Better than Starbuck's Pumpkin Latte

Better Than Starbuck's Pumpkin Latte (and it is not because it contains Jack Daniels, because it doesn't)

To celebrate the fall season, I'll be featuring pear and pumpkin recipes that will be tasty and easy to make like this Pumpkin Latte. Unlike Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte, this one is lower in calories, will save you money, and there are no hidden ingredients to make this delicious latte. The best part, this recipe does not contain any animal-fat because it is dairy-free and vegan.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Latte

• 1/4 cup Strong Coffee (I used 1/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon of instant coffee)
• 2 cups Almond Milk (or soy)
• 4 tablespoons Pumpkin Puree
• 3 tablespoons Maple Syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon Pumpkin Spice*
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice (I didn't have any so I made my own blend)

• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ginger
• 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon Clove
• 1/4 teaspoon Cardamon (or All Spice)

The Fancy Method

1. In a medium saucepan on medium heat, combine coffee, milk, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree together with a whisk. Cook mixture until hot but don't allow mixture to boil.
2. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract, and spices. 
3. Stir and let spices infuse latte for a couple of minutes. Strain spices out with a strainer or cheese cloth. This will make your latte smooth and not gritty from the spices. 
4. Pour into mugs and stir with cinnamon stick if desired.  

The Low Maintenance Method

1. In a large mason jar, add all liquids together except for vanilla extract. Cap the jar and give it a few good shakes to mix the ingredients together. 
2. Uncap the mason jar and heat the mixture at 30 second intervals in the microwave until it is hot. Mix mixture in between the 30 seconds intervals with a whisk or cap the mason jar and give it a few good shakes. 
• Tip: Use a wet towel to uncap the mason jar before heating it in the microwave. A vacuum seal is created because the mixture is hot so be careful when unscrewing the lid. 
3. Once hot, add vanilla extract and spices. Mix or shake the latte. Shaking it is more fun though. 
4. Enjoy! 

*Tip: I've put all the ingredients in a mason jar except for the spices the night before. When morning arrives, I give the jar a few good shakes to mix the ingredients, uncap the jar, heat the liquid in the microwave, add the spices, then cap the jar and go. It can be as simple as that!

Super Moist Chocolate Brownies

The natural sweetness and juicy texture of beets make these brownies tender, moist and flavorful. For someone who doesn't care much for beets, I enjoy these brownies and hope you will too. This recipe is adapted from Vegetarian Times, but I exchanged white flour for regular whole wheat flour. Fancy flour (ie pastry flour) is not needed to successfully make this delicious treat. The moisture from the beets will soften the hardy whole wheat flour, and the cocoa will also mask the wheat flavor. 

I made these for some college students and they surprising liked it. So don't beat up on beets just yet, give them a chance with this super moist chocolate brownie recipe. 

Ingredients

• 14-oz or 1 cup grated or pureed cooked beets (2 medium)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)- room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup plus 2 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 Tbs. instant espresso powder (optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Trim leaves off beets and wash thoroughly under running water. Place beets in foil and drizzel with vegetable oil. Sprinkle beets with a pinch of salt, then seal foil. Place wrapped beets on baking sheet and roast in the oven for an hour. Beets should be tender when pierced with a knife. Cool beets before peeling the skin off. Then grate on finest grating plane, or purée beets in food processor until smooth. Whichever is easiest for you. Pureeing the beets will give you a smoother texture.
2. Lower oven temperature to 350°F. Grease 9-inch square baking dish with butter or oil, then lightly coat it with flour.
3. Cream butter and sugar in bowl with a whisk or handheld mixer. Butter-sugar mixture should be fluffy and pale yellow. Add vanilla, then whisk in eggs, one at a time to prevent curdling. If curdling occurs, its okay. Try to blend the mixture together by mixing it a little longer. 
4. Stir beets into the wet mixture, and mix to incorporate ingredients together. 
5. In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients together (flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder). Fold flour mixture into beet mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips. 
6. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted into center of pan.
7.  Cool. Cut into 16 squares. And Enjoy! Shift coco powder to garnish brownies if you like. 

Why Beets?

1. Helps Lower Blood Pressure
2. Source Of Many Vitamins & Minerals
• To list a few, potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, B, C, and folic acid. If you're pregnant, this root vegetable is particularly beneficial for you because it contains vitamin B and iron, which plays a beneficial role in replenishing iron and for new cell growth during pregnancy. 
3. Rich in Antioxidants 
• What's unique about beets is not that it is rich in antioxidant but because beets contain a variety of of different antioxidants. As an amazing source of different antioxidants, you'll have anti-inflammatory benefits from eating them. 
4. Cleanse The Body 
• Beets are an awesome tonic for the liver and works as a purifier for the blood. 
5. Promotes Positive Mental Health
• Beets contain betaine, a nutrient made from B-complex vitamin that is used in treatment for depression. Beets also contain trytophan, which relaxes the mind. 
6. Source Of High Energy
• Although it is low in calories, it is high in sugar. This type of sugar is released into your system gradually unlike sugar from white bread or candies.

More on how beets are amazing for your health

• General health benefits from beets
• For Men's Health