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Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Recipe Share: Matcha Latte

I thought I'd share a drink recipe today!  Since I kicked my Coffee (and Spark) habit, stupid reflux, I still craved something in the morning a little more than just a cup of plain old green tea.  I knew matcha was powerful, but I didn't know how amazing.  Check this out!




 I kept hearing about "Green Tea Lattes" and finally tried one at Starbucks---wow! Total game changer. Now of course, I've gotten some flack because it's got quite a bit of sugar in it, and the powder they use is not like anything I have found in the store (or Amazon)  But I really watch what I eat (typically) and try really hard to limit sugary items.  I found myself venturing out for these almost daily, so my wallet and health needed an intervention.  It's taking me a few months to figure out the best way to make these, but finally I found it!

Here is how I make my matcha lattes.

1.  I enjoy soy milk, and I prefer the reduced fat only because of the taste and consistency.  I've tried vanilla soy and that's okay too.  I've also invested in a milk warmer/frother---TOTALLY worth every penny.



2.  I bought this kind off of Amazon. Use 1/2 teaspoon.


3.  It's very clumpy so I mix it with a tiny bit of hot water to help smooth it out.


4.  This thing does all the work with one button--you can get it super frothy or just a little, I love that it has two options.


5. Pour and mix the green tea & water with the milk.


Here is what the warmer looks like. I am not a kitchen gadget person; I find that too many tools are a waste of space, but this is super easy to clean.


You'll get a little bit of film from the milk, (which I was getting waaaaay more from heating in the pan, and then the mess of boiled milk spilling over!! Oh, it was bad!!)  You just use the handy little brush and scrape it out.


I do it right after I use it and it looks brand new.



So again, here are some awesome perks of drinking this fabulous latte!  You could just make it with water, add a little honey, but I prefer it straight up with my soy.



I haven't tried any of these, but you could add it to your juicing recipes, smoothies or even bake with it!  I have read you don't want to take too much, as with anything.  I try to limit my use to once a day and sometimes I will just go for a chai instead.



If you follow me on instagram, you'll see these in my instastory quite often!  Even if you're a huge coffee drinker, you may surprise yourself and enjoy a cup of this.  I love how mellow I feel and truly get no crash or high off the caffeine.  It's a slow and steady awake feeling and I appreciate that.  I still stop at Starbucks now and then and definitely enjoy them at fancy coffee shops, but I am so happy to have found something to replace my coffee habit.  Sure I miss it and especially this time of year with all things pumpkin spice etc, but when you listen to your body, and find something that makes you feel better instead of worse, you listen to it.


Let me know if you've tried  Matcha! 
I'd love to hear your favorite recipes.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

BLOGTOBER CHALLENGE



Hello sweet friends!  I hope you are coming here with a happy heart.  I have been missing writing, so I have made myself up a nifty little calendar of blogging prompts to take us throughout the month.  Care to join? Please do! Even if it's just a post or two.

I used to not care for the Fall or October, but then I met Joe.  This is his birthday month and well, he's made me absolutely smitten with all things spooky and Fall, and of course with him. *awwww* We also got engaged this month, 7 years ago.  It's hard to believe so much time has passed and yet, I am so looking forward to the many years to come.

I can't take full credit for these ideas, as good old Google helped me when I searched "blogging challenges for October."  I mixed a few together and came up with this. 

Without further ado, here are my prompts!

1. October Goals
2.  Best Childhood Memories
3.  Top 5 Favorite Movies
4.  Recipe Share
5.  A Day in the Life
6.  Thankful Thursday
7. {Every Friday} Fashion Friday #ootd
8.  Playlist Faves
9.  Joe's Birthday
10.  Weekend Highlights
11.  10 Things Most People Don't Know about Me
13.  Wordless Wednesday (photos only)
14.  Fashion Friday #ootd
15.  Books: Read/Reading
16.  What's in my Bag? 
17.  7 Lessons Learned in the past year
18.  Who/What Inspires me
19.  Top Tips for a new blogger
20.  Favorite Beauty Products
21.  Fashion Friday #ootd
22.  Favorite Place or Space
23.  Pet Peeves
24.  Weekend Highlights
25.  Transformation Tuesday
26.  Letter to my younger self
27.  Where do I hope to be in 10 years?
28.  Fashion Friday #ootd
29.  Tutorial
30.  Health Tips
31.  Halloween Costume Reveal!

Today's prompt:

Goals:
  • Complete Blogtober challenge
  • Workout (read: move) 6x a week.
  • Book 4 Trunk Shows
  • Read and complete 2 books
  • Watch one scary movie (I hate scary movies)
  • Visit 3 different pumpkin farms with the kids
  • Organize my accessories neatly
  • Try one new recipe a week (if not more!)
  • Visit with my youngest sister at least once a week
  • Work on being more patient daily
  • Prep freezer meals for when we are in Vegas
  • Start Christmas/birthday shopping for the kids

That's all for now! Let me know if you'll be blogging along with me! I'd love to learn a little more about you.  Have a beautiful day