Perfectly Pumpkin Protein Shake

Morning protein shakes are my go-to for breakfast.  I love mixing different fruits and veggies in my shake.  So, when the weather turns and the leaves change colors, pumpkin is my favorite shake add-in.  It’s like having pumpkin pie for breakfast but without the fat and calories!  Did you know that pumpkin is really healthy for you?  Just look at it’s lovely orange color–packed with Vitamin C and Vitamin A.  Pumpkin is also loaded with tons of fiber, and every time I have one of these protein shakes I am full for hours.  Lots of fiber helps to eat less, which helps to loss weight.  If I can eat anything that tastes like pumpkin pie while losing weight that sounds good to me!

If you can, I suggest making your own pumpkin puree.  It’s healthier and packed with vitamins.  Since pumpkins are currently in season, I like to take a Sunday afternoon and make a batch of pumpkin puree to last the year.  You can see my process here on my blog.  But if that’s something you don’t want to do, try and buy organic canned pumpkin and canned pumpkin without sugar.  I like the Trader Joe’s organic canned pumpkin.

If you want to make your protein shake creamier and thicker, I suggest adding non-dairy milk, like almond or coconut milk for your liquid base.  I prefer the best of both worlds, and buy the Califia Farms’ Toasted Coconut Almond Milk.  It is SO good and highly recommended!

Now for my favorite protein powder—this one tastes amazing and is specially formulated for women to deliver weightless benefits and nutrition that we mamas especially need.

Don’t forget to add cinnamon.  You can’t have pumpkin pie without cinnamon!  Good thing to know that cinnamon also has numerous health benefits.  It is known to lower blood sugar in diabetes and lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation.  Read more about cinnamon’s health benefits.  And I am going to say it again, buy organic cinnamon.

Don’t you love how you can pack so much health into one little drink?

Optional: maple syrup or honey or stevia (if you need it to be sweeter)

Throw everything in a blender and blend until creamy and thick.  Drink and enjoy!  Get creative and add apples slices or pecans.

Perfectly Pumpkin Protein Shake

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Ingredients

• 8-10 ounces of unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 1 heaping scoop of protein powder
• 1/2 cup of organic pumpkin puree
• Half of a frozen banana
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 7-10 ice cubes
• Optional: maple syrup or honey or stevia (if you need it to be sweeter)

Instructions

1. Throw everything in a blender and blend until creamy and thick. Drink and enjoy! Get creative and add apples slices or pecans.

Snag HowDoesShe’s favorite protein powder of all time HERE!

To see more of my healthy posts, head to Darling Darleen