With fall comes the return of the Starbucks PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte), but unfortunately this fall favorite is a veritable sugar bomb containing no real pumpkin and a whopping 12.5 teaspoons of sugar in a 16 oz drink. That's as much as or more than the average candy bar! It’s a real metabolic and inflammatory nightmare. I admit that I too am a sucker for anything with the words "pumpkin spice", so I decided to make a cleaned-up version of this classic Autumn drink. I hope you'll curl up in front of a fire with your fuzzy socks and enjoy it as much as I do!

A client recently share that they were enjoying making their own low sugar popsicles and she inspired to make some too. I mean, who doesn’t love popsicles on a hot summer day? These pineapple pops are a great sweet treat and a much lower sugar / lower glycemic option than commercially made popsicles. They also provide 10 grams of collagen which is excellent for hair, skin, nails and joints, and supports gut health. Collagen isn’t a source of complete protein, but combining it with l-tryptophan rich pineapple makes these popsicles a delicious source of complete protein.

Matcha is my favorite go to in the morning, especially on days when I really need to have focused energy. Because green tea is rich in L-theanine, it provides a calm pick-me-up that doesn’t tend to cause the jitters and crash effects that coffee can for many of us.

These matcha pops are a great go to on a hot day when you want a sweet, refreshing little energy boost. It’s easy to make a lower sugar version of these by skipping the honey like I do and using organic liquid monk fruit or stevia instead.

These dishes are rich, delicious, and meant to be enjoyed guilt-free. The holidays are a time for “Strategic Indulgence”, so eat slowly and mindfully, and enjoy these nutrient dense recipes that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized, not bloated and sluggish.