Drinks

Airheads Drink Gems

0 · Nov 13, 2015 · Leave a Comment

+ This Airheads Drink Gems post brought to you by Airheads. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my very own. +

Picture this scene… You have a house full of 10 and 11 year old girls. They are looking for something fun to do.

You are scrambling to find something “cool” to do that won’t embarrass your daughter and force your family to enter the Middle School Protection Program and relocate the entire family to Cleveland (sorry friends in Cleveland… I’m sure it’s a lovely city! I just needed to pick a place.) They are hungry and thirsty and things are starting to escalate… Your “cool” factor is dropping dramatically.

You’ve never been there? Boy, I have! I have three girls and the last one just started Middle School this year and the fun has started all over again. Take it from and experienced tween Mom… You need to stock-up on Airheads so that you can up your “cool” factor higher than you can even imagine!

If you have a room full of restless kiddos, pull out your Airheads, some cutting boards, rolling pins and some small cookie cutters or cupcake decorating tips and let them go to town.

You’ll be the coolest Mom in town if you teach them how to make Airhead Drink Gems. They will LOVE it, plus it will kill some time before you have to come-up with some other non-cringe worthy activity.

Here’s how you can look like a rockstar…

I used a fondant rolling pin, but any kind will work. Unwrap 3-4 Airheads of the same color, place them in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 5-8 seconds to soften them up. Kneed them in your hand to work them together. Lay them on a cutting board and then use small cookie cutters or a large cupcake decorating tip to cut out your shapes.

All you need to do is gather some clear class cups or jars and then affix them to the side of the glass.

They are easy to affix… All you need to do is slightly dampen a paper towel. Just like you would dampen a stamp, lightly r ub one side of your shape on the paper towel, slightly dampening it. Place it on the side of the glass and voilá, you’ve created your first Airhead Drink Gem!

Let them go to town designing their own glasses, they’ll love it!

Once they are finished you can add some clear soda or seltzer water to the glass and watch the dr ink take on the color of the gems. This is RIGHT DOWN THEIR ALLEY! You’re officially a ROCK STAR!

If you want to be extra cool… You can help them make their own Airheads Straw as well.

You can make all kinds of stuff with Airheads! For more fun ideas on how to craft with Airheads visit and follow them on Pinterest. To learn more about Airheads candy visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

Yes, even YOU can be a cool mom with Airheads!

Disclaimer // This post is sponsored by Airheads. All thoughts, ideas & opinions are my very own.

The Secret to Perfect Hot Chocolate

2 · Nov 12, 2015 ·

+ This Perfect Hot Chocolate post is brought to you by International Delights +

Ohhhhh, Hot Chocolate…

Need I say more?

I spent my younger years searching for THE PERFECT HOT CHOCOLATE. The minute the weather would turn chilly I would be on the hunt. I’ve tried all kinds… Powder packets, chocolate syrup in milk, actually melting chocolate in milk.

I’ve tried it all.

In my searching, I discovered that I loved to have some extra spice in my chocolatey drink. I’ve added all kinds of spices trying to find the perfect one. For some reason… The Holidays just couldn’t be the Holidays without a nice warm cup of Hot Chocolate. That little treat just seemed to usher in the season.

We’ve hit the jackpot this year… International Delights has introduced a yummy heat & serve Hot Chocolate that you can find in the dairy case. YEP… It’s rich and creamy and so convenient!

I decided I wanted to warm mine up with a little cinnamon spice. I made a cinnamon whipped cream and them rimmed the mugs with a cinnamon sugar mixture. Here’s what you need for this Holiday treat.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream for the Perfect Hot Chocolate

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

2 table spoons powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon cinnamon

For the rim of the mug

3 tablespoons cinnamon Turbinado sugar

(What is Turbinado Sugar? Turbinado sugar is raw sugar that has been steam-cleaned. The coarse Turbinado crystals are blond colored and have a delicate molasses flavor. If you can’t find cinnamon Turbinado Sugar, just add a 1/4 teaspoon to the 3 tablespoons of sugar.)

Instructions for Cinnamon Whipped Cream

In a chilled mixing bowl, add cream and using the whisk attachment whip at medium to high speed. Let mix for 1 minute or until the cream starts to thicken. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon and continue to mix on high until the mixture thickens into whipped cream.

Next, use the cinnamon Turbinado sugar to rim the mugs. Put a few (2-3) tablespoons of water onto a plate or shallow bowl and place your mug, rim side down onto the plate.

Then, place your sugar onto a 2nd plate and place your mug, rim side down onto the plate, like so…

Now, you’re ready to heat your International Delights Hot Chocolate according to package directions. Pour your Hot Chocolate into your mugs, top with Cinnamon Whipped Cream and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.

Ummmmm, YES… It’s as good as it sounds!

What brings the spirit into the Holidays for you? Is it the sights and sounds of the season or is there a specific flavor that brings them to life for you? Visit the folks at International Delights to learn how you can win a $5000 Holiday Brunch just by sharing your story!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Nana Nog // Almond Banana Shake Recipe

1 · Jan 23, 2015 · 1 Comment

+ This Nana Nog // Banana Shake Recipe Post brought to you by the folks at Silk Almond Milk +

When I was a kid, one of my favorite treats was a banana shake that my Mom would make every once in a while, we called it a Nana Nog.

No relation to Egg Nog, plus you can drink it year-round!

It was a simple mixture, but it was always so heavenly. She would always pull it out of her hat, right at the perfect time.

You know, that moment when you’re craving a little sweet refreshing treat?!

Secretly I’m sure, she made them right when the bananas were heading south and she didn’t have time to make banana bread.

I however, would like to think she was so in tune with my every desire and knew just when the time was right to pull out her famous Nana Nog!

The name of the drink has a two fold meaning now. Of course it was originally named after the key ingredient, bananas. Now, since we call my Mom Nana, the drink is named after her the creator! It’s perfect!!

We have another drink called Magical Monkey Milk, I’ll have to share that sometime too! It’s yummy!!

Nana Nogs are simply a mixture of Silk Almond Milk, bananas, ice, a little bit of sugar and a dash of nutmeg. Boy I tell ya, it really hits the spot sometimes! I choose to use Almond Milk rather than traditional milk for several reasons. First, it’s obviously dairy-free so even friends with dairy issues can have this sweet treat. Plus, check out all these added benefits…

90 calories per serving
50% more calcium than dairy milk
Excellent source of vitamin E
Absolutely no cholesterol or saturated fat
Free of dairy, soy, lactose, gluten, casein, egg and MSG
Verified by the Non-GMO Project’s product verification program
No artificial colors, flavors or funny business

Yea, it’s pretty good stuff. Silk’s plant protein truly helps you BLOOM, plus it tastes GREAT!!

You should check out the Silk Site for all kinds of great ideas and coupons for all the Silk products.

Nana Nog Recipe

2 ripe bananas

2 cups of Silk Vanilla Sweetened Almond Milk

1 cup of ice

1/4 teaspoon of sugar

a pinch of nutmeg

Really truly, your bananas should look more like this…

In the jar of your blender, add all of your ingredients.

And Blend, that’s it!

This makes roughly three to four child size servings. Perfect to share with some friends.

My little guy Gage thinks it’s just the bees knees! Grab some Silk Almond Milk and surprise your kiddos with this fun treat!

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

Peppermint Almond Steamer with a Chocolate Twist

2 · Nov 5, 2014 ·

+ This Peppermint Almond Steamer post brought to you by Silk® Almond Milk +

I LOVE it when the weather turns chilly… I can’t say that I’m totally in love with deep winter, but I sure love the turning of the seasons. I especially love the warm drink season for sure!

There is really nothing better then curly up with your sweetie by the fire sharing a mug of some kind of warm treat. A few weeks ago I shared a new warm treat that I discovered and fell head-over-heels in love with…

An Almond Pumpkin Steamer made with Silk® Light Vanilla Almond Milk!

Oh my stars… If you haven’t tried this yet, you NEED to. Run and grab some pumpkin syrup before it’s gone for the season.

Now that we are transitioning from pumpkin season and moving into the peppermint season, I thought I would try a peppermint version of my Silk® Almond Steamer. It’s quite simply… Divine!

I love using Silk® products for my warm drinks. First off, they warm up especially well and you can feel good about indulging in a special treat when you are harnessing the power of plant protein. At 60 calories per serving, Silk® Light Vanilla Almond Milk is happiness in a glass. You heard right—that’s 1/3 fewer calories than our regular almond milk and still 50% more calcium than dairy milk. With a hint of vanilla and plenty of nutty goodness, our almond milk just got even easier to love especially when you pair it with the flavors of the season.

For those of you with dairy issues… Here is a special treat that you CAN have! I’m sure it becomes quite frustrating when everyone is snuggling with cups of hot chocolate. Here is a dairy-free option just for you!

For those of you who would like to up the ante a bit… You can add a little twist of chocolate to your steamer! This will make it so that it’s not dairy-free anymore, but if you like a smidge of chocolate in your steamer, this is the way to go.

I created some chocolate stirring spoons to serve with your steamers…

+ wood bead trivet by the little red cabin +

Won’t these be super cute to serve at a steamer bar?!

I added some holiday embellishments that I found at Target in the gift wrapping section on top of the wood spoons along with some Washi tape. Those are the extra special touches that take your simple treat and elevate it to something EXTRA special!

Chocolate Spoon Directions

Just make up a few of these chocolate spoons by melting some chocolate chips and dipping your spoon in the melted chocolate. On a baking sheet lined with wax paper, place your chocolate dipped spoons and then place the tray in your freezer for 10 minutes, so the chocolate will harden. Then place the spoons in a bowl for your guests.

Then all they have to do is swirl their spoons in their warm Peppermint Steamer to give it a touch of chocolate!

Peppermint Almond Steamer Recipe

2 cups Silk® Light Vanilla Almond Milk

1/4 teaspoon Watkins Peppermint Extract

Warm the almond milk slowly in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Remove from the heat as soon as you see steam, after about 3-4 minutes. Make sure you don’t over heat. Add the peppermint extract and serve immediately.

Garnish with crushed candy canes and serve with chocolate spoons.

For more ideas on how to use the family of Silk® products this Holiday season, visit the Silk® Facebook page and sign-up for the Silk® Club for all kinds of ideas and special offers!