This cultured, probiotic smoothie is the perfect combination of energy to rev you up and the right balance of minerals to calm you down. The pumpkin spice flavors will satisfy your taste buds and bring your mind, body and spirit head-first into fall!
Besides a flavor reminiscent of holidays and get-togethers, pumpkin has some amazing health benefits. Since it’s October, small pie pumpkins are in abundance. It is so easy to bake them and make your own puree or you can use organic canned puree for this recipe (not pie filling) which makes it so quick and easy to make. This smoothie is a powerful burst of vitamins, nutrients, probiotics and digestive enzymes designed to fill you up which makes it a great meal replacement. It’s rich and creamy and will satisfy your pumpkin cravings all with natural ingredients.
Health Benefits of Pumpkin:
Pumpkin is loaded with vitamin A. It contains more than 200% of the recommended daily amount. Vitamin A is great for the eyes and your brain. It is also a fantastic inflammation fighter. Pumpkin contains 20% of your RDA of vitamin C which is vital during the cold and flu season. Adding a whole orange, along with its fiber also increases the amount vitamin C. Pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber, the type of fiber that feeds your microbiome, also known as your second brain.
Pumpkin is good for the skin! You may have seen alpha hydroxy acid on labels of quality skin care items. It’s even better for your skin if you get it through your diet! This is found in pumpkin and along with the vitamin A can really help your skin look and feel younger.
The cultured part of this recipe helps protect your immune system and is my favorite smoothie ingredient, homemade kefir. Kefir provides up to 50 different strains of probiotics (yogurt has only 7) which is really important during the cold and flu season. Homemade kefir contains so many nutrients itself but then helps to release nutrients in the other ingredients making them more bioavailable to you. This is what real living probiotics do when found in food. Since kefir contains the spectrum of B vitamins and tryptophan, it also helps keep you calm when you are stressed.
In a blender combine all ingredients. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 16 oz. Can Organic Pumpkin Puree (OR 2 cups roasted pumpkin)
1 1/2 Cups Homemade Kefir
1 Orange, peeled plus small amount of orange zest
4 Dates
2 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
3/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
1-inch Piece Ginger Root
2 teaspoons Monk Fruit Sweetener
Cinnamon for garnish
Optional: Top with Cultured Cream - Recipe under "Cultured Recipes" tab.
To make your own pumpkin puree:
Slice a small "pie" pumpkin in half. Remove seeds and pulp. Reserve seeds. Slice into 1-inch thick slices and coat with olive oil on both sides. You can sprinkle with cloves, pumpkin pie spice and a little salt if desired. Bake in a 400 degree, preheated oven for 20 minutes. They should be soft enough to easily remove from outer skin. Mash and reserve for smoothies or other pumpkin dishes.
To roast the seeds:
Clean seeds, rinsing off any slimy residue. Place on baking sheet with a little olive oil or butter and flavors of your choice and bake at 275 degrees for 40 minutes. Enjoy! .
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