Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Craving pumpkin spice but don’t want the guilt of the Starbucks sugary latté? Here are three healthier options!

With a base of real pumpkin and other healthy additions, this smoothie will give you a couple servings of fruit and vegetables. I came up with this while I was sick and craving a pumpkin spice doughnut. I knew the sugary sweet was not going to help my cause. Smoothies are a great way to infuse nutrients into your diet without sacrificing flavor. So I decided to hold off on the indulgence and come up with a smoothie to quench my craving.

The pumpkin puree gives the smoothie a creamy consistency, which I love! You could even top this off with some whipped cream for a treat.

There are three ways I’ve tested out this smoothie and all are tasty. For the fruit lover, add a banana. For the strength builder add protein powder. Lastly for the dairy lover, add Greek yogurt. It was hard for me to pick a favorite out of the three. Each has its own uniqueness. The Greek yogurt boasts a creamier consistency, while the banana version has added sweetness. Whichever you choose, enjoy! Food is energy and this smoothie will keep you moving through your day.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Base Recipe: 
¾ Cup Pumpkin Puree
5-6 Ice Cubes
1 Cup Almond or Coconut Milk
1 tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Tbsp. Organic Maple Syrup
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Here are three ways to enhance your smoothie…
For the dairy lover – add 2 Tbsps. Greek Yogurt, plain
For the strength builder - add 2 Tbsp. of your favorite vanilla protein (or the amount you would normally use in your everyday smoothie recipe)
For the fruit lover -  add 1 Banana

Directions:
In a heavy duty blender, add all ingredients. Blend on high until you have a smoothie consistency and all ice is crushed. I highly recommend the NutriBullet, but any high powered mixer will do. Be careful not to add too much ice as that can jam a low end blender (and occasionally the NB).