6 Ingredient Pumpkin Smoothie!

First, let me start by saying, I LOVE a good smoothie.  It’s the perfect on-the-go breakfast for me.  Easy to make, easy clean-up, packed with nutrients to start my day.  And the combinations are endless!  You can load them up with any number of ingredients and never get bored.  Mix and match however you like!  I haven’t found a smoothie recipe yet that I didn’t tweak a little to make it my own.

In the summer, it’s all about fresh pineapple, strawberries, etc…light and refreshing.  But when fall rolls around we automatically go into pumpkin mode.  There’s something comforting about the richness, the smooth texture of pumpkin.  Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin breads, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin pies and a plethora of other sweet pumpkin delights all await us when the heat of summer begins to cool and the leaves turn from a deep green to an array of autumn colors.  Many pumpkin treats…okay, most…we would consider guilty pleasures, loaded with sugars and slathered with cream cheese and whipped cream.  Well, here is a new “treat” to tickle your pumpkin fancy…without the guilt!

Wait!  Before you go out and buy a pumpkin to start the process from scratch, I’ll tell you right now that this recipe uses canned pumpkin.  What would a “simplified” blog be without some…well… simplifications?  However, if you enjoy the extra work and want to do it the old fashioned way, have at it!  That’s awesome!  I will be utilizing my can opener rather than a carving knife.  Many things are healthier and purer when fresh rather than canned, but pumpkin is one of those beauties that can generally be used interchangeably (fresh or canned) in recipes.  I choose canned, because I prefer to keep it simple and if I can still get the health benefits without the extra time and work, then it’s a win!

Speaking of health benefits…pumpkins have loads of them! Here are just a few… aiding in digestion, regulating blood pressure, combating diabetes, boosting immunity, fighting cancer risk, and more!  In fact, the potassium in pumpkin can help improve the function of our muscles!  All of this can still be had from canned pumpkin, so start stocking up on this little gem year round.

In a half cup of canned pumpkin, you’re looking at about 3 grams of fiber.  Fiber aids in digestion and the fiber in pumpkin is mostly soluble which means it is gentle on the system and can even be soothing to sensitive tummies.  And what’s really great about food that is rich in fiber is that it helps fill you up with fewer calories!  Speaking of fiber, I like to throw in the chia seeds for a little extra fiber and those amazing omega 3’s.
In addition, the beta-carotene in pumpkin is converted to vitamin A in our body and is
an immune system booster.  Besides this, it also aids in eye health and promotes beautiful skin. In just a half cup of pumpkin, you are downing 250% of the daily value of Vitamin A!

This breakfast smoothie is super easy to whip up in the morning and carry out the door with you to the gym, work, school, wherever!

If you don’t have a single-serving blender, stop what you’re doing (after you read this, of course!) and order one.  This will be your new best friend for blending up delicious and nutrient-packed smoothies.  I use mine every day.  It’s incredibly easy to use and so easy to clean up.  Just throw everything in, twist to blend, and take it to go.  Now, I’m not sure how much you want to spend, but there are plenty of options out there…some way fancier than the others…and some not-so-fancy but still get the job done.  I think I paid less than $30 for mine on Amazon, and it’s worked fine for me.  (BELLA Personal Size Rocket Blender, 12 Piece Set, Stainless Steel & Black, Blender Set for Shakes & Smoothies, Coffee Grinding, Food Prep (13586)) If you want one with more bells and whistles, great.  As long as it will blend stuff up and you’ll actually use it.  It’s like the high dollar treadmill that people buy to hang clothes on.  It really doesn’t matter how high-tech it is if you won’t use it.  Whatever you choose, just put it to good use!

Feel free to mix and match ingredients of your own in this recipe.  For me, breakfast is the perfect opportunity to sneak some greens into my smoothie.  Fresh organic spinach blends up great and doesn’t add a strong flavor, so I always add it in any smoothie I make.  I also sometimes like adding walnuts for some variety and the extra nutrients.  Consider other spices that go great with pumpkin as well like nutmeg and vanilla.  Add extra cinnamon if you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor.  Like I said, the beauty of smoothies is that they can be easily customized for whatever you like and ingredients are certainly interchangeable.  I’m just going to give you the version that I made.

Here is what you will  need to whip up this smoothie:

1 c. Unsweetened Almond Milk (or whatever milk you prefer)
1/2 c. Canned Pumpkin Puree (don’t confuse this with the canned pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 Frozen Banana
1/2 T Chia Seeds
1/2 T Pure Maple Syrup
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon (add more if you prefer)

Instructions don’t get much easier than this either.  I recommend using frozen banana because it adds creamy texture and it chills the smoothie without having to add ice but that is just personal preference.  Put the banana in first, followed by the almond milk and the pumpkin puree.  Then, add remaining ingredients and blend.  Boom!  Breakfast!  Prep ahead, and it’s just a matter of blending everything together.  No excuses for grabbing junk to go.  Being prepared is essential or it’s too easy to slip into old (perhaps unhealthy) habits.  Make the time to prep and you’ll be set!

I hope you love your new fall breakfast smoothie, and if you do find other ingredients (healthy ingredients!) that you like to combine with this, please share!  I’m always open to hearing new nutrient-rich recipes that I can try and share with my clients and followers.  We’re in this together!

Congrats in advance on another step toward a healthier you!  A good breakfast is a great place to start, and for me it doesn’t get any easier than a grab ‘n’ go smoothie that’s loaded with nutrients AND tastes amazing!  What a great way to kick off the fall pumpkin season!

Here’s to YOUR health!