Pumpkin Spice Latte

Even in Tulsa, Oklahoma, fall is in the air.  While working on a note card design, using a brand new rubber stamp, I had some fun coloring in a 'coffee mug' artwork.  Hit the "orange spectrum" and sighed deeply at the lovely shade of pumpkin I landed upon with my coloring tools.  This made me think of hot beverages and what I might create in my own kitchen.  Found this gem of a recipe, orginally from Pillsbury and tweaked it for my taste buds. Give it a try and tell me what you think!  I think it is simply Yummers.

1. Here's what you'll need to make my version:

1 1/2 cups Almond Milk (unsweetened or vanilla, the 30-calories-per-cup variety)

2 T. pure packed pumpkin

1 t. *instant coffee crystals

1 t. vanilla

1-2 tsp. your favorite sweetener (I've used rice syrup and Erythritol and stevia ---not at the same time :-) and liked them all.  Prefer my Erythritol when I have it on hand.)

**Pinch of Pumpkin Pie Spice

Whisk together all ingredients except the pumpkin pie spice.  Heat in microwave safe bowl or on the stovetop until hot and bubbly but short of boiling.

I add a splash of almond milk to my mug, cooling it off just a tad before drinking.  Sprinkle with small amount of pumpkin pie spice and 'bottoms up.'  Delish on any Autumn or wintry day.

*For you tea drinkers out there, substitute the instant coffee with 1/2 cup to 1 cup freshly brewed hot tea.  Just as delicious.  I recommend an unflavored strong green or black tea so the pumpkin has a chance to 'shine.'

** Don't have pumpkin pie spice on the shelf?  Try making your own:  1 T. ground cinnamon, 2 tsp. ground ginger and 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg.  Have some cinnamon sticks crying to be used?  This would be the drink to use them!  YUMMERS!  Next up?  Going to try adding 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder for some scrumptious hot chocolate pumpkin yumminess!  Should be a perfect fit!

Virgin Cosmopolitan

4 oz. cranberry juice** (I use unsweetened juice and add a couple teaspoons of Erythritol dry sweetener)
6-8 oz. club soda, low sodium
1/4-1/3 cup lime juice (can use store bought or fresh squeezed or a combo of the two)
Juice from one orange

Mix all ingredients together and pour over crushed ice.

**When cranberries are in season, I buy a number of small bags and toss them in the freezer.  Adding a few frozen cranberries to this drink makes it even prettier.

Wish this were an adult beverage?   Add 1 to 2 oz. of Vodka and mix well before pouring over ice.

Bottoms up!

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Sweet and simple.  Throw in a little more milk for a larger serving portion and a few ice cubes to make it go farther.  I've added 'spinach' to this smoothie before but decided to keep this recipe in the 'ungreen' category.  This taste treat is also worthy of a mid-afternoon snack break or after dinner dessert.

There should be a comma after "almond milk" as the 'vanilla/unsweetened' describes the almond milk.  I prefer the 30-calories-per-cup variety.  Yummy stuff!

Enjoy!

Ninja Blender

I purchased a Ninja Kitchen Pulse System last spring and love it!  It's been worth it for the smoothies alone.  This recipe came from the recipe booklet that came with my Ninja blender.  I made a couple of changes and substitutions throughout the summer to suit my taste buds; mostly keeping the basic recipe you see here.

EMERALD GREEN ELIXER

1/2 cup white grape juice (I save & use the juice from my canned pineapple)

1/2 small banana, peeled

1/2 cup baby spinach leaves

1 kiwi, peeled

2 tsp. raw, unfiltered honey (I use dry sweetener)

5-6 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in the blender and pulse until smooth.  Serve right away!

Yummers!

On the go, heading out the door, no time for sit-down breakfast shake

1 very ripe banana (med. is about 90 calories)
1/2 c. chocolate soy milk, light (light Vanilla soy milk will do in a pinch) (45 calories)
1/2 container fat free vanilla yogurt (or any other flavor you have...Yoplait has good texture) (55 calories)
1 T. wheat bran, unprocessed (a few calories)
1/2 c. ice cubes (calorie free)

Put all these ingredients into your blender and 'hit the button!'  Frappe until smooth and pour into your favorite 'to go' cup. 

Yummers!

Servings:  1
Time to prepare:  About 5 minutes
Calories:  Approx. 200