Summer is definitely behind us and now it's time to get ready for the cooler weather! I love this time of year. The activities. The sights. The sounds. The smells. The food!
Now is the time to take advantage of everything Autumn has to offer. Take a drive and enjoy the changing leaves. Hike through the woods and breathe in the cool, crisp air. Go apple or pumpkin picking. Rake leaves. Terrific exercise. Bake a pie. Cook up a big pot of homemade chili. Be sure to include lots of comforting foods in your diet. Soups, stews, baked casseroles. They will keep you cozy and satisfied. Toss in warming herbs and spices like ginger. Cumin. Cayenne. Curry. Turmeric. Chili powder. Mustard seeds. They add a wonderful flavor and a touch of heat to your food to help boost your metabolism so it can burn fat better and faster. And yes, you can and should give yourself permission to enjoy some of the delicious treats you love this season. If your daily diet is healthy and clean, go ahead and indulge now and then.
Now is the season of PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING!
Unfortunately, most of the yummy Pumpkin Spice goodies you love and crave aren't made with the healthiest of ingredients and if you indulge in a few too many, you can end up packing on the pounds. So go easy on them. The Holiday season is just around the corner and the last thing you want is to gain weight! Riiight?
The good news is, you can satisfy your cravings for all things pumpkin with a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. Just skip the super-fattening, sugar-loaded, artificially flavored Pumpkin Smoothies and try making my delicious recipe at home. This one actually does your body good. It's made with yogurt and almond milk, so it's rich in protein. And because there's actually real pumpkin in it, you're getting plenty of Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron, Maganese, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Copper. This is more than just a treat, this is a MEAL! Perfect for breakfast or even lunch on the go!
Here's What You Need:
1/2 ripe banana
1/3 cup plain pumpkin puree (from a can)
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (use yogurt made from coconut milk for a non-dairy version)
3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
few shakes of pumpkin pie spice
4-5 ice cubes
Here's What You Do:
Dump everything into your blender, blend and pour into a glass or travel cup.
Wow! Simple, right?
This should be sweet enough as is, but if you want it a bit sweeter, add a touch of maple syrup, coconut sugar or Stevia, but PLEASE don't add artificial sweeteners to this healthy concoction. If you want to boost the protein and nutrients in this smoothie even more, add a few scoops of a good, all natural, organic, non-GMO, protein powder. I highly recommend Purium's Power Shake. Go here to get it and check out some of their other amazing products while you're at it! .
Don't forget apples! An apple a day.......
There's nothing like biting into a delicious, crisp apple and they're in season right now. And baked apples. Apple pie. Apple crisp... I have a recipe for an apple crisp that's so good, you'll want to eat it every day. And you can, because it's good for you. So simple to make, too. Check it out here ---> Good for You Apple Crisp
Allow me to offer you a FREE gift......
I am so excited to give this to you. My motivation was an article I read recently about a mother and daughter who committed themselves to getting healthy and losing weight. They remained dedicated to exercising and eating well for 100 days and lost a combined total of 74 lbs so far! They look and feel so FANTASTIC, they're gonna keep on going. Read their inspirational story here:
One thing they attributed to their success was Meal Planning. Having and following a definite meal plan kept them from making poor food choices, overeating, skipping meals and stopping by the drive-thru after a long day. That prompted me to put together a Meal Planning Guide - advice on planning healthy menus and meals, time-saving food preparation, and even tips on how to shop and stock your fridge and pantry. You can download your FREE Meal Planning Guide (no email necessary) here: Meal Planning Guide
I hope you utilize the guide. It will help you save time so you'll have more time to enjoy everything this glorious month has to offer.
Here's to a wonderful October and a happier, healthier you!
Cynthia xo
Comments
I just love this post! It just makes me want to jump in the car and ride up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the leaves turning - probably a little early yet. And, Pumpkin Pie is a favorite at our house. Thanks for sharing this, Cynthia and I will too.
OMG! What a yummy post Cynthia. I will be reposting on the Syndication Express blog for more eyeballs to see, read and share it too. Very glad to have you in the community and I look forward to seeing more posts from you. Have a great day.