Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Fall is officially here! I'm a huge fan of pumpkin and fall, but it's definitely still warm here in Hampton Roads. If you are still enjoying warm days and looking for ways to welcome fall in, try this pumpkin pie smoothie. It's pumpkin pie in a drinkable form.

A lot of smoothies are loaded in sugar, which gives you a smoothie high, followed by an energy drop, only to leave you craving the next energy spike. This smoothie is full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber, which all work together to keep your energy from crashing. On top of that, pumpkin is a good source of tryptophan. Tryptophan is key in the production of serotonin. Serotonin is key in mood regulation.

A couple of notes. Be sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. The Plain Forager's Cashewgurt provides a tang, imitating the whipped topping flavor or a cream cheese like bite. If you can't find the Plain Forager Cashewgurt you could use plain yogurt or a plain kefir to get the same effect. If you decide to use collagen instead of vanilla protein powder, I recommend opting for a vanilla flavored collagen or adding 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the blender.

Enjoy!

Amber

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