Chocolate Syrup

Now because Jordan and I are grown adults, making important life decisions and all… we choose to drink chocolate milk. A lot. I’m slightly embarrassed to truly admit the extent of our intake. After we’ve eaten our daily portion of vegetables, fruits, and protein (of course I’m telling the truth here) we look forward to this treat served up with some bonus nostalgia. Ah, the days.

Now, you might think I’m crazy to be making my own chocolate syrup. Right? But I promise you, not only is it less expensive because it comes from pantry staples, but it tastes significantly better. Not to mention, it will save us another trip back to the store to return our previously beloved chocolate powder due to a recent recall. “Um… Yeah.” Is the exact response Jordan got from the store manager who thought he was crazy for returning chocolate powder. We were heartbroken. I promise you this isn’t a rebound recipe, its a keeper.

Ingredients

1 cup sugar (more can be added, to taste)
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa and sugar, whisking to get rid of the extra lumps. Add in the water and salt and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring very frequently. Once the mixture starts boiling, reduce to a lower heat, letting it simmer for about 5 minutes. The mixture will be slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let stand for another 5 minutes or so. Add in the vanilla, stirring well. Let it cool. Keep it in the fridge and it will last you a long time.

Source: Adapted from Pennies on a Platter and Annie’s Eats

Green Juice Smoothie

With the year drawing to a close, I can already feel myself trying reset and start fresh again. For me, it’s more about un-doing what happened in December because I know at least in our families, there are so many treats around its just tough not to over do it a little (or a lot.) So here I am, a few days after Christmas, trying to figure out what to have for breakfast. I’m still in that window where I could probably convince myself that pie is a viable option, but at this point, pie is just not pie without the whip. 

So then I decide that a smoothie is just what I need. Then I remember that The Green Juice Smoothie has spinach in it so thats a double win. Perfect. I’ve escaped dessert for breakfast for one day… until tomorrow at least.

I found the recipe over at Annie’s Eats, one of my very favorite blogs. I modified mine just a bit, but we’ve been eating a lot more pears than we used to. I just always forget to add them in. I’ve frozen the bananas before or left them room temp and it comes out great both ways.

Ingredients

1 banana (frozen or at room temp)
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
1 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups spinach, rinsed and dried
Honey, to taste

Directions

Add all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Serves 2

 Source: just slightly tweaked from Annie’s Eats Green Monster Smoothie