Vitamins, vitamins everywhere! Vitamins, vitamins in my….Pumpkin-Cran Smoothie! As part of a new series “Five Flu-Fighting Foods” I am teaming up with 5 other health conscious, real-ly-yummy-food (and other stuff) bloggers. We will be introducing you to five different foods that will pack you full of the necessary immune boosters so you can fight of the flu (and colds, and whatever else ails you during these upcoming months).
This journey is led by:
Mindy @ The Purposed Heart
Rachel @ Day 2 Day Joys
Leigh Ann @ Intentional by Grace
Anne @ Quick and Easy, Cheap and Healthy
Erin @ The Humbled Homemaker
And, of course, me!
This series kicks off with…you guessed it…PUMPKIN! Pumpkin is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins A, C and E and minerals such as copper, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. (Source)
So you have heard of these and you know your body needs these, but do you know why? Here is a quick explanation of the big ones, and then my recipe!
Vitamin A: is key for good vision, a healthy immune system, and cell growth.
Vitamin C: protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling (that can’t be a bad thing, right?)
Vitamin E: is key for strong immunity and healthy skin and eyes.A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals will result in a boosted immune system which leads to fewer sicknesses, healthy sleep and less stress. (Source)
The many places you can find information about these vitamins will also tell you to supplement them. I don’t believe you need to take these through suppliments if you are eating a healthy, well-balanced diet rich in these antioxidants! Eating this immune boosting ingredient, in moderation of course, will give your body the extra kick it needs to fight the flu!
Don’t forget there is more to come and also a link up!
Come back each Wednesday as we reveal five different foods that are purported to support your immune system in the fight against the cold and flu viruses that run rampant this time of year. What’s more, each post will be opened up to all our readers, who will be linking up their favorite recipes with these key flu-fighting ingredients, so you can get lots of ideas for creative ways to serve them to your family!
{Recipe} Probiotic Pumpkin-Cran Smoothie:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic, red seedless grapes
- 1 orange and the zest of one half of the orange
- 1 cup of pumpkin puree (or about half of a can)
- 1 organic apple, seeded
- 1/4 fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 inch ginger root, peeled (straight from the freezer works!)
- 1-2 Tablespoons maple syrup (grade B) (or other sweetener of your choice)
- 1/4 cup Whey (this is optional and does not effect the taste but it is not probiotic if you omit this)
- 2 cups ice cubes
- Compile all ingredients into your blender and go! (If you are using a vitamix select Variable 1, turn on. Increase to speed 10 and then to high. Blend for a minute or until it is your desired consistency).
- Note: If you do not have a Blendtec or Vitamix I would recommend cutting your ginger or even grating it so one person doesn’t get stuck with a whole piece!
More Recipes!
Don’t forget to check out these other recipes that my amazing co-hosts have shared! I plan on making each and everyone of these within the next few weeks! We are going to be immune system power houses! (Knock on wood!)
Creamy Pumpkin Soup @ The Purposed Heart
Pumpkin Pear Muffins @ Day 2 Day Joys
A Simple Immune Boosting Baby Food @ Intentional by Grace
Pumpkin Soup @ Quick and Easy, Cheap and Healthy
Probiotic Pumpkin Dip @ The Humbled Homemaker
{Pumpkin} Five Flu-Fighting Foods Link-Up!
Now it’s your turn! Link up your delicious pumpkin recipes below.
There are only two guidelines for participation:
1. Your recipe must include PUMPKIN as an ingredient. Any entry submitted that does not include pumpkin will be deleted.
2. Please link your posts back to one of the hosting blogs. This way your readers can have access to all of the other great pumpkin recipes as well!
Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog so you can remember to come back for the rest of the series!
For next week’s link-up…get your breakfast recipes ready!
This post is happily shared at Women Living Well, Real Food Wednesday, Raising Homemakers and Healthy 2Day Wednesdays, Simple Lives Thursday, Pennywise Platter, Fat Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Made From Scratch Tuesday and Heart and Soul Hop
About Nikki
This sounds so amazing, Nikki! Unfortunately my fridge is empty of all produce but carrots and apples so I will have to wait until next week to try it:(
Thanks! I was going to make it last night because my hubby loves it so much but I ran out of grapes!
I have all of these ingredients on hand…how convenient! Will be making this today!!!! I bet my little one will eat it up too. Sweet
Yeah! Please let me know how you like it and if you make any changes…I LOVE feedback!
I am Leigh Ann’s grandmother and I have been on the sick side and taking antibotics, which was not agreeing w/my stomach. I was visiting her from out of town and she said, let me make and give you some of this smoothie. It was delicious, my husband even loved it and the baby loved it. I have felt better all day from her healthy cooking and the smoothie. Thanks to Leigh Ann and all others. I will have to make it when I go home.
Wow! That is so great to hear! I am so happy you liked the smoothie and that you are feeling better! I wish I could be there to have her cook for me
That is SOOOOO sweet! Wish I had all the ingredients on hand!
Yummy, yummy! Will definitely have to try this one – we LOVE smoothies in our house!
Try it and let me know how it goes!
I have 2 questions…1) How long does whey keep in the refrigerator (and still have the soaking/probiotic benefits) and 2) Can you freeze whey? Thanks so much for this recipe and series. I’m looking forward to it!
Whey is good for about 6 months. You will lose some of the good enzymes but not all. So it is ok to freeze but you may want to add more than the recipe calls for just to make sure you get all those good enzymes and bacteria!
Nikki
http://www.christianmommyblogger.com
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Oh my goodness, Nikki–this looks absolutely delicious! I had never heard of a pumpkin smoothie before! I’m pinning this!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it! I bet baby girl will like it too!
i was hoping to try it today, but i am missing the orange and i think it probably needs it to make it pop! so when i head into town (30 minute drive) i will get some oranges, and GAS, so i can make it back home to try it out! LOVE pumpkin.
I hope you love it! It is Anthony’s favorite new smoothie! The orange and its zest are a MUST to make this! Orange, Cranberry and Pumpkin….a match made in heaven
okay, just made it for dinner and used 1/2 c orange juice instead of an orange. My ginger was too frozen to cut, so i grated it in, so not sure exactly how much i used. The first go was too thick and pumpkinny…per Hunter. He asked for more cranberry. I then proceeded to double everything except the pumpkin and he was mostly satisfied. Then i grated a bit more ginger and BINGO, the smoothie was a hit! Even the four y.o drank it up and she’s hard to please. LIKE THIS A LOT! More filling than most smoothies.
I threw my ginger in frozen…the vitamix took care of it! Glad it was a hit!
wow. I made this yesterday with my sick little girl in mind. My son, daughter and husband all LOVED it! We will definitely be making this over and over during this flu season! I was skeptical about the ginger but I found that it added a very nice touch!! Thanks!
That is so great to hear! Thank you for the feedback!
Nikki
http://www.christianmommyblogger.com
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Thanks for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop.
Please email me! I have a question about your blog!
HeatherVonsj@gmail.com
I have a question…when a recipe is calling for Whey, does Whey Protein mean the same thing? Or will it work?
No it isn’t the same! You want to drain yogurt to get whey. In the search box of my site type “cream cheese and whey” for instructions. But feel free to omit if you don’t have it!
Nikki
http://www.christianmommyblogger.com
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