I’ve found myself in my 40’s… trying to take care of myself a little better. Meaning, I’ve always exercised and eaten healthy and all the things…but I’ve recently stepped it up notch. Like I’m taking laying in the sun a little more seriously…I’ve managed to get better skin care products that have SPF in it. I’m flossing every night and looking at my eyebrows and saying to myself, “Wow, you have a big bald spot that I should probably start coloring in…” I’ve started leaning into friends to see what daily routines they have. I’m starting to go to the doctor and get my gut checked out, my skin checked out, and well, my thyroid too. And don’t forget the annual breast exams and dental extravaganzas. I’m not sure why 40 settles into all these small details that I probably should have been doing in my 20’s… but I’ve started to notice my body shifting a bit. I’m not exactly sure what that means… but whatever it is I don’t like it.
The sun has been waiting to come up every morning until almost 8am. It honestly makes me crazy waiting that long to see day light. I love my mornings. I love the routine I’ve gotten into since the summer and the late dark mornings, and the early dark nights are approaching us too quickly. Coffee and Wine are two things that make this 44-year-old self stay healthy and strong… and so I’ve decided to pair a Pumpkin Spice Maple Latte (I’ll save the wine for a later date) for you all to enjoy in your own home!! It’s not sweet and you can create it just as quick as Starbucks does! It’s all the things I love about this time of year! Pumpkin, Spicy, and Cozy!!!
Spiced Pumpkin Maple Latte
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups of your favorite full fat milk (coconut milk is my favorite)
1/4 cup Spiced Pumpkin Butter – See below for recipe
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3-1/2 cup brewed black coffee
cinnamon, for serving
MAPLE CREAM
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or coconut cream
1 tablespoon real maple syrup
1. Combine the milk, pumpkin butter, and vanilla in a medium pot and bring to a simmer, heating the mixture until it is steaming. When the mixture is steaming hot, remove it from the heat. Using a small whisk or a fork, whisk until frothy.
2. Pour the hot coffee between 2 mugs and then pour over the frothed pumpkin milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon...or cinnamon sugar.
MAPLE CREAM
Using an electric mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Add the maple syrup and whip once more until combined and fluffy.
2 cans (15 ounce) pumpkin puree
1/3 cup apple cider
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
STOVE-TOP
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the pumpkin, cider, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring often until the pumpkin thickens slightly, but is spreadable, about 20-30 minutes. Taste, adding more maple syrup if needed to sweeten.
2. Remove from the heat and let cool (the pumpkin butter will thicken as it cools). Transfer to glass jars and keep stored in the fridge for up to 1 month or in freezer safe containers for up to 3 months.
This week’s Music Pairing has me feeling all the feels. An artist that started his career up here in Seattle with one of my other favorite bands, Fleet Foxes. But eventually branched off to do a solo album under the name of Father John Misty. He’s a bit dark at times, but mysterious, authentic, and very fun to listen to while cooking in the kitchen. His song, Chloe, from his latest album Chloe and the Next 20th Century. AHHHHH!! It’s all good. This guy does not disappoint!
I’ve always loved being healthy… drinking lots of water, exercising, eating right, taking my vitamins, kind of thing. But even when you do all the right things, I suppose there is a time in your life when your body tells you, you have to start doing more. And I think that time has been now for me. This year I started creating a perfect morning routine for me that consists of meditations and prayers, a pilates workout, a little reading, and a little writing. All the things that help kick start my day in a way that make me feel solid as a woman, mom, and wife. But before any of that happens… Coffee. Coffee makes my life happy too. I hope this Play On Project pairing inspires you to drink a yummy latte this morning and listen to yummy music and jump start your health in the ways that make you feel good. For always.