Holiday Flavors from Green Mountain Coffee

Green Mountain Coffee Fair Trade Certified coffee is available through specialty and mass retailers, grocery, club and convenience stores, offices, quick-serve restaurants and online. I am always impressed with their commitment to raising awareness of the importance of fair trade practices as well as the fact that they make great tasting coffee. This holiday season, GMCR is offering two limited edition flavors: Spicy Eggnog and Gingerbread. Both are fair trade certified and available in bags or as K-Cups. 

I prefer darker roasts for a stronger coffee flavor, so I just brew two K-Cups on the small teacup setting to fill my mug. The aroma fills the kitchen and makes it truly feel like the holidays! I especially like the Spicy Eggnog flavor, since you get all the satisfaction of eggnog, with a caffeinated punch and no tummyache from drinking too much of the rich, sweet stuff. A welcome addition to the holiday entertaining arsenal. 

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received samples of the coffee to facilitate this review. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Making Seasons Bright with Torani Syrup

Torani is a name synonymous with coffeehouse culture. I've bought other flavoring syrups before and been sorely disappointed. Torani syrups are always more flavorful than merely sweet. I'd compare the difference to that between real maple syrup and the cheap stuff you buy in plastic jugs. Not the same thing, at all! 

I usually use my Torani syrups to spike my coffee. I received a couple of bottles of the sugar-free Splenda-sweetened varieties to try and they are just as decadently delicious as their higher calorie peers. Hazelnut is a flavor I usually purchase to make lattes at home but there are plenty of other recipes you can use it for, like Brussel Sprouts with Hazelnuts. Can you imagine? I'm definitely going to have to start thinking out of the box with these syrups.

Torani Pumpkin Pie syrup is predictably delicious in lattes. It's an especially welcome flavor as the holidays approach, in coffee and even in mixed drinks. I like to make my own Bah Humbug Not-Nog Egg Cream with a shot of pumpkin pie syrup, a shot of cream and a cup of seltzer. I'm planning to submit it as my entry in the Torani Holiday Cheers Contest, what do you think? Enter your favorite Torani recipes and you could win special Mr. Coffee prizes along with your favorite Torani Syrups each week through December 9th.

When Torani started as a family business in1920s San Francisco, they offered five flavors, each meticulously formulated with the best quality ingredients. Since then, they have added a plethora of unusual varieties to their roster. Torani Chicken 'N Waffles just released a few days ago and I'm dying to try it. (They make Bacon syrup, too. Must try!)

What sorts of recipes do you like to use flavored syrups in?



Get 10% off your whole order at Torani.com through November 30 using code SHESPEAKS.

Follow Torani on Twitter and Like Torani on Facebook for more recipe ideas and new products.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received samples from Torani andSheSpeaks to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Sharing the (International) Delight with Iced Coffee

Remember how I got to try the new International Delights Iced Coffee a couple of weeks ago? Well, they are available in the dairy section of Walmart and Sam's Club locations nationwide now. As if that wasn't exciting enough, I was asked to surprise a friend with a special delivery of all three flavors. My care package went to Caryn from Rockin Mama.

When I first "met" Caryn, we were both new moms starting blogs. It's been a long time since then! I don't get to see her as often as I'd like since she's on the west coast and I'm stuck out in the flatlands but we run into each other online a lot. I even got to meet her hubby last year at a Ford event in Detroit. She seemed like a good candidate for an iced coffee break, so I tweeted a little hint to her:

I pulled out my ice cream maker to see how the International Delight Iced Coffee would freeze up but to my horror, the chemical freezing agent had somehow eaten through the nonstick coating and crystallized. Ick. I went to plan B and blended it up with a couple of ice cubes. Definitely not ick! A really nice treat and not overly indulgent, either, at only 150 calories per cup.

I wonder which flavor Caryn will like the most? I'm thinking she might be a Mocha girl! We'll just have to see…


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In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that this shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are my own, as usual. #CBias

International Delight Iced Coffee Taste Teaser

I know that this will shock some of you but I'm only kind of a coffee snob. I like a dark, rich roast and high caffeine content, having weathered several gloomy winters in the Pacific Northwest, but I also tend to prefer my coffee on ice. My mom has always been an iced coffee fanatic, so maybe that's where I get it from. Unlike me, however, she likes her coffee with tons of sugar– it's almost a coffee syrup. Rarely do we agree on coffee beverages but both of us can attest to the convenience and tastiness of International Delight's new line of Iced Coffee, which will be available in the dairy section of Walmart stores everywhere on January 15th.

I like to start my day off with coffee but my husband is not a fan. In fact, he even hates the smell of coffee. Absurd! Iced coffee is generally less aromatic than its hot counterpart, so it offends his olfactory senses less and I don't have to see him wincing first thing in the morning. (No, he doesn't make a big deal out of it but I try to be sensitive to his needs. I'm awesome like that.) If I just have to stumble out of bed and pour, so much the simpler. Check out our fully-loaded fridge:

Three delectable flavors. Which one shall I try first? Mocha, of course! I am a total chocoholic, so it was the obvious choice. Not too sweet, not too thick. I would have preferred a darker chocolate flavor but it was more of a milky chocolate, still delicious. I imagine it would be even better frozen and blended. Mmm! I had to remind myself not to drink the whole carton in one sitting. It's awfully easy to pour over ice and suck down.

I like to add an extra shot or two of coffee, to make up for the melting ice. I suppose if you planned ahead you could make espresso cubes to alleviate the dilution. Or just throw caution to the wind and blend it up with some ice cream or fro-yo, perhaps a splash of Kahlua… I won't tell a soul.

Which flavor would you try first?

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In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that this shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are my own, as usual. #CBias

“Back-to-School Survival Tips” from Eight O’Clock Coffee (Giveaway)

As summer comes to a close, it’s time to trade in flip-flops and beach bags for lunch boxes and backpacks. Eight O’Clock Coffee has prepared a few tips to help get you and your kids through the craziness of back-to-school season. Scroll down for a chance to win a Back-to-School Parent Survival Pack including a drawstring bag, travel mug and 2 bags of Eight O’Clock Coffee to help start your mornings off right!

Eight O'Clock Coffee, Original Ground, 12-Ounce Bag (Pack of 4)(affiliate link)

• TIP 1: Become Your Own Brewista – Save time, money and gas this back-to-school season by brewing your morning coffee at home. You can even set your coffee maker’s timer the night before to wake up to great-smelling Eight O’Clock Coffee.

• TIP 2: Preplan Lunch – A few days before school starts, sit down with your kids and create a grocery list of healthy snacks and lunches they would like for school. Rotate each of their selections throughout the week. Make Tuesday “Turkey Tuesday” or Wednesday “Wrap Wednesday” – adding variety to keep lunch exciting. When possible, pack their lunch the night before to reduce stress in the morning.

• TIP 3: Assemble Weekly Wardrobes – Every Sunday, check the upcoming weekly weather forecast with your kids. Then, have them pick out five outfits for the upcoming school week. Hang them in daily order in their closet to avoid the inevitable, “Mom, I can’t find my favorite blue shirt!” 

• TIP 4: Be Prepared for School Projects – Avoid late night rushing around to complete school projects by having art supplies on hand. Create an arts and craft bin that includes more than just crayons and colored paper. Collect items like pipe cleaners, stickers, figurines, beads – even coffee beans – and other creative finds, and put the fun back in school projects.

To enter and win a Back-to-School Parent Survival Pack including a drawstring bag, travel mug and 2 bags of Eight O’Clock Coffee, please comment on this post with your favorite back to school tradition.


Entries will be accepted through Sept 7th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.


For additional entries: 
- Post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar) 
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Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that no monetary compensation was provided but I will receive a similar gift from the sponsor for hosting this giveaway. If you click on the line marked "affiliate link" it will take you to the product on Amazon and if you buy something I might get a couple of shekels. Just so you know.

Tassimo T20 Coffee Brewer Giveaway

***WINNER PICKED 2/11 WITH RANDOM.ORG***

***CONGRATULATIONS, #1 (seriously!) Lisa @thebeadgirl!!!***

her comment...
i'm going with starbucks verona. it's my fav!

I am married to someone who hates the smell of coffee. Hard to believe, I know, but it's true. For this reason, I love the recent spate of single cup brewers hitting the market lately. They make great tasting coffee without the wastefulness of brewing a whole pot for one person. Okay, I admit it– I would probably drink all the whole thing over the course of a day. And you can probably guess that I don't need that much caffeine in my life! I'm edgy enough, as is…

I've been using the Keurig Platinum for a few years now but jumped at the chance to try the Tassimo T20 by Bosch. I've always been a fan of Bosch design, everything is sleek and purposeful in that peculiarly Teutonic way. The Tassimo T20 is no exception, with a slim and compact profile that makes my old brewer look archaic.

Tassimo T-discs come in more than 40 flavors from well-known brands like Gevalia, Maxwell House, Twinings and more. My favorites thus far have been Starbucks Latte and Cappucino, which taste just like the originals at a fraction of the cost per cup. Check out that foam!

I also love the decadent Suchard hot chocolate although my kids prefer the two-step Milka cocoa. I haven't tried any of the Tassimo tea yet but I am a huge fan of Tazo so I think I will try one of their flavors soon. One drawback is that Tassimo T-discs are not currently available at my regular grocery store. They are widely available at Walmart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, Kohls and Macy’s as well as online at Tassimodirect.com. (In fact, there are some great deals on Tassimo Brewers that include free T-Discs and a generous discount.)

To enter and win your own Tassimo T20 by Bosch, please comment on this post with your favorite T-Disc Beverage.


Entries will be accepted through February 9th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.


For an additional entry, post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar), follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, fan me on Facebook, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader. Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.


Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!


***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***




Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received a Tassimo T20 by Bosch to facilitate this review but all opinions are decidedly my own.