4 new ways to use Pumpkin Spice + never step foot in Starbucks again...

I love pumpkin season!While Starbucks rolls out their super-sugary Pumpkin Spice Latte, I've gotten inspired to create a whole bunch of new ways to enjoy this warming, cozy spice blend...without the sugar hangover.I decided to make my own blend of Pumpkin Spice from scratch because I don't have any room in my spice cabinet for one more bottle:I am also enjoying way more anti-inflammatory foods as I continue to recover from my concussion over a month ago.

Cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and cloves are all anti-inflammatory, which makes this recipe great for pain relief, PMS, and any other inflammatory conditions!

(NOTE: just because a Pumpkin Spice Latte also has these great spices in it, does NOT mean it's an anti-inflammatory food. In fact, the high sugar content makes it one of the most inflammatory beverages you can drink. If you're trying to cool pain, headaches, or other inflammatory skin or join issues, stay off the sugar.)

Here's my Homemade Pumpkin Spice Recipe, which I use so often now I just keep it in a little bowl on my counter for handy sprinkling:⅓ cup ground cinnamon1 tablespoon ground ginger1 tablespoon freshly ground nutmeg (tastes so much sweeter, and makes the kitchen smell great when you grate it on a microplane)1 teaspoon ground cloves1-½ teaspoons ground allspice Now I have my homemade spice blend, and enjoy the flavors all day long, so I can get my spice on without spending $5 at Starbucks...or drinking a candy bar's worth of sugar.

Sprinkle on Honey Crisp Apple slices. I like my apples cold, and keep them in the refrigerator until I slice them and sprinkle with apple pie spice.

 

Whisk into Coconut Milk with Stevia. 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk, 1 teaspoon spice mix, 2 drops liquid stevia. Heat and serve.

 

Sprinkle on Oatmeal. You could use simple cinnamon, but why not jazz it up a bit?

 

Mix into Teeccino, a great caffeine-free herbal coffee. Since my concussion last month, I've been avoiding caffeine to give my brain a break for some much needed healing. The anti-inflammatory spices and caffeine break are just what the doctor ordered.

Enjoy the beautiful, spicy flavors, and curl up with a great book...and of course, a kitten: