If you like the taste of Pumpkin, then you going to love my Pumpkin Pie Hummus, easy and tasty dip.

It feels like Thanksgiving was just yesterday. I could still taste our delicious Thanksgiving dinner. I was stuffed, but somehow I could eat more.

Now, we wait for several more “Food Overeating” rounds. Seriously, holidays are all about giving, sharing and FOOOOOD! But, I am not complaining…

So, let’s talk about this beautiful, sweet and delicious hummus. I think hummus is becoming more and more trendy.

If you didn’t notice, big brands are making all types of flavors these days, and I really like every hummus taste; sweet, savory, spicy, etc.

I made this hummus just before Thanksgiving, and it was so good that I made it several times. The first time when I made it, my kids, niece, as well as Nebs, didn’t even want to look at it. They’d say: “you are crazy“

However, when they finally dipped in the hummus sweet graham cracker, oh boy, I couldn’t stop them.

My hummus bowl was literally “licked” clean. You wouldn’t believe it, but they started adding whipped cream as a topping like you would on a pumpkin pie. So, yes, I got two thumbs up from my fam.

The taste is unique but somewhat familiar. When the flavors melt in your mouth, it becomes even more familiar, as it tastes almost like pumpkin pie.

Click Here for more delicious Hummus Recipes

This could be totally done with roasted or boiled sweet potatoes. Actually, I really like them either way.

Maybe a bit more with roasted sweet potatoes, because I LOVE sweet potatoes. However, if you like pumpkin pie, I am sure that you will love this.

So, if you make my amazing dip, Pumpkin Pie Hummus, please tag me on Instagram. @sandraseasycooking using hashtag #sandraseasycooking. Thank you so much in advance!

Yield: Party Food, Serves 4

Pumpkin Pie Hummus

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The taste is unique but somewhat familiar. When the flavors melt in your mouth, it becomes even more familiar, as it tastes almost like pumpkin pie.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup 225g Pureed Pumpkin Pie Mixture (canned)
• 3/4 cup 125g Cooked Chickpeas canned works
• 1 tbsp. 15g Tahini (Sesame Seed Paste)
• 1/2 teaspoon 1.3g Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 2-3 tbsp. 42g-63g Honey (or to taste) use low-sugar Maple Syrup as alternative
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon riper, softer lemon-juicier

Garnish options:

• Drizzle of Honey
• Sesame seeds
• Regal sliced almonds
• Dash of Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Fresh Mint

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients together, and blend until smooth.
2. You can do this in several batches, and combine at the end if your blender/food processor is smaller.
3. Add sweetener of your choice, to taste.
4. Serve chilled and with perhaps sweet crackers. It can be refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 7 days.

Notes

How to make chickpeas click here / you can also use canned chickpeas You can use sugar, maple syrup or any other sweetener, and use to please your taste.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Oh! Hey! Hello… How are you, my friends? I hope you had an amazing long weekend. Today, I am sharing a very powerful smoothie.

I wanted to name it “Sexy” green smoothie, but my kids went bananas, telling me I am completely insane for even considering. So, for them, I renamed this smoothie into “Super Green Smoothie”.

The smoothie is still delicious and helps you with all kinds of things that you might not even know -But, doesn’t it look sexy without even trying, huh?

If you read my post you will learn that this smoothie helps you boost your sex drive… Not that you need it, but just in case if you need a little push, I wanted you to know. #WinkWink(I totally did hashtag while talking, ahem! Writing! -That’s like talking in my head)  Anyhoo…

Before I began, I’d like to say: Check with your doctor if it is alright for you to consume this smoothie or any ingredients that might cause you side effects due to taking certain medications or if you have any medical condition.

Please, just omit if you do not feel safe consuming it. I am not using anything bad here, everything is natural, healthy and organic, but some people could be allergic or it may interact with medication, so check before you make any changes in your diet.

For example, I love, love grapefruit, but it causes my medication to almost triple in my blood if I consume it, so I avoid grapefruit.

OK! Now, that the warning is disclosed, the next thing for me is to say that it takes time before you see any progress, such as mood, skin, hair, your energy level, etc., but if you change your lifestyle, you will see body improvement and feel a greater impact when you, for example, drink smoothies like this or similar, every other day.

In a short few weeks, you will look healthier, and feel absolutely amazing if you just include delicious, homemade smoothies into your diet.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

GREEN APPLES:

Apples are amazing for us. Not only that they contain Vitamins like C, A, and K, but they are packed with fiber and they have plenty of minerals that are necessary for our body, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and potassium, etc. In particular, Granny Smith apples can help stabilize your blood sugar levels, which is very important if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes. 

Green apples are slightly higher potassium content than other types of apples.  Potassium is an electrolyte that keeps fluid, balanced in and round cells.  This process is critical to everyday electrical flow through your body, a function that makes your heart beat. They also contain both flavonoid and polyphenol — all sorts of antioxidants. Because of this, they can prevent various kinds of cancer.

PEACH:

Did you know that one peach contains 10 different vitamins? I love peaches -their smell, the taste, and just about any dessert made from them. Peaches are considered to be an aphrodisiac fruit and stress-reliever that helps reduce anxiety. They keep your skin healthy, because of the vitamin E, K (essential to your body’s blood clotting capabilities.), C, and vitamin A, which is of course also important for maintaining a healthy vision. 

Peaches are also a source of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, niacin, folic acid, and pantothenic acid. Peaches provide some magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, iron and calcium as well.  These minerals act to support red blood cell, bone, and nervous system health. Fiber is essential to smooth and healthy digestion, preventing constipation and ensuring digestive health.  Fiber may also play a purpose in regulating your cholesterol levels, helping to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

BANANA:

The fiber, potassium, vitamin C and B6 content in bananas all support heart health. An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.

KALE:

Like many dark leafy greens, Kale is a sexual wonder food. The high vitamin A content in kale is essential for normal reproduction and production of sex hormones. So, having the vitamin A that kale offers can help keep you sexually healthy.

The high vitamin C level in kale helps the body to absorb iron, form blood cells and assist the metabolism of the adrenal gland, all of which contributes to better “sexual performance”. Also, chlorophyll, vitamin B6, potassium that kale contains increases sex drive, making this vegetable a sexual powerhouse. One cup of Kale has nearly 3 grams of protein.

GINGER:

Ginger is well known as a natural remedy for centuries reliving motion and morning sickness to helping cancer patients, especially after chemotherapy.
Of course, like many homemade natural remedies, it always takes longer for you to feel better using alternative way, and it will not cure any diseases but certainty will help protect you by making your immune system stronger.

This root has natural anti-inflammatory effects-it is commonly used for cold and flu, menstrual cramps, stomach nausea, and other gastrointestinal disorders. Antioxidants protect the cells from aging-related diseases and toxins that can lead to cancers.
An efficient anti-depressant, Ginger smooths mind and gives a brain calmness and relief.

CHIA SEEDS:

Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, soluble fiber, and even a little bit of protein, these tiny seeds can turn just about any snack or breakfast into a nutritional powerhouse. Chia seeds are high in antioxidants.

Full of calcium, iron, zinc, fiber, and antioxidants, chia seeds will give you the stamina to burn, improve circulation and increase your body’s ability to feel stimulated.  Almost all of the carbs in Chia seeds are fiber. This gives them the ability to absorb about 10 times their weight in water and they are much higher in protein than most plant foods.

Source: whfoods.com, livestrong.com, healthiestfoods.co.uk, webMD.com

Other Smoothie Recipes that you might like HERE

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Super Green Smoothie

Healthy and easy green goodness beverage 

Course beverage, Drinks

Cuisine Healthy Choices

Keyword healthy, smoothie, breakfast, drink,

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 2

Author Sandra | Sandra’s Easy Cooking

Ingredients

• Granny Smith Apple
• 1/2 Peach
• 1 Banana
• 1 1/2 cup Kale
• 1 inch Ginger or 1/2 teaspoon powder ginger.
• 1 tbsp.  Chia Seeds
• 1 cup Water You can use coconut water, coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, etc.
• 6-7 Ice cubes approximately
• Sweeten to taste

Instructions

1. Wash all the ingredients, peel, and slice. Add into a blender.
2. If you have a larger blender, then add ice with the ingredients. Since mine is not as big, I add after the fruits/veggies are smooth enough, so my ice cubes could fit in.
3. Add any sweetener that you like or have, to taste.
4. You can keep it in the bottle with a lid overnight for the next morning fuss-free, nutritious breakfast.

Recipe Notes

I DO NOT add any supplements in my smoothies, nor do I add sugar. I kinda think why to add when you have so, so much nutrition in the fresh fruits and vegetables.

Well, I wrote a whole different post and deleted. It kinda started with my “emo” moments, then I thought “who in hell had the time to read it”, so I deleted it.

You came here for a recipe, so I’ll give you a recipe. I am actually thinking to start a new blog just to air my thoughts, and maybe some would follow. We’ll see ’bout that, cause I can write pretty openly and raw, so I’d probably be the anonymous author of the blog! Just kidding… not really! 🙂

 
Anyhow, today on the blog menu, we have a smoothie -a very delicious, refreshing, nutritious and easy beverage. 
I combined nectarine, kiwi, and blackberry together with almond milk and flaxseeds, then I added a dash of sugar to satisfy my sweet tooth.

It wasn’t necessary, but I was craving something sweet, so I added 1 teaspoon. Smoothies have become part of my daily intake. They boost my energy and uplift my mood, which at the times can be pretty feisty or completely opposite, you never know with me.

Let’s talk about the health benefits of this delicious Nectarine, Kiwi and Blackberry Smoothie

Flaxseeds

Some call it one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. There’s some evidence it may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes.

That’s quite a tall order for a tiny seed that’s been around for centuries.
Omega-3 essential fatty acids, “good” fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.

Lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains a fiber, both the soluble and insoluble types.

Lower blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Reduce bone loss.

Help with weight management

Improve digestive health

Increase immunity

Fight cancer

Nectarine

Fruits and vegetables with bright red, orange and yellow colors often contain a good amount of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that turns into vitamin A in the body.

The vitamin C in fruits and vegetables, including nectarines, is considered an important antioxidant that helps promote good health and may also have the power to protect your body from certain illnesses and diseases.

California Peaches, Plums and Nectarines report that vitamin C in nectarines may protect molecules from being damaged by free radicals and other chemicals that cause cellular changes.

Lutein is a nutrient that has been receiving more attention because of its health-protective benefits. Lutein is also considered an important antioxidant because it helps destroy the presence of free radicals in your body, which may decrease your risk of chronic diseases like cancer.
Nectarines also contain iron, folic acid, vitamin K, as well as naturally occurring sugars that help provide energy.

Blackberry

Much like spinach, raisins, apples, plums, and grapes, blackberries are rich in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, but other nutritional benefits include a very low sodium count and having only 62 calories to a cup.

The dark blue color ensures blackberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits. Antioxidants, well-known for lowering the risk of a number of cancers, are a huge bonus, but be aware the berries are best consumed in their natural state to get the full benefits.

Kiwi

Just enjoying a couple of kiwifruits each day may significantly lower your risk for blood clots and reduce the amount of fats (triglycerides) in your blood, therefore helping to protect cardiovascular health. 

The kiwifruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, and polyphenols, and a good source of potassium, all of which may function individually or in concert to protect the blood vessels and the heart. 

Fiber is also good for binding and removing toxins from the colon, which is helpful for preventing colon cancer. In addition, fiber-rich foods, like kiwifruit, are good for keeping the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients under control.

Sources: Livestrong, wholefoods, HuffingtonPost

Click here for more Smoothie Recipes

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Nectarine, Kiwi and Blackberry Smoothie

Healthy, delicious and easy beverage on to go

Course beverage

Cuisine Healthy Choices

Keyword healthy, smoothie, breakfast, drink,

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 2

Author Sandra | Sandra’s Easy Cooking

Ingredients

• 1 nectarine
• 1 Kiwi
• 1/2 cup Blackberries more if you wish
• 1 tablespoon Flaxseeds
• Sweetener to taste *optional
• 4 Oz  Almond Milk

Instructions

1. Wash, slice and add everything to a blender, or food processor. Pulse until smooth, about one minute or so. If almond milk is sweet skip the sugar.
2. Drink immediately.

Recipe Notes

You can use regular milk, soy milk or coconut milk as an alternative. You can store it in the fridge for a couple of hours, too.