Here it is: the first pumpkin recipe of the season. Expect many more. This smoothie literally takes like pumpkin pie filling. Since this is my very first recipe with pumpkin on the blog, let’s talk about the health benefits. Just like carrots, a single cup of pumpkin contains 200% of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin A, which means it helps keep your eyes healthy and sharp. It also contains a good amount of vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system. Pumpkin can aid in weight loss/management because it’s full of fiber, which helps to keep you feeling full for longer. Research shows that the beta-carotene in pumpkin may help to ward off cancer. The versatile orange vegetable is also amazing to consume after a hard workout, as it contains more re-fueling potassium than a banana. This is why my pumpkin protein smoothie should be your new post workout snack of choice. It has both pumpkin AND banana, which makes it twice as fabulous. Do I even need to mention that it tastes absolutely delicious?

Note: As with any smoothie, I also like to have this for breakfast! It’s super fast to make and nutritious to boot. This recipe can be easily doubled for two servings.

Active Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:
1 banana, frozen
½ cup canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of ginger
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Perfect Fit)
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender and process until smooth and creamy.

Nutrition Information per serving:
Calories: 301 Fat: 1g Carbs: 57g Protein: 18g Sodium: 129mg Sugar: 31g

*Nutrition information is based on the products I used personally in this recipe. Different products may yield slightly different information.

I love drinking protein shakes after a really hard workout or as a healthy and filling breakfast. This shake tastes just like a milkshake, but it’s made with nutritious ingredients. It only has 5 natural ingredients: frozen banana, nut milk, nut butter, vanilla protein powder, and non-dairy chocolate chips. It’s entirely vegan and gluten-free (as long as you use plant-based protein powder), so it’s definitely special-diet friendly. As with any smoothie or shake, it’s customizable and you can add whatever additional ingredients you like. This Cookies and Cream Protein Shake is cold, creamy, and chocolately. It’s loaded with protein, so it’s great for breakfast because it has a lot of staying power and will keep you full and satisfied until lunch.

Note: This recipe can easily be halved to serve one person. If you are NOT concerned with your smoothie being vegan, feel free to use whatever protein powder and brand of chocolate chips you like.

Active Time: 3 minutes Total Time: 3 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 banana, peeled and frozen
1 cup nut milk (I used Silk Cashew Milk, but I also like Silk Original Almond Milk)
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 scoop plant-based protein powder (I used About Time All-Natural Vegan Protein)
1.5 tablespoons nondairy chocolate chips (such as Enjoy Life)
Handful of ice, if desired

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information per serving (without toppings):
Calories: 250 Fat: 11g Carbs: 34g Protein: 14g Sodium: 209mg Sugar: 16g

*Nutrition information is based on the products I used personally in this recipe. Different products may yield slightly different information.

Greens aren’t the only type of vegetable that are awesome to add to smoothies. Enter: Beets. Beets get a bad rap and I’m not sure why. I think a lot of people just assume they don’t like beets without even really trying them. They have a slightly sweet, earthy taste that works really well in a smoothie. They also have this amazing bright fuchsia color that just screams health. Beets are an absolute nutrient powerhouse. They can help lower your blood pressure (in a matter of hours), ward off cancer by reducing inflammation, help to detoxify the body, and increase your stamina. Beets also contain a ton of essential vitamins and minerals. In addition to the many health benefits that beets bring to the table, this smoothie also contains many more nutritional perks thanks to the cherries and raspberries. Cherries also ward off cancer by reducing inflammation, while simultaneously protecting against Alzheimer’s Disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Cherries also contain melatonin, which helps to regulate circadian rhythm so you can get a better night’s sleep (read: more restful sleep!). Add raspberries to the mix (which ALSO ward off cancer and reduce inflammation), and you have a total health-boosting, cancer-fighting smoothie. Give this smoothie a try and reap all of the amazing benefits!

*Whenever I have beets, I like to boil them for about 30 minutes to cook. Then, you can rinse in cold water and the skin just slides off with a little pressure. I keep mine in the fridge and throw them into a smoothie or slice onto a salad throughout the week.

Active Time: 3 minutes Total Time: 3 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:
1 small beetroot, cooked and peeled
7 sweet cherries, pitted
¼ cup fresh raspberries
1 cup almond milk (I used Silk Original Light)
1 tbsp pure maple syrup (optional, but recommended)

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information per serving (without toppings):
Calories: 180 Fat: 2g Carbs: 31g Protein: 1g Sodium: 162mg Sugar: 26g

*Nutrition information is based on the products I used personally in this recipe. Different products may yield slightly different information.

The first thing I think of when I hear “protein shake” is an insanely muscular man downing a huge quantity of whey protein powder mixed with milk. This is NOT that kind of protein shake. Generally, I drink protein shakes as my breakfast or morning snack following a workout. Morning workouts are great because they get your body moving and boost your metabolism so that you burn calories all day long. The only problem with that is that morning workouts also make me SUPER hungry. And as everyone knows, when you are super hungry you are more likely to overindulge or reach for unhealthy snacks. Drinking a protein shake soon after my workout keeps me satisfied and away from junk food. I always choose a plant-based protein powder. There are so many to choose from, and they can be derived from a variety of different proteins (brown rice, pea, hemp). I suggest trying a few in different flavors to see which one you like best. Most companies offer single serve packets, so you can try them before you buy a big container. My two favorites are Perfect Fit (part of the Tone It Up nutrition program), and VegaOne. I tend to stick to chocolate and vanilla because they are the most versatile and the easiest to use in other recipes (e.g. protein pancakes, bars, etc.)

Now on to the recipe. I love this shake because it tastes like a dessert, but it’s super healthy. It’s so creamy and chocolatey, you will feel like you are drinking a milkshake. I added a ton of mix-ins to give it great flavor and and added nutritional boost: dates, cacao, banana, and almond milk. Added bonus if you add the walnuts on top! Make sure you check out the nutritional information at the bottom of the page: 17 grams of protein and only 3grams of fat! I like to make this at night when I’m preparing my lunch for work. I keep it in the fridge and when I get home from the gym around 6:30AM, it’s ready for me! Hope you enjoy it!

Active Time: 2 minutes Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients:
1 small frozen banana
1 packet chocolate protein powder (I used Perfect Fit)
1 cup almond milk (I used Silk Original Light)
1 medjool date, pitted
1 tbsp cacao powder (or cocoa powder)

Optional: chopped walnuts, dairy-free chocolate chips, and shredded coconut, for topping.

Directions:
Place all ingredients into a high-powdered blender, such as a Ninja or Vitamix. Blend on medium-high until smooth. Top with chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, and coconut, if desired.

Nutrition Information per serving:
Calories: 316 Fat: 3g Carbs: 59g Protein: 17g Sodium: 193mg Sugar: 36g

*Nutrition information is based on the products I used personally in this recipe. Different products may yield slightly different information.

Green smoothies are a perfect way to sneak some leafy green vegetables into your day. I like to drink mine for breakfast so that I start the day on the right foot. This tropical green smoothie comes from the blog Rabbit Food for My Bunny Teeth (which I love and read daily). It’s a staple in our home and my husband loves it just as much as I do. I suspect kids would love this as well. It tastes like a standard fruit smoothie, but has an awesome bright green color. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free (coconuts are not actually nuts, if you were wondering), and vegan so it’s a very allergy-friendly option. Packed with three different types of fruit (banana, mango, pineapple), spinach, and coconut water, it’s very hydrating and refreshing. It’s perfect for drinking outside on a hot day. The tropical flavors will make you feel like you’re sitting on a beach somewhere in the sun. The frozen banana adds a pleasant creaminess that makes this smoothie feel more decadent than it really is. The recipe makes 16 oz. I consider it two servings, so that’s how it’s listed, but it’s definitely easy to drink the whole thing in one sitting.

Active Time: 3 minutes Total Time: 3 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1¼ cup coconut water
1 frozen banana
¼ cup frozen mango chunks
¼ cup frozen pineapple
large handful baby spinach

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Add additional coconut water to thin out and continue to blend if necessary.

Nutrition Information per serving (without toppings):
Calories: 110 Fat: 0g Carbs: 25g Protein: 2g Sodium: 59mg Sugar: 19g

*Nutrition information is based on the products I used personally in this recipe. Different products may yield slightly different information.

Source: Rabbit Food for My Bunny Teeth: Copycat Whole Foods Tropical Green Smoothie