Pumpkin Spice Hemp Milk

Can we not talk about the embarrassing amount of time that's gone by since my last post? 

Perfect! Thank you. I love you guys so dang much for understanding.

Part of the reason it's been awhile since my last post is that my recipe ideas have been few and far between. For the past few months all of my creative energy has been going into photography. So rather than try and force a recipe I waited until I came up with something that was worth sharing. And also until I had time to share it. 

Although it still feels like summer in Colorado, I have fall on the brain. Possibly my favorite time of year. Jeans, sweatshirts, pumpkin in everything. The absolute best. 

I was trying to think of how to use pumpkin in a fresh, new way this year. In the past I've used it in a single serving muffin, buckwheat bakes, breakfast cookies, granola, the best ever pumpkin oatmeal, pumpkin oatmeal cookie s'mores, milkshakes, pumpkin spice swirl brownies, soft batch cookies, and almond butter cups.  For the love of pumpkin.

So how could I change things up this year?

Um. Hello. Pumpkin spice hemp milk! I was thinking about hemp milk and how it has a naturally earthy flavor. And also how it's loaded with healthy fats and so many other nutritional benefits. But I know some people aren't the biggest fans of its earthy taste. So my thinking was, maybe the pumpkin spices would compliment but also help mask the hemp flavor. And it did just that!

You can still taste the hemp but the pumpkin spice flavors blend together perfectly.

But juuuust in case you think hemp milk tastes like dirt (it's fine, I understand), I also made pumpkin spice almond milk using blanched almonds. (Check the tips below the recipe!)

BTW - If you didn't know, blanched almonds are THE WAY TO GO when making homemade almond milk. (I discovered this when I made Vanilla Bean Almond Milk awhile back.) Using blanched almonds will avoid that bitter, funky flavor caused by the skins of almonds. You can either buy blanched almonds or soak raw almonds for 8+ hours and easily remove the skins. You won't believe the taste!

The milk (both versions) thickens up quite a bit, especially once refrigerated. The thickness lands somewhere between your average nut-milk and a smoothie. I have been pouring it over granola, using it when cooking oatmeal (with a bit of water), and enjoying it as a post-workout recovery drink. The hemp version is especially packed with protein, healthy fats, magnesium, iron, and other important minerals. It also gets a big boost of vitamin A from the pumpkin and anti-inflammatory properties from the turmeric.

Plus it tastes like liquid pumpkin pie!!!!!!!!

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Print Recipe!

Pumpkin Spice Hemp Milk

gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, refined sugar free // yields: appx. 32oz

• 4-5 medjool dates, pitted
• 3 cups water 
• 1 cup hulled hemp seeds (aka: hemp hearts)
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 - 1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1-2 small pinches clove
• pinch of salt

Soak the pitted dates in a small bowl of hot water for 10-20 minutes. Make sure you're using fresh dates (they should be sticky/gooey) for this recipe.

Place the soaked dates along with all other ingredients (starting with the lesser amount for the pumpkin + spices) in your blender. Turn on low and work up to high, blending for about 1 minute. You want to make sure the dates are fully incorporated. Taste and add more spices if desired. (I preferred the higher measurement for each.) For a slightly thicker texture, add another 1/4 cup of pumpkin.

Pour into an airtight jar and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Shake well before using. 

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Tips:

• This will also work with sweet potato puree and butternut squash puree.
• The turmeric was added for its nutritional benefits and to enhance the yellow-orange color.
• If you're not going to use all of the milk, pour into ice cube trays to freeze then store the cubes in a freezer bag. Or, pour into a freezer bag and squeeze excess air out. Lay flat on a freezer shelf until frozen. Thaw in the fridge when desired.
• For less hemp flavor, blend the water and hemp seeds together first. Then strain the hemp milk into a large bowl using a nut milk bag. Save or discard the hemp pulp. Rinse out your blender. Pour the strained hemp milk back into your blender and proceed with adding the other ingredients.
• For the Pumpkin Spice Almond Milk version: Use 1 cup blanched almonds instead of hemp seeds. Use 3-4 medjool dates. All other ingredients stay the same. First, blend the almonds and water together. Place a nut milk bag over a large bowl and pour the milk through. Gently squeeze to help strain the milk. Save or discard the almond pulp. Rinse your blender and place the strained almond milk back in the blender. Proceed with adding the other ingredients and blending. Taste and adjust as desired. Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

I'm already working on a few new breakfast recipe ideas for the coming weeks. I am not anticipating another 1 1/2 months of silence, so check back soon! Somewhat soon. Like in a week! Hopefully! You guys rule.

Happy Monday. Now go make this milk.

Ashley

Ginger Berry Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie

It's finally starting to feel like summer around here.

The temps are rising, the sun is out, and I'm eating berries at an alarming rate. Smoothies have also made a steady comeback into my weekly eats. All things that point to summer.

This post is sponsored by Earthbound Farm.

I've recently been experimenting with packing smoothies full of anti-inflammatory ingredients. You may be wondering, why? No reason in particular, except for general well-being and to try something new. It's fairly well known that excessive + chronic inflammation in the body is not ideal for a variety of reasons. Excess inflammation can be triggered by a diet heavy in processed foods, refined sugars and carbohydrates, and trans fats. While I don't eat a strict, anti-inflammatory specific diet, I do strive to consume foods that fit into this category on a daily basis.

It seems appropriate during these warm, summer months that Earthbound Farm is celebrating smoothies. They're focusing on creating recipes that include spicy additions (not necessarily spicy-hot) you may not automatically think about adding to your daily mix. It's easy to overlook fresh and dried spices when making smoothies, but they can add an amazing pop of flavor and tons of healthy benefits. I really wanted to think outside the box for my contribution to their summer smoothie recipes, which is what spurred my interest in anti-inflammatory ingredients. 

I did quite a bit of ingredient research and a lot of experimenting in the kitchen to come up with today's smoothie recipe. This was the most challenging smoothie recipe I've ever tried to create. The first few were barely drinkable and definitely not share-worthy. I wanted to pack in as many of these anti-inflammatory ingredients as possible:

• berries
• ginger
• basil
• turmeric
• chia seeds
• pineapple
• beets
• walnuts
• leafy greens
• tart cherries
• hemp seeds
• avocado

Luckily, EBF's product lineup is filled with many of these anti-inflammatory foods, in fresh + frozen form. And with conventional produce like strawberries and spinach having some of the highest pesticide content loads you'll find, it's comforting knowing everything grown from Earthbound Farm is organic and non-GMO. 

And for this spiced summer smoothie, I went outside of my comfort zone and added frozen organic beets. If you know me, you know that I am not a fan of beets. However, I know they're incredibly healthy and full of anti-inflammatory properties, so I wanted to give them a chance.

Thanks to the berries, pineapple, and ginger, I was able to incorporate the beets without detection. I packed this smoothie with berries for their antioxidant powers and the pineapple for a nice boost of vitamin C. The avocado + chia seeds add healthy fats and staying power, to really help this smoothie stick with you all morning long. The avocado also adds a super creamy texture without the use of banana. I wanted all of the banana haters out there to be able to enjoy this smoothie, too! Turmeric and ginger are loaded with anti-inflammatory super powers, and ginger gives this smoothie a major kick of flavor + spice. I'm totally addicted.

Print Recipe!

Ginger Berry Beet Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie

gluten-free, vegan option // yields 1 large smoothie

• 1+ cup non-dairy unsweetened milk
• 1 cup frozen berry blend
• 3/4 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/4 cup frozen red beets
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated turmeric
• 1/4 small/medium avocado
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 2 teaspoons raw honey (raw agave or pure maple syrup)

Place 1 cup of milk in your blender. Add all other ingredients. (If your berries are stuck together or there are large strawberries in your mix, try chopping them for easier blending.) Blend until smooth, adding more milk if needed. Taste and blend in more fruit/beets/avocado to your liking. 

Serve immediately, or store in a sealed bottle in the fridge for 24hrs (for the best flavor).

I like my smoothies super thick + served in a bowl with lots of toppings. How about you?

Ashley

Today’s post is sponsored by Earthbound Farm. Product opinions are always my own. If I didn’t love it, you wouldn’t hear about it.Thank you for supporting the occasional sponsored post that helps fund all the deliciousness + behind the scenes action you see here.