Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Waffles

I spotted these Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Waffles at the store a number of times, while I’ve also seen an Eggo version at Target. I held back on purchasing because we had other breakfast items at home (frozen waffles, bagels, English muffins, toast, etc.) But during a quick Trader Joe’s run I decided just to pick them up because … I’m a pumpkin fanatic. What can I say?

I popped two in the toaster to heat through and crisp up. Since they’re frozen there wasn’t an immediate pumpkin smell – and there wasn’t one even while heating these in the toaster. I drizzled them with a tablespoon of maple syrup and dug in … but I have to admit I was mildly disappointed.  I mean, they’re good because they are waffles and waffles are pretty hard to screw up (unless you burn them). BUT with these the pumpkin flavor is so mild you really can’t even detect it and it tastes like a plain waffle.  So if you’re looking for an obvious pumpkin flavor, these don’t pack that punch.

A serving is 2 waffles, which are 180 calories or 5 points plus values.

QUESTION:

What is your favorite flavored waffle?

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bagels

When I spotted these Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bagels I picked up the bag and gave it a good whiff. I have this weird thing I do where when buying bread products that have a flavor to them, I have to smell it through the bag. If it smells weird, I can’t buy it because I essentially won’t eat it. But when I smelled these they smelled ah-mazing!

After opening the bag at home, I sliced the bagel in half and popped it into the toaster. I noticed throughout the bagel there are bits which resemble brown sugar pieces, taste sweet and pumpkin spice flavored.  They are nicely pumpkin flavored without being overbearing on the taste buds.  Toasting the bagels up they come out nice and crunchy, yet soft, and are perfect with cream cheese, spray butter or even peanut butter.

I enjoyed them so much I have been eating them for breakfast or brunch a good portion of the week.  I find with peanut butter they’re perfectly filling and will hold me over until the next meal.  They’re reasonably priced as well – $2.59 for a bag of 6.

Each bagel is 250 calories or 6 points plus values.

QUESTION:

Are you a fan of pumpkin bagels?

Trader Joe’s Country Pumpkin Spice Granola Cereal

Fall brings out all the pumpkin and fall goodies at Trader Joe’s.  This meant, I was super excited to pick up a box of Trader Joe’s Country Pumpkin Spice Granola Cereal. I did not have a chance to give this a try last year and since I have a pumpkin fascination/obsession I wanted to give it a go.

I’m a big granola fan – but I truthfully don’t eat it very often at all. This has been the first box of granola I have purchased in over 3 years … and I have to say, it was well worth the wait.  I first described this granola as what you would get if plain old granola and pumpkin pie had a baby. It’s that classic crunchy granola texture mixed with chewy raisins with a very noticeable pumpkin spice flavor mixed throughout. It’s delicious, flavorful and mixes well with yogurts and assorted fruits.  I’ve had this pumpkin spice granola over pumpkin flavored yogurt, while I’ve also had it with coconut vanilla yogurt mixed with fresh blueberries, strawberries and granola on top of it.  It adapts well to the flavors it’s mixed with while it also holds up to its crunchy texture.  I have been such a fan I have incorporated this into my breakfast/snacks daily.

A serving is 2/3 cup which is 240 calories, or 6 points plus values.  Although I find a 1/3 cup serving is more than enough to accompany a serving of yogurt. A 1/3 cup serving calculates out to be 3 points plus values.

QUESTION:

Have you ever tried Trader Joe’s pumpkin spice granola?

McDonald’s Baked Pumpkin Pie

McDonald`s makes hands down the best fast food pies – at least in my opinion. I do enjoy them, but I do not have them often – maybe once or twice a year. I’m a fan of their apple pie, and I am also “guilty” of occasionally sampling some of their seasonal pies. There have been some flops, but the McDonald’s Baked Pumpkin Pie is definitely a win-win for me.

I was surprised with how yummy their pumpkin pie is! It had real pumpkin filling in it and it wasn’t very sweet.  All around it was delicious. The pumpkin pie tasted like you took a slice of pumpkin pie, wrapped it in McDonald’s signature pie crust and served it up luke warm.  I find these little pies to be handy especially since it’s not always easy to find single servings of pumpkin pie in the market. Having one of these gives the flavor of pumpkin pie, but without having a whole pie sitting in your house.  A yummy treat without any added temptation.

Calorie wise a pie is 240 calories which is equal to 6 points plus.

QUESTION:
Have you tried the McDonald`s pumpkin pie?

Nature Valley Granola Thins – Pumpkin Pie

I was actually told about these limited edition Nature Valley Granola Thins in Pumpkin Pie via Instagram. My love of pumpkin is strong and I personally wouldn’t have known about these unless I just happened to be browsing Stop & Shop and stumbled upon the mini display … which probably wouldn’t have happened.

I have wanted to try the granola thins for the longest time but since I’m not a big fan of dark chocolate I just couldn’t justify making the purchase. But give me a milk chocolate (which they don’t sell) or a pumpkin pie granola thin and I am all on board.  When I opened the package, I was gifted with a nice pumpkin pie scent.  Taking the first bite I was rewarded with that crumbly granola texture and then a sweet frosting on the bottom of the thin.  A perfect blend of both pumpkin and granola – definitely two thumbs up!

A serving is one thin, which conveniently come packaged in their own individual packs.  A serving is 80 calories or 2 points plus values.  I did find these at Stop & Shop but have yet to see them elsewhere.

QUESTION:

Have you tried any of the Nature Valley Granola Thins?

Philadelphia Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese

When fall rolls around and pumpkin items begin to hit shelves at Target, every year I make sure to pick up the Philadelphia Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese. One of my favorite things to get during fall is a Dunkin Donuts multi-grain bagel and pumpkin spice cream cheese. It’s a wonderful match, but it’s so high in points it’s something I enjoy but typically don’t have because it’s really not worth the boatload of points.

The pumpkin spice cream cheese is smooth and creamy, yet slightly softer than regular plain cream cheese.  It’s sweet and undoubtedly pumpkin spice flavored. I enjoy it on bagel slims or even light English muffins. I think it would even be a great addition to baked goods – but that’s a road I have not traveled so I’m not sure how it might turn out.

A serving is 2 tablespoons, which rings in at 80 calories or 2 points plus values. I have only spotted this at Target – but I do know there’s a store brand version at Aldi incase you have that grocery store in your area.

QUESTION:

Have you ever tried pumpkin spice cream cheese?

Starbucks Via Pumpkin Spice

The moment fall is close to coming into the picture, fall items start arriving. One of the drinks I absolutely love, but don’t order very often is the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.  It’s pumpkin, its latte, and it’s pure magic. So when I spotted the Starbucks Via Pumpkin Spice packets on the shelf at Target, I quickly scooped up a box.

I heated up 1 cup of milk, added in the Via packet and stirred it up … and it was HORRIBLE!  Now, I love coffee, but this has a very, very bold coffee flavor to it. I actually picked up more of the coffee flavor than I did any pumpkin.  The packet of mix smelled more of pumpkin in powder form than it did when it was mixed in with my milk.  Once I mixed it with the milk it just smelled of very, very bold coffee.  Now, I admit, I love coffee BUT I’m more of a light and occasional medium roast coffee fan. This was so bold I’d have to water it down to make it palatable, but by then I’d probably end up just drinking 1-2 cups of milk with a mild flavor in the background. I’d have to give it a nice dosing of sugar free pumpkin syrup and a few Equal packets, plus some additional milk to maybe even get a pumpkin flavor.  Needless to say … I was quite bummed, especially since the Via packets are not cheap.

Each pack has 60 calories to it, which is 2 points plus values. You then need to add in your points/calories associated with the type of milk you use.

QUESTION:

Do you like any of the Starbucks Via packets?

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts

Pop-Tarts … back in my “hay day” my ideal choice for a late breakfast or even a mid-afternoon snack.  Toaster pastries are a long-lost “love” of mine and I can honestly say it’s been years since I have had a Pop-Tart. That is, until I spotted these Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts on the shelf and just had to give them a go.

I’m a self proclaimed pumpkin fanatic and pumpkin pie is one of my all time favorite pies. These did not let me down, the pastries are fabulous.  They’re good at room temperature straight out of the packaging, but they are heavenly after being toasted.  They really do taste like pumpkin pie.  The filling is undoubtedly pumpkin pie, the frosting is sweet but it doesn’t make the pastry sickeningly sweet and the crust is reminiscent of pie crust. Spot on as far as I’m concerned.

The one major thing I dislike about Pop-Tarts is not the product itself, but its packaging. A serving size is 1 pastry, yet there are 2 pastries in a pack. Sure, a pastry can be taken out of a pack and put into a zip-lock bag … but that’s a little annoying.  I have yet to make an exception to my stubborn rule until these. Typically I’ll eat one pastry and share the other with whoever I’m with.

One pastry is a serving, which runs at 200 calories or 5 points plus values.  Worth it if you’re in the market for something sweet and tasty.

QUESTION:

What is your favorite Pop-Tart flavor?

Celestial Seasonings Sweet Harvest Pumpkin Tea

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again … I am pumpkin obsessed. I love fall, I love pumpkin … so you can pretty much say this is my favorite time of the year.  With my love of pumpkin I’m more than willing to try pumpkin items out. One of those things was this Celestial Seasonings Sweet Harvest Pumpkin Black Tea.

I’m a coffee girl by nature, but I do enjoy my teas here and there … typically while at work around 2/3 o’clock it becomes “tea time”.  It also becomes tea time when I’m absolutely freezing and I’ve already had my morning hot coffee.  This Sweet Harvest Pumpkin tea is delicious – it’s got a very fragrant pumpkin scent and taste, but it’s pleasant on the palette.  I enjoyed my tea black with a little 0 calorie sweetener in it.  It would also be good mixed with a little bit of milk if you’re into that sort of thing.

I do want to point out that this is a caffeinated tea and it also has some natural stevia extract in it to help give it that sweet flavor the description states. I personally highly dislike the taste of Stevia but I find it’s not noticeable in the beverage. The tea is slightly sweet and not bland as regular black teas are, but it’s not really a noticeable flavor.

QUESTION:

Do you enjoy limited edition tea flavors based on the season?