Archive for the ‘reviews and giveaways’ Category

Keeping Promises

Things got a bit heavy in here yesterday. I think its time to lighten up the mood a bit. Put a smile on and talk about something that gets you all warm and gooey inside. Maybe do a little What I Ate Wednesday action.

Peas and Crayons

Maybe deliver on that brownie recipe I promised you way back when on Monday before things got all dramatic.

On Monday I promised you a brownie recipe to make your heart melt. So you shall get a brownie recipe to make your heart melt, my friend. Just make sure you don’t spend too much time swooning because then your heart won’t be the only thing melting. Your brownies will, too. And we don’t want that now. That would be wasteful. I don’t know what would happen to our relationship if you wasted brownies, coffee, and ice cream all in one fell swoop. I prefer not to find out either. So just make these and eat them all promptly. Which, I don’t think that will be too much of a challenge because…hello?!?! They’re brownies, coffee, and ice cream all in one!

Are you confused yet? Ice cream? Where’s the ice cream?! Don’t worry. I shall help you. It’s what friends do. You see that fudgy layer?

coffee toffee ice cream brownies

That…my friends…is magic in the form of . I received some coupons to try two pints of Starbucks ice cream free for review. Coffee and I are *likethis* so, of course, I chose two coffee based flavors – Java Chocolate Chip and Mocha Frappuccino.

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No doubt, my first taste test came in the unadulterated state of a small bowl.

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Good. No…not just good. Impressive. Striking. Bold. Magnificent. Both flavors packed a definitive coffee punch in the form of one of my favorite foods. I could have just eaten my way through both pints with Peter. Not a bad idea…but then they would disappear too quickly. I needed to up the ante. I needed to allow my coffee and ice cream love to mingle with yet another beloved of mine – brownies. And so was born Easy Coffee Toffee Ice Cream Brownies. The title may be a mouthful, but it’s a mouthful you want to take.

Easy Coffee Toffee Ice Cream Brownies

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  • your favorite brownie recipe
  • 2 TBSP instant coffee
  • 1 cup (I chose the Mocha Frappuccino flavor)
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP cold milk
  • small box instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 1 cup crushed toffee pieces

I find that everyone has a favorite brownie recipe or a boxed mix they love. Let’s not mess with your tried and true preference. Just add in the 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder to your brownie batter and bake as normal. Cool brownies completely.

Add the , milk, and box of chocolate pudding mix to a bowl. Stir until evenly combined. Spoon mixture over the brownies.

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Sprinkle toffee bits evenly over the top and gently press into the ice cream / pudding mixture. Place back in the freezer for at least 2 hours to harden.

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Cut into large brownies because no puny portions will do with these bad boys. Admit it…we’re all drawn to the bad boy from time to time. You’ll be drawn to these too. Dark. Mysterious. Bold. Smooth. Knock you off your feet and keep you up all night.

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From the sugar and caffeine, people! I was still talking about brownies! Where are your minds going? Sheesh. I gotta keep a close eye on you.

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And not only for still daydreaming about Ryan Reynolds a week later. I have to make sure you don’t steal any of my brownies. Make your own. I promise they’re easy. I promise they’re worth it. And I always keep my promises.

  • Favorite thing to order from Starbucks? I want to get my hands on a Coconut Mocha Frappuccino after Julie mentioned it a couple nights ago!
  • Brownies – fudgy, cakey, or not at all? Must. Be. FUDGY!!!

Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Starbucks and received coupons and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. All my opinions, as always, are 100% honest.

Posted by on August 17th, 2011 60 Comments

A Southern Gal Needs Her Tea

Day before race day! Day before race day!! This 10K snuck up on me. Luckily, I feel prepared. I had a great 8 miler last weekend. My body feels strong. And I have rested, hydrated, and fueled well today. I just had my standard Friday night dinner that has bode well for me as night-before-fuel in the past – Subway sub!

Tonight, I needed a little sumtin’ sumtin’ extra to go with it. I have lived in the South my entire life. Any Southern gal will tell you that sometimes you just need some tea with your meal. Tonight was one of those nights and thankfully I had some awesome tea sent to me from Lipton to quench that thirst craving.

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Posted by on June 3rd, 2011 20 Comments

 

 
Catch Up With Recent Posts

Announcement Time

Posted: November 23, 2011 at 7:47 am

Well, I have had a whirlwind of a few weeks over here. I missed all of you so much! I can’t express enough gratitude for your patience while I got some important things sorted out. Some scary things. Are you ready for the announcement? Here goes! I will no longer be blogging at Faith Fitness […]

88 CommentsRead more →

Self-Love Reflection: The Road Not Taken

Posted: November 20, 2011 at 11:47 am

Hello FFF readers! Nice to meet ya! My name is Carissa and my husband and I blog at Fit2Flex.  Well, I blog…he consults! We are both certified personal trainers with a passion for healthy, active living and clean eating.  I am also studying to become a registered dietitian, a race announcer, and a runner.  Stop […]

24 CommentsRead more →

Healthier Eating For Kids

Posted: November 19, 2011 at 10:56 am

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what’s for dinner? Check out their cute "Quest for Yum!" video and see what happens! As parents, we want the best for our children. We help them to feel loved. We strive to teach them […]

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Announcement

Posted: November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Hey, everyone! I wanted to pop in and say I am working on some new and exciting changes.  As a result,I may not be posting as much during the coming week.  Please stay tuned for the big announcement! Love you all! And still feel free to find me on Twitter and Facebook for the time […]

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Where The Change Happens

Posted: November 16, 2011 at 7:54 am

It’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else. The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go. Making The Cut includes a lot of […]

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From Beginning To End

Posted: November 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

Good morning! First off, thanks for the many congrats yesterday. Love you all bunches for the tons of support you have given me in so many things this year. I hope I can return a little bit of that love through this here blog as well. So yesterday I had my first parent-teacher “conference” for […]

55 CommentsRead more →