I came across this recipe for a Birthday Cake-flavoured vodka milkshake. At first I cringed at the thought of vodka and milk together - would that even work?
But then my love of kitchy cocktails and cake batter finally won me over. Ever the helpful Chick I strive to be, I thought I'd take one for the team and test drive this bad boy. Ah, the sacrifices I have to make for this job...
Ingredients
Vanilla Ice Cream
Whipped Cream
Milk
Sprinkles
Cake Vodka (if you can't find this at your liquor mart, try vanilla vodka or one of the cream-based liqueurs like Irish Cream or Frangelico. Keep in mind that this may make your milkshake a darker colour)
Step 1: Add your ingredients into a blending cup (I used the Magic Bullet because it's easiest for single servings, but any blender will do). For one serving, I used 3 medium scoops of ice cream and a few splashes of milk, but you can vary this according to the thickness you prefer.
Step 2: Add 1 ounce (30 mL) of vodka/liqueur per serving. The cake vodka is very smooth and tastes similar enough to the vanilla ice cream, so for a bigger jolt of flavour I suggest an additional half-ounce. Blend until smooth (a few seconds).
Step 3: Pour mixture into martini glass (or small wine goblet as pictured here). Top with whipped cream and sprinkles. And since it's a birthday cake milkshake after all, pop a candle in for good measure. If your whipping cream is firm enough, it will easily bear the weight.
Alternatively, you could rim the glass with sprinkles (but frankly I didn't have the skills to pull that off... or was that a result of the taste testing along the way? I'll never tell).
This milkshake goes down easy like a Sunday morning, so buyer beware - you'll probably need to make yourself a second glass, just for Quality Control testing purposes.
Other Options:
Now that you have this big bottle of cake-flavoured vodka, you may wonder what you'll pair it with next. Again, being a very helpful person, I spent much of the weekend testing out a few options for you:
Diet Cake = Coke Zero spiked with Cake Vodka
Screwdriver = Orange Juice spiked with Cake Vodka
Cake Nip = Cake Vodka shot served in a fancy schmancy schnapps glass
I also have it on good authority that this vodka is delicious in baked goods. How do you take your Cake?
Yum yum! Nom Nom! OK, I will just admit it. I have never heard of this peanut butter before. But I can't keep my little spoon out of this jar! I am a sucker for chocolate and I have a real sweet tooth. Each jar have suggested uses for that flavor printed on the label! The texture is very neat because it's not quite creamy, but not quite crunchy. Warning! This stuff is highly addictive!
Giana and Devonny most like the White Chocolate peanut butter, and I have about polished off the Dark Chocolate. It's funny, because when it arrived in my mailbox, I posted a picture to my Facebook mobile uploads, of it and immediately got several comments about it! My friends already knew of (and tried ) it. Some friends, they didn't even tell me!
Well, no worries kids! I am telling you so you know! Poor Noah, since he's not here! He is a peanut butter monster. I can't even keep it in the house when he's home. It wouldn't have lasted five minutes with him around. He eats out the jars with the BIG spoon!
What, so I live under a rock or something? How did I not know? Even more shocked was I to discover this brand makes a cinnamon raisin plus a honey, a maple, a spicy, portables.. Not just limited to peanut butter spreads alone, and not to be outdone by it's competitor, "Jelly" they also sell jelly as well! In addition to, shirts, gifts and other snacks, baking mixes, and other merchandise. I hope I didn't leave anything out! What am I going to do when I run out? Possibly cry, and when I get over it, I will probably buy some more! At only 6$ a jar it's an affordable healthy indulgent treat! (Buy 12 for $5.10 each )
I am very glad I picked the flavors I did, because I know they would be the ones we would enjoy most! Which flavors do you think you would like?
The peanut butter not once separated (which I loathe) and also boasts this:
"Who didn’t grow up eating peanut butter sandwiches? We’ve taken it up a notch with our yummy all-natural line of ten amazing flavors. Try one, try all…we’re sure you’ll be dazzled and go back for more. Our peanut butter is kosher, gluten-free and vegan (except for The Bee’s Knees which is vegetarian)."
Great on a sandwich, but just as wonderful spooned over ice cream, spread on fruits, or simply eaten out of the jar. It's equally delicious as an ingredient in your all-time favorite baked goodies like chocolate cake and bread pudding. The original peanut butter sandwich shop - now with ten varieties of all natural gourmet peanut butter available at over 10,000 stores in the USA!
*Disclaimer* The product above was sent to me for free for review purposes. Other than the product being sent, I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are 100% mine.
I am a Chick Advisor member, though they seem to be more geared towards Canadian residents.
They claim to have a Product Review club if you write a few reviews but I have never received anything from them in the 6mo I have been a member except opportunities in my email, and VERY rarely at that. To boot- I never get picked for them.
Good luck ladies that join! :(
However I was tickled to see this recipe and wanted to share it with you guys! I lovelove love pumpkin and especially (you already know) love coffee!
One of my all time favourite flavours is pumpkin. It's nostalgic aroma brings back all those memories of Thanksgivings and Halloweens. Chicks, tell me now, is there anything better than curling up with a good book, magazine or DVD with a pumpkin spice latte? I think the answer to that would be no. Being thrifty and a DIY adventurer, I set out to find a pumpkin spice latte recipe that could easily be done at home.
Also- a pumpkin spice latte is the perfect excuse to cuddle with someone. This recipe is for two, so why not curl up with that cutie you've been eyeing? (Call me Cupid, Chicks!)
What you'll need: 2 1/4 cups milk 2 1/2 tablespoons canned pumpkin 2 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or more if you like the spice! (Cinnamon and nutmeg will work just fine, use 3 parts cinnamon to 1 part nutmeg) 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.)
Directions:
In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice.To froth up the mixture, you can transfer to a blender for 15 seconds or simply whisk the mixture at a fast pace until it becomes foamy.
Pour into mug then pour espresso on top. Mix together and you are done!
Optional: For those of you with a sweet tooth, make it extra special with some whipped cream on top, sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg!
There you have it- sweet and simple pumpkin spice lattes for two!
What's your favourite fall drink chicks? (Recipe and directions adapted from thekitchn.com)
How lucky am I these days? I get to interact with all of these great brands! One namely being O.N.E Coconut Water!
I have tried O.N.E. coconut water before. I can find it in my local Publix store.. plus my other favorite store online is Amazon.. you can get free shipping on most everything and some pretty sweet deals too! See, back when I was doing surveys all the time... Most of the companies paid in Amazon Gift Cards (What I will be using to award one winner a 50$ GC to Amazon for my Locomotion of Giving contest! ) That was the first time I decided to try them. I got the O.N.E Coconut Water with Passion Fruit and it was delicious! I got them for a great deal too! I think they were $15.52 with free shipping for a 12 pack, making them around one dollar a piece!
(My O.N.E. Coconut water shipment!)
You know what my favorite thing about O.N.E. Coconut Water is? Not that it's good for you, although that doesn't hurt. I most enjoy the smaller containers. Anyone who knows me and reads my blog knows if it 'aint coffee or tea (which I love as much as coconut stuff!) and sometimes even if it is.. it's super hard for me to drink more than like 2-3 glasses of liquids a day. Days go by where I don't drink at all, because I am not thristy. It's weird and unhealthy. But it's just me. So a lot of the time.. I pour a drink and it goes to waste. O.N.E. plain coconut waters (which I didn't get, but would LOVE to have!) have resealable lids. Like twist off! But even though I didn't get those I can always order them later.. and probably will!
The variety I was sent is pictured below!
Pink Guava. I have never had fresh or flavored Guava anything. I wasn't sure I was going to like it. But I did! I do know that the Passion Fruit flavor is better. In my opinion- but this one was just as good!
I'm off track, the best part is how little they are. Most people would be turned off by that, But I love everything about the container. I love the shape, the little aluminum (plastic?) pull tab to insert a straw OR drink from. I like the metallic shine of the paper on the drinks. I even like the color and shade of blue used. I like the way it tastes mostly. I just like it head to toe. You know- if it was bad, I'd be the first one to tell you!
Now lets get into what the sent to Giana and Devonny. The kids O.N.E. Coconut Waters! They actually sent four 8 packs of kids drinks. That is awesome. I wish these were more widely available at every store. Maybe soon. Hopefully. Well, Devonny loves the coconut water (w guava) and the Kids variety they sent. The drinks to be honest... I don't like it at all! However- Giana hasn't said a word about not liking them. The regular O.N.E. drinks are much better, but the kids drinks were definitely not my forte.
The Kids O.N.E. has four varieties: Apple, Fruit Punch, Raspberry Lemonade, and Orange. Giana liked Fruit Punch and I liked Raspberry Lemonade! Devonny liked them all!
Giana likes juice boxes, and these fit that need, a typical fun kids juice box with straw! No different on the outside to the child. They don't realize its "good for them". But inside, much much different than the massive juice overload at the store. My issue with juices nowadays is this: you can buy a flavored juice, and the juice is 75% apple and/or apple & pear! You know why? It's cheaper because it's crops are more resistant.
It has an average retail price of 48.55 on Amazon.. but it is the 32 drinks, The 4 packs of 8 packs, just like what I was sent. That makes each drink average about 1.50? I am pretty bad at math, but that looks about right to me. That seems a little steep, especially for us to be packing in Giana's lunch for school everyday. But on their website you can also buy coconut water, and the same waters are $21.44. I guess it's supply and demand with them rather than a set price. The prices seem to rise and fall a lot with them online. So you never know, looking at their online store with all the prices laid out, some cost significantly more- and some way less. That is a good though! That means if you check it often, you might chance out on a really good deal! Right now, they have a really good deal going on too! But I am grateful we didn't pay for them. Thanks so much Lucy! I wouldn't feel guilty spending Amazon Gift cards I had earned or won on them... A few other webstores sell the drinks for 5$ for an 8 pack. That's a much better price, but I would question it's freshness being sold second hand. When it comes to buying food/drinks online- I'd much rather but it straight from the company! Paying for private school + uniforms doesn't leave much room for things like this. Water is free. :)
I can't believe I just said that-- no really? Ican!
Anyway, it was good and the kids love it. I love knowing the kids are drinking something that is 100% good for them with no bad stuff whatsoever... There aren't many drinks that they can drink around here or that can be bought at the store that are that whole nutrition. They all seem to contain something bad.
Even Orange juice is bad nowadays. Read the disgusting truth about orange juice. So yes, expensive, but totally worth it. Just remember, you get what you pay for. And when it comes to your life, your health, and especially your kids life and health... It would be more worth it in the long run to be proactive about their health now. There is nothing more healthy than coconuts. :)
So there it is:
You guys know I am coconuts for coconut stuff.
In fact, I have several blog posts about Coconuts already! It's a yummy food. My secret guilty pleasure is an Almond Joy!
The O.N.E. Commitment to Healthy Kids
O.N.E. is a "Trusted Partner" of Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to creating healthy environments where children and families can flourish. They educate parents, support protective policies and engage communities to make responsible decisions, simple every day choices and well-informed lifestyle improvements.
Research shows that our daily fluid intake behavior (spontaneous drinking) is established during the toddler years. So while they are young, teach your children to enjoy drinking water and natural low-sugar beverages like O.N.E. Coconut Water to keep them healthy throughout their life.
Recommended fluid intake for children:
0-6-month-olds — 0.7 liters per day
7-12-month-olds — 0.8 liters per day
1-3 years old — 1.3 liters per day
4-8-year-old kids — 1.7 liters per day
Adolescents — more than 3 liters per day for males, and 2-2.7 liters per for females
NOTE: One liter is about 34 ounces
Other Ingredients: Organic Coconut Water From Concentrate, Filtered Water, Apple Juice Concentrate, Pear Juice Concentrate, Lime Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavor, Orange Juice Concentrate, Ascorbic Acid and Cherry Juice Concentrate
Maybe I can do another review with them in the future because this is blowing my mind right now! Coffee Berry? Cashew? Amazon Acai? Are you kidding me? that sounds delish!
Disclaimer:O.N.E. Coconut Water provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
Theresa Deliberto, founder of Cupcake Cuties makes these adorable little kits that come with everything you need to make 24 of the cutest cupcakes ever! The come with these little bookmark looking wraps that you slip on to the cupcakes and have a little peel and stick adhesive that holds it on. Then it has a topping unique to the sleeve. Even the box they come in looks designer and would actually make a great gift to a friend or family member who loves cupcakes and/or loves to cook!
I thought it was so cute- but wished I had pointed out what my favorites were.. (all the below in the post!) There are so many though and Giana really liked these! I was like, what the hey? It's all for the kids anyway! Not what I would've picked, because I am super crazy/funky/weird. But I do like it. My top two picks are the popcorn and hamburger. If it were Christmas I would definitely have wanted the Santa Face kit.
What is it with cupcakes now? They are everywhere. There are a few shops opened up in Jacksonville specializing in cupcakes and even in Fernandina. I haven't gotten around to visiting any of them yet. Mostly because I try to keep me away from sugar. Because I love me some carbs and sweets. It comes as no surprise these will be a major trend and have even been featured on Good Day L.A!
Well- with me gaining weight and with my sister's wedding ( *gasps* + pictures..... Dum-da-dum!) on the horizon.. the last thing I need is 24 cupcakes sitting around. Staring at me, saying.. "Eaeeeattttttt mmeeeeee.." Shaking my head. So, that being said- I decided to bake them for Giana's new school. Her class size is only 6 students.. but I figured the teachers &/or lunch-ladies could share them too! So I baked them up, strawberry with french vanilla icing! I took them to the school and the kids loved them! They were so sweet! I felt like a movie star. Nothing like a compliment from a six year old to put a smile on your face for the rest of the day and I got several. I got big hugs upon arrival and when I left, plus they were the cutest sweetest kids ever. And one of them told me how pretty I was. Aw! Isn't that sweet? Sweeter than the cupcakes. The kids complimented me on how cute they were too. They then used the cupcakes sleeves as bracelets. :)
I took them to them Tuesday- and today Giana came home with 6 handdrawn and colored construction paper Thank You cards. I almost cried. I'm emotional, huh?
Slight Issue... the kit I received "leaves" sprinkles are too big to be shaken out of the hole. The pastry bag didn't have a tip.. so I didn't try to use it. So mine weren't as pretty as they should've been. But the kids didn't notice, so it was fine!
PS - Pillsbury makes the best strawberry batter EVER!
Anyway.. if you want a neat craft to do with your kid, or have a party coming up; Cupcakes are so much better than a real cake. This has been my experience anyway. References? Cite my past 6 years as a mother. Especially for kids, and small kids mostly. Cakes are messy they have to be put on a plate- which would then end up in your floor. Cupcakes appeal to kids more too! So here are my pictures and links, check them out!
You can put in Promo CodeCupcake10 and this will give you 15% off their whole order. You just need to enter Cupcake10 in the promo code at the shopping cart!
I really need a Pyrex cupcake or Tupperware carrying case for cupcakes. This is so ghetto. :)
*Disclaimer* I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Your experience with the product may differ from mine.
I have so been waiting on this review. I love coconut anything. I was sent to review from Tropical Traditions GOLD LABEL ORGANIC VIRGIN COCONUT OIL. How exciting is that?
Besides coconut oil, they have a wide selection of stuff-- but their main seller is the coconut products. Not just oil, flakes, and flour, and other products made with it too! I would love to try the hair Treatment made with Coconut. I love the flavor, the smell, and yes- even the texture. I think it is a fascinating product of our world. I have read up on the functionality of coconuts! I am knowledgeable of the benefits! I think I am even more so interested in their selection of grass fed beef and other meats. What they sent me is below. A 32 ounce Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. I have to admit, this jar was enormous. I wasn't expecting that kind of generosity! Thanks to them so much! I have used it to make cupcakes with and even pancakes, (Yes, they were yum!) and I have even put it in a smoothie! Using the recipe they emailed me. Plus- there is a link to that below.
You should definitely sign up for their email list. What I love about the email list is they don't spam you. I rarely ever see emails from them , and when I do.. it's something big. Not a 10% off. Like- bo-go. (Buy one, get ones.. ) and other great specials!
Coconut Oil. It's not as big a staple in our diets as it should be. I think its sad that unfortunately (for the public) it's not pushed on us as much as the cheaper oils. You can get vegetable oil and canola oil on the cheap. But is that really what you want to be putting into your body? Price per serving is a bit higher but not too outrageous. Coconut Oil is extremely beneficial is far as oils go..The nut oils are great, as are olive.. but again- only olive is widely available. Every once in a while you will find them on the shelf, but there is usually only one, rarely two. I think it's that a lot of people just do not know. Well here I am telling you- so you can no longer say that you don't know anymore. In this post are valuable links to recipes, and information. As well as at the bottom, you can Tweet or "like" Tropical Traditions Facebook page- (they also host giveaways there as well) and just comment that you did, you follow this blog in the top right corner via GFC and that you want to win. Plus 10 extra entry methods!
NEW COCONUT RECIPES Visit their FREE Coconut Recipes website where they constantly add new recipes! FreeCoconutRecipes.comSubscribe to the blog to receive new recipes each week, as well as tips and advice! Our latest recipes:
PLUS - If they publish your recipe in the Coconut Recipe blog, you will receive a $25.00 gift certificate that you can use to purchase any of our products! These gift certificates have no expiration dates, so you can use them whenever you wish. If you submit a photo that we use, you can receive a second $25.00 gift certificate! Do you have a favorite coconut recipe that you have created and used successfully? You could a receive a $25.00 gift certificate by submitting it here: Recipe Submission
SPECIAL DEALS & GIVEAWAYS BLOG! Tropical Traditions is now announcing special deals, coupons, and product giveaways each day through our new blog: Special Deals & Giveaways
Almost all "virgin" coconut oils sold on the market today are mass-produced by machine. But Tropical Traditions is committed to time-honored traditional practices that have produced healthy coconut oil for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Our Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is still produced by hand, using the wet-milling process of extracting the oil from fresh coconuts. Our producers have learned a lot of things over the years, since most of them have been producing this oil for over 9 years now. They have learned how to pick out the best coconuts from each harvest that produce the best quality oil, for example. Independent laboratory analysis shows this to be one of the highest quality coconut oils on the market, having the highest levels of antioxidants. This enhanced Virgin Coconut Oil is the Tropical Traditions Gold Label brand. It meets our strictest standards to earn this designation. Today when you buy Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, you are buying the highest quality coconut oil we have to offer, and it is still made by hand and benefiting families in the rural areas of the Philippines where the coconuts grow.
• My readers will be able to acquire their own complimentary copy of our Virgin Coconut Oil book when you participate in our Referral Program! Please tell them I referred you .. click the picture below and sign up for topical taditions.. get your own Coconut Oil!
You MUST be a public follower of Locomotion of Expressions via GFC Simply CLICK the tweet box below and tweet it!- THEN - Paste your tweet url into a comment on this post and tell me you are a public GFC follower and which one you want to win! Not sure how to cut the url of only one tweet? Its super simple. I have a photo instructions here:http://1caseycolette.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-win-my-blog-giveaways.html Or you can follow these directions!
If you are unsure how to get the URL timestamp of your tweet then look under your tweet where it says "10 seconds (or however many seconds (or) minutes) ago" and click that./ That is called a "Timestamp" please note, sometimes it takes a few seconds for twitter to assign a timestamp after you tweet. In this case, keep refreshing and be patient. It usually only takes a few seconds, unless twitter is over capacity! After your first tweet, you may tweet again for more extra entries once every 12 hours.
op·tion·al/ˈäpSHənl/
Adjective: Available to be chosen but not obligatory
Blog about this giveaway-use a few sentences, a link + an ending date! Share the URL of your blog post.
Grab one of my buttons, the button that matches my header links to my blog homepage- the one found above my linky list and on sidebar is a tiger, it goes to my Linky.My linky refreshes every 1st Wednesday of every month. it is a month long linky.
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Find the part of this post where I talk about (& give a link to; coconut recipes) Tell me three things for a 3 comment extra entry--
Part I - Which is your favorite recipe?
Part II - Who would you cook it for? Why?
Part III - What is your 2nd favorite recipe?
Part IV - Would you alter the second or change it at all? Why/how?
(Please leave Part 1, part 2, part 3 or part 4 so I know which question you are answering.)
This giveaway will end on SEPT 30th at noon eastern. Giveaway winner's prize will be shipped directly from sponsor, I will expedite communication between the tow, but am not responsible for fulfillment. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email with address or another winner will be selected.
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Disclaimer:Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
32-oz. - Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 1 quart
16-oz - Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 1 pint
Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil Hair Treatment - 16 oz
32-oz. - 2-Jar Pack - Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 2 quarts Total
