“It’s like liquid Werther’s Originals!” I overheard a friend announce outside of a coffee shop. Thinking it was the shop’s new featured drink, I curiously asked what she was talking about. Apparently over the weekend she and her boyfriend had whipped up a delicious cocktail that tasted just like caramel candy. Hmmm… that would be so good with salt, I thought. So here it is! And it’s as delicious as I suspected.

T H E   S A L T E D   C A R A M E L   M A R T I N I

1 part Butterscotch Snapps | 1 part Kahlua | 1 part vodka | 2 parts whole milk

Prepare your martini glasses by wetting the rims and dipping in crushed seasalt. Pour ingredients over ice into a cocktail shaker, shake, then strain into glasses. Be sure to drink responsibly- these are quite strong, and alarmingly delicious!

Well, yes, it is Friday. But! It’s also the first day of Fall! Finally! I know, we’ve been talking about it for weeks. But now it’s time to just settle in and enjoy it all. I say we all cut out early for the weekend and start off with one of these to set the Autumnal mood.

Click below for the recipes! (Looks like a trip to the grocery store is in order…)

• Holiday Ginger Cocktail via Nora Maynard at Apartment Therapy
• Ginger & Apple Bourbon via Cat Grishaver at The Tampopo Post
• Spiced Mulled Wine via Ainsley harriot at BBC Food
• Sparkling Apple Cider Cocktail via Kazia at Big World, Small Kitchen

With the Springtime comes the opportunity for fresh and healthy grocery shopping. One of my favorite healthy snacks to make is this zesty raw green bean salad. It’s totally vegan and also has the benefits of vegetables that have not been cooked*. This snack used to travel with me to college classes, and when I opened up the container, everyone turned their heads and salivated. It smells amazing, and tastes great too!

I N G R E D I E N T S :

• Fresh raw green beans cut into bite-size pieces
• Diced red onion
• Cherry tomatoes
• Juice from one lemon
• 3 Tablespoons of olive oil
• Garlic Cloves- minced
• Herbs & sea salt (I used Rosemary and Thyme)

Combine the last four ingredients in a small bowl, mix together, and pour over the first three ingredients. Stir it all up, and enjoy your quick and easy snack! The amounts and proportions of the ingredients are up to you and your taste buds’ preference. I like a lot of garlic and onion, because it adds to the zestiness of the final product.

*Many nutritionists argue that eating raw vegetables is important in order to receive nutrients and live enzymes that are lost in the cooking process.