Fall Harvest Smoothie

With all the flavors you love in the fall, this fall harvest smoothie packs them all into one delicious and nutritious smoothie.

*Disclaimer - This recipe was originally published in 2014. I'm working hard to update all my older recipes with recipe cards, new photos, and additional recipe information. But, getting to all of them will take time. Please bear with me. In the meantime let me assure you that this recipe is still a winner and one I'm sure you'll be well pleased with when you make it at home.

As a food blogger, I try to be extra mindful of what recipes I'm bringing to you and I try my hardest to supply you with a wide variety and selection of foods.

From breakfast till dinner, and all the meals and snacks in between, I hope I've been able to keep your appetite satisfied with a varied diet so you'll never be bored.

That's what cooking, baking, and blogging are all about for me, and hopefully for you too. After all, "variety is the spice of life...especially in the kitchen!"

I've been taking note of all the recipes I've been sharing with you lately, and there have been a lot of deep-fried, and pan-fried foods. Foods like: Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts, and even Zucchini and Sweet Potato Fritters.

Oh sure, they all contain veggies that even out all that frying (girl logic), but we certainly don't eat like that every day, and I don't encourage you to do it either.

That is why today I'm sharing with you this Super Healthy Fall Harvest Smoothie that contains all be benefits of healthy veggies and fruits, and nowhere in its preparation does it call for any hot oil. LOL

If at first look, this thick green smoothie looks like one of those smoothies (we've all had them) that tastes like what you imagine the bottom of the compost bin tastes like, trust me when I tell you that you'll be pleasantly surprised! This Fall Harvest Smoothie is amazingly delicious and it's one I can see myself drinking on a semi-regular basis in the mornings (you know I still need my variety, LOL).

SUPER HEALTHY FALL HARVEST SMOOTHIE   {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
Yield:  6 cups        Prep Time: 5 minutes

2 large handfuls of kale, spinach, and Swiss chard mix (I buy the super greens bag at Costco)
1 - 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about ½ of a large lemon)
½ can of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 large granny smith apple, cut into chunks (discard the stem and seeds)
1 banana
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 - 1½ cups of water

-Place all the ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend on high until smooth. *Note - if you like your smoothies cold, feel free to add a few ice cubes into the blender before you blend.

I have to give a huge shout-out to my sister-in-law, Dawn for the following tip for longer-lasting greens. She freezes them right in the bag they come in and then grabs as much as she needs for any of the smoothie recipes she is making on each particular day.

I was a little worried about doing this because I thought the greens would become weird once frozen, but you know what? They don't, and they're perfectly good to blend up, and you don't have to worry about them going bad before you can get to use them all.

I can't tell you how many times I've had greens in my produce drawer that have gone bad, and I've had to pitch them. Don't you just hate throwing money away? I do. Try this tip you guys...you're going to love it!

PUMPKINS - The pumpkin in the recipe gives this smoothie a wonderful flavor and helps mask the flavors of the greens. Did you know that pumpkin is a powerhouse of antioxidant vitamins like A, C, and E? It's also a rich source of minerals such as copper, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.

APPLES - I've recently read that eating an apple before a workout can drastically increase your exercise endurance. Apples deliver an antioxidant called quercetin that allows more oxygen to be delivered to the lungs.

SUPER GREENS (kale, spinach, and Swiss chard) -

Spinach - This leafy green is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6. It’s a very good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc, dietary fiber, and copper. Plus, it’s a good source of selenium, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Kale - One cup of chopped kale has 134 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Gram for gram, kale has more than twice the vitamin C as an orange.
Swiss Chard - Swiss chard contains syringic acid and fiber and syringic acid, both of which help to regulate blood sugar levels. If you are at risk for diabetes or you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you should eat more leafy green vegetables such as Swiss chard. It is also one of the superfoods that is known for its cancer preventative properties thanks to the fiber, chlorophyll, phytochemicals, and other plant pigments it contains. Studies have found that leafy green vegetables are particularly beneficial against colon cancer.

BANANA - Having a banana at breakfast every day adds a nutrient to your body to support normal heart function. Bananas also help to keep your eyes healthy. Bananas have a small amount of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is vital for protecting your eyes and normal vision.

LEMON - Lemons have strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.

CHIA SEEDS - Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, with nearly five grams in a one-ounce serving. These fats are important for brain health. Chia's stabilizing effect on blood sugar also fights insulin resistance which can also lead to belly fat.

So there you have it. Well worth the minute or two that it will take to blend this up in the morning and the chia seeds will help keep you full all morning long. Got to love that!