Fall is here and it’s my favorite! I always get excited when the signs of Autumn arrive, when pumpkin-spice-everything starts to fill the stores and local pumpkin patches begin to open. I even get happy about football season because it … Continue reading Iced Apple Chai Tea Recipe
My husband and I finally made our first trip to a Trader Joe’s several weeks ago. Trader Joe’s grocery stores have found their way into North Texas, but the closest one is still 45 minutes from where we live. I was most excited to check out their snack selection (it’s obviously not very practical to go that far to buy refrigerated and frozen groceries). I picked up a handful of items to try out, including Roasted Coconut Chips (large pieces of roasted coconut, flavored lightly with sugar and salt – YUM!) and their famous Cookie Butter. Trader Joe’s cookie butter … Continue reading Speculoos Cookie Butter Smoothie Recipe
With the new year, I’ve decided to try to eat breakfast more often and also eat more fresh fruit. Why not do both at the same time? Smoothies are a great way to do just that! I’ve been noticing the trend of adding oats to smoothies, I was intrigued and had to give it a try. I really liked the addition! It gives smoothies sort of a doughy taste, in a really good way. If you know me well at all, you know that I really dislike bananas, but they give a great texture to smoothies and, when blended with … Continue reading Blueberry Banana Oat Smoothie
Hot apple cider is a new favorite of mine, after being introduced to it at my husband’s family’s holiday celebrations. It’s a fun, festive drink to enjoy on cold evenings! I really wanted to try something different than the usual citrus infused cider, so I flavored some store-bought apple cider with Bosc pears, fresh cranberries, and a couple of cinnamon sticks. It’s as easy as washing the fruit, placing all ingredients into a pot, and simmering on the stovetop over low heat. Or warm cider in a crockpot. So simple! After posting a photo to Instagram, someone suggested adding tropical … Continue reading Hot Apple Cider with Cranberries and Pears
Hot chocolate is one of my favorite drinks in the wintertime! It’s so easy to make a batch of homemade hot chocolate mix. Just add this mix to hot water, milk, or coffee! You can easily turn your homemade mix into a pretty party favor or stocking stuffer… This mix goes perfectly with the Hot Chocolate Spoons that were on the blog a few days ago! Malted milk powder can be a little tricky to find, this recipe is good with or without! Malted Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe 3 cups powdered sugar 2 1/2 cups powdered milk 1/2 cup malted … Continue reading Malted Hot Chocolate Mix
Today I’m in the kitchen, whipping up some Pesto from my basil plant (which is growing out of control!) and working on some recipes that will be on the blog soon. But I’m taking a break to share another easy recipe for smoothies with you! This Blueberry Mango Smoothie totally reminds me of a blueberry muffin! Blueberries, along with the sweetness of mango and the richness of almond milk, make up this satisfying and healthy treat. Blueberry Mango Smoothie 1 serving 1/2 mango 1/2 cup blueberries 1 … Continue reading Blueberry Mango Smoothie
I love smoothies! You can toss just about any combination of fruit into a blender and turn it into a refreshing treat. Smoothies are a quick breakfast option or a delicious morning or afternoon snack. I love the tropical sweetness from the pineapple and mangos in this smoothie, it’s easy to forget that this drink is actually healthy! I used frozen pineapple chunks for this recipe to get the icy coldness of a smoothie without adding ice. I’m a little addicted to vanilla almond milk, but you could use the unsweetened kind or regular milk instead! Pineapple Mango Smoothie 1 … Continue reading Pineapple Mango Smoothie
This summer I’ve been trying to lighten up on the ice cream and milkshakes while still finding frozen and sweet treats to enjoy. This smoothie is just the thing to satisfy your sweet tooth! It’s completely dairy-free and sweetened with natural ingredients! Leave out the coconut (if you’re not a fan) for a simple and delicious pineapple shake! Pineapple Coconut Smoothie 1 1/2 cups pineapple 1/4 cup shredded coconut 1/2 cup almond milk (or half-and-half) 1-2 tsp honey (optional) Cut pineapple into chunks and then pop them in the freezer overnight. When you’re ready to make your smoothie, pull pineapple … Continue reading Pineapple Coconut Smoothie
I love keeping limes and lemons around to add to my ice water in the summer. Adding a little flavor to your water is a great way to encourage water intake! Here are a few natural ingredient ideas that will flavor your water without adding sugar or artificial sweetener. Strawberry Basil // I know that basil may sound like a strange thing to add to drinking water, but it really adds a fresh flavor that goes perfectly with strawberries! Blueberry Kiwi // Adding frozen blueberries to your water is a great way to keep it cold and refreshing! Kiwi also adds … Continue reading Flavor Infused Water
I love all things vanilla! How could you not like vanilla? It’s the flavor that I choose most often when it comes to making scones, cake, cookies, pudding, and coffee! If you frequently use vanilla beans for baking, save the empty pods for this easy coffee syrup recipe! Vanilla Coffee Syrup Needed: 2 cups water 2 cups sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 vanilla bean pod (or 1 tsp vanilla extract) glass dispenser bottle To sterilize your dispenser bottle, wash it with soap and hot water. In a saucepan, add water, sugar, and the vanilla bean pod (if you’re using vanilla extract, … Continue reading Vanilla Coffee Syrup
Limeade is one of my very favorite summer drinks! It’s so easy to make at home, half the price of buying it already made, and it’s much more fresh! I used pineapple to give this limeade recipe a nice tropical flavor. Pineapple Limeade 4-6 servings 1 cup lime juice (5-7 limes) 1 cup pineapple chunks 1 cup of sugar 5-6 cups of water Juice limes. Before slicing limes, microwave for 20 seconds for easier juicing. If you don’t have a citrus juicer // stick a … Continue reading Fresh Pineapple Limeade
This refreshing lemonade is the perfect drink to enjoy at your next picnic or barbecue! If blueberries aren’t your thing, try adding raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries. Blueberry Lemonade 4- 6 servings 1 cup sugar 1 cup lemon juice (6-8 lemons) 5-6 cups water 2/3 cup blueberries Juice lemons. If you don’t have a citrus juicer // stick a fork into the flesh of a halved lemon and twist as you squeeze the lemon. Pour lemon juice (with some pulp, no seeds) into a blender. … Continue reading Blueberry Lemonade
I love coffee year round, but I especially enjoy lattes in the first cool days of Fall and icy coffee when Summery weather arrives. It’s already heating up here in Texas, bring on the frappuccinos! I’ve blended together different combinations of sweetened coffee with cream and ice before, but I’m always disappointed by the flavor… until now! The homemade mocha syrup in this recipe gives this frappuccino such a rich, creamy, chocolate-y taste. Plus, it’s frugal knock-off that you don’t even have to leave the house to enjoy! Mocha Frappuccino … Continue reading Mocha Frappuccino
hello-homebody.com 