I love the Fall with all its earthy offerings like dark green leafy veggies and pumpkins, oh pumpkins.  I could wax poetic for hours about my love of pumpkins.  All winter squashes actually, but pumpkin especially because I adore fall and winter spices like cloves, nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon combined together in a symphony of flavor.  Pumpkin is a nutrient dense power house of nutrition full of beta-carotene, fiber, potassium and zinc (to name a few really essential nutrients!).  It’s a great source of folate for all you divas out there who are trying to conceive or are pregnant already.  Baby’s brain loves pumpkin!  Just so you know, it’s a nice little source of protein plus it contains magnesium so it is a good food to eat when you are stressed or are suffering from adrenal fatigue.  Oh and did I mention it is also alkalizing?  Perfect for the acid/alkaline balance in the body.

Since I love gingerbread so much (I do, I really really do!) and pumpkin, I decided I was going to combine them into a simple smoothie to kick start my day with a smoothie so rich and delicious it will bring tears of joy to your tastebuds, yet so healthy it will make the cells of your body rejoice.  What’s not to love?

Healthy-good-for-you-ingredients

Chia Seed
Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, the Chia seeds are also great source of fibers and antioxidants. Their gelling action aid in weight loss by providing a full-feeling in the stomach.  Carrying an impressive array of vitamins and minerals these are nutrient powerhouses for the body.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an all-around heavy hitter in the nutritional arena. An effective type 2 diabetes treatment, it lowers blood sugar and raises insulin levels. It lowers bad cholesterol, eases migraines and other types of headaches, boosts cognitive function, and lowers risk of stroke by preventing abnormal blood clotting. It is antifungual and antibacterial in nature.

Pumpkin
High in fiber this fall and winter staple is great for healthy bowel function. Rich in beta-carotene and caratonoids it is an immune booster and amazing anti-inflammatory. It is rich in alpha-caroteine which slows cataract formation and can slow down or halt macular degeneration. It is loaded with calming magnesium and hypertension lowering potassium.

Gingerbread Pumpkin Smoothie

Print recipe

Serves	1
Prep time	5 minutes
Dietary	Diabetic, Vegan
Meal type	Beverage, Breakfast, Snack
Misc	Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold
Occasion	Halloween, Thanksgiving

Just in time for fall, this spicy sweet concoction is going to boost your Vitamin A, protein, and iron and kickstart your morning!

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond, cashew, or hemp milk
• 3/4 cups pumpkin puree
• 1 heaped teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• pinch ground cloves
• 1 small banana (frozen (or used 5 ice cubes to chill smoothie))
• 1 tablespoon molasses (blackstrap if you can find it)

Optional

• 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (soaked with chia seeds overnight)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (soaked with oats overnight)

Directions

Step 1

Soak oats and chia seeds with almond or other non-dairy milk overnight.

Step 2

Place all ingredients in high speed blender and blend on high for 2 minutes.