Day Two Hundred Forty-Four: Coconut Lime Ale

We love craft beers and live in a good place to find many. Tonight was my first time to try something from Whistle Post Brewing and my first time to ever have a coconut lime flavored ale. It's so good, and now I'm planning a personal visit to the brewery in Pilot's Point. And, as an aside, I'm kind of crazy about the Texas palm tree logo!

Day Two Hundred Thirteen: Spiked Morning Coffee

Jeff and I stopped by the liquor store yesterday to restock on a few items, but while we were there, we found a couple of new things to try. One of those was Brinley Gold Shipwreck Coconut Rum Cream. It seemed to me like it was just begging to cuddle up with a cup of coffee, so I introduced it to my morning cuppa joe. I am not in the habit of adding that kind of cream to my morning coffee (read: I have never added liquor to my morning coffee), but, truth be told, I didn't get around to coffee until about 11:00 this morning, so it didn't feel too indecent.

Making pirates everywhere proud!

Day One Hundred Sixty: Goodies from Trader Joe's

Last night, Jeff made a stop at Trader Joe's and brought me back a bag of surprises. There were several things in the bag I had never tried, so I was super excited to pack my lunch today and include some of the goodies. (By the way, my new routine on "Writing Day" is to pack my lunch and eat at the Kroger near the library, which I just think is hilarious because who packs a lunch and then eats inside a grocery store?! There is a Starbucks in the store, so I can grab a coffee and use their tables, so it's really not as weird as it seems on the surface.)

Quinoa and black bean chips, jalepeno hummus, lemon ginger water, and roasted coconut chips:
It's what's for lunch!

Day One Hundred Thirty: Thumbprint Cookies

I've always heard of thumbprint cookies, but until today, I had never made any. The recipe I found is a healthier version, utilizing almond flour, coconut flour, coconut oil, honey, coconut oil, and sugarless fruit spread (I used pear fruit spread because that's what I had on hand. And I threw in some chia seeds just for kicks!) I'm really happy with the way they turned out and will definitely make them again!

Thumbprint Cookies

Day Seventy-Five: Homemade Ingredients

I was in a pumpkin spice mood today and wanted to try a new recipe called Pumpkin Spice Meltaways. But first, I had to make my own coconut butter. And then, I needed to make my own pumpkin pie spice. It was the first time I had to make so many ingredients from scratch before I could proceed with the recipe! The flavor was definitely more on the coconut side than the pumpkin side, but I was still very happy with how they turned out and will enjoy them while they last.

Cute and Tasty Pumpkin Spice Meltaways

Day Seventy: Golden Tonic

I have been trying to learn about natural ways to combat inflammation and joint pain ever since I injured my knee, not only because I have been dealing with those very things in the present, but also because I have heard that this type of injury can lead to arthritis down the road. My hope is that I can get myself healthy and active as soon as possible and stave off other issues in the future.

Turmeric is touted as having anti-inflammatory properties, and collagen is supposed to help with joint pain. So when I found a recipe for this Turmeric-Collagen Coconut Tonic, I bookmarked it so I could give it a try. (It was my first time to make this drink, but it was also my first time to buy a package of collagen, which I added to my stash of weird products in the pantry that provide an endless amount of shock and entertainment to my family members!) I can't say yet what the verdict is for my joints, but I can tell you it is delicious, and I would drink it even of it didn't have the potential health benefits.

Golden Tonic

Day Twenty-One: Homemade Coconut Milk

I love coconut milk, but the rest of my family isn't too enthusiastic about it. I won't buy it just for me, so I was thrilled when I came across a very simple recipe to make my own. I've been saving it up and finally had the chance to mix up a batch for the very first time tonight. In my opinion, it is delicious. I can already see the smile on my morning coffee's face!

Homemade Coconut Milk