Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Yesterday it was sunny and 90 degrees here in Colorado, and this morning it 45 and blustery! Fall is well on it's way, and that means it's time to break out my favorite fall recipes. Apple pie, pumpkin spice cake, winter squash casseroles and thick, flavorful soups. I prefer to serve a hot breakfast to my family on cold mornings, and this carrot cake oatmeal certainly is delicious!

1T Thrive Carrot Dices
1 1/2c Water, Divided
1/2c Thrive Instant Oats
1T Thrive Instant Milk Powder
1T Brown Sugar
1/2t Cinnamon
1/2t Pumpkin or Apple Pie Spice

Dissolve milk powder in 1 cup cold water and set aside. In a small saucepan, simmer the carrots in 1/2c water for 5 minutes or until tender. Add milk, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and spices. Simmer for 5 minutes or until oats are tender. Serve piping hot!

Instant Oatmeal Packets

Your mother told you to always eat a good breakfast, and that means a breakfast that is nutritious, balanced, hot and yummy. That doesn't mean unwrapping a plastic covered "pastry", pouring a bowl of sugar bombs, or going through the drive thru. With just a little bit of planning, and half an hour on a Sunday afternoon, you can provide your kids with a delicious breakfast that is fast and healthy. These instant oatmeal packets are fun to make and simple to prepare.

1/3c Thrive Quick Oats
1T Thrive Instant Milk Powder
1t Thrive Sugar - more if you prefer sweeter oats

These three ingredients will be the "base" for each oatmeal packet you make. I like to pick up a box of 100 snack sized zip top bags (about $1.99 at Walmart) and use them to make my oatmeal packets. Set up an assembly line of open containers and this process will be simple! Here are a few ideas for flavored oatmeal:

Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal: Base + 1/3c Thrive Blueberries + Dash of Cinnamon
Banana Bread Oatmeal: Base + 2T Thrive Banana Chunks or Thrive Banana Chips (crushed) + 2T Walnut Pieces
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal: Base + 1/4c Thrive Apple Slices (chopped) + 1/4t Cinnamon + 1t Thrive Brown Sugar
Peaches & Cream Oatmeal: Base + 1/4c Thrive Peaches + 1/4t Thrive Butter Powder + 1t Thrive Brown Sugar
Island Oatmeal: Base + 2T Thrive Mangoes + 2T Thrive Pineapple Chunks + 2T Thrive Macaroon Cookie Mix
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal: Base + 2T Chocolate Chips + 1/2t Thrive Butter Powder
Macaroon Cookie Oatmeal: Base + 2T Thrive Macaroon Cookie Mix
Brownie Oatmeal: Base + 2T Thrive Brownie Mix

Use your creativity to come up with your own combinations! To prepare the oatmeal packet, combine the contents of the bag with 1/2c cold water. Stir gently until milk powder and sugar dissolves, then microwave for 3-4 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Please note that you may need to add additional water if you use a larger amount of freeze dried fruits.

Overnight Coconut Cinnamon Oatmeal

This one takes a little planning ahead, but it is oh so worth it. Refrigerating the cooked oats overnight allows them to absorb the extra liquids, turning them into large, pillowy soft oats. This recipe will make one bowl that you won't want to share - so if your husband is going to want some, you'd better double it now!

1/2 Thrive Oats
1 1/2c Water
2T Thrive Instant Milk
2T Thrive Macaroon Mix
Cinnamon

Microwave oats and water in medium bowl for 3 minutes. Stir in instant milk and macaroon mix. Refrigerate overnight. Reheat in the morning and garnish with cinnamon.

Hint: this would make a nice gift! Package the dry ingredients in a cute little celophane bag, top it with a pretty ribbon, and include the instructions on a card attached to it. All the recipient will need to add is water.

* To order Thrive Macaroon Mix, click here and fill out the contact form. I'll be in touch with you shortly. Your contact information will not be shared.

This Coffee Will Change Your Life

Confession: I'm not a coffee drinker. I like a mocha frap on a hot afternoon, but I'm not making a b-line for the Keurig first thing in the morning. I prefer my caffeine in a carbonated form. That said, this coffee is hands down amazing. I may never go to Starbucks again.

Cold Pressed Coffee Concentrate
Source: The Pioneer Woman

1lb Ground Coffee (go for the good stuff, flavored is great, too)
8 Quarts Cold Water

You'll also need some equipment:

2 large containers
1 fine mesh colander
Cheesecloth or good quality paper towels
A large pitcher or some other device to dispense your coffee

In one large container, combine coffee and cold water. Stir gently so that all of the grounds are wet and set aside for 8 hours. Line your colander with cheesecloth or good paper towels and strain the coffee into your second large container. This will take a little bit of time, be patient. Now transfer the coffee to a pitcher and stick it in the fridge for at least two hours.

Once your coffee concentrate has chilled, you'll have to decide how to savor every single precious drop. Here are some ideas:

Iced Coffee:  Fill your glass with: 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3 water, 1/3 ice and up to 2T sweetener (sugar, artificial sweetener, honey, etc)

Vietnamese Iced Coffee: Stir 2T homemade sweetened condensed milk into 1/4c hot water (this step is only necessary if it has been refrigerated and is firm). Pour it into your glass and add 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3  milk (Thrive Instant Milk, almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc) and 1/3 ice.

Iced Latte:  Fill your glass with: 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3 milk of your choice, 1/3 ice and up to 2T sweetener of your choice.

Iced Mocha: Stir 2T Thrive Chocolate Drink Mix into 1/4c hot water until dissolved. Pour it into your glass and add: 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3 milk (Thrive Instant Milk, almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc) and 1/3c ice.

Blended Iced Mocha: (I'm sure Frappuccino is trademarked!):  Stir 2T Thrive Chocolate Drink Mix into 1/4c hot water until dissolved. Pour it into your blender and add: 1/3c coffee concentrate, 1/4c milk of your choice and 1/2c ice (or more depending on how thick you want your drink to be). Blend until smooth.

Iced Caramel Latte:  Fill your glass with: 1/3 coffee concentrate, 1/3 milk of your choice, 1/3 ice and up to 2T Hershey's Caramel Syrup. If you're feeling super ambitious, you could make your own caramel syrup: pour your homemade sweetened condensed milk with a teaspoon of vanilla extract in a glass dish. Set this glass dish in a larger glass dish filled halfway with water. Bake in the oven at 425 for an hour. Drizzle some into your iced latte. Yum.

 Drink. Savor. Repeat.

One Pot Potato Chowder

This quick, one pot dinner is sure to please the whole family, including the whoever has to wash the dishes!

1c Water
1c Thrive Freeze Dried Corn
2T Thrive Chopped Onions
2T Thrive Carrot Dices
2c Prepared Mashed Potatoes (from Thrive Potato Beads - I used leftovers)
2c Thrive Instant Milk, prepared
1t Thrive Chicken Bouillon 
1/2c Thrive Freeze Dried Peas
Optional Toppings: Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Saltine Crackers, Bacon

In a large pot over medium high heat, bring water to a boil. Add corn, onions and carrots. Simmer for 5 minutes or until carrots are tender. Add mashed potatoes, milk and bouillon. Stir gently until milk and potatoes are well incorporated. Gently simmer your soup until you're ready to serve it, being careful not to allow it to boil as this will make the milk curdle. 5 minutes before serving, stir in the peas. Adding them last will allow them to retain their pretty green color. Taste and add salt or pepper as desired. Serve topped with cheese, sour cream, crackers or bacon.

Homemade Ricotta Cheese from Thrive Milk

8c Water
1 1/2c Thrive Instant Milk
3T Vinegar
1/2t Salt

Combine water, milk and salt in a large pot and bring to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent the milk from scalding. As soon as the milk begins to boil, turn the stove off and stir in the vinegar. Stir for one minute, cover and set aside. Your ricotta will be ready in as little as 30 minutes, but it will be tastier if you can give it a full 2 hours. After it rests, strain it through a fine mesh strainer (lined with cheesecloth if you have it). If you prefer a dry ricotta, leave it to drain for up to thirty minutes.
 Store your fresh ricotta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.


Source: Misty at Your Own Home Store.