Pumpkin Spice Blondies

It's Pumpkin Season, pumpkin season, pumpkin season!

It's safe to say I get a bit excited when pumpkin season comes around. I mean it's pretty hard to beat such a delicious and versatile food that screams FALL! But did you also know pumpkin is incredibly good for you too?

Here are six great reasons to be obsessed with pumpkin:

1. You'll feel fuller longer thanks to it's healthy dose of dietary fiber.

2. Boost healthy vision, skin, teeth and bones with generous helpings of Vitamin A.

3. Get better zzzz's thanks to a little amino acid called tryptophan (yep, that's the same ingredient found in turkey!)

4. Support a healthy heart thanks to dietary fiber, which studies show can reduce your risk of heart disease

5. Protect prostate health with beta carotene and other anti-oxidants shown to help lower risk of some forms of cancer.

6. Load up on potassium pumpkin to refuel and balance electrolytes post-workout.

Yes, from soups to smoothies and all sorts of tasty baked goods treats, pumpkin can add some seasonal flavor along with some pretty great health benefits too. And this week's recipe will have you saying 3 cheers for pumpkin: Pumpkin Spice Blondies!

Ingredients

• 1, 15oz. can white beans (or garbanzo beans)

• 1/2 C pumpkin puree

• 1/3 C honey

• 1/3 C oats (can use gluten free)

• 3/4 tsp baking powder

• 1/8 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• 2 tsp vanilla

• 1/4 C natural creamy peanut butter (or nut butter sub)

• 1/2 C chocolate chips (or carob chips)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place all ingredients except chocolate chips in a food processor or processing blender (I use my Vitamix).

3. Pulse on medium to medium high for 2-3 minutes until creamy and smooth, stirring as needed.

4. Scoop into a medium size mixing bowl and fold in chocolate chips.

5. Pour batter into a lightly coated 8x8 baking dish (coat with olive, coconut or other oil).

6. Bake for 20-30min. (until lightly golden brown and toothpick test shows it can easily be removed from the center)

7. Cool approximately 10 min. before cutting into squares

Eat and Enjoy!

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