Best Healthy Pumpkin Spiced Latte Recipe

by with No Comment bakingholidayholidaysrecipes

I’m so basic when it comes to pumpkin spiced .. everything! What does basic even mean by the way? That I love Uggs and cozy sweaters that look like blankets, Christmas music in October, and all things pumpkin spiced? Okay fine, it’s me!

This recipe however, unlike the original that I’ll refer to (which btw I’m actually obsessed with- it’s a problem) may be basic but it’s way healthier than it’s original. The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew that I’d love to have on the daily has 250 calories and 31 grams of sugar. And listen, I’m not one to not enjoy something just because of its calorie count. I will actually always have this extra layer of “life” on my body which I’m absolutely happy with, just so that I’m able to enjoy the things I love i.e. tequila, pizza, fluffy hot cheetos, and the PCCB  from good ol’ Starbies.

However, if I consume it as much as I’d like, I mine as well say buh-bye to the balanced lifestyle I lead because it’s just too sugary for me to have more than once a week. So while this recipe is DELICIOUS, just know that it’s not as sweet (ahem 31 grams), and won’t be made by your favorite barista. Here tis:

say hello to your new pumpkin spiced latte bff:
  • 1 cup cold brew (I grind my beans fresh, brew fresh and then refrigerate until I need it. Usually by the am)
  • 1 cup almond milk (I’ve used coconut milk, hemp milk, and oat milk for the recipe, all are dank)
  • 2 TBS pumpkin purée
  • 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice (1/8 tsp if it kicks you in the throat & exclude all together if you’re not into spice)
  • 1 1/2 TBS maple syrup (more or less depending on how sweet you like your suga… coffee) and also there are other sweeteners like stevia, xyliol, raw honey etc!

*blend in blender, hello froth, hi get in my belly. This recipe yields two servings, half if necessary and enjoy <3

Are you a pumpkin spice kind of person? I see pumpkin spiced everythingggg out right now and I’m very very into it. Cookies, cakes, beverages, candles, all of it.

Hit me with those holiday recipes baby, you know it’s fast approaching! <3

 

 

 

Coconut donuts!

Valentine’s Day Ideas When You Have NO Idea!

by with No Comment bakingDIYholidayslifestylespecial occassionsValentine's Day

I hope today, right now in this moment, is not the first time you’re remembering that it’s Valentine’s day. I have mixed emotions about this holiday honestly – I’m a romantic at heart, but I also think every day should be special right?! I’ll save my love rant for another day, for now, if right now you’re scrambling to find a gas station teddy bear and some chocolates that will pass for the “I totally had this planned out” impression well here’s your guide to ‘fakin’ it ’til ya make it’….to the mall!

Valentine’s day gift ideas for when you have NO idea!

So it’s crunch time…. you forgot the thoughtful gift – you’ve been busy! You skipped out on making breakfast in bed to rush out to get a gift that’s you think will be more personal in gesture than making that breakfast in bed idea. Well there are a few things you can do to make it seem as though you totally had today in the bag! Also, this is for men and women, all of the ideas listed below will work whether it be for your boyfriend, girlfriend, fiance, husband, wife, child, pet goat…..all of them:

  1. Breakfast in bed – before you rush out the door to frantically find a teddy bear that’s larger than life, why don’t you just cook their favorite breakfast meal and serve it to them in bed? This will work every time, it’s so thoughtful! AND it’s budget friendly, just use what you have already in your fridge
  2. Hand picked flowers – great for men and for women, hand picked flowers are the cutest gesture, it’s sweet and Earth friendly and you can find them anywhere in your front yard… or a neighbor’s…PLUS they’re FREE! Unless your neighbor comes after you with the garden hose
  3. Love notes – love notes are great because they’re building blocks! Leave them around the house, in the bathroom (extra points for notes left in heart shapes and smiley faces), on your loved one’s car, all with personalized messages to show them that you care, that you listen, and best part…it buys you time. To either make a reservation or go out and get their favorite icecream
  4. Dinner cooked by a real life chef – yep that real life chef is YOU bud! Nothin’ says ‘”I love you”, more than a home cooked meal made with love. And bacon. Besides, all the restaurants will be over crowded and over priced. Save yourself the cold sweats of having to call around to make a last minute reservation and set the dining table for two
  5. A love basket – this is my all time favorite go-to gift! You get a basket, or a bucket, or a shoe box, whatever – you fill it with their favorite items, trinkets, snacks, and a couple of tickets to the movies and BAM, YOU are the most thoughtful gift giver evaarrrrr!

Now I’m not saying these gifts will blow them out of the water with surprise and romance, but it will make your gift more interesting, and personal to your relationship, AND it’s not super expensive or super over the top ‘buy a star and name it after them’ status. Those are for movies like “The Notebook”.

If all else fails, make them some ‘love donuts’. Picture below along with the recipe. It’s gluten free because… love. And remember, “if you’re a bird I’m a bird”.

coconut donuts
xoxo- Jess

Gluten free donut recipe for my love, Corrine.

What you’ll need: (yields 12 donuts)
For the Donuts:
1/2 cup GF flour or coconut flour
6 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2/3 cup melted coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

– Mix wet ingredients together and then stir in sifted dry ingredients, bake in a donut mold for 15 minutes at 350 degrees

For the Chocolate Glaze:
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons hot water

– Mix ingredients all together in a bowl and then glaze over the donuts once they’re cooled, top with sprinkles and kisses and you’re all done! Enjoy!
Coconut Donuts!

A GIRL’S GUIDE TO GALENTINE’S DAY!

by with No Comment bakingDIYfoodholidayshostingparty planningValentine's Day

Love it or leave it Valentine’s Day is this Sunday and there’s been a flood of holiday themed treats and DIY posts. Who am I to stop the momentum? We’re celebrating Galentine’s Day today so grab your favorite gal pals, a bubbly drink, and lets start baking!

Today’s menu includes frosted cinna-hearts, pita heart-wiches, and a dessert skewer … not in the shape of a heart. See, we’re themed! Hearts everywhere!

For your frosted hearts you’ll need one package of cinnamon rolls and some sprinkles!


Unravel the cinnamon bun and split it into two halves and then shape the two into a heart!


Bake per the directions on the packaging and then drizzle the frosting over top and sprinkle with ALL the sprinkles!


These pita heart-wiches are super easy and super yummy! Just take 2 pitas and layer them up with turkey, cheese, cucumber, or whatever your favorite fillings are. Then cut them up and enjoy! They’re especially enjoyable when you use a heart shaped cookie cutter!


I sliced a few of these in half which made them look like broken hearts, which still tasted delicious AND fit the theme of my next post ‘the achy-breaky Valentine’.


The macaroons  were from Trader Joe’s and after you thaw them out it’s as if you picked them up fresh from the bakery! Salted caramel is my favorite!

For the dessert skewers just take a paper straw (I got these from the dollar store) and stack your favorite pastries, alternating between them. I chose snickerdoodles and blueberry muffins! Almond milk and another straw for sipping and we were set!

That red glowing drink you see in the background is cherry-cranberry juice spiked with our favorite vodka!


I hope this inspires you to enjoy a holiday with your friends, Valentine’s day ins’t just for lovers! It’s a day to celebrate all the loves! If you really don’t feel like celebrating and you just hate the holiday all together, then I have a post for you on Sunday (yes ON Valentine’s Day, see what I did there) with menu items like Bleeding Heart Brownies and Sour Cherry Puckers, so stay tuned for that!

Here is my most recent video, our first installment of Pinterest DIY-Not! I made Melt My Marshmallow treats and Cherry Whiskey Smashes! They were just as delicious and they sound!

Do you have any plans for Valentine’s Day? A Galentine’s day celebration perhaps? Share with me your plans so we can all live vicariously through one another and P.S. if you aren’t Subscribed to me on YouTube please do, I post videos twice a week! See, so much sharing! xx

Best Vegan Mint Milkshake With Nada Moo!

by with No Comment bakingfoodhealthhostinglifestylewellness

Earlier this year we took a 30 day Vegan challenge and I say “we” because I basically forced my family to do it with me. Corrine’s been a pescatarian since she was 12 so this is something that was easier for her to manage and she actually loved it.

You’d be surprised by how much animal bi-product is in everything, which made it difficult at times but we did it! We experimented with a whole new way to prepare food in it’s deliciousness, and I think moving forward I’ll stay dairy free . . . just hurts my tummy.

So Corriney made me this delicious vegan milk shake for me the other night because I was craving McDonald’s mcflurry and she advised me against it lol

You’ll need:

  • Nada Moo dairy free ice cream (we went with  my favorite – mint chocolate chip)
  • Coconut flakes
  • Almond milk

Blend them all together, measurements depending on how thick or thin you like your milkshakes, garnish with some fresh mint and you’re set!

Have you tried going dairy free, gluten free, or vegan? How did it go? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High-Protein Cakes That Taste Amazing!

by with One Comment bakingfitnessfoodhealthreviewswellness

Cake that’s good for your cakes! Hey, when you were born with a pancake booty you take all the help you can get, and your girl over here is carbing up to build these cakes. Get excited because I’ve FINALLY found a recipe for cake that tastes amazing and doesn’t taste like protein powder! A cake mix that is just like the full sugar, full fat, full gluttonous cake without the extra calories . . . and without tasting like fake sugar. You know what I mean!

Lil Buff Protein Cakes is a cake mix I found *thank you Instagram* and have incorporated into my weekly meal prep. Their mix is gluten free, vegan friendly, microwaveable, and has a whopping 26+ grams of protein y’all! Also, if you’re a cookie lover you’ll be happy to know that their mixes can also be prepared into cookie form! And with flavors like Cocoa-Crave, Fit-fetti (featured here), and Lemon-Berry Squeeze you’re gonna wanna go ahead and buy a few pouches of each, just trust. I purchased some Fit-fetti and limited edition Red Velv-Fit and I can’t get enough. Here’s how I made these high-protein cakes, and did I mention that they taste amazing?!

I made this particular pouch of Fit-fetti into heart shaped cupcakes and baked them with applesauce and a smashed nana. That means these babies are vegan, gluten free, and completely guilt-free. Even if I did devour 3 of them while they were still warm, frosting melting off of ’em and all. Y O L O

The magical thing about this recipe is that it actually tastes like funfetti cake out of the box because they’re fluffy like the one out of the box. Oh boxed cake with your fluff. It’s our eternal desire to chase that fluff, except that the fluff is full of ingredients that you don’t need. And though delicious, it also makes my sensitive belly fluff, because bloat.

 

 

 

 

Bonus points for these rainbow sprinkles that come included along with a recipe for frosting! An alternative frosting that I can down with because it still contains key ingredients like cream cheese and vanilla pudding haha

Perfect for your pre-workout and delicious as your post-workout, if you haven’t given Lil Buff Protein a try, do it! They’re delicious, healthy, packed with protein, and they’ll grow your gains.

Have you tried protein oats, protein pancakes, or protein cake like I’ve mentioned here? What do your taste buds tell you? Be honest, you can tell me.

 

 

EASY EASTER TREATS – DIY WITH THE KIDDOS!

by with No Comment bakingDIYfamilyfoodholidayhostingrecipes

Last year on Easter’s Eve I slipped bunny tracks under Corrine’s door, they led to the living room table where her basket was waiting filled with her favorite things. To say I’m dramatic about holidays is an understatement! I still do these fun, cheesy things for her and she’s NINETEEN! lol

It’s Easter weekend in a few days so I wanted to share one of the yummiest and EASIEST Easter treats with you! It’s a fun DIY activity you can do with the kiddos and only takes 10-15 minutes to complete!

How stinkin’ cute are these fruity pebble treats! We hand formed them into nest shapes and filled them with chocolate eggs topped with Peeps! Sugar overload but soooo worth it, I swear I just wanna make rice crispy treats with every cereal out there!

You’ll simply make the traditional “rice crispy treat” recipe and instead of the original rice crispy cereal, you’ll swap it out for any cereal you like. In this case we used Fruity Pebbles because the color combination was so pretty and festive, not to mention it tastes tangy, sweet, and all things delicious.

Top your ‘nests’ with the chocolate eggs of your choice and pop a lil Peep bunny on there to complete this yummy and easy Easter treat!

 

 

What’s your favorite Easter dessert or recipe? I personally cannot wait until we get to tye dye eggs with Corrine! Even though she doesn’t seem as excited as we are, I know she loves that I’ve continued the tradition with her. 

 

 

 

 

BEST GAME DAY RECIPES!!!

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I once joined a fantasy football league just so that I could bring goodies and have gigglefests with my friends. As I began to pick my lineup based solely upon how “cute” I thought the players names were, I also realized that it was a BIG deal! So I decided to redeem myself by giving you 3 of the most yummiest best game day recipes ever! Even if you are only there for the food and fun, at least you’ll be contributing by way of deliciousness! Enjoy babies!


DESSERT PIZZA! A crowd pleaser and worthy of any occasion really, this ‘pizza’ takes 10 minutes to make and will be gone even quicker than that!

You’ll need:
– a small package of strawberries and blueberries
– (1) 8oz package of softened cream cheese
– 2 cups of Reddi-wip whipped topping
– 2 teaspoons sugar
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 2 tablespoons minced basil
– 1 crescent roll dough

Method:
Bake the ‘pizza’ crust per the instructions and while it’s baking cream together the whipped topping, honey, and cream cheese. In a separate bowl chop up the strawberries and blueberries, add in the sugar, and toss. Allow the pizza to cool, top it with the whipped cream cheese mixture, spread the berries on top and then sprinkle with the basil. ENJOY!

COCONUT CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH HOMEMADE SPICY PEANUT DIPPING SAUCE!


What you’ll need for the skewers: 
– 5 boneless chicken breasts
– 1 can coconut milk
– 1/4 cup soy sauce

Method: cut the chicken into chunks and marinate for a few hours in a bowl with the coconut milk and soy sauce. You have time for the peanut sauce now!
– 1/4 cup Peter Pan creamy peanut butter
– 1/3 cup sweet and sour sauce
– 3/4 cup water
– 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 1 1/2 tablespoons red pepper flakes

Once you’re ready to grill the skewers brown them until fully cooked and then combine the peanut sauce ingredient in a bowl and whisk together and ENJOY!

CHILI CHEESE DIP!


An oldie but goodie, this is a crowd favorite! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a sports gathering and not had a cheese dip or layered dip of some kind. This is spicy, creamy, and cheesy!

What you’ll need:
– a bag of your favorite chips (I love blue corn tortilla chips!)
– (1) 16 oz Velveeta cheese
– 1 can of vegetarian chili (or you can go with turkey or ground beef)
– 1 can of diced tomatoes with chilies
– paprika

Method:
Cut the cheese into chunks and in a pot add in the cheese, chili, and drained can of tomatoes. Stir the mixture up over medium low heat until the cheese is melted and then sprinkle with a few dashes of paprika! DIP AND ENJOY!


If ever you invite me to your party or you see me out at an event, you’ll most likely find me near the snack table or food cart 😀

Do you have any special game day recipes?! I love trying new things, share with me what you like to bring to a cookout or game day gathering! 

 

BEST CINCO DE MAYO RECIPES – MARGARITAS AND CHURROS!

by with No Comment bakingDIYfoodholidayshostingparty ideasvideo

READ TIME: Less than 2 minutes or LISTEN above!

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone!!! Today is a day for celebration, music, and culture … and FOOD! Today I’m sharing with you the BEST Cinco De Mayo recipes including a Spicy Watermelon Coronarita and homemade Churros!!!

Hold on to your chonies because these are crazy delicious!

SPICY WATERMELON MARGARITA – CORONARITA



In a blender mix 2 shots (per serving, yes this is strong like bull) of tequila, a shot of orange liqueur (I used Bahama Mama’s peach slushy from Ralph’s), the juice of a teeny lemon wedge, 1 tablespoon of jalapeno juice  (straight from the jar baby), and a handful of watermelon wedges (frozen for extra slush!). Once blended, pour into a TALL glass but not before rimming it with salt, and top it with half a Corona (or the whole thing get wild!), and drink with responsibility. <—- disclosure because I’m a mom so I’m everyone’s mom.

This is truly one of the BEST coronaritas I’ve ever had! Yes this was the first one I’ve ever made, but it won’t be my last 😀

HOMEMADE CHURROS – IN FIVE MINUTES OR LESS!


I got this recipe from Pinterest and she’s brilliant because it took me all of 3 minutes to make these and they’re DELICIOUS! Crispy, sweet, cinnamon-y, and buttery!


This is SO easy and you’ll be nomming on these in minutes! I thawed out some frozen Sara Lee frozen food cakes, cubed them and then fried them up! Immediately after, I tossed them around in a sugar and cinnamon mixture (1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup cinnamon) and then didn’t even wait for them to cool off before DEVOURING them! So so so good!

I hope you have a happy and safe holiday weekend, please TAG me when you make these scrumdillyumptious recipes and let me know what your Cinco De Mayo plans are!

One of my favorite holidays, I love learning about the history, the culture, and the stories behind some of my most coveted recipes!

Watch me make these LIVE here on my channel!

DRUNKEN LEPRECHAUN BALLS – A ST. PADDY’S DAY STORY

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Today’s the day of green pancakes, green beer, pinching, and Irish kisses! In honor of my partial heritage … I’m half Irish ya know … I decided I’d make some shortbread yumminess with a twist of holiday, and a festive mason jar that you can give away or keep for yourself!

If ever you needed a reason to drench everything in whiskey, here’s your chance.


Notice the bottle of Jameson, it’s drunk and should go home, but before I get into the debauchery of our dessert dish, I’ll share with your my St. Patrick’s day munchie filled mason jar! I got this festive jar at Target for $0.99, yes under a dollar for this cuteness and I filled it with the world’s softest and most sugary sprinkled cookies I could find because, time saver.


Keep it for yourself or take it in to work or school and give it to someone as a gift, a sort of Valentine’s Day-esque kind of exchange and it’ll be sure to make them smile … I mean, it’s a sugar cookie! 😀

Moving on to the drunken story part of it all, these are Drunken Leprechaun Balls, I got the recipe from Pinterest and it’s rich like a fudge and creamy … like a shortbread dipped in powdered sugar and drenched in whiskey would be. Side note, these cookies are not minor friendly, you don’t cook the alcohol out at all, in fact you can really taste the whiskey in them which is awesome for adult whiskey lovers, not so awesome for 21<ers.


The taste of these reminded me of Italian wedding cookies except less crunchy and more tipsy! I’m sure you can make these without the alcohol, perhaps a sugary substitute or milk would work? Turn to Google if you want to recreate these for your family or the work place and let me know how they turn out! P.S. yes that would be a light up four leaf clover necklace, because why be at a bar if you can’t glow in the dark.

To see me make these live and in action, here is the video on my YouTube channel! Please Subscribe if you haven’t, more recipes to come on our Pinterest DIY-not series 😀

I hope you have a happy and safe holiday, as a mom it’s my duty to tell you not to drink and drive and to not let your friends do it either, so I’ll step off my soap box now and give you a half Irish green hug. Green like the color not green like the clean.

What are you doing today or this weekend to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Do you have a tradition like green pancakes or green beer? Let me know xx