So is everybody ready for the election to be over yet?

I totally am. Even though I am just in high school, I hear TONS of people constantly debating talking about the candidates. Honestly, it kind of annoys me when kids act like they know all about the policies and everything the candidates are talking about.

 

Sure, we take International Relations classes and talk about current events…but none of us have major taxes to pay, own our own homes, have to take care of a family, or work full-time. So until those things happen people, in my opinion, should just smile and nod. Smile and nod.

On a totally different note, this week is my school’s homecoming. Super duper bittersweet week.

Being a senior, it is kind of sad and weird to think this is my last high school homecoming. I am almost like…emotional about it. Our dance is tomorrow, so I’m pretty excited to get all dolled up I’ll be sure to share pictures with you all. I’m in love with my dress. I kind of want to wear it like to the grocery store or something.

Oh yeah, I made some more pumpkin shtuff! I warned you…it was coming. Pumpkin overload. Psh, who am I kidding? You can never overload on pumpkin.

So here is a pumpkin bread recipe that actually is homecoming dress-friendly (friendly on the hips) and is super tasty. I looove the streusel topping. Fact: everything with streusel is better. It’s true.

Health(ier) Pumpkin Streusel Bread

FOR BREAD

1 3/4 cups flour (I used half all-purpose, half whole wheat)

1 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

3/4 cups white sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup PLUS 2 Tablespoons pumpkin puree

1/3 cup water

FOR STREUSEL

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 5 mini loaf pans or 1 regular sized loaf pan. Sprinkle lightly with flour. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour(s), spices, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the oil and applesauce. Mix in the sugars. Add in the eggs, one at a time, being sure to mix well between each addition. Stir in the pumpkin puree and water until thoroughly combined. Add half the flour mixture and stir well. Mix in the remaining half of the flour mixture until no streaks remain. Divide batter evenly among loaf pans.
4. To make the streusel, whisk together the flour, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Then mix in the nuts. Drizzle in the melted butter and mix everything together using your hands and fingers to make clumps, crumb-sized.
5. Sprinkle streusel mixture evenly over batter-filled loaf pans. Bake in preheated oven for about 32-40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean with a few crumbs clinging. Let cool for about 30 minutes before removing from pan, then let cool on wire rack. Enjoy!

Random Fact of the Day: Pound for pound, hamburgers cost more than most new cars!

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