The temps are getting colder, the leaves are changing, and the Stio puffy jackets are quickly surfacing all over town. Although some of you may be hesitant to accept that fall is here, I am fully embracing the colder weather and am excited for fall flavors, especially pumpkin! Yes, the pumpkin spice craze can be slightly frustrating considering just about everything comes in this special fall flavor. However, beyond its delicious taste, pumpkin is extremely nutritious!
Pumpkin has a wide range of numerous health benefits and is considered the best known source of beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant. The body converts any ingested beta-carotene into Vitamin A, which is important for normal vision, the immune system and reproduction. Consuming foods rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, offer protection against asthma and heart disease, and delay aging and body degeneration. It can also help prevent diabetes and heart disease, promote a healthy complexion and hair, increase energy and aid a healthful body mass index.
Yet, the pumpkin spice craze isn’t necessarily aimed at actual pumpkin, but rather pumpkin flavoring. A pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks contains no pumpkin at all! Rather, it is filled with sugar, artificial flavors and high fructose corn syrup. Lucky for you, I have come up with an easy recipe to make a pumpkin spice latte at home. The ingredients include real pumpkin puree with no artificial flavors or high sugar syrup. Follow the recipe below for the perfect fall pick me up!
Ingredients
- 1 cup brewed coffee
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed, then pour into a mug and serve right away.
- *Top with coconut cream for a "whipped cream" addition
