Vitamin Burst K-Cup Giveaway!

Vitamin Burst Acai Berry K-Cup Fruit Brew

A delicious combination of powerful superfruit and luscious berries creates a refreshing fruit brew high in antioxidant vitamin C. 

Please note: This is a 4 Pack

Giveaway terms and conditions:

Open to US residents. The winner will be selected at random and will be notified by email. The winner will have 72 hrs to reply back, before another winner is chosen.  This giveaway is self-sponsored and is not associated with Facebook.
Giveaway ends 12/14/12 9pm PST

Shipping Fees ($3) are NOT included.  Local (San Diego County) pick up available.

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Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole

My husband and I have a very interesting little quirk....we both LOVE the idea of a hot, hearty breakfast on the weekends, yet neither of us actually wants to cook it!  This?  This is the answer to all our problems....a super easy Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole. Are you ready?  Let's rock this recipe out!


Ingredients:

1 bag 26 oz. frozen hash browns
12 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
1 16 oz. roll sausage
Salt and pepper
16 oz. bag shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

The most important thing you need to do before you start throwing things into your crock is to spray it with some Pam....trust me, you don't want to be the one who has to clean it afterward if you don't.

After it's thoroughly sprayed, go ahead and empty the bag of frozen hash browns to the bottom.


Cook and drain the sausage and then add it to the hash browns.

 

Throw the cheese in next and mix it all together.

In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs, milk, ground mustard, salt, and pepper.

Pour the egg mixture evenly over everything....use a spoon to even it out if necessary.  Turn the crock pot on low for 8-10 hours and stumble your way up to bed!  When you wake up, it will be to this deliciousness!!!! 

It was A-mazing!  The only downside was when I woke up at 3:30am, to the wonderful smells wafting through the house, and my stomach began to growl.  That was tough, but so worth it in the end.

Enjoy!!

**FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES CLICK HERE** 

Mini Strawberry Pies

Before I even begin to share this recipe, I have to send a great big "Thank you" to the amazing Rachael, from Adventures in Wunderland, for posting her recipe for Muffin Tin Apple Pies!  Without it, I would not have been inspired to whip up a batch of these tasty little treats.  As soon as I saw her Facebook post I immediately went to my kitchen to check out how many apples I had available.  Just one....ONE...which is almost completely unheard of in my house.  We almost always have an overabundance of apples.  Before I got too discouraged, I decided to rummage through the refrigerator and see what else I could come up with.  That's when I found the strawberries...and, I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said they were on their last leg.  Perfect for pie, right?!  So, I tweaked Rachael's Muffin Tin Apple Pie recipe and made Mini Strawberry Pies instead.  You really can't go wrong with either of these delicious morsels, so make sure to take a peek at Rachael's recipe and leave a comment letting her know Creative Travel Mugs sent you!  She'll love it. ;-)

Ingredients:

1 Quart of Fresh Strawberries
1 box Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Dough
3/4 Cup of Sugar
3 Tbs of Cornstarch (I used Rice Flour)
3/4 Cup of Water
Whip Cream (Optional)


Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Mini Pie Crusts:
Unroll one of the refrigerated pie doughs on a floured surface.  Using a biscuit cutter (or cup) with a 4-5 inch diameter, cut circles into the dough.  Place each circle into muffin tins and then prick multiple times with a fork to prevent bubbling.  Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and cool.

Filling:
Wash and slice the strawberries.  Fill each cooled mini pie crust with the sliced strawberries. (Note: not all the strawberries slices will fit into the cups.)

Put the remaining strawberries into a saucepan, mash them up and mix in the sugar. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Gradually stir cornstarch mixture into boiling strawberry mixture. Reduce heat and simmer mixture until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Spoon mixture over berries in pastry shell. Chill about 1 hour before serving. 

Serve each mini strawberry pie with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of powder sugar. (optional)

Now tell us, in the comment section below, what kind of beverage you think would pair perfectly with this mouth watering dessert, then go and  ENJOY!!

**FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES CLICK HERE** 

Mini Cannolis

The great taste of homemade Italian Cannolis without all the hard work!  This has easily become one of my favorite dessert recipes of all time.  And, not only was it super easy to whip up, but it paired very nicely with a bold, smooth Cabernet Sauvignon....just sayin'!


Ingredients

For Cups

• 1 refrigerated pie crust
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For Filling

• 1 (15oz) container of whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

Filling:

In a large bowl with an electric mixer combine the ricotta cheese, confectioners sugar, white sugar, and vanilla extract.  Place the filling in a 1-gallon plastic storage bag and chill while you make the cups.
Note: Filling is best when allowed to chill overnight.

Cups:
Heat oven to 425°F. Unroll the pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface and sprinkle the top of each crust with the sugar and the cinnamon. Lightly press the cinnamon sugar into the pie crust with either your fingertips or by gently rolling over it with a rolling pin.

With a 3 inch round biscuit cutter or cookie cutter, cut out circles and lightly press them inside an ungreased mini muffin pan to create a pastry cup.

Bake for about 10 minutes or until cups are golden. Remove from oven and allow cups to cool. Once cups are cool they can be removed from tin and filled.


Remove filling from refrigerator, cut one of the bottom corners off the bag and squeeze about a tablespoon of filling into the cooled cannoli cups.  Top with mini chocolate chips, dust with additional confectioners sugar and serve!

**Cups should be filled shortly before they are eaten so the don’t get soggy.**


So, what do YOU think these tasty little treats would pair great with?

**FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES CLICK HERE** 

NewGreens Review and Giveaway! CLOSED

NewGreens, by Pure Prescriptions, is a dietary supplement that increases the intake of antioxidants and other nutrients that are deficient in our daily diets. It is loaded (Wait until you see just how loaded!) with antioxidants and nutrients that "improve gastrointestinal function and detoxification like probiotics, enzymes, fiber and ingredients that are known to support liver function." Phew! A lot of big important words there!   Did you know that "less than 25% of the population actually consumes an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables, and antioxidants are in short supply in most people’s diet."?  Yikes!   I'm not going to throw anyone under the bus, or anything, but I'd say there are quite a few of us that could benefit greatly from these products....just sayin'! ;-)

I was stoked to have been given an opportunity to try out NewGreens, and I have to say, it did not disappoint.  Before we get to all that, though, how about a little info about the different products they have to offer......You're going to love all this goodness.

The Original:

• Each Convenient Pouch Contains a 30 Day Supply
• Seven Healthy Blends Featuring 66 Ingredients In One
• Non-GMO & Certified Organic Fruits & Vegetables Used
• Increases Energy - Great For Weight Management*
• Promotes Body Detoxification & pH Balance*
• Powerful Antioxidant (ORAC) Value

Price: $39.97

Berry:

• 15-PLUS Servings of Antioxidant Power -Perfect For Those On The Run & Who Do Not Eat 5 or More Servings of Fruits & Vegetables per Day!
• Natural & Healthy Organic Ingredients
• Will Give You A Healthy Energy Lift - Without The "Jitters"
• Features Antioxidant Rich SuperFruits Açaí and Goji Berries

Price: $44.97

Organic:

• Each Canister Contains a 30 Day Supply
• 100% Certified Organic Green Drink
• Promotes Energy & Mental Clarity*
• Body Detoxification & pH Balance*
• Tastes Great & Mixes Easily - No More Clumpy Green Drinks!

Price: $49.97

**For more nutritional info on each of the products, just visit their website.  Each product page has a massive nutritional label for you to read.....the ultimate in full disclosure, people! Love it!**

As I mentioned before, I was super lucky (and super excited!) to be asked to try out one of their products and it turned out to be the Berry flavor that I got to put to the test.  And, boy was I ready...especially since I had been feeling a bit under the weather due to some recent traveling. 

So, let's get down to business.....

The suggested use (which was the same for each product): "Add one scoop to 10-12 oz. of juice, cold water or your preferred milk such as rice, almond or soy. Mix well. Enjoy at least once a day!"  

Alright, easy enough.

 

.....Holy mother of creaminess!   Win #1....There was NOT. A. LUMP. to be found in the glass nor in the bottom of the shaker. (If you've ever made a greens drink before than you know what I'm talking about when I mention the bottom of the shaker. lol ) Everything about the consistency was perfect.

Win #2 was the taste.  It was a great balance of Berry flavor without being over sweet.  I don't know about you, but I feel there is such thing as being too sweet....and this was not it.  For me, this would be a great option for a meal on the go.

Because I'm not always looking for something heavy, or to replace a meal completely, I was definitely looking forward to trying NewGreens with water, too.  I was excited to see if it blended as well and if it was just as tasty.  So, the next day I added my 10 ounces of water and one scoop of Berry powder to the shaker; gave a less vigorous shake (see, already my confidence in NewGreens was growing!), and to my surprise, it was JUST AS SMOOTH!  I found this mixture to have the same taste and consistency as a bottle of flavored water you'd pick up at the grocery store.  It was refreshing with just the right amount of flavor....again, not too sweet or overbearing.

On top of the NewGreens Berry tasting so great, I noticed (almost immediately) that I had more energy and also that my head cold didn't linger around as long as it usually does.  One of the ways that the energy boost was so obvious to me was because I made the mistake of enjoying a refreshing Berry drink a little to close to bedtime....and as you can imagine, I had a late night....a very productive night...but a late night none the less.  I guess I should have paid a little more attention to that "New Greens Berry also features our Energizing Herbal Blend, which uses traditional herbs and extracts to enhance stamina and energy, with out the jitters of caffeine." part.  :-/

So, final grade...A+++!  I really look forward to finishing off my 30 day supply and enjoying all the added energy that is going to come with it!  Maybe this is just the nudge I need to help shed those stubborn...ehem...20 pounds that I've been trying to shed for months now.  I'll be sure to let you know how it goes! ;-)

Are you ready to start adding more fruits and veggies into your diet too! Pure Prescriptions, maker of NewGreens, has generally offered to send one lucky Creative Travel Mugs fan a pouch of NewGreens Superfood Drink!  

Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below and good luck! 
(Please note: Posting a blog comment is a MANDATORY entry.)
Contest ends Sept 20, 2012 at 11:59pm

Disclaimer: Pure Prescriptions provided me with this product to review. The views and opinions expressed within this post and regarding this product are mine and mine alone.

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Original Sweet & Spicy Good Earth Tea Giveaway!

**This giveaway is closed.  Thank you so much for stopping by!**

Enter to win a FREE box of Original Sweet & Spicy 

Good Earth Tea

**If someone referred you, please leave their name with your blog post comment!  If you win, they win too!**

Enter below, using the Rafflecopter Widget.  Please note: Leaving a "Blog Post Comment" is a mandatory entry all other entries will not count if the mandatory entry is not met.  Open to U.S. residents only.  Contest ends 8/9/12 at 11:59pm EST.  Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to claim prize. Good luck!!

And the winner is...

Laura Crawford

Congratulations!

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Isn't It Pinteresting 8/1/12

Hello, lovelies!!  It's that time again.  Time for our bi weekly Pinterest Round-up.  Did you try any of the great recipes from the last post?  Here are a few more...I hope they continue to inspire.....Enjoy!

Kahlua Float

"Rich Kahlua and dry champagne create a creamy and frothy cocktail that is totally reminiscent of a float"  I would have never thought of this combination, but thankfully someone else did and now we can all ENJOY this little treat!

 

Sweet Hawaiian Bread

Fresh out of the oven, warm and buttered, Sweet Hawaiian Bread....and a hot cup of coffee, of course!  Anyone else drooling? On occasion I have bought Hawaiian Rolls from the store, but not anymore.  This recipe will become a staple in our house, for sure!

 

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

"Chocolate Cupcakes filled with homemade caramel sauce, topped with decadent vanilla butter-cream and finished with a piece of salted caramel" ...enough said.

Coffee Inspiration

Problems??  Nah, nobody has any of those, right? ;-)

Tell us which one from above is your favorite in the comment section below!  And feel free to share the links of any other Pinterest favorites, too, while you're there.  We would love to check them out!

Coffee Milkshake

The weather is getting hotter which means the drinks are getting colder!  Are you looking for a refreshing, summer afternoon treat to cool you down and give you a little energy boost? Look no further...This Coffee Milkshake is a breeze to make and is super tasty too!  Now, put your feet up and ENJOY this little taste of heaven....

Ingredients

1 cup strong coffee, cooled to room temp
6 big scoops coffee ice cream
2-3 tablespoons chocolate covered espresso beans (optional)
1/2 cup half & half or milk

Directions

Place coffee in a blender with ice cream and half & half or milk.

Add in a handful of chocolate covered espresso beans (optional). Blend until smooth and serve immediately.


What are some of your favorite flavored Milkshakes?

**FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES CLICK HERE**

Pinterest Round-Up 7/18/12

Yes, I admit it...I got sucked into the Black Hole that is Pinterest this week! And to justify all the time I spent there, I figured the least I could do would be to blog about it and suck you in too.  Additionally (since I am officially addicted), I think it's fair to say that "Pinterest Round-Up" will be a new bi-weekly blog post you can bet your pants on!

 Here are some of my favorite things from the past week....Lord knows there were too many that I "liked" to put in one little post!  So, grab yourself a tasty beverage and enjoy a few Pins that I feel stand out from the rest!
(Click each pic for more information)

Vanilla Vodka Chai Tea

Full of "soft vanilla notes and sweet nutty almond flavor", this Chai Tea is sure to be a hit at your next adult gathering on a long, hot, Summer day!

Homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate + Strawberries = Heaven!! Fill a deep ice tray with melted chocolate, put strawberries in and then freeze....It doesn't get any easier than that!

DIY Yarn Wrapped Painted Jars

This is definitely one of our most popular Pins found on our "All about being green" board. I can picture these beauties as table centerpieces for a laid back, outdoor wedding reception...can't you?

Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream

I love recipes that include coffee in the ingredient list and this one surely won't disappoint!  I have no idea where Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream shop is located, but with this recipe just one click away, I'd say it doesn't matter!  Give it a whirl and let us know what you think.

Inspirational Coffee


...and if you enjoy a little kick in the pants with your coffee, I think this might be the kick you've been waiting for!

Alright....Now it's your turn!  Share some of your Pinterest favorites in the comment section below.  We would love to check them out.

p.s.....If your in need of an invite to join Pinterest, let me know in the comment section.  I'd be more than happy to send one your way. ;-)

Free Starbucks Beverage - Flash Giveaway!

Enter to win a FREE Starbucks beverage!  

Enter below, using the Rafflecopter Widget.  Please note: Leaving a "Blog Post Comment" is a mandatory entry all other entries will not count if the mandatory entry is not met.  Open to U.S. residents only.  Contest ends 7/11/12 at 11:59pm EST.  Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to claim prize. Good luck!!

And the winner is...
Danielle

Congratulations!

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Full Circle Brand Review (And Giveaway)

"A recent study showed that the coffee maker reservoir is the 5th germiest item in the home.  Even if you can’t see the build-up, it is there."

When was the last time, if ever, that you cleaned your coffee equipment with a commercial cleaner?  I have recently learned that dirty coffee machines impair coffee in 2 ways. First, built-up grounds can work their way into the coffee. Second, built-up residue of coffee oil (which neither dish soap nor vinegar can get rid of....you'll see proof below!) gives the coffee a bitter, rancid flavor. The sad part is, you won't even notice how much your coffee has changed until you taste it again AFTER you've cleaned your equipment!

Enter Full Circle Brand....

Full Circle Brand, by Urnex, is the first ever entirely green coffee equipment cleaning product! Their products are 100% Phosphate free and all the ingredients are renewable, sustainable and natural.....AND every container is made from recycled packaging.

Full Circle Portfolio Details:

Coffee Grinder Cleaning Tablets

• Removes the coffee residue and oils that lead to bitter tasting coffee- all w/o removing any parts of your machine.
• One box contains 3 / 1.2 oz bags of coffee bean shaped tablets (3 uses per box)
• Recommended use: Once per month or when switching between flavored, decaf, and caffeinated beans.
• $9.95

Coffee and Espresso Equipment Descaling Product (for coffee and espresso equipment)

• Breaks down lime scale and mineral build-up inside your machine ensuring great water flow, consistent brew temperature, and beverage consistency.
• Comes in liquid and powder form
• One box contains 2 / 4 fl oz bottles or 2 / 1oz packets of powder (2 uses per box)
• Recommended use: Every 3 months
• $9.95

Coffee Machine Cleaning Powder (for coffee equipment)

• Removes the oily residue buildup that leads to bitter tasting coffee
• One box contains 3 / .32 oz packets (3 uses per box)
• Recommended use: Once per week
• $9.95

Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets

• Removes the oily residue buildup that leads to bitter tasting coffee.
• Specifically formulated for controlled solubility, easy rinsing, and powerful cleaning while maintaining the inner workings of your espresso machine.
• One box contains 8 / 2g tablets (8 uses per box)
• Recommended use: Follow directions described by manufacturer of your machine
• $9.95

I was given the amazing opportunity to try out the Full Circle Brand Products and am super stoked to share my experience.  I've had my percolator for 6 years now and am ashamed to admit I have never cleaned it with a commercial cleaner.....always just regular dish soap, or a vinegar/water soak.  This is what it looks like after it's been "cleaned":

Scary, huh?! lol  As you can see, there is an awful lot of staining going on there that I just accepted as normal.

O.k Full Circle Brand....Let's see what you can do with this hot mess!

There was no mention as to which product I should use first when it came to a first time cleaning, so I went ahead and used the Descaling Liquid first to rid my perk of any lime scale and mineral buildup.

Here are the after photos:

Much cleaner.  Most of the accessories looked great!  The only exception was the heating rod...It still had a slight staining.  The other issue I noticed was with the pot itself.  When I wiped the inside of the percolator to dry, there was a black residue on the paper towel...but this was most likely due to the oil residue and I was confident that the next product (the Cleaning Powder) would nip it in the bud.

...So, on to the Cleaning Powder!

I'm pretty sure positive this product was not made with a percolator in mind, since it completely bubbled out of the spout as it was perking/cleaning (Note: It does not state on the package that it can be used in a percolator.  I just took the risk)....but judging by the brown color of the fluid coming out, I knew it was doing it's job and I was happy as a clam!

After pictures:

Check. It. Out.  My percolator has not looked this clean since I BOUGHT IT!   And the paper towel after I wiped the inside dry??

...Sparkling white!

As if all this new found cleanliness wasn't great enough, my taste buds were treated to an amazing cup of coffee the next morning!  The first thing I noticed was that my coffee was piping hot, just like I remember it being when I first got my percolator.  The extreme temperature has always been the main reason that I loved perking my coffee.  Over time the mineral buildup had prevented it from heating efficiently, but it was so subtle over the years, that I hadn't really noticed.  I am extremely excited to have it back to it's original, super HOT temperature again!

The second thing I noticed was how amazing the coffee tasted!  It was bold, smooth, buttery.....hands down, amazing! I can't believe how much my morning cup of joe had changed over the years....and, again, this was without even noticing.  Now that I know how to keep my coffee tasting so wonderful, I will never be able to go back to that limey, oily, stained version of my percolator again! 

You can change your coffee for the better, too!   Urnex Brands, maker of Full Circle at Home portfolio, has generously offered to send one lucky winner a retail box of all 6 products that are in the portfolio.   Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below and good luck! (Please note: Posting a blog comment is the MANDATORY entry.)

Disclaimer: Urnex Brands provided me with these products to review. The views and opinions expressed within this post and regarding these products are mine and mine alone.

Giveaway terms and conditions:

Open to US & Canada residents only. The winner will be selected at random and will be notified by email. The winner will have 72 hrs to reply back, before another winner is chosen.

The Rafflecopter has spoken and the winner is

#52 Joann Woolley

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Mocha Chocolate Chip Frappe

It's that time of the year when the temperature is getting hotter and the drinks are getting colder.  So, this weekend, I was on a mission to make the perfect Frappuccino to cool me down.  It all started with pouring our cooled, left over brewed Espresso into ice cube trays and freezing. (Any coffee brewed strong will work!) These little cubes are perfect for Iced Lattes too, so be sure to freeze your left over coffee every day and you will have a nice stash ready to go all Summer long! 

This weekend, though, I was all about the Frappe....and chocolate (of course!) so I started by blending the following ingredients: 6 coffee cubes, 2 large moderate scoops of chocolate ice cream, 1/8 cup of dark chocolate chips (or a small handful), and 2/3 cup of milk.  Blend well and then pour into a glass.  I topped with a few extra chocolate chips and Voila!  The most amazing Mocha Chocolate Chip Frappe!

Next time I might try adding caramel chips instead of chocolate...maybe even switch up the ice cream too!

Do you also make your own homemade coffee treats?  If so, what are your favorite flavor combinations?

**FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES CLICK HERE** 

Free Starbuck's Beverage - Flash Giveaway! CLOSED

Enter to win a FREE Starbuck's beverage! 

Open to U.S. residents only.  Contest ends 5/12/12 at 12:01am EST  Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to claim prize.

Congratulations

Entry #36  Wendy!

(Must sign into the widget to see the official winner announcement.)

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Monday Mention - Earth to Alice Boards 'n Bags

Earth to Alice offers beautiful custom made, hand crafted bags and jewelry boards. They use high-quality materials (some of which are even recycled materials!) and donate $1 of every purchase to the Earth through their Alice to Earth program. Each of Alice's bags and totes are unique in that they are made with reclaimed coffee bags and have a one-of-a-kind stamp and print! How cool is that?!

"Who is Alice anyway? Think of Alice as your sensible but stylish alter-ego that is begging for some order in the chaos of your life. With each Earth to Alice purchase, you will find yourself feeling a bit less frazzled and a little more grounded. We offer not only a greener way to shop, but a personalized approach to your shopping experience. Instead of choosing a product that every other Sue or Jane is sporting, Alice gives you the option to customize your order from start to finish. You are one of a kind, why shouldn't your accessories be too!? "

 ~Earth to Alice

Meet Erin Goodman, co-owner of Earth to Alice:

What inspired you all to start this business? Collectively Sunshine, Jennifer and I were in pursuit of starting a business inspired by creativity and giving back.  When Jennifer had found a solution to an every girl problem, the tangled jewelry woes, I knew that we had found our path.  We initially started solely with jewelry boards when Sunshine became obsessed with the idea of using recycled coffee bags as a basis in her own line of bags 'n totes.  We all agreed that something we craved when shopping on line was the option to create our own personalized products, so we decided that customization was the way to go!  We've always lived by the notion that you get what you give, which is what inspired our Alice to Earth charity.  For each purchase, we donate a $1 to Kids Cafe.  Just $1 feeds one hungry belly!

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?  If you keep the customer in the forefront of your mind when making business decisions, you will always come out on top.

What is your most popular product? Everyday Emily in “Sophia Black” and the All Around Alice in burlap

 

If there was one thing you could have people say about your company, what would it be? That we are true to our word and we always look out for the best interest of the customer.

What product of yours are YOU most fond of and why?   The All Around Alice Board in “Viceroy Black” with black hardware and a black frame or the Run Around Sue Bag in “It's a Hoot”

Do you have a promotion you would like to offer our fans? From now through Mother's Day we are offering $15 off of any item. Enter 'mommylove' at checkout!

Website:www.earthtoalice.com
Facebook:www.facebook.com/earth2alice
Twitter: @Earth2Alice

Tell us which Earth to Alice product is YOUR favorite in the comment section below. And don't forget to drop by their Facebook Page and show them some "Likey" love!

Homemade Sugar Free Coffee Creamer

Do you like all those yummy flavored coffee creamers on the market, but hate how expensive they are? Or how much sugar they put in them? Well, lucky for you, I decided to experiment with a few homemade sugar free coffee creamer recipes this past weekend and I'm going to share them with you!

First, let's talk about the sweetener.  I opted to get a little crazy and try out an all natural sweetener by making a date paste....something I remembered reading about on the triple "w" a while back.  It worked beautifully, but it does add the extra step of straining the creamer through a fine mesh sieve before storing in the refrigerator.  Feel free to diss my suggestion use whatever sweetener you feel most comfortable with, just make sure you taste as you add to be sure it has just the right amount of sweetness for your taste buds. 

So, let's start with the paste!  This was so super easy to make....

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Dates, pitted
1 Cup of hot water

Directions:
Place Dates in a food processor.  Turn processor on and slowly add the hot water.  Then let the machine run for about 1 minute and you will end up with a very smooth date paste.

Now we'll move on to the flavors!  I'll start with my riskiest flavor combination first...Chocolate Peanut Butter...inspired by the hubster who is obsessed with Reece's Peanut Butter Cups!  Why NOT add that delicious flavor to your morning cup of joe, right??  I wasn't sure how this one would turn out in the end with the peanut butter possibly being too thick of a consistency.  I thought it might just sink to the bottom, only to be left with a big gloppy mess after the coffee was slurped down.  BUT, it turned out fabulously!  I think the key to getting the correct consistency was melting it all together over the stove.  In full disclosure, I found that I did have to add quite a bit of the creamer to my coffee to get the desired taste.  But sticking my finger in sampling this creamer before I added it to the coffee was a wonderful taste of heaven!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Creamer

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Cream

1 1/2 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder

1/3 Cup of Date Paste (or your own sweetener, added to taste)

1 heaping spoonful of all natural Peanut Butter (yeah, sorry, not an accurate measurement! lol)

Directions:

Place cream and Cocoa Powder in a medium saucepan.  Heat over medium heat and whisk until cream begins to steam. Then add Peanut Butter and whisk until smooth.  Turn off heat and whisk in Date Paste or other sweetener. Strain through a fine mesh sieve. (Not necessary if Date Paste is not used.)  Will store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for about a week.

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Now, on to a much more basic, yet, Über popular flavor.....French Vanilla!  This turned out simply fabulous....and I'll just leave it at that.  I know, I know....that is hard for me to do.

French Vanilla Creamer

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Cream

1/3 Cup of Date Paste (or your own sweetener, added to taste)

1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Extract

Directions:

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl.  Strain through a fine mesh sieve. (Not necessary if Date Paste is not used.)  Will store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for about a week.

Lastly, another slightly off the wall flavor, but SO worth the risk....Cinnamon Streusel!  Yup, you read that correctly.  This one was my absolute favorite!  All the flavors blended so perfectly together that I just wanted to drink the creamer straight from the jar.  Not such a pretty picture, I know.  But, you know you would be tempted too!

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Creamer

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Cream

1/3 Cup of Date Paste (or your own sweetener, added to taste)

3/4 Teaspoon ground Cinnamon

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

1/2 Teaspoon of Almond Extract

Directions:

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl. Strain through a fine mesh sieve. (Not necessary if Date Paste is not used.) Will store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for about a week.

  

And there you have it!  Which one would you love to try?  Or, perhaps this will inspire you to come up with another crazy coffee creamer concoction!  Let's us know in the comment section below!

**FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES CLICK HERE**

2012 Creative Travel Mugs Giveaway! CLOSED

Well, it's that time of year again! 

Time for our annual Creative Travel Mugs Mother's Day Giveaway!  The giveaway is for one custom designed Creative Travel Mug and will include one hot beverage lid AND one sport lid.  You don't have to be a mom to enter this giveaway...you don't even have to be a woman for that matter!  We are equal opportunists here and whether you enter for yourself or enter to gift to the amazing mom in your life, is totally up to you.  Let's just have some fun and spread the word!

Creative Travel Mug Features:

 16 oz durable and insulated stainless steel hot AND cold tumbler 

Non slip, scratch resistant base

Automobile cup holder friendly

Environmentally sound and free of Bisphenol-A

Customized photo inserts are interchangeable, so purchase an additional photo insert to update your mug at any time!
 

The giveaway will run until May 4th 11:59pm EST, so the winner has enough time to custom design and receive the mug for Mother's Day (Juuuuust in case you actually ARE going to give it to the amazing woman who gave birth to you.....no pressure to give it up, though, I promise! lol)  Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  There are several ways to gain entries.  Two are mandatory (and will be verfied) and some can be collected DAILY!  If you have any questions, concerns, or difficulties entering, please don't hesitate to contact us via the comment section below.

GOOD LUCK and thanks for supporting Creative Travel Mugs!!!

**If you would like to make a purchase please visit our website and take advatage of our Mother's Day Sale!**

Giveaway terms and conditions:

Open to US residents only. The winner will be selected at random, will be notified by email and will have 48 hrs to reply back. Additionally, all necessary info and photos must be received by the winner within 7 days (May 13, 2012) or prize will be forfeited.