Pumpkin Protein Smoothie Bowl

When I discovered the Smoothie Bowl locally at The Juice Bar, it was love at first bite! 

This is the first year for me to create a pumpkin version. It's pumpkiny, bananay and full of whole food goodness -including half an avocado- to satiate my hunger until a late lunch. And, this recipe fits into a Paleo or KETO. If you're strict, leave out the pitted date.

It's good even without my preferred protein enhancements from Ancient Nutrition! But why miss an opportunity to bless your body? 

A quick note about my protein choices. The Multi Collagen Protein earns a WOWZERS from me, because it mixes into beverages and recipes without a weird texture or grit. Basically, it dissolves which means it's easily absorbed into your gut to work its magic! Collagen is not vegan. However, I prefer a plant-based protein powder for the taste, which is why I choose Plant Protein+ Vegan Superfood Protein Powder. Try both for yourself. (if the code doesn't pop up, email me for a special code). While other flavors are available, vanilla is my go-to, because I can make it work with all kinds of fruits, coffee, and extracts!

Here it is, my first-ever...

PUMPKIN PROTEIN SMOOTHIE BOWL

Into a food processor or blender...

• 3/4 to 1 cup Unsweetened "Milk" (your choice, I used almond)
• 1/2 cup+ 100% Pumpkin Puree' (Libby's will do, not the pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 small frozen Banana (or half of a large frozen banana)
  
• 1/2 large Avocado (or whole small avocado or frozen chunks, healthy fat)
• 1 pitted Date (added for depth of flavor sweetness)
• 1 scoop Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein
• 1 scoop Ancient Nutrition Plant Protein+ Powder
• 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Spice (I make my own bc I like extra nutmeg)

Toppings...

• Dollop of Almond Butter
• Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix
• Extra Pumpkin Seeds

You can totally use your own protein powder and your own cooked pumpkin! Now, Go Play with Your Food and let me know how it turned out!

"Sam"

Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix

Our family enjoys meals from the crockpot just about twice, each week. With a busy schedule and me being the primary menu planner and prepper, our slow cooker gets quite a workout from soups to beans, from meats to broths and even the occasional breakfast. Around the holidays, we love hot wassail, a hot beverage of apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, orange and pineapple juices!

Around 3pm when my tummy starts feeling empty, I typically open a pack of nuts or seeds or something whole food to fill that gnawing void until dinner. When I discovered I could "roast" trail mix in the crockpot, I knew it had to be part of my yearly 31 days of #PunkinChunkin! 

Trail mix is really about preference. What do you like in your mix? This is a basic "roasted" recipe. You may like different nuts or may want to add m&m's or raisins to your end result!

CROCKPOT PUMPKIN SPICE TRAIL MIX

Into the crockpot...

• 2 1/2 cups Coarse Chopped Walnuts
• 
  2/3 cup Raw Cashews (not already roasted and salted)
• 1/2 cup Raw Pumpkin Seeds (not already roasted and salted)

Mix separately...

• 1/4 cup Coconut Palm Sugar (it's a rusty brown color and not super sweet)
  
  
• 2-3 tablespoons Coconut Oil, melted
• 1-2 tablespoons Pumpkin Spice (make your own or not)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  
• opt: 1-2 droppers or squirts SweetLeaf Stevia Sweet Drops - Pumpkin Spice

Save to stir-in after trail mix has cooled...

• 1 handful (about 1 cup) Dried Unsweetened Cranberries
• 1 handful (about 1 cup) Lily's Baking Chips - Dark Chocolate (or whichever flavor you prefer)

Directions...

• Put all the nuts and seeds in crockpot
• Separately, melt coconut oil and mix with the coconut sugar, spices, vanilla and stevia, THEN, pour over nuts and seeds. Mix until well coated
• Turn crockpot to high
• Set your timer to :30 minutes. <ding> Stir.
• Reset your timer to :30 minutes. <ding> Stir, again. This time, observe with eyes and nose for the "roasted" color and smell. You don't want the nuts to scorch. 
• Note: If you have an older crockpot, you may want to add :15 to :30 additional minutes, watching and smelling and stirring to prevent scorching
• When the mix is to your desired color and "roast," spoon our turn onto parchment paper to cool. This will happen fairly quickly. The parchment will serve as a tool, later!
• Once cooled, lift the sides of the parchment turning it into a "funnel" to pour the trail mix
  into a large bowl
• Stir-in cranberries and chocolate chips until well coated and mixed

Eat by the handful or over yogurt! Store in airtight baggie or container. Remember, this is basic "roasted." Before you edit, decide if the ingredient can endure the heat of the crockpot or if the ingredient needs to be stirred-in after cooling. 

Also, this recipe is gluten-free and sugar-free, but easily adapted for your taste.
Why YES, I am working on a savory, spicy version! 

Now, GO PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD and let me know how it turned out!

"Sam"

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Mixing up your own batch of PUMPKIN PIE SPICE is easy as ...well, as easy as pie. 

I reuse the container from years ago to store the mixed spices, because it’s already labeled! Too easy.

After you make a batch, then you can do all kinds of recipes with your homemade PS like a home-brewed PSL or an actual pumpkin pie!

What is pumpkin pie spice? 

It's a mixture of the following spices in increments that you prefer:

Ground Cinnamon
Ground Cloves

Ground Nutmeg (I prefer to grate my own from the whole nutmeg seed, available from McCorkmick in the spice and seasonings aisle at the grocery)

Ground Alspice
Optionally, Ground Ginger (my preference)

• 
  Start with 3 tablespoons of cinnamon. Then, mix it to your taste by adding in teaspoon measurements and tasting or smelling. Add more of the flavor, like cinnamon, if that’s what YOU like! I go a little heavy on the nutmeg, because it's my fave for the holidays! The way I like it is freshly microplaned! (Pictured)

My friend, Jani, showed me how her family enjoys crisp apples. She takes cinnamon and sliced apples, tosses together and chills! The only sweetness is from the apple! I decided this could be done, instead, using the homemade pumpkin pie spice — it works for me! 

Go Play with Your Food and let me know how it goes for you...

"Sam"