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Wednesday, April 30, 2025

De Facto Pathfinder ~ A Book Review

Retired Army Veteran Cesare Giannetti has written an interesting book dealing with all kinds of reactions to military personnel who find themselves in difficult physical, emotional and mental places after serving for their country. De Facto Pathfinder is a book I know you will enjoy!

Chris Longo (our de facto Pathfinder) is himself a veteran of five years of service in the military. Now a couple of decades later he finds himself in a dead-end dull state run agency that serves the veteran community. He feels that he is not making any kind of difference in the lives of the veterans he is serving. Disillusioned, he decides that he needs a new job and a new start! He's really not sure of what or where this might lead, but, he has enough saved up to just coast for a little while.

Chris is still struggling after a couple of months when he gets a call from his previous employer with a job offer! He's not interested in going back to doing what he was doing before as he never had a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction, so what could this new "job" be?

Well let's just say that the Department of Defense has a new program to help veterans that are in dire need of help. He is offered the lead on a national pilot program that would have him travelling across the country to counsel these lost veterans and hopefully help them find their way back to a fulfilling life.

Each Veteran he meets has a great need for some intervention. All of them are unique and yet all of them are in trouble making their lives make sense to themselves and their loved ones.

Chris is not a "doctor", "mental heath practitioner" or in any way a qualified psychologist, yet as he starts out on his new mission he finds that it's better for himself and those he's trying to help that he isn't a professional.

I don't want to give to much of the book away, but must tell you that I found this book to be very interesting for both the people we meet and how Chris manages to find the "sweet spot" in each of them. All together the stories of each life will keep you turning the pages and in the end I'm sure that you will come to some very interesting conclusions!

This book is a real eye opener for everyone to read whether you are military or not! There are life lessons be be learned that can help you too.

Put De Facto Pathfinder on your radar of books to read, I'm sure you won't regret it!

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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Monday, March 17, 2025

Reviewing the Whirley Pop Popcorn Maker

I recently purchased the Whirley Pop Popcorn Maker and I have been enjoying fresh popped popcorn since. The Whirley Pop is a stove-top popper that helps me pop nearly all of the kernels without burning. I despise the smell of burnt popcorn. With the Whirley Pop I am again enjoying making great popcorn at home.

Whirley Pop 6 qt Aluminum Popcorn Popper

The Whirley Pop is a stove-top popcorn pan. The wood handle remains cool and the popper pops the corn evenly due to the crank handle that comes through the wooden handle and out of the end farthest from the heat. After you add the oil and popcorn to the inside of the pan, you spin the crank non-stop. That crank is attached to a stir wire that keeps the popcorn kernels moving and prevents burning. In approximately 3 - 5 minutes, the popcorn is finished and ready to enjoy.

I ordered the Whirley Pop red aluminum 6 quart popper. There are other versions available: Stainless Steel, Copper Plated Stainless steel, black aluminum and pink aluminum. Of course, the stainless steel versions are more expensive. I purchased the red aluminum becaust I like red and because I wasn't sure I would like the popper so I didn't want to invest more initially.

The Whirley Pop lid latches onto the "bowl" portion of the pan. The lid is hinged on two halves, making it easy to pour the fresh-popped treat out of the pan.

Isn't Microwave Popcorn Easier?

Yes, microwave popcorn is much easier. We use microwave popcorn at work daily (as treats for the children). And I can't help but notice how much trash the microwave popcorn creates. Besides, at home with the Whirley Pop, I am able to:

pop corn during a power outage
adjust the amount - a small serving just for me or a large batch for guests or for later
buy large jars or bags of popcorn rather than individual packaged servings
buy different styles of popcorn kernel varieties - ladyfinger, mushroom, blue, white, yellow, extra large and more.
I can keep a variety of salts and spices on hand and have a variety of flavored popcorn

I prefer stove-top popcorn for those reasons. But I am abysmal at using a pan with a lid and shaking it until the corn pops. With that style of stove-top popping, I always create a mess or burn the popcorn. I do not have a glasstop stove, but if I did I could still use the Whirley Pop safely as the pan sits still and the crank does all of the work.

Frankly, I think most of all, I like the retro appearance of the Whirley Pop. I think it reminds me of the ice cream makers of my childhood.

Whirleypopshop.com - Wabash Valley Farms, Indiana

On their website you can find page after page of Whirley Pop pans (including information on engraving handles), gift sets, popcorn kernel varieties, salts, oils, and fun popcorn bowls.

Whirley Pop also has a store on Amazon under Wabash Valley Farms. I ordered mine on Amazon to take advantage of the Amazon Prime free shipping.

Related Reviews:

Our Sam wrote a review on why he does not use single package microwave popcorn (the chemicals) and instead used an air popper until recently. If you would prefer to pop your popcorn in the microwave but aren't sure what popper to use, you should take a peek at his Microwave Popcorn Popper Review.

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Sunday, March 16, 2025

Delicious Spicy Chicken Bow Tie Soup

This hearty and flavorful soup is perfect for cool days. Depending on how much red pepper flakes you add, it can even help clear your sinuses!

I rarely measure, so these listed amounts are merely a guideline. If you're making a huge amount, as per below, ensure you start with an extra large soup pot.

Ingredients For Spicy Chicken Bow Tie Soup

5 chicken breasts
3 heaping tbsp butter (for frying the chicken)
1 bag carrots, cleaned and chopped
1 bundle of celery, cleaned and chopped
1-2 large onions, chopped
6-7 cloves garlic, minced (adjust to taste)
¼ cup flour
2 tbsp butter (additional for roux)
6 boxes of chicken broth (I usually just add until I feel it's enough, and at times, I'll use my own homemade chicken broth
½ cup tomato sauce
1 cup cream
3 Cups of Bow Tie noodles (adjust to your desire)
A bundle of green onions
Parmesan Cheese
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flake spice
Garlic spice seasoning - Or, use your favorite brand. I use Clubhouse Garlic Plus.
Any other seasonings you want!

Spices & Seasoning

1/4 cup of red pepper flakes (adjust to taste; this amount makes it extra spicy, but simply do your own tasting, adding more as you go if needed)
1/4 cup Garlic spice seasoning (or substitute with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs) - Again, I never measure this; just add and taste
Any other spices you like! It's your choice
Salt to taste

Additional Ingredients

3 cups bow tie noodles
1 handful green onions, chopped
Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook the Chicken

In a large pot, melt 3 heaping tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Add 5 chicken breasts and cook until thoroughly browned on both sides and cooked through.
Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.

2. Prepare the Soup Base

Using the same pot (with the browned chicken remnants for flavor), add the onions, celery, carrots, and Garlic.
Sauté until the vegetables start to soften.
Stir in ¼ cup flour and 2 tablespoons butter, cooking for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

3. Add Liquid & Spices

Pour in 6 containers of chicken broth and stir well.
Add ½ cup tomato sauce and 1 cup cream, stirring to combine.
Season with red pepper flakes, Garlic Plus seasoning, and salt to taste.

4. Add Pasta, Chicken and Green Onions

Add 3 cups of bow tie noodles directly to the pot. Let them cook in the broth until tender.
Return the chopped chicken to the pot and stir everything together.
Add the chopped green onions and allow the soup to simmer for a few more minutes.

5. Serve & Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Enjoy this warming and spicy bowl of comfort!

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Friday, December 13, 2024

A Hot Cocoa Christmas Movie Review

A Hot Cocoa Christmas is a delightful holiday movie about a woman from a wealthy home who hides her true identity in hopes that a man will want to date her for herself. It becomes even more fun when she has to sneak around to keep him from finding out that the new marketing account his company hopes to land, is with her mother.

We frequently see movies about rich men who want to find a wife that will love them and not their money. They keep their wealth a secret when dating. I liked the twist of it being the female who withholds her true identity this time.

It does seem that one lie leads to another though in order to keep the secret. Plus, the question of when to reveal the secret definitely becomes a problem in a blossoming relationship.

_____

Once again, a movie undergoes a name change. A Hot Cocoa Christmas was released in 2021 and originally named Much Ado About Christmas. In my case, I am certain I selected this movie to watch because "hot cocoa" was in the name. Therefore, I think it was a great name change.

A Hot Cocoa Christmas Movie Synopsis

A Hot Cocoa Christmas

When Haley Logan Lloyd (Susie Abromeit) steps in to help serve hot cocoa at a Christmas party, she has a rare opportunity to meet two men who have no idea who she is. That is an awesome advantage for her because both men are more honest about who they are when interacting with a nobody barista making and serving them hot cocoa.

With one, Claud Miller (Torrance Coombs), she experiences instant attraction. The other shows his less attractive side which keeps her from falling for his "gentlemanly facade" after he finds out her real identity.

Unbeknownst to Haley, both men are at the Christmas party to curry favor with Leona Lloyd, owner of Lloyd Industry, and Haley's mother. They both work for advertising agencies that are vying for her new fragrance line account.

Before Claud leaves the party, he spots Haley and asks her for her number. She writes her name and phone number on a napkin for him, but she leaves her last name off. She just wants a "real" relationship based on attraction and love, not prestige.

Just to add a little more fun to the movie, Haley's best friend, Beatrice, previous dated Claud's co-worker, Ben. When Haley and Ben play matchmakers by inviting them to join them for Christmas karaoke, Beatrice and Ben find they are still attracted to each other. For those of us who are hopeless romantics, having a second happy couple in the movie, is like adding whipped topping on hot cocoa. Just makes it all the better!

Haley and Claud make a really cute couple. Your heart breaks a little when Claud finds out who she really is and feels betrayed.

Check Out More Great American Family Christmas Movie Review

The Great American Family Channel (GAC) has become my favorite streaming service. GAC offers family-friendly programming with movies that pure entertainment without disturbing scenes or foul language.

Here are some of the GAC Christmas movies that I have previously reviewed. I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I did!

A Royal Date for Christmas
Lives are changed forever when a European duke's luggage is lost & he goes to a local store to buy a suit. He realizes he needs more than just clothes.

A Paris Christmas Waltz (2023) Movie Review
A really sweet & uplifting movie about 2 people whose sacrifices for others result in significant changes to their lives that lead them to each other

A Brush With Christmas
When the demands of her restaurant increase for the holidays, Jillian must choose between her commitment to her family & her art due to limited time.

Twas the Text Before Christmas (2023) - Great American Family Movie
A grandmother sends a text to wrong number & ends up making friends with a woman who replies. A Christmas invite is a chance for fun, family & romance.

A Dash of Christmas
Great American Family channel delivers "A Dash of Christmas" in time for the season. A delightful romantic movie with lots of cooking, baking, & fun.

Check Out More Movie Reviews at
ReviewThisMovies.com

A Hot Cocoa Christmas - Movie Review by:

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Wednesday, November 20, 2024

The Best Clean, High-Quality Protein Powder That Tastes Terrific

I recently discovered Jocko Mölk Protein Powder after it was recommended by several nutritionists I follow. Ever since I started my low carb lifestyle back in 2019, I have tried to prioritize protein. But it can be harder than you think to get as much protein as we need!

I have used low carb protein shakes and protein bars to increase my protein intake without adding a lot of calories and fat to my diet. Unfortunately, many of them just don't taste that good, and many of the protein powders also have an unpleasant texture and tendency to sink to the bottom of whatever beverage you're making with them.

Fortunately, the one I'm reviewing today, Jocko Mölk Protein Powder, ticks all the boxes for my husband and me. It tastes great when blended into a shake with milk, ice, and optional flavorings, packs an impressive 22g of protein, yet it has only 120–140 calories, 2g–3.5g of fat, 3–7g of carbohydrate, and only 1–2g of sugar. It's soy-free and gluten-free and contains probiotics and digestive enzymes to prevent bloating.

Our favorite protein shake made with Jocko Mölk Mint Chocolate Protein Powder, nut milk, ChocZero Peppermint Flavoring Syrup, and ice

What is Jocko Mölk Protein Powder?

Jocko Mölk Protein Powder, developed by retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, is designed for those seeking a high-quality, no-nonsense protein supplement that supports fitness goals. Known for its clean ingredient profile and versatility, it has become popular among athletes, gym-goers, and anyone looking to boost their protein intake. Here’s an in-depth look at the product:

Ingredienst for Jocko Molk Protein Powder Mint Chocolate Protein Shake

Ingredients & Nutritional Profile

Jocko Mölk is a blend of casein, whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and egg protein. This mix provides a sustained release of amino acids, making it an excellent option for both pre- and post-workout recovery, as well as before bedtime.

Protein Content: Each serving delivers 22 grams of protein, which supports muscle growth and repair.
Carbs and Sugar: With only 1-2 grams of sugar per serving, depending on the flavor, it’s suitable for low-carb diets, including keto.
Fat: This protein powder is low in fat. Our favorite flavor, Mint Chocolate, has only 2.5g of fat.

The formula is rounded out with added digestive enzymes for improved absorption and probiotics to support gut health, a unique feature compared to many other protein powders.

Taste and Texture

Jocko Mölk comes in a variety of flavors, including Vanilla Milkshake, Strawberry Milkshake, Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate, Banana, Cookies & Cream, and Pumpkin. (Some flavors may be seasonal.) So far, we have only tried the Mint Chocolate and we love it. We plan to try more flavors!

The flavors are rich and not overly sweet, as they are sweetened naturally with monk fruit. Many users appreciate the lack of artificial aftertaste that some protein powders have. This also makes it easy to customize your desired level of sweetness. (We love adding ChocZero flavoring syrups sweetened with monk fruit.)

Unlike many other protein powders, this one mixes smoothly with water, milk, or alternative milk without leaving clumps or being gritty. Using a blender yields the best results, but a shaker cup works well, too.

Performance and Benefits

In addition to providing a basic protein boost, which is why my husband and I use this, the slow-digesting protein blend supports muscle recovery over an extended period, making it ideal for nighttime use or between meals. We find that a shake made with Jocko Mölk, nut milk, ice, and optional flavorings is filling and satisfying while being low in calories, carbs, and fat.

Who It's For

• Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone looking for a clean, versatile protein powder.

• Dietary Needs: It’s keto-friendly, gluten-free, and made with natural ingredients, making it accessible for a range of dietary preferences. I also think it would also be great for seniors or invalids who aren't getting enough protein and other nutrients in their diets and would find a delicious protein shake an easy and pleasant way to supplement their nutrition.

• Who should avoid it: Those with dairy or egg allergies, as it contains casein, whey, and egg proteins.

Value for Money

At roughly $40–$45 for 31 servings, Jocko Mölk isn't inexpensive, but its price reflects its premium quality and clean formulation. Surprisingly, it's actually significantly less expensive than several other high quality, clean protein powders we have tried, such as Truvani whey protein, which costs roughly the same a 20-serving bag. And at roughly $1.30-$1.45 per serving, Jocko Mölk is a less expensive source of high-quality protein than many other foods.

Jocko Mölk Whey Protein Powder 22g Sugar Free Monk Fruit Blend - Muscle Recovery & Growth, Packaging May Vary (31 Servings, Mint Chocolate)

Pros:

Clean, natural ingredients

High in protein

Sustained-release protein blend

Low in sugar, carbs, and calories

Added probiotics and digestive enzymes

Cons:

Not inexpensive, but (surprisingly) less expensive than several of the other high quality protein powders we have tried that we don't like as well.

Not suitable for those with dairy or egg allergies.

Closing Thoughts

Jocko Mölk Protein Powder delivers on its promise of providing high-quality, natural protein with added health benefits. It’s particularly suited for those serious about fitness and overall health, offering sustained energy and muscle recovery, but you don't have to be an athlete or fitness buff to benefit from it.

It's also a wonderful, delicious, quick and convenient way for anyone to get more protein into their diets, including seniors and invalids who may not have an appetite for more conventional protein sources.

If you’re looking for a great-tasting, clean protein powder that goes beyond basic nutrition and doesn't cause digestive upset or bloating, Jocko Mölk is an excellent choice. Its emphasis on quality, health, and performance makes it stand out in a crowded market.

Bonus: Our Favorite Mint Chocolate Protein Shake Recipe

Servings:

Ingredients:

2 scoops Jocko Mölk Protein Powder, Mint Chocolate flavor

2 cups milk or milk alternative (we love unsweetened almond, cashew, macadamia, or pistachio milk)

2-3 Tablespoons of ChocZero Peppermint Flavoring Syrup or 1 tsp. Watkins Pure Peppermint extract (far superior to any brand other we have tried)

6 ice cubes

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth and ice is fully crushed. Divide between two tall Pilsner glasses and enjoy.

The Best-Tasting, High-Quality Protein Powder That Tastes Terrific by Margaret Schindel

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

A Review of Three Lower Calorie Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you are like me, you worry that all that luscious food will be taking up residence on your hips after the event. Over the years I have found a few recipes that help reduce this possibility, and are just as delicious as their full calorie counterparts. I even started sneaking them into potluck events around the holidays, and not a single person has ever noticed that the calories have been trimmed.

Substitute one or more of these recipes at your family feast, and see if anyone notices. I can practically guarantee they won't!

Low Sugar Cranberry Relish

Ingredients:

12 ounce cranberries - fresh or frozen cranberries.

1 whole orange with skin If you are not a fan of oranges, they can be changed out with any crispy, tart apple that is cored, peeled and sliced.

1/2 cup almonds, chopped medium. If you aren't partial to almonds, you can use walnuts or if you prefer softer nuts, use pecans.

1/2 cup to 3/4 cups sweetener. I use Splenda, not in packages, but loose.

Instructions:

1. Wash the orange and cut it in half. Peel one half and discard the peel. Peel the other half and put the peel into the food processor or blender. Separate the orange sections and cut each in half and set aside.

2. Turn on the food processor or blender and chop the orange peel as small as you can without pureeing it.

3. Wash and drain the cranberries well. Make sure they are all firm. Put in the food processor or blender.

4. Put the almonds and 1/2 cup sweetener in the food processor or blender.

5. Pulse the food processor or blender until the pieces of the mixture are smallish chunky, and the sweetener is well mixed in.

6. Add the orange pieces and pulse a few more times till the oranges are well mixed in with the other ingredients.

7. Try the relish for sweetness and and add more if needed.

8. This relish should be stored in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for 8 hours before serving.

Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

1/3 cup chopped onions

1/3 cup bread crumbs

4 slices turkey bacon

1 can (10 ounce) of 99%fat free cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup plain fat free yogurt

1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (I use Stubbs Hickory Liquid Smoke from Amazon)

3 9 ounce packages of frozen French cut green beans, frozen

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

2. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with no stick spray

3. In a small bowl, stir together the onions and bread crumbs.

4. Evenly spread the mixture on the cookie sheet and bake about 12 minutes until golden brown.

5. Remove from oven and set aside.

6. Cook the the turkey bacon (I use the original Makin Bacon Microwave Dish to make mine)

7. Chop the bacon and set aside.

8. In a large bowl, stir together the condensed soup, yogurt and liquid smoke.

9. Then stir in the beans and bacon.

10. Lightly spray a glass baking dish (11" x 7" or 9" x 13") with no stick spray.

11. Transfer the bean mixture to the backing dish.

12. Top with the onion mixture to the glass dish.

13. Top with the onion mixture and back for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Makes 6 servings, 103 calories per serving.

Pumpkin Pie

If you prefer, you can make your pie shell from scratch. I always use a premade pie shell to save time.

Pumpkin Pie Filling:

15 ounce can of pure pumpkin - Not pumpkin pie filling

12 ounces of fat free evaporated skim milk

2 eggs or 1/2 cup of Egg Beaters

1/2 cup granulated sugar - I substitute Splenda for this

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp powdered ginger

1/4 tsp ground cloves - this is optional, as some don't like the taste

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2. Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a small bowl.

3. Beat eggs lightly in a large bowl.

4. Stir in pumpkin and spice mixture.

5. Gradually stir in evaporated skim milk.

6. Pour in to a pre-prepared pie shell.

7. Bake pie in the oven for 15 minutes.

8. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 40-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

9. Remove from oven and let cool for at least two hours, serve immediately or refrigerate before serving. DO NOT chill before the pie has set, if you do it can begin to weep moisture on the top of the pie. If this happens, blot the top lightly with a paper towel.

Makes 8 servings, about 150 calories each.

I especially love the relish. It is so sweet and crunchy! I always had eaten regular jellied cranberry sauce until about 10 years ago when my sister brought some relish to our Thanksgiving dinner. I tried it and just never looked back. It is YUMMY!!

The pumpkin pie is a recipe that I made myself when my husband developed diabetes and could not have sugar anymore. While I was tweaking the recipe I decided to try to cut some calories too which is why I started using fat free evaporated skim milk. I really cannot taste the difference.

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I have and you and yours have a

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photos by Pixabay and eatloveeats

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Thursday, October 3, 2024

Plant Based Ice Cream Review

I had been trying to eat more plant based and began a journey of trying out different types of plant based ice cream. My first attempts on this journey left more to be desired. It just seemed like something was missing, but mostly, the types I tried were rather sweet to me.

I'll give you some background on that. I had been switching my preference for ice tea from sweet to fifty percent sweet, and then to three quarters unsweet and only 1/4 sweet. So I was becoming less inclined to go for anything overly sweet.

For the most part, dairy based ice cream did not seem overly sweet to me. Perhaps that was due to the ratio of fat to sweet. Since there wasn't much if any fat in the plant based ice creams, that might have been part of the reason for the extra taste of sweetness.

The types of the plant based ice creams that I tried, (ones I purchased from grocery stores), had a base of either soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and cashew milk. The first three plant based milks I tasted seemed very sweet, and they were from different brands. I was about to give up, and then I happened upon cashew milk based ice cream. It was the best. It had good ice cream flavor and wasn't overly sweet.

There weren't many flavors of the cashew milk based ice cream to choose from, but it did do in a pinch. I highly recommend the ones made with cashew milk. Perhaps the fat content in the cashews also helped with the flavor.

On with my ice cream journey:

I was also exploring various vegan type recipes on YouTube and found quite a few on making your own ice cream. I took the basics from what I learned from various recipes and decided just to give a go with the basics only. This is the recipe that I came up with.

Basic Plant Based Ice Cream Recipe

1 part frozen sliced bananas, 1 part fresh or frozen desired fruit, and 1/2 to 3/4 parts of plant based milk

Put all three ingredients in a good performance blender and blend.

It will come out more like soft serve ice cream. If you want it softer, add more of the plant based milk, and less if you want it firmer.

I used my Ninja Auto IQ Kitchen System blender when I am making enough ice cream for two or two plus. Sometimes the portions are larger, lol.

Here are some tips on using the Ninja Auto IQ Kitchen System:

+Plug the unit in once the base is secure on your counter, table. (It has suction feet.)
+Add the ingredients and attach the lid. +Push in the power button. The almost full circle with a vertical line at the top of the circle.
+Then selected the Smoothie button.
+The machine blends and pauses according to it's built in program. It will count down the seconds until it is completely done blending. (I love this part!)
+Almost done. Remove the lid then carefully lift out the blending blade unit. The blades are very sharp. Use a spatula to slide any ice cream into the blender and transport the blending blade to the sink.
+Rinse and then use a bottle brush, I use foam dishwashing liquid to spray it with, and proceed to clean using the bottle brush and the foam cleaner. Do Not Touch the Blades.
+I clean these blades off at this part so that everything comes off more easily. Then it's a breeze. The blender container and the blade assembly can also be washed in the dishwasher. I do it the way I previously described, so that water doesn't set in any of the insides. It's also pretty quick.
+Then, if the mixture is thick enough for ice cream, use a spatula to scrape out the goodness into your bowls or pour the liquid into your cups.

This particular batch turned out to be a milkshake batch! Yum!

The ice cream is fresh and tasty, and not overly sweet unless you add additional sweetener of some kind.

If you want to freeze this ice cream, it will come out really firm. You will need to let it defrost at room temperature for 20-30 minutes or more, depending on how much ice cream you are trying to thaw. I really do prefer enjoying it freshly made.

This link will take you to the Ninja Auto IQ Kitchen System on Amazon. https://amzn.to/4eNBs7n

This is the link, if you're a one serving kind of person, for the NutriBullet blender. This one has 1200 watts, which is a good one to use for blending frozen items. https://amzn.to/4042pzB

Does it matter which plant based milk to use?

I have used almond milk or oat milk. Those are my main go to's that I have on hand. I occasionally buy cashew milk if I know I am making mashed potatoes. There is only one store here that carries the cashew milk, so I make it with whatever I happen to have on hand. Any of the plant based milks that I have used have turned out well.

If you are interested in checking out the plant based Butterless Pecan Ice Cream that I came up with, you can check out the recipe post card in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle:

Cheryl's Butterless Pecan Ice Cream Recipe
by CherylsArt

It is scrumptious!

If you're wanting to do paper crafting or scrapbooking with ice cream designs, check out my Ice Cream Scrapbook Paper, paperback on Amazon. It includes copies of my basic plant based ice cream recipe.

Have you had and or made plant based ice cream yet? What did you think? Will you try making your own batch of plant based ice cream?

Cheryl Paton

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Saturday, July 13, 2024

A Review of Blue Bunny Ice Cream

I am not a big dessert eater, and am particular about the desserts I DO eat. Growing up, dessert was not a regular part of our meals, usually reserved for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays.

I am not fond of cake, except for falling in love with the recently discovered Chantilly Cake. My dessert preference is for pies (mostly cream pies such as chocolate), and ice cream.

When it comes to ice cream, I really only like vanilla ice cream plain, in a hot fudge sundae, or for the topping on warm apple pie. Plus, any ice cream with some type of nuts in it.

My favorite ‘snack’ is an ice cream drumstick - vanilla ice cream in a sugar cone dipped in a chocolate coating and topped with peanuts.

Recently, I bought a brand I was not familiar with because it was on sale at my grocery store. It was the ‘best’ drumstick-style cone I have ever had. It is made by Blue Bunny, an ice cream brand I had seen in store freezers, but never tried.

Blue Bunny Caramel Butter Pecan Praline Ice Cream

This week I branched out and bought a tub of ice cream by Blue Bunny - the Caramel Butter Pecan Praline flavor. WOW! Unbelievably delicious!

Blue Bunny has become my new favorite ice cream. It is SO creamy and rich tasting and far surpasses any other ice cream I have ever had.

Blue Bunny Ice Cream by Wells Enterprises

Blue Bunny ice cream is made by Wells Enterprises of Le Mars, Iowa, just northeast of Sioux City. The company was begun in 1925 by Fred H. Wells Jr. and his sons and they delivered it to neighboring Iowa towns. In 1928, Fairmont Ice Cream purchased the ice cream distribution system in Sioux City, along with the Wells name.

Blue Bunny in Crochet
handmade by (c) Elf

In 1935, the Wells family decided to again sell their ice cream in Sioux City, but unable to sell their product under their own name, they decided to hold a “Name That Ice Cream” contest. The winning entry - Blue Bunny - was submitted by a Sioux City man who had noticed how much his son enjoyed the blue bunnies in a department store at Easter.

By 1954, Fred Wells' sons, Harold, Mike, Roy and Fay, and their cousin Fred D. Wells, began running the family business as a partnership. It has become the largest family-owned ice cream company in the country.

Summary

According to what I learned in my research, I think the secret to the fantastic taste is the fact that Blue Bunny uses only high-quality ingredients, such as their locally-sourced fresh milk in their delicious ice cream. I must disclose that I have discovered that this ice cream is quite high in calories (200 calories per serving), which is a lot to devote to just dessert. But, oh, what a decadently delicious treat! Definitely worth tasting, even if only for special occasions. Pick up a pint at your favorite store and see if you agree. :)

For more information about Blue Bunny Ice Cream Products, click here.

For an added incentive to try Blue Bunny ice cream, National Ice Cream Month is celebrated during the whole month of July, with National Ice Cream Day occurring on the third Sunday in July each year.

*Blue Bunny Ice Cream review written by Wednesday Elf

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