I'm cheating on Starbucks. Don't tell my Barista.

Wow....it has been a crazy long time since I posted anything.  But this morning I discovered heaven on earth and I needed to share it.  As many of you know,  I have a legit obsession with Starbucks.  I love every single item on their menu.  Bakery items, Caramel Macciattos, Lattes, Skinny Lattes, Frappuccinos, Salted Hot Chocolate etc.  And don't even get me started on the Pumpkin Spiced Latte.  DON'T EVEN.  

Anyway,  I will get to the point of this post.  Dunkin Donuts has broke through my Starbucks addiction with the creation of their new flavored iced coffees.  All of the new flavors are inspired by Baskin Robbins ice cream flavors.  ICE CREAM. I cannot explain my love for ice cream at this time, but please refer to this post as a reference  Ice Cream is a Girl's Best Friend. The new flavors are Butter Pecan, Jamoca Almond Fudge, and Cookie Dough.  Cookie Dough is my personal favorite.  Literally one of the best things I've ever tasted.  

If you haven't done so already, drive to one of the 15 Dunkin Donuts within a 5 mile radius and get yourself one (or two) of this coffees.  Sign up for their new fancy rewards card while you are at it so you can earn some free drinks.  And lastly, I need to send an apology to Starbucks for my Dunkin Donuts love affair.  My Starbucks Gold Card should be revoked. But for now, Starbucks needs to step up their coffee game.

Good For You Stuff

I decided to switch things up a bit and share information about some of my favorite "good for you" stuff.  If I actually ate all this stuff on my blog on a daily basis I would easily be 250 lbs.

Skinnytaste is one of my favorite blogs.  This site has tons of healthy recipes and healthier versions of usual recipes.  Sometimes I would rather have someone suggest recipes they've already tried rather than browsing through 100 of them and hoping something turns out good.  All of these recipes have nutrition information, calories, weight watchers points, serving sizes etc.

Here are some of my favorite recipes from Skinnytaste:
Penne with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans
Lighter Eggplant Parmesan
Santa Fe Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Spinach Lasagna Rolls
Skinny Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Grilled Chicken with Spinach and Melted Mozzarella
Crock Pot 3 Bean Turkey Chili
Super Moist Low Fat Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze
Pumpkin Hazelnut White Chocolate Biscotti
Applesauce Nut Bread

Another one of my favorite sites is NatureBox.  For $19.95 per month, NatureBox will send you a box of healthy snacks.  Seems a little expensive, but based on the snacks I've received I think it is worth it.  I usually get dried fruit, granola, and nuts which are all pretty expensive in stores anyway.  All of the snacks are nutritionist approved, and contain no high fructose corn syrup, no trans fats, no partially hydrogenated oils, no artificial sweeteners, no artificial flavors or colors.  You can even choose which snacks you want to receive in your next box.  In addition, Naturebox works with a charity called WhyHunger to make nutritious food more available to everyone.  They also donate their snacks to emergency food providers, low-income families, and community based organizations.  So, by signing up for NatureBox you are doing something good for yourself and the community :)

Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter

Well, it has been a while since my last post.  Sorry...I've been a slacker.  I've also been trying to watch what I eat a little more than usual lately, which leaves me less opportunities to pig out on yummy goodies.  Anyway, every so often I come across something so good it makes me want to dust off my keyboard and share it with all of you fine people.  Thanks to my friend Rowie for introducing me to this deliciousness!!!

Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter

You can find this miraculous creation at Trader Joe's.  When I first saw it, my first thought was "hmmm....what in the hell is cookie butter?  I like cookies....I like all kinds of butter...sounds good to me!"  Plus, I will try anything once.  Well...almost anything.  Anyway, it is available in regular and crunchy.  My favorite is crunchy.  Literally....the only way to describe it is that it tastes like a spreadable gingerbread cookie.  SO EXCITING!!!  You can put it on toast, english muffins, cookies, crackers, etc.  OR...you can just do what I like to do and eat it straight out of the jar with a spoon.  Ain't no shame in that!  Don't worry...your secret is safe with me.

But wait! There's more!  They also make chocolate bars filled with Speculoos Cookie Butter.  Everything immediately gets 50% better once you add chocolate.  I have not tried these yet.  But I don't see any reason why wouldn't they be equally amazing :)

It is so good.....there's even a Facebook page specifically dedicated to Speculoos Cookie Butter.  You can find that page here.  Go ahead and "like" it.  You know you wanna...

Happy eating my friends....enjoy your weekend!!!

Cider House BBQ & Pub

There are several reasons why I love the Cider House BBQ & Pub in Waterbury, VT.

1.  It is Vermont and I love me some Vermont.

Waterbury, VT 2009

2. They support local farmers and producers.  Local meats, produce, cider, cheeses and other products are incorporated into their menu wherever possible.

3. The atmosphere is very relaxing.  It is not a huge place.  Friendly service.  Very Comfy.  We sat at a small table right by the fireplace.  Love it!

3. It is the home of the best burger I have ever tasted.  True Story.

The burger is called the Cider House Local Beef Burger.  And for just $10 you can get a big burger made with Vermont Highland Cattle beef mixed with their home made BBQ sauce,  choice of cheddar, swiss, bleu, or pepperjack cheese, topped with mixed greens, red onions, and chipotle mayo on a toasted bun.  My favorite thing about this burger is it tastes really fresh.  I literally want to make the 4.5 hour trip to Vermont right now just to get me one!  Unfortunately,  I visited this place before I created this blog and did not take any pictures.  But don't worry, next time I visit I will be sure to take tons!

If you are ever in the Waterbury, VT area....skiing...or perhaps just being a fat chick like me and visiting the Ben & Jerry's factory (check out that post here), make sure you stop by this place and show them some love.

Check out their website and menu HERE

Bonfatto's Spice Cream

I was at the International Great Beer Expo last weekend.  Although I was surrounded by an outrageous amount of amazing craft beer, I came across this guy giving out free samples of Bonfatto's Spice Cream.  What the heck is Spice Cream you ask?  It is premium french vanilla ice cream laced with Bonfatto's spicy wing sauces.  Sounds very odd.  But it is surprisingly good!  

Currently, Bonfatto's Spice Cream is available in 3 flavors...Rolling Berry Blastoff, Jumping Jack Apple Splash, and Sweet Peachy Heat Wave.  I tried a sample of the apple.  It tasted like fresh apple pie with creamy vanilla ice cream and a hint of spice.  Ok, it was a little more than a "hint" of spice.  But, seriously it was really good!  Who would've thought that spicy ice cream would ever work?  Turns out spicy/sweet is kind of the same as salty/sweet.  The two flavors balance each other out a create something yummy.

I'm not even sure where this is sold.  I was too preoccupied with beer and free ice cream to ask where you can get it now.  The guy did tell me that in a bout 2 or 3 months it will be available in major grocery stores like Shop Rite and Stop & Shop.  In the meantime, I signed up for email updates on their website Bonfatto's Spice Cream. (You should too.)  Hopefully I will be the first to know when this is available in stores so I can get a pint in every flavor!

Valentine's Day Makes People Fat

As I was wandering around Target today, I stumbled upon the Valentine's Day Aisle looking all pink, red, sparkly and delicious.  I was surrounded by endless amounts of chocolate, candy, and various other items consisting of pure sugar and nothing of nutritional value.  I was about to just run away in the other direction before I spent $50 on useless crap, but these lovely little things caught my eye before I could escape.

Raspberry Hershey's Hugs

They are basically Hershey's Kisses....they call them "hugs" because they are milk chocolate hugged by raspberry white creme.  They are so cute and yummy.  The reason why I love these is because they are not too sweet.  They are the perfect blend of chocolate, raspberry and vanilla.  One of my favorite combinations on earth is chocolate and raspberry.  Refer to this post...Bitches Love Chocolate if you need proof.  Who wouldn't love chocolate wrapped in pink shiny foil?  Go buy some for you significant other for Valentine's Day.  Or just buy a whole bag for yourself.  I won't judge....

The Best Potato Skins EVER.

Does anybody want to have the best potato skins in the world? If so, head on over to Pantagis Diner in Edison, NJ. In my opinion, Pantagis is one of the best diners in New Jersey. Twenty-one different cheese cake flavors, traditional diner food and desserts, open 24 hours....and home of the best potato skins I've ever tasted!

  

The first thing I love about these potato skins is that they are very fresh. The potatoes are cooked just right. Not too hard not too mushy. Second, they put gigantc chunks of bacon on them. None of those stupid little bacon bits on these babies. Third, they don't mess around with the cheese. They put A LOT of fresh melty cheddar cheese on them. They are sooooo good. Seriously, these are the best ever.