Ohhh… Happy Fall, Y’all!

pumpkin spice

Pumpkin Spice. Pumpkin Spice. And More Pumpkin Spice. 

The recent cold spell snapped me out of summer and straight into fall. I pulled out my hoodie, flannel shirt and scarf and got super basic. I love it. And you know what else I love? Pumpkin Spice. In the past I have been all about pumpkin spice lattes and I know I am not alone. If you haven’t watched the Holderness Family parody on it, you are missing out. In the past walking down the aisle at the grocery store, I would get sucked in with all the sugary pumpkin themed treats. Since my sorority days, I have always looked forward to this festive, seasonal indulgence.

But this year, something changed: I did! All through 2020, I have been leaning hard into health and wellness. Even before the pandemic started, I had dropped all added sugar from my diet. But this is my first fall without it and I am still feeling my way through changing old habits so drastically. Usually, walking the aisles at the grocery store, those sweet treats would call to me.

pumpkin spice

But not this year. I decided I still want the pumpkin spice happiness in my life, but not the sugarbomb of a PSL. I would need to find ways to embrace the season that spared me 50 grams of added sugar.

So I started thinking of ways I could still celebrate fall. These are my top 5 guilt-free pumpkin spice picks.

1. Plain Pumpkin Spice Coffee

I know it sounds like a no brainer, but I found that just enjoying a cup of Pumpkin Spice-flavored coffee with a little dab of whipped cream on top is enough to get my PSL fix. I buy little coffee pods for my Keurig.

pumpkin spice

2. Pumpkin Ice Cream by The Gracious Pantry

On days when the temperature is still making up its mind whether to be hot or cold, if its hot, a cool and easy treat is pumpkin ice cream. If you don’t do any added sugar, skip the maple syrup, it’s still delicious.

3. Pumpkin Latte Mug Cake by Weightloss Recipes Cookbook

This treat is perfect any time of day, so indulgent but totally sugar and flour free.

4. Apple Pumpkin Scented Candle

I grew up on a farm with an apple orchard. These great candles remind me of home and make me want to snuggle up in a chunky sweater and read a good book. They just make things feel so homey.

5. Pumpkin Spice Spa Treatment

If the above options aren’t enough to help you relax and enjoy the season, you can try a pumpkin spice-themed spa treatment. I met a friend from Denver in Castle Pines at the Woodhouse for their Harvest Glow seasonal menu. I had a “cinnamon twist” massage and she got a facial with a pumpkin puree mud mask. If that is too far out of your way, call your favorite local spa. Ask what seasonal options they offer and let us know your favorites in the comments!

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Rachel, Senior Writer
Rachel is a native Coloradoan, though originally from the Western Slope. She followed her husband Chris to his hometown of Colorado Springs after having met in engineering school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Together they have four beautiful children, Tommy (2011), Tazzy (2014), Zach (2015) and Zinny (2018). Having a young and active family keeps Rachel on her toes trying to find ways to keep the ship sailing while still meeting all the demands of motherhood. Though Rachel loves her most important role as Mommy most, she also works full time outside the home as a Water Resources Engineer for the Colorado Division of Water Resources. This role helps keep her life centered, bouncing from detailed and complex discussions relating to Colorado Water Law with her husband ( a mechanical engineer) to daycare and preschool drop off and pick up schedules, while being constantly interrupted by the equally complex musings of her 4 year.