Pumpkin, pumpkin, everywhere. Pumpkin as far as the eye can see.
Pumpkin carving, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies and pumpkin bread. Pumpkin latte, pumpkin hot cocoa, and definitely a fair share of pumpkin smoothies and shakes.
I’m seeing tons of pumpkin on Tastespotting and FoodGawker. Talking to my Tweeps about it on Twitter. I bought a pumpkin at the Farmer’s Market this weekend and I’ve been stocking up on canned pumpkin for weeks because of some kind of supposed pumpkin shortage.
That’s a lot of pumpkin. I’m going to be looking for ways to consume it all. Good thing I like pumpkin ‘cos I’ll be eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
So, beginning today, I’m going start and end the day on a pumpkin note. Pumpkin smoothies for breakfast and probably pumpkin hot cocoa while I’m tapping away at the computer during my evening commune with cyberspace. Maybe I’ll munch on a salted pumpkin cajeta chocolate after dinner.
Oh, and have you noticed there’s a lot of noise about apples, applesauce, and apple cider, too?
Spiced Pumpkin Cider Smoothie
1/2 cup milk (I used coconut but soy, hemp, rice or your favorite alternative will work)
1/2 cup apple cider
1 cup 100% pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 frozen banana
4 or 5 ice cubes
1 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar (more or less to your liking)
Place all the ingredients in the blender and blend away until everything is smooth and creamy. Serve immediately. Enjoy.
Makes one large single serving.
I think next time I’ll try adding a teaspoon of flax meal and a tablespoon of protein powder.
Nancy Kohler