Beverages

Simple and Easy Strawberry Smoothie with Tofu

February 9, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Strawberry Smoothie with Tofu

I love, love, love smoothies – the the point of being absolutely obsessed with them. Pretty sure my youngest daughter and I are keeping the new smoothie place in town in business all by ourselves.

Of course, it isn’t always convenient to run across town for a great smoothie, so having quick “go to” recipes in your mind, along with the ingredients in your kitchen are MUSTs when you’re a smoothie addict. I always keep frozen fruit, tofu, juices, greens, apples, flaxseed, favorite milks (cashew, coconut, oat..).. and other favorite ingredients on hand.

Thing is, I don’t always WANT an elaborate smoothie any more than I always WANT to make one. That’s why this quick, easy, and deliciously simple smoothie recipe is always in mind and often in the blender.

Simply blend 10-12 frozen (whole) strawberries, 1/2 cup tofu, 1 cup cashew or oat milk, and a couple of tablespoons of sugar (or Stevia, Truvia… sugar replacement of your choice) together. IF you like almond milk, feel perfectly free to use it. I personally don’t care for the way almond milk dominates a conversation in my smoothies (same reason I avoid bananas.. none of the other ingredients can get a word in edgewise!). The dominant tendencies of bananas in smoothies is what led me to falling in love with using tofu in their place.

Tofu allows the strawberries to do all the talking… which (for this strawberry fanatic) is a conversation I’m always up for.

Strawberry Smoothie with Tofu

If you’re as into smoothies as I am, you may want to check out something I recently found on Amazon: PopBabies Portable Blender for Smoothies (Amazon link) – the GORGEOUS Apple Green one is pictured below. They come in many different beautiful colors and I think you’re going to want to order one as much as I do. They’re also really affordable and would make great gifts.

Click the link above or the image below for more information.

Gorgeous Whistling Tea Kettles from SUSTEAS

January 31, 2022 By Joi Sigers

One of my favorite times of the day is my evening tea. There’s just something about the experience of having tea that goes beyond the warmth and deliciousness, isn’t there? The entire experience is simply… well… lovely.

The mug you use and the kettle that makes the magic happen are a part of the whole experience as far as I’m concerned. While looking at tea and coffee mugs on Amazon a few minutes ago, I saw a gorgeous new tea kettle (pictured here).

This beauty is the SUSTEAS Whistling Tea Kettle (Amazon link) and I had to come here to put it in the spotlight.

The gorgeous kettle is available in red, black, and white, and each color is spectacular.

When you click through the link, you can see each color available and take a much closer look at these beautiful kettles.

Ergonomically designed handle and push-button technology makes pouring a breeze.. and comfortably safe.
A nice, loud whistle guarantees that you can hear it from another room when the water is boiled.
SUSTEAS tea kettle is made of 3 layers encapsulated base, even heat boils water faster.
Comes in a handsome gift box, so it’s perfect to give to your favorite tea lover.
SUSTEAS tea kettles are 100% Teflon and BPA-free

Take a closer look at these knock-outs here: SUSTEAS Whistling Tea Kettle (Amazon link)

If you love tea, I hope you’ll check out Emily’s wonderful tea blog, Crazy Tea Chick. She’s a beautiful, fun, witty, and wonderful tea lover and her passion for her favorite drink is contagious. She also happens to be my oldest daughter!

My Favorite Orange Julius Copy Cat Recipe

August 5, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Orange Julius “Copy Cat!”

I love making different beverages at home – coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milkshakes, smoothies, apple cider, punch… The list goes on and on. But one of my favorite drinks to make (and certainly one of my family’s favorite drinks to enjoy) is the Orange Julius.

I don’t know if any malls still carry Orange Julius kiosks or not. I seriously doubt it. I know the ones around us no longer have them. I have no idea why, they were outrageously popular.

The recipe below is darn close to these wonderful, citrus-y, frothy beverages. They’re perfect year-round because, even though and Orange Julius is a cold drink – what better time to serve your family scads of Vitamin C than cold and flu season?!

I think you’re going to really enjoy this beverage.

Orange Julius Recipe

1 cup orange juice (I like for it to have some pulp)
1 cup water
1 egg white
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
1 heaping cup ice

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high for about 15 to 20 seconds… until the frothy magic happens.

NOTE: Don’t get cute with the sugar. I tried to replace it with Stevia (wasn’t the same) and I have tried cutting back on the amount (again, not the same). Pinch the calories elsewhere!

As far as the brand of orange juice, I’d imagine that the better the orange juice, the better the Orange Julius.

Orange Julius Copy Cat Drink

Hamilton Beach Juice Extractor: Arming Your Kitchen for Greater Health!

July 19, 2021 By Joi Sigers

While almost everything about the Pandemic has been tragic, hideous, ugly, and negative in every way – a few small benefits can’t be overlooked.

Most of us will never take anyone in our lives for granted ever again – young or old, I truly believe our loved ones will be cherished more than ever before. I also believe we’ll be more apt to be more thankful for the simple joys in life, things we once took for granted, like simply going out for a hamburger with your spouse or shopping at Target with your daughters.

Another benefit, I believe, will be a lot more people getting serious (really SERIOUS) about their health and weight. COVID, like so very many diseases, did not and does not discriminate when it comes to its victims BUT it most certainly does more damage to those who are older, those with pre-existing diseases, and/or those who are overweight.

Many people are realizing that the time is now (past now, if we’re being honest) to get in better shape and lose excess weight where it may lurk.

Fortunately there are a lot of healthy kitchen tools and small appliances that make it easier to eat and live much healthier. Juice extractors, for example, are one of the easiest, fastest, and most efficient ways to make sure we’re getting all the fruits and vegetables we need in our diet.

I am as big a fan of smoothies as anyone in the world, but even I admit that they can tend to be pretty high in calories. When it comes to juicing, you can get the benefits of the vegetables and fruits without all the extras we put in our smoothies.

The beauty pictured here is the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor and it is one of the best on the market.

Features

Fits whole foods – for less pre-cutting
Easy to assemble and store
Powerful 800 Watt motor
Dishwasher safe parts
Includes recipes, tips and juicing cup
Extra-large pulp bin lets you juice longer – use pulp in recipes or for composting

Product Description

Tired of those expensive, sugary juices filled with preservatives and questionable additives? Ready to retire your old juicer and upgrade to something better? The Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor can take nutrition to the next level and help you kick-start a healthy lifestyle.

Eating healthier and incorporating fruits and veggies into snacks or meals doesn’t have to be boring, expensive or time-consuming. In no time flat, before you can say “over-priced juice bar,” the Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor extracts the juice from a whole apple. This kitchen staple and secret weapon proves that there’s a fast, easy way to add more produce into your daily diet. What’s more, there is no need for adding sweeteners or preservatives, making juice the ultimate healthy drink.

Rated a “Best Buy” by a leading consumer advocacy publication, the Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor flawlessly performs the task of extracting juice from whole fruits, vegetables, citrus fruits and tomatoes with efficiency and speed. Equipped with a powerful 1.1 horsepower motor, an extra-wide feed chute and a stainless steel cutter/strainer, it quickly processes whole fruits and vegetables — with no pre-cutting — to produce invigorating, healthy juice.

See Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor (Amazon link) for A LOT more information.

Fun, Colorful Tumblers with Lids and Straws

April 19, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Okay, so I just found something on Amazon I have to order right away, if not sooner. Only problem is deciding how many to order. Not only am I OBSESSED with tumblers with lids & straws (especially in the summer), I have three daughters who are just as obsessed. The fun, colorful Color Changing Cups with Lids and Straws (Amazon link) comes in a set of 5, so I could conceivably buy one set and divide the cups between us with two leftovers for other members of the family.

BUT how much more fun would it be for each one of us to have our own fun set of 5? Pretty sure I’m officially leaning that way.

Things I Love About These Colorful Cups:

You can make the beauties change color by adding ice to your favorite beverage. Just watch the color changing cups transform before your eyes. These beauties would make great photos for Instagram or Twitter.. I mean, the rest of the world may as well see you while you’re living your best life, right?
The fun eye-catching phrases on these cups match whatever mood you’re working with that day: OK Boomer, Stay Woke, Spilling Tea, Adulting is Hard, and Sorry Not Sorry.
The reusable cups with lids are splash-proof. The snug snap-on lids fit each tumbler cup securely. One of the main reasons I love cups with lids during the summer is so I can take my glass of raspberry tea with me wherever I go, without worrying about it spilling on me OR allowing flies to use my tea for a personal pool party.
These cups are stackable, so storage is not a problem and they fit most cup holders.
They’re made of a high-quality durable plastic, so the reusable plastic cups with lids and straws lasts for many years.

If you use tumblers as straws as much as I do, you will absolutely want to find a straw-cleaning brush (Amazon link). I had been trying everything in the world to clean my reusable straws when my youngest daughter gave me one of these brilliant little brushes. I honestly had no idea they even existed but will never be caught without one now.

See Color Changing Cups with Lids and Straws (Amazon link) for more information, bigger photos, and even a video.

Frothy Warm Vanilla Milk Recipe

April 19, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Warm Frothy Vanilla Milk

I have always been a fan of hot drinks – make that fanatic. Basically, I have a hot drink of some type near me at all times – coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, apple cider… doesn’t matter if it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall. As someone who has had bronchial asthma all of her life, I’ve always appreciated the way a hot drink keeps my airways open. In addition to better breathing (always a good thing), I simply find a cup of warmth comforting.

When I read earlier this year that drinking hot drinks, frequently, was thought to keep one safer from getting COVID, I let out a whoop… I had something already in my corner to help me.

This recipe is for something that is much more delicious than it sounds. It’s fun to experiment with different milks (cashew, almond, oat milk, coconut, and even lactose free – each of the nut milks are outstanding fixed this way). My favorite milk to use is Coconut milk. A word of warning, if you use a nut milk with added vanilla, omit the extra vanilla – or add less. If you add too much, you’ll basically find yourself drinking vanilla.

I put my hot vanilla milk into my Blendtec (Amazon link), but any blender would certainly do. I simply use my Blendtec daily, so not using it would make it worry what had happened to me.

Could you make the Frothy Warm Vanilla Milk without a blender? Absolutely. You just can’t call it frothy – doing so would be a violation against kitchen protocol, you know.

One of the best things about adding this recipe to your rotation of warm drinks is the fact it is caffeine free (perfect for evenings and young people) AND warm milk promotes better sleep. Win/win!

Delicious With OR Without Cinnamon On Top

Steeped Coffee Review: The Fastest, Easiest Hot (or Iced!) Coffee Imaginable

July 27, 2019 By Joi Sigers

Two of my greatest passions are tea and coffee. Suffice to say, I am always…. always, mind you… sufficiently caffeinated.

Truth be told, I love coffee and tea equally – like they’re my children. Whichever one I’m with is my favorite at that moment. Often, when it comes to making a fresh cup or glass of either, time comes into play and I choose tea. It’s just so easy – and, no I’m not a huge fan of most instant coffee.

When I was contacted by Steeped Coffee about telling my readers about their product, I read these words, “STEEPED COFFEE is the easiest way to make a great cup of coffee anytime, anywhere, in minutes. Take your moment—at home, work, or on the go. Steeped single-serve coffee bags are filled with 100% specialty coffee and are crafted for quality, freshness, and convenience. Every bag is nitro-sealed inside compostable packaging, making every cup guilt-free and eco-friendly,” I (literally) said out loud, “Ingenious!”

My cats thought I was talking to them, so they ignored me.

Seriously, though. How has this not been thought of before – it is absolute genius. You simply make a hot cup of coffee exactly as you would a hot cup of tea (in fact, you don’t even have to steep it as long… unless, that is, you want your coffee to be so stout it flirts with you).

Many may argue, “Silly food blogger, Pods have been around for years!” but here’s why Steeped Coffee has totally changed the game:

There’s a bit of a controversy surrounding pods when it comes to the environment. You can click the link and read about it when you’re through here. I won’t dive into that right now, the link leads to an article that does it greater justice than I could. What I want to point out is the obvious – one is FAR more apt to have access to boiled water than they are a K-Cup machine. Whether it’s at the office or job place (microwave water if a stove isn’t available), your kitchen, or even a campsite – Steeped Coffee is simply more convenient than pods.

Simpler to carry, too.

Naturally, none of this means Jack if the coffee isn’t good. I’m delighted to tell you that it’s very good, indeed! Due to the fact that it’s summertime, I’ve enjoyed my Steeped Coffee iced more than hot, but it is wonderful both ways. If you make it iced, a little vanilla syrup and/or sweetener makes it taste like it’s from your favorite coffeehouse.

As you can see in the pictures within this review, I sometimes like my iced coffee with milk and other times without it. You can’t go wrong either way.

I wanted to be able to choose a personal favorite for the review, but I honestly can’t. They are all fantastic, even the decaf!

Learn more about Steeped Coffee on their website. You’ll find the subscription information, buying options, a blog, and even a GREAT looking diner mug!

Features of Steeped Coffee include:

100% Specialty Coffee: quality coffee ethically sourced directly from farmers
Nitro Sealed: removes oxygen, stopping the clock on freshly ground beans
Ultrasonic Edges: no glue, staples, or wasted materials for max steeping
Full Immersion Filter: non-GMO filters that regulate ideal water-in and maximum flavor-out
Guilt-Free Packaging: made using plant-based renewable and compostable materials
Micro Batching: roasted locally in small batches
Precision Ground: consistent water-cooled grinding to the micron
Pre-Portioned: consistent SCA recommended water-to-coffee ratios
Just Add Water: single-serve convenience with no machines required
Barista Approved: tested by multiple independent specialty coffee Q-graders for freshness, quality, and taste

PBfit Review: Healthy and Delicious for the Whole Family

October 4, 2018 By Joi Sigers

Delicious PBfit – All Natural, Vegan, and Gluten-Free

While I’m normally the class clown, I want to be somewhat serious for a minute.

I guess that’s somewhat of a benefit to being the person who’s never serious, when you ARE serious, people know it’s… well… serious.

Think back to when you were in grade school. If you’re a parent or grandparent, odds are you have trouble thinking of overweight kids or even teachers. I can, honestly, remember the names of the overweight kids because they were so few.

Today, sadly, things are much, much different. You cannot go to the store, it seems, without seeing precious children who are already dealing with weight as an issue – at an age when they’re only “issue” should be homework or keeping their little brother from snitching on them!

I don’t have to tell you how unhealthy and dangerous carrying extra weight is. I won’t insult your intelligence with any diabetes statistics. You know that there is an epidemic in our country – with children and adults. An epidemic that HAS to be confronted head-on with better nutrition.

Chocolate PBfit Smoothie with Apple and Banana

The problem is… kids have incredible appetites! They’re growing and busier than any self-respecting Type A bee, so that’s only natural. Starving them is most certainly NOT the answer. Fun activities and healthy food are the answers needed and, fortunately, healthy food couldn’t be easier.

I’ll let you in on a little secret, too. It’s delicious! In fact, eating healthy is so delicious – and makes you feel so much better – that the entire family will benefit.

PBfit is one of my family’s newest obsessions and it will surely become one of your family’s as well. With 87% less fat than traditional peanut butter and 1/3 the calories, all natural PBfit makes meals and snacks healthier and even more delicious than ever.

You simply mix a little water with the PBfit mixture and… badabing!… delicious and creamy peanut butter. You only make the amount you need for the moment, so it’s always fresh and fantastic. If you want to add a little chopped peanuts or even a mashed banana, have at it. While the options are endless, it’s never better than when it is in its simplest form – good old fashioned peanut butter.

Chocolate PBfit Peanut Butter

It’s wonderful spread on bread, toast, or English muffins (with or without banana slices – YUM!) but I actually prefer dipping apple slices into the peanut butter. I also love making smoothies with the traditional PBfit as well as the Chocolate PBfit (it makes outstanding peanut butter, too… very reminiscent of Nutella).

When making your favorite smoothie, simply toss in some PBfit for extra protein and flavor. It is absolutely perfect in chocolate and banana smoothies. I usually throw an apple in, too, for good measure.

After all, an apple a day and all that…

There are a lot of excellent sounding PBfit recipes on the official website. I’m slowly but surely going to workmy way through each of them. Seriously, this is outstanding – you are going to love each of these – Chocolate PBfit, Organic PBfit, and the Original PBfit.

Kids will get a huge kick out of “making” their own peanut butter and you’ll never have to let them know how much healthier it is for them. Heck, even I get a kick out of “making” my own peanut butter and my qualification for “kid” expired quite a while back!

Each of the three varieties is IDEAL for smoothies and even milkshakes. They smoothly incorporate into the other ingredients – seemingly even better than traditional peanut butter does. I’ve actually been surprised just how smooth and creamy my smoothies are.

Below is a recipe from PBfit that’s a perfect example of the options when it comes to smoothies.

PBfit & Jelly Smoothie

1 cup frozen blue berries
4 tbsp pbfit
1 scoop vanilla protein
1 tsp low carb sweetener, monk fruit
3/4 cup milk of choice
*** optional, 1 tsp goji berry powder for color added nutrients

Blend and enjoy!

Find more recipes, nutrition information, and a lot more on PBfit.com.

PBfit sent me the samples in the picture above in exchange for telling my readers about their product. They also graciously shared the PBfit & Jelly Smoothie recipe (and photo below) with us. The raving words and opinions are all my own, of course (as are the rest of the pictures). I was blown away by PBfit – I honestly had no idea how delicious it would be, for one thing, or how many different ways it could be used for another.

You can find PBfit in most grocery stores as well as on Amazon (Amazon link). I hope you’ll check it out – you and your family will absolutely love this.

350 Best Vegan Recipes: Great Cookbook for ANYONE, Vegan or Not

February 20, 2017 By Joi Sigers

One of the cookbooks I’m currently getting the most use out of is Deb Roussou’s 350 Best Vegan Recipes (Amazon link).

Am I a vegan? No.

Am I a vegetarian? No.

Am I a vegan half the time? No.

Am I vegetarian half the time? Not so much.

And yet… this is a cookbook that I use regularly for recipes, ideas, and inspiration for my own recipes.

The last part of that, “inspiration for my own recipes” is probably the number one way I use cookbooks. While I almost always make it the way the recipe states first, I do love to take a great recipe for a joy ride and see what wonderful other sights we can see.

I’ll be posting a recipe in a few minutes that’s actually based on one of the smoothie recipes in 350 Best Vegan Recipes (Amazon link). The original “Desert Sunrise” is delicious, as are the other variations I’ve tried. Adding aloe vera juice and sparkling water makes for some out-of-this-world smoothies. As soon as I post the recipe, I’ll come back here and link to it right about here.

Some of the recipes in this cookbook:

Pan-Fried Onion and Potato Hash Browns
Basic Pizza Dough
Quick Cherry Tomato and Pesto Pizza
Manicotti Florentine
Orecchiette Pasta with Eggplant Garlic Sauce
Roasted Red Pepper and Chipotle Dip
Ranch Dressing
Fragrant Rice-Stuffed Peppers
French Onion Soup with Croutons
Lemon Cucumber Tabbouleh
Stacked Green Chile Enchiladas
An a lot more – 350 in all.. and more when you “tinker” with the recipes and create new ones.

While this is not a “gluten-free” cookbook, substitutions are always possible and it’s usually as simple as replacing a regular pasta with a gluten-free pasta. Easy peasy.

350 Best Vegan Recipes (Amazon link) is perfect for anyone’s cookbook collection, because even if you aren’t a vegan or vegetarian and even if you (like me) have zero intention of becoming one (my love for burgers and fish are simply too strong), the healthy, creative, and delicious recipes will add both flavor and nutrition to your meals.

If you ARE a vegan or vegetarian… you’d better go ahead and order this book today because you will love it with all your vegetarian heart.

Coffee Review: Kaldi’s Colombia Monserrate Elcy Causaya

February 17, 2017 By Joi Sigers

When you drink as much coffee as I do, it honestly takes a very special coffee to stand out from the rest. It’s not as difficult for a Coffee Roaster to stand out from the rest (consistency, excellence, and above and beyond customer service will seal that deal – all traits I strongly associate with Kaldi’s Coffee). However, when your world is filled with different roasts, different blends, different origins, different names, different flavors, different tones, etc… the coffee has to be exceptional to break free from the pack.

There are a few such coffees that have left (and for several, continue to leave) such an impression on me that I remember their names as well as I remember the names of my cats. Okay, well almost.

Kaldi’s Birds & Bees (as my husband can tell you, this is the one I measure all coffee to – it’s my coffee grail – as in “a thing that is being earnestly pursued or sought after.” I’m always looking for coffee that tickles my coffee fancy as much as their Birds and Bees does)
Kaldi’s Decaf Highlander Grogg (the best decaf coffee on earth, period)
Starbucks Kati Kati (whatever happened to Kati Kati – like, where’d it go go?!)
Kaldi’s Colombia Monserrate Elcy Causaya (I call her Elcy for short)

Review Continued Below…

Before we get to the last beauty (who just turned my “Top 3” into a “Top 4”), I have to ask, did you ever try Starbuck’s Kati Kati coffee beans? The first year they came out, I bought a bag in our local Starbucks. The bag was beautiful (all their bags are especially gorgeous – and I love that they’re “themed,” they match the region the beans came from), the beans smelled amazing, and the name was “love at first sight.” When we brewed it, it was obvious the flavor did the great name justice. PHENOMENAL. But here’s the thing, I waited all year for the “seasonal” coffee to come out again, but when it did, it was not the same. It was good, mind you, but it was no longer PHENOMENAL.

Then, the coffee kind of disappeared. I waited for the next “season” again and it pulled a no show. Then the next – same.

Yet, I have always remembered the amazing, naturally sweet flavor and the hint of orange in the background.

Okay, fast forward to this week. My husband’s most recent Kaldi’s Coffee order included a bag of coffee we’d never tried before: Kaldi’s Colombia Monserrate Elcy Causaya. The first thing that caught me was (like Kati Kati) the name. Elcy. Beautiful name!

After I good-naturedly chided him for not adding a Birds & Bees and Decaf Highlander Grogg to the order, I anxiously tried Elcy. Guess what it reminded me of? Exactly! Kati Kati, the first year.

But it gets better.

Guess what it was even better than? Exactly! Kati Kati, the first year.

There is an unmistakable sweetness to this coffee along with an addictive citrus background. I have enjoyed Elcy in “Bulletproof” coffees (coffee with butter and coconut oil added, then blended) as well as on her own. It is excellent… let’s make that PHENOMENAL each and every way. I actually saved one of my cups of coffee of Elcy this morning and put it over ice. I pretty much live from one iced coffee to the next in the summer months, so this was my “Spring Training.”

Please don’t tell Birds & Bees, but it won’t be the only coffee I’m putting on ice this summer.

Kaldi’s Colombia Monserrate Elcy Causaya (Elcy) reminds me of enjoying a sweet, soft orange danish along with a cup of the best coffee in the world – but it’s even better. No calories and no sticky fingers!

PHENOMENAL.

If you love great coffee (and why would you be reading a coffee review if you didn’t?), you simply have to order a bag of Kaldi’s Colombia Monserrate Elcy Causaya right away.

Simple and Easy Strawberry Smoothie with Tofu

Gorgeous Whistling Tea Kettles from SUSTEAS

My Favorite Orange Julius Copy Cat Recipe

Orange Julius Recipe