Last week, Kayla and I had a great day shopping at the mall and having lunch afterwards. She is one of my favorite people to shop with, and we always make sure to visit the local Starbucks so she can grab her new favorite drink, the Caramel Frappucino and I can get my Peppermint Mocha coffee. Because we live 20 minutes away from the nearest Starbucks, she decided that she would try to recreate this drink so that she can have it at anytime instead of having to wait until we go shopping.
I have to say that she definitely did a fantastic job recreating the Starbucks Caramel Frappucino. It turned out to be a great Copycat Recipe!
- 1¾ cups crushed iced
- ¾ cup of really strong coffee mixed with ½ cup of milk
- ¾ cup your choice of milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons of caramel syrup (like what is used for ice cream)
- whipped cream
- Caramel syrup for drizzling
- Blend all the ingredients except the whipped cream and the caramel syrup for drizzling in a blender for 30-45 seconds.
- Pour into a tall glass and top off with whipped cream and garnish with Caramel Syrup. Best served with a straw. Enjoy!
If you prefer Chocolate syrup, the just sub that out where the caramel is mentioned.
**Disclaimer: This is not Starbuck’s actual recipe. I truly wish I had it, but I don’t 
This is my daughter’s own version copycat clone frappuccino recipe. It tastes just as good if not better than the actual recipe!
What is your favorite Coffee beverage?
This month for the Behind the Curtain Dessert Challenge, we were given coconut and lime to work with. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I hear those two words together, my first thought is a smoothie of some kind, so that is exactly what I decided to make. Coconut and lime are tropical, so I added some pineapple into mine to really give it that delicious flavor. Here is my recipe for Pineapple Coconut Lime Smoothie.
This smoothie was super delicious and really hit the spot. In mine, I used coconut milk, but I am sure that you can purchase a coconut and add fresh to it — you just have to play around with it to get it to the consistency you are wanting.
- 1 whole pineapple (peeled cored and roughly chopped)
- 2 limes (peeled and roughly chopped)
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ½ apple (peeled cored and roughly chopped)
- Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
- If you don’t want the pulp, press through a sieve. Your smoothie will still be thick.
- Serve over ice with a slice of lemon and a wedge of pineapple and enjoy!
One of the benefits of pineapple is that it contains a huge amount of Vitamin C. Two slices can have 100% of the daily recommended value. In addition to helping keep the immune system stable, Vitamin C promotes healthy gums, helps heal cuts, strengthens blood vessels, and aids in the creation of collagen, which is the connecting tissue that holds muscles, bones, and other tissues together. Pineapple also contains a high amount of manganese, a mineral which is also important in helping form bone and connective tissue
The best part about pineapple is that it is a natural energy booster — so this smoothie would make a great morning breakfast for you!!
What delicious beverages have you been preparing lately?
Check out all the other foodies and their coconut and lime recipes.
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
You would think that a foodie like me could stay on top of when it’s time to reveal a new recipe, but yesterday was SO busy for me that I totally forgot what I was supposed to be doing! I decided to join a new recipe swap site this month. Little Hungry Girl hosts every month The Suprise Recipe Swap.
The SRS (Surprise Recipe Swap) is a wonderful opportunity to meet other bloggers, build blogging friendships and explore others recipes.
It’s also a fun and easy way to add more exposure to your blog – increasing your traffic by getting link backs from others, being mentioned on social media networks, simply finding new followers!
This month, the blog I was assigned was Who Needs a Cape. I had THE hardest time pinning it down to one recipe as there were so many yummy ones to choose from. Who Needs a Cape is run by 6 fabulous ladies who can flat cook! I finally decided to make their yummy strawberry banana smoothie since I am trying very hard to watch what I eat these days.
- 3 cups frozen strawberries
- 1 whole ripe banana
- 1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt ( I try to get one that has at least 10 grams of protein)
- 2 cups orange juice
- 4 Tbsp. sugar or honey
- 1 cup ice
- 2 Tbsp. wheat germ
- 2 Tbsp. ground flax
- splash of milk
- Put all ingredients into blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- If it seems really thick add in the splash of milk to thin it out.
- Pour into cups and enjoy!
- Garnish with extra fresh strawberries on the side
Last week, I was bombarded with Girl Scout Cookies. We have several little girls in our church and I had told each of them that I would buy cookies from them. I purchased Tagalongs (my favorite), Trefoils (another favorite), and Thin Mints (Stephen and Kayla’s favorites). Because the two of them love that cookie so much, I wound up with 6 boxes of Thin Mints. So what’s a girl to do with that many cookies? How about creating a Thin Mints Milkshake!
Creating this milkshake was really simple and easy and only uses 3 ingredients. And the taste? Unbelievable! The mint from the cookies really spices up this shake.
We put them in cute little sundae cups and topped them with crushed cookies and added a colored straw to decorate it.
- 2 cups of vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup of milk
- 5 Thin Mint cookies (plus 2 more to crumble on top)
- three drops of food coloring
- In a blender, combine the ice cream, milk, and cookies. Mix until you reach the consistency you are looking for.
- For a thinner shake, add more milk. If you want a thicker shake, add less milk.
- Top the shake with 1 or 2 crumbled cookies.
Do you buy girl scout cookies each year? If so, which ones are your favorites? I found out this year that there were two new flavors that I have never tried before. I didn’t buy any though because I have my favorites and I stick with those
Which girl scout cookie is your favorite? Have you ever made any recipes with them?
Even though the holidays are over, the chill is still in the air so there are many families that still love that taste of Nog. Me — I am not a big fan of Nog, but this recipe for Almong Nog has me rethinking the whole nog thing.
To make this yummy drink, you only need 3 ingredients — almond milk, brown sugar, and whipped topping. If you want to spike it, you can add an ounce of Amaretto, but we do not drink in our home, so we like it non-alcoholic.
Over medium-low heat, stir desired amount of almond milk until very warm and then add brown sugar to taste. Once you get it finished, you can serve the drink in these really neat “no sleeve” required coffee cups.
I love these coffee cups from Repurpose Compostables. No sleeve is needed and they are great for the environment — not like traditional coffee cups.
Why the Repurpose Coffee Cup is different?
-Made from 100% renewable resources
-Easy way to lower your carbon footprint
-No sleeve requires
-Made from Plants
-uses soy based inks and is completely non toxic
-Compostable in 90 Days in a commercial setting
These cups are priced at $4.99 and are conveniently available at : Amazon.com, AbesMarket.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, Raley’s and Gelson’s Markets.
Do you drink coffee on the go? Then this is the cup for you!
I was provided samples of the Repurpose cup in order to write this review. All opinions listed are my own.
Green Mountain Coffee has some new flavors — just for the holiday season. They recently sent me 2 to try, Spicy Egg Nog and Gingerbread flavored. I loved both flavors, but the main winner in my home — the one we went through the quickest was the gingerbread flavor. I created a Peppermint Gingerbread Mocha and every single night, my family wanted a cup of coffee as we sat around watching Christmas movies.
- 6 cups of freshly brewed Green Mountain Gingerbread Coffee
- 1 ½ cups Milk
- 4 squares BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. peppermint extract
- 8 peppermint sticks
- Prepare Coffee in coffee pot per package instructions.
- Cook finished Coffee, milk and chocolate in large saucepan on low heat 5 to 7 min. or until chocolate is melted and mixture is heated through, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in extract.
- Pour into mugs.
- Add peppermint stick to each.
- (optional) you can add whipped topping and shaved chocolate to the top.
About Green Mountain Coffee
At Green Mountain Coffee, our passion extends beyond creating great coffee. We believe in the significance of the world around us, and the impact we have on everything we do. Learn more about what we’re doing to brew a better world.
Gingerbread Flavored Coffee
In creating their flavored coffees, they often take a home cook’s approach… combining flavors and roasts isn’t so unlike working with your favorite recipes. And who doesn’t enjoy the aromas and flavors of fresh-baked gingerbread?
After lots and lots of recipes, Green Mountain is proud of the result. The Fair Trade Gingerbread coffee offers the zesty ginger and spice aromas of Mom’s old-fashioned gingerbread pastry and warm oven-fresh flavor.
The flavored coffees are free of calories and carbs, and have no additional nutritional impact. They do not add any sugars or sweeteners of any kind. So while the flavors may taste indulgent, they’re absolutely guilt-free.
Spicy EggNog Flavored Coffee
For some, the holiday season just isn’t complete without eggnog… whether theirs is the traditional, spirited milk and egg punch, or something with a little less nog.
Green Mountain is all for holiday traditions, so they just couldn’t help themselves. They brewed up a batch of coffee that’s got the cinnamon and nutmeg spice of the nog you know, with a creamy body all its own. Add fresh (or whipped) cream, and brew up your very own holiday tradition!
The flavored coffees do not use sugars or sweeteners of any kind.
Which do you think would be your favorite?Hurry and grab a bag before the season is over! These are limited edition flavors.
I was sent both flavors in order to facilitate my review. All opinions listed are my own.
I love the Pumpkin Spiced Latte that you can get from Starbucks. It is SO yummy and so addictive. However, at $4 a pop every time I want one, it does not like my wallet so much. So I set out to make my own Pumpkin Spiced Latte. I found tons of recipes on line that said to steam milk and add pumpkin — and those recipes are great, but pumpkin puree is not always readily available. But the new flavor from Green Mountain Coffee is — Pumpkin Spiced coffee — and it does a fabulous job creating a Pumpkin Spiced Latte.
Indulge in the fragrance and flavors of the season! Pumpkin Spice offers the experience of fresh-baked pumpkin pie — redolent with warm spice notes and creamy body — in this luscious Limited Edition coffee.
Whether you have a Keurig or a regular coffee pot, you can get this flavor in BOTH styles, as well as other seasonal favorites like Egg Nog, French Vanilla, and more.
Here is my recipe for Pumpkin Spiced Latte. Notice how easy it is to make!
- 1 cup of Pumpkin Spice Coffee from Green Mountain Coffee
- 1 teaspoon of Pumpkin Spiced Creamer
- Whipped Cream for Garnish
- Cinnamon for Sprinkling
- Make your coffee using either the K-Cup or the bagged coffee from Green Mountain.
- Add a teaspoon of Pumpkin Spiced Creamer (this comes in several brands. use the one you like the most)
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon on top to finish. You have just created the simplest and tastiest Pumpkin Spiced Latte this season!
This is one of the best cups of coffee I have made in a very long time! Go out today and find the Pumpkin Spiced Green Mountain Flavor at your local store. Don’t have one close to you? Order it online and save 10% right now!
Follow Green Mountain on Facebook.
Follow Green Mountain on Twitter.
I was sent coffee samples from Green Mountain coffee in order to write this review. All opinions listed are my own.
I have totally had to give up white sugar. It does a number on my body. It only took me years to figure that out. I honestly thought I was doomed to delicious drinks like Southern Sweet Iced Tea and Chocolate Cake — all because my health issues refuse to let me have those things.
There are a few little things that you can do to get rid of sugar if you are having issues like I was. Here are some changes that I recently made:
- Swtiched to whole wheat flour, pastas, and rice
- Removed all junk food and processed foods from my home
- Switched out my white sugar for Nevella to Go.
I recently discovered Nevella to Go and I must say that I love being able to slide it in my purse so that I can have a yummy, sweet drink anytime I want.
The taste is just as sweet as regular sugar — but get this girls — without all the extra added calories!
Portable Sweetening Just the Way You Want It’
New Nevella® Liquid Sweeteners To Go easy squirt bottles are just the right size to take with you in your purse or pocket so that you can sweeten at work, at a restaurant that doesn’t offer the sweetener you like, or wherever you are!
Just one squirt of liquid Monk Fruit, Stevia, or Sucralose and you get the same sweetness as a teaspoon of sugar but with ZERO calories or carbohydrates.
Another great thing about these liquid sweeteners is that they dissolve into a beverage and you don’t have to stir them like you would with a powdered sweetener.
Each of these items is exclusively available at your local Walmart Supercenter, try them all today!
The Nevella to Go comes in three tasty flavors
Which flavor would you like to taste? Out of the three I tasted, the Stevia is my favorite with the Monk Fruit as my second favorite.
I took the Sweetness To Go Challenge using Nevella To Go. These handy little bottles fit perfectly in your purse or pocket, come in stevia, monk fruit, and sucralose varieties, and best of all, they’re calorie, carbohydrate, and guilt free! Take the Sweetness To Go Challenge yourself and click here to get your $1 off coupon!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Nevella. The opinions and text are all mine.
I have been experimenting with protein shakes lately. I am not one for a big breakfast or even breakfast at all (coffee is my breakfast), but everyone says I need to eat something. I created a delicious Banana Bread Protein Shake from a recipe I found online. I used 1st Step Pro Wellness Vanilla Whey Protein as well to create this delicious and satisfying shake!
According to 1st Step Pro Wellness:
Protein isn’t just for beefy bodybuilders: In fact, 9 out of 10 women who exercise regularly are not getting enough protein. Peri- and post-menopausal women, especially, find it harder to retain muscle tone and strength. If you want to achieve and keep a fit, toned look, whey protein can be your answer—particularly after weight training or a strenuous cardio workout or during your regular action-packed day.
- 2 scoops 1st Step Pro Wellness Vanilla Whey Powder
- 1 Banana
- ½ Cup Quaker Oatmeal (cook with boiling water)
- ¾ Cup Kellogg’s Bran Flakes
- 1 Bottle of Water
- Honey to sweeten
- Cook the oatmeal in boiling water according to the directions.
- After cooking the oatmeal, mix all the ingredients into a blender and blend.
- Enjoy!
Not only have I been drinking these shakes, but I started taking a B-12 supplement from 1st Step as well. This has helped me in SO many ways with my energy level which has been down a lot lately.
About 1st Step Pro Wellness:
Are you looking for ways to be healthier?
Are you trying to get a more toned body?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, 
nutritional and fitness supplements can help you live healthy, look healthy, and be healthy.
| Feeling good from the inside out gives you the confidence and energy to keep up with your busy life. 1st Step PRO-WELLNESS products are designed especially to help women like you for: |
||
|
• Healthy Nutrition* • Healthy Energy* • Healthy Muscles* |
• Healthy Weight* • Healthy Bone & Joints* • Healthy Heart* |
|
If you are looking for a product to help promote your health, check out 1st Step Pro Wellness!
I was sent products to try in order to write my review. As always, opinions are my own.
I am so new to all the different kind of flavored milks out there. All my life all I have ever drank is just plain white milk. But lately, I have been living on the edge. You see, my taste buds have been asking for different flavors and varieties of just about everything I have been eating and drinking. Milk is no different. So when I was asked to try Silk and give my opinion of it, I gladly obliged.
Silk has recently hired mixologist Bryan Dayton to concoct a number of Silkology-inspired drink recipes. I tried the Berry Mint Chocolate Bliss as I happen to be a lover of chocolate and berries. It was super easy to throw together! (maple syrup, almonds, raspberries and chocolate.) The mint leaf is the icing on the cake! Visit the Silkology Facebook page for this recipe and more!
Which flavor would you choose first to try?
Silk inspired me to think outside of the bowl with their new Silkology-inspired drink recipes. Tell me something new you want to try this summer when entertaining to win a Silkology prize package.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.
I totally LOVE milkshakes. Now that I can make them at home, there is really no need to get one from a fast food or ice cream joint. In my family’s opinion — they are even better from MY kitchen.
The ingredients are all pantry staples and they are made without ice cream
- 2 cups ice
- 2 cups of milk
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons corn oil plus a 5-second squirt of non-stick spray for emulsification purposes
- Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until well incorporated. DO NOT leave out the oil. You will thank me later If you want a thicker shake, add more ice. For thinner shakes, just add more milk.
This post is linked to Newlyweds recipe linky.
I have a new love. It comes in the form of a green milkshake flavored with mint. It is H-E-A-V-E-N. Not joking. I am so glad that McCormick spices sent me all these wonderful new recipes to try out with their products, because I seriously had forgotten how easy it was to whip up a delicious dessert in minutes.
Do you see how delicious this looks? It has a hint of mint and the yummy homemade whipped cream just completes this shake!
Hello Mr. Mint Shake. Come to mama!
Here is the recipe, courtesy of McCormick’s Spices. I did double mine so that everyone in my family could have a big shake (I have 4 people in my family). You can make all your friends green with envy this year as well!
Your family will rave for days about this delicious milkshake!
Ingredients
- 1 pint (2 cups) vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Peppermint Extract
- 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Green Food Color
- Whipped cream and chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
- Place ice cream, milk, peppermint extract and green food color in blender; cover. Blend on high speed until smooth.
- Pour into glasses. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired. Serve immediately.
The cold weather is right around the corner in our neck of the woods and that has me thinking about hot cocoa. There is nothing like a good old cup of decadent hot chocolate
Sipping on a mug when the weather outside is “frightful” cheers me up Add in a good book, my slippers, and a warm blankie and some snuggly puppies and you have the perfect winter weather pick me up!
Why Make Your Own Hot Chocolate
I used to always buy boxed hot chocolate from the store until I learned how simple and easy it is to make hot cocoa at home. It is extremely inexpensive to make and one batch will almost do us all winter long!
Every year when we watch The Polar Express, I make a huge batch and we share it when we have friends over and sing the hot chocolate song! (You want to go sing it now don’t you?)
My favorite way to serve hot cocoa is with a dollop of whipped cream, and shaved chocolate on top. All you need for the shaved chocolate is a Hershey bar and a veggie peeler — instant shaved chocolate!
Here is my recipe Hope you enjoy!
Homemade hot chocolate is more flavorful than store bought and just as easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Powder Milk
- 2 Cups White Sugar
- 3/4 cup Baking Cocoa
- Pinch of Salt
Instructions
- Measure all the ingredients into a blender and blend it up for about 1 or 2 minutes or until it’s mixed really well and a fine powder. You may have to do this in batches. This is key because it helps it to blend into the water.
- To Prepare: Spoon 1/3 cup of the hot cocoa mix into a cup or mug. Add boiling water to the top, stir and serve.
Everyone that comes to my house raves about how good my sweet tea is. In reality though, its not my recipe. . .it’s my mother in love’s! She taught me how to make it when Stephen and I first got married and we have been making that way ever since
Here is the secret though–
~I don’t cook it on the stove
~It doesn’t go in a sun jar outside
~It’s not store bought either
My secret is the good ole’ microwave! It does a great job making tea!
Basically what I do is use a microwave safe bowl and fill it with water (not all the way to the top). It has to be really hot water so it can melt the cup of sugar you are going to add in there. Whisk it up until the sugar has dissolved and then use 4 regular size tea bags. Place the whole thing in the microwave and cook for 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
Now the second trick to this is DON’T pour it in the tea jug right away. I usually place mine in the refrigerator still in the bowl and let it sit there for about 3 to 4 hours before putting it in the jug. This gives the tea bags time to mellow out with the sugar and get real concentrated with flavor
To make the tea up, grab a 2 quart pitcher and fill it half way with water. Pour in the tea and remove the tea bags. Continue filling up the rest of the way –all the way to the top! Refrigerate until ready to drink.
That’s it! Now go and enjoy your iced tea!
Reposted from November 2009
My daughter loves homemade hot chocolate. She takes her cup in the kitchen and experiments with different added flavors. After visiting Starbucks the other day with me, she decided to try and make her own “fancy” concoction!
Homemade Hot Chocolate
4 Cups Powder Milk
2 Cups White Sugar
3/4 cup Baking Cocoa
Pinch of Salt
Measure it all into a blender and blend it up for about 1 or 2 minutes or until it’s mixed really well and a fine powder. This is key because it helps it to blend into the water.
To Prepare: Spoon 1/3 cup of the hot cocoa mix into a cup or mug. Add boiling water to the top, stir and serve.
Kayla’s variations: Kayla added to her cup of hot cocoa a dollop of whipped cream and then sprinkled cocoa powder on top of that. All I can say was WOW! It really made that hot chocolate taste delicious!
My daughter loves homemade hot chocolate. She takes her cup in the kitchen and experiments with different added flavors. After visiting Starbucks the other day with me, she decided to try and make her own “fancy” concoction!
Homemade Hot Chocolate
4 Cups Powder Milk
2 Cups White Sugar
3/4 cup Baking Cocoa
Pinch of Salt
Measure it all into a blender and blend it up for about 1 or 2 minutes or until it’s mixed really well and a fine powder. This is key because it helps it to blend into the water.
To Prepare: Spoon 1/3 cup of the hot cocoa mix into a cup or mug. Add boiling water to the top, stir and serve.
Kayla’s variations: Kayla added to her cup of hot cocoa a dollop of whipped cream and then sprinkled cocoa powder on top of that. All I can say was WOW! It really made that hot chocolate taste delicious!
- Ingredients:
- 1½ cups ice water
- 1½ cups powdered milk
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1½ trays of ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons of corn oil
- 5 second spray of non-stick cooking spray for emulsification purposes
- Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
The Hillbilly Housewife has a lot of great tips and tricks on her site for recipes that are easy to make, and light on your budget. This one is no exception.
It tastes just like a real chocolate shake and it can save a ton of money in the long run when you want a yummy summer time shake.
Hi! I am Jen--a wife to the most amazing man ever and a homeschool mom to one teenager. I just graduated my oldest.
I have been blogging since 2007. I love to watch movies, spend time in the kitchen, crochet, dance, drink coffee, and lay on the beach. Between recipes, reviews, and hilarious life story moments you'll find many helpful posts on this blog. Welcome, pull up a chair and stay for a while!
Can I cry now? Has it really been 12 years of school? #homeschooling #graduate #2013 http://t.co/B0zdHTmE0R - jennifer_sikora- Getting ready to watch one of my favorite people graduate. I will not cry. I will not cry. Oh...who… http://t.co/qPHZjJXkGf - jennifer_sikora
- @WritingPadDad thanks for following! - jennifer_sikora
@jennifer_sikora I'm excited to spend it with the people I love:) see you tonight - BabyBoozle13- @darleneschacht I love those photos that you make Darlene! - jennifer_sikora
jennifer_sikora
Elements by Bekah E Designs