Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Are you sensing a theme here? Ah, the image below that I saw on Pinterest (originally from MemeBase.com) sums it up nicely:

So after previously blogging about pumpkin pie and pumpkin cupcakes, why not blog another pumpkin experiment--this one you can drink. I also found this recipe on Pinterest, originally from the RedHead Recipes blog. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. This one (unlike the cupcakes, sorry) has a few more health benefits, and some of my favorite staple ingredients including nonfat Greek yogurt and soy milk (though I actually used almond milk--my milk of choice). The resulting smoothie had a perfect creamy pumpkin pie taste, though seemed to be lacking a little sweetness. If I were to make it again, I would cut back on the ice that I think watered it down a little, and either use sweetened vanilla yogurt or add a little maple syrup. Yum! For now, though, here is the original recipe.

Ingredients:

1 small banana, frozen, peeled, and diced
1/3 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (I like the FAGE brand)
3/4 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk (might try it with the sweetened kind or light soy milk next time)
A few shakes of pumpkin pie spice
Pinch of cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-5 ice cubes (might skip the ice cubes altogether and add an extra half of frozen banana)

Directions:

1.) Add all ingredients in the blender and blend for approximately 10-15 seconds until the banana chunks have broken down and the smoothie is smooth.

2.) Pour into a glass and sprinkle the top with a little more pumpkin pie spice and cloves.

That's it! Smoothies are pretty easy to throw together, though it takes a few experiments to get the flavors and textures just right. Be mindful of how powerful your blender is and how thick or thin you prefer your smoothies to be. This makes a great breakfast and a nice, healthy snack!