Peanut Butter Granola

Ok, so the title is a nod to one of my favorite bloggers (Hi Megan). I just read her amazing book, and I recommend it for sure! Go get yourself a copy right now!

And the granola? It is my recipe. And it's just stinkin' awesome. (Did I mention it's easy and quick?)

2 c. peanut butter

1 c. honey

4 scant cups quick oats (small rolled oats)

quick handful mixed nuts

a few squirts crisco spray all over top

1. Melt peanut butter on high for 20 sec., Add honey and microwave another 10-15 sec.

2. Add quick oats and stir

3. Add nuts and a few more squirts of honey

4. Add a few more squirts of crisco. 

5. Spread on a cookie sheet and press down a bit with a spoon.

5. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 min. Turn down to 325 and bake another 15-20 min. or until lightly browned. You might want to stir about half way through to keep from burning!

YUM!

Mocha Frozen Cappuccino & Coco-Banana Smoothie

So, number one, you need to know that I am addicted to caffeine.

Ok. Now, that we've got that out of the way, lets talk about some recipes I wanted to share with you, dear reader.

The first recipe was inspired by a book,* however, I think it turned out original.  Here's why. The first recipe didn't include cocoa powder, so it wasn't really a Mocha drink at all. I also substituted whole milk for skim, and used instant coffee instead of instant espresso powder. This last change was not a fault at all- the final product had the perfect- in my estimation, of course- amount of coffee flavor. I slightly increased the amount of instant coffee, as well.

Most important I think?  This.was.delicious.  That's really the only fault in our Mocha.

Southern Mocha Frozen Cappuccino

1 c. whole c. Mayfield milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 heaping tbsp. instant coffee
2 tbsp. sugar or agave
1/2 c. ice cubes

Blend in vitamix. Start at 1 and slowly but gradually increase to high. Vitamix recommends blending for 5-10 sec. on high.

After trying a version that my aforementioned friend recommended, I changed the amounts (read: added more agave and cocoa powder than she originally recommended!), and came up with this delicious recipe. Cocoa powder may have a little bit of caffeine, but not more than a chocolate chip cookie, right?!

Coco-Banana Smoothie

4 frozen bananas
3 tbsp. agave
3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 can coconut milk

Place all of the above ingredients in Vitamix and run Smoothie program until done.

Delicious!

*A photo of the Basil Lemonade that we made, recipe from the Vitamix cookbook. This particular cookbook came with our Vitamix, and it is entitled Savor: Recipes {by Vitamix.}