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Thursday, September 12, 2013

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Pumpkin Spice Smoothies - all the pumpkin spice flavors you love, in a smoothie!
A quick, easy, and delicious way to start your fall days!!


There is nothing I love more about mornings than waking up, heading downstairs, opening up all the curtains, toasting myself a bagel, and starting a pot of coffee. Strong coffee....of course....(is there any other type??) As silly as it sounds, it is something I look forward to - the stream of morning sunlight, the toasted bagel, and the hot, strong coffee (especially the coffee)! The only thing that makes it better? Those days when, by some small miracle, the kids are still sleeping. I love having a few moments of peace and quiet - with my bagel and coffee in hand - before they wake up. And although I don't make waking up before the kids a regular thing, on mornings when it just happens, I can tell it's going to be a good day.



There are lots of little things like that.....little things I look forward to that make a big difference. Like going for a daily run, snuggling on the couch and reading books to my kids, taking a hot shower, pouring a glass of wine, occasionally ordering sushi....or Thai....and, every once in a blue moon, treating myself to Starbucks. I don't know what it is about Starbucks that feels like SUCH a treat. Maybe because it's so easy to make coffee at home....or because it's so hard to spend $5 on a latte??


Whatever the reason, it's something I rarely treat myself to! I am much more likely to drive into the parking lot, sit in my car for a minute, and then drive off empty-handed because I just can't bring myself to spend the money! But on the rare occasion that I do....you better believe I'm ordering myself a pumpkin spice latte. Warm, creamy, spicy and delicious. Perfect for fall! And on all the days I don't....I'll be treating myself to a different pumpkin spice treat....this delicious Pumpkin Spice Smoothie! Ready in no time, with all the pumpkin spice flavors you've come to LOVE, and best of all, it's good for you! It's a whole new kind of something to look forward to.....and believe me....you will!!


Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
1/2 c. vanilla yogurt (not plain)
2 oz. frozen pumpkin puree (or 2 pumpkin puree "ice cubes")
1/2 frozen banana, cut into 1-inch chunks
1-2 Tbsp. maple syrup
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (I used homemade - recipe below)
1 cinnamon stick for garnish

1. Pre-freeze pumpkin puree by dividing 1 (15 oz.) can into an ice cube tray and freezing. (You will have enough to fill more than one tray.)
2. Combine all ingredients (except cinnamon stick) in blender and blend until smooth.
3. Pour into glass; garnish with a cinnamon stick.




Makes 1 smoothie

Pumpkin Pie Spice (from allrecipes.com)
4 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
4 tsp. ground nutmeg
4 tsp. ground ginger
3 tsp. ground allspice

Enjoy!


Be sure to check out some of my other Pumpkin Spice recipes, too!






Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling....
I hope you feel right at home!



26 comments :

  1. Sounds like a great start to the morning. ☺

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  2. This sounds yummy and fattening to but who cares I would love to make this but its easier to just go into a 7-11 and pick one up or a Starbucks

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  3. I am up before the kids as we speak, and I LOVE it. It's quiet and I can blog without the guilt! All thats missing are these smoothies! Look pretty darn wonderful Cathy!

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  4. What a great idea Cathy! Will be pinning this one for future.

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  5. Mine turned out quite sour/bitter. Anybody else have this problem too? I'll have to try it again.

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    1. Sorry yours tasted bitter! Did you use vanilla yogurt or plain yogurt? Plain would definitely lead to a bitter taste. I just clarified the recipe to make sure!

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  6. This looks so good! What a great way to eat pumpkin spice! I love it!

    Thanks for the recipe!

    Melissa @ The Alchemist

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  7. Sounds good, but I couldn’t get anyone in my family to try it with the yogurt in it. Hmm… I may have to keep this in mind for later in the fall.

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  8. Yum!! This is Fantastic!! I can't wait to try it!

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  9. Oh you have done it again (and again and again) this sounds amazing. Pinning and sharing this. yum. Agreed, starbucks is redonk on their prices. I even sometimes feel bad paying for their iced tea anymore (my special weakness there) since prices went up a bit.
    thanks for sharing!!

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  10. Oooh yummy. This would be great for an afternoon treat. Love that you use a yogurt base.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Sarah

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  11. What a great recipe! Love anything to do with pumpkin - what better way than to drink it ;) thanks for sharing!

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  12. Great idea, freezing the pumpkin. Keeps from having to add ice and dilute the smoothie. Thanks for the recipe!

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  13. I love your idea of freezing pumpkin! What a great idea. Never thought to put it in a smoothie. This looks delish :)

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  14. Found you on Ducks n'a row- obsessed with pumpkin and this looks divine. I have to get a can soon!

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  15. This sounds delicious! I can't wait to try it! Will pin it! Jodi from http://thenoiseofboys.com

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  16. I found this to be bitter as well. We used everything except the maple syrup - subbed honey and agave for that (the yogurt was vanilla-maple flavored). Then we added dark brown sugar to try and counter the bitterness.
    I think it was the pumpkin pie spice. 1/2 tsp. is a lot for such a small smoothie (we doubled the recipe but used only 1/2 tsp. of spice and it was still very bitter). Our brand of spice is very strong, so that might have something to do with it.
    :/

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    1. Hi Cait,
      Thanks for the feedback. Sorry you found it to be bitter! I just made it again and my hubby and I both tasted it. Neither one of us found it bitter....but are thinking you may be right about the pumpkin pie spice. I used a homemade mixture for this recipe so I'm not sure how it compares to your brand. I just added the pumpkin pie spice recipe to my recipe above.
      Have a great night,
      Cathy

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    2. Thanks for including the spice recipe! I'd take a guess and say that mine has MUCH less cinnamon than yours. Two things my spice does have in it that your recipe doesn't - ground cloves and white pepper (!!) which are probably my culprits for the bitter taste! (Our spice is Fairway's brand, for anyone who wants to know)
      I did forget to mention that my fiance enjoyed this drink, and drank the rest of my smoothie for me. He agreed it was bitter, but it had the word and ingredient "pumpkin" in it so he was all for it.:)
      Next time we'll try to whip up our own spice!
      Thanks!

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  17. Cathy, this delicious smoothie was one of our most viewed posts on last week's Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. It is featured this week. Stop by! ♥
    Blessings,
    Sinea
    Ducks ‘n a Row

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  18. Pumpkin as a cold drink is new to me but I love pumpkin so I'll give it a try ;-)

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  19. Pinned! I love anything pumpkin! Please share on our link party (MoonlightandMasonjars.com) tonight. Xo, Jenn

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  20. Love this ! Pinned it and made it our Thirsty Thursday drink of the day and of course linked to you, for our blog for mom-to-be and moms!

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  21. I saw you on featured on Six Sisters' Stuff and this looks delicious. I pinned it so I won't lose it:) It's rare to come across a recipe that uses non-processed or artificial ingredients:)

    Nicole @ HoldtheOffice.com

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  22. Wow...I have to try this. I saw this on Six Sisters Stuff and just had to follow the link to get the recipe!

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