Time for a Coffee Break!

Alright, not really. I don't actually drink coffee. I stopped drinking coffee the same time I went vegan, just over a year ago, ending a very intense and destructive love affair.

After cutting this beverage out of my life I  have discovered that I am actually surprisingly sensitive to caffeine. As of now I can't even have a piece of chocolate too close to bedtime without being up half the night! Over the last school year I even had to cut myself off of black tea because after drinking it every morning at the same time for a couple weeks I began to develop definite withdrawal headaches along with a general feeling of shakiness and heightened anxiety. Thus, caffeine and I are not the best of friends.

However, part of the reason I became so hooked on coffee was that I loved the taste! I wouldn't only drink it because I needed my pick-me-up (although that certainly was the case) but also because I genuinely enjoyed it. So, when I saw Teeccino while visiting Food Fight last weekend, I knew I had to try it!

Teeccino is an herbal coffee that is naturally caffeine free as well as non-acidic. I had heard of this product mentioned favorably by other bloggers but had yet to try it myself and let me say, I have been missing out!

Pre soy-milk

I tried the Dandelion Caramel Nut flavor, one of the two gluten-free varieties available at Food Fight, and it was delicious! I could taste both the caramel and the nut (almond) and really enjoyed how reminiscent the drink was of coffee. It also felt a bit decadent due to the flavors and made me feel like I was really treating myself. Now of course I would be lying if I said it tasted exactly like coffee, because it isn't coffee, but that's something I am totally ok with!

Post soy-milk

I enjoyed my cup of Teeccino with a splash of soy-milk and a side of Green Tea Mint chocolate by Fearless, also purchased at Food Fight, and with a nectarine. It was a delightful snack!

Look at how cute the wrapping is!

The bite out of the chocolate represents how
much of the proceeds from the bar are donated!

I would recommend trying either of these products, which both made a great treat. I predict that Teeccino will hit the spot perfectly whenever I find myself longing for coffee! My one qualm with the Teeccino is that one box only comes with 10 bags. Only TEN?! I know I'm going to be needing more soon!

Have you tried Teeccino, either as an alternative to coffee or just as a delicious drink?

My Favorite Snack: Peanut Butter Cup Apple Slices

It is a rainy Friday here in Seattle which, for the second day in a row, ruined my plans to spend my free time getting some natural vitamin D. Luckily, I have been finding myself surprisingly productive on this rainy day and as such, I thought it would be a great time to share my favorite snack!

Now, I am really not one for favorites. If someone were to ask me what my favorite fruit is, my answer would probably be along the lines of "Mango, NO apple, NO blueberries...WAIT or watermelon." The same goes for essentially anything else. If people ask, I'll tell them my favorite color is purple, but actually? How could I choose among all the wonderful colors out there!

There's no way!

However, I can definitely say that this is my favorite snack, and that's really saying something!

Peanut butter cup apple slices:

Ingredients: 

• 1 apple of choice
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter (other nut butters are also delicious)
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon sweetener (my favorites are agave nectar and maple syrup)

Directions: 

1. Mix everything except apple together until it forms a creamy consistency, much like nutella. 
2. Slice apple, I like to slice it in really thin slices. It's so much fun!
3. Dip apple slices in spread and enjoy!

So much yummy going on!

I love having this snack at any time, it never fails to satisfy. It is also great because as someone with a real weak spot for chocolate, I can enjoy this with much less sugar and without that sick feeling I get when I've had just a little too much of those chocolate chips. 

What about you, do you have any favorite snacks?

 Happy Friday!