BLUEBERRY, BANANA + COCONUT BAKED OATMEAL

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So I'm a third of the way through this whole "no sugar" thing. I feel good but I miss my chocolate...my goodness, I miss it. My cravings have gone way down but sometimes I still need some sweetness...

Thankfully, this blueberry, banana & coconut baked oatmeal hits the spot. 

BLUEBERRY, BANANA + COCONUT BAKED OATMEAL

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 medium ripe bananas, sliced into 1/2" pieces
• 2 cups blueberries
• 1/4 cup agave or honey
• 1 cup uncooked quick oats
• 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans chopped into small pieces
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup milk (almond, soy, or regular)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 cup shredded coconut

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a 9x13" dish.
2. Arrange the bananas slices in a single layer in the dish. Scatter half the blueberries on top along with 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and 1 tbsp of agave or honey. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the oats, half the nuts, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. 
4. In a separate bowl stir together the milk, vanilla, egg, and agave or honey.
5. When bananas are done cooking, pour the oat mixture over it then pour the milk mixture on top. Sprinkle the rest of the nuts, blueberries and shredded coconut on top then bake in the oven until the top is golden brown (about 40 minutes).
6. Enjoy!

And if you're feeling extra sweet you can sprinkle brown sugar on top of the bananas and then again on the top of the mixture but honestly, the blueberries are so sweet that you don't need that extra sweetness!

xoxo,

s.s.♥.

NO SUGAR NOVEMBER + SOME SUGAR FREE RECIPES

So October for me was one full month and it seems like when my stress levels go up, my sweet tooth cravings go through the roof. I am a sugar addict through and through. In October, I'm pretty sure I had chocolate every single day. Things got a little cray.

So James and I decided to go a month without refined sugar (sweets, pastries, chocolate) and fast food. This may not seem like a lot to some people...like all you people who cut out dairy, carbs, gluten, etc (you guys are my HEROES!)...but it's a lot for a sugar addict like me! We're still having fruit and because sugar is in everything we'll probably have some of it in pasta sauces, bread etc. We're on day 3 and withdrawal has definitely hit. I don't really feel like myself and have been getting headaches. I miss my late night bowl of mini-wheats and my morning cookie in my coffee but I know that my body will soon get accustomed and I'll feel much better!

So now I'm on the hunt for sugar-free recipes. I still want to satisfy my sweet tooth with natural sugars in dates and bananas but I don't really do non-sugar baking. I've been peeping Pinterest and I've come across some recipes that I want to try....

These banana walnut oat bars look pretty enticing to me!

And believe it or not, these cookies are made from 5 ingredients!!!

Vegan, sugar-free banana bread...YES PLEASE!

I guess I'm going to have to get my bake on and use things like dates to satisfy my sweet tooth! Do you have any favourite sugar-free recipes? PLEASE SEND THEM MY WAY!! 

Here's to a healthy November!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

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So I have this thing with PSLs (Pumpkin Spice Lattes). I'm OBSESSED with them in September (by the first week of September I think I had consumed at least 4 of them...)

But then October comes around and I'm back to my plain old soy lattes. It may have something to do with the fact that they're kinda chemical tasting or the fact that I was a little too eager beaver or who knows maybe my taste buds have changed!

A couple weeks back I decided to make my own PSL and let me tell you...it was pretty wonderful...actually it was real good, like REAL GOOD with real ingredients. It doesn't take a lot of effort to make it and it doesn't take a ton of time...(It takes about the same time as it does to get to Starbucks, wait in line, order your drink and then receive your drink and it's a fraction of the cost!)

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp Spiced Pumpkin Mix (recipe)
• 1 cup milk (homo milk is best but go for 2% if you don't wanna go all out)
• 2 shots espresso

DIRECTIONS

• Heat up Spiced Pumpkin Mix in a sauce pan over medium heat. Be careful not to burn it!
• Steam milk in frother, milk steamer or in a sauce pan then add the heated up Spiced Pumpkin Mix and give it a good mix.
• Pour your espresso shots into mug.
• With a spoon protecting the foam, pour your milk carefully into your mug over a mesh sieve. This is pivotal to get any unwanted pumpkin-y chunks out. 
• Add the foam and then sprinkle some Pumpkin Pie Spice on top.
• Enjoy!

Voila! A real good tasting PSL! And the sweet thing about making the Spiced Pumpkin Mix is that you can add it to so many things. I've mixed some into vanilla ice cream to make pumpkin vanilla ice cream and next I want to try mixing it into oatmeal.

Well there you have it, your very own homemade PSL. Let me know how you like it :)

Happy Wednesday! Half way through the week hooray!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

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Good morning! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Yesterday I accomplished the big task of having 15 people at the dinner table! It actually wasn't that bad (James was a champ and helped so much) with everyone bringing a dish or two and my incredible sister Rosalyn championed the clean up (love you!!) It was so great to spend time with family. I'm so thankful for them.

So today I have a little recipe for you....Pumpkin Pie Spice. I've made a ton of recipes that call for Pumpkin Pie Spice (like this one and this one!). Now in good ol America, you can find Pumpkin Pie Spice in the aisles of your local grocery store but here in Canada you cannot. I remember getting super frustrated a few years back when I couldn't find that or all spice in any of the grocery stores I went to but then I realized I could just make it...crisis adverted, I could make my pumpkin cream cheese muffins!

And tomorrow we'll be putting this spice to use as I show you how I make my homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte!

PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp Cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Ground Ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves

DIRECTIONS

• Place all ingredients in small bowl. Whisk together then place in a sealed container.

So incredibly easy. You can put this spice on so many things...porridge, lattes, ice cream, apples...be creative!

Hope you have a fabulous Tuesday, I'll be back tomorrow with the recipe for homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes!!!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

THANKSGIVING FOOD IDEAS

So remember when I told you I was hosting 12 people on Thanksgiving Monday? Well, we bumped the number up to 15 because THE MORE THE MERRIER!!! Part of me is freaking out, but the other part (and the one I'll encourage) is getting verrrrry excited!

Monday we chatted decor and today let's chat about FOOD. As most people, I looooove thanksgiving dinner. I love stuffing my face with amazing food alongside the ones I love. To make things realistic, everyone is bringing a big dish to share. 

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My sweet mum will be bringing the turkey. I'm just not ready for that kinda responsibility yet.

I'm (along with James' help) planning on making pan roasted veggies (mmmm brussels sprouts!!), a yummy salad (someone has to bring the greens), some sort of cranberry punch and a meat & cheese spread for people to munch on as they arrive (thanks for the advice Amy!)

Here are some delicious looking recipes I found while cruising the net...

Sadly, I neglected brussels sprouts most of my life. Heartbreaking, I know! This recipe from the Pioneer Women looks pretty delish.

I've never made a cheese ball before but if I decide to go down that road, I'd make one like this one from how sweet eats.

A yam casserole is a MUST at thanksgiving. Thankfully my sister in law makes a killer one. This brown buttered topping one from Pinch of Yum looks pretty fabulous.

And let's not forget the best part of thanksgiving...DESSERT! I've made these pumpkin pie bars from Joy the Baker and they are incredible. I highly recommend them if you don't want to go crazy hardcore. 

And if you want to go hardcore may I suggest this caramel apple pie from Sally's Baking Addiction? FYI- I've never made a pie from scratch but I'm determined to do it this fall/winter!

Hungry yet? Mmmmmmhmmmm, me too.

And hey, I'd love to know your favourite Thanksgiving recipes..maybe I'll steal them for Monday? :)

Hope you have a lovely day!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.