Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (Dairy-Free)

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (DF)

This delicious Pumpkin Pie Smoothie is not only super healthy, it that tastes just like pumpkin pie!

When I used to think of pumpkin, I would immediately think of the fall time. One of my favorite seasons of the year when the weather cools off, and I get to watch the leaves on the trees turn wonderful shades of reds, oranges and yellows.  I also recall the aroma of delicious homemade pumpkin pies and pumpkin cake filling my grandma’s house every year at Thanksgiving.  It is funny how a smell or taste can be associated with fond memories and family, but when you have been able to partake in cooking from either of my grandmothers, it was sure to leave a lasting impression.  In my mind, pumpkin was only enjoyed during that time of the year.

As pumpkin is extremely healthy, why should we only eat it during the fall?  Pumpkin is great for our hearts and one of the best-known health benefits is it is known to control cholesterol.  It is also rich in dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins.  Then I remembered there is a thing called canning (YAY!), which gives us the enjoyment of pumpkin all year round.  Since it would not be wise to indulge in the pumpkin pies and pumpkin cakes year round, I needed to think of another way to enjoy pumpkin.   The answer was an ice cold smoothie!  This Pumpkin Pie Smoothie is exceptionally delicious.  My husband and children absolutely love pumpkin smoothies and drink them quite often.

This smoothie is made with:

• almond milk (you can sub for any type of milk)
• frozen banana
• sweetened with pure maple syrup,
• an entire cup of pumpkin puree,
• pecans (Yummy pecans) to make it creamy
• Cinnamon
• 4-6 ice cubes

On the morning I decided to share this smoothie on my blog, my two year old could not wait to get her little hands on the glass.  While I was preparing it, she thought it was for her and my poor little baby had to wait.  Looking back, I should have made her one and then made another to photograph, but I was on a mission and wanted to get the photos taken.  While trying to photograph the smoothie she kept reaching for the glass.  It was so funny.  Two years old babies are just so adorable.  After the photos were finished, she was able to get her hands on that smoothie and it was gone in minutes.

This Smoothie is:

• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Dairy-Free
• Refined Sugar-Free
• And a WHOLE LOT OF YUM!

Did you make this recipe? Please take a photo and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #redesignedrecipes_juli and tag @redesignedrecipes_juli.  I would love to see it!