Fuel for Fall: Try Sitara Bird's Chai-Inspired Pumpkin Smoothie

Sitara Bird (hooper, Hoopnotica Certified Instructor, and avid enthusiast for healing arts & holistic health) shares her favorite smoothie recipe to keep you fueled for fall!  I discovered hoop dance almost six and a half years ago and instantly fell in love. My 'hoop mama' is Katie; one of the OG hoopers on the scene in Detroit. I met her at this small festival in Detroit called Fourth Street Fair in 2008. I remember the moment exactly; her dance wholly captivated me, as I stared in awe while this circle traveled effortlessly around her body, she radiated grace and fluidity. It was as if she was tapping into other portals with her hoop.  I bought a handmade hoop from her that day and thus my hoop journey began. Today, I am a Hoopnotica Certified Instructor and a performer who has coupled this movement medicine with the healing benefits of yoga. I also am a nutrition enthusiast. I learned early on that my body requires a rather diligent lifestyle to perform at it's best. I've healed many old internal wounds through these healing arts and my aim is to share my story with others so that they can pave their own path towards health. RECIPE: Autumn may be one of my favorite seasons. I love the cooler air in the mornings. Coffee shop walks where you can hear the rustle of reddish, orange leaves beneath your feet. And I definitely love pumpkin – pumpkin anything and everything. That’s why I created this Chai-Inspired Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. What you’ll need: • 2 frozen bananas • 1 cup of pumpkin puree (fresh or canned) • 1 cup of unsweetened almond mylk • 1 TBS of organic, local honey • 1 tsp of vanilla extract • 1/2 tsp of cinnamon • 1/8 tsp of nutmeg & ginger • 1/8 tsp of garam masala • sprinkle of black pepper & cloves Add all ingredients to your Vita-Mix or any other high speed blender and enjoy! You could also add in cinnamon sticks for an aesthetic twist if you’re serving company! For more from Sitara, visit her site: www.sitarabird.com