Healthy, delicious pumpkin pie mousse that's a perfect autumn snack! 5 ingredients and it couldn't be easier.
How was your weekend?
Ours was really nice. Though Saturday was a wash {literally; it rained all day, leaving us zoo-less}, Sunday was unbelievably fall-like and wonderful. It was sunny, breezy, and chilly enough to comfortably wear a cute jacket, something that is so fleeting here in the Northeast. Some years, it seems as though the summer goes straight into winter; as though 90 degrees and humid is an appropriate precursor to the mid-30s. I believe this entire fall is going to be beautiful weather-wise!
Last week, I got back on Dukan and hard. I essentially restarted the plan with 3 Attack Phase days (aka, protein and fat-free dairy only). It was so, so hard. I was really hangry and I found it more difficult than when I had started back in May. Since I've gained about 5 pounds back and my once comfy pants were getting tight, I knew it was time to get back in the saddle.
One thing that really got me through last week was cottage cheese. Sweetened with vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and Splenda, this was truly a treat and I looked forward to it every day. It tasted like rice pudding. And I don't know about you, but there's nothing bad about that. I thought that the only thing that could make this better was to add pumpkin.
So once I could begin incorporating vegetables, I did. Happily, pumpkin is an approved food in the Cruise phase. I added pumpkin and some pumpkin pie spice. And I blended it all together. And then it was like pumpkin pie filling, only without copious amounts of calories. I really enjoy this as a special treat in the afternoons or evenings. To make it even more decadent, I have also been known to add a little fat free whipped cream on top. It's filling and delicious and certainly makes the days on the Dukan Diet feel nothing like depravity.
I do find that there is a slight aftertaste with this and I'm not sure if it's caused by the cottage cheese or the Splenda. Either way, I don't mind it, just want to let you know in case those kinds of things bother you. I bet you could sweeten this with honey or maple syrup and it would be divine.
Pumpkin Pie Mousse {Dukan-friendly!}
2 C cottage cheese (I used 2%)
1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
4 Splenda packets, or sweetener of your choice
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Or, if using an immersion blender as I did, place all ingredients in a tall sided bowl or large glass measuring cup. Blend until smooth.
Serve chilled.
What are some of your favorite healthy snacks? What are your go-to foods that get you through a tough day?
Also: pumpkin pie trifles, pumpkin cheesecake, and pumpkin picking.