Who's ready for a little TIDBITS Talk and a bomb new flavor of Crio Bru? Just in time for Fall, let's give a warm, cozy welcome to my favorite flavor of the season – Chai Crio Bru.
Hello from the other side of a crazy 2021 Summer!
I don't know about you, but our summer was intensely hot (which I whined about way too much) and D-R-Y as a bone. When we got hit with our first big rainfall late summer, my kids and I ran out into the rain and became happily drenched. It was so refreshing, I nearly sobbed with gratitude. It felt so amazing.
I'm so happy to move on to fall, cooler weather, cozy food, and mountains soon to be ablaze with color.
TIDBITS TALK – FALL EDITION
A quick intro to newbies around here: TIDBITS Talks are a chance for me to talk to you about things other than recipes. Life, love, family, mama drama . . . anything goes.
AS ALWAYS, IF YOU'RE ONLY HERE FOR THE RECIPE, THERE'S A “JUMP TO RECIPE” BUTTON ABOVE THAT WILL TAKE YOU STRAIGHT TO THE RECIPE CARD.
You all know by now that I'm Crio Bru obsessed and I LOVE gifting it to others. One day I hope to send a package out to each and every one of you – dream big, right?
My husband is also now a huge fan, so our Crio Bru spending has tripled. I've never lost weight drinking Crio Bru, so I've never talked about it that way (I just think it's tasty), but he's lost 15 pounds this year by swapping out his nightly bowl of ice cream for Crio Bru and he'll talk your ear off about it if you'd like to do an interview 🙂
If you aren't familiar with Crio Bru, this Instant Pot Crio Bru post will catch you up!
With lots of things on my mind today, let's jump right in!
First up: Instant Pot Chai Crio Bru, AKA medicinal chocolate.
Spiced intensely, just how I like it, to make sure you're aware that fall is here and it's time to bake some pumpkin-spiced treats. This indeed feels like medicine for the mind, body, and soul whenever you need a pick me up and drink that lovingly sings, “Everything's, gonna be alright, rock-a-bye . . .”
We'll talk more about this drink in a sec, but right now, throw on your cozy slippers and grab your softest blanket: it's time for a fun chat.
IMPORTANT ITEMS OF BUSINESS TODAY
- Summer recap: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
- Two Reader Questions: Do you ever get really tired of cooking? What is your favorite meal for fall?
- InstaFreeze Meals update: We're baaaaccck! Well, almost.
- It's puppy time – pray for me.
- Organization hack I'm very proud of.
- Favorite new recipes from other blogs.
- My new favorite finds: Claw for thick hair, cute shoes, life-changing razor, etc
1) SUMMER RECAP
How was your summer? Was it memorable? Treasurable? Did you travel?
THE GOOD: I succeeded in rolling out a birthday week adventure my kids will never forget. After the agonizing infertility struggle of getting them here, I swore I would always celebrate their birth like the miracle it was. With all of their birthdays 3 days from each other, we celebrate ALL WEEK LONG. This week we hit Snowbird, snorkeled with tropical fish, Hogle Zoo, and went on a paramotoring adventure over the Great Salt Lake. Followed by a couple of birthday parties, cuz, why not?
Also good, the chore system I rocked out (with the inspiration of Freedom Moms) was simple, but worked like a dream. This was my first year to nail this and the kids really embraced how simple it was. No fancy charts, but here is a picture of what it looked like after I figured out what my “must have” chores were every month.
One more good: I found morning summer jobs for each of my kids, requiring they be up and ready by 9 a.m. every day. Call me a summer party pooper, but it was quite possibly my best idea yet. Their jobs were only an hour or two, but it set the mood for each day right and kept them in a motivated/active mindset instead of a bored/lazy fog. Also gave me a quiet home for some Yoga with Adrienne 🙂
THE BAD: My husband and I usually do at least one overnight motorcycle adventure each month through the summer, but it was just too dang hot. My attitude turns south fast when I'm melting under protective riding gear in 100°F weather. Riding is one of the greatest joys of my life so I'm still feeling bitter about this one.
THE UGLY: My kids did a few dirt bike races this summer and the joy it brings me is just as intense as the fear. We had a couple of crashes this year that made me want to slash their tires and shove their bikes off a cliff. No one was badly injured, but the worry that it could be worse the next time paralyzes me sometimes. On the other hand, the bond they share in this sport is like nothing I ever had with my siblings, so I continue to pray for riding angels to fly by their sides and focus on the good. My son gave up his place in their last race to help my daughter after she crashed, and followed behind her until she crossed the finish line. That moment will forever be in my mind and has me believing there may be a higher purpose to all this craziness.
2) READER QUESTIONS
Do you ever get tired of cooking? Why yes, yes I do :). But darn it, I really like to eat yummy food so even when cold cereal sounds easy, there I am, yet again, Instant Potting myself and my family something scrumptious. This is also why I've gotten really good at repurposing leftovers (as we discussed in our last TIDBITS Talk) so that we can be eatin' good even with minimal cooking.
What is your favorite meal for Fall? If I had to pick THE ONE that always comes to mind when the weather starts to chill, it would be this Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup. And then I want Chili, Butternut Ravioli Soup, and Corn Chowder. So basically soup, soup, and more soup. Here's a whole page dedicated to my soup obsession.
3) INSTAFREEZE MEALS UPDATE
Guess what? We're baaaccck!!! Well, almost . . . gettin' there. Construction has started so it's feeling official enough to start talking about it. But things are gonna look a little different for this mama-run business of ours. We started out in a little corner of Smith's Marketplace grocery store, then we went online when the pandemic hit, and now we're takin' our dreams into our own hands and opening up our own store where we can have more control over the future of InstaFreeze.
My sis and I have big plans for this biz, with dreams of making it more affordable and accessible for everyone. To say this has been an uphill battle is an understatement. More like an uphill battle in a hail storm with a ball and chain around each ankle, but we're doing it and we can't wait to make your dinner life easier, healthier, and incredibly delicious. Eeek! It's gonna be so good!
4) PUPPY TIME
I've known for a long time that our family was missing a puppy pal, so I've finally decided to face my fears and invite a new member to the family. I can't believe I'm saying it, but this October our lives are about to be rocked in the cutest way possible in the form of a Golden Labrador. Being the intense overthinker that I am, I've already overplanned the entire experience and am now here to ask for even more advice, tips, and tricks from you wonderful people. So bring it on. What's the number one thing I need to know or buy?
5) QUICKIE ORGANIZATION HACK
My home designer sister is gonna be so proud.
My son is a genius creator with seriously lacking organization skills. I've realized that my endless nagging to “pick up your room” just wasn't working and that I had to teach him how to keep order in a room now, so his wife can thank me later.
For his endless creations that “can't possibly be thrown away” – a fancy cubby system. Each project is organized into a container so that it's not scattered over the entire room. Here's a little before and after.
For the legos – two shoe organizers. One contains all of the finished creations. The other contains “in progress” or “broken and in need of fixing” projects with all of the pieces needed to fix or finish those projects stored together so he doesn't have to dig through an endless sea of legos.
BEFORE
AFTER
For all the other legos – this genius store and play tote.
And that is the extent of my decorating skills.
Any other kid lego/toy/project organization tips? I'm an organization lover to the core. Give me all your ideas!
6) FAVORITE NEW RECIPES FROM OTHER SITES
I'm obsessed with trying new recipes, Instant Pot and beyond. Here are some recent discoveries I highly recommend.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast from Iowa Girl Eats: Game changer if you tend to overcook chicken. This is so easy and comes out juicy and tender every single time.
Grilled Eggplant from Well Plated: I grew eggplant in my garden this year so I had to learn how to cook this pretty veggie. So far this grilled version has my heart. It's so yummy!
Strawberry Mascarpone Tart from Foolproof Living: Lightly sweetened with maple syrup with an almond flour tart crust that I could swoon all day over. Aysegul is a master at creating recipes with whole grains and unrefined sugars. I just love her recipes!
One Pot Tortellini from Pressure Cooking Today: I've made 5 different versions of this recipe and die over how easy it is every time. The recipe is dynamite as is, but if you want a twist, try adding pesto, alfredo sauce, or roasted broccoli. 5 stars all day.
Ricotta Stuffed Shells from Will Cook for Smiles: I haven't made stuffed shells in years, but after making this, my kids are requesting it on a weekly basis. I used Brown Rice Jumbo Noodles to make it whole grain and they worked perfectly.
Satay Chicken Noodle Salad from Mel's Kitchen Cafe: This is an oldie I'd forgotten about, but made it again a couple of weeks ago, and whoa mama, I LOVE THESE NOODLES! Truly one of my favorite peanut sauce type dishes of all time.
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting from Ambitious Kitchen: My daughter is the new baker of the family and her cousin requested a vanilla cake with strawberry frosting. I actually didn't try it (wasn't in the mood for sugar jitters that day) but my sister and all of the girls at the birthday party raved over it and said the frosting was bursting with strawberry flavor. So I had to throw it in here so I could show this picture of my cutie. (She made this the same day as her dirt bike crash mentioned above).
I could keep going but it's your turn. What new recipes have you tried lately? Tell me what to cook next!
7) NEW FAVORITE FINDS
I love this part! I'm obsessed with testing and trying new things and I've got some fun ones for you today.
Billie Razor: You know how typically you use a razor way past its prime because good ones are SO DANG EXPENSIVE? I've got your solution. The Billie Razor is inexpensive, cute, shaves like a dream, and will even hang on a magnet all awesome like in your shower. I bought this one for my inexperienced daughter as well and she's done amazingly well with it. (Meaning, she hasn't exited the shower bleeding every time she shaves like I did as a kid. Anyone else?)
The Ultimate Claw for Thick Hair: My hair is long and thick and trying to find a claw that would contain it seemed impossible. Well, I found one! This funny looking claw does an amazing job. I can throw my wet hair up at 5 a.m. and still be rocking it at dinnertime and 5 p.m. Love it!
Hey Dude Shoes: I'm not a fancy dresser, so it's a little awkward to recommend apparel, but I can't imagine anyone not absolutely dying over the cuteness and comfort of these shoes so I just had to share! I bought 3 pairs (then returned one when I realized that was a little superfluous) and I wear them every day. They have endless colors to pick from too.
Butcher Box: I took a pause on this subscription for a year because my neighbor shared his pig with me and I was swimming in more meat than I could fit in my freezer. I restarted it this summer and remembered why I love it so much. Good quality meat delivered straight to my doorstep – I'm now on my third delivery this year and discovered I have serious pork butt smoking skills. Yes, I'm an affiliate for Butcher Box but honestly, I only recommend products that I know will change your life in amazing ways and this is one of those. I especially recommend their pork shoulder, ground turkey, ground beef (best burgers ever!), precooked chicken breasts, and bacon (cooked in the air fryer).
INSTANT POT CHAI CRIO BRU
If you're the type that pulls out their pumpkin puree stash the second temperatures starting hinting of fall, this Chai Crio Bru is for you!
Think pumpkin spice, but bolder, with just enough kick to put a warm tickle in your throat.
I like to use whole spices for this Crio Bru flavor to avoid the final product from being gritty with ground spices. However, if ground is what you have, go for it! Pouring it through a fine mesh sieve to strain will take care of most of it.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT CHAI CRIO BRU
- Add Crio Bru, water, maple syrup, milk, and spices to the pot
- Pressure cook for 10 minutes
- Pour through a fine mesh strainer and enjoy!
Crazy cozy to the core, I predict this is going to become a cold weather staple for you!
To order Crio Bru with our TIDBITS family 10% discount, go here and use the code TIDBITSSEPT10% at checkout.
Your comments and experience in the matters above are a true treasure to me and all of my readers, I can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Much love going out to all of you. I hope fall has you feeling all the warm, happy feelings of this incredible season. I love it so much!
Talk soon!
Chai Crio Bru
Cozy Chai Spiced Crio Bru to warm you up from head to toe. This could be your new favorite flavor!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ½ cup Crio Bru (any variety)
- 6 cups water
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (optional)
- 2 inch fresh ginger, cut into thin rounds or ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon peppercorn or ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 10 whole cloves or ½ teaspoon ground clove
- 6 cardamom pods or 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
- Add Crio Bru grounds, water, milk, and maple syrup (if using), ginger, cinnamon, peppercorns, cloves, and cardamom to the pressure cooker pot.
- Secure the lid and turn pressure release knob to a sealed position. Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes.
- When cooking is complete, use a natural release for at least 5 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
- Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and pour Crio Bru through the sieve to filter out the grounds. Be careful! The Crio Bru will be VERY hot.
- Serve immediately with swirl of heavy cream or creamer if desired.
- Cool leftovers to room temperature. Pour into mason jars, top with a pourable lid, and store in the refrigerator. Enjoy cold or pour into a microwave safe mug and warm for 1-2 minutes.
Notes
- There are many different flavors of Crio Bru, use the same cooking instructions for any variety of Crio Bru grounds.
- I prefer to drink mine unsweetened, my kids prefer the addition of maple syrup. White sugar also works. Honey tastes a little strange.
- Any type of milk will work in this recipe. If using cow’s milk, wait to add it until after the Crio Bru grounds are strained. It tends to foam when pressure cooked and can make a mess on the underside of the lid.
- I prefer to use whole spices for this recipe, but dried and ground can also be used. Expect a bit more sediment when using ground.
Keywords: Chai Crio Bru, Healthy Chocolate Drink, Hot Chocolate
You mentioned needing lego organization. I found this pin online and thought it would be just great to get my hands on something like it… https://pin.it/mOBW7QC.
I’m even thing of building something similar for crating suppliers.
Angela, oh you rock! Thank you!
Easy and delicious! I did cut back on the peppercorns to 1/2 tsp because some members of the family don’t like things that spicy. Also, i had regular unsweetened almond milk, so I stirred in a tsp of vanilla extract when it was done.
★★★★★
Barbara, isn’t this version fantastic?! It’s just so darn cozy :). Thanks for letting me know!
I had this carpet spray recommended to me when I got with my last puppy, who unfortunately could not not use the carpet as his bathroom! I got it from Walmart, in the pet isle. It’s called Oxy-Fast stain and odor remover by Out!. It’s in a pink and white bottle with a picture of a dog. It works so good. I would even reccomend it to all potty training moms and dads, not just puppy potty training.
And I’m a Ghana Crio drinker over here. I mix it with coconut milk, because it feels the most creamy to me. And a splenda pack. YUM!
Kristie, Ghana was my first love 🙂
Go figure, I got my order of the Oxy-Fast last week. I’m happy to hear it’s well recommended.
A puppy?!! I’m so jealous, I can’t wait to see pics and live vicariously through you!
And after reading about your kids in the sport of motor bikes… man I feel the urge to sign mine up for something ASAP!
What jobs did you have your kiddos do?! Jobs like chores? Or outside the house jobs?
Vanilla crio bru sounds heavenly!
Steph, yep, they convinced me, we’re getting a puppy, pray for me!
Motorcycles are so fun. I’d put up a bigger fuss except you know how much Brock and I adore them ourselves!
My kids helped me do all the inside chores. I only pay for outside chores like weeding and garden maintenance because I hate it so bad I told them I’d be willing to pay them if they took it over. They didn’t do a perfect job exactly, but it was good enough 🙂
I’ll brew you up some Vanilla Crio Bru when our paths cross again soon!
I love this salad! The recipe makes a lot of dressing, so I usually only make half and let everyone add their own; especially seeing as the chicken is also flavoured. But it’s amazing! I highly recommend it.
https://www.fivehearthome.com/p-f-changs-chicken-lettuce-wraps-salad-copycat-recipe/
Thanks for the tips and updates.
Nicole, Oh wow, that salad is right up my alley, and ironically I just took some ground chicken out of my freezer yesterday. It was meant to be! I’m excited to try it. Thank you!
My granddaughter is an aspiring baker & makes the most awesome cakes. One in August for her mother resembles the cake your daughter created! Bravo! Allison makes buttercream frosting then pulverizes freeze-dried strawberry slices adding them to the frosting for the best strawberry frosting ever!
The Crio Bru is new to me but can tell it would go a long way to help get me thru the upcoming Midwest winter! Michigan is known as the Water Winter Wonderland. Summers are gorgeous & winters are LONG!
Candace, Don’t you just love watching kids cook? That frosting sounds just like my girls. I agree, your winter is gonna need some Crio! I love holding a hot mug of it when it’s cold out.
That organizer looks great! Very nice!
I have never tried Crio Bru, but would liike to!
Lab puppies are super adorable. I’ve seen people use the hanging shoe holders for sorting leg is by color which looked pretty cool. Never tried curio before very interested in trying it.
Crio Bru I had never heard of it until recently. I just ordered a bag and am hoping I like it. I’m allergic to coffee and caffeine and really don’t like herbal tea, so am looking forward to being able to have something warm to drink this winter. And learning to use my IP more too.
A new puppy! What fun and work too. I think it’s just like having a new baby, except they don’t talk back as they get older 🤣
Teresa, if you love a warm drink, you’ll love Crio. I prefer it to tea myself. I’m nervously excited about how puppy life!
Hi! I’m new here. I have some Crio Bru in my cupboard from about 5 years ago that I just didn’t know what to do with. I was using a French press but it was definitely too much of a hassle. Excited to try your Instant Pot method.
Holly, I’m so excited for you to try this method then! Let me know if you like it better!
Boy do I understand the lego problem…! I have a love hate relationship with them! 🤣
Thanks for your tips! I enjoy reading them.
Becky, I just want to send the lego company back all the legos and get a credit to start over. The thought of buying another set for Christmas makes me cringe!
You have a beautiful family! The chore system is so important for kids! Thank you for all the great tips.
★★★★★
Congratulations to you and your sister on InstaFreeze! And congratulations to your husband for losing weight just by switching his nightly dessert to Crio Bru! (Insert shock and awe here!)
The new vanilla flavor sounds delicious. I prefer the light roast Crio flavors and always add a few drops of SweetLeaf vanilla stevia to my cup. Now I’m excited to try your Chai version after I get all my whole-spice ducks in a row!
★★★★★
Candice, ya, can’t say I’ve ever lost a pound drinking Crio Bru, but it was shocking how fast he lost weight just by swapping it for his nightly ice cream. I’m dang proud of him.
Let me know what you think of the Chai version! I love it!
Thanks for the InstaFreeze congrats. It’s so amazing to see it coming into the world!
I loved seeing the pictures of Hogle Zoo. It was one of my favorite places to visit as a child and I have loved taking my own kids whenever we have a chance to visit Salt Lake.
Good job on the chore charts. It’s such a hard thing to do but so important for them to learn how to work!!!
I haven’t tried Crio Bru yet but I have truly loved every recipe I have tried from your site. I recommend you to all my friends when they ask for instant pot tips.
Pamela, It was a HOT day, but the kids loved Hogle Zoo. Reminded me of being a kid too!
The chore chart has been a long time coming. I wish I’d got my act together and done it 3 years ago!
Crio Bru is such a comfort drink to me, I think you’d love it!
I really liked how you have started a chore system for your kids. I grew up with chores, lots & lots of chores. My grandsons have almost no responsibilities or regular chores. Love the new puppy.
I’ve yet to try to make the Crio but would love to win.
Mary, I had chores as a kid too. I think it just took me getting organized about it to make it so all of us could be on the same page. It’s been so wonderful to have help!
I just discovered a Crio Bru and this sounds delicious!! I can’t wait to try it
Fall makes me want to make soup too! My favorite is Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice soup from Cooking Classy. It’s rich and warming and just perfect for fall!
Caitlin, I just looked up that recipe. That looks amazing right now – I printed it off!
I’m excited you’ve discovered Crio Bru. It’s such a comforting drink for me.
I have read so much about the Crio Bru on your blogs, Marcie, but have hesitated to actually but it yet.
I would love the win a bag and give it a try. Thank you so much for all you do… I have purchased my instant pot because of your blog and have grown to love it because of you! Thank you!
PS You won’t regret your puppy. “Every home should have a dog and every dog should have a home.”
…a sign on my vet’s wall.
★★★★★
I love all the recipes that you share and the extra stories it is so nice to see. I love that you got a new puppy, we have a Miniature Daschund and she can be such a sweetie. I look forward to trying the Crio Bru recipe, it looks delish!!
Thank you Tammy! I would have loved a mini dog but the family vote was for a big ol’ lab!
Ellen, Yes, I love it so much, it’s the most comforting thing for me.
Makes me so happy to hear you say you’re loving your Instant Pot because of my lil’ blog. That’s my goal!
And I love your vote of confidence for the puppy. I’m nervous but excited.
I would love to know this as well!
I think I have finally heard about Crio Bru enough that I want to try it! Now I just need to decide on a flavor. And I totally agree about having your kids love doing things that give you an absolute heart attack, same over here!
Good luck with the store. Puppies are the best! Love to try the light roast vanilla as vanilla is my no 1 flavor.
Erin, being a mom is seriously the most intense thing I’ve ever done 🙂
I hope you try the Crio soon!
I was wondering if your husband’s ice cream/frozen Crio Bru is the same as your recipe that you put frozen bananas in? I’m looking for a healthy, no junk sugar chocolate fix for nighttime because that’s when I’m craving sweets.
Crystal, no, he just drinks his Crio Bru hot like in this recipe. He started making it an hour before he typically ate ice cream so by the time it got to “ice cream time” he wasn’t craving it anymore. I’m stinkin’ proud of him 🙂
So much news here! Good luck with the puppy! This chai recipe has me wanting to try it!
Congratulations to you and your sister on the new store, front signage is great. I hope you will continue to post more talks. I enjoyed it and look forward to more. Crio Bru sound like something worth trying. Thank You!!
Angie, Thank you! We’re excited about the store and ready to get moving with it. I love these talks myself. Makes the blog feel more human even for me 🙂
Ooh! I will be trying this today!! I am definitely a get out all the fall things kind of gal, even before it starts getting cooler. Like you, I get cranky when it’s too hot too long. I discovered I have a mild case of seasonal depression-but opposite. When the weather starts getting cooler I feel myself becoming happier, more content, and joyful!
Kathryn, let me know what you think of it! I love this flavor. Your comment made me laugh, that’s totally me! The heat makes me feel trapped in a way. Fall is my light at the end of the tunnel 🙂
Congratulations to you and your sister on the new store. I really enjoyed your talk ! Honestly I think I got to know your better after reading this post. You have perk my interest in Chai Crio Bur , A medicinal chocolate drink and weight loss? Please continue to post more chats!!
★★★★★
Angie, glad you enjoyed it, I love writing these posts. I hope you try the Crio, I’ve been drinking it for over 10 years now. I love it!
Congratulations to you and your sister on the new store. I really enjoyed your talk ! Honestly I think I got to know your better after reading this post. You have perk my interest in Chai Crio Bur , A medicinal chocolate drink and weight loss? Please continue to post more chats!!
I am so excited for the fall weather and all the pumpkin spice, molasses, and crio bru recipes. I am going to try this with a 1/2 tsp of molasses next time.
Congratulations on the puppy. We too have a puppy at our home. He will be a great dog once we get past the potty-training. Have a plan and get the whole family on board with it. Just like with your kids, it is easier if others are in agreement and helping. Good luck to all of us.
★★★★★
Janine, I tried out the molasses in my Crio – it was fabulous! Thank you for sparking the idea!
Yes, I’m hoping the kiddos and hubby will get on the same page. I can’t imagine it all being on me!
Hi Marci!
I have being getting your emails and follow you on Instagram. This is the first time I have read one of your talks! I enjoyed all of it! I can’t wait to try the Chai Criollo Bru! My husband is a chocolatic, I hope he has the same reaction to the Crio Bru that your husband had!
Thank you for being you!
Kathy, I’m glad you could be here! I love writing these posts. Tell your husband to give it a chance. It’s not like drinking hot chocolate, it’s a healthier version that he’ll probably have to adjust to. But my husband is hooked now and it really helped him cut out a lot of junk food habits. I’m excited to hear what you think of it!
Congratulations on your Insta Freeze business! I’m sure it will be a great success! It will be an adventure with your new puppy! I can’t wait to try Crio Bru!
★★★★★
I was excited to learn about Crio Bru – will try recipe soon!
So glad your summer went (mostly) very well! You are so much braver than I am with letting the kids have their biking adventures. I’ve gotten to see kids racing dirt bikes a couple of times and it sure is fun, but I close my eyes a lot! Sorry you didn’t get to ride this summer, I sure enjoyed it years ago when a couple of friends had bikes and I got to ride with them. It’s fun for sure, but you’re right, the gear on a hot summer day is just too much.
Congrats on the business, and I have everything crossed that it goes well!
Wyn, I don’t know that I’d call myself brave. I’ve been known to jump a fence to run to my kid’s aid before. So many emotions! But we all love motorcycles, it’s just a part of us.
Thank you for your kind wishes for InstaFreeze. It means a lot to me 🙂
I LOVE Crio Bru! So far my fave is the dark roast. I strain it several times then refrigerate it. I love it in my coffee. My friend likes it straight.. I’m going to try this recipe, it sounds yummy.
★★★★★
Leanne, I had a thing for the dark roast there for a bit too. The smell was intoxicating!
I’ve long been a fan of your Instant Pot recipes but have to admit I had to Google Crio Bru😄 Well now I’m going to give it a try. Congratulations to you and your sister on the new store. What an amazing dream to see to fruition.
Thanks for the Chai Crio Bru recipe & Giveaway! Would love to try it.
Good luck with your puppy 😊
★★★★★
I also melt in the heat of summer. I’m so sorry you missed out on your motorcycle trips!
Stacie, yes, it was a bummer. And now my husbands been traveling this fall so I haven’t been spoiled with moto trips like we usually are. Makes my heart ache!
Congratulations on your New Insta Freeze Meals business. I wish you a prosperous and successful future!
★★★★★
Moira, thank you so much! That means a lot to me 🙂
Ordered! Can’t wait to try it!
Also, does the Crio Bru end up flavoring the foods you cook afterward in the instant pot, or will washing it out prevent your foods from having a bitter chocolate/coffee taste?
Christina, I’ve actually never had this problem. Savory foods definitely have this effect. Don’t cook Crio Bru right after a roast, haha!
Thanks for sharing about the razor! I’ve been avoiding buying new blades precisely because they are so expensive. I’m going to give the Billie razor a try. I enjoy reading your posts. Good luck with your business!
Christina, oh my heck, you’ll love the razor. It’s a great product!
This fall has hit me hard and I want all the fall things and I want it to last at least 6 months! I love seeing those cute moto faces!
★★★★★
Maegan, yes, I want fall to be as long as this hot summer. It’s only fair. I’ll take snow the second week of December please.
I purchased Crio Bru for the first time this year. I’ve made it a couple of time, but need to try again. This recipe sounds like just the thing to bring me back! I live in the South, and typically we have a drought during the Summer, but not this year. More rain than ever!
Susan, perfect time of year to try the Crio again! That’s crazy about the rain. What a wild couple of years, even nature’s confused.
Enjoy your emails and purchased Crio Bru. Trying to master taste with Stevia and the Bru. Not doing too well yet. Sure am enjoying experimenting though. Purchased press as well as caramel. I love the smell.
Would love to try the Vanilla.
I’ve always been a fan of fall, but it has hit me HARD this year—I want all the cozy clothes, movie watching, rainy days, and warm spice baking!! The warm spicy Crio Bru sounds amazing. I’m off to order some!!
Amanda, seriously, Fall is like medicine to my soul right now!
I have heard lots of good things about criobru and haven’t tried it yet. Sounds delicious! I recently became interested in those shoes, and want to try a pair. I broke my foot 3 months ago, and it has been a long painful journey. I’m supposed to get out of the boot this week!!! But I’m looking for a comfortable shoe I can wear around the house, no more barefoot walking for me! I came across the dude shoes. I’m glad to hear they are as comfortable as they claim to be.
Mandy, these shoes are heaven. I hope they make a good winter version because I don’t want to wear anything else. You’re going to love them.
So fun to hear you’re loving the tortellini recipe. Thanks! I need to give some of your other favorites a try.
Barbara, it’s the best! My sister and I were trying to turn it into a freezer meal for the store. Still working on it, but I just love the simplicity of it!
I have only tried one flavor of Crio Bru so far. I am enjoying it and am looking forward to trying others flavors. I first heard about it here and I thank you for that.
I really enjoy the Butcher Box subscription and really like that you can customize what you want. The meat is delicious as well.
Christeen, their meat really is top-notch. It’s hard to pick up a package from the grocery store after using them.
First off, I enjoy your blog and your cookbook. Most importantly though I am so glad to have been introduced to Crio Bru—in a round about kind of way—by you. However, I went hardcore and bought a coffee maker to brew it. Thanks for the never ending great ideas.
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Oh my. So many good things in this write up! Congrats on getting things going with the instafreeze biz! And with things getting cooler I am totally that girl that gets out all things pumpkin. I also want to fry everything! I think it must have something to do with Utah’s state fair. I was just thinking today about making me some crio bru for the mornings! This chai flavor sounds divine.
Thank you Courtney! We can’t wait to watch InstaFreeze bloom.
Do you deep fry at home? Can you believe I’ve never owned a deep fryer? I have an air fryer at home but never bought a deep fryer.
A puppy is a wonderful thing! My one piece of advice is to train the pup to always have something in its mouth when approaching a family member. A ball, a chew toy, a bone. Labs get big. Trust me, it cuts down on licking, slobber and play biting, which you want to eliminate ASAP! Have fun and good luck!!
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Cynthia, love this tip! I haven’t heard this one so thank you!
Cannot wait to try this fall beverage! Thanks for a spicy autumn twist! My neighbor heard of crio bru and I’m going to make this on Friday when we have lunch! Soups are my favorite autumn/winter meal – split pea and chicken tortilla are the best! And, yes, I get tired of cooking! Been doing it since I was about 10 years old (and I’m now 70!) We’re eating mor leftovers these days!
Helen, I just finished putting the final touches on an Instant Pot Split pea! I’m hooked!
That’s a lot of years of cooking. I wonder how I’ll feel about it at that point, haha!
I have things like hard cooked eggs and ribs that I only cook in my electric pressure cooker. It got quite a workout during out extra hot summer, so thanks for all the recipes you share. I keep hoping you will come up with more vegetarian recipes other than soup. Didn’t head up my kitchen. We have a new puppy as well. She is four months old now and has such a cute personality. She makes us laugh a lot. Potty training is hard. She has the morning routine down but we still have problems during the day. I take her out, but she holds it until we come back in. We are trying the bell training to go out, but she plays with the bells, goes out, then comes back in and goes. It is hard to be patient with her but glad we have hard wood floors instead of carpet. We are having a doggy door put in so maybe that will help if they ever get the door installed.
Marlyne, I love your comment about making more vegetarian recipes outside of soup. I’m seriously lacking on that and didn’t even realize it so thank you!
I had wondered about installing a doggy door. I hope I can handle all this!
I cannot thank you enough for the instant pot Crio Bru! I agree that it is a pain to clean the french press as well as the waiting! It was through your email that I was introduced to this lovely concoction! I’m hooked. I am a daily coffee drinker and found this to be an amazing replacement many mornings! I think I will have to increase my order though with cooler weather on the horizon and now an easier way to make it! Thank you again!
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Ivy, and the flavor is so much better when pressure cooked! I had no idea how weak it was from the french press for the first few years that I drank it. If you’ve never tried the Maya flavor, grab that one!
I also use leftovers to cope with the “I don’t want to cook” feeling, but my kids are growing tween & teen and lately leftovers have been few. My next tool is to always have ingredients on hand for really easy meals. That means cooked shredded chicken, ground beef, cooked beans, and shredded cheese (emergency use only!) in the freezer; jars of salsa, cans of tomatoes, pasta and tortillas in the pantry. I can throw together a number of meals with just these few ingredients and minimal effort and serve with a salad or steamed veggies.
Melissa, I loved your freezer tips. My kids are going to be teens all at the same time (just about). I think I’m in for a big surprise at how much food this is going to entail. Thank you!
We have a mini Bernedoodle who is just over a year old. I’m going to give you three suggestions: 1. a Snuggle Puppy, which has a heartbeat which you can set at night so your pup has the feeling of being with a littermates (of sorts) and please take a flannel or some sort of cloth to rub over its sins when you pick the pup up. You can put it in the crate with the Snuggle Puppy and it will cut way down on the separation blues. 2. Also with the crate, puppies need naps during the day so set up a schedule with 2 naps a day in the crate in a quiet place with maybe a cover over 3 sides of the crate. You’ll thank yourself for this esp when you want to do yoga. 3. Buy an interactive toy which you can use to train and for family fun. I like “my intelligent dog soduko” for ours, you can get it on Amazon. Good luck and enjoy your Furball, it will give you unconditional love, and who couldn’t use more of that?
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Janet, I’ve got my snuggle puppy ordered and arriving before my puppy gets here. Thank you a million times! I was a pro at nap times for my babies, sounds like I’ll be doing that for puppy now. I’m looking forward to it, even with all my nerves about it 🙂
So…puppy tip #1 – 10! Crate train!! When we got our Aussie and the ripe old age of 5 months – he was (and still is!) crate trained/savvy/grateful! He takes a big one – but…it’s “his” bedroom. He likes going there and sleeping and relaxing. Could we leave him out at night or when we’re gone? Sure – and we have. But…he is happier in the crate. One tip I learned early was to never use the crate as punishment. It should be a good place – comfortable – with ONLY good associations. I always give him a little bone in the evening when we go to bed – and a chew bone (like a Nubs or a Greenie or a Dentastic) when we put him in there to go somewhere. He knows when I pull one of those out that it’s kennel time – and he beats me there by a mile! Best. Thing. Ever.
Also – don’t encourage or let the kiddos encourage – “play” biting in any form. It’s oh-so-cute when they’re tiny – but…not so much when they’re full grown. Just gently re-direct and discourage the behavior!
Oh – breathe in a LOT of puppy breath! It doesn’t last long! Give him/her lots and lots of kisses, too! 🙂
Have fun!!
I heartily second Mary’s suggestion on crate training and do it early! It’s the best thing if you need to confine them for any reason (workmen, service people in your home, while they are potty training, etc.). Also after the puppy has had all of its vaccinations and it’s safe, find a good puppy trainer or class and get the basic obedience training under your belt. While you might be the one to take puppy to the actual class, the entire family can participate in practicing the training. Also include the kids in taking responsibility for feeding times (supervised as needed). Also after puppy is properly vaccinated, socialize with lots of difference people & places as much as you can. Congratulations to you and your sister on the InstaFreeze store front. I’ve not doubt you’ll be a big success. I need to try that Crio Bru again and would love to try the vanilla! Enjoy the talks so much!! Enjoy the puppy – can’t wait to see photos!!!
Glinda, I’ve got my crate ready to go! My daughter works for a dog trainer so I’m excited to start working with him for our puppy. Thank you for your tips! And thank you for your kind words about InstaFreeze. It’s been such a dream and it’s exciting to see it grow. And yes, there will be puppy pictures 🙂
Mary, Thank you for the crate training encouragement. It’s first on my list! I’ve got the set up all ready to go. I hadn’t thought of the chew bone idea, I love that. It’s like putting my babies to bed with a binky :). I told my kids what you said about the play biting because they weren’t believing me. Thanks for the back up 🙂
LOL – you are more than welcome! Have SO much fun with your new fur-kid! 🙂
This looks amazing. I definitely want to try this!
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I am excited to try this! Sounds like a twist on chai