Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Healthy Homemade Iced Coffee

Every time I have ever purchased an ice coffee from a restaurant, I have never really liked it. Probably because both times, I went to McDonald's and tried their iced coffee. Both times I did so, it had a horrible  after taste and I'd only go back for another sip just to get rid of the taste that was left after each time I went in for another drink. As you can see, it ended up being this continuous cycle. Everyone I worked with and went to school with kept raving about iced coffee. What was I missing that they were enjoying so much? How did they enjoy this iced coffee that I hated so much? I mean really. Finally, I found a basic recipe somewhere-- I am not really sure where as I can't remember where I found it. This recipe is a skeleton. You can dress it up as much as you would like. I like my iced coffee simple. So, I stick to the basics not doing much to it. If it's not broken, it doesn't need a flavored syrup. :) 

I like to make my own iced coffee because I can control what goes into it. I know all the ingredients that I am going to be drinking and putting into my body. I can control how much sweetener or sugar is used or how much milk is put into it. Not only, I find that making my own iced coffee ends up making my calorie intake lower. This recipe is quick and easy, which only makes me love it more. 


Healthy Skinny Homemade Iced Coffee

Here is how I make my iced coffee:
  
1 cup coffee
3/4 - 1 cup almond milk
1 dash of Vanilla
2 Tbs. - 1/4 cup Splenda 

I then stir all the ingredients together. I place in a cute mason jar and put it in the fridge or freezer to cool. How much sugar or milk I use depends on how strong the coffee is brewed. Generally, I like my iced coffee to be bit sweeter.  



This is how I make my iced coffee. Use this recipe as the block and build what you would like with it. Make it fit the flavors you desire. If you don't like almond milk, use the milk of your choice. Don't like Splenda? Use Sugar or Stevia. It's all up to you. Don't what it to have a strong coffee flavor, dial back the coffee and add extra milk. It's all in your hands now.

Healthy Skinny Homemade Iced Coffee

Once I found this very basic recipe, I found a starting point that I needed to guide me in the right direction. Sometimes, I add a little caramel sauce or chocolate sauce for added flavor. Let this be your guide. The sky's the limit. Now I'm going to go pour myself a glass of ice coffee and enjoy a good book. Have a great day. 

Peace, love, bake on.

                                   Andrea

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

17 Mouthwatering & Crowd-Pleasing Burgers

It's been far to long since I last posted something new. The last time I wrote I was in the middle of a hectic semester trying to keep my head above the water in Calc II. I kept afloat and will now be sailing on to Calc III. Yay! I say "yay" only  because I passed Calc II not because I love math and am excited for the riveting material waiting for me Calc III. I would like to thank my family, most especially my grandmother who offered many prayers for me to help me pass the final. Since the end of the summer, I have been on the go. I have also been struggling with what to write. I would this idea in the middle of the day or during an event, but then I would sit down to write it  and my mind would go blank or I couldn't get my thoughts together. It's been really frustrating. What has helped to get this post together is that I am house sitting for a week, so I have plenty of time alone to gather my thoughts. I have few things in the works that I will hopefully get together soon. 
Summer means it's time for cook outs and get togethers. I always want to prepare delicious recipes that will please a crowd. Burgers are always a classic during the summer. They are easy to make and dress up. 
I scoured the internet and found 17 crowd-pleasing and mouthwatering burger recipes that are sure to please a crowd and make mouths waters. 
Please give it up for the 17 stars of this post. 


Jalapeno burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers

2. Chipotle Mac and Cheeseburger

Chipotle Mac and Cheeseburger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers
Teriyaki Burgers with grilled pineapple 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


grilled meatloaf burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


double double animal style burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


bacon blue cheese burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


chipotle veggie burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


asian style burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


patty melts 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


blueberry burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


italian sausage burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


french fry bourbon burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


smoked bacon cheddar burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


cheeseburger meatball grilled cheese 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


ultimate bacon and egg burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers


guacamole bacon burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers

Last but not least...


italian meatball burger 17 mouthwatering and crowd-pleasing burgers

I hope you try out a few of these recipes this summer because I know I will. At the very least, let these recipes inspire you to make a delicious burger that suits you and your family. Or make these for a crowd to make them drool. Which ever works for you.

Have a very fun summer! I hope it's a splash!

Peace, love, bake on.

                                      Andrea 

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Andes Mint Chocolate Poke Cake

I decided to update my last post. I didn't like the name of the recipe, so I decided to rename it. I decided to rename because the ingredient central to this cake that is really featured are the Andes Creme de Menthe Chocolate Mint Baking Chips. I love the Andes Creme de Menthe chocolate mints. Sometimes the best part of going to Olive Garden or some other restaurant is when they give you the  Ande Mints after paying the check. I think they do that so you aren't so irritable about the amount on the bill. It's their incentive for you to come back. They taunt us with those wonderful little chocolate mints. It's both wonderful and sad at the same time. What I am trying to say is that because of the greatness that is Andes mints, I believe they deserve a cake of their own. It's really only fair to them and the world. 
I must also say that even though, I named this cake with Andes Mints in mind, it does taste like thin mints.
When I first saw the original recipes, it called for different ingredients. I made this recipe into my own by just using Andes Creme de Menthe Chocolate Mint Baking Chips. Ultimately it gave the flavor and texture I wanted. Beyond that, it also made the recipe simpler; instead of having to find buy several ingredients for the minty flavored ingredients, I simply had to find Andes Creme de Menthe Chocolate Mint Baking Chips and mint extract. 
When you add your mint extract to the cool whip, I'd recommend that you on the smaller amount and then add more. When I made this recipe the first time, I almost doubled the amount of mint extract. 
*****Warning: If you do not like cake with rich chocolate and mint then you will not like this cake. But that just means more for me. :)







Double Mint Chocolate Cake a.k.a. Grasshopper Cake
adapted from Something Swanky

Ingredients: 

1 chocolate cake mix(& water, oil, and eggs as listed on box)
1- 14.5 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1- 12.8 oz. jar Hershey's Special Hot Fudge Sauce 
2 cups crushed Andes mints 
1- 16 oz. container Cool whip
1/4-1/2 tsp. mint extract 
Green food color (optional)

Directions: 

  1. Prepare and bake the cake mix according to directions on box and bake in a 9x13 baking dish for the amount of time labeled on box. Allow to cool completely.
  2. Use the bottom of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly across the entire cake (about 20-30 holes). Pour the can of sweetened condensed milk over the cake, trying to fill the holes.
  3. Heat the hot fudge sauce in a small bowl in the microwave. 30-40 seconds should do the trick, you jut want it to soften a little.
  4. Crumble half of crushed Andes mints into the hot fudge sauce and mix. Spread the fudge sauce mixture over the cake.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk together mint extract, green food coloring, and the cool whip. Spread the whipped topping over the fudge layer.
  6. Sprinkle the Andes Mint chips on top. Refrigerate and chill for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
  7. Serve up and enjoy!


If you like thin mints, you'll love this cake. My family does! There is never any left, and when there is a slice left, it isn't for long. The last slice or two is always fought over. 
Enjoy and let us eat cake!

Peace, Love, Bake on.

                                             Andrea