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These days, I will definitely be eating some candy, but I won't go overboard with it thanks to my tried-and-true pregaming strategy. Before I head to a sweets-fueled party, I fortify myself by eating something nourishing. When I take the edge off my appetite, I'm less likely to dive impulsively into a big pile of my favorite Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Instead, I am happy to take my time savoring just one or two (plus maybe a mini Butterfinger).
I applied the same rule to my daughter when she was younger, too. Before she headed out, I'd serve her something filling and nutrient-rich, yet also fun and seasonal, so enjoying it became an integral part of the festivities.
This delightful smoothie is a recipe that checks all those boxes. It brims with autumnal flavor and nutrition from pumpkin puree, dates and protein-rich milk. It's delightfully sweet with no added sugar, and an optional topping of whipped cream makes it feel like a celebration. A medley of spices - cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger - along with a touch of vanilla extract imbue it with the fragrant allure of pumpkin spice. (If you have never thought to add spices to your smoothie, keep it in mind. A dash of vanilla and/or a sprinkle of a warm, sweet spice or two elevates just about any smoothie.)
This frosty drink tastes like a special Halloween treat, but it's one you can healthfully have on repeat throughout pumpkin spice season.
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
Servings: 1
Total Time: 5 minutes
When pumpkin spice season hits, you're going to want to put this healthful smoothie on repeat. It's bursting with autumnal flavor and nutrition from pumpkin puree, dates and protein-rich milk. And it's delightfully sweet with no added sugar. An optional topping of whipped cream makes it feel like a celebration. This recipe makes a single serving in a small blender, but you can easily double, triple or quadruple the recipe and make it in a regular blender.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup milk (any fat level or nondairy)
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 pitted Medjool date, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for serving
• Pinch ground nutmeg
• Pinch ground ginger
• 4 ice cubes or 1/3 cup crushed ice
• Whipped cream, for topping (optional)
STEPS
Step 1: In a small blender, such as a smoothie blender, combine the milk, pumpkin puree, dates, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, and blend until smooth. Taste, and blend in another date if you’d like a sweeter smoothie. Add the ice and blend until smooth and frothy. Serve right away, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon, if desired.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
Medjool dates >> other dates.
Instead of the spices listed here >> use your own preferred combination.
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