Pumpkin: Not Just For Holiday Pies.

Pumpkin is too good for you (and too tasty, as well!) to limit to holiday pies.  Try it combined with fruit and spice for a tasty breakfast-to-go.

Add a small handful of almonds, hard-boiled egg or piece of string cheese for an extra protein boost - key to keeping you full and satisfied through the morning!

For a signature drink, trade ginger for pumpkin pie spice or swap in frozen mango chunks for the banana.

Pumpkin's deep orange hue is a tip-off that it is high in carotenoids – antioxidants with a variety of health benefits, such as possible protection from macular degeneration and certain cancers. 

Look for plain canned pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling which has extras, such as added sugar and salt.

Pumpkin-Banana Smoothie with Ginger

½ cup fat-free, plain Greek yogurt
6 tablespoons canned pumpkin, chilled (not pie filling)
1 very ripe banana, frozen
⅓ cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened
1 teaspoon honey
Ground ginger, to taste

Combine all ingredients in blender; blend until smooth.  Serve immediately.  Makes 1 serving.

238 Calories, 2 g Total Fat, <1 g Saturated Fat, 8 mg Cholesterol, 118 mg Sodium, 46 g Carbohydrate, 6 g Fiber, 14 g Protein.