Ready to start 2021 on the right foot–and paw? January is Walk Your Dog Month, a time to really resolve to walk your dog more–even during some of the most challenging weather conditions…
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Win a Yucky Puppy® Dog Walking Bag + Poop Bag Carriers #WalkYourDogMonth
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Last Day for $7.99 YUCKY PUPPY Sets!
Is it just me…or is a little hard to believe the holidays are over? This has definitely been such an unusual period (so strange, in fact, that sometimes I have a hard time remembering what time…
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National Labrador Retriever Day
The Labrador Retriever has consistently been dubbed top dog in annual lists of America’s favorite breed. In fact, Labs are so popular that they even have their own pet holiday, which…
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3 Holiday Coffee Recipes
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dannon. All opinions are 100% mine.
You guys are already well aware of my deep and unwavering love for coffee. My sister loves to tease me that if we could only eat one food forever, mine would be coffee. (She’s not wrong.) I also have a signature coffee that I normally drink every. single. day. (Soy lattes, you are my reason for getting out of bed in the morning.) As with many of the more mundane, everyday things in my life though, the holiday season always inspires me to change my coffee up a bit, in an effort to make it just a little more festive. And today I thought I’d share with you three of my current favorite holiday coffee recipes. They’re all incredibly quick and simple to make, and you can easily get all of the supplies at your local Meijer.
Vegan Peppermint Mocha
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS
1 cup coffee
1/4 c Silk Dark Chocolate Peppermint Almond Creamer
And if you want to skip the candy canes and peppermint mark, that’s totally cool, because the flavor of the Silk Dark Chocolate Peppermint Almond Creamer (which is new and also limited edition!) is so delicious that it’s all you need. If I’m in a hurry and don’t want to make a mocha, I just splash some in my morning coffee and it is instantly more tasty! I am a long time fan of Silk products, and this is no exception. Made with no dairy, gluten, carrageenan, or artificial colors or flavors, this plant-based creamer is smooth and creamy and so perfectly festive. Bonus: It is non-GMO project verified, and has 0g cholesterol or saturated fat per serving. Head to your local Meijer and grab some today!
2 tablespoons crushed vegan peppermint bark (optional)
mini candy canes
Make coffee in a coffee pot and heat the Silk Dark Chocolate Peppermint Almond Creamer in saucepan on low until warm. Pour coffee in a mug and top with Silk Dark Chocolate Peppermint Almond Creamer. Add mini candy canes for a fun garnish. I like to drop a couple pieces of crushed peppermint bark in just to make it a little extra, but this is optional.
And if you want to skip the candy canes and peppermint mark, that’s totally cool, because the flavor of the Silk Dark Chocolate Peppermint Almond Creamer (which is new and also limited edition!) is so delicious that it’s all you need. If I’m in a hurry and don’t want to make a mocha, I just splash some in my morning coffee and it is instantly more tasty! I am a long time fan of Silk products, and this is no exception. Made with no dairy, gluten, carrageenan, or artificial colors or flavors, this plant-based creamer is smooth and creamy and so perfectly festive. Bonus: It is non-GMO project verified, and has 0g cholesterol or saturated fat per serving. Head to your local Meijer and grab some today!
Caramel Waffle Cookie Coffee
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS
1 cup coffee
whip cream caramel syrup or honey 1 waffle cookie or wafer cookie
Make coffee in a coffee pot. Pour coffee and International Delight Caramel Waffle Cookie Creamer in a glass coffee mug. Top with whip cream (the more the better, man), drizzle caramel syrup or honey (my favorite) on the top, and add a waffle cookie or vanilla wafer coffee. This is an absolutely decadent coffee treat that I love to enjoy as a holiday dessert (while watched Elf on repeat).
I think it goes without saying that it is the International Delight Caramel Waffle Cookie Creamer that makes this coffee treat so next level. I mean, the fact that Buddy the Elf™ is on the front was enough for me to buy it, but it also tastes like sweet, sugarplum filled holiday bliss in an adorable container. It is rich, drizzly caramel on top of a toasted waffle cookie right in a creamer. And it’s available for a limited time at Meijer.
Cinnamon Coffeehouse Latte
If you have an espresso machine, go ahead and whip yourself up a real latte with these ingredients. But if you’re just a commoner like me, make coffee in a coffee pot and pour into a mug. If you don’t have a way to steam the Land o Lakes Coffee House Half and Half (I don’t!), heat in a sauce pan over low heat until warm and use a whisk or hand frother (what I use) to produce a foam, then immediately pour over coffee. Top with cinnamon and serve with holiday gingerbread cookies.
It’s a very simple coffee drink, but the Land o Lakes Coffee House Half and Half and light dusting of cinnamon are truly all you need to make this a delightful latte for wintertime and the holiday season. With 30% more cream than their regular half and half, Land o Lakes Coffee House Half and Half is extra creamy indulgence that elevates your everyday basic coffee into something extraordinary. And it is now available at Meijer!
I hope you enjoy these holiday season coffee delights as much as I have been! As I said before, you can easily grab everything you need to make them at your local Meijer. It’s like a holiday gift to yourself! Happy holidays!
Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken
This post is in partnership with InnovAsian, but all opinions are my own.
I will just come right out and say that this is one of those semi-homemade recipes, because, well, that’s how I operate. But every time I post one of these recipes (or more accurately, hacks), I get an overwhelmingly positive response. We’re all busy, man. Most of us don’t have time or energy to create lavish meals from scratch every night. And that’s why I share these.
I also post almost exclusively vegetarian recipes on here, because, well, I’m a vegetarian and have been most of my life. But both of my kids and my husband enjoy eating meat, and if I can whip them up something they truly love that isn’t vegetarian for once, they’re stoked.
All of this is why I have been so into InnovAsian foods lately. My kids and my husband all love sweet and sour chicken, and tend to choose that when we order Chinese take out. So I decided I was going to surprise them and make it at home. Then, because I am realistic in terms of my kitchen accomplishments, I shifted gears and did a little research on frozen versions instead. My research led me to Walmart and the InnovAsian products in their frozen aisle. I’ll talk more about their awesomeness in a minute, but for now, here is my recipe/hack!
Easy + Fast Sweet and Sour Chicken
Serves 3-4
INGREDIENTS
1 18 oz bag InnovAsian Sweet and Sour Chicken
3 cups (1 bag) InnovAsian Sticky White Rice
3 cups broccoli, chopped
scallions
1 orange, wedged
Prepare InnovAsian Sweet and Sour Chicken according to package directions. I prefer the oven preparation, but the pan-fry method is faster and can be done in less than 10 minutes! While chicken is cooking, place the bag of sauce from the package in a bowl of warm water to thaw. Place self-venting bag of InnovAsian Sticky White Rice with proper side up in microwave and and heat on high for 5 minutes. Steam the broccoli florets for 3-5 minutes until tender (but not mushy). Chop scallions. When chicken is fully cooked, place in a bowl (or leave in pan if you pan fried), and stir in sauce with chicken (heat an additional 2 minutes if pan fried). Stir in broccoli. Plate rice, then pour sweet and sour chicken over it. Top with scallions and garnish with orange wedges.
And there you have it! A fancy sweet and sour chicken dinner in less than 15 minutes. My kids and husband rave about how delicious this is (okay, Emmett picks out the broccoli and scallions with all sorts of dramatic whines but I’ll take what I can get), and I love that it (and all InnovAsian meals!) are filled with protein at a great price. InnovAsian also makes a delicious Vegetable Fried Rice that I love to pair with pan fried tofu and hot sauce. They’re also great on their own without any of these little “upgrades.” Best of all, they save time, energy, and money, which these days all feel more precious than ever.
Grab yourself some InnovAsian products from the freezer section the next time you’re at Walmart, or order online with Walmart pick up, and let me know what you think! I’d love to hear from you if you try this recipe hack as well.
Thank You, Happy Holidays, and See You Next Year!
What a year. I mean, where do I even begin? I think I’ll just keep it short and sweet and say Happy Holidays, and thank you. Thank you for being here, engaging, and allowing me to share pieces of my life along with products and services I love. I know there has been a lot of sponsored content here and on Instagram over the past two months. Since mid October, I have been working 80 hour weeks. My husband has been out of work since the live music industry shut down in March, and I am grateful beyond words for the campaigns I have gotten and the ability to support our little family. I am also extremely burned out and exhausted, and looking forward to spending the next week and half with my husband and kids (who have been asking a lot why mommy has to work so much).
I’ll be back here after the New Year, and because I just don’t know how to completely turn off, I’m sure I’ll be popping in on Instagram.
However you celebrate (or don’t celebrate!), I wish you the happiest of holidays and a New Year that is better than whatever this crap just was. Love and peace!
Social Distancing…Not
Maybe someday soon we won’t have to stay six feet away from our friends. We can only hope. For now, #MaskUp, #BackUp, and #StaySafe Until next time, Good day, and good dog!
That’s Deputy Gunnar, to you
Remember the little puppy who got snatched by a gator, and his dad pulled him free? Recognizing Gunnar’s bravery, the Lee County (FL) Sheriff’s Department has now made him a deputy! Sweeeeeet! Until next time, Good day, and good dog!
Dog Rescue Advocates the World Lost in 2020
As we say goodbye to 2020, let us remember some of the famous two- and four-legged animal advocates we said farewell to this year. Although they may no longer be with us, their love and compassion…
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200+ Movie Dog Names and the Dogs Who Portrayed Them!
Are you a movie buff with a new barking buddy? Why not name the dog who has landed a starring role in your life after a dog seen on the silver screen? From classics to today’s Hollywood hits,…
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