Warm pumpkin smoothie

Chinese medicine recommends warm and cooked foods in general to stoke your digestive furnace, fuel your metabolism, transform fluids (think bloating, puffiness, water retention and loose stools) and strengthen your body’s ability to produce Qi and blood from the food you eat. This is all the more important during the cooler months of fall and winter (though you’ll see benefit by incorporating these principles year-round). Whether you’ve been drinking cold smoothies and are looking for a way to continue your yummy beverage into the cooler seasons or you are a fan of pumpkin everything, this is the hearty drink for you!

Warm Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe

by Lisa Abernathy; makes one large serving

recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, autoimmune protocol friendly & plant based

Follow this recipe as a general guideline while feeling free to modify to your personal preferences:

1/2 ripe banana

1/2 can pumpkin or 7 oz fresh, cooked pumpkin

1/2 cup mango chunks

1 scoop collagen powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 c almond milk (or coconut milk for AIP)

1/2 c almond yogurt (or coconut yogurt for AIP)

1 tsp honey or maple syrup

optional: a dash of cardamom, ginger, clove and/or nutmeg, a heaping spoonful of pecan butter

Blend everything together, then transfer to a pot and warm on the stove, stirring often. Pour into a cozy mug or tall glass and enjoy.