Treat: Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Halloween is hands down, my favorite holiday.  I adore the crisp, cool morning, the leaves changing, comfort food, spooky decorations, and dressing up.  It also makes me want to transform into a domestic diva.  No, this is not a trick, rather a sweet treat, especially for The Husband.  I don't know what comes over me, but I suddenly feel like cleaning, cooking, and doing crafts. Scary!

E is probably more excited about Halloween than Christmas, Disneyland, snow, candy, and sadly his family.  As early as September he wanted to start decorating the house.  Superheroes have been replaced by skeletons, goblins, witches, bats, vampires, and mummies.  Last week we made a calendar for October because I wanted him to realize that even though it is October, Halloween doesn't come for another 31 days.  My child doesn't really even care about the candy!!  He is more excited about all the decorations and spooky critters at home and in stores.  Today he asked me if we can ask Santa for a new soccer ball with a witch chasing a goblin on it.  Adorable! 

Do to the fact that we MUST get pumpkins wherever we go, they are rather quickly taking over my house.  Being surrounded by them, I felt inspired.  As you may know, I drink my Amazing Grass Amazing Meal smoothie every morning.  Today I wanted to see if I could transform it into a delicious pumpkin smoothie.  I guess I am sick of Starbucks having all the fun with their insanely good pumpkin spice latte (one that I seem to constantly crave).  Even  though this isn't a warm, cozy treat, it might just make you smile and your mornings a little yummier. 

Pumpkins are not just the perfect squash to carve silly or spooky faces into, they are actually really healthy.  They are packed with disease-fighting nutrients.  They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins,  and minerals, and both the flesh and seeds are equally nutritious.  Best part, they will not hurt your waist line (unless it is in a pie) because they are low in fat and calories.    

Pumpkins are high in:

Alpha-carotene and beta-carotene- these are powerful antioxidants and are pro-vitamin A carotenoids, meaning the body transforms them to vitamin A.  The beta-carotene might also reverse skin damage caused by the sun and act as an anti-inflamimatory.  Alpha-carotene is thought to slow the aging process and also reduce the risk of developing cataracts and prevent tumor growth. 

Fiber- one-half cup serving contains 5 grams of fiber.  Fiber helps reduce bad cholesterol levels, protect the body from heart disease, controls blood sugar levels, promotes healthy digestion and plays a critical role in weight loss. 

Vitamins C and E- the C in pumpkins boosts immunity, reduces the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, and regulates cholesterol levels.  The E in pumpkins promotes healthy skin by protecting the body from sun damage and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and certain cancers. 

Potassium- aids in balancing fluid levels in the body, promotes strong bones, is necessary for energy production, and helps to control blood pressure. 

                                                                                     *according to Jennifer Murray from Suite 101

Pumpkin Spiced Latte Smoothie

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1 tsp of maple syrup

1 frozen banana

sprinkle of Pumpkin Pie Spice (I got this at Trader Joes)

* 1 scoop of Amazing Grass Amazing Chocolate Meal

*optional.  I do this for my morning breakfast and love it.  On the days I need an extra treat,  I add some dark chocolate chips.

Also, I left out kale.  I do blend it into my smoothies for added nutrients. 

There are so many options you could do to add a little flare- vanilla ice cream, yogurt, chia seeds, spinach, dark chocolate....  

If you make smoothies regularly, get in the habit of freezing bananas.  I always have them in my freezer and they do wonders for smoothies.  They make it creamy and add just the right amount of sweetness. 

FYI- this smoothie without the Amazing Grass powder is only about 195 calories.  With the Amazing Grass it close to 305.  Not bad for a breakfast with all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.  Plus it keeps me satisfied (and the kids) until lunch.

Directions- combine all ingredients and BLEND baby BLEND!

You will be so happy you made this.  I actually look forward to getting out of the bed in the mornings because of it. 

 

Power Smoothies

Last night, I went to a Vault Denim party at my lovely friend Kathryn's house.  We were talking about my blog when she mentioned that she would love to have more smoothie recipes.  I have heard this request from a few friends now so I thought I better get on it if I want to keep my readers happy.  (By the way, I love to hear feedback and discussions about this blog.  I do it for not only myself, but for you.  I encourage comments, recommendations, and I love to hear what works for others in terms of green products, recipes, and natural living.  Remember, I am a newbie and can learn much from you.)  

I don't know about you, but everyone I know is getting, or is recovering from being sick.  My boys have had a runny nose for days, and baby M is so congested he (and Mommy) can hardly sleep at night.  Luckily for me, I haven't been sick sick for a loooong time.  Clearly, I contribute this to my wicked immune system :) No really, I think the butt load of vitamins and my diet play a huge role.  I know now that I am letting this secret out into the universe, I will come down with something nasty within the next week.  In the meantime, I will continue to power up on smoothies, juicing, and eating real foods from the earth, plus an occasional piece of dark chocolate. 

The best way we can fight nasty viruses, flu, and possibly radiation exposure, is to power yourself with antioxidants.  What are antioxidants and why should you care?  Well they are nature's way of fighting off potential dangerous molecules in your body.  Molecules come in forms of broken down food, smoke, and pollutants like, pesticides, plastics, and chlorine byproducts.  These are free radicals and they feed off your healthy molecules.  According to Shape, "these 'free radical' cells are actually missing an important molecule, which causes them to attach themselves to healthy cells and attack them, causing a chain reaction. The result can make you sick for the short-term (colds, flu, etc.) and potentially, the long-term (they may contribute to heart problems, cancer, Alzheimer's and other diseases)".  Antioxidants neutralize the effects of free radicals.  Eating more fruits and vegetables probably won't prevent cancer, but can give your bod a fighting chance.  Here is a list of the top antioxidant rich fruit and veggies.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Antioxidant Fruits                                     

Prunes

Raisins

Blueberries

Blackberries

Strawberries

Raspberries

Plums

Oranges

Red Grapes

Cherries

 Antioxidant Vegetables

Kale

Spinach

Brussel Sprouts

Alfalfa Sprouts

Broccoli

Beats

Red Bell Pepper

Onions

Corn

Eggplants 

And don't forget red wine :)

Now, I eat a lot of these in my regular diet but to add a little fun and to make sure my kids are getting enough super foods, I blend some of them.  Here are some of my Power Smoothie recipes:

   The Power Green

                                                                         3/4 cup of ice

large handful of spinach

3 or 4 kale leaves (stem removed)

1/2 cucumber

1/2 banana

1 apple

3/4 cup of light coconut milk

     Coco for Strawberry Banana

•  3/4 cup ice


• 6 or 7 strawberries


• 2 ripe bananas


• 1/2 cup of light vanilla soy milk


• 1/2 cup of Plain Coconut Milk yogurt

Mango Orange

3/4 cup of ice

1 orange

1 mango

1 banana

3 kale leaves (stems removed)

bunch of spinach

3/4 cup of coconut water

Almond Straw

• 3/4 cup frozen strawberries


• 2 ripe bananas


• 1 pitted date


• 3/4 cup of light vanilla almond milk


• 1 handful of spinach

Now most of these smoothies turn green because of the spinach.  If you are starting out, just use a handful of spinach and leave the kale for another day.  In fruit smoothies, you hardly taste the spinach at all.  You can experiment any way you want with whatever fruit and veggies you have on hand.  If you really want to be spoiled, add ice cream or frozen yogurt for a real treat!  A good book for smoothie concoctions is Green Smoothie Revolution by Victoria Boutenko.  Now get blending friends!

What are your favorite smoothie recipes?

On another note, I just went to Borders yesterday and picked up The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan.  I have heard amazing things on these book and I can't wait to read them.  Look out for a review!