Do you love this time of year because “everything pumpkin” appears? Real pumpkin is healthy, but most pumpkin creations out there don’t use pumpkin at all and are loaded with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. Real pumpkin in this smoothie recipe is surprisingly sweet and packs vitamin A, beta-carotene and fiber, too! Protein powder gives it a healthy base and cinnamon helps stabilize your blood sugar—two strategies that help keep you away from unhealthy temptations!
Perfect Pumpkin Smoothie Ingredients:
- 8 oz milk or unsweetened dairy alternative (vanilla or plain)
- 1 scoop of protein powder (vanilla or natural—see below for our special price)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- a few ice cubes
- your favorite sweetener (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
- a pinch of freshly-grated nutmeg
Blend ingredients until smooth and enjoy your perfect pumpkin smoothie!
Another option, instead of adding the spices above: 
Dip a toothpick in Thieves® Essential Oil and swirl it in your smoothie. Thieves® Essential Oil is a spicy combination of cinnamon, clove, lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils that have been used for centuries to ward off germs! (Note: Only use 100% therapeutic grade essential oils that are explicitly meant to be used for internal use. Essential oils are very concentrated and can be dangerous when used incorrectly. In our office, we offer Young Living™ Essential Oils.)
Protein Powder for Perfect Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe
We’re running a special through November 30, 2016 on Xymogen’s FIT Food™ Vegan Complete protein powder. Both Vanilla and Chocolate are on sale. Vanilla is the perfect complement to our pumpkin smoothie recipe, but you can use it plain or create any flavor smoothie you like! If you prefer chocolate, try adding a “toothpick swirl” of peppermint essential oil (see instructions above). This makes a tasty treat that is much healthier than coffee shop smoothies! Even “skinny” versions are loaded with sugar! FIT Food™ Vegan Complete protein powder is 30% off for a limited time. The sale price is $20.16 for 14 servings. (30 servings for children)
A protein-rich smoothie will keep you full and less likely to indulge on-the-go, especially during holiday shopping trips! If you want to add even more nutrition to your smoothies, try the following add-ins:
- Chia seeds: a great source of Omega-3s, magnesium and fiber
- Almond butter: high in Vitamin E and biotin, which are good for your skin
- Avocado: adds creaminess, good fats, and potassium
