Green Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

This smoothie might be green, but it tastes like pumpkin pie, I promise!  Not only is it super yummy, it is very healthy as well - packed with vitamin K, A, C and iron and with no added sugar!  It will satisfy your pumpkin craving this time of year and will get your day started off right.  It is also Charlotte approved!

Serves 2-3

Ingredients (I put the ingredients in this order in the blender):
1 Cup unsweetened almond milk
2-3 Big handfuls of baby spinach
1 Cup of canned pumpkin
1-2 Tablespoons ground flax or chia seeds
1/2 Teaspoon pumpkin pie spice OR 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
4 ice cubes
1/2 of a ripe pear or apple
1 Large ripe banana (or 1 1/2 small to medium bananas), quartered

Blend until smooth and enjoy!!  If the smoothie ends up too thick, add a few more ice cubes and blend again.

Split Pea Soup

We should all be eating more split peas! They are full of soluble fiber and provide a good amount of protein, two B vitamins and several important minerals   They also include isoflavones, which are helpful in reducing the risk of breast and prostate cancer.  Being that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I felt that this family favorite was an appropriate recipe to post.  Being high in protein and chock full of veggies, this one pot - vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free soup is all you need to warm your soul on crisp autumn nights!

Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Medium yellow onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Red bell pepper, diced
1 Cup carrots, peeled and sliced
1 Cup celery, diced
1 Teaspoon ground cumin
6 Cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 Can diced tomatoes drained, no-sodium added
1 Pound dried yellow split peas, picked through and rinsed
1/3 Cup chopped fresh chives (or parsley)
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat one tablespoon olive oil over medium-high adding onion, garlic, and cumin.  Season with salt and pepper.  Saute until onion is soft (6 minutes or so).  Add broth, 2 cups water, carrots, celery, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, and split peas, and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until peas are tender and soup has thickened (30-40 min).  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Let cool until just warm.  Transfer in batches (I do 2-3 batches in the Vitamix) to a blender and puree to your liking.  I like mine on the slightly chunky side so do not blend for very long.  Pour back into pot, reheat if necessary and serve garnished with fresh chives. Enjoy!

Thai steak stir-fry

I love making dishes with ingredients that are in season.  They taste so much better!  This recipe follows my "I won't make it if it takes more than 20 minutes rule" and is great in the summer when green beans, broccoli and basil are all in season.  This recipe was adapted from Everyday Food by Martha Stewart.  I don't usually have fish sauce in the house so I sub out for gluten-free soy sauce (Tamari).  This recipe is great with broccoli in place of the green beans and could also be served with fresh grape tomatoes (halved) thrown in the last minute of cooking.  To make this dinner easier, cook the rice ahead of time.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon sunflower oil (or another high-heat oil)
3/4 Pound skirt steak
1 Pound green beans (or broccoli or a combo), trimmed
4 Tablespoons minced, peeled fresh ginger
4 Cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons fish sauce or Tamari
1 Cup fresh basil leaves, torn if large
1/2-1 Cup baby or grape tomatoes, halved
1-2 Cups cooked brown rice or grain of choice for serving

In a wok or large skillet, heat oil over medium-high.  Add steak and cook, stirring until browned (about 5 min).  Transfer steak to a plate.  Add green beans (and/or broccoli) , ginger, and garlic to the wok and stir 5 minutes more or until green beans are crisp-tender.  Return beef and juices to pan and add basil and Tamari or fish sauce (and tomatoes if you would like).  Cook one minute more.  Serve over grain of choice for serving.