Vegan Garlic and "Cheese" Cauliflower Head

Need a new (easy) recipe for that head of cauliflower sitting in your fridge? 

Instead of cutting into florets, try steaming the whole head! It is SO much easier! Albeit, it does take a bit longer to cook, but then you just have extra time to play with your kids or get some extra housework done. Or, let's get real, watch TV ;)

Place the whole head of cauliflower in a pot with an inch to an inch and a half of water in the bottom. Cover it and simmer it over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes. 

After the time is up, check it by prodding it with a fork. If the fork goes in easily, then it is done. If not, let it cook for 5 more minutes and check it again. 

Cooking time really depends on the size of the head. 

After it's done cooking, stick a fork in each side to lift it out of the pot. Then set it on your serving plate. 

While it's still hot, sprinkle it with garlic salt and plenty of nutritional yeast. 

You can clean of the plate to serve it if you like, but I kind of like the sprinkles on the plate :)

Cut off a portion for each person, or just go ahead and DIG IN! 

Enjoy!

Need a new (easy) recipe for that head of cauliflower sitting in your fridge? 

Instead of cutting into florets, try steaming the whole head! It is SO much easier! Albeit, it does take a bit longer to cook, but then you just have extra time to play with your kids or get some extra housework done. Or, let's get real, watch TV ;)

Place the whole head of cauliflower in a pot with an inch to an inch and a half of water in the bottom. Cover it and simmer it over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes. 

After the time is up, check it by prodding it with a fork. If the fork goes in easily, then it is done. If not, let it cook for 5 more minutes and check it again. 

Cooking time really depends on the size of the head. 

After it's done cooking, stick a fork in each side to lift it out of the pot. Then set it on your serving plate. 

While it's still hot, sprinkle it with garlic salt and plenty of nutritional yeast. 

You can clean of the plate to serve it if you like, but I kind of like the sprinkles on the plate :)

Cut off a portion for each person, or just go ahead and DIG IN! 

Enjoy!

Healthy, Yummy, Warm, Vegan Drinks!

On cold, snowy winter days, I love to curl up on the couch with a hot drink. Instead of drinking a 1200 calorie latte, I've come up with a few healthier alternatives.


Almond Milk Hot Chocolate

My favorite way to make vegan hot chocolate is to warm up a mug of this on the stove or in the microwave with a sprinkle or two of cinnamon. 

You can also add a little homemade chocolate syrup to unsweetened or vanilla flavored almond or coconut milk. 

For a bittersweet version, add cocoa powder instead of the syrup!

Tea with Coconut French Vanilla Creamer

In the mood for a pumpkin spice latte? Instead, try an herbal tea with a little SO Delicious French Vanilla creamer. It's delicious! Try adding a shot of coffee to really get the job done! :)



Harney Teas

Or try a cinnamon, chocolate, or vanilla tea! I am super interested in this chocolate mint one from Harney & Sons! (How CUTE are these tins!?)


Chocolate Mint



Hot Lemon Water

You can never go wrong with a hot mug of water with a couple lemon slices! The lemon is a great source of vitamin C and helps support your liver clean out those toxins!

Non-Dairy Lattes & Cappuccinos

If you own your own espresso or cappuccino machine, start getting creative!! Use a variety of non-dairy milks to see which you like best. I've been experimenting with almond and coconut milk. Both are delicious and coconut milk gets frothy really quickly for a very creamy cappuccino! Add yummy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, or use vanilla or chocolate flavored milk to kick it up a notch!

I also grind my own coffee beans so it's extra fresh, just like Caribou :)


Experimenting with healthy drinks like these? Share them in the comment section!

On cold, snowy winter days, I love to curl up on the couch with a hot drink. Instead of drinking a 1200 calorie latte, I've come up with a few healthier alternatives.


Almond Milk Hot Chocolate

My favorite way to make vegan hot chocolate is to warm up a mug of this on the stove or in the microwave with a sprinkle or two of cinnamon. 

You can also add a little homemade chocolate syrup to unsweetened or vanilla flavored almond or coconut milk. 

For a bittersweet version, add cocoa powder instead of the syrup!

Tea with Coconut French Vanilla Creamer

In the mood for a pumpkin spice latte? Instead, try an herbal tea with a little SO Delicious French Vanilla creamer. It's delicious! Try adding a shot of coffee to really get the job done! :)



Harney Teas

Or try a cinnamon, chocolate, or vanilla tea! I am super interested in this chocolate mint one from Harney & Sons! (How CUTE are these tins!?)


Chocolate Mint



Hot Lemon Water

You can never go wrong with a hot mug of water with a couple lemon slices! The lemon is a great source of vitamin C and helps support your liver clean out those toxins!

Non-Dairy Lattes & Cappuccinos

If you own your own espresso or cappuccino machine, start getting creative!! Use a variety of non-dairy milks to see which you like best. I've been experimenting with almond and coconut milk. Both are delicious and coconut milk gets frothy really quickly for a very creamy cappuccino! Add yummy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, or use vanilla or chocolate flavored milk to kick it up a notch!

I also grind my own coffee beans so it's extra fresh, just like Caribou :)


Experimenting with healthy drinks like these? Share them in the comment section!

My Freezer Meal Weekend!

I have 4 weeks of pregnancy left. Let me tell you, I am definitely able to do less and less at a time before I get worn out!

One thing I CAN still do though, is cook and bake! Which is fantastic, because it is one of my FAVORITE things to do! :)

Because I know I am not going to want to cook anything for a couple of weeks after giving birth, I decided to stock up my freezer with lots of goodies to keep our little family fed and energized while we're getting used to our new life together.

Currently in my freezer:

2 Loafs Banana Bread
4 Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies (Frozen in cookie-sized dough form)
1 Pan of Pizza Hotdish
2 Dozen Pancakes
1 Dozen Twice-Baked Potatoes
2 Pizza Doughs

Adding today:

2 Loafs Zucchini Bread
3 Dozen Quinoa Pizza Bites

Still on my list to add:

More Pizza Dough
Tortilla Soup
Chili
Turkey Pot Pie
Biscuits
Cinnamon Rolls
Anything else I am feeling up to making :)


Most of this I have done within the last 3 days.

Here's How:

Friday:
I baked 6 large red potatoes while I was cooking/baking my 2 batches of Pizza Hot Dish (One to eat that night, one to freeze) The potatoes went to cool in the fridge that night and 1 of the casseroles went to the freezer.

{*TIP* When your oven is on, USE IT! This may seem simple, but one of the best tips I have for you is to bake two or three things at a time when your oven is on. Just make sure everything bakes at the same temperature and keep a close eye on it!}

The whole process took an hour and a half because the noodles and meat for the hot dish needed to be cooked first.

Saturday:
I cut baked potatoes in half, scooped out the centered and blended that with a little almond milk, garlic powder and cheese. Scoop this mixture back into the potatoes and press a little extra shredded cheese on top. (You can mix other spices, omit the cheese, add butter, etc. to this recipe, this is just how I made them)

Flash freeze these on a cookie sheet. Meanwhile, mix up your favorite cookie dough!

Remove the potatoes, place them in a freezer bag, and write directions on how to cook them (Bake at 350 for 30-40 min. Defrost first!). Use the cookie sheet to place individual cookie dough balls in the freezer. These you will also place in a freezer bag once they are initially frozen!

I then cooked 1 cup of quinoa (made 3 cooked cups!) while I made 2 batches of my favorite pizza dough to freeze. That way I felt like I was using my time wisely in the kitchen!

{*TIP* Just like the oven, when you are in your KITCHEN, use your time to your advantage! Cook rice, pasta, quinoa, or meat to use at a later day that week! You'll be able to keep a good eye on it and save time another day!}

When the cookies are frozen, place them in the freezer bag with directions on how to bake (Add 1 or 2 minutes and check them often when baking! My recipe needs 4 extra minutes!). Use the cookie sheet to freeze the pizza dough in a ball that will fit your freezer bags (I used quart sized for each of my dough balls).

Place your quinoa in the fridge for another day!

Not sure how long this process took me as I took a few breaks this day :) But I would guess no more than 2 hours, not counting freezing time.

Sunday:
I started with my quinoa at about 10:30 this morning. I made a batch and a half of Quinoa Pizza Bites for our freezer. When these were in the oven, I used the time to wash the dishes and mix up my zucchini bread recipe. These went in the oven right after the quinoa bites and now I am ready to add all of them to the freezer! 3 hours only!

So in only took 7 hours split up over a couple of days. Not bad! Totally doable for those who are on a time crunch and cannot spend a whole day in their kitchen!

I have 4 weeks of pregnancy left. Let me tell you, I am definitely able to do less and less at a time before I get worn out!

One thing I CAN still do though, is cook and bake! Which is fantastic, because it is one of my FAVORITE things to do! :)

Because I know I am not going to want to cook anything for a couple of weeks after giving birth, I decided to stock up my freezer with lots of goodies to keep our little family fed and energized while we're getting used to our new life together.

Currently in my freezer:

2 Loafs Banana Bread
4 Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies (Frozen in cookie-sized dough form)
1 Pan of Pizza Hotdish
2 Dozen Pancakes
1 Dozen Twice-Baked Potatoes
2 Pizza Doughs

Adding today:

2 Loafs Zucchini Bread
3 Dozen Quinoa Pizza Bites

Still on my list to add:

More Pizza Dough
Tortilla Soup
Chili
Turkey Pot Pie
Biscuits
Cinnamon Rolls
Anything else I am feeling up to making :)


Most of this I have done within the last 3 days.

Here's How:

Friday:
I baked 6 large red potatoes while I was cooking/baking my 2 batches of Pizza Hot Dish (One to eat that night, one to freeze) The potatoes went to cool in the fridge that night and 1 of the casseroles went to the freezer.

{*TIP* When your oven is on, USE IT! This may seem simple, but one of the best tips I have for you is to bake two or three things at a time when your oven is on. Just make sure everything bakes at the same temperature and keep a close eye on it!}

The whole process took an hour and a half because the noodles and meat for the hot dish needed to be cooked first.

Saturday:
I cut baked potatoes in half, scooped out the centered and blended that with a little almond milk, garlic powder and cheese. Scoop this mixture back into the potatoes and press a little extra shredded cheese on top. (You can mix other spices, omit the cheese, add butter, etc. to this recipe, this is just how I made them)

Flash freeze these on a cookie sheet. Meanwhile, mix up your favorite cookie dough!

Remove the potatoes, place them in a freezer bag, and write directions on how to cook them (Bake at 350 for 30-40 min. Defrost first!). Use the cookie sheet to place individual cookie dough balls in the freezer. These you will also place in a freezer bag once they are initially frozen!

I then cooked 1 cup of quinoa (made 3 cooked cups!) while I made 2 batches of my favorite pizza dough to freeze. That way I felt like I was using my time wisely in the kitchen!

{*TIP* Just like the oven, when you are in your KITCHEN, use your time to your advantage! Cook rice, pasta, quinoa, or meat to use at a later day that week! You'll be able to keep a good eye on it and save time another day!}

When the cookies are frozen, place them in the freezer bag with directions on how to bake (Add 1 or 2 minutes and check them often when baking! My recipe needs 4 extra minutes!). Use the cookie sheet to freeze the pizza dough in a ball that will fit your freezer bags (I used quart sized for each of my dough balls).

Place your quinoa in the fridge for another day!

Not sure how long this process took me as I took a few breaks this day :) But I would guess no more than 2 hours, not counting freezing time.

Sunday:
I started with my quinoa at about 10:30 this morning. I made a batch and a half of Quinoa Pizza Bites for our freezer. When these were in the oven, I used the time to wash the dishes and mix up my zucchini bread recipe. These went in the oven right after the quinoa bites and now I am ready to add all of them to the freezer! 3 hours only!

So in only took 7 hours split up over a couple of days. Not bad! Totally doable for those who are on a time crunch and cannot spend a whole day in their kitchen!

Orange Pineapple Banana Smoothie

Oh my goodness. I just made the BEST smoothie ever!

Compare it to something that you would get at Orange Julius, only 10 times better because it doesn't have that weird powdered sugar taste to it AND it only contains 5 ingredients!

I do not have any pictures right now, but I just HAD to post the recipe anyways. IT'S THAT GOOD FOLKS!

Make it tomorrow,

or tonight!

All you need to blend is:

3/4 c. frozen or fresh pineapple
1 1/2 c. fresh spinach
2 oranges, peeled
1/2 c. water
2 bananas

Make sure it is blended well and, for fun, serve it with one of those pretty umbrellas :)

Oh my goodness. I just made the BEST smoothie ever!

Compare it to something that you would get at Orange Julius, only 10 times better because it doesn't have that weird powdered sugar taste to it AND it only contains 5 ingredients!

I do not have any pictures right now, but I just HAD to post the recipe anyways. IT'S THAT GOOD FOLKS!

Make it tomorrow,

or tonight!

All you need to blend is:

3/4 c. frozen or fresh pineapple
1 1/2 c. fresh spinach
2 oranges, peeled
1/2 c. water
2 bananas

Make sure it is blended well and, for fun, serve it with one of those pretty umbrellas :)

Fresh Smoothie Recipe!

I hope everyone's Sunday has been great so far! On this end, neither me nor my husband are feeling well. Unfortunately, we both have some type of head cold. Yuck.

We are working on getting rid of these with lots of rest and sleep, steam from the shower to break up the congestion and nasty stuff in our sinuses, and lots of fruit and veggies to get our body back on track! After all, the immune system doesn't work properly if it's not getting the right nutrients!

One of the best ways to get your fruit and veggies is a smoothie. Full of spinach and fruit, the smoothies we have been drinking are the quickest way to get our calcium, vitamin C, folic acid, and lots of other micronutrients! Even better? Baby seems to like them just as much as me! :)

So grab that blender and make one with me!

We have a Ninja, which we love because of the multiple blade action! There are 6 blades that are spaced halfway up the pitcher which means, no stirring!

Grab your veggies and fruit. I used spinach, cucumber, parsley (which I grabbed from my plant outside), bananas, an apple, strawberries, and blueberries. 

I hope everyone's Sunday has been great so far! On this end, neither me nor my husband are feeling well. Unfortunately, we both have some type of head cold. Yuck.

We are working on getting rid of these with lots of rest and sleep, steam from the shower to break up the congestion and nasty stuff in our sinuses, and lots of fruit and veggies to get our body back on track! After all, the immune system doesn't work properly if it's not getting the right nutrients!

One of the best ways to get your fruit and veggies is a smoothie. Full of spinach and fruit, the smoothies we have been drinking are the quickest way to get our calcium, vitamin C, folic acid, and lots of other micronutrients! Even better? Baby seems to like them just as much as me! :)

So grab that blender and make one with me!

We have a Ninja, which we love because of the multiple blade action! There are 6 blades that are spaced halfway up the pitcher which means, no stirring!

Grab your veggies and fruit. I used spinach, cucumber, parsley (which I grabbed from my plant outside), bananas, an apple, strawberries, and blueberries. 

Bite-Sized Apple Pies

What screams summer more than apple pie?! That's right, Nothing! These are a perfect little summer treat as they are bite sized so you don't feel like you have to have a whole big piece. 

Yum.

Bonus: They are super easy.

These are the only two ingredients I used. Of course, you can substitute homemade pic crust and filling with just a tad more effort. 

What screams summer more than apple pie?! That's right, Nothing! These are a perfect little summer treat as they are bite sized so you don't feel like you have to have a whole big piece. 

Yum.

Bonus: They are super easy.

These are the only two ingredients I used. Of course, you can substitute homemade pic crust and filling with just a tad more effort. 

Simple Salad Recipe

I just made this salad for lunch. It is a super simple but absolutely delicious and satisfying one!

Doesn't it just LOOK amazing!?

It is romaine, spinach (feel free to substitute kale!), tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and sweet corn.

For a little extra flavor (not that it needs any) I squeezed a little lime over the top and sprinkled on some sea salt and pepper. It could definitely be made for a large crowd! AND since it doesn't get soggy, especially if you use the kale in place of spinach, it is perfect for a light lunch at work!

Enjoy your spring salads! :)

I just made this salad for lunch. It is a super simple but absolutely delicious and satisfying one!

Doesn't it just LOOK amazing!?

It is romaine, spinach (feel free to substitute kale!), tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and sweet corn.

For a little extra flavor (not that it needs any) I squeezed a little lime over the top and sprinkled on some sea salt and pepper. It could definitely be made for a large crowd! AND since it doesn't get soggy, especially if you use the kale in place of spinach, it is perfect for a light lunch at work!

Enjoy your spring salads! :)

Banana Bars with Melt-in-your-Mouth Frosting

A couple days ago, I had a craving for banana bars. Every recipe I found was full of sugar so I did a little adapting and came up with a great recipe for dense banana bars.

Start by blending your softened butter with a cup of applesauce.

I used natural applesauce so it was about 100 calories per cup. 

 

Next, mix in your sugar, vanilla, sour cream, baking soda, and baking powder.

Don't worry if it bubbles a bit, that's just the baking soda mixing with the fruit.

After that, mix in the egg and mashed bananas. 2 large ones, or 3 medium ones should be about right. 

Lastly, mix in your 2 cups of flour and spread evenly into a jellyroll pan.

Bake for 25 minutes and 350 degrees. When they're still warm cover with the frosting. 

Enjoy your delicious banana bars :)


Banana Bars

1/4 c. softened butter
1 c. applesauce
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 c. mashed banana
1/4 c. sour cream
2 c. flour

Preheat the oven to 350 and grease your 15x10 jellyroll pan. Blend softened butter and applesauce. Mix in the sugar, sour cream, vanilla, baking powder, soda, and salt, scraping down the sides. Next, blend the egg and bananas into the batter. Mix in the flour one cup at a time and pour the batter into the greased jellyroll pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.


Melt-in-your-Mouth Frosting

1/4 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3 tbsp. milk (almond milk works well too)
2 c. powdered sugar

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat and leave on the burner until it turns to a nice brown color and starts to smell really nice. There will be little flecks of brown in it and that is the stage you should remove it from the burner and start mixing in the other ingredients. Whisk in the vanilla and milk. Whisk the sugar in cup by cup. Immediately pour the frosting on the bars and spread out evenly.

A couple days ago, I had a craving for banana bars. Every recipe I found was full of sugar so I did a little adapting and came up with a great recipe for dense banana bars.

Start by blending your softened butter with a cup of applesauce.

I used natural applesauce so it was about 100 calories per cup. 

 

Next, mix in your sugar, vanilla, sour cream, baking soda, and baking powder.

Don't worry if it bubbles a bit, that's just the baking soda mixing with the fruit.

After that, mix in the egg and mashed bananas. 2 large ones, or 3 medium ones should be about right. 

Lastly, mix in your 2 cups of flour and spread evenly into a jellyroll pan.

Bake for 25 minutes and 350 degrees. When they're still warm cover with the frosting. 

Enjoy your delicious banana bars :)


Banana Bars

1/4 c. softened butter
1 c. applesauce
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 c. mashed banana
1/4 c. sour cream
2 c. flour

Preheat the oven to 350 and grease your 15x10 jellyroll pan. Blend softened butter and applesauce. Mix in the sugar, sour cream, vanilla, baking powder, soda, and salt, scraping down the sides. Next, blend the egg and bananas into the batter. Mix in the flour one cup at a time and pour the batter into the greased jellyroll pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.


Melt-in-your-Mouth Frosting

1/4 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3 tbsp. milk (almond milk works well too)
2 c. powdered sugar

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat and leave on the burner until it turns to a nice brown color and starts to smell really nice. There will be little flecks of brown in it and that is the stage you should remove it from the burner and start mixing in the other ingredients. Whisk in the vanilla and milk. Whisk the sugar in cup by cup. Immediately pour the frosting on the bars and spread out evenly.

Homemade Chili Recipe

So, after posting about all of those delicious looking soups I just had to make some for myself. What's better than a bowl full of piping hot chili on a chilly night??

Look at that steam....

So, after posting about all of those delicious looking soups I just had to make some for myself. What's better than a bowl full of piping hot chili on a chilly night??

Look at that steam....

Yummy Soups for Winter

Aren't soups just a cozy food for those chilly nights?

I have compiled a few that look especially good!



Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup



Cheddar and Ale Soup (or Beer Cheese) :)

Aren't soups just a cozy food for those chilly nights?

I have compiled a few that look especially good!



Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup



Cheddar and Ale Soup (or Beer Cheese) :)

Thanksgiving Recipes

The feast of Thanksgiving starts in TWO days! Who's excited?? (Pick me! I am!)

The feast of Thanksgiving starts in TWO days! Who's excited?? (Pick me! I am!)

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower

A couple weeks ago I pinned this recipe:

Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower

We really don't eat a lot of cauliflower, neither my husband or I really like it, but I thought I would give it a try.

And let me tell you: it was FANTASTIC! Still a little crunchy and super tasty!

Of course, it's not chicken and can't be expected to taste like it, but it is a great substitute!

So here's how to do it:

Mix a batter of 2 tsp. Frank's Red Hot, 1/3 c. flour (I used Bobs Red Mill 21192 All Purpose Baking Flour Gluten Free (Google Affiliate Ad)), and 1/3 c. water.

A couple weeks ago I pinned this recipe:

Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower

We really don't eat a lot of cauliflower, neither my husband or I really like it, but I thought I would give it a try.

And let me tell you: it was FANTASTIC! Still a little crunchy and super tasty!

Of course, it's not chicken and can't be expected to taste like it, but it is a great substitute!

So here's how to do it:

Mix a batter of 2 tsp. Frank's Red Hot, 1/3 c. flour (I used Bobs Red Mill 21192 All Purpose Baking Flour Gluten Free (Google Affiliate Ad)), and 1/3 c. water.

Spanish Vegan Meal

Tonight for dinner I made Spanish rice and refried bean dip with tortilla chips.

It was delicious.

I'll start with the easy part, the bean dip.

It may not look that good, but I promise you, you will not be able to stop eating it!!

Tonight for dinner I made Spanish rice and refried bean dip with tortilla chips.

It was delicious.

I'll start with the easy part, the bean dip.

It may not look that good, but I promise you, you will not be able to stop eating it!!

Apple Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Glaze

Delicious apple cupcakes just in time for fall!

Doesn't that look good??

Delicious apple cupcakes just in time for fall!

Doesn't that look good??

Scotcheroo Cookies

A twist on the normal scotcheroo bars, these cookies are perfectly portioned and great for a party.

I made these today as a birthday treat for my husband. :)

For those of you who've never made scotcheroos, they are super easy. 

Just mix one cup of sugar with one cup of corn syrup in a saucepan.

Heat that mixture over medium heat until it starts bubbling. Stir often.

In the meantime, unwrap some kisses...

A twist on the normal scotcheroo bars, these cookies are perfectly portioned and great for a party.

I made these today as a birthday treat for my husband. :)

For those of you who've never made scotcheroos, they are super easy. 

Just mix one cup of sugar with one cup of corn syrup in a saucepan.

Heat that mixture over medium heat until it starts bubbling. Stir often.

In the meantime, unwrap some kisses...

Bite-Sized Soft Pretzels

Today I'm going to show you how to make your own soft pretzel bites.

Yum!

This recipe is perfect for a lazy weekend or a football party! AND it will please almost everyone since it does not contain dairy or meat, oil, and you can control the salt content! Much healthier than those oily ones sold in food courts!

Today I'm going to show you how to make your own soft pretzel bites.

Yum!

This recipe is perfect for a lazy weekend or a football party! AND it will please almost everyone since it does not contain dairy or meat, oil, and you can control the salt content! Much healthier than those oily ones sold in food courts!

Apple Recipes for Fall

Apples are in abundance in the fall. They are usually cheap come harvest and BONUS: you can pick your own in Apple Orchards! :) Talk about a fun afternoon, complete with hot apple cider afterward!

These are a few recipes to use with all of those apples you've picked :)



These yummy looking cupcakes are full of grated apples. I am sure that small chunks would work as well. They would also be good with Maple Frosting! (Apple Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream)




I can't wait to try these babies out! I just got apples in my Bountiful Basket (http://bountifulbaskets.org/ for more info. on that!) today and I am very excited to try making these! These lollipop sticks are definitely a must when making these treats: Wilton Lollipop Sticks, 6", 35 count (Google Affiliate Ad)

For a fall twist, it would fun to use white chocolate and sprinkle with toffee bits. (Apple Lollies)

Apples are in abundance in the fall. They are usually cheap come harvest and BONUS: you can pick your own in Apple Orchards! :) Talk about a fun afternoon, complete with hot apple cider afterward!

These are a few recipes to use with all of those apples you've picked :)



These yummy looking cupcakes are full of grated apples. I am sure that small chunks would work as well. They would also be good with Maple Frosting! (Apple Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream)




I can't wait to try these babies out! I just got apples in my Bountiful Basket (http://bountifulbaskets.org/ for more info. on that!) today and I am very excited to try making these! These lollipop sticks are definitely a must when making these treats: Wilton Lollipop Sticks, 6", 35 count (Google Affiliate Ad)

For a fall twist, it would fun to use white chocolate and sprinkle with toffee bits. (Apple Lollies)

Homemade Choc. Syrup for Coffee

Is anyone else feeling like Fall is here? It was below 40 degrees when I woke up this morning and after a HOT summer it felt nice to throw on a sweater and a scarf. :)

Autumn always gives me cravings for yummy cappuccinos and mocha coffees. They are my weakness...

Me, drinking coffee with my cardigan and scarf..

Coffee and Cardigans :) Yay, Fall!

Unfortunately, our budget does not allow me to pick up a $3-4 coffee everyday, even though there are 3 different coffee places within 2 blocks of my work! Does anybody feel my pain?

Our office does have a Keurig machine, but those are also expensive to buy when you have a cup a day!

I do have a cappuccino machine that I inherited from my mom when she stopped drinking coffee (Yay!). Yet, it still costs probably $.50 a day to make a 'cafe con miel' (coffee with honey), or a full on mocha.

So, my mission was to find a cheap (read: PENNIES a day) way to indulge my coffee cravings. The solution is homemade chocolate syrup!

Hot coffee. Yummmm.......

It is seriously easy to make this stuff for yourself! Wish I would have known THAT in college!

First, whisk your unsweetened cocoa in with the sugar. Try to get most of the clumps out.

Add the water and a pinch of salt. Okay, now on low to medium heat stir the cocoa mix. 

 See my wooden spoon? Do not try to whisk the water into the cocoa! I repeat, DO NOT! I did this the first time I made the syrup and it ended up with a thick light colored foam on top... There will still be a slight foam when you use a wooden spoon, but not like when you whisk it.

Ahhh.. the amazingness of chocolate.. So versatile. So delicious.

Make sure to heat the syrup until the sugar is all melted. Otherwise it could end up gritty. Blah.

Pouring the syrup into hot coffee... (sorry for the blurry photo: i need a new camera!)

Make regular hot (or iced) coffee and throw in some better-than-Hershey's chocolate syrup. It tastes Starbucks or Caribou worthy. 


Homemade Chocolate Syrup

Makes about 8 oz.

1/2 c. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/2 c. White Sugar (a little more if you like it sweet)
1/2 c. Water
Pinch of salt

Whisk cocoa and sugar in a small saucepan until there are no clumps left. Add water and salt. Stir constantly over low-medium heat. Heat until sauce is no longer gritty from sugar. Cool slightly and store covered in fridge.

You can also add this to milk, pour over vanilla ice cream, top some yummy brownies with it, etc....

Is anyone else feeling like Fall is here? It was below 40 degrees when I woke up this morning and after a HOT summer it felt nice to throw on a sweater and a scarf. :)

Autumn always gives me cravings for yummy cappuccinos and mocha coffees. They are my weakness...

Me, drinking coffee with my cardigan and scarf..

Coffee and Cardigans :) Yay, Fall!

Unfortunately, our budget does not allow me to pick up a $3-4 coffee everyday, even though there are 3 different coffee places within 2 blocks of my work! Does anybody feel my pain?

Our office does have a Keurig machine, but those are also expensive to buy when you have a cup a day!

I do have a cappuccino machine that I inherited from my mom when she stopped drinking coffee (Yay!). Yet, it still costs probably $.50 a day to make a 'cafe con miel' (coffee with honey), or a full on mocha.

So, my mission was to find a cheap (read: PENNIES a day) way to indulge my coffee cravings. The solution is homemade chocolate syrup!

Hot coffee. Yummmm.......

It is seriously easy to make this stuff for yourself! Wish I would have known THAT in college!

First, whisk your unsweetened cocoa in with the sugar. Try to get most of the clumps out.

Add the water and a pinch of salt. Okay, now on low to medium heat stir the cocoa mix. 

 See my wooden spoon? Do not try to whisk the water into the cocoa! I repeat, DO NOT! I did this the first time I made the syrup and it ended up with a thick light colored foam on top... There will still be a slight foam when you use a wooden spoon, but not like when you whisk it.

Ahhh.. the amazingness of chocolate.. So versatile. So delicious.

Make sure to heat the syrup until the sugar is all melted. Otherwise it could end up gritty. Blah.

Pouring the syrup into hot coffee... (sorry for the blurry photo: i need a new camera!)

Make regular hot (or iced) coffee and throw in some better-than-Hershey's chocolate syrup. It tastes Starbucks or Caribou worthy. 


Homemade Chocolate Syrup

Makes about 8 oz.

1/2 c. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/2 c. White Sugar (a little more if you like it sweet)
1/2 c. Water
Pinch of salt

Whisk cocoa and sugar in a small saucepan until there are no clumps left. Add water and salt. Stir constantly over low-medium heat. Heat until sauce is no longer gritty from sugar. Cool slightly and store covered in fridge.

You can also add this to milk, pour over vanilla ice cream, top some yummy brownies with it, etc....