So it’s Fall~….But I’m posting a smoothie. Here in the south it’s still pretty warm especially during the middle of the day and really is like a second Spring, especially for the plants in our garden. That being the case, while I wouldn’t normally suggest eating cold food in a cool season, I’m posting this delicious smoothie for those of you who aren’t really filling the ‘cool crispness’ of Autumn yet but want to partake in the seasonal flavors.
This recipe was originally for a carrot juice based ‘Pumpkin Spice’ smoothie that I loved but that became harder and harder to make unless I juiced the carrots myself. Veggie juice may be healthy, but I’m really not in the habit of lugging out and washing an entire juicer just for a smoothie. You can buy carrot juice especially if you’re lucky enough to have a fresh cold-pressed juice vendor nearby, which was what I sometimes did, but there was also a carrot juice available by Lundberg juices that fit the bill— until they changed it. Despite it being called ‘Just Carrot’ they added lemon juice ostensibly to keep it more shelf stable, and that absolutely ruined it for this recipe.
Enter whole carrots.
It should have been obvious, but it really hit me when I saw someone else making a smoothie bowl into which they threw whole carrots. Yes! Of course! It doesn’t *have* to be juice! At this point I also revamped the entire recipe to more than make up for the fact that the distinct mellow and earthy sweetness of carrot juice was no longer such a central flavor. And so the Autumn Spice smoothie was born (because let’s face it, ‘pumpkin spice’ is just fall spice especially if there’s no pumpkin).
This smoothie is gut-friendly as it is full of fiber but also warming and inflammation-reducing as well as deeply nutritious and hormone-balancing. It helps support our bodily systems as they go into cooler weather and is one of those foods that feels like a really nourishing hug from the inside out.
There are a few variations you can try so feel free to adapt this recipe to your tastes. Enjoy~
Immune-Boosting Autumn Spice Smoothie
Key Players:
Both Turmeric and Carrots are high in Beta Carotene or Vitamin A which supports cell turnover and immune health. Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory as well as is Ginger, which also is blood-clearing, detox supporting and brings warmth to the organs. Cinnamon is also stimulating but helps regulate blood sugar, as does the soluble fiber in Oats and Flaxseed. The addition of Cloves adds an antiviral touch and Maca, if added, is a known adaptogen that helps the body regulate hormones as needed, which works well for stress support and helping the body shift between seasons.
Full Recipe – Click Here