Halloween Storytime: Ghost Caught on Camera?

This will be my first blog that will be accompanied with a video.  I'm pretty shy so putting myself out there was not easy, but here it is.

I may have caught a ghost on camera.  Many of you will think there is a logical explanation, and of course that's a possibility.  However, I have a very sharp memory so it's strange I don't remember this little girl being there.  Let me start from the beginning.

When I was about 14 my sister and I made a video with two of our neighbor friends who were moving.  Their house was empty so we thought it would be a cool setting.  The premise of this "movie" was that my sister and the friend who was around my age were FBI agents.  The villain was my friend's little sister.  I was filming a scene where the FBI agents are arresting the villain and right before I cut, in the bottom left hand corner, you can see a little girl looking creepily at the camera.  She really does look like a ghost.

I admit she could have really been there and I don't remember her.  I showed this to my sister and she doesn't remember the girl being there either.  But I'm going to contact our other friends and ask them if they know who this girl is and I will be honest and make an update.  Either way, the footage is very creepy.  I showed it to my family and they agree it looks strange. 

But go ahead and watch the clip below.  If you want to skip my explanation and watch the actual ghost part, it's at about 2:09.  Let me know what you think and Happy Halloween!

Could Hair Products be Causing your Breakouts?

Today I'd like to discuss the correlation between hair products and breakouts.  Before I get into my experience, I just want to say I understand not everyone will experience the same symptoms I did.  Everyone's body is different, but I want to get this out there because if you are having similar issues, this might help.

I have tried everything I can to maintain a clear complexion.  I changed my diet, skin care routine, and started taking supplements to help with the acne I'd been battling since I was 13.  One of the most recent changes I made was to give up hair products.  It was a hard decision because I did like the results, but it has significantly helped improve my skin.

My previous routine was to wash my hair twice a week and when I straightened it, I would put a heat protectant throughout the length of my hair.  I would sleep with the product in my hair for several nights and noticed I was breaking out on my cheeks.  I finally made the connection when the rest of my skin cleared up.  I believe the products I was applying to my hair were transferring to my pillow, making nights a breeding ground for acne.

I ditched the hair products and noticed a huge improvement in the skin on my cheeks.  Now, I soak my hair in coconut oil once a week to keep it soft and healthy.  If you've noticed this area breaking out, you might look to the products you're applying to your hair.  Even if you wash your hair every day, the products could transfer to your face from your hair brushing up against your cheeks.

Many hair products on the market are full of chemicals you really don't want on your body anyway, which is another reason to give them up.  We want to do everything we can to lighten the toxic burden on our bodies so they can be more efficient at creating vibrant beauty.  A little research on the ingredients in your hair products wouldn't hurt.  I hope this helps you on your journey to clear skin!

How to Save and Organize Pictures and Videos from Your Phone

We are now in a time when people use the camera on their phones and save pictures and videos on their computers.  Getting pictures printed is much more rare so most of your storage might be taken up by your photos.  But what happens if your phone is lost or stolen?  All those memories are gone.  Today I want to share with you an easy way to save and organize your pictures and videos.

Step 1: Download pictures and videos from your phone to your computer by plugging it in and selecting the items you want.  

Step 2:  Save them to a picture folder.  I've found the easiest way to organize things is by date.  Make a folder for the year.  Within that folder, make more for each month.  I name mine like this : 01 January 2016, 02 February 2016...  That way, they will all be in the correct order.  I also make a separate folder with years and dates for videos so they are in their own folder.

Year Folders.

Step 3: Once you've created all your folders, place the pictures into the month where they belong.  This can be tricky if you're organizing pictures from a while ago and can't remember the dates.  Sometimes if you hover over the picture, "date taken" will pop up.  You can also right click the picture and select "Properties" and the date might be displayed there, but sometimes, this isn't reliable.  You might have to guess on certain images.

Month Folders.

Step 4: If you want to get even more organized, you can make event folders within the month folders.  For example, if you attended a wedding in October, you would make a folder that says "Wedding" inside the October folder.

On the top left you can see a wedding event folder.

Step 5: Once you have all your pictures organized the way you like, you'll need to save them to an external hard drive.  You can price them here on Amazon, or visit Best Buy or other electronics stores.  This is definitely worth the investment because you'll be saving all your memories.  That way, if something happens to your computer, you have a back up.  I usually delete the previous year folders and only keep the current year on my computer to save space.  Then, when I want to look back on past years, I just plug in my external hard drive and can easily go to whatever time I want to see.  I have a Seagate Backup Plus Portable Drive for about $80.  It can store 1TB of information, which is a lot!

Step 6: Now that you've saved everything, it's time to delete the things you don't need off your phone.  You'll be making room for future pictures, videos, music, and apps.

This is a great way to ensure your precious memories are safe, make them convenient to access, and free up storage on your phone.  Once you get a system going, you can do this every few weeks and it won't take long at all.  Don't hesitate because you never know when something might happen to your devices!

Why You Should Start Doing Coconut Oil Hair Masks

I have been on a quest over the last few years to find healthy alternatives to commercial products.  The more I research health and beauty, the more shocked I am that there are so many items we use that are filled with chemicals.  I used to love going to the store and finding a new beauty product to try, only to be disappointed when I'd wasted my money on something that yielded just an okay result.

Thankfully, there are many products you can replace with inexpensive, chemical-free alternatives.  That's where coconut oil comes in.  Years ago I would use popular brands of deep hair conditioners that didn't have ideal ingredients and were not very effective.  I looked for a better option and found it in soaking my hair in coconut oil once a week.  It's easy, smells amazing, and best of all, it's healthy.  My hair is always super silky and soft after this routine and I'll never go back.

Here are the simple steps for your weekly coconut oil hair mask:

1. Brush your hair out.

2. Place coconut oil in a small dish.  You'll have to play with the amount depending on how much hair you have.

3. Over the sink, scoop out the coconut oil with your hand and run it all through your hair.  You want to get it completely saturated, but not too much because it will drip.  I start at the roots and make my way down the length of my hair.  Then I dip the ends in the oil to make sure they really get covered.

4. Twist and wrap your hair into a large hair clip.  You can also cover it with a shower cap if you want.

5. Leave on as long as you can.  I would do a minimum of an hour, but the longer the better.  It would be ideal if you could do this on a day you're not going anywhere.  I let mine soak all day while I do my house work.

6. Wash your hair twice with shampoo and then use conditioner.  You want to make sure you get all the oil out or it will be greasy when it dries.
 
Please try this out and let me know how you like it.  Hopefully, you can make this part of a healthy hair care routine!

What You Need to Know About Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

I first heard about using Apple Cider Vinegar on your face from a friend when I asked her why she had some in her bathroom.  She said she used it as a toner and loved it.  Since I'm always looking for healthy alternatives to traditional products, this idea intrigued me.
  
I did a little research and decided to try ACV, first as a face mask.  I dipped a cotton pad into some ACV, but I didn't dilute it much because I figured I needed it to be strong.  Big mistake!  I left it on for about ten minutes, then rinsed it off during a hot shower.  When I got out, my face felt like it was on fire and I looked like I had a severe sun burn where I had applied the ACV!

Thankfully, the burn didn't last more than an hour, but it freaked me out enough that I decided this beauty secret wasn't for me.  That was about a year ago.

About a month ago, I gave ACV another try since I ran out of the toner I had previously been using.  This time, I was careful with the proportions of ACV and water.  I mixed 3/4 cup of filtered water with 1/4 cup of ACV and placed it into a clean mason jar, making a toner.  I tested it on a small part of my face before using it all over and had no negative reaction.  For about a week, I used the toner twice a day.  I monitored the condition of my skin and began to realize it was becoming more dry than usual.  I did more research and discovered many people only use the toner a few times a week to prevent drying out the skin.

This made sense to me, so now, I only use it in the morning 3-4 days a week.  The vinegar smell is noticeable for a few seconds after application, but once it's dry the smell fades.  My new routine is to wash my face with Sally B's Skin Yummies Tamanu Luxury Facial Cleanser and then apply the ACV toner when needed.  I've only been doing this for about a month, but I'm really enjoying the results of smoother, clearer skin.

You can easily incorporate this practice into your weekly routine.  After washing your face, gently shake the toner so it mixes together.  Dip a cotton pad into the toner.  A little goes a long way.  Apply the toner all over your face a let it dry before you apply moisturizer and makeup.  That's it!

If you've been considering giving ACV a try, just remember to always dilute it!  Test a small amount on your skin to see how it reacts and you can also play around with the ratio of ACV to water to find the right amount for you.

Sometimes it's scary to try something new because you're afraid of how your body will react and you're familiar and comfortable with the products you're used to.  That's why it took me so long to change my routine, but I'm so glad I did.  Experimenting with new things is exciting, fun, and often beneficial.  I'd encourage you to give ACV toner a try.  You'll be balancing the pH of your skin, preventing breakouts, and reducing redness!

Amazing Physical Results of the Beauty Detox Lifestyle

If you follow this blog, you know I'm a huge promoter of the Beauty Detox Lifestyle.  I've been following Kimberly Snyder, C.N. since 2014 when I discovered her books.  I share this information as much as I can because it has had such profound and dramatic results in my body.  Today I'd like to share with you the specific benefits and results I've experienced from living this way.

No More Chicken Skin

I got married in 2012 and I remember seeing an ad in a bridal magazine about a cream you could apply if you had red bumps on your arms.  I considered looking into this product because I'd had these annoying tiny bumps on the back of my arms for as long as I could remember.  But things got crazy and I soon forgot about it.  In 2015, I gradually gave up dairy, and guess what happened?  Those red bumps disappeared!  I truly believe they were being caused from my poor diet, so when I cleaned it up, the bumps went away.

Less Body Odor

In another blog post, The Best Chemical Free Deodorant that Actually Works, I talked about when I was 8 years old and my mother asked the doctor why I had such a strong body odor.  He said it was simply a sign of puberty and I just had to live with it.  I didn't grow out of it and continued to smell, even when I used deodorant and antiperspirant (Which you should never use!  See that blog post for a healthy alternative!).  Since cutting out dairy and animal protein I have noticed the smell is no where near as bad as it used to be.

Reduced Oil on My Scalp and Face

From the time I was 13 and on, I would always wake up with an extremely oily face.  My scalp would also build up grease quite fast when I was washing it daily.  Now, I only wash it twice a week, so the oils have balanced out.  I also believe the Beauty Detox diet has decreased the amount of oil my body feels the need to produce.

Improved Complexion

This is the main reason I started Beauty Detox in the first place.  I was looking for a solution to my long time battle with acne.  My skin has drastically improved since I started this journey in January of 2015.  It is less ruddy, much smoother, and clearer.  A friend who I hadn't seen in a while even noticed my face looked brighter.  They said I used to have a gray undertone, but now my skin is glowing.  I would have never thought that was possible before.

Faster Healing

Something discussed in Kimberly's second book, The Beauty Detox Foods, is how our bodies will be able to heal faster if we're eating a clean and balanced diet.  I've noticed when I do get a blemish from stress, they heal practically overnight.  It used to take days for healing to occur, so I truly see this as a physical benefit.

Increased Energy

One of the main focuses of this lifestyle is eating foods in the right combinations for optimal digestion.  When you eat heavy foods like dairy and animal protein, and especially when you combine them with starch, your body has to put all it's energy into your gut in order to digest it.  That's why you often feel tired after eating.  But I feel good and energized after eating a properly combined Beauty Detox meal.  Yoga is promoted in this lifestyle as well and I've noticed I feel so much more energized when I'm practicing regularly.

Improved Digestion & Cleansing

This lifestyle promotes whole foods that continually clean out your system so you are always detoxing.  This leads to regular bowl movements and therefore all the other benefits I've listed.  After all, the gut is referred to as the second brain because it affects all other aspects of the body.  If your digestive system is clean, it can function at it's peak and promote your overall health and beauty!

These are the real results I've felt in my own body since switching my diet.  There are many other people with different issues that have been solved as well.  I personally do not struggle with weight, but so many of the people who follow this lifestyle have lost weight and kept it off.  You can check out testimonials on Kimberly's website for more examples this.  Give it a try and see how good you can feel!

Lights' Little Machines Album Review

Lights is one of those artists who has had a steady rise to fame and I admire her for always staying genuine and never selling out.  She's got to be my favorite female musician.  I believe she should be a role model to all girls, rather than the typical pop stars of Hollywood.

I've been a fan of hers since 2009, but I really fell in love with her 2014 release, Little Machines.  I remember when I got the album in the fall of that year, I instantly connected with it.  It has a certain depth I hadn't heard in her music before.

No matter what time of the year it is, when I listen to this record I always feel that magical hint of autumn.  Lights has a unique singing voice that is hauntingly beautiful.

My absolute favorite song from this album is "Muscle Memory".  I remember when I first heard the lyrics I instantly related to them because she's talking about being home alone and imagining seeing her husband who is away on tour.  The song unfolds like a movie and I can picture what her surroundings are as she's seeing an apparition-like version of her husband and feeling like she's not alone.  I would listen to it when I was home alone because my husband goes on hunting trips and it was a story I put myself into.  That kind of story telling takes real talent and it's so refreshing in this age of generic pop.

"Speeding" is another song I never get tired of.  I get such a feeling of empowerment and freedom when I listen to it.  Lights has said she wrote the song "Running with the Boys" about being young and feeling nostalgic and I feel like that's the whole vibe of this album.  Every song is a high quality creation, and some of my other favorites include, "Same Sea", "Oil and Water", "Don't Go Home Without Me", "Child (Bonus Track)", "Lucky Ones (Bonus Track)", and "From All Sides (Bonus Track).

I bought the album on iTunes and those three bonus tracks came with it.  I'm thankful I was able to get them because they're an awesome addition to the album.  I also got the vinyl and unfortunately, those tracks are not included.

Vinyl insert page.

Little Machines may be in the "pop" category, but it's nothing like what they're playing on the radio.  The lyrics have real meaning and you can tell they come from Lights' heart.  The songs do have an electronic sound, but they're quite different than any electropop I've ever heard.  I absolutely love this album and even though it's been out for a couple years, I still listen to it on a regular basis.  It's fall right now so it's the perfect time to discover it if you've not yet experienced the gorgeous complexity that unfolds in the many layers and depths of this masterpiece.

Sally B's Skin Yummies Tamanu Luxury Facial Cleanser Review

I've discussed skin health quite often on this blog because I have struggled with maintaining a clear complexion most of my life and I want to help others avoid the hassles I've experienced.  Today I want to share with you the absolute best face wash I've found.

In my previous blog, My Journey to Clear Skin, I talk about how I had tried everything from Proactive, to acne prescriptions, and nothing seemed to work.  The key to my skin finally clearing up has been changing my diet and living the Beauty Detox lifestyle.

This means I'm researching beyond food and into all aspects of my life.  Skin care products are often full of chemicals that absorb into your skin and cause your body to have to work harder to get them out of your system.

I found an article called, The Fountain of Youth? The Shocking Truth About What's in Your Skin Care Products, written by Kimberly Snyder, and it has been a huge help in determining what I now put on my face.  In this post, she discusses many dangerous ingredients often found in skin care products.  I checked the face wash I was using and was disappointed to learn it contained Sodium Laureth Sulfate.  Since this ingredient was on the list of those to avoid, I decided I had to find a more natural alternative.

That's when I found Sally B's Skin Yummies Tamanu Luxury Facial Cleanser.   I know, it's a mouth full, but it works.  I use it to wash my face every morning and at night I use it with my Clarisonic.  This product is unique because it's made with organic ingredients, is vegan and gluten-free, and they do not test on animals.  It's also great for all skin types and a little goes a long way so it lasts a while.

I'd like to share my experience of when I began using this product, because at first, I wasn't so convinced.  I was used to a cleanser that stripped my face of oils, so for the first week, my face felt oily after washing it.  I considered going back to my old cleanser because I did break out for about two days.  I applied tea tree oil to the blemishes, which thankfully cleared up very quickly.  I think my skin had to rebalance itself because it wasn't used to the oils in the face wash.  But after about a week, my face no longer felt oily after washing and it has never looked or felt better.

I'm extremely happy living this lifestyle and thankful I found this new skin care routine.  I would recommend this face wash to everyone, especially those who struggle with acne.  I believe in investing in your health and beauty, so this product is worth the cost.

Please check out the blog post linked above and see if your skin care products contain any of the listed harmful chemicals.  Also, leave me a comment if you decided to try the Tamanu cleanser and tell me how you like it.  The benefits gained from this research are so worth it!

Stop Being Ashamed of Pooping

I've noticed the mentality of being ashamed of pooping among many people, especially girls.  They will make comments like "girls don't poop" and easily get embarrassed if the topic comes up.  I grew up in a home where bathroom humor was openly viewed as hilarious, so when this idea came about, I was genuinely confused by it.

I understand some girls may feel the need to be viewed in this way for whatever reason.  But let's think about it logically.  I've heard of this being such an issue, that some people won't go to the bathroom when they need to because of embarrassment.  Then, they become constipated and their system gets backed up because our minds are connected to our bodies.  We are mentally blocking a natural bodily function.

When you say you don't poop, you are literally full of crap!  Not only are you blocking your body from excreting unusable waste, but you're also lying and everyone knows it because of course, every living thing must relieve their bowels.

This is psychologically unhealthy and also terrible for your health and beauty.  I talk a lot about my Beauty Detox lifestyle on this blog, and this topic ties into that.  Kimberly Snyder, C.N. and author of the Beauty Detox books often discusses how important continual cleansing is.  Our bodies have many ways of detoxifying itself and pooping is an essential part of these processes.  In her book, The Beauty Detox Foods, she says "Constipation hold toxins in the body and is incredibly aging."

I'm not saying you should be announcing it to the world.  But try not to have such a negative view on pooping.  Instead, think of it as getting rid of old waste that your body cannot use.  You will have more energy, a cleaner system, and clearer skin.

For more information, check out Kimberly's blog post, Detoxify Your Body And Remove Waste Naturally.  As she says in the post, "The state of your digestion affects everything else in your body."  Give this new way of thinking a try and see how much better you can feel!

5 Reasons to Clean Out Your Home

I strongly believe many people would be much happier and have a higher quality of life if they lived in a clean and organized home.  Obviously, life happens and it's not always easy to keep up with.  Since this is a passion of mine, I've written a few blogs about this topic.  6 Easy Tips For Organizing and Decluttering Your Home and 5 Easy Tips For Organizing Your Closet  are worth checking out to help get you started.

Today I wanted to share why it's important to keep your home organized.  Some of these benefits may surprise you.

1. Make Your Home More Visually Appealing & Welcoming

The less you have the better.  A minimalist look is way more visually appealing than seeing clutter everywhere.  Your home will be more welcoming for guests because they'll be able to admire your home rather than be overwhelmed with where to look first.

2. Create a Healthier Home Environment for You and Your Family

An overlooked perk of having an organized living space is it makes cleaning much easier.  The less you have to move around while cleaning, the easier and faster it will be.  You'll create a physically healthier environment for your family.  This also applies to your psychological health.  The less clutter there is to organize, the easier it will be to get things done because you have less distractions and a clearer focus for what you're working on.

3. Discover Old Memories

Even after years of decluttering my personal items, I still find new things that bring back good memories and feelings of nostalgia.  Old pictures, videos, voice recordings, and letters are just a few of the things you'll find when sorting through your home.  It's always exciting when you discover something you've completely forgotten about.  There are probably hidden treasures all over your home, you just have to look for them!

4. Become More Organized & Efficient

This one may seem pretty obvious, but it's definitely worth mentioning.  The more often you clean out your home, the less you have to keep up with, thus making your time at home more efficient.  You can spend more time with family and friends and focus on your goals and passions.

5. Donate Unused Items to Those in Need

When you realize certain items are no longer being used, it's time to get rid of them.  You can sell them, throw them away, or donate them.  It makes the most sense to give these items to someone who will use the item, rather than leave them sitting around collecting dust.

These are the reasons I've discovered over the years to consistently organize your home.  I do every room in my house at least every few months and I always find something to get rid of or donate.  I hope this inspires you to do the same so you can see the true value and sense of accomplishment that comes with living in a clean and minimal living space.

The Deceit of the Christian Music Industry

I've been a Christian for the majority of my life and grew up on Christian music.  As a teenager, I began to move away from radio mainstream forms of music and started getting into bands like Underoath, As Cities Burn, Emery, blessthefall, and The Devil Wears Prada.  They were still considered Christian, but were definitely not being played on Christian radio.

I still love these bands, and as a result I listen to the BadChristian Podcast, which is hosted by two members of the band Emery (and Pastor Joey).  When my music tastes began to evolve as a teen, I could no longer connect to Christian radio because something about it wasn't authentic to me.  My suspicions have been confirmed after listening to episode #219 of the BadChristian Podcast with Aaron Gillespie, the drummer of Underoath.   

Please don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying all Christian radio artists are purposely being deceitful.  There are definitely some very talented artists in this genre who are in it for the right reasons.  What I am saying is there is a huge problem within this realm of people writing music that doesn't come from the heart.  The goal is to appeal to the masses and make money, and that disgusts me.

At about 20 minutes into the podcast, Aaron talks about his experience with the Christian music industry.  Here are a couple of quotes I pulled that shocked me, but then again, this makes sense.

"You have to be perfect in order to make it in Christian radio."  "I've sat at tables in song writing meetings with Christian labels before and had them tell me that this song has to feel a certain way to a certain age group and it's a mid 30's soccer mom whose husband is messing around on them...she's got five kids, a ton of shit to do, and her life is falling apart.  You need to write a song for her.  And that's when I started to think years ago, I don't want any part of this.  This isn't holy, this is business."

Toby from Emery goes on to say that he and Matt were told the same things when they went to write Christian music for their side project, Matt and Toby.

We as Christians should be insulted this is the goal for songs that are meant to bring glory to our God.  The foundation should be about Jesus, not a generic formula designed to make money.  As a woman, I'm greatly offended by this mentality, especially if these business people think the generic pop that ends up on Christian radio is what would appeal to most women.  Maybe I am in the minority because of my taste in metal/hardcore, etc., but this still breaks my heart.

I would like to see a movement towards authentic Christian music being created.  As Aaron puts it, "I believe that people find the most hope, the most actual hope in something that is genuine, and something that is not invented..." and that is what Christian artists should have in mind when writing music.  He goes on to say "Christian music should be insane...the music we should make to His glory should be...full of soul and full of art and, most importantly, is genuine."

BadChristian has a music label and from what I've seen, they and other labels like Tooth & Nail and Solid State are putting out quality Christian music, it's just not mainstream.  That's fine with me because I've always been into alternative forms of entertainment anyway, but I just want the people within Christian culture to wake up and realize what they're buying into.

All the credit for this inside info comes from the podcast episode mentioned and linked above so I highly recommend you listen to it!

A Healthy Alternative to the Pumpkin Spice Latte

Autumn is finally here, so of course pumpkin spice is everywhere.  Many people will undoubtedly be filling up on Starbucks' famous Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  But have you ever stopped to think about the specific ingredients you're consuming?  If not, I'd like to share them with you.

This comes directly from the Starbucks website.  The ingredients are Milk, Pumpkin Spice Sauce [Sugar, Condensed Skim Milk, Pumpkin Puree, Contains 2% Or Less Of Fruit And Vegetable Juice For Color, Natural Flavors, Annatto, Salt, Potassium Sorbate], Brewed Espresso, Whipped Cream [Cream (Cream, Milk, Mono And Diglycerides, Carrageenan), Vanilla Syrup (Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid)], Pumpkin Spice Topping [Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Clove, Sulfiting Agents].

Many people were happy to discover Starbucks recently started making this drink with real pumpkin.  That's a scary thought if you've had one in the past with "fake pumpkin"?  But let's talk about some of the other ingredients.  The first is milk, which I personally do not believe should be consumed by humans.  Milk is extremely acidic and hard for us to digest.

There are 26g of sugar in a short and 64g in the venti.  That's way too much for anyone to consume in one sitting.  The whipped cream contains mono and diglycerides, which is in a lot of processed foods.  Please check out Food Babe's article, There’s No Safe Level Of This Ingredient, So Why Is It In Almost Everything?, for more information about this toxic ingredient.

There are 75mg of caffeine in a short Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Coffee is also acid forming in the body and it's hard on the liver.  Please give Kimberly Snyder's blog, 5 Reasons to Give Up Coffee, a read for more information about this.

After discovering how detrimental these ingredients can be, it makes more sense to create your own healthy version of this drink.  I looked on Pinterest and found several options for pumpkin spice smoothies and created my own version with just a few simple ingredients.  It's easy, fast, and much less expensive.  Plus, you're not flooding your system with sugar and chemicals.

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie (Serves 1)

1 frozen banana
1 cup of vanilla almond milk (or unsweetened almond milk with 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract)
A dash of ground ginger
1 cup organic pumpkin puree
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Blend all the ingredients and chill for an hour or drink right away if you can't wait!
You can play with the amount of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice if you'd like more or less of those flavors.  You can also add a little cinnamon on top.

Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to miss out on traditions.  You can enjoy delicious alternatives like this and still feel the magic of fall.  I guarantee you'll feel better physically and about yourself when you make this healthy choice.

Below are the pumpkin smoothie recipes that inspired me to create this one.  These would all be great options as well!

Skinny Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie