What’s your favorite thing about the Fall? Mine has got to be watching the leaves turn. I absolutely love seeing red/orange/auburn tree tops everywhere. And then from one day to the next, in an almost ephemeral fashion; it all turns fiery red or goes completely gold. Or both. I very vividly remember my first fall in Canada, the year was 2002. I was in awe of the Fall and loving every minute of it. Until it got colder, and my sweater wasn’t enough. Then it stopped being fun. I grew up in a beautiful place where tree tops are all shades of green year-round & hardly anything around you changes. In fact, every time we fly back to El Salvador, the vast, extensive greenery is clearly visible from the plane. Majestic volcanoes everywhere. Rolling hills. City lights. A deep blue stretch of ocean right across from the airport. There’s just something about the place you left that always makes you remember it with rose-colored glasses.

Well, my second favorite thing about the Fall has got to be “everything pumpkin.” Yes, the category needs to be defined as encompassing ALL things pumpkin. I love pumpkin pie, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin raw cheesecake & now… pumpkin smoothies! Yes, it had to happen. But trust me, don’t be fooled by how rich & creamy this smoothie turns out. It’s packed with a bunch of goodness & it’s actually pretty nutritious for you. I rely on my trusty coconut yogurt for a dense texture, but here’s a tip: if you are not intolerant to dairy: simply use vanilla greek yogurt or the unsweetened, natural variety. Greek yogurt is really high in protein & some people find they can’t handle milk, but thanks to all the good bacteria eating away at the gluten- greek yogurt may be tolerable to some.

Makes 1 Smoothie: You Will Need:

• 1 frozen banana sliced
• 1/2 cup of vanilla coconut yogurt (or vanilla greek yogurt)
• 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup of almond or coconut milk * carrageenan free, preferably
• 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree (100% canned or fresh pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

Blend on high until desired consistency is obtained. For an even thicker smoothie, add some ice cubes & a little less nut milk. This is quite literally pumpkin pie in a glass! Sans the white sugar, eggs, corn syrup, & cow dairy. Love, Love, love this. Hope you may enjoy it, too! 🙂