Tag Archives: starbucks

by | October 21, 2011 · 7:35 am

Mint Mocha Latte and a Giveaway!- CLOSED

Yesterday, I talked about the Madre Labs products that were sent to me by iHerb, including my favorite, CocoCardio!

I’ve also talked again (and again) about my coffee obsession and daily (more like three times daily) need for Starbucks, as well as my obsession with healthifying their flavored drinks.

One of my faves on the Starbucks menu is the Mint Mocha Frappuccino. However, I’m too cold for a frap. And it’s too early for White Peppermint Mocha Lattes. So this is strictly a Mint Mocha Latte.

Ands it’s crazy easy.

Mint Mocha Latte

1/3 cup almond milk

1 scoop CocoCardio (or another hot chocolate mix; or cocoa powder)

Scant 1/8 tsp (like a couple of drops) peppermint extract

Stevia to taste

Hot coffee

Mix the almond milk, hot cocoa mix, peppermint extract, and stevia in the bottom of your mug until combined thoroughly. Top off the mug with hot coffee, or a mix of hot coffee and hot water depending on desired strength. Garnish with whipped cream or foam if you want!

And now…..

A GIVEAWAY!!!

iHerb is sponsoring this one! TWO winners will receive all three: CocoCardio, Very Acai, and Madre-C! Check out this post to see info for all three!

To enter:

  1. Leave a comment below telling me your favorite winter drink, or how you plan on using any of your new Madre Labs products!
  2. For a second entry, follow me on Twitter @PofHippieness (my new account!), follow @iHerb and tweet the following: “I just entered to win Madre Labs superfoods @PofHippieness, sponsored by @iHerb! Enter here: http://pursuitofhippieness.com/2011/10/21/mint-mocha-latte-and-a-giveaway/” and leave another comment saying you did so!
  3. For a third entry, subscribe to my blog by email (on my sidebar) and leave another comment saying you did so!

This giveaway is open until the end of Sunday (EST), October 23rd!

Get your entries in now!

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by | October 7, 2011 · 7:22 am

Vegan Caramel Sauce

I came up with this recipe as a theory.

I thought about the components and the process of non-vegan caramel. Heat the sugar/syrup with a bit of butter, and when it’s hot enough, remove from heat and add some cream. It just had to work.

So I tested my academic approach and did not exactly get the reaction I expected. But accidents happen, and this happens to be a good one!

Basically, the hot syrup and the creamer didn’t have the intense reaction that cream and sugar do in the non-vegan recipe (usually it foams up and you have to whisk pretty vigorously). Instead, the creamer kinda just combined itself gently as I stirred. I was worried that this would affect the texture of the caramel. Wrong! It’s a little thicker than regular caramel syrup, but a quick heating up in the microwave softens it up a bit. And I personally like how thick it is when refrigerated- it makes a VERY yummy spread! It tastes great too- proof that dates really are an amazing, natural sugar substitute. I’ll call it a success!

Vegan Caramel Sauce

1 container dates soaked in water for a couple hours

1 tbsp Earth Balance

2 tbsp non-dairy creamer (I used So Delicious coconut creamer, but I think non-dairy milk would work fine, too)

After the dates are done soaking, put them (with the water) in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add to a saucepan, add the Earth Balance, and heat until it starts to boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and let simmer, continuing to stir, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and whisk in the creamer. Use immediately or let cool (I think it tastes great refrigerated!).

Drizzle it over ice cream, use as a spread, or in a latte:

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

[Sorry I’m not sorry, Starbucks]

2 tbsp cocoa powder

stevia to taste

1 tbsp vegan caramel

1/4-1/2 cup almond milk or non-dairy creamer (amount depends on taste)

coffee

mini chocolate chips, vegan caramel, and course sea salt to garnish

Mix the cocoa powder, stevia, and caramel with milk in your coffee cup. Fill the rest with hot coffee, and drizzle vegan caramel on top. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and a pinch of sea salt.

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by | October 3, 2011 · 7:07 am

Mantra of the Week

How’re your Mondays going so far?

Mine’s a little slow, but that’s a good thing! It’s always nice to have a day where you can just do what you want because we have some free time. We shouldn’t feel guilty for “wasting time” when we’re relaxing and passing the day by feeling happy!

My day so far:

Slept in late, and had a nice yoga session upon waking up. I’m still feeling that hike from the other day, so it was nice to stretch so much.

Then, breakfast, including this:

A Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte!

2 heaping tbsp canned pumpkin

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

pinch of allspice

sweetener to taste

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup almond milk (or other milk)

coffee

Mix all the ingredients except the coffee in your coffee cup. Add the hot coffee and… Drink up!

Starbucks doesn’t hold a candle. Trust me. Plus mine doesn’t cost $4. Or 400 calories. Not even close.

Anyways, I’m off to enjoy the rest of my day… probably a little boxing to expend some energy, and I’m thinking tonight is a good night to light a fire and snuggle up with a good book. Or my Free People catalogue :)

And a decaf Pumpkin Spice.

Happy Monday!

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