Trade in that PSL for a Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Pumpkin season is not over!

I know I’m a little late into the pumpkin season to only now just be sharing a pumpkin spice – ANYTHING – with you guys… but listen, it was a little harder to get into this year. Summer ran long and when it’s 20 degrees and sunny, it’s really hard to imagine cozy-ing up under a blanket with a pumpkin spice latte.

Also, most importantly, I wanted these recipes to be PERFECT for you guys. (Yes, I say recipeS because there are more to come!)

I really wanted to do a smoothie because, think about it: A Starbucks PSL basically has as many calories as a small meal should. And what are you getting from it? Nothing! Nothing other than satisfying your sweet tooth.

It’s something you grab on your way to work after you’ve probably already eaten breakfast and might even have a little mid morning snack. And “Yay caffeine!” and all, but combined with that sugar, man are you gonna crash and be hungry way before lunch!

 Enter the Pumpkin Spice Smoothie 

I tried to keep the smoothie as #Fab4 as I could. Incase you haven’t heard me talk on this before, the Fab 4 principle (By the beautiful Kelly Laveque) is:

Greens + Fat + Fibre + Protein.

This combination not only helps to fill you up, but to keep you full for up to 4 hours, while still providing the nutrients you need from a complete meal. One big rule of this though is to KEEP SUGAR TO 1/4 cup. This helps to keep blood sugar from spiking and in turn, having you crash  few hours later. Technically the pumpkin in this will count as sugar (although very low grams of sugar) so it contains more fruit than an authentic #Fab4smoothie. BUT this is how I think it tastes best, and it keeps me fun for hours while still providing me with the energy I need!

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

1/4 cup organic pumpkin puree
1/2 frozen banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 handful spinach
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tbsp almond butter
1.5 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Blend away!!

PSST. If you guys are loving these recipes, make sure to join the Wellness & Wine Facebook Group! October is all about MEAL PREP! We’re sharing all our tips to make meal prep as efficient as possible, how to avoid wasting any food, and of course, recipes recipes recipes! All bloggers are welcome to contribute their content as well!