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Healthy Gingerbread Protein Smoothie

Classic holiday spices enhance and flavor this Healthy Gingerbread Protein Smoothie.

Note: This post contains affiliate links for Amazon.

Ah! The warm and spicy flavors of gingerbread are a holiday favorite. Whether you like yours in cookie form, bread, or brownies and bars, give this healthy gingerbread smoothie a try this season. It’s so easy to make.

I use unsweetened almond milk, although coconut milk (from a carton) will work, too. The secret ingredient that really kicks it over the top for that classic gingerbread flavor is molasses. You’ll need just a little, so don’t panic! Molasses is fairly strong in flavor, so a little goes a long way. I also like to use fresh ginger if I have it on hand, but ground ginger will do the trick, too. Ground cinnamon and cloves round out the spices that you’ll need.

You may also enjoy this Fruit Smoothies Digital Recipe Card Bundle. Beautiful and colorful fruit smoothie recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

There’s rarely a smoothie that I make that doesn’t have frozen banana in it. I always have frozen bananas in my freezer. You just peel the bananas, break them into bite size chunks (makes it easier on the blender!) and throw them in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer. I typically have two or three bags in my freezer at a time since I make several smoothies during the day. You’ll also need almond butter. This is another staple that usually ends up in my smoothies.

Since I make smoothies daily, I keep an abundance of frozen fruits in my freezer. For fresh fruits that are in season and that I want to freeze, or like bananas that I peel and break in half, I use these silicone reusable ziplock bags. Money-saver and eco-friendly!

I use my favorite high-powered blender to blend this smoothie in stages. A high-powered blender works best because those frozen fruits need to be pulverized, otherwise, it’s not a “smoothie,” it’s a “chunky,” and no one wants that!

Add this yummy and healthy gingerbread protein smoothie to your morning rotation this holiday season. I actually make it throughout the year so it feels like Christmas even in July!

If you love the zing of ginger, you might be a fan of Moscow Mules. Check out these Holiday Moscow Mule recipe cards for season cocktails that include ginger beer. Beautiful and colorful holiday mule cocktail recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:
Gift Guide for the Smoothie Lover
Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie
Peaches and Cream Protein Smoothie
Blueberry Pineapple Protein Smoothie

If you like these recipes, consider joining the Zesty Recipes Facebook Group. We’d love to have you!

Healthy Gingerbread Protein Smoothie

Prep time

2 mins

Cook time

2 mins

Total time

4 mins

Healthy Gingerbread Protein Smoothie

Author: Zesty Olive

Serves: 1 serving

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetend almond milk
1 whole frozen organic banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
¼ tsp organic ground cinnamon, or to taste*
¼ tsp organic ground cloves, or to taste*
⅓ tsp fresh ginger OR ⅓ tsp organic ground ginger, to taste*
1 Tablespoon blackstrap molasses
1 Tablespoon almond butter
*Ground spices can be adjusted according to your taste preference.

Instructions

Note: This smoothie yields the best consistency if blended in stages.
In a high-powdered blender, add almond milk, protein powder, ground spices and blend until combined.
Add in almond butter and molasses and blend well.
Add in frozen banana chunks and blend well.
Pour into glass, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy!

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Beverages, Gift Guides, Products

15 Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Wine Lovers

If there’s a wine lover or connoisseur on your gift list, birthday list, holiday list, or just because, the following 15 thoughtful gift ideas for wine lovers will help you find a gift that they will appreciate and use.

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Wine Decanter – Elegant hand blown lead-free crystal glass makes a unique statement piece as well as being a functional decanter. Slanted top makes for drip-free pouring. Wine connoisseurs will appreciate this thoughtful gift!

Copper Stainless Steel Double Walled Wine Bottle Cooler Holder – stylish and elegant, this double-walled cooler keeps your wine chilled as you entertain. No need to keep going back and forth to the fridge when you need to refill your (or your guests) glasses. Also comes in stainless steel if copper isn’t your thing.

12-Bottle Dark Espresso Bamboo Wine Rack – I’m in love with this wine rack! Made of bamboo, it’s a contemporary design that will look spectacular on your counter. Also comes in a lighter natural bamboo color if you prefer.

Stemless Wine Glasses with Classic Gold Dot – 4 piece set perfect for everyday use or to bring a festive touch to entertaining and parties.

Leather Single Bottle Wine Carrier Box – made of premium environmentally-friendly PU leather, this wine tote bag fits standard size wine bottles. Perfect to use when gifting a standard size bottle of wine without having to worry about using gift wrap. Totally re-usable; your recipient will love it. Comes in black and brown, too.

Rapid Beverage & Wine Chiller – For all those times you forgot to put the Chardonnay in to chill: d’oh! This amazing machine chills cans in 1 minute and wine bottles in 6 minutes! I need this! Comes in silver or white.

Rewined Blanc Candle Collection (Chenin Blanc) – This brand’s wine-scented candles made a great gift. They come in a variety of scents such as chenin blanc, zinfandel, pinot noir. Yummy!

Wine Flight Decanter Set – 4 Glasses (6oz) with Paddle, Chalkboard and Chalk – This set is excellent for sampling small quantities of a variety of different wine. It’s great for parties or as a gift. Makes an excellent addition for the wine lovers collection.

Gorgeous Marquis By Waterford Markham Wine Glasses – Set of 3 beautifully designed short stem wine glasses of premium crystal. Perfect for red or white. Everyone knows the Waterford name and will appreciate this sparkling set.

Moleskine Passion Journal For Wine – This beautiful Moleskine journal contains 6 theme-based sections for the wine lover to fill in – Sparkling, White, Rosé, Red, Fortified/Sweet, Spirits. Also contains tabbed sections to personalize and 10 blank pages in which to insert comments and notes. Adhesive labels included to further personalize thoughts on notes on wine. A truly thoughtful gift!

Best Rabbit Wine Opener Corkscrew With An Extra Corkscrew Worm/Spiral – In my opinion, this is the best wine opener that I’ve found. I’ve gone through a lot of them in my search for one that will work well with my small hands and carpal tunnel syndrome issues. I always come back to this “rabbit” opener. It’s sturdy and can handle the job. Plus, you get an extra spiral and a foil cutter packaged in a lovely gift/storage box. Hmm… I may need to upgrade mine just for the color: luxury golden!

Wine and Champagne Bottle Snap Thermometer – true wine connoisseurs will always want to serve wine at the appropriate temperature, and what better way to gauge that temp than with a thermometer made just for wine bottles. Easily snaps on to display temperature on the front of the thermometer. Reference chart included for varietals of wines and champagnes.

Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine – this book will delight the wine lover on your list! Hailed as “The best introductory book on wine to come along in years.” by The Washington Post.

Mikasa Cheers Set of 4 Glass Bottle Stoppers – a beautiful, sparkly gift! Each stopper etched with a different design. Makes a great house-warming gift, too.

Premium Aerating Pourer and Decanter Spout – aeration and tidy pouring all in one! Aerates instantly as you pour, drip-free. Hooray! No more wine stains from messy, drippy pouring! Elegant design with effortless cleaning.

You may also enjoy this Holiday Moscow Mule Digital Recipe Card Bundle. Beautiful and colorful holiday mule cocktail recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

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Recipes, Sides, Vegetables

Stuffed Butternut Squash with Apple, Sausage and Portobello

This savory Stuffed Butternut Squash with Apple, Sausage and Portobello is a must-have dish for your Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday table.

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

During fall in the US, butternut squash is a stable in most grocery stores. This stuffed butternut squash with apple, sausage and portobello is a fun way to prepare it. Here, you use the crater that’s left when you scoop out the seeds and “meat” as a vessel to stuff with a savory mix of spicy sausage and sage. The combination of sausage, meaty Portobello mushrooms, sweet apples and crunchy walnuts rounds out the flavor of this dish. You can use this as a hearty side dish or even a main meal.

The trick is to buy a large enough butternut that you have a deep enough vessel for all that delicious sausage and apple stuffing. Once you remove the seeds, just pop both sections of the butternut squash into the oven and bake until tender. Depending on the size of the squash, this could take about 45 minutes. While the squash is baking, prepare the sausage mixture and set aside. Once the squash is finished baking and the flesh is tender, just remove a bit more of the flesh to make a larger cavity for all that yummy meat mixture. Add the scooped flesh to the sausage mixture, stir to combine, and then fill the butternut sections with all that delicious goodness.

Top it with a little grated Parmesan cheese and pop it back in the oven to bake for another 25 minutes. Again, you can use this as a main meal or a side dish. It makes a lovely presentation, so choose a large enough dish and/or platter(s) on which to serve. Enjoy!

Other recipes you may like:
Autumn Roasted Vegetables With Feta
Bacon Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin
Bourbon Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

If you like these recipes, consider joining the Zesty Recipes Facebook Group. We’d love to have you!

Stuffed Butternut Squash with Apple, Sausage and Portobello

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

1 hour 30 mins

Total time

1 hour 50 mins

Stuffed Butternut Squash with Apple, Sausage and Portobello

Author: Zesty Olive

Serves: 4

Ingredients

2 butternut squash, cut in half, seeds and pulp removed 2 T. olive oil
1 lb. spicy Italian pork sausage
3-4 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and finely minced
½ red onion, chopped
1 ½ cup baby Portobello mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
2 T. fresh sage leaves, julienned
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks 2 t. ground cinnamon
4 oz. chopped walnuts
3 T. cold butter, cut into small chunks
2 T. brown sugar (optional)
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)  salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spray two 13 x 9” glass baking dishes with non-stick cooking spray. Place butternut squash halves in glass dishes, cut side up. Brush exposed edges lightly with olive oil.
Place both dishes in oven on middle rack at 375 degrees. Bake until soft enough to scoop out interior with a spoon, approximately 45 – 50 minutes. (Actual baking time will vary depending on individual oven temperature, size of squash and how ripe it is).
While the squash are baking, add sausage to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat. While the sausage is cooking, break it into small pieces with a spatula or wooden spoon.
After sausage is mostly browned, add garlic, red onion and chopped mushrooms to the skillet and cook over medium heat for several minutes until the mushrooms are soft, stirring occasionally.
Add fresh sage, chopped apples, and cinnamon to pan. Continue cooking over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until apples become soft, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and if necessary, drain excess liquid from skillet. Stir in chopped walnuts and season mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
When ready, remove squash from oven and allow to cool slightly. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
Remove squash one at a time from hot glass baking dish and place on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, trace a ½” inch border around the perimeter of each squash. Scoop out all of the squash inside the border and reserve the cooked flesh in a large bowl. Be careful not to puncture the exterior of the squash skin during this process.
When finished, return each empty squash shell to the baking dish.
Cut the cooked squash that you just scooped out into bite-sized chunks and add it to sausage mixture. Gently fold mixture together until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Spoon sausage mixture into empty squash cavities and top each with chunks of butter, brown sugar (if desired) and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Place in 350-degree oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until filling is nicely browned. Remove from oven and top with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

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