The smell of coffee embraces my soul. As a child I woke up to the smell of coffee and the sight of my parents enjoying their morning cup together; my dad reading the paper and my mom studying the bible in our “new room” (the room my dad added on to my childhood home).
I remember the first time my dad let me have a a sip of his coffee. I remember my first very own cup at my grandparents house which was mostly sugar and milk but I felt like such a big girl. It was creamy and sweet and so good.
When my dad would get home from school, he was a science teacher, counselor and track coach, I loved making him a cup of instant coffee before he left for his night job as an adult teacher. I had read that too much caffeine was bad for you so instead of using two heaping scoops I used barely one. To this day I can still see my father taking a sip and the distaste look on his face. When I explained what I did he said, “That is very sweet little girl but it tastes horrible.” My passion for health was apparent even back then.
My coffee palate has evolved since then. I literally fell in love with my husband over coffee. We would meet for coffee as just friends and it grew from there. I now wake up to my husband making me the perfect pour over.
One of the hardest parts for me going vegan was giving up half and half in my coffee. I did not like any of the store bought vegan creamers. They didn't stay "up" in my coffee and I did not like the after taste. After experimenting with many different recipes here is my perfect "half and half"
Note:
I recently replaced the coconut completely with hemp seeds and wow delicious stays up and no saturated fat from the coconut but have also made without hemp for years and always loved and then added the hemp and delicious. Try it all three ways see which you like best.
ingredients
1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight then drained and rinsed
2 cups filtered water
1/3 of a can of small coconut cream or 1/4 cup well blended coconut milk from can and /or 1/4 cup raw hemp seeds
pinch sea salt
optional: flavoring: pure vanilla bean, vanilla extract, almond extract
Directions
Place all ingredients in a high speed blender except your optional flavoring and blend on high until smooth (you may need to add more water if the consistency seems too thick....it will thicken in the refrigerator slightly.) Lower speed and add your flavoring. If using a pure vanilla bean you will need to blend on high. Pour in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Lasts about a week.
