SPICED ALMOND HOT CHOCOLATE

Sipping on a large mug of hot chocolate is one of my favorite things about winter. E loves it so much that he has a cup every night after dinner (we may or may not use it to bribe him into finishing his dinners). Lately, I've been trying something different than our usual Swiss Miss mix that we've been drinking for years.  A good friend recently gave me a few cartons of chocolate almond milk and I've been heating that up with some regular milk and cinnamon sticks. Not only has it been a healthier alternative, we found ourselves loving it more! It's much lighter and smoother. The richness is still there, but you don't feel like your hips and rear just gained 5 pounds after a cup. ;) 

The above picture includes all the ingredients I had planned to use. The only item not shown is the cardamom that I decided to add at the very last minute. 

* This recipe makes enough for two!

INGREDIENTS

2 C chocolate almond milk

1 C 2% milk

2 cinnamon sticks

a pinch of cardamom

marshmallows

1/3 C semi-sweet chocolate or your favorite dark chocolate (optional)

1/4 tsp ancho chili powder (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, mix together the almond milk, regular milk, cardamom and cinnamon sticks on medium high heat.  Right before it starts to boil, turn the heat down to medium low and let it slowly simmer for another 5 minutes.  If you like your drink richer/sweeter, melt some semi-sweet chocolate morsels or your favorite dark chocolate (yummm) on a double broiler and add it into the milk mixture as well. Once the cinnamon becomes fragrant, remove from heat and pour the drink into your mugs. Serve with some toasted marshmallows!

I decided to try making marshmallows this week. My first effort was a total and utter FAIL. Went out and got a candy thermometer this time and tried again tonight. Will find out tomorrow to see how they turned out! 

FRUITY KALE SMOOTHIE

I've been feeling really sluggish lately and at first just attributed it to the pregnancy. Then recently at my doctor's appointment, I was told that my iron count was WAY too low. I knew that the prenatals I was taking didn't have iron, but I didn't really consider it to be a big deal. Guess I was wrong... :( 

Hearing that I was anemic kind of freaked me out, so the second we left the doctor's, we went straight to our nearest grocery store. After checking out this helpful site and getting some recommendations from my doctor, I picked up a few items:

• red meat
• raisins
• kale
• spinach
• lots of fruit (vitamin C increases iron absorption)

Because I'm so low, I'll have to be on iron supplements and will need to be more aware of what I'm eating everyday. So in attempt to get on a good start yesterday, I threw together this quick smoothie for E and I. 

Ingredients

3/4 C of orange mango nectar 

1/2 C of strawberries

1/4 C of raspberries

1/4 C plain Greek yogurt

half of a frozen ripe banana

1/2 C of chopped kale

*optional: add a tablespoon of agave or honey if you prefer it sweeter

Tonight steak is what's for dinner. Hey it's not bad having an excuse to eat more steak...;)

Talk to you all soon,

WATERMELON STRAWBERRY AGUA FRESCA

One of our favorite things about summer is all the fresh fruit - mangoes, pineapples, cherries, white peaches, and watermelons! Almost always you'll find our fridge stocked with watermelon. ;) Last week I decided to use up some of our over-ripened ones and make some yummy agua fresca. 

Ingredients
5 C seedless watermelon chunks
3 limes (freshly squeezed)
1 C strawberries (sliced)
4 T honey (or to taste)
few sprigs of mint

Directions
In a large bowl, puree the watermelon, strawberries, lime juice, and mint together. (Blender works fine too. If you prefer not to eat the mint leaves, you can add the sprigs at the end.)

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a large pitcher.

Add honey and 1.5 C of filtered water and cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Serve over ice and enjoy!

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I'm thinking about making it with cantaloupe or honeydew next! =D Do any of you have your own favorite combinations?

Linking up with: Summer With A Chance Of Link Ups

FRIDAY TREATS

Happy Friday friends! My family and I had a wonderful week and I can't wait to share some pics with you all soon! It was full of relaxing, eating, eating and more eating ;)... a day of cake and candles and lots and lots of family time. :) For now here's another roundup of my favorite finds this week:

1) Winter Park Wedding Decor @ Style Me Pretty 2) Screen Print @ My Calico Skies 3) Baking Soda Air Freshener @ Smashed Peas and Carrots 4) Starbuck's "Secret Menu" @ Yummly 5) Sour Patch Grapes @ Sweet Treats and More 6) Earl Grey Milk Jam @ B for Bonnie

Have a great weekend!

DIY TEA STATION

My husband and I are both BIG tea drinkers. I make this tea latte (except with agave) for us every night after E goes to bed. Usually we keep our stash of teas in the pantry; however these days it's been getting too crowded in there and I wanted a more accessible place to keep all our teas. We had an empty spot on the counter a few feet away from the stove that I thought would be perfect for a small tea station. 

I had picked up this wooden shelf-looking thing from IKEA a few months ago for $2 in their clearance section. Originally my thought was to place it above our microwave to hold our fruits.  However it turned out to be a little too wide and looked awkward in that space. I kept it anyways... just in case an opportunity like this came up. ;)  

This project literally took me about 20 minutes from start to finish. There was no need to paint since the birch actually matched our kitchen cabinets.  I simply measured and cut out a section of the shelf-liner that I had leftover from my SNIGLAR changing table makeover and adhered it to the surface of the shelf.  I also used the liner to cover the outside of this KRUS container to help keep a more uniform look.  

Here's how it all turned out. What a simple way to give our beloved teas their very own home! It's now my new favorite spot in the kitchen. :D

Have any of you completed any simple DIYs lately that made a huge impact? I'd love to hear from you!

Have a fantastic Wednesday!

SHE LOVES ME, SHE LOVES ME NOT

Today I am joining Michaela's She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not Link Up @ Michaela Noelle Designs.  Happy reading everyone! :)

She Loves Me...

1. Hymnal.net... a great resource for Christian songs like this one: Lord Jesus, You're lovely :) 

2. All non-alcoholic drinks... coffee, tea, bubble tea, smoothies, hot chocolate, sparkling apple cider, etc. I'm always in the mood for one!

2. Fun and bold patterns

3. Laughing 'til my cheeks burst... a great stress reliever!

4. Hoodies... they make me look like a high school-er, but I still love them! 

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5. Kiss My Face's Pure Olive Oil Bar Soap... my new favorite facial cleanser! Made from saponified olive oil, it's extremely moisturizing and gentle on my skin. 

7. Watches... ever since I can remember, I have always been fascinated with them. I've gone through so many that I started saving the faces as keepsakes!

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8. Flats... I'm always in search of cute comfortable flats! 

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9. The beginning of the movie "UP"... Carl & Ellie make me cry every time =*)

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She Loves Me Not...

1. Creepy crawlers... such as snakes, spiders, etc. I couldn't even bring myself to find pics of them to post up. o.O

2. Inconsiderate people bug me the most...

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3. Blow-drying my hair before bed... which is why my hair looks like a wreck most mornings.

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4. The fact that I'm such a night owl... really really need to work on sleeping earlier.

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5. Accidentally "publishing" an unfinished post o.O... 

HEALTHY AVOCADO SMOOTHIE

I LOVE avocados. I love them in salads, burgers, sandwiches, as dips, and even in drinks. :) 

Packed with nutrients, this fruit is especially great for babies in their normal growth and brain development. 

Tonight I made this delicious avocado smoothie for E - an easy way to get tons of protein and fiber into my little guy. The green specks are actually spinach (don't worry, you can't taste it once it's blended in with the other ingredients). 

Ingredients:

small handful of baby spinach*

1/2 of a ripe Hass avocado

1/2 C crushed ice
3/4 C whole milk
2 T brown sugar (packed)

Blend all the ingredients together and enjoy!

ALMOND TEA LATTE

I recently came across this fantastic cup of perfection from Christine @ justbella.  She calls it the "London Fog."  Normally running at almost $4 for a venti at Starbucks, I made this for about 50 cents!  O.O  It's currently my new favorite drink!

I've adapted a little from her recipe based on what I already had available.  Here's my version:

1 cup of earl grey tea (8 oz. of water to 1 tea bag)
2-3 T of my homemade almond syrup (refer below)
frothed milk


Add these 3 simple ingredients together and enjoy! :)


Recipe for Almond Syrup:

• 1 1/2 C of water
• 1 C of cane sugar
• 1 C of brown sugar
• 1 1/2 - 2 T almond extract 
• pinch of salt

Pour water and sugar together in a small saucepan under medium high heat.  After it starts to boil, let it simmer for 10 minutes.  The liquid should slightly thicken.  Remove from heat and add in your preferred extract and salt.  Let it cool to room temperature before pouring it into an airtight container.  Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.