MoniMeals

Holistic Meets Realistic!

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • PRESS
  • Testimonials
    • Moni Meals Reviews
    • Moni Meals Testimonials
    • Fitness Testimonials
  • Modeling
  • Fitness
    • Moni in SHAPE
    • Fitness Site
    • Modeling
    • Fitness Testimonials
  • Contact

A “Lighter” Pumpkin Pie

November 18, 2008 by Monica Nelson Leave a Comment

So here is the deal. I am all about the best of the best when it comes to the holidays…meaning the real deal… with no tricks to lighten things up. However, I have made this pie numerous times and I prefer this one. This is better, plus you can eat 2 or 3 slices guilt-free. I prefer it over all the old-fashioned recipes out there, Sorry Grandma! You could use a store bought whole-wheat pastry crust too to save time but I use whole wheat phyllo dough, give it a try.

Makes 8 servings

6 sheets whole wheat phyllo dough, thawed or store bought crust pie
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 can 15 oz pumpkin puree
4 lg egg whites
1 lg egg yolk
1 can 2% evaporated milk
2 tbs maple syrup
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream for topping
Bittersweet chocolate for shavings on top

1. Put rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350 F. Stack phyllo sheets on plastic wrap; cover with barely damp paper towels to prevent sheets from drying out.

2. Lightly coat 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray. Lay 1 phyllo sheet in pie plate. Coat sheet with cooking spray, making sure to spray the edges. Repeat with remaining sheets, rotating each slightly in pan to form circle. Fold and crimp edges.

3. Place a piece of parchment on top of crust. Weigh crust down with pie weights or dried beans are great and bake until edges are lightly golden, about 10 mins. While crust is baking, combine sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and nutmeg in med. bowl.

4. In a large bowl, with electric mixer at med. speed, beat pumpkin, egg whites, and egg yolk until well blended. Slowly add milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, beating until blended. Add spice mixture and blend well.

5. Remove pie weights from crust. Pour filling into crust and bake until tester comes out clean, about 45 to 50 mins. Remove pie from oven and cool at room temperature. Just before serving top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings and most importantly ENJOY!


Filed Under: "Lightened Up" Treats, Baking, Desserts, Holidays, Meals, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian Tagged With: cinnamon, clove, egg, evaporated milk, ginger, maple syrup, nutmeg, phyllo dough, Pie, pie crust, pumpkin, Recipe Re-make, Thanksgiving, vanilla

« Spinach Artichoke Dip
Oat-Crusted Pecan Pie »

You Might Also Like

Manage Your Health Better With This Guide

5 Reasons to Start a Food Truck

Why Food Should be the First Thing You Plan Around When Traveling

Bone Broth: What You Need To Know

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

logo
Food Advertising by

Hi! I'm Monica Nelson and I'm thrilled that you're here. As a healthy chef, personal trainer & fitness expert, I love helping people look & feel great! That's why I've developed more than 350 recipes from diet-conscious to decadent - but all delicious - so you can experiment with healthy foods that taste great. Take a look around and try a recipe or two and head over for a quick workout at monicanelsonwellness.com

Food Advertising by logo

Follow Me On Instagram

Let’s fire up the grill and here is a healthy ye Let’s fire up the grill and here is a healthy yet super tasty and fun treat for the 4th!
You can also use this same coconut cream again and just serve with your favorite fresh berries all season long! Enjoy. 

GRILLED PINEAPPLE WITH COCONUT CREAM
🍍🍍🍍

INGREDIENTS

For the Marinade:
• 1 tbs coconut oil (can also use olive)
• 1 tsp  ground cinnamon
• 2 1/2 tbs dark honey
• 1 vanilla bean (can be optional – but I love it here)
• 1 tbs of fresh lime juice
• 1 firm yet ripe pineapple, can buy already cut
For Garnish (Optional):
• 1 tbs dark rum
• 1 tbs grated lime zest from the lime
My Coconut Cream:
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)

DIRECTIONS

Marinade:
1. In a large bowl – combine the oil, cinnamon, honey, vanilla bean (if using), and lime juice; whisk to well to blend together. Set aside.
2. Place each pineapple half cut-side down and cut it lengthwise into four long wedges; slice away the core. NOTE: Or you can slice it in rings too, which I do often. 
3. Place the pineapple in the bowl with the marinade and stir to coat the pineapple. Heat up the grill.
4. Place on the grill and cook about 3 to 4 mins. You can baste once or twice with the remaining marinade. Turn the fruit and move it to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat. Baste again with the marinade. Grill until the pineapple is tender and golden, about 3 more mins.
5. Remove the pineapple from the grill and place on a platter. Next, brush with the rum – if using. Last, sprinkle with the lime zest. Serve hot or warm!

For the Coconut Cream:
1. With an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream and cream of coconut until soft peaks form. TIP: You can also use this same cream again and just serve with your favorite fresh berries all season long.

So perfect for a summer treat with friends. Enjoy!
Let’s make my GREEN ME UP smoothie! I’ve been Let’s make my GREEN ME UP smoothie! I’ve been making this smoothie or a variation of it for the past 13-14 yrs, heck before there was TikTok. 😂 Such a delicious way to pack in some serious nutrition and those GREENS. 

Smoothies are an incredible tool to your wellbeing. They are super easy, versatile, and gosh dang - delicious and healthy. (If made correctly). That’s why I’m all about getting my clients on the smoothie train - if they’re up for it. 😉 

Just love providing clients with dozens of smoothie recipes I’ve created packed with protein and fiber, including healthy fats that keep you full 3-5 hrs easily. No matter what season of life I’ve been in personally: serious training, fitness modeling, both pregnancies/postpartum/nursing, healing, and now being a busy mom feeding our kids smoothies each morning, smoothies have been an essential piece.

This is a loose recipe so you can add anything else you want. Just make sure you have your protein source, your favorite veggies (hello phytonutrients), fiber sources and healthy fat. 

** Tip: put all the ingredients (EXCEPT the liquid) in the blender the night before! This tip has helped for years.

🥬GREEN ME UP SMOOTHIE🥬

• Handful of organic greens
• 1-2 cups organic celery (vitamins A, K, C, hydrating, supports digestion)
• 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower rice (makes it thick, extra fiber)
• 1 Brazil nut (gives daily selenium, which is important for fertility)
• 1/4 of an avocado
• 1/4 cup wild blueberries
• 1 tsp organic spirulina @nowfoodsofficial 
• 1/4-1/2 ceylon cinnamon (helps regulate blood sugar, antioxidant)
• 1 scoop @paleovalley bone broth powder
• 1 scoop whey - I like isolate and @nowfoodsofficial has a good one
• Creatine @nowfoodsofficial (fav supplement for 10+ yrs)
• 6-8 oz of unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 1 scoop of @beeyawellness for topping, optional 

Other options I rotate in: ginger root, basil & chia seeds, psyllium husk powder, lemon (vitamin C), herbs like cilantro & mint, dandelion greens (great source of vitamin K).

1. Place everything in a HIGH-speed blender (yes this is important. Otherwise you’ll get salad texture). Blend for about 1 min. Enjoy!
Happy 2nd birthday to this special girl who I’m Happy 2nd birthday to this special girl who I’m utterly positive is a true magical fairy princess. We did a purple bday theme to match her cast. We just love watching you shine and embrace your world! 
You bring such joy and laughter to us Aubyn and may your birthday be as extraordinary as you are, sweet one. 💜🎂💜
Your kids are always listening. Always watching. A Your kids are always listening. Always watching. Always paying attention to your every move. They want to be. just. like. you. Healthy habits start young! Glad to see these two at 23 months & 6 yrs old lifting all on their own. 💪🏻

Recently Asher rushed home from school and said “I’m working out for 10 mins to get strong.” Followed by “then I can break free from all the hugs.” We learned that apparently 3 girls at recess hug Asher nonstop and he wants to get strong to “get away from all the girls.” 😳 Never a dull moment.
Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Manage Your Health Better With This Guide
  • 5 Reasons to Start a Food Truck
  • Why Food Should be the First Thing You Plan Around When Traveling
  • Bone Broth: What You Need To Know
  • Naked Collagen: All You Need To Know

Fitness and Meals

Popular Posts

Salad with kale, chickpeas, and butternut squash.
Chocolate chip zucchini muffins with figs.

About

Hi! I'm Monica Nelson and I'm thrilled that you're here. As a healthy chef, personal trainer & fitness expert, competitive athlete & sports model, I love helping people look & feel great! Try a recipe or read a wellness blog and tell me what you think.

Popular Posts

Salad with kale, chickpeas, and butternut squash.
Chocolate chip zucchini muffins with figs.

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress