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- Duncan Hines Pound Cake Mix
- Vanilla Pudding
- 3 cups peach slices (about 10-12 peaches), peeled and pitted
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
- 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
- Bake cake according to box directions. Allow the cake to completely cool and then remove from pan. Cut the pound cake into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
- Prepare the vanilla pudding according to boxed directions. This is not the instant pudding but the one that is prepared over the stove.
- Add cold whipped cream to a bowl and using a hand mixer or regular mixer, whip until the cream reaches stiff peaks.
- Add the powdered sugar and mix well.
- Place white chocolate chips in a glass bowl and melt 45 seconds in microwave at 15 second increments. Mix chocolate chips with a spoon every time bowl is removed from microwave to prevent chocolate from seizing. You might need an additional 15 seconds.
- You can also melt chocolate over a hot water bath by placing the glass bowl over a pot of hot water, allowing the steam to melt the chocolate.
- Allow the melted chocolate to cool and then fold chocolate into the whipped cream until blended well.
- Set aside.
- Peel and pit all the peaches.
- Slice the peaches into 1/2-inch slices and then add 1/2 cup sugar to the peach mixture.
- Reserve 1/4 cup of peaches for garnish.
- Start by layering with 1 cup of peaches.
- Add half the cake cubes as the second layer and pressing into the peaches.
- Add half the pudding over the cake then add a third of the whipped cream over the pudding.
- Repeat the process ending with whipped cream. Garnish with peaches and sprinkle white chocolate chips over the top layer and refrigerate.
- It can be consumed immediately but it tastes a lot better after 2 hours in the fridge.
- They are signature, handcrafted derby shoes available in sizes 3-10 and for infants which are soft-soled booties in sizes newborn-12 months
- Their shoes feature the softest European suedes, from Italy, Spain and Germany. All of the leather is a by-product of food sources.
- Mason Dixon uses a 100% vegetable tanned leather insole that is ideal for breathability. It is firm, yet flexible and eventually will mold to the shape of the foot.
- The shoe has a 100% genuine plantation crepe rubber soling and is petroleum-free. It provides a soft cushion to walk on.
- Their shoes are cut generously in the width to accommodate the growing foot and can be personalized with an array of colorful, waxed cotton or hand-cut leather laces
- Their soft-soled baby booties are sewn using absolutely zero adhesive/glue
- Price: Derby shoes: $92; Newborn booties: $60
- 2 cups water
- 4 lemons, squeezed
- 1/2 cup Lite & Sweet Xylitol
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 ounces Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka
- 1/4 cup Polar Blueberry Lemonade Sparkling Water
- Crushed Ice
- 2 cups water
- 4 lemons, squeezed
- 1/2 cup Lite & Sweet Xylitol
- 3 Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup
- 1/4 cup flower syrup
- 2 ounces Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka
- 3 lemon slices
- 3 Flower in Syrup dusted in Lite & Sweet Xylitol
- crushed ice
- Mix the water and lemon juice in a small pitcher.
- Muddle the blueberries with the xylitol and add to the lemon water.
- For one cocktail, in a cocktail shaker, add 2/3 cups lemonade, 2 ounces flavored vodka and shake.
- Add to a 8-ounce glass with 1/4 cup crushed ice and 1/4 cup sparkling water. Serve and repeat for 3 more cocktails.
- Mix the water and lemon juice in a small pitcher.
- Add the xylitol and add to the lemon water.
- Add three hibiscus flowers and the hibiscus syrup.
- For ONE cocktail, in a cocktail shaker, add 2/3 cups lemonade, 2 ounces flavored vodka and shake.
- Add shaken cocktail to a martini glass with 1/4 cup crushed ice.
- Garnish with a hibiscus flower and a lemon slice.
- Serve and repeat for 3 more cocktails.
Street Fare: Sip, Savor, Stroll Progressive Dinner Preview
September 10th, 2015
Since I moved to the Philadelphia outskirts almost 4 years ago, I never realized that I would be attending food truck festivals or that I would get to visit great restaurants around a large city. I’ve had such fun getting to know the towns surrounding Philly.
Tonight I took my girls and attended a progressive dinner preview in Mt. Airy which allowed me to experience a bit how the real event will be like on September 17th. The event is called Street Fare: Sip, Savor, and Stroll where 50 and more food trucks, restaurants,and bars come together for a night of street eats, craft brews, handcrafted cocktails and wine. While I have only been to Chestnut Hill, I was so surprised with the variety of restaurants in the area. CNN Money calls Mt. Airy the “Best Big-City Neighborhood” with an emerging restaurant scene to beautiful historic homes.
When we arrived at Earth Bread + Brewery I was not sure how the evening would go carrying a baby in an Ergo carrier and with my two toddler girls in tow. All I know is that my girls enjoy food and I was going to make the most of our evening. We started with the Lemon -Mint, Creamsicle, and Sarsaparilla craft sodas and a delicious BBQ sampler from Streetside BBQ. We had some pulled pork, brisket, chicken, and some sweet cornbread. All my oldest daughter continued to ask for was the “chicken” which was the pulled pork. She enjoyed it as much as I did. It was so tender and of course the sweet cornbread was a hit.
We then walked over to Mahn: Mt. Airy Noodle House for a spring roll and Bee Burger for a juicy burger slider.
The burgers were a perfect size for all and even my girls had a bite or two. We also tried a fried rugelach which was a hit with the girls.
Next we walked a block or two and tried Indian fare at Jyoti Indian Bistro. They had a nice little set up outside the restaurant and the owner explained all the savory treats she was going to serve. We started with a mango lassi which was a delicious cool treat for all.
My girls LOVE mango so they kept asking for more. I then tried makkai ke roti which was served with saag and pakoras. Indian fare has always been a little harder to get used to but I love trying NEW foods so I knew I had a pakora before, so I loved the spice and flavor. My kids opted not to have anything spicy.
The owner enticed the girls to try the sweet treat made from cream of wheat called Semolina Halva. The girls kept calling the dish “the sweet thing” which they devoured and afterward thanked the owner. I love the fact that my girls give a lot of foods a first time try at ages 2 and 4.
Our last stop of then evening was at Alma Mater, which opens next Thursday boasts a beautiful beer garden with awesome benches for both adults and kids. It was still under construction but the kitchen was ready to serve the media folks. We had a fresh green salad with salmon and bruschetta on nicely crisped baguette slices.
They also had a few beers for us to try so I chose the IPA which is always a favorite of mine, It was hoppy and a perfect pair with all the food we were trying.
There were also a three food trucks ready to have us try their food fare since they would be making an appearance at the festival on the 17th. Herb Scott Catering had an amazing Asian rice bowl with saffron rice, juicy brisket, with greens.
Dump N Roll Truck had crispy wontons filled with Chipotle turkey bacon cheeseburger and topped with smoky honey bourbon BBQ. Oh my, those were incredible! I saved a few for the hubby to try at home and he REALLY liked those along with the dumplings which were just as savory and incredible. That truck is definitely one not to miss.
M.A.T.T ‘s Food Truck was the last truck for us to try and they were so kind to me as I handled the girls and got them situated. Since my girls decided they were on a carb fest, I ordered the parmesan truffle fries and a crab cake slider for myself. The girls at first did not know what to make of the fries, knowing there was something different about them. They gave a few tries and kept eating.
I enjoyed my crab cake since it is not something I get to eat all the time. It had a little slaw on top of the crab cake making it a perfect combination.
It for your mouth is not watering already, it should because the event on September 17th is sure to offer this plus an amazing assortment of offerings. There will be a crowd so make sure you come with your spouse and carry your kids. Your whole family CAN enjoy good food and a good time especially with the live music as entertainment.
Street Fare: Sip, Savor, Stroll
September 17, 2015
6:00pm to 10:30pm
The festival takes place between Sedgwick Street and Mt. Airy Avenue.
Disclosure: This was a media event allowing us to get a sense and taste of how Sip, Savor, And Stroll would be like on the 17th. The evening was provided by Aversa PR. While I was not compensated this is my own review of the evening.
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Peaches and White Chocolate Cream Trifle
September 2nd, 2015
Before summer is officially gone I wanted to share this fabulous trifle I made for friends when we headed over to their place. I sometimes get bogged down with what to take to a dinner party for large families and then I remember that there is more to life than sheet cake. Trifle seems to be the dessert that continues on giving. No matter how much you scoop for the large amount of people in your party, there is still more to serve.
If you haven’t noticed, peaches are still pretty popular, but I believe that will be over soon so before you start chasing after pumpkin recipes, make this peach recipe for your family or your next get-together. I have had several people asking me for the recipe since I posted it on Instagram:
SO lest I forget or anyone else, this is STILL a food blog, but somedays, I post what I ate on my Instagram page as a diary hoping to get the recipe on the blog. Just in case you did not know it fellow readers and friends, taking care of three kiddos and everything else in life is pretty challenging, so bear with me.
Check out my colorful pictures on Instagram because I have been able to get delicious lunches and dinners for our family. I forsee that family life with three kids and a husband will be different every day, but know that I will always be sharing something new and exciting often whether here or on my Instagram, Twitter or my Facebook page.
Let me know if you make this Peaches and White Chocolate Cream Trifle. It is decadent, sinful and oh so delicious.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Mason Dixon: A Local Boutique for Children’s Goods
August 27th, 2015
The summer is quickly coming to an end and children all over are starting to go back to school which only means that fall will soon be approaching. Fall is one of my favorite seasons especially now that I live in the East Coast, I get the chance to see the leaves change. What a magnificent miracle to see happen every year. Not only do the leaves change color, but the weather changes and cools down. After a steamy uncomfortable summer, I am very much ready to get cooler temperatures.
Now that we have a newborn in our family, I have to make sure all her clothes are ready for the seasonal changes. If anything a baby’s skin is so much more sensitive to heat and colder temperatures. One of the things I love my kids to wear are shoes. Even though I like shoes, I did not think I would be a quick fan and hoarder of baby and children’s shoes. There are so many occasions for them to wear them like there are for adults: the park, the store, church, and parties. Am I being realistic? Well, after I cleaned, arranged and stored older and outgrown shoes, I realize perhaps I need to downsize.
My husband and I always talk about quality versus quantity. We believe that paying a little more for something we like will last longer in the long run. I really did not have that mentality until I got married but I see his point. I recently was introduced to a new children’s boutique in the Philly area called Mason Dixon. They JUST launched their new online store and have their shoes stocked in two stores in Ambler andArdemore. While they currently offer shoes for babies and children, they will be expanding their product line soon.
After out little girl was born in July, I received a nice satchel with a pair of pink leather booties for our daughter with leather laces. I simply love the color and shade of pink. While I tried it on our little Natalie, I know these booties will be a better fit in the winter to keep her warm. Inside each bootie is a leather tag with M / D for their store name.
Here are a few more details about Mason Dixon shoes:
For those who do not live in the Philly area, make sure you check out Mason Dixon’s online store for the variety of shoes, colors, and choices for children. If you live in the area, check out the following store fronts:
pucciManuli
35 Cricket Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
and
Hatch
12 E Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002
Disclosure: I received a pair to review. All opinions and photos are my own.
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Cantina Laredo at King of Prussia Mall
August 24th, 2015
Cantina Laredo is an ideal spot for a Girls Night Out or a Date Night. Surprise your loved one with something different on your night out. Hope the following pictures whet your appetite.
I had the pleasure of joining 9 other ladies for lunch on Monday afternoon to try Cantina Laredo, the modern Mexican restaurant located at the King of Prussia mall. Although it has been opened since September last year, I admit I had not dined there not because I have not had a desire but because my husband and I do not really come out to King of Prussia for date nights. Well, that changed a week ago when he surprised me by taking me to Grand Luxe Cafe, which was one of my favorite places to eat when I lived in Houston.
Now that I know that there are a few more places opening up at the mall, I decided my husband and I needed to revisit the area for date nights, especially with the tasting I had today. Cantina Laredo is considered a restaurant franchise which in fact made sense since I remember seeing one close to my house in Houston for years. Well, today was my chance to finally see what the place was all about.
I have to admit that when I heard the menu consisted of modern Mexican cuisine, I was intrigued especially since my grandmother from Mexico had just been with us for 2 weeks. She prepared amazing dishes that she taught me how to prepare after she left, but what about times I just did not want to cook? I am always on the look out for GOOD Mexican places that have tasty dishes. Cantina Laredo takes traditional dishes and gives it its own spin and presentation to those dining. I was definitely impressed and savored each bite we enjoyed over lunch.
We started off with a watermelon mojito garnished with a huge slice of watermelon. It was refreshing especially paired with the fresh mint.
The menu offers top shelf guacamole, with the server preparing table side guacamole feeding 2 to 4 people. The guacamole was served with delicious chips and fresh salsas, like their roasted tomato salsa and their tomatillo salsa.
The queso fundido, or melted cheese appetizer, was served with in-house made flour tortillas. I have to admit that homemade flour tortillas are one of my weaknesses especially paired with yummy melted cheese. The queso fundido consisted of three cheeses melted and garnished with grilled poblanos and onions. It was hard to stay away from this appetizer.
The second round of tastings consisted of four of the chef’s favorites from the menu. He served us:
Tacos with carnitas
Sopes with black beans and barbacoa meat
Tacos with ahi tuna
Empanada made with cheese and chorizo –
All these bites were served with a pineapple margarita which was garnished with a nice slice of fresh pineapple. Great summer drink with flavorful dishes.
While I was already full from our tastings, I could only imagine dessert would be the last course. The chef brought out Mexican Apple Pie served with Cinnamon Ice Cream. The presentation was really nice since the pie was placed on a hot platter and served with brandy butter that sizzled as it was poured onto the pie. It was impressive.
My favorite of the two desserts was the Mango Tres Leches which was light and not overly sweet. I vowed I would try to make my own version at home since I left thinking and wanting more of it. It was an ideal palate cleanser after having the previous dishes.
If you live in the area, try Cantina Laredo and savor each bite of your meal with a seasonal drink of choice.
King of Prussia, PA 19406
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Skinny Blueberry Lemonade Fizz & Spiked Pom Hibiscus Lemonade
August 20th, 2015
It’s National Lemonade Day today and, since you’re an adult, you should drink your lemonade like an adult: spiked with Van Gogh Vodka!
National Lemonade Day comes at a perfect time of the summer. Has anyone started school yet? My husband has the rest of this week before he starts but some others have until September, so why not continue enjoying the summer. In my home, my kids are constantly asking for something to drink whether we are active or not. Sometimes I just concentrate on giving them water, but other times, I like varying it by giving them fresh juices and teas. They have gotten used to it that when they walk into the kitchen, they ask me whether I am making tea or juice.
One of the most refreshing drinks to have during the summer can be lemonade. I’ve been taught that just drinking lemon water in the morning helps flush the kidneys. When I was challenged to make a unique lemonade for National Lemonade, I only imagined something my family would love or even friends coming over for a summer evening BBQ.
I recently was sent a delightful trio of delicious vodkas to spike my lemonade recipes. Van Gogh Vodkas are crafted using only the finest fruit, grains and purified water. The grain alcohol goes through a multiple distillation process followed by an all-natural double infusion flavoring process. The state-of-the-art equipment ensures a smooth and quality controlled bottling process which is handled in a very efficient way. It was so hard to choose which vodka to try first since the Pineapple, Acai-Blueberry, and Pomegranate Vodka all sounded delicious.
I have to agree that a quick taste test of each flavor went down smoothly although this was the first time I have had flavored vodkas added to my liquor cabinet. I was actually happy with the flavors they sent me because it was easy to make my drinks with my favorite combination of ingredients at home. Both cocktails created today are made with Lite & Sweet which is a natural sweetener combining xylitol and erythritol with zero net carbs. The measurements are 1:1 as real sugar and really taste like sugar but with few calories. A little sweetener was added by the Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup that made for the decoration and great combination with pomegranate.
The Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka paired well with my hibiscus and lemonade base for the Spiked Pom Hibiscus Lemonade. The hibiscus flowers added a gourmet and beautiful addition to the cocktail, you could even eat them as well!
My Skinny Blueberry Lemonade Fizz was so tasty seeing I have never enjoyed beverages with blueberries or lemonade. I loved the combination because the blueberries, softened the tartness of the lemons. I also was finally happy to use Polar’s Blueberry Lemonade Seltzer which is limited for the summer. It made a perfect fizz for my drink and added fun bubbles to every sip.
Sit back and relax and check out my spiked lemonade recipes that would be perfect for any parties or cookouts left for the summer or even on some weekends when parents need to relax after school has started. Remember, you can also make these drinks without alcohol for your friends or kids. My girls certainly loved the lemonade for an afternoon refresher.
Ingredients
Instructions
Here are some more recipes for National Lemonade Day:
Homemade Limoncello Recipe by Jo-Lynne Shane’s Blog
Pink Lemonade Cocktail by Hillary Chybinski
Frozen Lemonade by A Grande Life
Strawberry Lemonade by How Does Your Garden Grow
Pink Lemonade Moonshine Cocktail by Giggles, Gobbles, & Gulps
Homemade Lemonade with Mint by O’Boy! Organic
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade by The Centsible Life
14 Family Friendly Lemonade Recipes featured at Mending the Piggy Bank
The Best Homemade Lemonade Fresh Squeezed with Honey by Eco Incognito
Watermelon Lemonade by A Grande Life
Disclosure: I received product from Van Gogh, Xlear, and Wild Hibiscus in exchange for an honest review. All recipes and opinions are my own.
