The pumpkin spice lattes that you find in popular coffee houses are not optimum for those of us in recovery as not only do they not contain real pumpkin but they do contain caffeine, excessive sugar and/or syrups, and very often artificial flavors. Here is one that you can make at home that is lower in sugar, contains real pumpkin, and can be made with either dark roast decaf coffee or decaf espresso. If you avoid dairy, try it with a milk substitute such as coconut, almond, or soy milk.
This recipe is for two servings.
2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy such coconut, almond, or soy milk)
2 tablespoons organic pumpkin puree (Check out Farmers Market, Traders Joe, 365 Everyday Value, Pacific Foods or Libby's brands)
1 to 2 tablespoons organic sugar to taste or you can use a sugar substitute (such as honey or stevia) to taste. Omitting the sweetener is ok too.
1 tablespoon alcohol free vanilla extract (Simply Organic or Frontier brand are both great)
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish (Simply Organic or 365 Organic are both great)
1/2 cup strong hot decaf coffee (or 2 - 4 shots decaf espresso to taste)
Whipped Cream or non-diary topping (Check out CocoWhip or Reddi Whip Non-Dairy)
1. Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan and stir over medium heat.
2. Heat until hot, stirring often but do not boil.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and the coffee.
4. Divide the mixture between two mugs. Top with your whipped cream or topping of choice and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice over the topping to taste.
5. Enjoy your really pumpkin spice latte.
From: Food For Recovery 4th Edition: The Complete Nutritional Companion for Recovering from Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, and Eating Disorders Copyright
© 2018 by Mary P. Cheney, H.C., Joseph D. Beasley, M.D. and Susan Knightly
