A PUMPKIN PIE SMOOTHIE IS A GREAT WAY TO START THE DAY

Most health experts agree that one of the building blocks to good health is eating a daily breakfast. For many families, mornings are a hectic experience with little time for food preparation or newfangled ideas. Here is an easy to prepare, nutritious breakfast recipe that will devoured by people of all ages. Best of all, this delicious drink is festive and in season right now.


HUGO'S PUMPKIN PIE SMOOTHIE

Serves 2

1 cup pumpkin , cooked and mashed (or use canned)
1 cup of soy milk or skim milk

1 tablespoon organic honey

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup nonfat yogurt
1 small ripe banana
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
handful of ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients in blender. Puree on high speed until mixture is thoroughly blended. Serve immediately.

To boost this smoothie's nutritional value, add some flaxseed oil or some protein powder. Enjoy!

THE BEST PUMPKIN COOKIE RECIPE EVER!

Fall is finally here in the Northeast. The days are getting shorter and the winds are getting cooler. It's a great time to indulge your sweet tooth and whip a a batch of Guilt Free Pumpkin Carob Chip Cookies. This is a natural and relatively healthy cookie recipe. Best of all, it's easy to prepare. (and they are extra yummy when paired with a skinny maple walnut cappuccino or pumpkin spice latte)

Hugo's Pumpkin Carob Chip Cookies

1/2 cup light butter
2 organic cage free eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons organic honey
1 cup pumpkin, cooked and mashed (or use canned)
2 and 1/2 cups of whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 cup carob chips

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Add eggs and mix well. Gradually add dark brown sugar, organic honey, pumpkin, whole wheat pastry flour, salt, baking soda, skim milk, cloves. Mix well.

2. Gently fold in walnuts and carob chips.

3. Drop batter in small balls on a cookie sheet light coated with non stick vegetable oil spray. Bake in oven for 12-16 minutes or until lightly golden. Allow to cool on wire rack. Enjoy!

Hugo's Cream of Pumpkin Soup Recipe

Hugo and I are loving the warm fall weather we are having here in Delaware. Here is an easy recipe for a delicious fall soup that will surely please your crowd.


Hugo's Cream of Pumpkin Soup

Yield 5 servings


1 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped fine
1 cup skim milk
2 cups pumpkin, cooked and mashed (or use canned)
1 1/2 cups apple cider
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste

1. In food processor or blender, process black beans, onion and skim milk until very smooth.
2. In a large stockpot over medium high heat, add mashed pumpkin, cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
3. Gradually pour black bean and milk mixture into stockpot.
4. Cook soup over low heat for 20 minutes, just until heated through. Ladle into portions and serve with dollop of nonfat yogurt. Sprinkle with fresh basil. Serve.

HAPPY FALL!

Fall is finally here and we hope you are enjoying this beautiful season. We look forward to sharing lots of our favorite pumpkin and apple recipes with you. Here's a simple and delicious recipe for Apple Quesadillas. These make a great breakfast entree and are also a healthy and innovative dessert. Enjoy!

Apple Quesadillas

Serves 2

¼ cup Nuefatchel or nonfat cream cheese, softened or whipped

1 tablespoon organic honey

2 whole wheat tortillas

1/2 cup apples, cored and diced small

2 tablespoons raisins

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

In small bowl, beat together cream cheese and honey. Carefully spread ½ cream cheese mixture on each tortilla. Place apples on top of cream cheese. Sprinkle evenly with raisins and walnuts. Fold tortilla in half. If desired, lightly toast or place in microwave for 30 seconds. It is also delicious if served cold. Cut in half or fourths and serve.

RECIPE FOR PEACE..PEACEFUL PEACH PIZZA, THAT IS

"If you hold an anti-war rally, I will not attend. If you hold a pro-peace rally, invite me."
Mother Teresa


I love this quote by Mother Teresa and think of it often during election time. I am most interested in candidates who are "for" the issues and causes I am passionate rather than globally"against" things. In my personal and professional life, I find that I am most effective when I working toward a solution rather than fighting against negative situations.

What are you"for" in life? How can you transform something you are against into something that you stand up for?

Here's a recipe for Healthy Peaceful Peach Pizza for you!

Enjoy!



Peaceful Peach Pizza


For the pizza crust:
1/2 cup transfat free margarine
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons organic honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

For the pizza topping :
8 ounces nonfat cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons organic honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups fresh peaches, cored and diced
2 tablespoons golden raisins, seedless


1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. To make pizza crust, Combine margarine, cinnamon, sugar, honey, vanilla and egg in a large bowl. Beat well. Add flour and baking powder and stir until blended.
3. Spread mixture into a 9 X 13 baking pan.
4. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until crust is lightly golden on top. Cool for about 30 minutes.
5. To make icing, combine softened cream cheese, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. Spread over top of pizza crust.
6. Place peaches on top of crust. Sprinkle raisins on top of pizza. Slice into pizza triangles and Serve.

WHAT TIME IS IT WHERE YOU ARE?

"For everything there is a season,And a time for every matter under heaven:A time to be born, and a time to die;A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;A time to kill, and a time to heal;A time to break down, and a time to build up;A time to weep, and a time to laugh;A time to mourn, and a time to dance;A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;A time to seek, and a time to lose;A time to keep, and a time to throw away;A time to tear, and a time to sew;A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;A time to love, and a time to hate,A time for war, and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8


What kind of time are you are experiencing now? If you're not sure, try spending some time in silance and tuning into your own inner wisdom. Have a great holiday weekend!

Love,
Aileen

CONGRATULATIONS JOE BIDEN!!!!

Hugo and I are so proud of Fellow Delawarean Senator Joe Biden who was recently named vice -presidential candidate! You go, Joe! Senator Biden has selflessly served our home state of Delaware for over 35 years and is a dedicated and hardworking man. Senator Biden dined at our family restaurant Hugo's Inn on numerous occasions and will always be remembered as a very down to earth, authentic, and approachable guy. In my work as a Delaware licensed clinical social worker and community health nurse, I have personally seen how Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden have positively impacted our community and improved many lives. Senator Biden and his family live less than 2 miles from us and we are so grateful for what they have contributed to our town! Whatever your political affiliation, (or lack thereof ) we wish you and your family inner peace and good health!