October Favorites
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Happy Halloween! If all goes as planned we should be on the road driving down Highway One today, waiving goodbye to the beautiful Pacific Coast. I’m getting teary-eyed just thinking about it. Thankfully the many adventures that lie ahead make it bittersweet.
Anyway, since it’s the end of October I thought it would be a good day to share my recent favorite finds for the month. Warning: there’s A LOT of pumpkin. I hope you find something you like too and that you have a wonderful week!
Favorite Muffin: Vegan Pumpkin Blender Muffins. You guys know how much I love blender muffins. I have yet to perfect a vegan version but it looks like I don’t have to because um, hello, these are PERFECT. And that cashew cream drizzle? Dead.
Favorite Cozy Drink: Vegan Pumpkin Hot Chocolate. I’m so intrigued by the unique hawaij spice blend used in this hot chocolate. I can’t wait to cozy up with a cup in front of the fireplace in our new home!
Favorite Breakfast: Spiced Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats. Steel cut oats are my absolute favorite. I love this fall-inspired version that can be made ahead for quick and easy mornings.
Favorite Skin Saver: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel. I had these tiny little bumps all over my forehead for what felt like a year and no matter what I tried I couldn’t get rid of them. That is until I used this peel. Within days they disappeared and my skin instantly felt baby soft. I only use it once per day (rather than the recommended twice per day) so that it isn’t quite as costly. I can’t recommend it enough!
Favorite Multivitamin: MegaFood Multi for Women. You guys have heard me sing the praises of MegaFood for a while now but I haven’t mentioned my favorite product of all, the multivitamin for women. Even though I try my best to eat a varied diet made from whole foods, it’s hard to make sure that I’m getting every nutrient I need on a daily basis and the Multi for Women is perfect for filling in those gaps. It has 15mg of iron to help replenish what’s lost during monthly cycles, as well as Methylated folate and B12, in case you are unable to metabolize unmethylated Folic Acid and B12 due to genetic abnormalities.*
Best of all, because their supplements are made with vitamins and minerals sourced from whole foods, they are gentle enough to take on an empty stomach. I think that speaks volumes to the quality of the product.
Favorite DIY: Hairpin Leg Coffee Table. We’ve had the same furniture for the past 12 years (a combo of hand-me-downs and Rooms To Go) and I’m dying to replace it. Brandon keeps telling me to wait until we buy a home (which makes perfect sense) but I don’t think I can wait that long. Especially now that I’m going to be working from home more often.
So I’ve been looking into affordable DIY options and stumbled upon this hairpin coffee table tutorial. I love the minimalist aesthetic nd I think there’s a strong chance it will be making an appearance in our new living room. ;)
Favorite Boots: Blondo Villa Waterproof Ankle Bootie. These are the comfortable booties EVER. I bought them last fall and they are still as good as new. Plus I love that the heel isn’t too high. At 5′ 9″, I definitely don’t need any help in that area.
Favorite Accessory: Hinge Floppy Wool Hat. Baseball caps and sun hats are about as fashionable as I get in the headwear department but I couldn’t help myself when I spotted this one. I purchased it in grey which I think will be perfect for fall and winter. Now I just need an excuse to wear it!
Favorite Fall Appetizer: Smoky Pumpkin & Black Sesame Hummus. Smoked paprika, lemon, and garlic. Pretty much all I need in life. 
Favorite Cozy Dinner: Slow Cooker Black Bean Pumpkin Chili. This looks so simple to make, yet hearty and flavorful. It’s definitely going to happen as soon as I unpack my slow cooker!
Favorite Snack: No-Bake Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bites. A healthier treat infused with pumpkin, cinnamon sugar goodness? Sign me up! Oh, and they’re nut-free making them a great option to take to school.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Food: Halloween Pancakes. If you have little ones you absolutely have to check out Cara’s blog. Her creativity blows me away and I think it’s a fantastic way to get kids to eat healthier food. I can always count on her masterpieces giving me a good chuckle too!
Favorite Tunes: The Lumineers Cleopatra. We picked up this CD (yes, Brandon still buys CDs) during our house hunting trip to Athens and I’ve been listening to it ever since. Ophelia is my favorite song. My only complaint is that it’s too short. ;)
Favorite Buttah: Miyoko’s Cultured Vegan Butter. This stuff is pure gold. The ingredient list is super simple, it tastes delicious and it makes fantastic cookies!
Favorite Treat: One-Bowl Fudgy Pumpkin Paleo Brownies. I had to share one last pumpkin recipe to leave on a good note. :)
These bad boys are made with a mixture of almond, coconut flour, and pure maple syrup. They look so fudgy and delicious I can barely stand it!
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* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
This post was created in partnership with MegaFood, a brand that I have used and loved for years. As always, all opinions and texts are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that allow me to bring you quality content!
I can’t believe you’re going to be on the opposite side of the country now! So crazy! But, also excited to read about your new adventures and travels you’ll experience.
It feels crazy. I’m going to miss Cali so much. But looking forward to what lies ahead definitely helps! :)
Ahh I can’t believe you’re moving! And to the same coast as me, so exciting! I can’t wait to hear all about it. In the meantime, I want that hummus and those boots in my life asap. Safe travels!
Yay for east coast girls! ;)
Sarah, I’m so honored that you shared my vegan pumpkin blender muffins! Made my heart happy this morning when I saw. I’ve been a silent fan for a long time, and I’m so glad to “e-meet” you this way. :)
Happily,
Beth
I’m honored that you’re a fan of mine, Beth! That made my day to hear. :)
I look forward to keeping up with your blog!
Ah good luck with the road trip!! I hope everything goes nice and smooth for you guys! Too many things I want to eat in this post! haha Those snickerdoodle pumpkin bites? And that vegan butter … where did you find that?? I need to get my hands on some ASAP for baking season!
I found it at Whole Foods! Hopefully you can find it because I think you’ll love it!
I wish you all lots of good luck and happy travels as you embark on a new place to call home. We’ll miss you in CA (I’m a native So. CA girl) but I am sure all of you (including Coco) will settle into your new place and adjust to everything different in due time. Just be patient with yourself! :)
The October list you just provided is wonderful and much appreciated. You always expose me to new products, like the specified vegan butter that I wouldn’t normally pick up and buy without your recommendation, so thank you!
You are lucky to be a California girl, Jerilyn! I love it here and am going to miss it dearly. I shed a tear as well drove out on Highway One today. But I’m thankful to have the support of wonderful people like you! :)
I found that butter at my local Whole Foods and it’s truly delicious. I hope you can find some because I think you’ll love it too!
Safe travels, lovely! <3 I've lived in the same place my whole life (I know!) so I have no idea what it's like to pick up and move across the country, but I'm betting you'll find tonnes of stuff to love about your new home.
Having just spent an insane amount of time packing and moving boxes, I’m thinking you’re pretty lucky to have lived in the same place, lol! Moving is torture if you have to do all the work yourself.
As much as I will miss Cali, I am looking forward to the new discoveries we’ll make on the east coast. Thanks for the encouraging words, girly! <3
I hope you guys are having a great drive so far!! I’m so excited for you but know that it must be bittersweet as well. All of these recipes look amazing and I’m loving that hairpin table! Also, Eric is obsessed with CDs and buys them all the time too!
I’m glad my husband isn’t the only one who’s behind, lol! :)