It’s time for a TIDBITS Talk and a little twist on my usual cup of Crio Bru. We’re coolin’ things down just in time for the summer heat with this Healthy Frozen Crio Bru!
Hello, all you amazing people out there! With the changing of each season comes a desire to chat with all of you, see how things are going, get some advice, etc, etc.
This is:
TIDBITS TALK – SUMMER 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, hair removal . . . anything goes.
And 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: This Frozen Crio Bru. Come to mama.
I posted this recipe in 2016 and with life-sucking heat coming my way, I felt it needed to be brought back to the front of the blog.
Think Crio Bru meets milkshake, but remains healthy, naturally sweetened, and so refreshingly light. If you really wanna spoil yourself, top the whole thing off with a dollop of chocolate whipped cream and a shave of your favorite chocolate. The creamy cold textures going on here are a big ol’ party to eat. I can handle sweating and makeup melting off my face as long as I have this in my hand.
We’ll talk a bit more on that in a second, in the meantime, turn up your AC, grab a drink, and snuggle into a comfy chair for a fun chat.
IMPORTANT ITEMS OF BUSINESS FOR TODAY
- Reader Question: How do you menu plan?
- Summer plans?
- Summer chore goals – it’s gonna work this time, right?
- Favorite sunscreens
- Female Entrepreneurs – you need to watch this!
- My new favorite finds – Lotion for eczema, ultimate tramp sprayer, new favorite chocolate brand, etc.
1) Reader Question
“How do you menu plan? I want to enjoy cooking, but I hate menu planning. Help!”
This question is a tad intimidating to me because I don’t consider my method to be revolutionary, but I love it.
I’ll try to keep it short and to the point because, in reality, I could talk your ear off for an hour about how I like to do this. Maybe I should do a whole post on this someday? What do you think?
A few things I should point out first:
- I plan out a week at a time(not the full month like some superheroes out there)
- I don’t repeat meals very often in a 30 day period (I love trying new things)
- I don’t plan exactly what I’m making each night, rather I pick the meals I want to eat that week, then decide the morning of which dinner sounds good for that day.
- I’ve used this Menu Planning pad for years. It’s very basic and that’s how I like it.
- I rarely menu plan breakfast, but always have the essentials around that I’ll need (oats, flour, eggs, fruit, yogurt, etc)
- I never menu plan lunch.
- I do my menu planning on Thursday so I can order and schedule a grocery pick-up for Friday night.
- I only plan 4 dinners a week. This makes menu planning fast and easy. It also allows me to make good use of leftovers from that week, and if by chance we eat through those 4 meals early on in the week, then I can get creative with ingredients I already have to make something edible – the recipe creator in me loves this! This also makes room for an “eating out” night if we want.
- I have basics I always add to my grocery order regardless of what’s on the menu like milk, eggs, cheese, tortillas, spinach, butter, and lots and lots of fruit.
- I’ve just started using my sister Cami’s “Inventory Checklists” to help me keep track of what I have on hand better, and it’s honestly been the greatest thing ever.
Actual meal made from freezer leftovers. It was so good, I wrote up the recipe and posted it on the blog!
So with that said, here are my basic menu planning steps:
- STEP 1: Assess what I have. This step sounds time-consuming, but it’s not. I just take a quick glance at what I have already. In fact, since I’ve started writing things down on Cami’s checklists, it takes about 1 minute.
- Assess fridge for leftovers. If I have sauces, leftover meat, vegetables, or any other ingredients that need to be used up soon, those get turned into salads, bowls, quesadillas, etc. This cuts down on what I’m spending on groceries every week and makes sure I’m using what I have.
- Assess freezer. This helps to make sure I’m using what I have and prevents an overflowing freezer.
- Assess pantry for ingredients that need to be used (like half-empty packages or things that are expiring soon)
- Based on the assessment of what I already have, this could account for 1 – 4 of the next week’s meals. I write these meal ideas down on my Menu Planning List.
- STEP 2: Look at recipes I have bookmarked, recipe ideas I’m working on, or look at my blog or recipe binder for what sounds good. Then I write those recipes down on my Menu Planning List.
- STEP 3: If I have more than 4 recipes written down, I narrow it down to the 4 I will definitely be making, the others stay on the list in case I need one of them for that week or they might go to next week’s list.
- STEP 4: Order groceries for pickup (huge time saver tip!). There are some ingredients I’ll only get from certain stores, so I make a list for those things. This typically includes meat (I’m picky about where that comes from) or hard to find ingredients that I’ll need to run to Natural Grocers for.
- STEP 5: Grab my daughter, go out to dinner, make the special grocery store stops, then grab my pick-up order on the way home. Sometimes we throw in a pedicure too, cuz’ girls night and all 🙂
- STEP 6 (OPTIONAL): Wash and prep fruits and vegetables so they’re convenient to use throughout the week. I don’t always get to this step, but it’s so helpful when I do.
After that, I simply:
- Glance at my Menu Planning List each morning to decide what I’m making for dinner that night.
- Determine if I need to pull anything out of the freezer.
- Determine if there is a part of the recipe I need to start earlier in the day or if I can make it all happen 30 minutes before we sit down to eat.
So that’s about it. I hope that helps or that you can find a few pointers in there.
My #1 goal is to make sure I’m making good use of what I already have. Throwing away food kills me so I will repurpose it every way I can.
Whenever I look at leftovers I think: Could I turn that into a taco, pizza, salad, pasta, or rice bowl? Could it be pureed and put in a soup? How about a smoothie? You get the idea. Zero waste means more money in my pocket!
More meals made from leftovers. You can’t tell me they don’t look delicious!
One of my favorite nights in fact is when I pull all leftovers out of the fridge and tell the family to make whatever they want out of what’s there. This is a great way to use up what you have and gives the kids a chance to be creative.
So there’s my system. Not really “Best Seller Book” material, but I think there are bits and pieces there that will help just about anyone.
If you ever have an ingredient on hand you’re not sure what to do with, check out the TIDBITS index page. There is a full list of ingredients tied to recipes that could give you some inspiration! I even do this myself sometimes.
Alright, now give me your tips and tricks! I’d love to hear what works for you.
2) SUMMER PLANS
What have you got planned for this summer? I struggle with creativity in this arena so please oh please share!
Our summers are typically all about our food garden, kid birthdays, playing in sprinklers, and riding motorcycles. New this summer: my kids have each started jobs with neighbors. It’ll only be a few hours a week but it’s enough to shake up their week and give them something to be responsible about.
My cute lil’ moto kiddos 🙂
I’ve decided we’re going to skip out on summer camps and use that money for mini-vacations instead. We typically don’t venture too far, but stay in the Utah, Idaho, Wyoming areas.
For those of you that live in this area (or want to make a road trip out here), here are a few of our favorites:
- Dirt biking, hiking, biking, etc in Star Valley Wyoming. Our favorite place to stay is Kodiak Mountain Resort. It’s close to Jackson, WY so while you’re there go to Snow King Mountain Resort and ride the Cowboy Coaster approximately 500 times.
- Our other favorite adventure spot is Lava Hot Springs. It’s a small town with lots of fun things to do. You can walk from your hotel, to the pool, to the restaurant all in about 10 minutes. I LOVE it! We love the swim park there (best slides ever). Over Spring Break we did the Lava Zipline and Ropes Course Adventure and it was the best money I’ve ever spent on a vacation. It was 4 hours of adventure that pushed my kids out of their comfort zones (in a safe way) and imprinted some amazing memories. We’ll be going to Lava again this summer to hit the pool and check out the Lava Hot Go Karts.
Zipline and Ropes Course at Lava Hot Springs – so fun!
3) SUMMER CHORE GOALS
After my disastrous Family Chore Chart of 2020, I’ve decided that 2021 is my year to get organized. I asked my kids what they hated so much about chores and their reply was, “It’s not so much the chores we hate, as much as being nagged to do them.”
WELL THAT WAS REVOLUTIONARY!
I bought this course called Freedom Moms in 2020 and never touched it until 3 months ago, and now I feel like an empowered mama on a mission. The creator is a mom of 10 and she has inspired me.
Her vision is that the family is a team and as a team, we run the home together. No longer is it mom’s job to pick up the slack or feel the heavyweight of keeping things in order. If mom isn’t around, things still get done because everyone knows the part that they play.
This sounds like an absolute dream to me and something I’ve struggled to figure out. I’m feeling more organized and capable than ever after listening to her course, I am so ready to stop being “the nagging mother”.
The creator is a down-to-earth, genuine, and entertaining woman that makes you feel like you can do anything.
I’ve been incorporating the things I’ve learned from her this summer and so far, it is going AMAZINGLY WELL! I’ve never been able to stay on top of the house like this and it has felt like sweet freedom.
What is your system? Have any of you creative people created chore charts that resonate with your kids?
4) SUNSCREEN
It’s summer so let’s talk seriously about sunscreen. My skin is crazy sensitive and burns on a dime. So with that note, here are my favorites that have kept our skin protected the best.
First, my sunscreen requirements:
- Don’t leave a strange looking white paste on my skin
- Don’t stink
- Don’t make me breakout
Favorite Daily Facial Sunscreen – Supergoop Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30: I put it on before my makeup and I can’t even tell I have it on. Hands down the best daily, mineral sunscreen I’ve ever tried. This one is not waterproof so I don’t wear it at the pool.
Favorite Waterproof Facial Sunscreen – Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40: This is another great daily face sunscreen that stands up to water and sweat better than the first. The downside is that it has to be reapplied every 40 minutes if you’re swimming, so I only use this one for myself because my face is so darn sensitive to other sunscreens.
Favorite Full Body Sunscreen – Elta MD: This stuff is amazing! I always burn at swimming pools, but haven’t since using this. I’ll warn you though, it’s a tad expensive. I don’t suggest getting the spray version. It was hard to get a good application.
Favorite More Affordable Full Body Sunscreen – Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist: I don’t personally use this one because I don’t like sunscreen that feels like I’m wearing sunscreen, but my kids don’t mind it, it works great, and it’s so easy to apply.
Your turn, do you have a favorite?
5) FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS, LISTEN UP!
I was introduced to Sarah of the Sarah Grace Live Podcast this year and she has been the answer to my prayers as I embark on my InstaFreeze Meals entrepreneur dream. Well, I actually knew her in high school, so I guess I should say I was “reintroduced” to her at the very moment I needed her.
She’s made the impossible feel possible, been the genius strategist I’ve needed on my side, and above all else, the energetic cheerleader I’ve needed in my weak moments. She offers many business services, but I would suggest first listening to this Podcast episode titled: The Heroine’s Journey is not the Hero’s Journey. I had chills from start to finish; it spoke to my female/mother entrepreneur soul. If you are feeling called to do or create something great, you need to listen to this.
6) NEW FAVORITE FINDS
You know I get excited for this section! I just love testing new products. Here are some recent loves of mine.
Manuka Relief Ultra Soothing Cream: I asked for your favorite hand cream recommendations this past Spring and now Manuka Relief is my new favorite. It’s so unlike the greasy creams I’ve tried for irritated skin and eczema, but it works like magic. It’s light, soaks in without a trace, and clears up my hands within a week. I’ve since used it on my kids for extra dry skin and eczema and can confirm it worked on them as well. I’m absolutely giddy to have found it!
Trampoline Sprinkler: Remember setting up a sprinkler under the tramp as a kid and there would be one tiny spot where you could actually feel it? Well, this hose hooks to the top of the net for the ultimate sprinkler experience. My kids have LOVED this! What a great invention!
Hu Chocolate: This chocolate, oh my word, I am in love. It’s sweetened with coconut sugar and has the most incredible melt-in-your-mouth texture of any chocolate bar I’ve ever experienced. Yay for companies who figure out how to use wholesome ingredients to make food taste better than the less healthy versions. It’s pricier than a gas station chocolate bar, but 100% worth it in my opinion. My favorite flavor is the Cashew Butter Vanilla Bean, my daughter’s is the Crunchy Mint.
Greenlight: If you receive my TIDBITS Newsletter, you’ve heard me mention this handy little card. Greenlight is a debit card for kids that is controlled by parents through an app. I never have cash in my wallet and I hate trying to keep track of what my kids are doing with their cash (ie. their savings “accidentally” finding its way into their fun money stash). With the app I can pay them what I owe, then help them move a percentage of that money into “savings” and “donations”.
My daughter’s Pinwheel phone (the safe phone for kids I’ve mentioned to you before that I adore!) has this app on it so she can move her money to savings and donations on her own. However, if she wants to move money from savings to spending money, it will send me an alert to approve or disprove this move. Awesome, right! I also get an alert anytime she uses her card to show me how much she spent and where. You can also limit where they can spend money. There are also investing options. I mean the list of smart features goes on and on, it really is quite genius. To avoid going on for 3 paragraphs about it, I’ll refer you to the Greenlight website to read about it.
FROZEN CRIO BRU
Now on to the Crio Bru treat of the summer!
I’m not bashful in my vocal dread of summer heat. I never minded it as a child, but for whatever reason, heat drains the life out of me as an adult.
So when sipping on a hot cup of Crio Bru doesn’t sound that appealing, I make this Frozen Crio version topped with chocolate whipped cream and for a moment, I feel sure I can handle 3 months of life-sucking temperatures.
Have you ever heard of Frozen Hot Chocolate? Well, this is a bit of the same vibe except it’s made with frozen cubes of Crio Bru and naturally sweetened with maple syrup and frozen bananas and clocks in WAY below the 1000+ calories of the dessert versions.
To make Frozen Crio Bru, simply:
- Freeze cubes of Instant Pot Crio Bru.
- Add frozen Crio Bru cubes, bananas, and milk to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Top with a dollop of chocolate whipped cream and some chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips if you’re feeling fancy.
- Dive in with a long spoon and a smoothie straw. Heaven.
The contrast of the cold slushy Crio with the luscious dollop of chocolate cream is out-of-this-world good while still being a reasonable treat for swimsuit season.
I can’t wait for you to try this one! It’s such a refreshing and healthy treat, we make it almost daily around here.
Your comments and experience in the matters discussed 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 this summer is filled with loads of family memories for all of you. I might hate the heat, but I adore the experiences only summer can bring.
Talk soon!
Frosty Crio Bru
A light, refreshing, chilled version of the best drink of all time-Crio Bru! With a handy supply of frozen Crio Bru cubes handy in your freezer, your wait time to chocolatey heaven is seconds away!
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Dessert, Drinks
- Method: Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For Crio Bru
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk (I like Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk)
- 1/2 cup Crio Bru grounds
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or up to 1/2 cup if you’re not a dark chocolate fan)
For Frosty Crio Bru
- 12 cubes of frozen Crio Bru
- 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of your choice), plus more if needed
- 1/2 frozen banana, sliced into disks (can substitute half of an avocado)
For Chocolate Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional:
- Mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
- Pour water and Crio Bru grounds into 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 10 minutes and then release any remaining pressure.
- Place a fine mesh sieve over a large bowl and pour Crio Bru through the sieve to filter out the grounds.
- Stir maple syrup and milk into the hot, strained Crio Bru.
- Let Crio cool slightly, then pour into ice cube trays (my trays fit about 1 tablespoon per cube). Freeze until solid then transfer to a gallon size freezer bag.
- To make Chocolate Whipped Cream: Add cream, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla to a high-powered blender. Blend on medium speed until thick. (This can also be done with a bowl and a hand mixer). Store in a sealed container in the fridge. Will stay thick for up to 5 days.
- To make Frosty Crio Bru: Add 12 cubes of frozen Crio Bru, milk, and banana to a high powered blender and blend until smooth. Add more milk if needed to help it blend.
- Top with a dollop of chocolate whipped cream and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings.
Notes
- If you don’t want to bother with freezing the Crio Bru into ice cubes, just use the cold Crio Bru as your smoothie liquid and add extra ice or bananas to make it thick.
- If you don’t have enough ice cube trays to freeze all of the Crio Bru, you have 2 options:
- 1) Store remaining Crio Bru in fridge. When cubes are frozen solid, transfer them to a gallon size ziplock bag and pour more refrigerated Crio Bru into the trays.
- 2) Drink the remaining Crio Bru cold from the fridge-it’s amazing!
Voila! the perfect summer drink! Thanks for sharing
I bought Crio Bru, but the first try was a fail. I am using my French press, but I think it’s smaller than what their website instructions say, so I think I made it too weak. I wanted to try your suggestion in the Instantpot, BUT I can’t get that soup smell out of it even with a new ring. Do you think running a “ cycle” of water and vinegar inside would help?
On a side note, I sooo wish you would consider running your own sugar free program. I’d love to learn more!!!
Crystal, Oh yes, Crio Bru is so much better in the Instant Pot! Try a vinegar cycle or I like to cook potatoes for dinner. That pulls out that smell better than just about anything I’ve tried. Let me know how it goes! And I would absolutely love to run a Sugar Free course. The girl I took the course from did the most incredible job. I wish so badly she would bring it back. I don’t think I could ever do it as well as she did. I’ll text her and see if she’s ever thought of bringing it back.
I desperately need to start meal planning. I am about to have an empty nest and my husband often works later in the evening. I dread trying to cook for only one or two.
Pam, treat yourself! Food can be such a fun adventure!
Have been thinking of trying Crio Bru as a coffee substitute. The coconut might be the one to make it happen.
Marnie, I don’t think you’d miss it one bit!
My kids are all grown, but I still meal plan exactly the way you do. I have learned to freeze my leftovers in single serve portions so that if I don’t have time to cook, I can easily pull something out. Last night, it was Southwest Turkey Burgers. My husband commented how good they were and had no idea he was eating leftovers! The key is to keep track of what’s in the fridge.
Susan, I agree! Leftovers require a different kind of love, but they can be even better the next time! If I don’t know everything that’s in my fridge, we eat leftovers until I do 🙂
Thank you for the inventory checklists! I’ve been looking for this exact thing!
Marci
Because of your blog, I have purchased Crio Bru twice and I love it! I have also purchased your cookbook and I love that too! I enjoy when people share their favorite things as it helps me navigate life! Loving your comments.
Beth, that makes me so happy to hear! I’m glad I could add a sprinkle of joy to your life.
What is this Crio Bru sorcery?? Had no idea this even existed til you mentioned it! Now doing my research (which may or may not feature that amazing frozen concoction of yours!)
Also- my fave facial sunscreen/ primer is COTZ face prime and protect! Small amount of coverage, non greasy and makes my makeup last! 🙂
Lisa, Oh it’s just my lifeline going on 10 years now :). It’s incredible. I’m going to try out COTZ! Thank you for the recommendation.
Helpful ideas…sunscreens and other topics. Frozen Crio Bru sounds yummy.
I haven’t ordered groceries for pick up before but maybe I should try it. It could free me up to shop for specialty items at other grocery stores.
I appreciate the facial sunscreen recommendation and want to try that hand cream. And those chocolate bars and coconut Crio Bru are calling MY NAME!
Candice, I go to 3 different stores to get my groceries, so the Walmart pick up is a must! The Hu chocolate is so good! You’ve got to try that one.
Oh! I love Crio Bru, I’m excited to try it frozen! I usually drink it iced in the summer, but this will be a fun way to switch it up! Your meal planning tips helped me a lot, I like the idea of only planning 4 meals. Thank you!
Brittany, yes, the 4 meals a week is life changing and saves a ton of money, try it! I drink iced Crio every day in the summer 🙂
The Frosty Crio Bru sound sooo good! Would love to try the new coconut flavor too.
Thanks for the meal planning tips, that has always been a challenge for me- sounds like there is hope:)
I just bought Crio Bru and mix it with my coffee most of the time. I make it extra strong with no sweetener or milk. Very yummy, both mixed or bt itself. Thanks, Marci, for the recommendation. I love the Double chocolate. Plan to try the uber dark roast next.
Connie, yep, dark as I can drink it :). We should meet for a “coffee” date 🙂
That would be great. I just tried the Uber Dark for the first time this morning. Like it a lot. It is the closest to black coffee, with a hint of mocha in the background. It is good on its own and mixes well with real coffee. I wonder how it would taste mixed with Double Chocolate, Hmmmm,…….
I am in love with this frosty Crio Bru. I’ve only made it once and it is the perfect treat for me. As for Lava, that place sounds so fun. How is it that graduated from ISU without ever going there?
Megan, If you’re still around here, go to Lava! It’s such a fun little town. Also, Frosty Crio, make that one too 🙂
A Cold slushy Crio with the luscious dollop of chocolate cream and a Hu chocolate bar – yeah, I’d be in 7th Heaven or 8th or 9th! ; )
Jennifer, I mean, what is there even to complain about with all that on board 🙂
I love the recipe planning tips. Unfortunately some weeks, I don’t use all the produce I have in fridge. I hate throwing things away. Your tips are helpful.
This recipe sound delicious.
Tari, try the “4 meals a week” rule. You’ll use up all the leftovers in your fridge, I promise, it works!
I’m excited to try crio bru a cold way. It never would have occurred to me! Plus the new flavors sound wonderful. You are so creative!
Barbra, oh the cold Coconut Crio Bru is my favorite summer snack right now! I’m creative in food, not so much in decorating my house, haha!
I love your menu planning tips. I so want to try these. Summer meals are so hard to plan since my husband farms and gets in late most days. BUT, I know I need to start planning meals. It would make things so much easier. The frozen Crio Bru sounds absolutely amazing.
Sherri, yes, planning is one of those things that can be a pain but makes your life so much easier. I definitely had to make a habit out of it to stop dreading it. Frozen Crio Bru is making me stay positive in the heat 🙂
I love the idea of frozen crio bru for a summer treat! I can’t wait to try it out.
I love the idea of meal planning, too many times I am stressed out after work running to the grocery store trying to figure out dinner.
Linda, ha! If I do it last second, dinner is miserable for me!
I love reading these tidbits of information, I especially love the idea of the green card. I wished that had been around when my kids were still young and at home. It’s so empowering and teaches the value of money at the same time. Just a great idea. Also the Frozen Crio Bru looks yummy.
Linda, yes, I’ve loved the Greenlight card. It’s made my life so much easier and yes, my kids think harder about their money when it’s on the card. I love it! I’m glad you enjoy these posts. I love writing them 🙂
Do your kids like the Crio Bru? I’m not a fan of hot drinks, but this frozen version sounds pretty good!
Kami, yes, all of my kids love it, hot and cold!
I enjoyed reading about your meal planning. I am also intrigued by the Neutrogena sunscreen mist. It sounds amazing.
Angela, I hope you could get some useful tips from it 🙂 Yes, the mist sunscreen is the bomb!
I love these talks! You always share new insights that I hadn’t thought about, and I’m motivated by your entrepreneurial spirit. Thanks for sharing your current favorites—I want to check out that hand cream.
Can’t wait to learn more about your entrepreneurial plans.
Suzannah, I hope to share all the biz plans soon! It’s been such a slow process, but it’s coming. I’m glad you enjoy these talks. I absolutely love writing them.
I love frozen drinks and am definitely going to try the Crio Bru as soon as my order comes. Also thinking about the Manuka cream for my hands. Sounds heavenly.
Diane, Crio and Manuka cream – happy days in your future 🙂
Okay, I’m hooked on both. I love the cream and now it makes my skin feel and Crio, amazing! I’m one happy camper right now.
Diane, I’m so excited you’ve tried them out! Now you need to try the Hu chocolate!
Oh, yes, that’s definitely next.
Placed my order for the Crio Bru. Hope I like it! Thanks again.
I have wanted to try Crio Bru for some time, and the coconut flavor sounds amazing, especially frozen.
Starr, it’s my favorite flavor cold. So so good!
I love Crio Bru, but I have not tried it frozen! Thanks for the great idea!
I’ve sure heard about lots of different products here. I order the Manuka Relief or my daughter. Thanks.
I love chocolate and frozen chocolate sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks again.
Sandy, you’ll have to let me know what you think of the manuka cream. I couldn’t believe how well it worked for me after trying so many things. Chocolate is great no matter 🙂
I am wickedly interested in trying out the CrioBru as I try to cut down on the coffee habit. I was comforted by the fact that your menu “planning” is similar in style to mine, but with more organization and thoughtfulness. Inspired me to be a bit more intentional and organized, while keeping the flexibility and spontaneity. Also going to check out those sunscreens as I hate putting stuff that feels like sunscreen on my face, but still understand the need to do it.
Tricia, That’s exactly how I think my method evolved. It was something that worked for me and kept getting refined to a point that I could actually write it out. Try the Crio! I have a lot of people say they do half coffee and half Crio in their grounds. Try that! I hate sunscreen too, and this stuff is so lightweight that it doesn’t bug me.
I’ll try the Crio & Coffee combo. I ordered the Chana French roast, also on your recommendation. Will try the sunscreen next! ;o)
OMG. I love criobru but never thought of making a frozen version. What a wonderful idea!
Thanks so much for the offer on Crio Bru! I can’t wait to taste the coconut! I am NOT a fan of the hot weather, either. It’s just exhausting. So, frozen almond joy? YAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS!!!!
Clarissa, Now Frozen Almond Joy just sounds ridiculously amazing 🙂
Hi Marci,
I have become a lover of Crio Bru off your recommendations. I recently made it in my Pampered Chef cooking blender and put the cocoa beans in with water and turned on the soup setting. When it was done the cocoa beans were gone. I added my sweetener and cream and loved every bit of it. I will have to try the frozen Crio Bru next. I meal plans very like you. I plan for 3-4 meals per week. I try to use what I have on hand. I then freeze leftovers for another week because then it doesn’t seem like leftovers.
Heidi, the grounds disintegrated? Now I’m intrigued! I’ve learned to love leftovers, but I have to repurpose them somehow. I’m excited you’re a Crio Bru fan now!
Hi Marci,
I love making Crio Bru in the ip! I’ve noticed in this recipe that you’ve cut the water down to two cups- is that because of the other ingredients, so you still get that great flavor, or should this be the recipe to use now for hot or cold out if the fridge drinking? ????
Thanks for all your great ideas and recipes!
Roxanne
Roxanne, that is specific to this recipe, I still do 6 cups water to 2 cups milk and 1/2 cup crio for my day to day. I’m glad you love it!
The honey skin cream surely looks interesting, thanks so much for mentioning it! I always enjoy your “catch up” posts, and I’m really glad things are going well with your family. Like you I hate hot weather, and we’ve sure had it this last week, summer is never my favorite season!
Wyn, I’m glad you enjoy these post, I have so much fun writing them. Our summer has been so hot and dry! Drains the life out of me!
Thank you as always for opening yourself up to your readers. I really appreciate the tidbits on sunscreen and the Manuka Relief. I’m going to buy some right now! And thank you, of course, for all your yummy recipes! I was curious if you’ve ever tried Teecino Herbal “Coffee”? It’s super yummy. I like to mix it 50/50 with the Crio Bru.
Barbara, I haven’t heard of the herbal coffee. I’m looking it up now! Thank you for the tip! I love writing these posts so I’m glad you enjoy them as well!
Oh my! Frozen Crio Bru!! And a chocolate coconut flavor. Yes please! Thanks for the coupon – I’m going to go order some ASAP and try the frozen version. Yum!
Hugs, Cecilia
Cecilia, so you’ve liked the Crio Bru? You’ll love the coconut!
Oh yes! Love the Crio Bru! Now to try it frozen!
Thank you for the menu planning and meal ideas! The pictures of meals made using leftover bits and pieces looked super yummy to me!
Ok I need to make this for sure! I’ve done something similar but not with the frozen bananas which I’m sure make it amazing! All these crio bru flavors are tempting me too as you know I’m a Choffy girl. 😉
And I need to look into this pinwheel phone. My two youngest have inactive iPhones that we monitor, but I worry switching to pinwheel or a similar “safe” phone will take away too many things they’ve had access to like certain games or YouTube, which I know they probably shouldn’t have anyway, but I don’t want to deal with the whining trying to make the switch. Or my almost 13 year old thinking it’s a baby phone and being embarrassed. He wants a working phone for his birthday. Ugh why couldn’t they have our simple childhoods?!
Megan, You’ve at least gotta try the coconut! It’s so yummy!
Switch them to the Pinwheel asap. It’s been the best thing I’ve bought all year. They are doing amazing things for kiddos. The phone looks like everyone else’s so maybe he’ll go for it?
Could I make the Crio Bru with mangoes instead of bananas? Not an avocado fan either.
Brigitte, Hmmm…I love chocolate dipped mangoes, so I bet it would taste great!
Summer is my favorite season, though sometimes the heat and humidity gets to me too!
Coola face sunscreen is my fave. I discovered it on a cruise 5 years ago and have been using it ever since!
Michelle, I haven’t heard of that brand! Thanks for the recommendation, I’m looking it up. I try to love summer, but the heat just drains me!
Summer is my favorite season, though sometimes the heat and humidity gets to me too!
Coola face sunscreen is my fave. I discovered it on a cruise 5 years ago and have been using it ever sine!
Although I don’t agree with you about summer (it’s my favorite season! Camping! Hiking! Biking!) – I do love your site. Frosty Crio Bru looks wonderful! I will definitely have to try it.
Rachel, Haha! Well with the exception of camping, I like all those things too, just in the spring or fall:). Frosty Crio Bru makes even a 100-degree day a really good day.