The kind of coffee – Dark Roast, French Vanilla, Dark Roast Decaf and everything in between will be left for another time. Frankly, for me it depends on my mood and the time of day as to the kind of coffee I prefer…although, I don’t like it too strong!

What about your coffee preferences and the pandemic? A majority of respondents (59%) said the pandemic disrupted their coffee habits in a way they weren't expecting! Nearly half (46%) of American coffee drinkers have tried different types of coffee at home since they weren't able to visit their favorite coffee shop. Some individuals (42%) even tried to recreate their favorite go-to coffee orders at home...including latte art!

While the pandemic kept most people at home, cold coffee drinkers were more likely to experience cabin fever than their hot coffee counterparts. Pre-pandemic cold coffee drinkers said they would travel three times per year, versus two times a year for their hot coffee peers.

Cold coffee drinkers are more inclined to spend their time browsing Instagram (27%) while hot coffee drinkers spend more time on Facebook (35%).

The study also revealed that having a preferred temperature of coffee can even affect one's taste buds. Eight in 10 cold coffee drinkers prefer sweeter, fancier drinks featuring flavored syrups. Twp-thirds (67%) of hot coffee drinkers, however, would rather have a simple cup with cream, sugar or both.
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So…What about you? How do you like your coffee…what is your coffee preference? Leave a ‘Comment’ below!

3. Beef Barley Soup
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4. Broccoli and Cheese Soup

​6. Vegan French Onion Soup
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For all the pumpkin lovers out there, we have three delicious Pumpkin Dessert Recipes for you!
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They can be used for casual or more formal occasions. They are sure to please everyone!

Pumpkin Dessert Recipes:

Pumpkin Lasagna

This Pumpkin Lasagna is a take-off of the ever-popular meat/tomato sauce lasagna. This is a great way to prepare a delicious dessert for eight or more.
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Ingredients
For crust:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup butter-softened
• ½ cup toasted walnuts (or pecans)-chopped

For cheesecake layer:

• 8 oz. cream cheese- softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup whipped topping

For pumpkin layer:

• 2½ cups milk
• 3 small pkgs. vanilla instant pudding mix
• 15 oz Pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

For topping:

• 1 cups whipped topping
• ¼ cup toasted walnuts (or pecans)-chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven at 350 F and spray 8×8 inch baking dish.
2. Mix flour, butter and ½ cup walnuts, press into a sprayed baking dish and bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
3. Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until it’s light and fluffy, add 1 cup whipped topping and spread over cooled crust. Set in the fridge while making pumpkin mixture.
4. Mix milk and vanilla instant pudding mix, add pumpkin puree and cinnamon and mix until it’s smooth. Spread over top of cheesecake layer.
5. Spread remaining 1 cup of whipped topping and sprinkle chopped walnuts and set in the fridge for at least 3 hours.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

This Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip is scrumptious served with chocolate graham crackers and shortbread-type cookies. The combination of flavors is outstanding!
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Ingredients

1. 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3. 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
4. 1 tablespoon brown sugar
5. 2 teaspoons International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer
6. 1 tsp vanilla
7. 1-2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
8. 1 cup miniature chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
2. Add confectioners sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin pie creamer, and vanilla until well combined.
3. Add 1-2 teaspoons pumpkin spice, depending on your preference. Stir in chocolate chips. Chill until ready to serve.

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No Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

These No Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies are divine and simply melt in your mouth! If you love pumpkin, this is your time of year…pumpkin everything!

Serves: 36 cookies
Ingredients

• 1½ cups sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup butter
• ⅔ cup milk
• 1 (3.4oz) box instant pumpkin spice pudding mix (you can sub vanilla pudding and 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice)
• 3½ cups quick cooking oats
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine sugars, butter and milk.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Boil 2 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add in the pudding mix, stirring to combine completely.
5. Add in pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and oats.
6. Stir to combine and let stand for 5 minutes.
7. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper, and allow to cool completely.
8. Store in airtight container.

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Check out these Delicious Fall Soup Recipes: Soup

1) Canteloupe – One serving has just 46 calories and nearly a day’s worth of vitamins A & C. It’s also a very good source of potassium. Eating it raw or making a fruit salad with a little feta and mint makes a delicious summer lunch.

2) Zucchini – Wow, only 29 calories in one cup and is high in fiber, vitamins A, C and K and also potassium. It also adds bulk and substance to your diet. Zucchini is versatile in that it can be grilled, eaten raw, stuffed, made into chips or used to replace noodles in homemade lasagna.

3) Eggplant – This purple beauty is a good source of vitamins B6 & K as well as being a very good source of fiber. It is also low in calories and contains antioxidants that fight disease. The purple color is a cue that it will benefit the heart and memory. Prepare it sautéed, grilled or cubed in a stir fry or on a sandwich.

4) Blackberries – Blackberries are a good source of potassium and vitamins E, C, K & manganese. They are also loaded with fiber and antioxidants. Other benefits include protecting the heart and lowering blood pressure. They add a nice taste to a glass of ice water or seltzer or add them to salads. Blackberries are popular in baked goods as well.

5) Yellow Summer Squash – This is also known as “crookneck or straightneck” squash. It is rich in fiber, vitamins C, K, and potassium and has very few calories. Prepare it grilled, in a summer soup or be creative and use it as a pizza topping.

A culinary tip: A grilling basket or tray is a very easy way to prepare veggies alongside your main meal on the grill. It makes for easy clean up and no mess in the kitchen!
Let us know which summer super foods are your favorite…Comment Below

Read more here: Super Foods

Eat Plenty of Summer Super Foods for a Healthier Diet!

Did you know that Overnight Oats are an easy, healthy breakfast you'll feel good about eating and they're perfect for taking on the go? They’re high in protein and fiber — which will keep you full until lunchtime! Unlike a bowl of warm oatmeal, overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, straight from the refrigerator (no reheating necessary).

To make them, you’ll soak rolled oats in milk and yogurt overnight, which gives them a soft, slightly toothsome texture that’s ultra-creamy and subtly sweet. In the morning, you’ll add your favorite toppings — fresh or dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and nut butters are all fair game.

Don’t let the overnight soak fool you — overnight oats are incredibly simple to make. They take no more than five minutes to prep, and then the breakfast makes itself while you sleep. If you stir together a batch during your weekend meal prep, you’ll be left with four grab-and-go breakfasts to eat throughout the week (the oats last about four days in the fridge). You can also scale the recipe down and make single servings instead.

You need the following ingredients: Old-fashioned rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, & flavorings, such as ground cinnamon, maple syrup or honey which add a hint of sweetness, and a pinch of kosher salt is necessary for a balanced flavor.

A helpful hint: Use equal parts old-fashioned rolled oats and milk, plus half as much yogurt.

How do you serve Overnight Oats? You can certainly eat them as is (just give the bowl a good stir, first). However, overnight oats are even better with toppings. Fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and nut butter are all delicious additions.

While nut butter, dried fruit, some fresh fruit (like blueberries, apples, and citrus) can be added in advance, you’ll want to wait to add delicate or crunchy toppings, such as nuts, seeds, and toasted coconut, until the morning you plan to eat them.

Here’s a recipe for making the very best overnight oats every time.

Overnight Oats Recipe
Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups dairy milk or unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1 cup plain Greek or non-dairy yogurt
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
• /4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Optional toppings: fruits, nuts, seeds, nut butter

Instructions

1. Add ingredients to a large bowl. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl.
   
2. Stir together. Stir together until well combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight. You can divide the oats into individual jars at this point if desired. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
4. Stir before serving. Stir again before serving with desired toppings.
   
   Source: Kitchn - Kelli Foster
   
   

Go ahead. Pour yourself another cup of joe.
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“Studies have shown that coffee may have health benefits, including protecting against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and liver disease, including liver cancer. Coffee also appears to improve cognitive function and decrease the risk of depression.”

There is a word of caution in the research. There could be some risks. If you drink too much unfiltered coffee (boiled or espresso), you may have mild elevations in cholesterol levels.

There is also a caution for an increase in the risk of heart disease in people with a fairly common, specific genetic mutation that slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body. How fast you metabolize coffee may affect your health risk. There’s always something to put a damper on things!!

Just a reminder…adding cream and sugar to your coffee adds fat and calories. And, sometimes it’s hundreds of calories!

This video from the Mayo Clinic tells you why! There is also important information concerning peanut allergies.
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​So many of us associate cookies with our mothers baking cookies for special occasions and after-school treats. We have a few ideas for you that makes a plain sugar cookie into a “master piece.”

But first a little history about Mother’s Day…

Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed throughout the world. The American origin of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day most commonly falls on the second Sunday in May and traditionally involves presenting mothers with flowers, cards and other gifts.
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To make these Mothers Day cookies, use your favorite sugar cookie recipe. Then, decorate them as you see in the photos. This is a great time for your creativity to shine!

Just in time for Valentines Day…clever snack ideas for Valentines Day are easy to make. Add a festive touch to this special day with these snack ideas for Valentines Day that even the kids and grand kids can help make.

1) Easy Marshmallow Valentine Treats

Use strawberry marshmallows, dip them in melted chocolate and sprinkle them with little nonpareils. Decorate them with heart picks. So easy and fun!
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For more recipes: Soup Recipes