You'll probably be carving a few pumpkins this Halloween, so why not use the leftovers to make a healthy and delicious smoothie? Here is a quick pumpkin-based recipe before heading out to trick-or-treat.

:

1/2 cup (75 g) organic pumpkin, fresh or canned
1 cup (240 ml) organic low-fat milk or almond milk
1/3 cup (80 ml) sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon organic low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup (240 ml) ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 45 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Top with whipped cream and a dust of cinnamon.
*Using Fresh Pumpkin
In place of canned pumpkin, remove seeds and place a whole pie pumpkin in the oven and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, or until a knife can be inserted through the peel. (Do not underbake, or pie will be watery.) Discard peel. Refrigerate or freeze excess pumpkin.