S'more Ice Cream Please!

There is something about ice cream sandwiches and s'mores that just takes me back to my childhood days and reminds me to enjoy the little things in life. However, I was not smart enough to think about combining these two yummy treats into one. Good thing Trader Joe's did when they created the S'more ice cream sandwich. What's even better is that they made it with gelato! Between two graham cracker cookies, there is a chocolate-marshmallow swirl gelato with tiny chocolate chunks nestled inside. The gelato is very light, but so very delicious. The chocolate chunks add a nice texture difference and completes the s'more. The only thing I would say though is that the outside cookie did stick to my fingers, however I was not that upset since it was pretty yummy. The whole thing really did taste like you were eating a cold s'more. I am not one of those people that will only eat ice cream in the summer, so I would recommend grabbing a box (or two) and enjoying this yummy treat. Thanks Trader Joe's for once again finding a way for me to fall in love with my childhood once again.

Pumpkin Perfection

I have gradually moved away from ice cream and become an avid gelato lover. However, the pumpkin ice cream from Trader Joe's made me stop and think. It is silky smooth, creamy, rich, and dreamy. The pumpkin flavor isn't artificial tasting and is complimented perfectly with cinnamon and nutmeg. It is tastes exactly like the pumpkin pie, but doesn't make you feel super full afterward. The pumpkin is present, but not overwhelming and the spices make you feel warm and cozy. This is definitely a decadent ice cream, but so yummy and definitely something you don't want to miss out on! Make sure you stock up on this seasonal flavor. Plus, it would be perfect to serve at Thanksgiving and who doesn't love a super easy dessert?! Be sure to pick some up today!

Snowflake Ice Cream

If you are up for a little adventure, then head on over to China town for a dessert you don't want to miss. It might be a little overwhelming because you probably won't be able to read anything and you might not know what things are, but stop at Nu Cafe for some snowflake ice cream. Let me just start by saying this is not something that is easy to describe. It is ice cream that they shave off in thin slices (which makes it look a bit like string cheese) that falls into super thin layers. It comes in traditional flavors like vanilla and chocolate, and more exotic flavors like green tea and taro (which is a root veggie that is somewhat like a yam). Then you get to choose a sauce and topping. The traditiona; sauce is sweetened condensed milk (I know it sounds odd), and since I was all about authenticity, I decided to give it a go. I ended up with vanilla topped with sweetened condensed milk and strawberries. It tastes exactly like ice cream, but it is super light and fluffy and doesn't have a really heavy dairy taste to it. The milk wasn't too sweet and the strawberries added a nice textural difference. Snowflake ice cream is really hard to describe, but super delicious so take a walk on the wild side and stop by and try this dessert from the Far East.

Mint Delight

I know that I have talked about Skinny Cow and healthier desserts before, but to be honest I wasn't exactly blown away by the cookies and cream ice cream sandwiches I bought. However, the weather has still be pretty toasty around here so sometimes a little ice cream goes a long way...(even though there have been all these recent news stories about how "diet" ice cream isn't really all that healthy and contains more unhealthiness that you think.) I would have to say that mint chocolate chip ice cream ranks as one of my top five ice cream flavors, so when I saw this at the store I get very excited. These were much, much better than the cookies and cream ones. The mint flavor tasted natural and had a nice freshness to it. Though the box said that this was a limited flavor, I really hope that's not the case. This one was definitely a winner in my book and something that I would buy again. If you have a chance to try these out, I recommend it. They made not be healthy, but at least the fact that it is an ice cream sandwich and not a pint helps with portion control.

Skinny Sandwich

Each time I go to the grocery store I end up having to go to the dairy section, which is conveniently (for the store) located across from the ice cream. This time I was specifically looking for something new from Skinny Cow. I was surprised to see all my childhood favorites like ice cream sandwiches, individual pints, and something similar to a Drumstick. With so many options I had difficulty choosing, but finally settled on cookies and cream ice cream sandwiches. They come individually wrapped and are 150 calories...not bad for an ice cream treat. I was pleasantly surprised that the cookie held its shape fairly well and the ice cream some how managed not to melt in the blink of an eye. I find it odd though that there seemed to be somewhat of an after taste. It wasn't enough to make me stop eating it, but enough for me to notice. Maybe it's because I haven't had ice cream for a while, or maybe it was just the flavor. Otherwise, it was really good and filling, so definitely a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Skinny Cow to the Rescue!

A reader wrote in asking if I could find some healthy dessert options for her. She really liked frozen grapes because it was an icy treat that was perfect for the summer, but wanted something different. Unfortunately, the way my grocery store is set up my yogurt is directly across from the ice cream, which is usually super tempting. This time I saw that Skinny Cow had ice cream products and I decided I could at least stop and take a look. They have a wide variety of ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and individual servings of ice cream. The best part is that they have about 100 to 150 calories each and they are much more filling then other 100 calorie pack desserts. I opted for the Mocha Truffle ice cream bar and was surprised at how good it was. It had a great coffee flavor and the crunch from the chocolate drizzle was a great textural element. I will definitely be eating these more often! They are the perfect way to indulge in your dessert craving. Try these out and let me know what I should get next.

A Little Piece of Diary Heaven

There is nothing that beats something fresh from the farm and ice cream is no exception. In fact, I don't think there is a more delicious way to enjoy it. The best part about the landscape up North is that things are tucked away, so places can pop up when you least expect them. That was how my sister found this absolutely precious creamery, Woodside Farm Creamery, that she introduced me to. This farm has cows and sheep galore frolicking in the pasture, so you know that there isn't any way it could be fresher. The huge front lawn is shaded by big trees and has lots of picnic tables to sit at. It seems like it is pulled straight out of a magazine because of how much charm it has. Unlike here, most of the year has beautiful weather, so it's usually pretty packed outside. At the back of the lawn you will see this small wooden house. Don't be fooled by its simplicity because that's where all the magic happens.

Once you walk in you will notice the wall of flavors, which has everything from vanilla to black raspberry chip to peanut butter and jelly. You can get every flavor in banana splits, scoops, cones, half pints, or pints. I chose the black raspberry chip because those are two of my favorite things. The ice cream was silky smooth, well as smooth as it could be with chocolate chips in it, and packed full of flavor. It was definitely hard to not eat the whole thing! All I can say is that it's probably best that I don't live close to the creamery because I think I would be there way too often. After having that, it's hard to eat packaged ice cream. Besides, it must be pretty legit because Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were spotted at the creamery recently, so you never know who you might run into. Make sure the next time you are in Delaware, you stop by this little piece of ice cream heaven. No matter what you choose, you can't go wrong.

Summer's Simple Pleasures

I love ice cream even though we all know it's not really that awesome for you. This was a special occasion, so I decided I to splurge. Being from up North, there are a few differences in food, where things like corned beef hash and shoo fly pie are normal. Though I can't bring myself to try corned beef hash, I try to be adventurous. This time it was a new kind of ice cream and there's no way I would ever turn that down! How can ice cream be different you ask? Well, first of all it is called a Cho Cho, which is malted ice milk that comes in a small paper cup with a popsicle stick. When I first looked at it, I was a bit confused about how I was supposed to eat it. Then my mom showed me the magic trick. All it took was a little warmth by rubbing it in between your hands and then all of a sudden there is a tiny pop and you can feel it come out of the cup. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect because it looked like it was coffee flavored due to its color. Let me tell you, it was not coffee. It was a delicious sweet caramel like flavor that was so good one lick just wasn't enough. It was absolutely delicious and perfect for a hot summer day. The only problem... I wish I could get them down here.


The other novelty was a swirled chocolate and vanilla Oreo ice cream sandwich. The thing I have noticed about ice cream sandwiches is that the cookie part becomes sticky and gets stuck to your hand, making the ice cream melt quickly and then the whole thing just seems to fall apart. With this one, the cookie was didn't get stuck to your fingers and the ice cream looked like it barely melted. It wasn't overly sweet and definitely took me back to my childhood days were Oreos always seemed to be a part of my lunch. These delicious treats helped beat the heat and remind me that it's the little things in life that make it so enjoyable. There's nothing better than taking a moment to enjoy the simple pleasure of eating ice cream in any of its many forms! If you are up North anytime, be sure to stop in at Schell's for a Cho Cho.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream... For Ice Cream!

After a hard day at work and the intense Houston heat, the best way to escape is with a scoop of cool and decadent ice cream... especially chocolate since it is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day! I am probably some kind of anomaly in that I really don't like plain chocolate ice cream. However, if you throw in some caramel, nuts, or strawberries then count me in. Usually, I will end up picking a vanilla based ice cream, but on occasion I will have the urge for chocolate. So do I choose? Simple, Rocky Road. The combination is everything you want with crunchy, salty nuts and smooth ribbons of marshmallow running through the ice cream. Sometimes as a bonus there will be extra chocolate chunks thrown in. My favorite is the Haagen Dazs version because it isn't overly sweet and there is a good ratio between the ice cream and add ins. I have had my fair share of ice cream where you can't even tell that it's not just plain chocolate ice cream and that's just a let down. I would have to say that in the overall ice cream category, Haagen Dazs and the crazy flavors of Ben & Jerry's are usually the only ones I eat. Some might call me an ice cream snob, but if I am going to eat the calories, then I want it to be totally worth it!

Comment with you favorite chocolate flavor or other favorite ice cream flavor or brand. I am always up for trying new flavors because you never know what you'll get.