Pumpkin Spice Lattes are Back at Starbucks

They're BAAAAACK! These are my favorite flavored lattes at Starbucks, bar none. Does anyone have any idea how to recreate pumpkin spice lattes at home for less?

Starbucks News - New Frappuccinos and Iced Coffee with Milk

Starbucks has a new take on our favorite Frappuccinos - you now get to choose how you like it! The "However you Want It" Frappuccino gives you loads of new options, like choosing a sugar free option, or soy milk instead of cow's milk. How do YOU choose your Frap?

And...I noticed on a sign the other day that Starbucks also now has an iced coffee with milk. I like that option, since frappuccinos are a bit too sweet for me (and I don't like artificial sweeteners.) I'll have to give that one a try!

Healthier Options at Starbucks - Lower Fat, Lower Calories

Wondering what to order at Starbucks that won't cause you to gain five pounds immediately? Take heart! There are some healthier options that still taste delicious. Here are a few of Starbucks drinks to try if you're being more health conscious:

• Decaf options - Trying to stay away from dreaded caffeine? Ask for decaf in any of your favorite drinks. There are a number of delicious iced or hot herbal teas that taste amazing, but are naturally caffeine free.
• Less sugar at Starbucks - Definitely order a latte, but a plain one minus the sugar-spiked flavored syrups. Order a regular caffe latte (or fat free, if you like) and then doctor it up yourself by sprinkling on some cinnamon and nutmeg. I usually also add a little drizzle of honey to sweeten, but you don't need to if you're staying away from all types of sugar. In fact, a tall regular latte (with no sugary syrups added) packs a protein punch - 10 grams of protein! Plus, lots of vitamins and calcium to build up bones.
• Vivanno smoothies - These ones also provide a wallop of protein, and include fresh fruit. Be careful if you're eating gluten free, for these ones are not!

Starbucks has also come out with a new line of healthier snack items, including gluten and dairy free cookies and healthier chips. I tried the Food Should Taste Good Sweet Potato chips - they're divine! Absolutely a healthier treat option you can indulge in once in a while, and provides an impressive 30% of your daily Vitamin A.

:) So, go grab a latte -- and don't feel guilty one little bit.

You Tell Me: What do you drink at Starbucks?

Okay, fess up. We don't ALWAYS have the time or inclination to make a delicious coffee creation at home. So, when you treat yourself at Starbucks or your favorite local coffee shop, what coffee creation do you choose?

For me, I'm all about lattes. I love them extra hot, with drizzlings of honey and lots of nutmeg sprinkled on top. I know honey in coffee sounds weird, but it's actually delicious. :) And I try to convince myself that it's also healthier and more natural! hehe

How to Make Latte Foam without an Espresso Machine

Need some froth to make a proper caffe latte? You don't even need a special machine (aka: espresso machine) to get the job done right. Here's the options you have, coffee lover, to great frothy amounts of delicious milky foam:

1. Use a good quality whisk! Heat milk slowly in a pot on top of the stove, and whisk away - increasing the amount you whisk as the heat slowly heats. Don't let the milk boil, or you'll have a mess on your hands. You just want heated frothy milk. And remember to only fill the pot about one third to one half full, as the volume of the frothy milk will need room to expand.

2. Use a French press! Grab your Bodum and use it in a whole new way...heat milk first in a pot on the stovetop until very hot, but not boiling. Pour carefully into your Bodum container and pump the plunger until the steamed milk is nice and frothy. Again, allow plenty of room for the froth to expand.

Voila, delicious steamed milk foam -- perfect as a basis for all sorts of decadent latte creations. Next lesson? How to use this steamed milk foam to make a latte at home. Stay tuned!