Single mug recipes to brighten your day (or night!).

Fall Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

One Apple

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup oats

2 tbsp butter

optional: Cinnamon, Raisins, Chocolate Chips

Instructions:

Cut up one apple (removing skin) into bite size pieces and place on the bottom of your mug.

In a separate container mix together sugar, oats and butter until it becomes a crumble.

Now you can decide if you want to add cinnamon, raisins, chocolate chips or ??? (get creative!).

Place oat mixture on top of apples in mug (including anything additional you added).

Place in microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds.  Time can vary depending upon the age and strength of your microwave so watch and remove when top starts to bubble.

If you want to be really decadent, drizzle some chocolate syrup on top and enjoy!

Crimson Coffee

Tired of the daily cup o joe?  Try adding some of the following items to spice up your CONcoction.

-Add one tablespoon hot chocolate powder to instant coffee before adding hot water

-Add cinnamon and sugar to instant coffee before adding hot water

-Add butter (yes, butter) to the bottom of the mug before including your instant coffee and hot water

-Melt a tablespoon of peanut butter in your mug before adding your instant coffee and hot water

For all of the above you can add powdered creamer as well.

Tantalizing Tea

Coffee not your thing?  Try these soothing tea recipes to calm your nerves while enjoying some zen time.

Dandelion Tea

-Notice any dandelions growing around the property?  Snag a handful and wash them thoroughly.   Once free of all dirt, crumble the yellow floral part into your cup and add hot water.  Cover your mug and let it steep for 30 minutes.  You can either strain the flowers or eat them.  If you include the stem as well that is fine, it is also full of nutrients.  This delightful drink can be used to treat muscle aches, upset stomach, eczema and even high blood pressure.  Beware, it has a natural diuretic effect so don’t have it before a long walk!

Mint Tea

-Cozy up to your  friend in Horticulture and grab a few mint leaves (the more the better).  After thoroughly cleaning the leaves add hot water.  Steep for 3-5 minutes depending upon desired strength. Remove the mint leaves and enjoy.   You can drink hot or cold and sweeten as well (by adding sugar or honey).

Cinnamon Tea

-Prefer something stronger?  Add some cinnamon to your mug with your (caffeinated or decaffeinated) tea bag before adding hot water.  Cinnamon is full of antioxidants and helps the body burn fat cells which is good for lowering blood sugar and weight loss as well as being an antibacterial and anti-fungal herb that can serve as a substitute antibiotic according to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

Banana Bail Out

Ingredients:

One banana sliced

Packet Instant oatmeal

One tab butter

Hot Water

Creamer (optional)

Almonds, Raisins and/or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

Combine banana, butter and instant oatmeal in mug.  Pour in hot water (as directed on instant oatmeal packet) and cover.  Once oats are expanded (normally just a few minutes time) stir in almonds, raisins or chocolate chips (or all three!).  If you prefer a more milk based oatmeal add a tablespoon of creamer and less hot water.

Again, if you are as fond of chocolate as me….drizzle some chocolate syrup on top and enjoy!  Isn’t everything better with chocolate on top???