Should you’re nonetheless holding onto summer fare, we get it. Temps are slowly dropping, however not quick sufficient to bid farewell to ripe tomatoes and charred, hot-off-the-grill corn on the cob. All of that to say, you’ll discover fewer berries and extra contemporary, juicy figs on the breakfast menu. Now’s the time to tuck into autumn’s harvest—or on the very least, faucet into seasonal produce. To kick off autumn’s most interesting components, we’re sharing a fall smoothie recipe that checks all of the containers: it’s energizing, anti-inflammatory, and balances blood sugar.

The star of the present? Black Mission figs. An ode to chilly mornings, sunlit afternoons, and the whole lot else that’s golden this time of yr, you’ll wish to add this smoothie to your breakfast rotation—stat.

Function picture by Michelle Nash.

Image by Michelle Nash

Why You Ought to Eat With The Seasons

Should you haven’t made the swap but, now’s the time to start out occupied with autumn’s harvest. Earlier than we tuck into winter, fall is a chance to tread frivolously on summer season produce. Concurrently, take into account including extra root veggies, hearty salads, and whole grains to your weekly meal plan. Consuming with the seasons has a myriad of advantages. At first, fruits and veggies cultivated throughout their pure rising season have extra intense taste and ripeness. An ideal instance? Crisp, peak-season apples.

Secondly, consuming with the seasons is extra economical. When produce is in season, it’s out there at a cheaper price. Lastly, produce grown near residence prices much less cash to move, helps your local people of farmers, and is best for the setting.

Image by Kristen Kilpatrick

Meals To Eat In The Fall

Till early December, farmers reap the rewards of summer season’s rising season. In that sense, it’s no shock that fall is synonymous with abundance and gratitude. Curious to know what’s in season in the course of the fall? Right here’s a brief listing:

  • Fruit: cranberries, apples, pomegranates, citrus fruits, figs, and pears
  • Inexperienced veggies: arugula, broccoli, spinach, kale, celery, and artichokes
  • Root veggies: onions, carrots, squash, pumpkin, turnips, and candy potato
  • Complete grains: brown rice, quinoa, oats, and millet
  • Legumes: beans, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans.
  • Fish: sea bass, cod, sole, and haddock
  • Herbs: ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, basil, and dill

Naturally, produce peaks at completely different instances within the U.S., so use this as a common information to the produce you’ll discover this month.

Embrace The Fall, Ayurvedic Fashion

We love any excuse to include historic knowledge into our modern-day lives. Enter: Ayurveda. Ayurveda—another medication system—is eager on residing in concord with the seasons. This time of yr, it encourages feasting on loads of contemporary, late-summer harvested fruits. Specifically, contemporary apples and pears. According to Ayurveda, these assist “dry out” extra Pitta from the summer season.

Eggplant, corn, melons, figs, and okra are additionally seasonal produce picks for early fall. Dates are additionally extremely advisable. Because the air turns into dry, crisp, and funky—and fruit has fallen from bushes—it’s time to transition to steamed or stewed fruits and warming spices (i.e., cinnamon and cardamom).

Image by Michelle Nash

All About Figs

Before we dive into the ingredients for this fall smoothie recipe, let’s talk about figs.

There are two seasons for domestic fresh figs. The first season is the first few weeks in June, and the second or “new wood” season typically runs from August through October.

The most common variety is the Black Mission fig, followed by the Brown Turkey fig. Lastly, the Green Kadota fig. If you see them at your grocery store, buy them only if you plan to use them quickly. Fresh figs will spoil within 7-10 days of harvesting. In most cases, this means you have a couple of days to enjoy them at home! They’re delicious paired with cheese, on toast, in salads, and on a breakfast board.

How to Buy Figs

As far as selecting ripe figs, you want them to be soft—to give a little with the slightest pressure, but not at all mushy or hard. Avoid figs with bruises and check to see that the stems are firmly in place. A wiggly, loose stem is a dead giveaway for a mushy fig. For this fall smoothie recipe, you can use any type of fresh fig variety!

What You Need For This Fall Smoothie Recipe

Fruit, spices, and seeds provide the base for this healthy fall smoothie. Made with seasonal ingredients, your tastebuds will delight in autumn’s goodness.

Figs

Rich in antioxidants, figs are the star of the show. They provide a subtle sweetness as well as calcium, potassium, and fiber.

Banana

Nature’s most portable snack, banana adds sweetness and creaminess to this fall smoothie recipe. You can sub banana for 1-2 pitted dates.

Milk of Choice

Use what you prefer! If you opt for cow’s milk, you’ll get a bit more protein. If you opt for non-dairy milk, the best milks for balancing blood sugar are unsweetened almond, coconut, macadamia, or hemp. Oat milk could cause a blood sugar rollercoaster!

Vanilla Protein Powder

For a grass-fed choice, this vanilla protein power by Kelly Leveque tastes unbelievable. Should you’re plant-based, this vanilla protein powder is a favourite! Plus, you get added superfoods.

Tahini

Constructed from floor sesame seeds, tahini is a superb supply of wholesome fat (to assist in satiation and blood sugar steadiness) in addition to vitamin E.

Floor Flaxseed

One other supply of wholesome fat, ground flaxseed is a purposeful meals well worth the pantry area! This small seed has large advantages. It aids in digestion, regulates starvation cues, and might help balance hormones.

Maple Syrup

Nothing says fall fairly like maple syrup! Use real maple syrup for the last word taste enhance (it pairs fantastically with tahini and figs). This unrefined sweetener accommodates antioxidants, zinc, magnesium, and extra.

Contemporary Ginger

Talking of antioxidants, contemporary ginger helps fight inflammation for a boosted immune system—precisely what we want within the fall! It provides a touch of spice on this fall smoothie recipe. It makes an look in many smoothies!

Cinnamon

A warming spice with blood sugar-balancing advantages, cinnamon additionally helps decrease irritation within the physique. Extraordinarily versatile, you may add cinnamon to each candy and savory dishes.

Image by Michelle Nash

How to Make a Fall Smoothie Recipe

The beauty of this recipe is it only requires one piece of equipment—a high-powered blender! Add your liquid first (it helps everything blend), then add the remaining ingredients. For an extra creamy smoothie, freeze your figs and banana. And don’t forget to leave a review in the comments—enjoy!

P.S. Looking for more inspired smoothie ideas? Here are a few that I’ve had on repeat lately:

Almond Butter Green Smoothie

Cookies and Cream Smoothie

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Mint Chocolate Green Smoothie





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