Healthy Pumpkin Spice Orange Waffles made with Trop50 juice beverage, whole grain flour and dairy-free – Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside! Gluten-free friendly. Plus a chat about morning routines! It’s not what you think…
This post is sponsored in partnership with Trop50. All opinions expressed remain my own, as always. Thank you for your support as I partner with brands I trust and think you’ll value – It helps make Fit Mitten Kitchen Possible!
MORNINGS. They have the ability to set the tone for the rest of the day, don’t they? For example, just the other day I slept past my alarm and therefore had a slow start to my morning… which then led to an extra slow start into the day, in part due to an extra long “to do” list lingering over me.
Working from home somewhat allows me have slow mornings because I make my own hours. But just because I work from home and sometimes start my days a little later than normal office hours, doesn’t mean I sit around all day never feeling stressed out. Working from home (and being your own boss) definitely brings its challenges.
Do you need a morning routine?
To answer my own question, I am going to just say that you don’t. 🙂 I think it’s okay to have a morning routine that looks a little different each day. I am slowly realizing this and it has made me feel so much better about how my mornings play out. But if you read any kind of self-help article or listen to podcasts about wellness, people often discuss their morning routines and how much of an impact it has on their day. So after listening to various podcast episodes and hearing what people were doing in the morning I thought, “Well I need a morning routine too.”
I should journal…
I should do some yoga…
I should exercise…
Wait, I am going to do all of those things in the morning before I actually start my day? Each and every day? *cue the overwhelm*
The perfectionist in me wants a PERFECT morning routine. Please tell me I am not the only one who struggles with finding an actual morning routine due to black and white thinking and a Type A personality…
rou·tine (noun) a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program.
That definition throws me off. I take it too literally…
So I am here to tell you that maybe a morning routine that looks good on paper isn’t the best thing for you. Maybe you don’t actually need a set morning routine, but little healthy habits that set yourself up for a great day. Maybe every day looks a little bit different, and that’s okay!
Figure out what your goals for the morning are
Do you want to make drinking more water a habit?
Do you want to start journaling?
Do you want to start your day with some movement?
Everyone is different, but social media has a way of getting us to play the comparison game. But let’s think about what really works for us, as individuals. Don’t let what others do in their mornings, make you feel less about what you do in yours. It is of course okay to be inspired by someone, but don’t let that inspiration and motivation cause you to feel inadequate. Everyone’s situations are different and what works for one person isn’t going to work for everyone.
If you have a goal to start journaling in the morning, then do it! But if journaling in the morning doesn’t work for you, maybe you think about journaling in the evening. Heck, maybe you don’t even want to journal – Though I do recommend it… Journaling and practicing gratitude has helped me tremendously this past year.
I certainly don’t have it all figured out (does anyone?!) and don’t feel like you have to either 🙂
Healthy Pumpkin Spice Orange Waffles
Alright, obviously these orange waffles are not a part of my everyday morning routine. But everyone needs a good waffle recipe, and these orange waffles just so happen to be made with whole grain flour and dairy-free. AND we’re using Trop50 in the mix for an orange flavor boost.
Trop50 has the delicious taste of OJ with 50% less sugar and calories. We’re not adding in any additional sugar to the waffle batter either because Trop50 helps add a natural sweetness. Trop50 also makes the waffles crispy on the outside but soft on the inside – the perfect waffle texture!
And because it’s fall we’re also adding pumpkin spice. I mean, why not? It actually pairs really well with orange.
what you need
Whole wheat white flour or 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour
Baking powder
Salt
Pumpkin pie spice
Medium orange
Pumpkin puree or applesauce
Oil
Eggs
Vanilla or orange extract
Trop50
Non-dairy milk
The waffles can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer too! Just pop the waffles into the toaster oven for 5 minutes or so.
Now these Healthy Pumpkin Spice Orange Waffles really can become a part of your morning routine if you’d like 😉
Healthy Pumpkin Spice Orange Waffles
Healthy Pumpkin Spice Orange Waffles made with Trop50 juice beverage, whole grain flour and dairy-free – Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside! Gluten-free friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 waffles 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: waffle iron
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups whole wheat white flour, or 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour
- 1 TBS baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- zest of 1 medium orange
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree or applesauce
- 3 TBS oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla or orange extract
- 3/4 cup Trop50
- 3/4 cup non-dairy milk (I used cashew)
Instructions
- Prepare waffle maker by preheating and greasing (spray works best).
- In a large bowl whisk together dry ingredients, flour through orange zest. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine pumpkin puree (or applesauce) with oil. Add in eggs one at a time, whisking gently.
- Add in vanilla, Trop50 and milk; whisk until smooth.
- Pour wet ingredients into large bowl of dry ingredients, whisking together gently until smooth. Batter will be somewhat thick, but not too drippy.
- Scoop about 1/3 cup of batter into preheated and greased waffle maker, and allow waffle to fully cook until lightly golden. I waited until I heard sizzling, which was bout 4-5 minutes. Each waffle iron is different, so be sure to follow your waffle manufacturer’s instructions.
- Gently remove and transfer to warm oven before serving. Enjoy with your favorite toppings!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 waffle
- Calories: 194
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 288mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 47mg
Keywords: pumpkin spice waffles, healthy waffle recipe
Sam @ Bites of Wellness says
So going to make this for the family with GF flour! My mom loves to sit down and have breakfast with me when she visits! And she loves orange!
Cassie says
Wow, these waffles look delicious! I would love to try orange and pumpkin spice together one day. I might use flax eggs or rolled oats in this recipe for a vegan alternative 🙂
Liz says
I love the orange zest right in the recipe! I never even thought about putting these together like so – I definitely have to try this! Great photos too!
Deryn | Running on Real Food says
I just can’t come to your blog anymore, can’t do it..or I’ll be starting every single day with waffles or pancakes. But maybe that’s fine? lol..what do you think? 😉 I love my morning routine, I read, write, have lemon water and tea, meditate for 10 minutes then start the rest of my day. I spend about an hour on it. It’s the best!
Alisa says
Mmm, pumpkin and orange, what a yummy combination. I wonder if that Trop50 is fortified w/ calcium, too. I get asked a lot for kid-friendly recommendations and this could be a good fit.
Lorie says
Love the thoughts on morning routine. I get a little overwhelmed too by what i ‘should’ do. And these waffles are lit!
Rachel says
Yum! I love waffles. 🙂
Jessica @ Small Bites by Jessica says
These look so good! I never would have thought to pair orange and pumpkin flavors together, but want to give it a try now!
Taylor Kiser says
Love the wonderful fall flavors you used in these waffles! These need to happen for my weekend breakfast!