Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate

As the years pass, the pumpkin spice latte seems to only gain popularity.  This year, they've added a hashtag, and everyone is all like "Yeah! #PSL!" and I'm all like "Humph." until a few days ago.

The weather is getting a little cooler here- at least in the mornings and evenings, and all it does is make me want to follow the trend and drink a pumpkin spice latte.  Before IC, I was a HUGE coffee drinker, especially in the winter.  When it is cold outside, all I want to do is curl up under a blanket and drink a nice hot cup of coffee.  These days a large mug of herbal mint tea works most days.  However, what I've learned is that some days just demand a warm pumpkiny fall drink.  On one of those days is when this Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate was created.

Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate

(makes 2 large mugs)
4 Tbl Pumpkin
2 C. Milk
1/2 C. white chocolate (chips, chunks, whatever)
A sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice**
milk frother

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, white chocolate, and pumpkin.  Wisk periodically allowing chocolate to melt and ingredients meld together.  Once ingredients are mixed and very warm, pour into 2 mugs.  Using your milk frother, froth the milk until you have several inches of delicious foam.  Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice at your own risk... Enjoy!!

(Warning- my little milk frother had a little bit of pumpkin in it after frothing this mixture- I soaked it in hot water and soap and was able to pull the little bits of pumpkin out.  As an alternative, you can just froth the milk and pour it on top- however, just know this pumpkin foam is to die for, trust me.)

**So, pumpkin pie spice has cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves listed as ingredients.  Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are all on the "foods worth trying" list.  Cloves, however, are a caution ingredient..  Sprinkle at your own risk- if I would have looked up cloves before topping my drink with this spice concoction, I would have just left this out or topped it with a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. However, I didn't.  So. top at your own risk! (all that being said, that tiny bit of sprinkling caused no pain.)

Avocado Egg Salad

I am a sucker for any type of cold salad in the summer.  However, most of these salads in their classic form are a complete no-go because of the mayo.  I found inspiration of this recipe on Pinterest, but the recipe contained mayo and many problematic spices. However, since the main ingredients (eggs and avocado) are completely safe, I figured I would play around with it and see what I could do.  I'm happy to report that the results are fantastic- love this served with some crackers, in a pita, or on some homemade bread.  Happy eating!

Avocado Egg Salad

4 hard-boiled eggs

1 avocado

1/3 cup cottage cheese

*1/4 cup plain greek yogurt

*1/4 tsp garlic

*1/4 tsp salt

*1/8 tsp pepper

Remove shells from the eggs and discard.  Mash eggs with a fork until whites and yolks are in pieces and mixed together.  Remove avocado from skin, discard skin and pit.  Mix the avocado into the eggs using a fork.  Add cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and spices. Mix with the fork until all ingredients are combined. 

Store in fridge for 1 day.. know that on the second day it might appear slightly brown because of the avocados, but it is still fine to eat.  If that weirds you out, make a sandwich for a friend to enjoy with you day of, or just make half or a forth of the recipe.

Notes: Greek yogurt, and yogurt in general is an ingredient that many with IC can tolerate.  It has been fermented (like buttermilk and sour cream) and so some do report that it causes flares.  I know that Fage and Chobanni plain Greek yogurts are fine for me.  The only ingredients they have listed are: grade A pasturized skim milk, live active yogurt cultures L. Bulgaricus and S. Thermophilus.  I recently tried a store brand Greek yogurt that had other ingredients listed, and it caused a flare... So, all things considered, try a small amount, and see if you tolerate this.  If this is a problem food for you, I would just replace the yogurt with more cottage cheese- I bet it would still taste great!

As always, spices (salt, pepper, and garlic) are triggers for some.  Salt and garlic are among the friendlier, and pepper is a "try it" ingredient.  Know your body and your limits; adjust accordingly!

Recipe inspired by Ashley from neverhomemaker.com