Autumn Smoothies Using Leftover Pumpkin and Cranberries
November 12, 2013
Relish in the autumn spirit with some festively fall juices and smoothies that are guaranteed to help you detox from all that post-Halloween candy and pre-Thanksgiving Day feasts headed your way. Load up on antioxidants, lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables to help keep you hydrated, maintaining your weight and feeling fit and full.
Can’t think of what else to do with that shaker of pumpkin spice you bought for your pie? Use it in a pumpkin smoothie.
The Great Pumpkin
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 1 chopped apple
- 1 cup coconut or almond milk
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1-2 tbsp pumpkin puree, if handy, for a velvety finish
Place it in the blender and blend until smooth. Serves one.
Pumpkin Chai Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 can pumpkin puree (plain, not spiced)
- 3 cups almond or coconut milk
- 2 bananas
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 3 tsp chai spice
- 6-8 ice cubes (less if using frozen bananas)
Blend ingredients all together and add a dash of ginger for some kick and serve. Makes enough for two.
Red Berry Fix
The autumn harvest yields some spectacular colors. Red is no exception but the cranberry is often overlooked when it comes to anything beyond a relish or sauce from a can. Break out beyond the cranberry loaf and relish tray and create a flavorful juice that looks graces your table gorgeously too.
Raz-Cran Juice
Ingredients:
- ½ cup raspberries
- ½ cup cranberries
- 2 apples chopped
- 1 lemon peeled
Juice them all together for a simple treat that looks pretty too. Strain it and add a splash of sparkling cider to make it festive.
Cranberry Raspberry Smoothie
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup cranberries
- 1 cup raspberry yogurt
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 2/3 cup almond milk or coconut milk or water
- 2 ice cubes
- 1 kale leaf
Blend and serve. Makes enough for one.
Cran-Orange Smoothie
The idea of blending oranges with cranberries is fantastic in a relish so why not introduce it to your smoothie repertoire?
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cranberries
- 1 orange peeled and chopped
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 tbsp flax seed
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp agave nectar
Toss it all in a blender. Blend until smooth and serve. Makes enough for one.
By now we all know that it is easier to get through the holiday season happy and healthy versus bloated and chiding. This time of year can yield a lot of creativity in the kitchen. Not all of it has to be full of sugar and fat. These recipes can help ease you into a brighter new year.
