Lavender Pistachio Hot Cocoa

OK, have you ever tried cooking with lavender?? Now I have made lavender vanilla ice cream and lavender lemonade which are both delicious but, have you tried Lavender-Pistachio Hot Cocoa? Umm, yumm! Since it is going to rain tomorrow and through the weekend you might give it a try...

you'll need:

2 1/2 cups whole milk, 4 tsp. culinary lavender, 12 oz shaved bittersweet chocolate, whipped cream (home made or store bought), 4 tbsp. chopped roasted salted pistachios + tea infuser for lavender.

In medium sauce pan, bring milk to simmer over med-low heat. Turn off heat, cover pan, add lavender (start with LESS at first if you don't want it too strong--you can always add more) & steep in hot milk for 3-5 minutes---the longer you leave in the milk to stronger the flavor. Remove the tea infuser of lavender (or strain lavender from milk). Add chocolate to warm milk and whisk vigorously until melted and frothing. Pour into 4 cups, top each with dollop of whipped cream & sprinkle with chopped pistachios!

Enjoy every sip!!

Hair Inspiration...

So, when I have bed head and don't feel like jumping in the shower...what do I do...I grab my bottle of Bliss Mist and squirt away! It wets, straightens + makes me feel so good and yummy smelling to boot! I do this with my kiddies too---that helps to beat the am hair brushing fuss-a-thon! Try it... you'll love it!

Love Inspiration...

With Valentines around the corner...I'm thinking pink, purple, yummy, romantic, refreshing, love and chocolate. How about you?

A little history on lavender and love...

Lavender was used for tremblings of the heart and luring men. It is also useful for emotional pain. If someone lost a loved one they used lavender to heal the heart.

It is said that Cleopatra seduced Julius Caesar and Mark Antony while wearing perfumes with lavender in them!

What'cha waiting for... go & get yourself some Lavender Bliss and get your love on!

Green Inspiration...

If this doesn't make you 'think green' I don't know what will. Taken a few weeks ago on the farm in Santa Ynez, the lavender looks healthy, vibrant, robust and well, green. Maybe this will serve as inspiration to implement one new "green" practice in your routine today. There are a million + ways to do that, maybe: rid your casa of harsh and nasty chemical cleaners and opt for safer, greener ones like vinegar, baking soda, lemon,etc.... clean out your closet and bring your old clothes & shoes to a charity or church where those in need can use them, use your recycled bags at the grocery store--don't forget them in your car like I frequently do, introduce a new, local, in season fruit or vegetable to your palate...like cherimoya's or raw grated beets in your salad!!

Kitchen Inspiration...

To up the FUN (and cleaning power since lavender is an antiseptic and antibacterial) in your kitchen add some lavender oil to your counter top or sink cleaner (baking soda+ Dr. Bronners+ lavender oil) and forget about it! and if you really want to lose yourself...add some lavender oil to your mopping water and you'll never want to leave home!!