Add some pumpkin to your life!

Fall is definitely in the air. The sunlight has changed, the evenings are a bit cooler and the mornings a bit darker... The days are quite beautiful and you may notice that soon your cravings for food change. We typically crave more carbs in the cooler temperatures. One great way to satisfy those cravings without putting on the winter fat is to enjoy the colorful fall veggies, such as squashes and pumpkins, the root veggies from the farmers markets, and the tart apples.

I'm a huge fan of pumpkin in all variations: pumpkin pie (yes, here and there), pumpkin pudding (see a recipe here), pumpkin protein shakes (try this one) pumpkin beer, high-protein pumpkin pancakes, and I also add it to my NutriBullet shakes. Pumpkin has a slew of health benefits (except in beer form. You guessed that right):

• Pumpkin is loaded with Vitamin A, which helps your eyesight stay sharp in dim light. 
• Pumpkin also rich in potassium, which helps your muscles contract. 
• The Vitamin C in the pumpkin helps strengthen your cells, boosts your immunity and prevents bruising. 
• You get loads of fiber from each serving, which fills you up, helps your digestion and in turn keeps your stomach flat.
• The carotenoids can have anti-cancer properties and have also shown some anti-aging properties, so your frown lines can wait a little longer....
• Pumpkins contain tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin, the hormone that boosts your mood.
• Pumpkin seeds have anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties, and may have a role in reducing your cancer risk. 

Adding organic canned organic pumpkin to your NutriBullet shakes is an easy and tasty way to get the health benefits of this vegetable. Here is a tasty and filling recipe: 

• 1/2 can of pumpkin
• 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (I used Sunwarrior Vanilla)
• 1 handful of mixed greens
• 2 tablespoons flax seeds
• 1 handful of baby carrots
• 1/4 cucumber
• 1 handful of sunflower sprouts
• add water to the fill line and blend 

Enjoy!