Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie

This creamy pumpkin pie protein smoothie is just like pumpkin pie but without the guilt! Great as a post-recovery shake, breakfast or a healthy dessert!

Tis the season for #pumpkinspiceeverything! Who is with me!? Sure, fall festivals, wearing flannel, and watching football are all great, but October feels complete to me because I get to enjoy pumpkin spice! Even though I hate to admit it, I am your basic white girl, but I am not complaining because I could literally eat pumpkin every day if I wanted to -- and with this pumpkin pie protein smoothie, that is just what I have been doing!

I made this smoothie on a whim after a workout when I usually make a post-recovery smoothie. I was looking in my fridge for the usual spinach leaves but found leftover pumpkin puree instead. I thought, “Sure, pumpkin pie sounds healthy after a workout!”

That is what I did and it turned out amazing! Now, when I make this pumpkin pie protein smoothie as a post-recovery smoothie, I do not add the fun toppings. I usually add hemp seeds instead for that added protein! But, if you want to treat yourself to a fun Friyay breakfast, snack or dessert, then load the toppings on!

If pumpkin is not your thing, then check out my other protein smoothies here: morning green smoothie and  PB&J protein smoothie bowl.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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This creamy pumpkin pie protein smoothie is just like pumpkin pie but without the guilt! Great as a post-recovery shake, breakfast or a healthy dessert!

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

• 1 frozen banana (ripe)

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 2 Tbsp almond butter

• 1 scoop protein powder

• 1/2 cup ice

• couple dashes of pink Himalayan salt

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

Granola, coconut whipped cream, peanut butter, dash of pumpkin pie spice, hemp seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Taste flavors and adjust accordingly; adding honey for more sweetness, more milk for a smoother/thinner consistency.

2. Garnish with toppings of choice and enjoy!

NOTES

1. Your banana must be ripe or else this smoothie will not taste sweet. If you do not have a ripened banana, use what you have and add 3 pitted medjool dates or 1 Tbsp honey and taste as you go for desired sweetness.

2. Toppings: I used So Delicious Coco Whip, Nature’s Path dark chocolate macaroon granola, and Trader Joe's pumpkin pie spice seasoning

3. Protein powder: Garden of Life

4. I also add this brand of superfood green powder. Doesn’t change the smoothie flavor, just gives it a sweeter taste.

Morning Green Smoothie

This morning green smoothie recipe is full of simple, delicious and nutritious ingredients that will keep you energized and ready for the day!

Everybody needs to have a go-to green smoothie recipe in their repertoire. This recipe I’m about to share with you has been my ol’ faithful since college. When I don’t know what to make in the morning, or if I’m in a rush, all I have to do is pop a few simple ingredients from my freezer into a blender, and voila! I am good to go.

I’ve seen some people look at green smoothies, their nose wrinkled in disgust, saying things like “that’s going to taste like dirt!” Well, surprise! That is quite the contrary with this green smoothie recipe! This smoothie tastes like a creamy vanilla almond milkshake!

One of the major reasons why I still use this recipe is that I can get most of my picky friends to drink it, especially those who do not care for veggies. The veggies in this smoothie are hidden by the addition of fruit and almond butter… Even I forget that it’s healthily packed with veggies!

There are many great health benefits to this five-ingredient green smoothie that will keep you energized and ready for the day! Fruits are a good source of energy, but eaten alone will only provide short bursts of energy. If you add a higher content of veggies, green smoothies have a balanced sugar content. This smoothie is also very filling as it contains high amounts of water and fiber. As a result, if you are trying to lose weight, green smoothies will help fight hunger and cravings while helping the pounds melt off easier!

The base for this recipe consists of a bosc pear, banana, spinach, almond butter and almond milk. I usually start my smoothie out with these main ingredients but if I want to step up my nutrition game, then I will add 1 scoop of superfood green powder, 1 scoop protein powder, and top with hemp seeds.  You could also sub some ingredients depending on what you have on hand. For example, if I am out of pears then I will use 1 cup frozen berry medley or if I am out of spinach then I will use kale or mixed greens.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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This green smoothie recipe is full of simple, delicious and nutritious ingredients that will keep you energized and ready for the day! 

ingredients

• 1/2 bosc pear

• 1/2 frozen ripe banana

• 1 large handful fresh spinach

• 1 Tbsp almond butter

• 1 cup almond milk

directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth!

notes

1. If you would like this smoothie to be colder, add 1 cup ice to the mixture and blend until smooth.

2. Add superfood and protein powder to take your green smoothie to the next level!

3. For easy preparation, combine the pear, banana, spinach and almond butter to freezer Ziploc bags and store in the freezer until ready to use. Just throw the bag into the blender, add milk and blend for a quick morning breakfast smoothie!

Chili Lime Mango Smoothie

Anti-inflammatory and detoxifying chili lime mango smoothie! Sweet, tangy, and subtly spiced. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo!

One thing you must know about me, I love spicy food! There is just something about adding a dash of sriracha or hot sauce to a meal that takes it to the next level!

This recipe was inspired by an Instagram post I made a while back with my favorite afternoon snack combo, mango, and chili lime seasoning. This seasoning mix brings out the flavors of the mango while adding the perfect amount of heat to it.

For this smoothie, in lieu of the premade seasoning mix that contains a fair amount of sodium, I have used chili pepper flakes and fresh lime instead. Chili peppers contain capsaicin which has proven to be an aid to weight loss, helpful in treating cancer and relieves pain.

Chili peppers pair great with fresh ginger root to detox the body. This power couple detoxes the body which eliminates any excessive toxins that are present in the bloodstream, liver, and other excretory organs. This power couple also provides a concoction that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to support the cleansing and protection of your body’s main system.

Since ginger, chili peppers, and lime can provide an intense flavor, mangoes, as well as coconut milk and bananas, balance the flavors out. At the end of it all, the harmony of the flavors-- it’s purely delicious!

In honor of #cincodemayo, you could easily make this smoothie recipe into margaritas by adding tequila! Don’t forget to rim your glasses with lime and the chili lime seasoning!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Anti-inflammatory and detoxifying chili lime mango smoothie! Sweet, tangy, and subtly spiced. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 whole mango (or 1 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks)

• 1/2 lime

• 1 cup coconut milk

• 1-2 tsp fresh ginger

• Half frozen ripe banana

• few shakes of chili pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS

1. Blend until smooth!Optional: Add a dash of chili-lime seasoning and lime wedge for garnish

Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Smoothie Bowl

Creamy and nutritious protein smoothie bowl with spinach, banana, berries, protein powder and a secret ingredient! A healthy breakfast or great post-workout treat that tastes just like PB&J!

HAPPY NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER LOVER’S DAY.

Did you know there existed a day just for us peanut butter lovers? I certainly didn’t. There really is a national day for everyone!

In high school, a PB&J sandwich was my go-to meal as that was the only vegetarian option back in the day during lunch. Obviously, I am not a vegetarian anymore, but thinking about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches make me nostalgic and reminisce about the good ol’ days. It’s definitely a classic staple.

When I was in undergrad, I would go to Smoothie King to get the Peanut Power Plus Strawberry smoothie when I needed to satisfy my peanut butter craving. It was quick and convenient, not to mention that it also literally tasted just like a PB&J sandwich!

Now that I am older and wiser, I have created a smoothie bowl recipe that is not only healthy but still has the same flavor PB&J flavor that I love. This peanut butter & jelly protein smoothie bowl is a recipe that I have been using for years now. Every other morning, I whip up a batch for breakfast in a tumbler so I can bring it to work. For the weekends, I like to transform this smoothie into a bowl so that I can jazz it up with superfoods like goji berries, cacao nibs, chia seeds, and coconut flakes.

Would you have guessed that zucchini is the secret ingredient for keeping this smoothie super creamy and thick? Zucchini is great for amping your smoothie with amazing vitamins and nutrients as well as being naturally lower in carbs and calories. If you drink smoothies in the morning like I do, zucchini is great for digestion and provides energizing B vitamins. B vitamins are important for cognitive health as it maintains an upbeat mood and prevent fatigue.

Regardless of how you choose to create this smoothie, whether you present it in a bowl or choose to put it in a tumbler to take with you, the ingredients are just as flexible. I usually amp this smoothie up with two heaping handfuls of spinach along with a green powder scoop if I feel that I want to incorporate more greens into my diet. Like I said, this recipe is flexible -- it’s up to you if you want to add more veggies or superfoods!

Interested in more smoothie recipes that are nutritious and delicious? Check out my recipe for (starburst smoothie). Yes, you read that right -- it tastes like pink starbursts!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo with #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Creamy and nutritious protein smoothie bowl with spinach, banana, berries, protein powder and a secret ingredient! A healthy breakfast or great post-workout treat that tastes just like PB&J!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small handful fresh organic spinach

• 1 frozen ripe banana

• 1 cup frozen berry medley (I used strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries)

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/2 zucchini

• 1 scoop protein peanut butter/ chocolate powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender until creamy yet thick. If making this into a smoothie that you can take with you, add more milk or water to thin out the mixture.

2. Add your favorite toppings! I used coconut flakes, cacao nibs, banana slices, blueberries, chia seeds, coconut flakes, goji berries and warm almond butter drizzle!

NOTES

1. I use is this protein powder brand

Pink Starburst Smoothie

February Motto:

Does anyone else think it would be great if you could just take all of the pink starbursts and drink them? No? Just me? Well…

This. Smoothie. Literally. Tastes. Like. A. Pink. Starburst!

I am not kidding -- it’s pretty amazing! As a health and wellness blog, do you really think I would blend an entire bag of pink starbursts and tell you to drink it?!

Maybe.

Haha, hard no…

But once you see the ingredients, you will notice that you may already have these things on hand! With the month of February, this smoothie couldn’t have come at a perfect time, just look at that gorgeous pink color!

The ingredients provide not only a beautiful pink color for Valentine’s Day; it also provides high levels of vitamin C that will boost your immune system and keep the common cold at bay. While we are on the topic, here are some facts about vitamin C:

• Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that captures free radicals and neutralizes them.

• Apples, berries, broccoli, red bell peppers, and citrus fruits contain a high level of vitamin C.

• Vitamin C helps to absorb iron.

• It also helps to prevent damage to our bodies from pollutants and toxicities.

Since Valentine’s day is coming up, I would definitely replace your morning orange juice for this smoothie and make a wonderful breakfast in bed with yourself or with your significant other!

But, as always, be sure to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement. I’m not a doctor – just a nutrition student!

A sweet and refreshing smoothie jammed pack full of vitamin C and antioxidants! 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 blood oranges (peeled)

• 4 carrot stalks

• 1 red apple (cored (any red will work))

• 1 frozen banana (ripened)

• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries

• 1 small knob of fresh ginger root

• 1 cup coconut water

DIRECTIONS

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth -- that’s it!

NOTES

1. It is best to use a high powered blender like Vitamix or Blendtec. This is what I use!

2. If the smoothie is too tart, start by adding 1 tsp of pure maple honey and increase to your likeness for a more sweeter taste.

3. You can add 1 cup of ice if you want to use fresh fruit instead of frozen.

4. This smoothie can have a grainy texture so if you prefer a smoother texture, then turn this into a juice by filtering through a milk bag or cheesecloth.