Not So Basic Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) Bread
By: Rachael Chan
Every year when the leaves start to change color and the air turns cool, I begin craving pumpkin everything - pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin butter... Mmm it all just sounds so delicious and cozy! Can you describe food as cozy? Some foods certainly give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
Our backyard looked so inviting and the sun was just peeking out, so I took my freshly baked loaf of PSL bread outside with some hot tea to enjoy.
This recipe has literally only two steps - mix all the ingredients together and put in the oven. The result - a wonderfully moist crumb combined with the heavenly smell of cinnamon. I haven't even mentioned that this bread is also gluten and dairy free and doesn't contain any refined sugars! But nobody would even notice if you didn't tell them. Don't worry, I won't ;)
Pumpkin Spice Latte Bread (gluten and dairy free)
Adapted from Sweet Laurel
2 cups almond flour
2 tablespoons coconut flour
2 tablespoons cinnamon (this seems like a lot but trust me, it is just right)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon espresso powder (or 1 ounce strong coffee)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
3 eggs
3 tablespoons coconut milk or almond milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven 350°F.
Mix pumpkin, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, eggs, coconut milk and vanilla. Slowly add in flours, spices, baking soda and salt. Stir to combine and pour into standard size loaf pan. Bake 30-40 minutes. Cool completely, take out of pan, and enjoy.
Be sure to check out Rachael's blog: Rachael in the Cities for more recipes, travels and adventures!
Adapted from Sweet Laurel
2 cups almond flour
2 tablespoons coconut flour
2 tablespoons cinnamon (this seems like a lot but trust me, it is just right)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon espresso powder (or 1 ounce strong coffee)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
3 eggs
3 tablespoons coconut milk or almond milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven 350°F.
Mix pumpkin, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, eggs, coconut milk and vanilla. Slowly add in flours, spices, baking soda and salt. Stir to combine and pour into standard size loaf pan. Bake 30-40 minutes. Cool completely, take out of pan, and enjoy.
Be sure to check out Rachael's blog: Rachael in the Cities for more recipes, travels and adventures!
10 Early Christmas Gifts For The World
By: Cora Velasco
“The World is full of good people, but if you can’t find one then BE ONE.”
I feel like a Miss Universe that doesn’t know how to answer the question in the middle of the pageant when I talk about how much I want the world to be a better place, but I have to do it. These are 10 things I think everyone should make part of their routine. If we bring these 10 things into our lives, I do believe the world can be a better place!
1. Smile at strangers: You know some people say that a smile means more than a million words… Well, I agree. Smiling is so important for your health, and for how other people look at you. Positive vibes irradiate from your smile. Never underestimate how you can change someone else’s day. S M I L E.
2. Leave a “Day Maker” for someone: This came from one of those videos people (all your aunts and your mom's friends) share on Facebook. A “Day Maker” could be leaving change on top of a laundry machine at a laundromat so someone else is able to clean their clothes, to help someone with their grocery bags, to help that cute old lady cross the street. Life is a chain of events. If you do something nice for a stranger, maybe they will feel like doing something nice for somebody else, and at some point a stranger will do something nice for you.
3. Donate to a charity of preference: I am a big fan of this. We feel so small at times, thinking that we can’t make a big impact in the world, but it turns out THAT YOU ARE WRONG! There are so many non-profit organizations/charities that could use your help. For example: Send money to St. Jude’s, buy gear from UNICEF, buy a hat from Love Your Melon, buy a pair of Tom’s, etc. There are so many ways you can make a little contribution to organizations that do SO MUCH around the world. (Plus you can obtain some kick-ass stuff for a very small amount.)
4. Compliment someone: You know when you have those days when you feel like the smallest ant on earth, and that you are so tiny nobody will ever notice you? Well, it turns out that we all have those days… SO, when you see someone with great hair, awesome shoes, or they just seem very cool, go ahead and tell them that they are awesome and that you wish they have the best day ever.
5. Thank a stranger for existing: JUST DO IT. (“Hey, sorry if this is creepy, but I want to thank you for existing and making the world a better place. Bye)
6. Write a letter to a Soldier: The people that give their lives for your freedom deserve a Thank You/Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas letter! (http://www.uso.org/thanks/)
7. Call your Grandma/Grandpa: No explanation needed. You will make her/his day.
8. Donate your clothes: We all have those clothes in our closet that we never use. Take them to a Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. I promise, someone actually needs them and you will make their day. I’ve seen it happen and there is no better feeling than making someone else feel good about themselves.
9. Recycle: No explanation needed. Just separate the cans, plastic bottles, cardboard and paper! (WAHOO GO GREEN!)
10. Use the magic words: Please and Thank you. (Always.)
I feel like a Miss Universe that doesn’t know how to answer the question in the middle of the pageant when I talk about how much I want the world to be a better place, but I have to do it. These are 10 things I think everyone should make part of their routine. If we bring these 10 things into our lives, I do believe the world can be a better place!
1. Smile at strangers: You know some people say that a smile means more than a million words… Well, I agree. Smiling is so important for your health, and for how other people look at you. Positive vibes irradiate from your smile. Never underestimate how you can change someone else’s day. S M I L E.
2. Leave a “Day Maker” for someone: This came from one of those videos people (all your aunts and your mom's friends) share on Facebook. A “Day Maker” could be leaving change on top of a laundry machine at a laundromat so someone else is able to clean their clothes, to help someone with their grocery bags, to help that cute old lady cross the street. Life is a chain of events. If you do something nice for a stranger, maybe they will feel like doing something nice for somebody else, and at some point a stranger will do something nice for you.
3. Donate to a charity of preference: I am a big fan of this. We feel so small at times, thinking that we can’t make a big impact in the world, but it turns out THAT YOU ARE WRONG! There are so many non-profit organizations/charities that could use your help. For example: Send money to St. Jude’s, buy gear from UNICEF, buy a hat from Love Your Melon, buy a pair of Tom’s, etc. There are so many ways you can make a little contribution to organizations that do SO MUCH around the world. (Plus you can obtain some kick-ass stuff for a very small amount.)
4. Compliment someone: You know when you have those days when you feel like the smallest ant on earth, and that you are so tiny nobody will ever notice you? Well, it turns out that we all have those days… SO, when you see someone with great hair, awesome shoes, or they just seem very cool, go ahead and tell them that they are awesome and that you wish they have the best day ever.
5. Thank a stranger for existing: JUST DO IT. (“Hey, sorry if this is creepy, but I want to thank you for existing and making the world a better place. Bye)
6. Write a letter to a Soldier: The people that give their lives for your freedom deserve a Thank You/Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas letter! (http://www.uso.org/thanks/)
7. Call your Grandma/Grandpa: No explanation needed. You will make her/his day.
8. Donate your clothes: We all have those clothes in our closet that we never use. Take them to a Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. I promise, someone actually needs them and you will make their day. I’ve seen it happen and there is no better feeling than making someone else feel good about themselves.
9. Recycle: No explanation needed. Just separate the cans, plastic bottles, cardboard and paper! (WAHOO GO GREEN!)
10. Use the magic words: Please and Thank you. (Always.)