This post is sponsored by Silk Soymilk.

At the start of spring, I always say, "Spring is my favorite season!" And then summer rolls around, I get excited for the heat, and I find myself blogging that "I love summer most of all!" But then I get over the 90-degree temps and, by the time September rolls around, I’m wishing it was fall. I adore every season for one reason or another (except winter – too cold!) – but fall really and truly is my favorite. Why?

The food, of course!

 
 
Pumpkin everything, pecan pie, buttery mashed potatoes, roasted root veggies, baked apples loaded with cinnamon, Halloween candy, the Thanksgiving spread… I could go on and on. Nothing beats fall food.

But perhaps my favorite fall flavor is pumpkin spice. You can add it to so many dishes, taking regular food to FALL FOOD! Some of my favorite ideas:

Add a tablespoon to sugar cookie dough.

Use pumpkin spice in lieu of plain cinnamon in my Baked Apples recipe.

Mix into pancake or waffle batter.

Sprinkle into oatmeal.

Add to white cake mix and make pumpkin spice cupcakes (try it with cream cheese frosting – YUM!).

Use to flavor roasted vegetables – just toss the veggies in some olive oil and spice before baking (try sweet potatoes or parsnips).

Add it to smoothies!

First, I’ll share my super simple DIY Pumpkin Spice Recipe, and then I’ll share a simple smoothie recipe that’s packed with protein, fruits and veggies, and – of course – fall flavor.

DIY Pumpkin Spice

Combine the following (recipe makes almost 3 tablespoons of PS):

1.5 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 tablespoon ground ginger

1/4 tablespoon nutmeg

1/4 tablespoon all spice

1/4 tablespoon ground cloves

And here’s that delicious smoothie recipe I promised you!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened Silk Soymilk
• ​1 banana, frozen and chopped (frozen is best – if you don’t have a frozen banana, add 6 ice cubes)
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/4 – 1/2 tablespoon DIY Pumpkin Spice, depending on taste preferences

Plant-based protein? Check. Veggies? Check. Fruit? Check. Tons of flavor? You bet. You can also try adding a little vanilla Greek yogurt to make the smoothie extra thick and creamy.

Happy Fall!

This post is sponsored by Silk Soymilk. To learn more about Silk Soymilk, visit their Protein Power page or their Learn More page. Thanks, as always, for supporting my blog and reading sponsored content. My family appreciates it a lot.