Indian "Espresso" Coffee

I found this yummy Indian coffee on eCurry. It tastes a lot like a Cappuccino and is often called Indian "espresso" coffee in India. It might not have any espresso in it; but it is luxuriously rich, creamy & sweet.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Tastes Like Starbucks!

Every year around this time the world seems to go crazy for Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

Guess what? I've found a wonderful recipe to make your own at home! I made these for the ladies in my Bible Study last Sunday and they loved them.

You know what's so great about the homemade version? You use real pumpkin puree instead of the fake sugary pumpkin syrup that they use at Starbucks! So yay for choosing a healthier latte this holiday season!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

1. Make coffee (a pot, a cup, in whatever fashion and however you prefer making your coffee. The stronger the better)

2. Make Pumpkin Milk

1 c milk (I used almond milk but use any kind you want from half and half to rice milk)

1/4 heaping cup pumpkin puree (more if you really love pumpkin)

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice blend, or to taste

1 tsp cinnamon, or to taste

1 tsp vanilla extract

sweetener of choice, to taste ( 2 tbsp brown sugar or a pinch of stevia to taste; or try honey, maple syrup, etc. to taste)

Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg, ginger, garam masala, cardamom, or other warming spices to taste

Directions: Combine all Pumpkin Milk ingredients in a blender and strain through a fine mesh strainer.

Optional: Warm the finished pumpkin milk mixture in the microwave or on the stove top (I do a quick nuke of about 1 minute)

3. Pour 1 c of brewed coffee into a mug and pour half the pumpkin milk mixture over the top of the coffee and enjoy. (Optional: Finish by garnishing with real whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice/cinnamon on top)

The other half of the pumpkin milk mixture is for the refill you know you will want. If you truly don’t want a refill, refrigerate it for up to a few days and use for your next latte.

Notes:

The spices will not “blend” or entirely dissolve. This is to be expected and normal. If this bothers you, this may not the recipe for you and you may want to experiment with other recipes or techniques.

*I suggest using a strainer to get rid of any gritty spices that bother you (after you let it heat on the stove or in the microwave)

Recipe adapted from Love Veggies and Yoga

All Things Coffee Bean

I have a relationship with coffee beans. I love the smell of them, eating them, drinking them, relying on them every morning...basically I'm in love with thebean. I stumbled across these fabulous things to do with beans and thought I should share them withyou.

DIY Coffee Bean Projects

Spray-paint your coffee beans and use them in a glass vaseor put them in a clear box to hold your make-up brushes, pencils etc.

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Cool Beans Ice Tray

So cute! Never have watered-down iced coffee again!

Pour coffee into the ice tray to make ice coffee beans.

I <3 this idea

I need to get one of these trays!

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 Jessica Kernochan owner of La Licious 

Firming Coffee Body Scub

Renowned as an anti-cellulite agent, coffee detoxifies and tightens the skin. According to Jessica Kernochan, founder of skincare line LaLicious, the ground beans can also exfoliate, reduce fine lines, and fend off acne.

The scrub is gentle enough for everyday use and leaves skin silky smooth.

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cups cane sugar
• ¼ cup ground coffee beans
• ¼ cup shredded coconut
• ¾ cup macadamia nut oil or olive oil
• 1 tsp. honey
• 3-5 drops essential oil of choice

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix sugar, ground coffee beans, coconut, and oil in a bowl until fully combined. Add honey followed by the essential oil.
2. Transfer the mixture to a plastic container with a lid. (The scrub will keep for 1 to 2 weeks sealed at room temperature.)
3. Rub a generous scoop of the scrub over your arms, legs, stomach, chest, and bottom, scrubbing medium to hard depending on your sensitivity. (Skin should be moist when applying the scrub.)
4. Rinse off in the shower under warm to hot water, ensuring the sugar crystals disintegrate completely. Pat dry to allow the oils to soak into your soft, glowing skin.
   

   
   

Note: Those with very sensitive skin may wish to use pure cane sugar because it is less abrasive than raw.

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Spiced Cream Coffee

Kick-Start your day with French vanilla coffee, Irish cream, a generous heap of dark chocolate powder, a pinch of cinnamon and a fresh pod of cardamom. Yum.

Pictures:1,2,3,4

Funday Sunday

Shanny, Julia and I had a lovely morning at church. We then went to South Coast Plaza to do some window shopping and grabbed coffee and croissants at Vie De France Cafe. I've found the croissant of my dreams! Their Chocolate Almond Croissant is AMAZING -- a buttery piece of heaven with crispy edges and a soft center, lightly drizzled in chocolate and a sweet almond paste! I saved half of it to share with Danny when I got home; he agrees -- heaven. We'll be back for more in a day or two!
As of now, we're going for an afternoon bike ride and meeting up with friends for a possible boat ride and Breaking Bad episode. Life is good.

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Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

I thought I would try my hand at chocolate covered coffee beans tonight. I used Don Francisco’s Vanilla Nut Coffee Beans and Toll House semi-sweet chocolate. I melted the chocolate in a double boiler and covered each bean with a baby spoonful of melted chocolate.

Results = Very Pleased.

Picture 1

I'm Crushing on Cafe's Today

Caffe Fiore in Seattle, WA, USA

Paris, France

 Brussels

Italy

Crillon Hotel -Tea Patio in France

France

Cafe in Seattle, WA, USA

Coffeehouses or Kaffeehaus in Vienna Austria

Now I'm in the mood for some coffee. Mmmmmm I'm off to go brew a cup in the kitchen!

- B