5 Minute Homemade Hot Chocolate {instant pot, dairy free, paleo}

I thoroughly enjoy my Instant Pot.  I'm not one of those that use my IP every day, but I use it a couple times a week.  I still think it was a great purchase; especially b/c of how it cooks eggs perfectly. 

I absolutely adore Hot Chocolate.  It is one of my favorite drinks, and it always brings fond memories or hot cocoa at my Grandpa's Ranch.  We always had Swiss Miss up there, and it wasn't until a couple of years ago I realized I could, and probably should, make my own.  Well, Hot Chocolate in the Instant Pot makes the job incredibly fast, easy, and oh so delicious.  

This recipe can easily be adjusted for a dairy free diet.  It can also work for vegans and paleo diets as well.  I've enjoyed this drink paleo style, but I actually prefer the milk version.  

However, no matter which version you make this 5 Minute Homemade Hot Chocolate it is fast and delicious.  Enjoy! 

5 Minute Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Recipe: Alohamora adapted from Paleo Cooking
Active Time: 2 minutes
Inactive Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 3 cups

Ingredients: 
3 c. milk (dairy, almond, coconut, etc.) 
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
2 Tbsp sugar (granulated or coconut palm)
2 Tbsp maple syrup

Optional Toppings: cinnamon, nutmeg, whipped cream (heavy or coconut whipped cream), marshmallows

Directions: 

1. Combine the 4 ingredients in an Instant Pot stainless steel bowl. 
2. Stir to combine everything and secure the Instant Pot's lid, and secure the valve into the "sealed" position.  
3. Set the Instant Pot to Manual and change the time to 5 minutes. 
4. When the time is down, quick release the valve and open it when able. 
5. Either stir to combine everything, or place an immersion blender in the pot to blend the ingredients together. 
6. Serve the hot chocolate drink warm, or keep the warming button on.
7. Top the mugs with any desired toppings. 
8. Store leftovers in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
9. Enjoy! 

Happy Delicious and Quick Homemade Hot Cocoa Eating! 

Actually Delicious Apple Cider Vinegar Tea {healthy, allergy free}

I drank a shot of apple cider vinegar (ACV) with water and thought I was going to throw-up.  True story.  I will spare you the gross details, but just know that I am weak, and I just couldn't swallow the stuff.  I tried.  For several days I tried.  However, my body was clearly telling a big No Bueno to ACV.  

I have an autoimmune thyroid issue, and I had read so many things about the benefit of drinking apple cider vinegar for my general health as well as for my thyroid.

Here are a few benefits to apple cider vinegar that I quickly found: 

1. Helps with heart health and fighting heart disease including lowering cholesterol. 
2. Helps lower blood sugar and therefore helps Type 2 Diabetes. 
3. Helps you lose weight b/c you feel fuller longer. 
4. Helps detoxify the liver. 
5. Helps get rid of Candida overgrowth which causes many problems. 
6. Helps with digestion... this was big for me b/c I get nauseous so frequently. 
7. Helps slow aging.
8. Helps prevent osteoporosis.

That's a lot of reasons to drink ACV, plus there is more.  Basically, they say drinking apple cider vinegar is the bomb.com for your health.  I wanted to be cool, I mean healthy, so I jumped on the ACV bandwagon.  

However, I was thrown violently off that same bandwagon when I just couldn't stomach the stuff.  I even bought the Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar b/c I read it was the best and that is what you needed to get the full health benefits.  I was hopeful it would taste better than the first shot of ACV that I tried with the store brand I had in my pantry.    

Oh boy was I wrong.  Bragg's or store brand, it was still gross.  I didn't understand how people drank this stuff.  I even added a ridiculous amount of honey, we're talking at least 4 tablespoons of honey for my 1 tablespoon of ACV.  However, nothing could touch the taste of ACV.  ACV is just gross.  There was no way around it, and I had decided I was never going to have the health benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar.  

However, if you never try ACV, which you most definitely should with this recipe, this story should teach you that you should never give up.  I mean, I had given up on ACV years ago, but then one day I had an idea.  This idea included apple cider vinegar and a combination of other flavors.  This idea has been about 2 1/2 months in the working, but I am extremely happy with the result.     

This idea involves drinking that awesome super healthy apple cider vinegar.  This idea also includes a few other benefits like cinnamon (which they say helps with weight loss and boosts your immune system), lemon juice (vitamin C boost, detox, and digestion aid), and honey (help prevent cancer, regulate blood sugar, and more).  

Basically, I started combining all of these oh so awesome and powerful ingredients to create an actually drinkable and Super Hero version of apple cider vinegar.  This recipe is defintely the bomb.com. 

This week I hosted book club at my house; we discussed My Lady Jane.  I felt a book set in England called for a Tea Party of sorts.  For the first time I pulled out the china tea cups my Grandma gave me.  It was fun to remember my Gma in that little way, and I got to serve the only tea that I love drinking. #win  

Yes, I have come far in the past few years.  I started with dry heaving every time I drank apple cider vinegar to loving drinking my Super Boost Tea. 

Delicious and Beneficial Apple Cider Vinegar Tea
Recipe: Alohamora 
Active Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 1 cup

Ingredients
1 c. warm/hot water
1 Tbsp Bragg's apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2-1 Tbsp honey
dash ( at most 1/16 tsp) cinnamon, ground

Directions: 

1. I stick a mug with 1 cup of water in the microwave for 1 minute. 
2. I add the Bragg's ACV, make sure it is Bragg's, lemon juice, honey, and cinnamon in the order listed and stir to combine everything.  You can add more honey if you like your tea a little sweeter; the amount of honey I use really depends on how much sleep I got the night before.  A rough night usually means I need more honey.  Apparently, I need to sweeten my day.  ;)
3. Enjoy your tea!

Happy Super Powerful Healthy Beneficial and Delicious Apple Cider Vinegar drinking! 

Ron Weasley's Apple Pie Smoothie- No Sugar Added {Healthy} {Gluten/Dairy Free}

Ron Weasley is known for wanting to just eat and eat.  The food at Hogwarts may be his absolute favorite thing at school.  In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the 5th year/book Ron is sitting in the Great Hall eating as usual.  Harry Potter is upset with Professor Umbridge (which to be honest, I hated that woman) and comes into the Great Hall to vent.  Hermione convinces Ron and Harry to leave as to not put on a show and make things worse; Ron begrudgingly puts his apple pie down follows them out.

If the House Elves had made this Apple Pie Smoothie he'd be able to take this healthy, no sugar added, diet friendly apple pie to go.  

Healthy Apple Pie Smoothie- No Sugar Added 
Recipe: Alohamora 
Active Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time: 0 minutes
Servings: about 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients:
1 c. almond milk, unsweetened original
1/2 sweet potato (or 1 small sweet potato) cut in chunks
1/2 green apple, remove the core
1 medjool date, pitted
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 c. ice

Directions: 

1. Place the ingredients in the order listed in a good blender.  We have a Blendtec, but I know there are other awesome blenders out there.  Be sure to remove the pit of the date.  That pit is brutal; don't try to put it in your disposal either. 
2. Blend until smooth. 
3. Enjoy! 

Happy Harry Potter Week, and Happy Healthy Apple Pie Smoothie drinking! 

Alice in Wonderland "Drink Me" The Best Lemon Water

I am 100% honest with you when I say this Lemon Water is the absolute best drink ever.  It is perfect for parties, bridal or baby showers, receptions, or even Alice in Wonderland/Splintered book clubs like mine.  Basically, this drink is good anytime.  So yummy! 

I made this "Drink Me" Lemon Water for our Splintered book club. The book may not have been my favorite (a review can be found here), but making all of the food for the book club fun was a blast.  

If you remember the Alice in Wonderland story you know that soon after Alice goes down into the rabbit hole there's a cookie/cake/biscuit that says "Eat Me" and a drink that says "Drink Me."        

For the book club fun I made... 

"Grow Me" Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
and 
"Shrink Me" Mushroom Shaped Sugar Cookies. 

I'll share the delicious "Eat Me" cookies with you on Friday, but today you get the most delicious drink that has no soda or pop in it.  I first had it years ago at a baby shower my friends threw me when I was prego with my son.  I am not a soda drinker, or even anything other than water drinker.  However, I couldn't get enough of this Lemon Water.  Yum!

It's even better that this drink is made in 5 minutes and it can be prepared ahead of time.   Plus, if you are wondering, I found the cute glass milk bottles, shown above, at JoAnns while using a coupon of course, and the cute straws I got a while ago at Target. 

"Drink Me" Lemon Water
Recipe: Alohamora and my friend Tasha P.
Active Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time:  0 minutes
Servings: 1 gallon

Ingredients: 
1 gal water
2 cup sugar
Heaping 1/2 Tbsp citric acid powder
1/2 tsp lemon extract
Sonic ice

Directions: 

1. You can make this lemon water right before your party or the night before.  
2. Mix the top four ingredients in at least a gallon pitcher and stir everything together with a long spoon.  A word about the citric acid powder, I usually buy it in the bulk sections at Sprouts or Sunflower market for a great price. 
3. If you are making your drink ahead of time place it in the fridge at this point.  
4. If you are serving your drink add the ice to a punch bowl or small milk bottles first, and then add the lemon water on top.  Sonic ice is the best with this lemon water b/c of it's size; if you can get Sonic ice that is ideal.
5. Store leftovers in a pitcher in the fridge.  
6. Enjoy! 

Happy The Most Delicious "Drink Me" Lemon Water!

Harry Potter's Pumpkin Juice

I hope you have had as much fun as I have had during Harry Potter week!  It's been a lot of fun and delicious as well.  This week you got, Hogwart's Shepherd's Pie, Diagon Alley Shortbread Cookies, House-Elves Chocolate Gateau, and now Pumpkin Juice.   

Happy Birthday Harry Potter!  Today is his big day!

I will probably be making this cake as well today, b/c I am a Harry Potter fanatic and a total nerd.  We celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday as well. :)  Nerd, I know.   

Though, to be honest, this Dark Chocolate Cake with Malted Frosting is amazing! 

This year, I thought I'd give you a staple Harry Potter drink.  Well, it is actually a staple Wizarding World drink.  Pumpkin Juice, the drink they enjoyed for breakfast or any meal really.  

Now, I know many people may be surprised I'm not giving you a Butterbeer recipe, but to be honest I like Pumpkin Juice better.  I had both at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, and pumpkin juice was the clear winner.  

Pumpkin Juice is amazing, and this recipe is the best copycat version I have found.  It is actually a juice (rather than a smoothie like some were), easy to make, and totally legit with taste.  Trust me, I tried a lot of recipes.  This one is perfect! 

This delicious Fall flavored juice is delicious cold or hot, though luke warm I'm not sure. :)  However, I do think it'd be a fantastic drink for a party come October or Fall time in general.  It is so festive.  

The secret aspect aka key to this recipe is the first two ingredients blended together.  It is what gives this juice it's perfect flavor and texture. 
  

Harry Potter's Pumpkin Juice
Recipe: Alohamora slightly adapted from FoodinLiterature
Active Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Time: 30 minutes + chill time
Servings: Makes 4 c. 

Ingredients: 

1/4 roasted butternut squash (about 1 1/2-2 c.)
1 c. water
3 c. apple juice
1/2 c. apricot nectar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c. sugar

Directions: 

1. In a blender mix one-fourth of the roasted butternut squash and 1 c. of water until smooth. 
2. Add it to a medium to large pot with the rest of the ingredients. 
3. Stir to combine everything using a large spoon or fork/whisk. 
4. Bring the juice to a boil and then turn it down to simmer for 20-30 minutes. This will give the juice the best flavor.  
5. Enjoy the juice warm or place it in the refrigerator to enjoy later aka this is a great "Make Ahead" party treat/drink. 
6. Enjoy!
7. Refrigerate leftovers. 

Happy Harry Potter and the Wizarding World Pumpkin Juice drinking! 

and

Happy Harry Potter Week of fun recipes inspired by the book series!

Blueberry Lemonade

 Happy 4th of July, almost!  This really is a great holiday with fun activities, delicious food, and fun times.  

I figured y'all most definitely needed this BLUE drink to really ring in the holiday properly.

This Blueberry Lemonade is absolutely delicious!  It's quickly made, looks fancy, and the most delicious lemonade you will ever have.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to the local food truck local one Friday date night.  Seeing all of the food trucks in one place was fun, but the non-profit lemonade food truck that served their drinks in mason jars is what got my money.  This blueberry lemonade was inspired by that food truck.  

With this simple recipe you won't need to spend nearly as much money as I did to get a delicious blueberry lemonade.  This lemonade recipe can be made quite cheap, and in less than 10 minutes.  Though, if you make the Blueberry Lemonade ahead of time the flavors will be enhanced and taste even better the next day.  
  

Though, you'll be lucky if it lasts that long in your fridge without be slurped down.  

The minute I finished taking pictures my kids drank more than half of the quart of lemonade before we made it to the dinner table.  It's that good, and it's way too easy to make.  

Blueberry Lemonade
Recipe: Alohamora adapted from Food Network Bobby Flay
Active Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: Chill Time
Servings: 4 cups

Ingredients: 
1 1/2 c. blueberries, washed
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. lemon juice
1 1/2 c. cold water
2 Tbsp sugar (optional)
frozen blueberries (optional)

Directions: 

1. Using an immersion blender or a blender puree the blueberries and half cup of sugar for approximately 5 minutes until it is fine and liquid like. 
2. In a quart jar or pitcher stir the lemon juice and cold water together.  
3. Add the pureed blueberry mixture to the lemon juice mixture and stir to combine everything.  
4. If you like sweeter lemonade add 2 more tablespoons of sugar and stir everything together.  If you like tart/sour lemonade you are done.
5. Place your blueberry lemonade in the fridge to chill until you are ready to serve.  
6. Just before serving, top your lemonade with frozen blueberries. 
7. Enjoy!
8. Store leftover lemonade, if there is any, in the refrigerator. 

Happy cold, sweet, and delicious Blueberry Lemonade drinking!

Nutritious Sunset Blend Juice {Healthy} {Gluten, Egg, Nut, Dairy Free}

Happy Earth Week!  In honor of this week where we appreciate all of the good things the earth has given/provided us I will be posting two yummy recipes that come completely from the earth.

Lately, my husband and I have been into juicing.  We've owned a juicer for years, but we've always only made orange juice (which is amazing and I'm pretty sure the reason some would visit us).  However, we recently decided we strive to get some more vegetables into our diet by juicing them.

I will say, that since we have been juicing both of us have felt better.  My husband has said he is less "snacky" at work, and I feel full just from drinking the juice.  I also love that it is ridiculously healthy, raw, and I'm assuming helping me lose some of this baby weight.  

We both are starting to really love juicing.  I've actually been super surprised that buying all of this fresh produce hasn't even been expensive.  I bought enough produce for 4 different juices all for less than $12, and I even bought organic for the most part.  It was awesome!

This Sunset Blend Juice was one of the very first juices we made, and it is still one of our very favorites.  I love that it has beets in it (which is great for digestive health and no way would I eat otherwise), and I love that we can make this juice ahead of time when convenient, let it sit in the fridge, and enjoy it when we please. 

I love the convenience, taste, and even the color of this juice.  It's all around a winner. 

For a really great juicing recipe, give this delicious one a go. 

Sunset Blend Juice
Recipe: Alohamora from JuiceRecipes      
Active Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 0 minutes
Servings: about 4 cups

Ingredients: 
2 golden delicious apples
1 beet root, not the leaf stem
1 carrot, large
1 orange, peeled
1 sweet potato

Directions: 

1. Wash the produce and cut the apples, orange, and sweet potato in half so it can easily fit in your juicer. 
2. Toss each ingredient in your juicer one at a time juicing between each addition .  We like to do it in the order listed, but it doesn't matter. 
3. When finished stir the juice to incorporate all of the layers and flavors. 
4. Evenly pour the juice between two pint size jars, or a container of your choice for storing.  We love the grab and go aspect the jars provide us, and you can easily shake the jars to combine the flavors. 
5. Store juice in the refrigerator until you are ready to drink. 
6. Enjoy!

Happy Healthy Juicing!  

Juicing is healthy, delicious, and not scary or intimidating or weird at all.  Seriously, give it a go, and of course please share any juicing recipes you love. 
.  

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

We didn't have much of a winter here.  It's actually a bit sad to me that the weather is warming up (mid 80s this week) b/c the warmer it gets the sooner the HOT and not so fun time of year in Arizona starts.  Boo!  

However, if life gives you lemons you might as well make lemonade, right?!  

No really, here in AZ you can usually get lemons for free b/c people just want to get them off of their trees.  It's like zucchini and tomatoes in the summer time anywhere else.

We got a bunch of lemons for free, and then there were strawberries on sale for super cheap.  With that combination, I just had to make some easy, fast, and simple Homemade Strawberry Lemonade.

It may not be mid 80s for you this week, but it's getting closer to spring and you will want to have this recipe on hand.  It's delicious and refreshing and fun to drink it through a straw.

On a philosophical note, I think there are two types of people in the world.  There are the tart lemonade drinkers and the sweet lemonade drinkers.  Which one are you?  I prefer sweet.  

My kids are such good taste testers. :) 

Strawberry Lemonade {Homemade}
Recipe: Alohamora 
Active Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 cups or 1/2 gallon

Ingredients: 
2 c. strawberries, washed, hulled, and diced
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. water
1 c. lemon juice
1/2-1 c. sugar (1/2 c. for tart lemonade, 1 c. for sweet lemonade)
7 c. water

Directions: 

1. In a medium pot over medium to high heat bring your strawberries, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of water to a boil.
2. Cook the strawberry syrup at a simmer for 15 minutes
3. Remove the strawberry syrup from the stove and mash the strawberries with a potato masher or barely blend them in a blender.  You still want strawberry chunks b/c it's delicious. 
4. In a large pitcher mix your lemon juice and strawberry syrup together.
5. Add the sugar to the pitcher.  If you like tart lemonade use 1/2 cup of sugar, but if you prefer sweet lemonade use a full cup of sugar.  
6. Finally add the 7 cups of water to the pitcher and stir everything together.
7. Serve with ice or chilled. 
8. Enjoy! 
9. Store leftovers in the fridge. 

Happy Spring and Happy Strawberry Lemonade drinking!

Knight Bus Skinny Frozen Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate seems to be a drink of choice whether you recently visited the Chamber of Secrets, taking a ride on the Knight Bus, or just spending time at the Weasley home.  

Hot chocolate is one of my favorite things when it is cold outside.  Nothing better to warm you from the inside out.  

My father lived in England for two years.  He has told me, on more than one occasion, that he was never warm.  Therefore, Harry, Dumbledore, Ginny, and many others enjoying hot chocolate year round would be completely acceptable.  

However, in the summertime Harry Potter did get quite warm at times, if you recall the 5th book (HP and the Order of the Phoenix).  I'm sure on those rare hot summer heat wave days the Knight Bus would serve Frozen Hot Chocolate.  

This Skinny Frozen Hot Chocolate is absolutely delicious and pretty darn delicious for the waist line.  When you want a cold drink, whip up this cold treat in less than 5 minutes.

There's enough for two with this recipe, but once you get started slurping this treat you may have a hard time stopping.

I had honestly intended to share this with my kids, but before I knew it I had drank it all.  Ooops!

With the addictive power of this Skinny Frozen Hot Chocolate it is a good thing it is lite on the calories.  

Skinny Frozen Hot Chocolate

Recipe: Alohamora 

Active Time: 5 minutes

Inactive Time: 0 minutes

Servings: 2, total 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients: 

2 frozen bananas 

1 c. milk (fat-free or any kind of milk, almond, rice, etc.)
1 Tbsp cocoa, unsweetened
1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
1 1/2 Tbsp Peanut Butter, creamy (optional)

Directions: 

1. Peal the frozen bananas and throw them into the blender or a large cup for an immersion blender.  I love this immersion blender. I have found the best way to peal a frozen banana is to cut off both ends, and then let the banana sit on the counter for a few minutes.  Next, cut the banana in half lengthwise like a hot dog (think elementary school days), and proceed to peel the skin off starting in the middle.  It should come off quite easily. 
2.  Add the milk and blend the two ingredients until it is smooth. 
3. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until it is thoroughly combined.  
4. If you want to be super healthy you don't have to include the sugar and peanut butter.  It really depends on the day and how I am feeling if I include the two ingredients.  
5. Enjoy! 
6. Store leftovers, if there are any, in the fridge. 

Happy, Knight Bus Skinny Frozen Hot Chocolate eating/drinking!  Next time you have some too many ripe bananas on your counter throw them in the freezer in a Ziploc to make this delicious treat.