Autumn is my favourite season, and when it comes around I like to take advantage of all the seasonal produce like pumpkin! I will turn this tasty squash into curried soups, roast them with sweet potato, make gluten free muffins with it and most recently add them to a smoothie! This smoothie is insanely delicious, and you really feel like you’re slurping down some pumpkin pie. I boosted this recipe with some awesome superfoods like hemp seed, coconut oil, bee pollen, turmeric and ginger!
Here’s some good ol’ wonderful information about these healthy foods!
Pumpkin
- Full of vitamin A… 1 cup contains more than 200% of your daily recommended intake! Vitamin A also aids in eye health.
- Packed of antioxidant rich carotenoids, which help protect the skin from free radical damage and prevent cancer.
- Contains potassium and are a solid source of Vitamin C, which helps ward off colds.
- Great source of fiber, with 3 grams per 1 cup serving, keeping you fuller longer!
Banana
- Acts as a prebiotic (stimulates the growth of gut friendly bacteria), produces digestive enzymes to help absorb nutrients easier and gently chelates toxins and heavy metals from the body, due to its high pectin content.
- High in levels of tryptophan (an amino acid), which is converted into serotonin… the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter which can aid in overcoming depression.
- Packed with vitamin B-6 which helps to reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of white blood cells.
- Bananas reduce PMS symptoms by regulating blood sugar, easing muscle cramps and producing stress-relieving relaxation.
- High in potassium and low in salt, which helps to lower blood pressure.
- Full of iron that strengthens the blood and relieves anemia.
Turmeric
- Is… AMAZING!
- High in a substance known as lipopolysaccharide, which help to stimulate the body’s immune system.
- Has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents that also help strengthen the immune system.
- Its antioxidant properties that destroy free radicals in the body that damage cells, as well as repair damaged skin which helps treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
- Invigorates and improves blood circulation.
- Increases the production of vital enzymes that break down and reduce toxins in the body, which naturally detoxifies the liver and the blood.
Ginger
- Powerful in the reduction of free radicals and inflammatory prostaglandins (hormone-like substances that participate in a wide range of body functions such as the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles, the dilation and constriction of blood vessels, control of blood pressure, and modulation of inflammation).
- Is an anti-nauseant, which has been highly effective in the treatment of motion sickness, pregnancy-induced nausea and post-chemotherapy induced illness.
- Very useful for stimulating the immune system, strengthening the digestive system and clearing stagnant energy; which manifests as everything from nasal congestion to headaches, cold limbs, fatigue, digestive upset and menstrual cramps.
Bee Pollen
- Known as natures most perfect nourishing food because of its complete source of all 22 amino acids including the 8 essentials and also contains a plethora of other nutrients, vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, C, E, rutin, beta-carotene, nucleic acids, polysaccharides and lecithin.
- Highly alkalinizing.
- Super protein rich food source (40% protein).
- Potent source of digestive enzymes: diatase, amylase, phosphatase, pectase, transferase and catalase.
- Inhibits the release of histamine, which relieves allergy symptoms.
Hemp Seeds
- High in easily digested protein (3 tablespoons of hemp seeds pack 11 grams of protein!).
- Full of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), a special type of omega-6 “super fat” that nourishes the skin, hair and nails, reduces inflammation, regulates hormones and supports a healthy metabolism.
- Rich in essential amino acids, zinc, iron and magnesium.
Cinnamon
- High in antioxidants and also helps fight against bacterial and fungal infections as well as candida yeast infections with its high levels of anti-infectious compounds.
- Controls blood sugar making it great for those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Cancer cells thrive off of sugar, and cinnamon may actually have a mitigating effect on these cells because it controls the blood sugar levels.
- Contains fiber, calcium, iron and manganese.
- Reduces LDL (also known as the harmful cholesterol) and triglycerides.
Nutmeg
- Has manganese which delivers many advantages in the body, from blood clotting, regulating the blood sugar, metabolizing carbohydrates, aiding in calcium absorption and helping to form tissues, bones, and sex hormones.
- Contains copper and magnesium which have the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase, that repairs cells and reduces the “oxidative stress”.
- Rich in potassium, zinc, iron, B-vitamins, vitamins A and C, folate, riboflavin, niacin and the flavonoid antioxidants betacarotene and cryptoxanthin, which are essential for optimum health.
Clove
- Can help relax the smooth lining of the GI tract, helping to alleviate vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal gas and stomachaches
- Anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and analgesic.
- Packed with antioxidants and are a good source of minerals (especially manganese), omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and vitamins.
- Aids in the reduction of inflammation.
Maple Syrup
- Contains minerals and vitamins like: manganese, zinc (helps immune function), calcium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), magnesium and potassium.
- Has antioxidants (use the darker maple syrups like Grade B, these contain more antioxidants).
Pumpkin Pie Superfood Smoothie
Serves 1
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2/3 cup boiled or steamed fresh pumpkin
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1 1/2 frozen banana
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1/2″ knob fresh turmeric
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1/2″ – 1″ knob fresh ginger
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1/2 tsp bee pollen
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1 tsp hemp seeds
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dash of ground cinnamon, nutmeg & clove
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drizzle of maple syrup
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add water or non-dairy milk to desired consistency
Throw it all in a blender with 1 or 2 cubes of ice and enjoy!!
Eczema Holistic Healing 