A Review of Flavored Coffee Recipes

I was visiting a friend today, and she made the most delicious coffee I have had in a long time.  It was cinnamon-orange with a hint of vanilla.  It was delightful, so I asked her how she made it.  Imagine my surprise when she told me one of the ingredients was Jello!  She actually uses her coffee maker and simply dumps all the ingredients into the filter with the coffee and out pours tangy orange coffee!

Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of ground coffee
• 1/2 teaspoon of orange Jello
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Dump all dry ingredients into a coffee filter, gather it up and shake to mix.
2. Add the extract in the center of the filter.
3. Turn on your coffee maker and brew normally.

You can make this with tea as well, just make your tea as usual, then add the vanilla, cinnamon and Jello to the tea pot and stir to mix.  In tea it is extremely flavorful, and is delicious with butter cookies or scones.

Two Recipes for Chocolate Coffee

Chocolate flavored coffee is really delicious, one of the easiest ways to make it is by using chocolate syrup:

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1-2 teaspoons chocolate syrup

Combine the brewed coffee and chocolate syrup in a large mug. Stir well to combine, then top with whipped cream if you like.

Another way to make chocolate coffee is by using cocoa powder. This method involves adding cocoa powder to a cup of brewed coffee, stirring well to combine.

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder

Pumpkin Spice Coffee

If you want a taste of pure fall, this is the drink for you.  You can use store bought pumpkin spice, but I prefer to make my own so I can tweak the recipe to how I like it.  I usually put more cinnamon and nutmeg and a bit less clove.  I use pumpkin spice in other things, like cookies, pie or pumpkin bread, so I make a lot at a time and store it in a mason jar.  You can buy the spices already ground up, or you can buy them whole and use a spice grinder to grind them yourself. Here's the recipe for homemade pumpkin spice:

• 6 tablespoons of cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons of ginger
• 4 teaspoons of nutmeg
• 3 teaspoons of allspice
• 3 teaspoons of cloves

To make Pumpkin Spice Coffee:

1. Fill your coffee maker with water and insert a filter
2. Put one heaping teaspoon of pumpkin spice on top of 1/3 cup of your favorite coffee in the filter 
3. Stir the two ingredients together thoroughly
4. Turn on your coffee maker and brew as normal 

I love drinking this coffee on my rear deck on crisp fall mornings with my homemade raised doughnuts.  Fall bliss!

Mexican Coffee

Mexican Coffee is a spicy blend that is truly different from regular coffee.  The ingredients may sound like a strange combination, but believe me, it is a really unforgettable taste that is great for after dinner or a mid-afternoon break.

Ingredients

• 6 oz. hot coffee
• 1 tablespoon cocoa
• 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup milk (can use skim or 2%)
• whipped cream (I use the squirt from a can kind)

Directions: 

1. In a mason jar, pour the hot coffee and brown sugar and screw the lid on and shake till all the sugar is melted and there are no lumps.
2. Add the cocoa, cinnamon, and ground cayenne into the jar, screw the lid on and shake till all ingredients are incorporated.
3. In a large coffee mug, pour in the milk and a pinch of cinnamon, stir and place in the microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Remove from the microwave and pour the coffee mixture in the cup and top with whip cream.

This is a great drink to serve in the evening after a barbeque or while sitting on the couch with your sweetie watching a movie.  Spicy!

Peppermint Coffee

This coffee is always a hit around the holidays!  Try it at your next gathering, I bet it will be a big hit!

Ingredients

• 6 oz. extra strong coffee
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions:

• ▢ 

1. Place the milk, sugar, cocoa powder and peppermint extract in a medium saucepan over low heat. 
2. Stir gently until heated, DO NOT boil!
3. Pour the coffee in and stir to mix, tasting to see if you feel it needs more sugar, peppermint or cocoa.
4. Pour in a cup and top with whipped cream and a candy cane

Every time I make this, everyone just loves it!  They say the peppermint, cocoa and coffee flavors mix beautifully!

I know this last recipe isn't actually coffee, but it is a recipe you will want, trust me!  This is the hands down most delicious coffee smoothie you will ever have in your mouth, guaranteed!

Coffee Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup black coffee (lukewarm is better)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 cup milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 tablespoon cocoa

Directions:

1. Cut up the frozen banana (you can use a 3/4 cup of ice if you don't like bananas) and place it in the blender.  
2. Pulse a few times to break the banana up and then add the peanut butter, milk, vanilla and cocoa.  Blend on medium until smooth then switch to puree for 30 seconds.  
3. Pour into a smoothie cup and enjoy!

I think all of these drinks are exceptionally delicious.  I love to making things that are unusual and surprise my guests. All these drinks are good at doing that!  Try a few out and see what you think, especially during the upcoming holidays.

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I http://tinyurl.com/jmrqlyn

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National Ice Cream Sundae Day Review

This delicious food holiday is held each year on July 8th. 

National Ice Cream Sundae Day

This is a sweet celebration that happens on July 8 every year. It is called ‘Ice Cream Sundae Day’

Ice Cream Sundaes are the most popular ice cream dessert in America. The top favorite Sundae flavors are chocolate, caramel, butterscotch, and strawberry. These concoctions of cold, creamy sweetness are seemingly loved by everyone. They consist of one or more scoops of ice cream, favorite flavors of syrup, then topped with your preferred fruits, maraschino, cherries, nuts, and whipped cream!  Kids also love various ‘sprinkles’ on their sundaes!

History of National Ice Cream Sundae Day

The first ice cream sundae dessert was a scoop of vanilla ice cream with strawberry-flavored syrup drizzled over it and topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. It was served in a tulip-shaped glass vase which was given the name “sundae glass”.  Over the years, sundaes began to come in many forms and shapes and have become one of  the most popular desserts today! 

The origin of the sundae has several versions, with Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Ithaca, New York and Evanston & Plainfield, Illinois each claiming that they served it first.  Two Rivers, Wisconsin is now believed to be the original site of the ice cream sundae. It was invented in 1881 by Edward C. Berner, owner of Berners’ Soda Fountain located in Two Rivers, WI.

How Do You Make a Regular Sundae?

Put scoops of ice cream in a bowl, pour on your favorite syrup (mine is chocolate fudge), then top with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top! 

The banana split dessert is a classic sundae loaded with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream, syrup, nuts, whipped cream, and cherries. It is a perfect summer sundae.

*Personal Notes: As a child, my Uncle Bud frequently came over on summertime Saturdays to take my brother and I out to our local soda fountain for a sundae treat. Mine was always a Hot Fudge Sundae; my brother always had a  Banana Split. Such fun (and delicious) childhood memories.

Why We Love National Ice Cream Sundae Day

Besides being a delicious food holiday, it reminds us of joyful times where we shared moments together, such as mine with Uncle Bud and the Saturday Sundaes. It is the simplest things that feel special when looking back. Those fun trips down memory lane become the important times.

So spread a little joy with your friends, family, and children on July 8 by treating yourselves to an Ice Cream Sundae!

*National Ice Cream Sundae Day Review was written by Wednesday Elf.

Make your own ice cream sundae with these handy supplies added to scoops of your favorite ice cream: 

Smuckers Sundae Syrup Chocolate, Caramel, Butterscotch, and Strawberry (Variety Pack of 4)Check PriceHeated Ice Cream Scoop Rechargeable, Electric Warming Ice Cream Scooper with LED Display, Heats to 158°F for Hard Ice CreamCheck Price50ct 8oz Plastic Dessert Cups with Spoons, Clear Flower shaped Ice Cream Bowls, Party Sundae Serving BowlsCheck PriceSet of 4 Reusable Banana Split Boats with Color Matching Spoons Use as Desert Dish, Ice Cream SundaeCheck Price

 

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Insulated Bags to Keep Cold Groceries Cold and Carry Out Food Warm

I absolutely hate going to get fast food or pick up from a restaurant only to arrive home and the food be cold.  We recently ordered pizza delivery and the pizza was "right out of the oven" hot.  That is how all carry out food should arrive!  

I considered the bags pizza deliverers use and set out to find an insulated bag for our pickup orders.  I found a 2 pack set of heavy duty insulated bags with a zipper top.  The shape of the bags is perfect for a large carry out bag of food or 2 medium size bags.  Just set the bags or containers in the insulated bag, zip the top and head home.

The first time we tried them, we brought home burgers and fries.  I folder over the top of the restaurant bag and set it all down in the insulted bag.  When we got home, the food was still warm.  What a great change!  

One other unexpected benefit of using the insulated bag is that the food didn't fall over and spill out when set in the floor of the car.

I haven't tried the bags yet for cold products, but I have confidence they will be equally as wonderful.  I will be very happy to bring home unmelted frozen food, especially ice cream products, during the summer months.  It will also be nice to get our cold milk and orange juice home at a cooler state than room temperature. 

The next time we go to a pot luck dinner, I will definitely be using the bags to transport the food we are taking regardless of whether it is hot or cold.  With 2 bags, we can have one hot bag and one cold bag if needed.  To be clear, you can't mix hot food with cold food in the same bag, but I bet you already knew that! 

 

2 Pack Insulated Bags 

 BALEINE 2Pk Insulated Reusable Heavy Duty Large Insulated Bags, Collapsible for Storage (16''x9''x13'')Check PriceThese are the insulated bags I purchased.  Not only do they keep carry-out food warm, but they fold down nicely for storage. I could even leave them folded down and stored in my car for easy access when needed

Other reviewers have stated that they are perfect for keeping groceries cold too, but I have not had the opportunity to try that yet.  

Each bag is 16" tall, 13" wide, and 9" deep.  

To clean, simply wipe them with a damp cloth. 

I bought the 2 pack, but they are also available as a single bag or a 4 pack. 

I opted for black, but they are also available in other colors and designs. 

 BALEINE 2Pk Insulated Reusable Heavy Duty Large Insulated Bags, Collapsible for Storage (16''x9''x13'')Check Price

 

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Insulated Bags to Keep Cold Groceries Cold and Carry Out Food Warm written by:

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Upcycle Bird Feeder Review

Quick, fun and easy DIY to use extra ice cream cones and turn into Bird Feeders. You know ... the ice cream sundae bar at the birthday party and that bowl of cones that sat out all day and are now nice and stale? Or the package you dropped and turned the cones into crumbles!

Materials

Scrap twine, thin rope or pipe cleaners

Bird Seed

Ice Cream Cones

Peanut Butter

Sharp ish tool to make holes in the cone

How To Make The Ice Cream Cone Bird Feeder

1. Turn cone upside down.
2. Poke a hole on each side across from each other.
3. Feed string or twine through hole and make a loop. 
4. Tie the loop. This will be your hanger.
5. Cover all or parts of the cone with peanut butter.
6. Sprinkle a paper plate with bird seed.
7. Roll cone around the bird seed to cover the peanut butter.
8. Gently press birdseed into peanut butter.
9. Find your favorite tree branch and hang.

Enjoy!

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Godiva Chocolate Reviewed

My husband has been giving me Godiva Chocolate for Valentine's Day and Christmas for decades.  

We first discovered this brand while shopping in a mall and seeing the Godiva store.  Back then, they boxed their candy in beautiful tin collectible boxes.  In recent years, they started using decorative boxes covered in fabric, some have even had lovely embroidered designs.  I keep the tins and decorative boxes and use them in my craft room.  The boxes alone have been gifts, but the chocolate is divine.  

Over the years, I started getting headaches when eating chocolate.  Some of my favorite things like chocolate ice cream or candy bars have become a thing of the past for me.  However, Godiva chocolate stands out as the one chocolate candy I can still enjoy.  For some reason, perhaps the type of cocoa they use, Godiva chocolate does not give me headaches.  That is pretty fantastic!  It is a way for me to still delve into the world of chocolate without paying a painful price.

Now, don't tell my husband, but I saw the package of Godiva chocolate for Valentine's Day delivered yesterday.  I left the box on the porch and acted totally ignorant.  Our Ring doorbell doesn't really allow me to be ignorant, but we can pretend. 

 

Godiva Chocolate for Valentine's Day

We have to purchase Godiva Chocolate online these days.  The store in the mall shut down years ago.  As of 2021, there are no Godiva brick and mortar stores.  Fortunately, the candy is still available online.  They still have a few tins available, but most of the larger boxes of candy now come in a gold box with a decorative ribbon.  

No matter how the chocolate is packaged, the candy is delicious! 

 Godiva Masterpiece Heart Chocolate Gift Tin, Assorted Milk & Dark Chocolate with Ganache & Caramel, Valentine’s Day Keepsake Gift for Her, 20pcCheck Price Godiva Red Ribbon Gold Assorted Chocolate Gift Box, Belgian Dark and Milk Chocolates with Pralinés, Ganaches & Caramels, Gourmet Valentine's Day GiftCheck Price Godiva Masterpiece Heart Chocolate Gift Tin, Assorted Milk & Dark Chocolate with Ganache, Valentine’s Day Keepsake Gift for Her, 7pcCheck Price

 

 

If you want the tins, you may find them on Ebay, without the candy, of course.

 

 

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Godiva Chocolate Reviewed by:

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Recipes to Share - From the Heart

Over the years I have come up with a variety of recipes, and some of them I have written down.

One of my favorite ones is one I made as I became more health conscious. It is a healthier way to enjoy one of my favorite ice cream flavors, butter pecan. I call my version Cheryl's Butterless Pecan Ice Cream. It only has five ingredients.

Cheryl's Butterless Pecan Ice Cream

3-4 bananas, peeled, sliced, and frozen. (Whenever you make plant based ice cream, at least one of your fruits need to be frozen.)
5 oz. of pecans
1/4 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 cup of nut milk (I used almond milk in my recipe.)
1 tsp vanilla

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. This will have a soft serve type consistency. For a milkshake consistency, add more nut milk. For a more ice cream consistency, decrease the amount of milk.

For a pretty print out to share, you can order copies printed on postcards.

Cheryl's Butterless Pecan Ice Cream Recipe
by CherylsArt

One of my all time favorites is my Pesto. I especially love this when I have fresh basil to use from the garden. I have tried to go vegan, but I do have dairy based cheese from time to time.

Pesto

1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

Place all ingredients in blender or food processor, and blend until smooth. Then stir into one pound of your favorite cooked pasta.

The recipe above is somewhat different than the one printed on the postcard. I have determined over time that I prefer less of the parsley. You too can adjust the amounts to your own taste.

Pesto Recipe Postcards
by CherylsArt

I am also a practitioner of affirmations, and try to add more smiles to my day. One simple way to add smiles is to consciously think about smiling. Here is my recipe for that. It's called Recipe for Joy.

Recipe for Joy

1. Raise your ears by lifting up the corners of your mouth. (Did you know that smiling raises your ears? - Did you try it? Place your fingers on the tops of your ears, and then smile. Did your ears raise?)
2. Foster the thought, appreciate.
3. Be willing to see with new eyes. (You do not have to have a preconceived idea of something to appreciate. Just do the smile part first, and see what comes when you think the words appreciate. Try it. Did you think of something to appreciate that you may not normally think of?)

Here is a fun postcard to share this recipe for Joy.

Recipe for Joy - colorful word postcards
by CherylsArt

Do you have a recipe to share that you haven't written down yet? Here is a special way that you can share it or them. House of Sylvestermouse on Zazzle has designed recipe cards for you to write down the recipe(s) that you would like to share.

Recipe Cards
by House of Sylvestermouse

And may you have a blessed and wonderful day.

Cheryl Paton

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Reviewing My Turned Wood Crochet Hook by A Couple 2 Tree

My son recently gave to me a handmade, beautiful and thoughtful gift. He had purchased a handmade wood crochet hook with a metal tip. Exactly the type of crochet hook I have grown to love.  This crochet hook was made by A Couple 2 Tree and my son found them at a booth during the Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2025.

Turned Wood Crochet Hooks

The crochet hook my son chose for me is a combination wood and epoxy handle with a commercial made metal tip.  The wood is light colored. The epoxy appeared only white to me initially. But I quickly discovered that it has a very subtle glimmer. A glimmer that reminds me of the Aurora Borealis or the Milky Way. All of you who know me, know that I do not gravitate  toward big bling or neon bright colors. But I love a subtle sparkle, like the sheen of a peacock's chest feathers and dragon fly wings. 

With this thicker epoxy and wooden handle, it is easier for me to use for longer periods of time. This would make a great gift for folks with grip difficulties such as arthritis.  The epoxy and wood are smooth and silky, but not slippery. I am currently using this hook for a project and find it to be very comfortable. 

In addition to wood-handled crochet hooks, A Couple 2 Tree also offers other great gift items:

• Bottle Openers
• Ice Cream Scoops
• Coffee Scoops
• Charcuterie boards
• Decorative Items and Fidgets: Eggs and Mushrooms
• Bowls 

The combinations of wood, metal, epoxy, and fractal burning make unique, one-of-a-kind items that are unique gifts.

Supporting Small Businesses

This small business, according to social media and website information, has been a small, part time hobby/passion for years and has just begun to turn toward full time. I celebrate that leap of faith and following a passion. A Couple 2 Tree appears to have offered the majority of their items during fairs and festivals. They do have a website and an Instagram page. If you don't see a large selection, or the item you would like, on the website I encourage you to leave a message.  When I had left a message, I received a response that same day (despite it being during the time they were at the Renaissance Faire)

One Wish - Maybe

There is only one thing that I might (or might not) like added to my next A couple 2 Tree crochet hook. Because of the handmade handle, the spot where the metal crochet hook size is usually displayed is covered. Perhaps, if the size of the hook (for example, a US hook size is "G") could somehow be stamped into the flat end of the handle, it would be useful and wouldn't mar the beautiful aesthetics of the rest of the handle.  But perhaps, it would mar the appearance of the handle.  Or make a roughness that would snag my yarn. I am not familiar with epoxy so I'm not sure if the size could be place there discreetly or not.  However, unlike very experienced crocheters I cannot determine the size of the hook by sight alone. I have to hold it up to other crochet hooks for comparison in order to remember which size this is.

Fortunately, my son reported that he spoke with the helpful folks with A Couple 2 Tree, who helped determine which sizes of yarn I most often use (worsted) and the size hook that I most use. 

For more information:

Check out the A Couple 2 Tree website for more information.

I am very hopeful that you will support this small business owner with his wood shop business. However, I realize that some folks prefer using Amazon.  In that case, there are many Wood Crochet Hooks to choose from.

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Spiced Tea and Honey Nut Bread - The Perfect Snack

If you read the post I made on March 25, 2025, for Old Fashioned Rice Pudding, I explained about a very old recipe book that I had found in my mother's things after she passed.  To call it a book, is being kind, as it was just a collection of hand typed (on a manual typewriter!) recipes folded in the middle and stapled together.  No front or back cover, no information of where it came from.  The pages are so ancient they are dark tan in color.  

Anyway, the recipes in this old gem are from a time before I was cooking.  Some of them are recipes for foods I have never heard of like Strawberry Fool or Fruitinays.  I love reading through the pages and some times I find a recipe that I want to try.  This is how I came across the recipes for the perfect afternoon snack:  Spiced Tea and Honey Nut Bread.

This first time I made the bread, I found it delicious, but it seemed to be lacking something to go with it.  I tried coffee, but it didn't fit, I tried iced tea and it was completely not a match.  I was stumped.  So I went back to the recipe book and looked under "Drinks."  When I saw the spiced tea recipe, I knew I had hit the jackpot.  Cinnamon and fruit juices sounded like a great combination!  I got up and made some right then and there.  It was exquisite!  The flavors blended together perfectly and they were just right with the honey nut bread.  It really is the perfect snack!

Spiced Tea

Ingredients

Juice of one lemon

Juice of two oranges

2 Plain teabags (more if you like it stronger)

1 teaspoon all spice

1/4 teaspoon cloves (optional, if you like clove flavor)

1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 and 1/2 cups sugar

6 cups water

Instructions

1. Put spices in a small bag
2. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add the bag of spices.
3. Boil for 10 minutes and remove the spice bag and turn off the stove.
4. Add teabags to the spiced water and steep for 10 minutes.  Remove teabags.
5. Boil the remaining 2 cups of water and add sugar. Stir until sugar melts.
6. Pour the sweetened water into the tea and stir until mixed.
7. Add the fruit juices and mix well.

If you want it drink your tea cold, chill the mixture in the refrigerator and serve over ice.  If you are like me and prefer it hot, place it back on the stove and boil.  I put mine in a carafe so it stays hot to enjoy with our next recipe:  Honey Nut Bread.

Honey Nut Bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (whichever type you like)

1 cup flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1/2 cup of honey

1/2 cup of milk

2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Sift dry ingredients and stir in nuts.
3. In a bowl beat the egg and add honey, milk and melted butter and mix.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until the ingredients are  moistened and mixed.
5. Grease a bread pan and pour in the mixture.
6. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

Honey nut bread is also great with toppings like:

Apple Butter

Fruit Jam

Honey Butter 

Flavored Cream Cheese (like strawberry)

Lemon Sauce

I have even made French Toast with honey nut bread.  I trade in the syrup for some hot honey and it is really delicious.

I really love this old cookbook, it has so many unusual recipes in it and it also has a 'Hints and Tips' section that is pretty funny.  Maybe I will share some tips in my next post, I think you all would find it pretty entertaining!

Enjoy your snack!

  

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The Protein Advantage Cookbook — A Delicious, Healthy New Cookbook

The Protein Advantage Cookbook is a collection of 100 high-protein, low-carb recipes and tips from bestselling author Carolyn Ketchum, the deservedly popular recipe developer and blogger behind All Day I Dream About Food. Ketchum’s newest cookbook blends quick weeknight meals with make-ahead basics and treats, wrapped in her pragmatic, low-carb approach, this time with a focus on high-protein recipes.

Its official launch date was yesterday, August 12, 2025, but I was lucky enough to get an advance review copy courtesy of the author and the publisher, Fair Winds Press (an imprint of Quarto). It’s a terrific cookbook for anyone interested in increasing their protein intake, and I’m delighted to share my review.

Who It's For

This low carb, high protein cookbook is for anyone looking to improve their health through “weight loss, blood sugar management, building lean muscle mass, or simply having more energy for daily life” while eating delicious, easy to prepare, wholesome food.

Ketchum’s stance of prioritizing protein aligns with the current science: increasing protein intake can improve satiety and support lean mass, especially alongside resistance training. And for adults 40+, adequate protein becomes increasingly important.

What's Inside

Ketchum opens with a concise science and strategy overview, including what “protein-forward, low-carb” means, why prioritizing protein matters from a health perspective, and how to stock a high-protein, low-carb pantry with healthy, tasty ingredients.

True to its name, of course, the majority of The Protein Advantage Cookbook is devoted to the recipes. I was delighted to see Ketchum's signature format: clear, easy to follow, step-by-step instructions, lots of full-color photos (although not every recipe has a photo), and practical tips, such as for swapping ingredients or scaling portions.

The 100 recipes are organized into chapters with straightforward labels:

• Breakfast
• Breads and Muffins
• Appetizers and Snacks
• Soups and Salads
• Main Dishes
• Desserts

The Breakfast chapter includes 22 tasty recipes, such as Loaded Breakfast Casserole (29.5g of protein), Chocolate Protein Pancakes (19.7g of protein), Hot Maple Cereal (29.7g of protein), and Everything Bagel Smoked Salmon Toast (26.5g of protein).

The Breads and Muffins chapter has 10 yummy high-protein recipes including Easy Protein Bagels (13.3g of protein), Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread (11g protein), Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits (12.9g protein), and even Chocolate-Glazed Donuts (10g protein)!

The Appetizers and Snacks chapter caters to both savory and sweet cravings, including 17 recipes such as Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms (12.8g protein), Taco Bites (18.7g protein), Frozen Hot Chocolate (17.6g protein) and Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (9.8g protein).

The Soups and Salads chapter features 13 simple yet satisfying recipes such as Asian Chicken Noodle Soup (31.1g protein), Chicken Chile Verde (35.3g protein), Turkey Club Salad (29.1g protein) and Old Bay Shrimp Salad (23.3g protein).

The Main Dishes chapter contains 22 terrific recipes to suit a wide range of tastes, such as Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs (33.3g protein), Easy Steak Fajitas (25.2g protein), Pork Tenderloin with Dijon Cream Sauce (33.4g protein), and Teriyaki Salmon (30.2g protein).

If you have a sweet tooth, never fear! Carolyn Ketchum is also the author of The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking, and The Protein Advantage Cookbook includes 16 luscious desserts with a high-protein twist, such as Deep Dish Brownies (16g of protein), Lemon Cheesecake Bars (12.3g of protein), Coconut Candy Bars reminiscent of Mounds bars (10.4g of protein), and Strawberry Lemonade Ice Pops (10.1g of protein).

There's also a chapter called "A Day in the Life" which chronicles what Ketchum ate over the course of a few typical days, along with the workouts she did on those days. As a very active, extremely fit woman, her calorie limits are much higher than mine, but it was still helpful to see how she incorporates the cookbook recipes into her daily meal plans.

Why It Deserves a Place in Your Kitchen

The Protein Advantage Cookbook delivers exactly what it promises: approachable, protein-centric low-carb recipes anchored in sensible nutrition guidance. For those of us who want to feel more satiated, lift heavier weights, or simply be stronger as we age, while eating delicious, nutritious food and without spending all day in the kitchen, this book will be an excellent, much-used addition to our cookbook collections.

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What is Summerween?

 

I have long known that Halloween is the biggest selling holiday in America. With all the costumes, candy and decorations that people buy, that comes as no surprise. But I have just discovered a trend known as Summerween that I will review here.

The stores have long put their Halloween merchandise out during the late summer. However, Good Morning America says that stores launched their Halloween items extra early this year at least in part hoping to catch a piece of this trend. People are not just buying their Halloween supplies early but they are actually celebrating the holiday twice. That is, in October and in June or July and hence the term Summerween.

According to the magazine Real Simple, the holiday may have originated from the Season 1, Episode 12, Disney Channel episode of Gravity Falls, in which the residents celebrated Halloween with jack-o-melons and trick-or-treating in the summer on June 22nd or the second to last Friday of the month. The Pioneer Woman points out that if this is the origin, it took more than a decade for the trend to translate from the screen to reality, which it has done in 2025.

Summerween is enjoying succes at least in part because of the nostalgia surrounding Halloween though  Summerween-themed merchandise tends to include our favorite themes with some brighter, summery colors like those shown in the photo at the top of this page. You will find an endless variety of items like these for your Summerween celebration here on eBay.

The new ‘holiday’ is I suppose whatever you make it but it tends to be a blend of summer and Halloween with both non-traditional Halloween items like the aforementioned melon jack-o-lantern, icy drinks and flamingoes to traditional items like Frankenstein, skeletons and ghosts. You can have a pool party and a BBQ. You can read fireside stories at the campfire. You can watch spooky movies outdoors!

What a great way to get double the value out of your Halloween collection. If once a year is not enough for you and you want to do Halloween twice, you’ll find lots of ideas for celebrating a traditionally non-traditional Summerween in your social media feed but let me take this opportunity to share a few great ideas here:

MORE SUMMERWEEN CELEBRATION IDEAS

Harley Quinn Costume 

A Harley Quinn costume might even be better in the summer than in the winter because you don't have to worry about being warm!

A Barbie-Themed Apron

How about a Barbie-themed apron? I think it would make a perfect part of your costume in the summertime especially if you are serving up some pink cocktails.

Here's How to Celebrate Summerween

A Summerween party with recipes from Delish that seem appropriate to the original holiday hosted in summer. Mummy hot dogs, pumpkin s'mores cookies and a black widow cocktail are just a few.

Creepypasta

Perfect for your Halloween-themed storytelling, fall or summer, creepypasta is definitely not edible.

Wait Until Dark

Audrey Hepburn's Wait Until Dark is a perfect psychological thriller considered "one of the most intensely frightening movies in movie history."

Halloween Treats Jigsaw Puzzle

Puzzles aren't just for wintertime. If you find you have more time on your hands in the summer or you just enjoy puzzling all year long, you will enjoy this Halloween Treats puzzle.

SOUND UNNATURAL?

"Summerween?" says the Gravity Falls character played by Kristen Schall. "Sounds unnatural." What do you say?

Happy Summerween!

Brenda

Treasures By Brenda

SUMMERWEEN MERCHANDISE

Find the Summerween-themed pieces shown at the top of the page -- including Frankenstein's bust (and his bride, not shown here), a pumpkin flamingo, assorted skull ice cream cones and the female Scream movie character and so much more -- here, on eBay.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Holiday Review of National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

On August 2nd we celebrate the fun food holiday, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. It is the perfect cool treat for a hot summer day. It is a delicious summertime follow-up to July’s National Ice Cream Month. 

Some Fun Tasty History of National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

On National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, we celebrate a delicious delight that is over a century old. We know this to be true because of an article published in the New York Mail and Express (a daily New York City newspaper) in 1899 to verify that there were ice cream sandwiches for sale by street vendors in New York at that time. For one penny! 

The article said the following:

There are ham sandwiches and salmon sandwiches and cheese sandwiches and several other kinds of sandwiches, but the latest is the ice-cream sandwich.

How to Celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

In my day, the ice cream sandwich I remember (and enjoyed) the most as a child was the traditional brick of vanilla ice cream placed between two soft chocolate wafers. Ice cream and cookies - always a child-favorite!

Over time, many variations of the ice cream sandwich have come about and many can even be created in your own kitchen.

• There is the creation invented by an ice cream vendor in 1928 in San Francisco who used two oatmeal cookies instead of chocolate wafers.  He even had a version of this that he dipped into chocolate before he served it.

• Maybe you could add some chocolate chips around the edges of the ice cream. Or use chocolate chip cookies with chocolate chip cookie ice cream! :) 

• How about chocolate ice cream between vanilla wafers?  

• Making ice cream sandwiches can be as simple or as difficult as you choose them to be. Just select your favorite flavor of ice cream and the cookies/biscuits/wafers you like best and come up with your favorite version.

If you want a challenge and enjoy ‘fun in the kitchen’, try making your own cookies and your own ice cream for a tasty homemade impressive creation!

Summary

This wonderfully simple frozen dessert is an extremely tasty and delicious ice cream treat. So be sure to be ready with your favorites on National Ice Cream Sandwich Day on August 2.

More Holiday Reviews

Review This Reviews: Holidays

More Ice Cream Reviews

Review This Reviews: Ice Cream

*Holiday Review of National Ice Cream Sandwich Day is written by Wednesday Elf

 

Aldens Organic Old School Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich, 3.65 Fluid Ounce - 6 count per pack - 12 packs per case.Check Price1PCS 6.5inch Ice Cream Sandwich Scoop, Thrifty Ice Cream Scoop, Easy Release Sandwich Cookie Scoops for Kitchen and Dessert ShopCheck PriceChef'n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Sandwich Maker - Set of 2, Brown | Craft Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches with Ease | Gift for Family Fun and PartiesCheck PriceChocolate Or Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich Wafers 3Check Price

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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