‘Tis the season for all things PUMPKIN!  Pumpkin pie, pumpkin chili, pumpkin muffins, beef stew IN a pumpkin, pumpkin in your oatmeal, pumpkin ice cream…what are some of your favorites?  Over the weekend, Robert and I took a roadtrip down to celebrate my brother’s birthday and treated ourselves to some nice large coffees to go along.  Mine was a pumpkin spice latte…deeeeee-licious!  And it got me thinking about other pumpkin-y&spicy beverages. Why not pumpkin&spicy smoothies!  So when we got back home that is exactly what I made!  The quantities below made up two big mugs-full…and about 8 ounces for me tomorrow morning  😉   (I think I am going to make these again as a healthy, hearty breakfast prior to Thanksgiving Dinner.)

This is SO in line with our healthy but oh-so-yummy POV!  Here’s a link to some of the healthy benefits and nutrition facts about pumpkin.  This smoothie is loaded with protein, fiber, low in fat, and full of flavor.  Of course, you can substitute any milk or milk alternative and your choice of yogurt.

Also, I added a couple of smashed up graham crackers into the blender, too (and tossed a few crumbs onto the top of Robert’s smoothie.)  Hope you enjoy it, too!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

ingredients:
1 cup canned pumpkin puree, FROZEN
1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
2 cups almond milk
1 cup ice
1 really ripe banana (frozen, too)
2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or honey or agave)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated is superb!)
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
1 graham cracker (smashed up in a baggie) optional!

directions:

• place all ingredients into your blender container
• blend on high ‘til ice is thoroughly pulverized (this will depend on the strength of your blender)
• pour into big mugs, add straw (or not!)

♥    ♥    ♥    ♥    ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen