Dark Cocoa Dreams..........

  Dear friends, 

Happy Saturday! It is a crisp and chilly day here in the emerald city...I am wearing my newly bought navy blue Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater and my clip on diamond earrings, I feel like a million bucks......

When I think of ways to warm up in the Fall, I like to think of the healthiest ways to do so. I used to think that carob was the way to go when making the traditional hot chocolate, however after doing careful research I have learned that dark chocolate is the way to go. 

There are natural anti-oxidants found in dark chocolate. It is the same natural compounds that are found in fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts. It also reduces blood pressure, improves blood pressure, it also has a mild clotting effect and prevents plaque from forming in the arteries. 

 Dark chocolate has Phenylethylamine (PEA)

This compound may be responsible for some of the pleasurable feelings you get after eating chocolate because it releases natural feel-good chemicals called endorphins in your brain. PEA is released by the brain when people are falling in love. Perhaps this explains why chocolate and Valentines Day are so closely linked.

This is so interesting! I can't wait to run home and make some! 

Reese's Dark Hot Cocoa Recipe

My recipe for hot dark cocoa. Get a bar of unsweetened dark cocoa and melt it down in a pot with almond milk, honey and a touch of cayenne pepper. Stir until it thickens and serve in a humongous mug with a cinnamon stick. Did you know that cinnamon is a natural anti-inflammatory? So sprinkle some in your coffee or cocoa the next time you pour a cup! 

Also if you're looking for vegan whipped cream because your sinuses can't handle dairy like mine, then below is a great recipe I found!  

Vegan Whipped Cream Recipe

Chill coconut milk in the cans overnight. Open the cans without shaking them and carefully scoop out the thick, creamy part. Add this thick cream to your mixer bowl. With the whip attachment, start on medium speed and increase to high. Whip for about 5 minutes until you have thick whipped peaks.

Well kids that is all for today! Enjoy a cup of dark hot cocoa today and if you make any of these recipes please let me know how they come out! 

Is anyone out there reading this? :) Hope so! I would love a comment or two! 

Keeping it light,

Miss Reese 

Bon Jour Autome!

                                        Tomato soup is piping hot
                                                Argyle socks keeps my toes so warm
                                                                  Warm cocoa in my belly
                                                                                                                 By, Reese Carri

Happy Fall Friends! 

What a lovely time of year! This morning I walked to work on a bed of apple red leaves, while Frank Sinatra played "I get a kick out of you" on my headphones. I was sipping a piping hot rice milk latte and I danced across the street as I realized that it is officially Autumn, hip hip hooray! 

What does Autumn mean to you? To me it means home made tomato soup! 

Ingredients For Vegan Tomato Soup:

• 3 1/2 lbs. Tomatoes, Sliced into Wedges
• 3/4 Cup Onion, Sliced into Wedges
• 7 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Basil, No stems
• 1 Cup Vegetable Broth
• 1/2 Cup Vegan Sour Cream, I used toffuti
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Red Pepper
• 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper

                                                                Directions:
   

 1. Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Place tomato wedges, onion, garlic and olive oil into a large bowl and  toss until the oil is distributed evenly. Spread bowl contents onto a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the onions are singed but not burnt. 

2. Get a large pot ready on the stove. Once you are done roasting the tomatoes, get a food processor or blender out and puree them along with the fresh basil a little at a time; you may need to divide it into three or four batches. After each batch is completely smooth, pour it into the pot and raise the heat to medium.

3. Then pour the tomato puree into the pot of vegetable broth and simmer. Season with salt and pepper...15 or minutes or so and it should be done.....Sprinkle with cheese and serve with a quesadilla.

I will be making this tomorrow and I am going to serve it with vegan quesadillas! :)  Yummy for my tummy! :-)  I use an almond milk cheese that my friend Katie told me about. Once melted it tastes like the real thing! :)

It means big bulky sweaters with wooden buttons.....

It means argyle socks with dressy loafers...

It means a crisp new book, I am currently reading "A walk on the beach" by my most favorite writer; Joan Anderson! I love to wake up on a crisp Autumn day, make a pot of French press coffee and get back in to my cozy bed and read for an hour or two.  :)

It means fresh new throw blankets to wrap yourself up in while you watch movies in bed.....These cashmere blankets are from Restoration Hardware, they are $199...Just in case any of my more wealthy friends read this, my birthday is coming up and I have been dreaming about owning a cashmere throw..I love all of these colors! :)

 

Happy Autumn Everyone! 

Love,

Miss Reese  

                                        

                                                                                                       

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