What do you do when the weather says “summer!” but your brain says “pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin, PUMPKIIIIIN!”? Simple, you just whip up this creamy, cold, pumpkin spice infused jolly green smoothie! This delicious shake packs all the flavors of a pumpkin pie but is actually loaded with health and beauty boosters. I highly recommend adding this smoothie to your get-glowing breakfast repertoire.

Speaking of getting your glow on, I’m so excited to announce the winner of my Get Gorgeous Giveaway!!! The lucky individual chosen at random by Rafflecopter.com, is…..

Brittany W.!!!! Congratulations Brittany!!! I’m so excited for you to start whipping up skin care goodies and start enjoying all the benefits of natural skin care! An email has been sent to you, please respond with your address and your box of beauty fun will be on it’s merry little way!

A big thank you to all of you who entered the giveaway. I loved reading all of your comments and suggestions for future homemade skin and hair products. I have an awesome list going and can’t wait to get started on it! In fact, anytime you have an idea you’d like to see here on Feeding Your Beauty, or a question, or just want to say hello… I would love to hear from you! I recently added a Contact Me page, which includes all the ways we can connect.

The hardest part about doing a giveaway, I’ve discovered, is only picking one winner. I wish I could send all of you sweet people a box of goodies. Hopefully you’ll accept a delicious autumn inspired smoothie instead. Far from a consolation prize, this smoothie has a long list of winning features, thanks to my number one favorite fall ingredient…. oh yes, pumpkin.

Pumpkin…

• is good for your heart – thank you fiber, potassium, and vitamin C
• boosts immunity with the dynamic duo of vitamin C and beta-carotene
• reduces the risk of prostate cancer and colon cancer – hello beta-carotene
• supports eye health – vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene prevent degenerative damage, and are all found in pumpkin!
• is great for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. Consuming iron from plant sources such as beets, pumpkin, beans, and spinach can improve fertility, according to Harvard Medical School publications. The vitamin A from beta-carotene also supports hormone synthesis during pregnancy and lactation.
• it gives you great skin thanks to that pretty pair vitamin A and vitamin C, which boost collagen production and help keep skin smooth, soft, and bright.
• the seeds contain zinc, which is helpful for those with acne, it helps heal skin and control oil production. They also contain vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which further help to regulate sebum as well as maintaining a healthy barrier on your skin.

While you’re sipping, you should also be slathering. Pumpkin is great for your skin topically too! Due to its small molecular structure, nutrients in pumpkin can penetrate deep in your skin and can help brighten a dull complexion and fade pigmentation. The alpha hydroxy acids and fruit enzymes in pumpkin can smooth skin and speed up cell turnover, reducing fine lines and plumping out wrinkles. While many skin care companies are jumping on the pumpkin bandwagon, I prefer to make my own, it’s cheaper and I know exactly what’s in it. Try my Pumpkin Probiotic face mask for the freshest dose of brightening and skin beautifying pumpkin.

Now for the smoothie. So easy, so good. So green. Whether you’re easing your way into the pumpkin season, or your skin’s already sporting a pumpkin glow, you’re going to want to give this smoothie a try.

Jolly Green Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 large frozen banana
• 1 cup of non-dairy milk
• 2 cups of fresh spinach, packed (sometimes I add an extra cup)
• 1-2 medjool dates
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• pinch of fresh grated nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 – 1 tsp maca root powder, optional
• a few ice cubes, if desired

Simply blend and drink! I like to blend everything but the frozen banana first, and then add the banana so it’s extra cold. Sometimes I even freeze the pumpkin puree in ice cube trays and skip adding the ice cubes. You could even add a scoop of a good tasting vegan vanilla protein powder.

Have you started eating pumpkin everything yet?