One Shake at a Time (Plus a Pumpkin Dessert)

Health & Life Update

Hey everyone! I’ve been meaning to update this blog more often, and I’m making it a goal to stick with it. I really want to use this space to log what’s going on in my life, health, work, moving plans, and all the little things in between.

Work & Daily Life
I was recently laid off from my job as an Internship Coordinator due to budget cuts. It’s been an adjustment getting used to being home more (along with two very demanding cats!), but I believe I’ll be starting a new position soon as a counselor at a shelter. It’s not remote, which my doctor would prefer, but I’m glad to have something lined up.

Health & Insurance
Losing my job meant my health insurance got a little complicated. I’m waiting for Medicaid to kick back in, and in the meantime, I can’t see my regular doctor. Luckily, Hospital for Special Surgery has programs that allow me to continue with my care team at no cost, which I’m incredibly grateful for. That place is expensive, so the support is a huge relief.

Weight Loss Journey
The bright side: I’ve lost 15 pounds so far! That puts me about a quarter of the way to my goal of 190. If I can keep this pace, I’ll not only feel healthier but also lower my risk getting a blood clot after the surgery which is a big motivator for me.

I’ve been keeping things simple: at least one Huel shake a day (easy, balanced, and no overthinking). I’ve also tried their hot meal mix, which is… not amazing, but it’s nice to have an option that feels more like food than just a shake.

Pumpkin Pudding Dessert
One thing that’s been a game-changer is a little dessert I made up. It tastes indulgent without throwing off my progress:

Pumpkin Pudding – less then 200 cal per servicing

This pumpkin pudding is a cozy little treat that tastes like fall in a cup. With creamy pumpkin blended into instant pudding, a splash of maple syrup for warmth, and graham crackers tucked alongside, it delivers that pumpkin-pie vibe without the effort of baking.

Each serving comes in at just around 185 calories, making it a lighter way to enjoy those autumn flavors. It’s mostly on the sweet side, with carbs and fiber from the pumpkin and crackers, plus just enough protein and fat from the milk to keep it creamy. Think of it as a quick, no-bake dessert that satisfies a pumpkin craving without weighing you down.

Perfect for a weeknight indulgence, a family snack, or even a festive potluck you get the flavor of pumpkin pie in a pudding cup you can whip up in minutes.

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Holiday

Keyword: Family, Impressive, No Bake, Party, Thanksgiving

Servings: 6

Calories: 185kcal

Equipment

• Bowl
• Measuring Cup

Ingredients

• Can Pumkin unsweetened
• 1 Box Instant Pudding Mix 3.5 oz vanilla
• 1 ½ Cup Milk Plant bassed wont set, but any is fine
• 1 tsp Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp Pumkin Pie Seasoning
• 12 units Grand Crackers

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, pudding mix, milk, and maple syrup until smooth and creamy.
• Let the pudding sit in the fridge for at least 10 minutes so it sets. For a thicker texture, chill for 1–2 hours.
• When ready to serve, spoon the pudding into 6 small cups or bowls.
• Add 2 graham crackers on the side (or crumble them over the top for crunch).
• Optional: top with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra pumpkin-pie vibes.

What’s Next
I’ll share more soon about my Montreal move, it’s still the big plan, and honestly, just thinking about it makes me happy. Right now, I need little pockets of joy like that to hold onto.

More next week—thanks for reading!