[Product Review] ZOKU Single Quick Pop Maker

Welcome back, friends!  How was your weekend?  Mine was great!  I was able to kick off my new fitness routine that I'll be sharing with you soon (once I get results), haha.  

I was also able to go on a mini-shopping spree for work-out clothes and look what I found!  This is a Zoku Single Quick pop maker.  They came in different colors but this green one sold me.  Have you experienced going back and forth the display shelves trying to talk yourself out of something that you don't really need but definitely want?  Oh yeah...

I bought it because my husband and I love to eat ice cream as seen in my past posts and we are trying to cut back.  It's a challenge for us to give up dairy even when I've read that it can cause mucus build-up and overgrowth of parasites and bacteria in my gut.  Heck... I still love it.  As of this writing, we have 2 scoops of 2 flavors in our freezer and that's it...  we decided to stop buying - until our next birthdays (2014).   

Zoku Single Quick Pop Maker

The Zoku single pop maker came with a single receptacle with 3 pop sticks, 1 super tool and 3  drip cups.  After washing all the parts, we placed the receptable in the freezer for 24 hours (until it felt solid, with no slushing sound).   

We used Bolthouse Mocha Capuccino on our first attempt.  We poured the liquid until the fill line and allowed it to sit for 7-9 minutes.  When it was set, we used the super tool to take it out which was physically challenging.  Once out, we inserted the drip cup and finally enjoyed our first mocha cap pop.

The liquid froze well and it was satisfying to think that we just used a small amount (probably 1/4 to 1/3 cup.  We will make different flavors and see how it goes.  

The original Zoku pop maker has 3 receptacles and they have a duo pop maker too.  The only disadvantage for this single pop maker is that it can only make 3 pops, one at a time, and then you'd have to freeze it again.  This unit costs US$25.

We are hopeful that this product will help us make healthier choices.  I will post more of our Zoku adventures soon.  

Today is back to work day.  I thank God for Mondays, otherwise, there will never be Fridays.

Have a blessed week, my friend!

See you soon!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Focus on Life Week 20] Looking Up

It's Week 20 with Ms. Sally Russick's Focus on Life.  This week's prompt is "Looking Up."  

It's funny how we begin to take a serious look at things that we normally don't even bother to look at.  Can you guess what this alien looking creature with fuzzy wings is?

Hehehe.. it's my craft room lighting and fan fixture that I never thought would look so weird until I looked up.  This creature comes alive at night and on dark, rainy days to keep me company and cool me off while I work on my projects.

Thanks for stopping by.  It's time to head over HERE to see what others have been looking up to.

Have a great week!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Focus on Life] Week 19: Hope

Welcome to Week 19 of Focus on Life by Ms. Sally Russick! 

HOPE.

It is always a comfort to see light in the midst of darkness.  That, to me is Hope.

HOPE

This is a very timely prompt in my case.  I missed last weeks' Focus on Life: Abstract because 

hubby and I were busy helping out our friends.  It was a very physical and emotional week as 2 of our good friends were 

brought to the hospital - one due to bleeding and the other due to complications of dialysis.  

Oh, it brought our group of friends to our knees praying and hoping that everything will be alright.

My hope is in God.  

Lamentations 3:25 says

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him."

Today, both our friends are post surgery and on their way to recovery.  

When you feel like you are in the dark, be assured that there is a light that can guide your way.

Be blessed!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Celebration] Cinco de Mayo and Mi Esposo Cumpleaños

Welcome back!

Today is Cinco de Mayo which is celebrated in the United States by Mexican-American communities and in Mexico to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American civil war.   These days, it is also a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

For my husband and I, we are celebrating his birthday plus other things.  

We were pretty busy last week when we helped our friend who was admitted at the hospital while her husband was in the Philippines.  We just thank God for His strength, wisdom, protection and for answered prayers.  She was back home yesterday and her husband (our Pastor) was able to change his flight and arrived this morning.

So, in light of Cinco de Mayo and my husband's birthday, we had a Mexican inspired party.




Tamales, Fajitas, Tres leches, Canonigo and Bolillo

 

We made chicken tortilla soup topped with onions, cilantro, sour cream and avocado,  It was delicious, so they say.  The  yummy and reasonably priced $6.50/12 pcs. pork and chicken tamales and bolillo bread were from Aranda's bakery.  

One of our friends brought Chicken fajitas from La Michoacana Meat Market. 

it came with a "green salsa" which was delicately spiced.

For dessert, I made Canonigo decorated with mango balls.  Perfect!

His birthday cake was Tres Leches topped with slices of mango.  In lieu of a handmade birthday card, I made a mini bunting 

and stamped embossed his name...  simple, not too sweet, yummy and you-know-me, colorful.

How was your weekend?

Now that we're back home and sleeping on our own beds, I'm not too eager to clean and keep up with house duties.   

Now that would be another story.

Have a blessed week!

♥  Michelle ♥

[Food & Travel] Cafe Du Monde Beignets and Coffee

Hello, ya'll!  Do you love road trips?  My husband and I do.  

Several weeks ago, we went to South Carolina on board our rented Toyota Yaris.  The car was very economical but it felt so light and small that you could feel the wind draft of the 16 wheeler truck we were trying to overtake.  Yikes!

One of our stops was New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) where we had breakfast at Cafe du Monde. When in NOLA, you have got to go to Cafe du Monde. The place wasn't full as we thought it would be.  

We were able to sit and give our orders right away: Cafe au lait and hot Beignets.

Beignets are French donuts, covered with powdered sugar...yum!  Those deep fried babies tasted oh so soft and delish!

We've been drinking their Coffee and Chicory at home but the way that they made it in the cafe tasted different - it seemed to have more milk - well, it's cafe au lait, duh!  

Cafe du Monde3

On our trip back home 8 days later, we stopped by again but this time, the place was packed that we decided to buy, sit and eat somewhere else.  Well, it took us 30 minutes to reach the take away window.

Two weeks ago, we craved for beignets so... we made some!  We used vegetable oil to fry the beignets because we didn't have cottonseed oil - which has a higher temperature threshold, hence doesn't burn as easily.  Once the beignets were cooked, we dusted them with powdered sugar.

Homemade Cafe Du Monde Beignets

We took out our store bought mugs and made cafe au lait, this time with more milk.  The verdict:  Just as good!  Wonderful!

It was so good that we ate it all.  

Hmmm, I think I should change topic from henceforth, lol!

Let's talk about this beautiful and colorful plate from AR Leal of Talavera, Mexico.  I bought this during our trip to San Antonio, Texas in january.

Oh, and take a look our his and hers mugs and PS3 controls.
I think I should add blings and flowers on the black one to call it my own.  What do you think?

Hope to see you again soon!
Let's chat and sip our coffee or tea together.

Hugs,
♥  Michelle  ♥

Cafe du Monde Coffee Stand

1039 Decatur Street

New Orleands, Louisiana 70116

Toll free (800) 772-2927

www.CafeDuMonde.com

[Focus on Life Week 17 and 7th BSBP] Color and Bead Soup Blog Party

Hello friends!  Oh, it's a busy day over at The Cabby Crafter.

Today is Week 17 of Focus on Life with Ms. Sally Russick and the theme is COLOR.  Wow, I love color especially primary colors because it makes me feel happy and very festive.  This is a photo of the mini buntings that I made for the luncheon that we will be hosting tomorrow.  The width measures 1 inch and was securely hung on a yarn.  Oh, I love how colorful they are! 

Today is also the 3rd Reveal day for Ms. Lori Anderson's 7th Bead Soup Blog Party.  As I mentioned HERE and HERE, I was paired with Rebecca.  She gave me a beautiful assortment of beads along with a polymer clay pendant.and a couple of nice clasps. 

I love being challenged!  Have you stared at your beads and components, doodling on your sketchbook and wondering what to do with them?  The antique bronze clasp was adorable and I wanted to work around it.  I wanted it to be one of the focal points of the necklace.  This was the first time I've made this design and I think it works well - it draws the eyes to the heart pendant.
The clasp was for a 3-strand necklace:  I used one for the chain, 1 for the leather and last for the dangling chain.  I worked the wire wrapped beads around it.  I like the pop of green leaves - it complements the shades of blue beads.

"Lock and Key Necklace"

Next, I made a bracelet.  I did wire work on the rectangular glass bead as well as the round beads.  The upper half of the bracelet is like a bangle and the bottom part is hinged to allow ease of wearing. The earth tones of the bracelet makes it so rich!

Thanks for stopping by.

See the Colors of what other participants took notice of HERE and/or

Join the party over at BSBP HERE.

Have a great weekend!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[7th Bead Soup Blog Party] For Rebecca

Welcome back!

As I have mentioned HERE, I am part of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson.  This year, I was paired with the talented Ms. Rebecca.  These were the ingredients that I sent her:

Ms. Lori required us to give a focal pendant and a clasp - the other beads and findings are just "add-ons."  I made Ms. Rebecca a round concave pendant made from polymer clay. 

I am so excited to see what she cooked.

These were what she sent me.  Aren't they gorgeous? 

Come back on Friday and party with us.

See ya!
♥  Michelle  ♥