Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies @ClevelandClinic

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Who says pumpkin spice is only exciting in latte form?

Don’t just reserve pumpkin for pumpkin spice lattes and pie! These easy spice cookies are a great way to spread the pumpkin love throughout the entire season.

If you don’t have any aluminum-free baking powder in your cupboard, pick some up the next time you go shopping. Aluminum may pose potential risks to your health as a neurotoxin. While the dose of aluminum is what makes the poison, some studies show a relationship between aluminum that is stored in your body and neuro-disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease.) Limiting exposure to all metals is a protective measure we can take to optimize our health.

Ingredients

1 cup pumpkin puree, fresh or canned
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegan palm shortening or melted coconut oil
1 cup oat flour
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Pinch sea salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix the pumpkin, syrup, applesauce, vanilla and shortening (or oil if using) in a large bowl. Alternatively, place in a blender and blend until combined.
  3. In a separate medium bowl sift the oat flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices together.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix to combine. Then fold in the pecans and chocolate chips.
  5. Scoop 1 tablespoon of batter onto a large baking pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all batter is used. Place baking pan into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until just slightly firm. Remove the cookies from the oven and serve warm or room temperature.
  6. Store uneaten cookies in a sealed glass container at room temperature for two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Makes 3 dozen cookies

Calories: 43
Total fat: 2 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 1 g
Carbohydrate: 5 g
Sodium: 25 mg

— Recipe courtesy of Mark Hyman, MD.

Recipe: Hearty Minestrone Soup @ClevelandClinic #heartaware

 

cleveland minestrone

Cleveland Clinic
@ClevelandClinic

In honor of #SoupItForwardDay, we’re sharing our most popular soup recipe: Hearty Minestrone Soup cle.clinic/388EoJ4 #HugInABowl

This tasty, filling Italian soup is packed with nutrient-rich veggies, heart-healthy olive oil and fiber-friendly legumes. Enjoy it all year long — let it warm you up in the fall and winter, and fill it with fresh vegetables from your garden in the summer.

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder)
1-1/3 cups coarsely chopped onion
1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped celery and leaves
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 cup sliced carrots, fresh or frozen
4-3/4 cups shredded cabbage
1 can (16 ounces) tomatoes, cut up
1 cup canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1-1/2 cups frozen peas
1-1/2 cups fresh green beans
Dash hot sauce
11 cups water
2 cups uncooked spaghetti noodles

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a 4-quart saucepan.
  2. Add garlic, onion and celery, and sauté about 5 minutes.
  3. Add all remaining ingredients except spaghetti, and stir until ingredients are well-mixed.
  4. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer about 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  5. Add uncooked spaghetti and simmer 2-3 minutes only.

Nutrition information

Makes 16 servings
Per serving:

Calories: 260
Fat: 4g
Saturated fat: 0g
Sodium: 191mg
Protein: 11g
Carbohydrate: 45g
Sugars: 7g
Dietary fiber: 8g

—Recipe courtesy of Stay Young at Heart (National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute

 

“When you wake up in the morning,” said Piglet, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet. “It’s the same thing,” he said.

35m35 minutes ago

“When you wake up in the morning,” said Piglet, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet. “It’s the same thing,” he said. ~A.A.Milne

A delicious Greek appetizer with our healthier twist! @ClevelandClinic #spanakopitas

This savory Greek appetizer is usually made with a lot of butter and a lot of feta cheese, which is delicious, but not really heart-healthy. Our just-as-delicious recipe offers a lighter, heart-healthier alternative!

Ingredients

  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • One 10-ounce package frozen, chopped spinach
  • 1/3 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup 1% cottage cheese
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon egg substitute
  • 5 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
  • Refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
  2. Coat a large nonstick skillet with olive oil cooking spray. Add the onion and spinach; saute over medium-high heat until the spinach is thawed and the onion begins to wilt, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir frequently to break up clumps of spinach. Add the feta and cottage cheese along with the nutmeg, dill, pepper and egg substitute; mix well. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
  3. Cut the phyllo dough into four lengthwise strips, covering the dough you’re not using with a damp tea towel so it doesn’t dry out. Coat each strip with the butter-flavored spray. Place a tablespoon of spinach mix on top of a strip of dough and fold over to make a triangle; continue folding over as if folding a flag. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat, using all the remaining phyllo and filling. Coat each triangle with the butter-flavored spray. Bake for about 20 minutes, until browned. Serve warm.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Makes 20 pieces (10 servings/2 pieces serving)

Calories: 50
Total fat: 1.5 g
Protein: 3 g
Carbohydrate: 7 g
Dietary fiber: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 180 mg
Potassium: 60 mg

 Cleveland Clinic Healthy Heart Lifestyle Guide and Cookbook (© 2007 Broadway Books).

“When you wake up in the morning,” said Piglet, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet. “It’s the same thing,” he said.

35m35 minutes ago

“When you wake up in the morning,” said Piglet, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet. “It’s the same thing,” he said. ~A.A.Milne

Try our lighter carrot cake recipe.@clevelandclinic #homebaking

Try our lighter carrot cake, which the entire family will love. It has just the right texture, like a slightly sweetened, light corn bread. It’s great on its own or with a dollop of frozen whipped topping or nonfat ice cream.

Ingredients

No-stick baking spray with flour
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup granulated sugar substitute
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup nonfat dry milk
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ cup canola oil
1 large egg
¾ cup egg substitute
1 ½ cups finely grated carrots
2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons golden raisins ƒ
One 6-ounce can unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained ƒ
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat a 10-inch pan with baking spray.
  2. Sift the white and whole wheat flours into a large bowl. Add the sugar substitute, brown sugar, dry milk, baking soda, baking powder and spices. Stir to mix well. Using the medium setting of an electric mixer, beat in the oil, egg and egg substitute until the batter is smooth. Fold in the carrots, walnuts, raisins and pineapple.
  3. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan. Remove the outer ring of the pan and sift confectioners’ sugar over the top, if desired. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition information

ƒMakes 12 servings.

Serving: 1 slice

Calories: 120 (33% calories from fat) ƒ
Fat: 4.5g ƒ
Saturated Fat: 0g ƒ
Protein: 3g ƒ
Carbohydrates: 17g ƒ
Dietary Fiber: 1g ƒ
Cholesterol: 15mg ƒ
Sodium: 180mg ƒ
Potassium: 125mg

Dietitian’s Note: Never has carrot cake tasted so good, and been so guiltless! When compared to traditional carrot cake with icing, you save 180 calories, 12 grams of fat, and 4 grams of saturated fat.