Chocolate Fix

Today seems to be one of those days when I am craving chocolate. I don't crave it alot, so when I do
I need to give in. I seen that we had some leftover decaf coffee from yesterday, so I thought maybe a
coffee drink would be good. However, every time when I try to make a cold coffee drink, it usually turns into coffee slush. So, I took to the internet and actually found a good one....minus the sugar.

- 1 cup coconut milk (any type is fine, but coconut milk 
is a little sweet anyways and it is full of healthy fats)
- 2-3 shots of leftover coffee or 1 shot espresso
- 1 to 2 packets of stevia
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder

Put all ingrediants in blender and process until combined. 
And actually minus the coffee this is a healthy chocolate drink for kids.

Fall Breakfast Idea

Now that it is fall, the weather is gonna get cooler...especially the mornings. This recipe is a yummy "fall" take on plain oatmeal. My kids loved it. Not only is it good, but the pumpkin gives you an extra boost of beta-carotene.

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

1 c. milk ( I prefer plain coconut milk)
1 c. oats
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. canned pumpkin
1/8 c. brown sugar

In a saucepan, put milk, cinnamon, vanilla, pumpkin, and brown sugar. Heat to a low boil and add oatmeal. Cover and simmer until oatmeal is done (10 minutes or so). Once in the bowl,  I add a few dark chocolate chips, unsweetened coconut, and apple pieces. You can add whatever "extras" you would like to add as well.

Forks Over Knives

I haven't posted in so long because, honestly, I have not been so excited about cooking...like I have in the past. I was sick of making and eating the same things and I needed something to get my excited again. My first late summer love was the inspiration of freezer meals. I stocked my freezer full of homemade meatloafs, beef, chicken, stocks, muffins, etc. and than I saw the greatest documentary...Forks over Knives (thanks to my neighbor Lee). This documentary makes a strong case for vegetarianism. It is based on alot of scientific evidence and it very convincing. It made me want to try it, at least for a week. So, this was my week of being a vegan. No meat, poultry, fish, or dairy. Pretty hard, but definately doable. My week of food consisted of "eggless"egg salad, mushroom and lentil stroganoff, squash, quinoa with vegetables, homemade pea soup, green smoothies, mexican corn and bean salad, and oatmeal. Sounds kinda gross to the average person, but I really liked the food. Ok, the stroganoff was questionable, but that was the only meal that I didn't enjoy so much. It was a departure from my normal low carb eating style and I kinda liked not eating eggs for a week and having whole grain cereals with fruit instead. I encourage anyone who cares about where their food come from and who cares about their health to watch this doc. Is vegetarianism for everyone? No, but personally, I can see my family having 3 meatless meals a week.