Pumpkin Party

Ah! 'Tis the season of pumpkin everything. From the lattes at Starbucks to Trader Joes' overabundance of pumpkin products, you really can't escape America's favorite squash.  While it’s plenty easy to find pumpkin recipes that are doused in butter, sugar and cream, I got the itch to whip up some clean, healthy pumpkin delights. 

Creamy Pumpkin Smoothie:  

INGREDIENTS

1 banana

1/2 cup pumpkin

3/4 cup vanilla almond milk

3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tbsp vanilla protein powder (optional) 

1 tsp of vanilla extract

1.5- 2 handfuls of ice

Toss it all in a blender, and you should get a nice and creamy texture. It's basically pumpkin pie in smoothie form - amazing! And the best part is, it's actually good for you!  Pumpkins are similar to carrots in that they are extremely high in vitamin A (essential for eye health) as well as vitamin K and fiber. It's a win-win!

Pumpkin Spice Gingerbread {serves 2}

DRY INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup of oats

1/2 tsp cinnamon

scant 1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp cloves

1/8 tsp salt

WET INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup of pumpkin puree

1 tbsp molasses

1 large banana, mashed

2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients. Pour wet into dry and mix. Then scoop the batter into a greased 9X5 inch loaf pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. 

I definitely inhaled one slice immediately hot out of the oven. The next day, I ate the rest cold topped with non dairy yogurt.  Let me know how your pumpkin creations turn out!