Pick Me Up In The Heat

Many days, I am so busy during the morning and early afternoon I don't even realize if I'm getting tired or not. I guess it's just what I like to call "mommy mode". You know what I'm talking about. We are so busy running here and there with the kids, or cleaning the house, or working, or keeping them entertained we just don't have time to dwell on the fact that maybe we didn't sleep well the night before, or like me sometimes hardly at all. Yes, I'm an occasional insomniac, from way back! I've never been one to go to bed early, and to this day, I'm quite the night owl. I think that is one of the reasons why Adam and I fell in love because he was up all night as a radio deejay and I was awake to listen. (Awwwww....) And then of course, once you have kids, you don't sleep through the night again! Not necessarily b/c they aren't sleeping (Yes, we're the parents others want to smack b/c our baby slept through the night at 4 weeks and never looked back!), but b/c as a mom, you just have so many things running through your head, you can't shut it off to sleep. So anyway, a lot of days, around 3pm I start to hit a wall, and my eyes start to droop. Well, that just isn't allowed! I've got too much to do! My cure? In the winter time I brew a pot of coffee and treat myself to a hot cup and sit down for a few minutes. And usually it works like a charm, I get my 2nd wind and I'm ready to go again. But when the thermometer reads 100+, I'm sorry, coffee is the last thing on my mind. It's just too darn hot. I know some can drink it no matter what the temp, but I just can't. But iced coffee....that's a different story! Why not. Same concept, just cold and refreshing. Plus, making it at home instead of paying $4 in a drive thru somewhere, I save money, and can make as much as I need/want! If you're like me and need a little pick me up, rather in the morning, or in the middle of the afternoon, try this creamy tasty energy boost!

Peppermint Vanilla Iced Coffee Adapted from Folgers
1/2 c. your favorite ground coffee (I like Dunkin Donuts)
3 c. cold water, divided
1/2 c. sugar.
1/2 c. half and half, chilled
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
Ice Cubes

Brew coffee in coffee maker using 1 1/2 cups water. Combine hot brewed coffee and sugar in glass bowl or pitcher. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Stir in remaining cold water and half and half. Add vanilla and peppermint and mix well. Chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice.

Shared on The Country Cook July 13, 2012
Shared on Make Ahead Meals July 16, 2012 
Shared on Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen July 16, 2012 
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box July 17, 2012

Coffee at Very Good Recipes
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Weekend Company {Guest Blogger Tammy}

It's finally Saturday, the day we spend Monday through Friday dreaming about! I hope you have fun plans for the weekend, or maybe if you're really lucky, some relaxing ones too :) This week my guest is a fabulous foodie and blogger friend who has a fantastic recipe to share that I can't wait to try! I think I will let her tell you all about it. Please welcome Tammy from Skinny Mom's Kitchen~

Hi there, my name is Tammy. I am the loving wife to a hunky hubby, mother to two adorable yet crazy girls, and owner of a very needy yellow lab. I work full-time outside the home and spend most days trying to look like I know what I am doing.

After losing 40lbs, I started Skinny Mom’s Kitchen to help other busy moms eat healthier and lose weight. I do this by teaching them how to combine calorie awareness with menu planning, freezer cooking, and other make ahead cooking strategies. I love showing others how easy, and affordable, it is to serve their family healthy nutritious meals everyday. You can also check out the Skinny Mom’s Kitchen Facebook community for even more conversation, recipes, and support.

As a busy working mom, with very little time to myself, I savor the mornings when I can just sit in quiet and enjoy a cup of coffee before the day begins. Just the smell of coffee brewing can bring me to my happy place. Now add in some luscious creamer and I am in heaven.

Prior to a couple weeks ago I depended on store bought flavored creamer. I am sure you will not be surprised when I tell you most store bought creamer is not really creamer at all - mostly just a concoction of artificial ingredients I can’t even say. Yuck! This revelation  lead me on the venture to create a homemade coffee creamer I can enjoy without the added chemicals.

The first coffee creamer I put together was a French Vanilla flavor. It is very good and has become a staple in my kitchen but I wanted to venture out and create some of my other favorite flavors -  can you say peppermint mocha?

Peppermint mocha is typically a coffee creamer flavor you find popular during the holidays. However, with this simple easy to make recipe you can enjoy this pure yumminess all year long. And good news, you will not find any artificial ingredients here. Only good wholesome ingredients found right in your pantry.

Enjoy!

Servings: Makes 3 cups of creamer.

Serving size: 2 tablespoons

Ingredients

1 14 ounce can sweeten condensed milk

1 ½ cups half and half

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions:

Step 1. In a medium saucepan, over low heat, whisk together all ingredients.

Step 2. Warm until the mixture is steaming. Do not let it boil.

Step 3. Move from heat and let stand for about 5 minutes.

Step 4. Using a fine strainer strain the mixture into a glass container. I put mine in a large glass mason jar. Straining is not completely necessary but it does help to remove some of the cocoa powder that did not dissolve. If this does not bother you then there is no need to strain.

This creamer will keep in refrigerator for about 10 days.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allinson/

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