Belgian Chocolate Milkshakes

This recipe was inspired by a milkshake I had while visiting the Philadelphia Premium Outlets one sunny shopping day at the beginning of summer.

It was approaching lunchtime (11:15am) and I was getting hungry, when I came upon Haagen Dazs in my travels. I decided to stop in and see what they had to fill my desire for something sweet. The posters hanging in the window were quite alluring to a newly pregnant lady.

Once upon a time, milkshakes grossed me out... they still do if they're really thin. YUCK. I usually only stick to McDonald's shakes, but decided I would give Haagen Dazs a try. The cool part was that you can pick any flavors you wanted! This may be common knowledge to most other people... but I am new to the milkshake world. I decided to choose Cookies and Cream and Belgian Chocolate. It was TO DIE FOR! Absolutely delicious... with the small flecks of belgian chocolate, and the mixture of vanilla and chocolate was perfect (I don't like my chocolate shakes too chocolatey).

I was craving one a few weeks ago, but didn't feel like driving the 30 minutes to the outlets. So, I decided to make my own. I happen to know that Target carries a Belgian Chocolate ice cream by Archer Farms that is yummy. I prefer the version that is mixed with Madagascar Vanilla Bean, but they didn't have that on this particular evening. So, I just bought two half gallons. One of Belgian Chocolate and one of Cookies and Cream and came home and made my own!

Check out the recipe below:

Dense Triple Chocolate Cake SUNDAE

So, do you remember that Dense Triple Chocolate Cake recipe I posted a few weeks ago? Well, do you remember me mentioning that I would post, in a few weeks, my favorite way to eat it? That time has come! My most absolute favorite way to eat this cake is as a sundae! How delicious does that look! Read more below for how to make your own!

Here's what you'll need to make your own:

A Few of my Favorite Pinterest Finds... Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

There are just such amazing ideas on Pinterest, every once in awhile, I like to pass along the brilliant ideas that I find in my travels! The theme for this pose is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. How to take ordinary everyday items, that may be trashed, and use them in new and creative ways!

Paint chips and frame as a "whiteboard" calendar

toilet paper roll as accord wrangler

egg carton used as mini cupcake carrier

pringles can used as cookie canister gifts

mason jars used as cupcake wrapper storage

getting wax out of old candle jars for reuse

CD case as a bagel carrier

crayon nibs melted into new crayons

old headboard used as a towel rack

New Design at Elizabeth Lou & Company's Shop!

For those of you who also follow my Facebook page, you may recall a couple of weeks ago me getting your opinions on interchangeable headbands for Elizabeth Lou & Company's shop. I love designing new accessories for little ones, but I know how fast they grow and a once loved headband is quickly outgrown, especially if it was made for an infant.

So, I decided to experiment with different ways to make the headbands interchangeable. Not only will you be able to now, wear your favorite embellishment on your little ones {or you!} as they get older, but you will also have the ability to change the headband to any color or material you desire. I am super excited to introduce to you, the new line of interchangeable headbands at Elizabeth Lou & Company!

Below is an example of some of the designs I have worked on recently that will be available in my shop shortly. We will be away this afternoon, but I hope to start posting them this evening!

Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream

For those of you who frequented Coldstone Creamery a couple of summers ago, you may remember seeing Jell-O Pudding Ice Cream- for those of you who were too skeptical to try- you missed out! Big time!! It is my absolute favorite chocolate ice cream (although Archer Farms Belgian Chocolate is a close second- you can find it at Target)! It is so dense and smooth, it melts in your mouth beautifully!

I searched online for a recipe and couldn't quite find one I liked, so I made up the one below and it is TO DIE FOR! I usually mix in mini chocolate chips and crushed Oreos, but you can use whatever mix-ins you like.

 Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream
1 c. skim milk
1/2 c. sugar
1 (3.4oz package) Chocolate Fudge Pudding (Instant)
2 c. whipping cream or heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla

Whisk all ingredients together. Chill for two hours. Turn on ice cream maker and pour mixture into machine while still moving. Process for 15-20 minutes. Add mix-ins during the last 5 minutes.

I usually just throw the mix-ins in, but I'd guesstimate that I use about 1/2- 3/4 c. mini chocolate chips and the same amount of crushed Oreos. As they start to mix into the ice cream, you'll have a better idea of if you want more or less.

I also have made this ice cream with a mixture of different milks and creams. I find that if you have a lower fat content in one, you want to have a higher content in the other. I have used skim milk and light cream which made the ice cream much less smooth- it got a bit like ice crystals, which completely defeats the purpose of adding the pudding I think!

Bump Update- Hello Third Trimester!

So far my pregnancy has really been fairly easy and painless. However, I have a feeling that the third trimester is going to bring a less content Chrissy.

At almost 28 weeks, I have begun to have trouble sleeping, constant low back pain, more hormonal moods and I'm certain I will no longer be able to paint my toes going forward! I also can barely make it up the three flights of stairs to my office without feeling as though I might die! Looks like the elevator is going to quickly become my friend! Luckily, I have been able to continue to walk a mile a few times a week, and run for  a short portion of that walk as well- which feels AMAZING! I can't wait until I can actually go for a full run come November.

26 weeks 6 days

Let's take a quick recap of my last few weeks:

Grahamwiches

Well... I was going to keep this post for a few weeks from now, but I just can't... because today, folks, is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!! My contribution to this marvelous day of observance is ... Grahamwiches!!

My college roommate my junior year at Penn State turned me on to these lovely little things. They are not quite ice cream sandwiches- but close enough, considering how many calories you can save! These babies are only about 145 calories for one- not too shabby!

I have made them in various combinations and the possibilities are only as limited as your imagination! The instructions below are for the chocolate and peanut butter combination. But I also have pictured Chocolate and strawberry- they are my favorite!

Other combinations I have tried are full chocolate and full peanut butter (Meaning peanut butter on both cracker halves and chocolate on both halves).

Pictures below is what you'll need to make your own:

NH Trip 2012

So, those of you who read my blog, know that I was on vacation last week on the gorgeous Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. We have been visiting this lake for the last three years with my husband's family. Previously, we had tried lakes in Maine and Vermont, but when we found "Like Winni", we knew we had found a good one!

View from the deck of the house we stayed in on Black Cat Island

It's the best of both worlds... mountains, water and towns with cute shops and good eats!! We usually stay somewhere around Moultonborough, which is very near some of the bigger towns: Wolfeboro, Center Harbor and Meredith. My favorite is Meredith, which is home to this grand little place called Mill Falls. Mill Falls is a collection of hotels, shops and restaurants... oh, and a spa! This year we decided to treat ourselves to a couples massage (mine was prenatal) which was AWESOME- and we got to use all of the facilities at Mill Falls (pools, grounds etc) since we were spa guests... SCORE!

(image source: google.com)

Our trip started off with a good old project- putting up a tarp for the car. Last year the day after we got back my husband spent five hours cleaning all of the sap off our car... using my blow dryer. One might ask, WHY on earth someone would do this... you have to be a car guy to understand. A particularly obsessive, patient car person. Here are a couple of pictures of the event: