The Healthiest Pumpkin Pie on Earth

Makes two pies

Everyone has a favorite Thanksgiving dessert, and pumpkin pie is mine. This recipe is so delicious and healthy, that you will want to eat it all year round. I even made it for my daughter’s birthday party in June, because her teachers asked if we could celebrate in the morning, and I thought this would be the perfect alternative to sugary cupcakes. This pie is loaded with super foods that provide protein as well as vitamin C, potassium, fiber, manganese, folate and omega 3 fatty acids.

Ingredients:
2 (9 inch) whole wheat uncooked pie crusts
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 ripe bananas
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 vanilla
1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 t. flax seeds
2 eggs
1 (15 ounce) organic Pure Pumpkin
1 cup milk of choice (I prefer almond milk, but you can use soy, rice, etc.)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Combine all of the ingredients into a vita mix or blender. Blend.
3. Pour the resulting mixture into the piecrust that has been defrosted.
4. Bake for 15 minutes.
5. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.
6. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve or refrigerate.

Pumpkin Power!
Pumpkin is celebrated for its unusually high level of beta-carotene, the form of vitamin A found in plant food. In fact, a one cup serving of pumpkin or other winter squash (such as butterneck, acorn, kobacha, hubbard, etc.) has almost 146 percent of a child’s daily requirement for vitamin A. Pumpkin also boosts vitamin C, potassium, fiber, manganese, folate, omega 3 fatty acids, thiamin, copper, tryptophan and B-complex vitamins.


Wheat Germ
Wheat germ is considered a nutritionally dense food because it is loaded with important nutrients. It is a great source of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and regularity. Wheat germ contains vitamin E and an abundance of B vitamins, which promotes healthy hair, bones, and skin. Wheat germ is a great alternative to traditional ice cream sprinkles and other toppings because it provides texture in addition to beneficial nutrients without the unwanted refined sugar and unhealthy additives. If your kids love to use sprinkles to decorate their food, have them top their yogurt or ice cream with wheat germ for a nutritious treat!