Take A Bite

On Monday I had the most delicious gingersnap smoothie from Organic Squeeze. I love their smoothies, but passing over $8 for a drink is a little difficult for me. By the time I had slurped down the last drop I had already decided I was going to recreate this smoothie at home.

It was so smooth and spicy and tasted exactly like my Mom's ginger cookie dough. Breakfast that tastes like cookie dough gets an A+ in my book.

This smoothie is all about the spices. There are a lot of them, but that's what gives it that signature gingersnap taste!

Gingersnap Smoothie
yields 1 serving

Ingredients:
1 frozen banana
1/2 glass of ice
1/2 cup almond milk
2 Tbsp. almond butter
1 Tbsp. molasses
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. freshly grated ginger or ground ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. allspice

Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender, add more ice or almond milk depending on how thick you want it. Pour in a glass and top with extra nutmeg!

Happy healthy holidays!

Annie

"What's your flavor? Tell me what's your flavor?" Time for the second installment of my "Favorite Things" series. (Here is the first post about my favorite movies). Today I'm talking about my favorite flavors. I have very specific flavors that I love and you can guarantee I will order if one of them is included on a menu. I'm also posting a link for a recipe including each flavor!

1. Almond: Almond extract, almond butter, almond milk, actual almonds, I love it all. A few local coffee shops have almond syrup and almond milk for coffee drinks and it makes for the best latte. I'm just waiting for Starbucks to jump on board. I was first introduced to almond extract when I started making my sugar cookies. You use the extract in the icing and I promise it's the flavor that sends them over the edge. I add almond extract in addition to vanilla to almost everything. (It's really good in granola, especially when almonds are in the mix)

Recipe: I just discovered the food blog The View from Great Island. I spent about an hour going through her archives and now these white chocolate almond butter bars are high on my baking list. I'm also a lover of white chocolate.

2. Coffee/Espresso: Coffee is magical by itself, but I love coffee flavored things. I used to be able to finish a pint of coffee Haagen Dazs ice cream as an after school snack. Coffee or mocha flavored cupcakes are usually my go to and I love adding coffee to any chocolate recipe.

Recipe: These coffee bacon sandwiches, I can't even. My sister and I made them a few years ago and I can't believe we haven't made them since. They are the most interesting amazing thing in the world. Such a good way to incorporate coffee.

3. Vanilla: A skinny vanilla latte is always a go to order if I can't decide what to get. And when using vanilla extract I always double or triple the amount the recipe calls for. Vanilla scented candles, vanilla body lotion, mmmm I love it!

Recipe: Been dying to try chia seed pudding and this one uses almond milk and almond extract.

4. Ginger: This is a new favorite, but I feel like it hasn't been used much until recently. I love putting fresh ginger in my smoothies and ginger cookies have always been wonderful. I recently had a peach and ginger scone that was insanely good.

Recipe: Shameless plug for my ginger cookies!

5. Lemon: Lemon squares, lemon cupcakes, lemon chicken etc. Once the weather gets warm I like lemon in all forms! I've recently been having the largest craving for lemon squares.

Recipe: My good friend pinned this recipe for skinny lemon bars that seem just perfect enough to feed my craving!