are so cute and unique with cute little catchy phrases. The name itself is even pretty cool

Karma : The great things that happen from the little things you do ; the echos of the vibration you create

Vista :view from a distance ; horizon; perspective;vision.

What a great motto. Then We were off to the Round Barn winery which is one of my favs, it is such a beautiful place. Then we went to Free Run Cellars and lastly Tabor Hill another fav of mine. After all of our wine tasting we thought we better eat something cause you know wine tasting can be exhausting!
We ended up at the Stray Dog that is always a guranteed good time no matter season it is. So even though the weather conditions were not picture perfect we somehow made the best of it as we always do. I hope you get to get out this fall and experience the changing of the leaves, the crisp fresh air and the delicious smells of fall. Even though fall is not my favorite season I still enjoy a nice cozy fire with some vino and some yummy pumpkin soup.

Embrace fall and take time to slow down , relax and recharge summer will be here before you know it. Enjoy and appreciate each season and what it has to offer. Fall is a great time to get your creative juices flowing again ....

Happy Fall