Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream

Tis the season for everything pumpkin. For this ice cream recipe I dumped stuff in my mixer and hoped it worked. Thankfully it did. 

Ingredients: 
1 8 oz Whipped Cream
1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk 
15 Gingersnaps, crushed
1 3oz package of Cheesecake Pudding Mix
1 and 1/2 cans of Canned Pumpkin 
5 Pumpkin Candy Corn (optional)
1 8oz block of cream cheese 

Step 1) Pour condensed milk in a mixing bowl

Step 2) Mix in cream cheese

Step 3) Add cheesecake Jello 

Step 4) Fold in whipped cream 

Step 5) Open can of pumpkin, add a layer to the bottom of a loaf pan 

Step 6) Crush a thin layer of gingersnaps on top of pumpkin layer

Step 6) Add layer of cheesecake mix on top of pumpkin/ginger snap layer 

Step 7) Keep alternating all three layers

Step 8) Run a spatula around the pan to lightly mix layers. Do not over mix.

Step 9) Top with more gingersnaps and pumpkin candy corn

Step 10) Freeze overnight. If you can wait that long :)  

Step 11) Enjoy! 

Cowboy Caviar

When I was working my way through my 30 before 30 list, Samantha from Live, Laugh, Lighty and our friends asked me over for dinner during my vegetarian week. They all agreed to go vegetarian for the meal and I offered to bring an appetizer.

After a quick Pinterest search I came across the most colorful dish, cowboy caviar. This vegetarian delight is quick to mix up and delicious.

You will need:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound Roma tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) black-eyed peas, drained
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
1 can (11 oz) corn, drained
1 red onion, diced
1 diced green bell pepper
1 diced red bed pepper
1/2 parsley or 1 cup cilantro. I prefer parsley.

Steps:
1) Whisk together olive oil, sugar, white wine vinegar, chili powder and salt in a large bowl
2) Add cut tomatoes, black-eyed peas, beans, corn, red onion and bell peppers to the bowl

3) Add parsley and stir all ingredients together
4) Cover and chill for at least one hour or overnight
5) Enjoy

We couldn't keep our hands off of it!

No Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream. 

Ingredients: 
2 cups heavy whipping cream 
1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk 
10 Mint Oreos (or regular), crushed
1/2-1 tsp peppermint extract 
5 drops green food coloring 
1/2 cup chopped Andes Mints 

Step 1) Using a whisk, whip heavy cream on high until stiff peaks form. Do not over mix or you will end up with some very fluffy butter. 

Step 2) Add in condensed milk. Mix well. 

Step 3) Add in peppermint extract and food coloring 

Step 4) Fold in crushed Oreos 

Step 5) Pour mixture into a bread pan 

Step 6) Crush Oreos and mints on top (optional) 

Step 7) Freeze overnight. If you can wait that long :)  

Step 8) Enjoy! 

No Churn Cookies N Cream Ice Cream

If you follow me on Instagram you know I love whipping up homemade ice cream. Here is a fool proof recipe that doesn't require an ice cream maker. 

Ingredients: 
2 cups heavy cream 
1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk 
10 Oreos, crushed
1 box Cookies N Cream pudding mix 

Step 1) Using a whisk, whip heavy cream on high until stiff peaks form. Do not over mix or you will end up with some very fluffy butter. 

Step 2) Add in condensed milk. Mix well. 

Step 3) Add pudding mix 

Step 4) Fold in crushed Oreos 

Step 5) Pour mixture into a bread pan 

Step 6) Add Oreos on top (optional) 

Step 7) Freeze overnight. If you can wait that long :)  

Making Better Choices With GreenBlender

Disclaimer: I was given the opportunity to experience GreenBlender smoothies, at no cost. However, all opinions expressed here are my own. 

The New Year is a perfect time to start making better, healthier choices. GreenBlender makes it easy to do that with a hearty breakfast in less than 5 minutes. 

With GreenBlender, you'll get 5 new smoothie recipes and pre-portioned ingredients delivered to your door each week. No list making, no shopping, no headaches. Bonus: the ice packs the produce is packed in are reusable.  

Building the perfect smoothie is an art and GreenBlender has perfected it. The box includes a breakdown of exactly how to mix up your smoothie. No more just tossing stuff in a blender hoping it all comes out okay. 

Start by adding your liquids to the blender then leafy greens. Next, chop your fruits and veggies then add boosters and ice. Bam, perfect smoothie material! 

Mixing is my favorite part! Look at that blend. 

If getting a healthier start is on your 2017 to-do list, start with GreenBlender. Plans start at $3.90 per serving and each box includes 10 servings and 5 recipes.   Join now here. 

Kiwi Apple Detox Smoothie 

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13th Floor Haunted House

Disclaimer: I was given the opportunity to experience 13th Floor Haunted House, with three friends, at no cost. However, all opinions expressed here are my own. 

Who doesn't want to get out of their comfort zone on a Thursday night? Last week, I visited the Number One Hunted House in America and had a blast! 

Photo from 13thfloorhauntedhouse.com

It definitely pays to go to a haunted house with people who are more scared than you are. That way you can just go along and enjoy the show. Plus if you tell them your friends name they will yell it the entire time, totally freaking your friend out even more. For example, in the hotel section we could hear "your room is ready Gina" as we walked down the halls.

L-R: Samantha, Gina, Me and Anthony 

Some areas of the house are scarier than others. For me, the side, big black tubes and completely dark rooms were the most terrifying. Tip: wear something cool and comfortable.     

The after photo! 

Get in the Halloween spirit and head on over to 13th Floor Haunted House San Antonio. Be sure to bring a friend to hold on to! General admission is $24.99 and well worth it for the 45-60mins of fear. 

Photo from 13th Floor Haunted House Facebook Page 

30 Before 30

I didn't realize I was entering my last year of my 20's until I walked into work and my co-worker yelled, "how old are you?" searching for the answer it suddenly hit me that I was 29. 2-9. Thoughts like what am I doing with my life started to fill my head. To help ease the pain and honestly get my 29-year-old butt off the couch, I created a 30 things to do before I'm 30 list. Ill update this post with my adventures as I cross them off the list. 


1. Donate Hair: I currently look like a Dugger daughter y'all 

Hair Chop Dec 7th 

2. Sky Dive: I'm ringing in my 30th year by jumping out of a perfectly good plane  

Skydiving with my sister on August 13th 

3. Be Published: Even if it is just in a well-known blog 

My name in print Summer Edition of Localeur Magazine 

Check me out on the Localeur website

4. Buy a Car and Finance it Myself: Hi working air conditioning 

Meet Blue Steel March 4th 

5. Climb Enchanted Rock: Ive always wanted to

Trip with my mom and sisters on May 25th 

6. Take a Cooking Class: How have I not done this yet?

Sur la Table Cookie Class on May 25th 

7. Host Thanksgiving Dinner: I hope you're hungry 

Thanksgiving Dinner with 2 Lackland Trainees on Nov 24th

8. Vote: Ive never voted. Please don't judge me. 

I did it! Early Voting Oct 26th 

9. Go to a College Football Game (Not UTSA): I love the roadrunners and all but lets mix it up a bit  

Texas Tech Game Sept 17th

10. Visit Magnolia Market: Getting waco in waco.  

Trip to Waco with my mom Nov 5th 

11. Girls trip to Fredericksburg: Wine! 

Shout Out to Scott Our Tour Guide Oct 23rd 

12. Do Something Kind for a Stranger: Pretty self explanatory  

If you play your violin in the Target parking lot you're
going to get a little something-something from me 

13. Be a Vegetarian for a Week: Because why not? 

Vegetarian Stir Fry 

14. Make Sushi: Cue Samantha from the Sex in the City movie minus the nakedness   

Toolbox Girls Sleepover Homemade Sushi on Dec 23rd  

15. Road Trip: Are we there yet?  

Road Trip to Lubbock, Texas Sept 17th 

16. Write Someone a Letter: Coming soon to a mailbox near you.  

Letter to Kylie Grace on June 15th

17. Volunteer for ACPBR: Who doesn't want to be around pit bulls! 

I am now an ACPBR Board Member. Photo taken Oct 1st

18. Deliver Food to the Homeless

Man Outside My Toolbox Window Oct 25

19. Walk More: Basically get off the couch more  

Afternoon Walk On The Riverwalk Sept 20th

20. Attend an Out of State Girls Trip: Flying the friendly skies 

Charleston, SC April 28th-30th 

21. Get a Tattoo: Can you hold my hand? 

Doomsday Tattoo: Feb 2nd 

22. Make a Candle: Im a girl, I like candles 

Warm Vanilla Sugar Cookie Candles on June 10th 

23. Shoot Something: Pew Pew Pew 

When in doubt, shoot it out Feb 11th 

24. Get a Blow Out: After I cut my hair  

Blown Beautiful on June 17th  

25. Create my own Signature Cocktail: *Shakes Cocktail Shaker* 

Summer Beer for everyone July 29th

26. Be a Tourist in my Own Town: Remember the Alamo 

Walk to San Fernando Cathedral on Sept 30th  

27. Buy Myself Flowers and Arrange Them: I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T 

Flowers on May 27th 

28. Do Something Out of my Comfort Zone: Visit a Haunted House

13th Floor Haunted House on Oct 6th 

29. Visit my state Capitol: Keep Austin Weird! Check 

My mom and I on Sept 10th

30. Volunteer More: Give back 

Pinups For Pitbulls Team July 15

Stay Tuned! 








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