Simply Hot Cocoa

November brisk breezes, tree is up and Christmas music fills the home. It's the perfect treat for your little ones. I like to keep things simple. Throw these ingredients in the blender, pour into a mason jar and top with marshmallow. I have a great recipe for those, but today, I just used some I had left over in the pantry. Enjoy. 

24 oz raw milk or whole milk

3 tbsp cocoa 

2 tbsp maple syrup 

1/2 tsp vanilla 

Pinch of sea salt

Blend on high(our vitamix heats it up-or you can heat up after)

Serve in mason jar with marshmallow. Curl up in a blanket and enjoy the season! 

Simply Perfect Pumpkin Bars

Choices. Small choices can make the biggest impact. So this week is Thanksgiving and I plan on making some delicious foods. Eating right and balanced DOESN'T equal bland and boring. Ask my kids..they NEVER complain! 

Take for instance this yummy chocolate chip(no soy) pumpkin bar. Instead of loading it with refined sugar that holds NO nutritional value, I sub either local honey and cut the measurement in HALF!  And use spelt or whole wheat flour. I took two not so healthy ingredients and exchanged them for two that will work FOR me and not against me. Yes, of course fresh juice or a raw apple are the BEST choice...but if we stick to making BETTER choices this holiday, then we are ahead of the game! 

Simply Pumpkin Bars

2 cups spelt or whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tap baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 cup raw honey or muscovado sugar

3/4 cup organic salted butter

2 eggs 

1 can of pumpkin

1 cup of chocolate chips

Preheat to 325 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl, I use my Kitchen Aide, mix the butter, sugar, pumpkin and one egg at a time. Slowly add dry ingredients to the pumpkin mix and combine. Hand mix in the chocolate chips if you want a TASTY treat! 

Greese a 9x13 pan and put batter into 

pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Check with toothpick. It will come out clean when done. Do NOT overlook. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes! Serve warm. 

Simply Pumpkin Spiced Latte{or vanilla}

I love fall. I love pumpkins and golden orange and red leaves and crisp breezes and woodstoves with a red kettle of water always warming for good tea and better coffee. 

I love this recipe because it is easy to make, doesn't have yucky ingredients and can be guilt free! Balance is everything and if you are only using a little pure maple syrup then no need to worry! 

Add a tbsp of pumpkin spice{or 1/4 tsp on pure vanilla in your brew} to your coffee grounds when brewing! 

Heat your milk on the stove and use a hand lender to froth it all up! 

Mix your coffee with a pinch of sea salt and a tsp of pure maple syrup! 

Add steamed milk and use a spoon to scoop foam on the top! Drizzle with maple syrup(optional but oh so FUN) and sprinkle with cinnamon! Enjoy with your favorite book and warm blanket! 

Move over Starbucks-pumpkin spiced latte on the farm wins...we have a better view too! 

PS- I <3 Starbucks 

Simply Poppyseed Dressing

By far this is my go to homemade salad dressing! It is simply devine on any salad! Cobb, autumn salads, or just a simple cucumber and tomato salad. Super easy to make. I double and triple this recipe and store in a quart mason jar. A fun one for your kids too! Have them add all the ingredients, put on the kid and let them shake it up!! For the best flavor, I let chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes! You're welcome in advance!