I Love Coffee-mate and so does my Mom - Giveaway - Brew Crew Member

I love being a Coffee-mate Brew Crew Member and I love Coffee-mate.  I have been given a excellent opportunity to submit blog posts to Coffee-mate and recently two of my Blogs have been selected to be posted on the Main Coffee-mate website!

You can check out my Coffee-mate blogs on the Coffee-mate.com site.  Click on Coffee Break and select Coffee Talk Blog, which will lead to you all of them.  My two are:

I never knew Motherhood until....  and Life is so Unpredictable .

I want to spread my love to Coffee-mate to everyone in the United States!!!  I want everyone to check out Coffee-mate's website.  I am amazed at how frequently Coffee-mate updates their pages and products.

I want to share a few Coffee-mate items I have received as a Coffee-mate Brew Crew Member to other Fellow Coffee-mate Fans.

Two qualified people will win...

Winner #1 - An Exclusive Coffee-mate spoon and a Stir Stick 

Winner #2 - Two Exclusive Coffee-mate Stir Sticks.

Open to US residents only age 18 or over. You must complete the Mandatory Entry to be eligible. This giveaway Ends 06/05/11 at 11:59pm MST. Please leave a separate comment with your email address for each entry that you complete.

*** Mandatory Entry - You must follow this Blog - Fishful Thinking on Google Friends Connect - on the right side of my blog ***


Bonus Entries:

Check out Coffee-mate's website and my blogs I never knew Motherhood until.... and/or Life is so Unpredictable . Leave a comment directly on the Coffee-mate blog comment section about what you enjoyed with my Coffee-mate blog post(s).  Make sure to come back here to Fishful Thinking and let me know you left a comment or comments.  If you leave one on each make sure you leave a comment here for each so you get credit.

"Like" Coffee-mate on Facebook.

Follow Fishful Thinking on Twitter.

Follow Coffee-mate on Twitter.

Leave a Comment telling me what you favorite flavor of Coffee-mate is.

Tweet about the Giveaway: You can copy and paste the following Tweet over on Twitter once per day. Remember to let me know you tweeted.

Copy and Paste Tweet:

U can #win @Coffee_mate Exclusive Coffee-mate spoon and Stir Stick on @busch0218 blog! http://t.co/IHVDGMD Ends 06/05 1159pm MST #giveaways

Enter other active Giveaway's on Fishful Thinking Newman's Own Organics 4 Product Giveaway $20 Value (Ends 5/29) and/or The GoodOnYabar Giveaway $10 Value (Ends 06/06),  Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods Box $15 Value (Ends 06/13) make sure to leave a comment about each one you enter.

Good Luck Everyone!

Quick and Easy Busy Morning Coffee-mate Muffins Recipe - How do you enjoy your Coffee-mate in the Morning??

As anyone knows who follow my blog I am a VERY proud Coffee-mate Brew Crew Member.  And by the way they are currently looking for more members...so apply today.

One of our current activities that we are encouraged to participate in is making some Coffee-mate easy bake muffins.  They gave a suggested recipe and would like us to try it out as it or make the recipe our own.  Well of course I had to modify the recipe and make in special to our family's tastes. (I love incorporating whole wheat flour and so extras goodies like raisins and coconut to make it more healthy and tasty)  So as you look at the recipe I created...don't be shy and make it your own today with the help of Coffee-mate.

Ingredients:

2 Egg, beaten

3 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2 Cup milk

1/2 Cup flavored COFFEE-MATE Gingerbread Latte

1/2 Cup butter, melted

1 1/4 Cups whole wheat flour

1 1/4 Cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 Tablespoons baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 Teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon nutmug

1 Large apple peeled, cored and chopped

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup coconut


Topping:

1/4 quick oats

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

2 Teaspoon ground cinnamon



Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Using a 12-cup muffin tin, spray with nonstick cooking spray or line cups with paper liners.

Mix egg, sugar, milk, COFFEE-MATE, and butter in a large bowl.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

Add the apples and mix until just combined. Spoon batter into prepared 6-cup muffin tin.

To make the topping, mix quick oats, sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over tops of unbaked muffins.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Muffins are done when a toothpick is inserted into center of muffin and comes out clean.

Let muffins cool in tin for 5 minutes, then remove muffins from tin and cool completely on wire rack.

Yields 12 muffins.

I am Inspired to Giveaway 10 Coffee-mate Creamers, What Inspires You??

I am a proud Coffee-mate Brew Crew Member and have been given 10 free coupons to help spread the Free Flavor Friday Promotion.  I decide to share them with my bloggy friends..See below on how to enter today.

Coffee-mate's newest ad campaign talks about "What Inspires you".  If you check out the Coffee-mate site you can enter to win great prizes! Which has inspired me to share my thoughts.....

There are so many things that happen on a daily basis that cause me to stop for a brief moment to reflect on the deeper meaning behind an action, a spoken word, a touch, a look or a taste. I find myself continuously inspired by others, but nothing inspires me more than my children. I am amazed at how an innocent look, word or action by any of my boys can carry me through a tough day. They inspire me to enjoy the simple things in life and not to take life so serious all the time.

They remind me how something so minuscule that occurs daily can be a precious moment. They create inspiration in me to look beyond what is happening at face value and find the special and unique beauty in everything.  Like when they asked, "How does a butterfly fly?" I will never be able to watch the act of a butterfly floating effortlessly in the air, without thinking how amazing it really is. A butterfly is so delicate, but strong. It is beautiful and one of a kind. It can with stand the elements and flourish.

Life is so unpredictable and ever changing that it is important for everyone to find inspiration to carry them through the tough times. Just as my children did, when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer while pregnant with my third son. I knew in my heart, everything was going to be okay. They helped keep me in touch with what was important and inspire me, even from within the womb to be strong and find peace, daily in simple things like blooming flowers, the rays of warm sunshine on my face and a hug and sweet “I love you Mommy”.

I challenge every on sit down after a long day with a cup of coffee and add your favorite Coffee-mate flavor. Which one did you chose? Was it my current favorite Caramel Macchiato from the Coffee-mate Café Collection? Slow down and take a sip, move it around it your mouth…slowly swallow. What did you smell, taste and feel? Did you notice the hint of milk and creamy caramel? Was it smooth and velvety in your mouth? When was the last time you experienced Coffee-mate this way? Now that you are relaxed and thinking about the small details, “What inspired you today?”

Ten qualified entries will win...a  free coupon for Nestle Coffee-mate liquid or powder creamer up to $3.99.

Open to US residents only age 18 or over. You must complete the Mandatory Entry to be eligible. This giveaway Ends 04/16/11 at 11:59pm MST. Please leave a separate comment with your email address for each entry that you complete.


*** Mandatory Entry - You must follow this Blog - Fishful Thinking on Google Friends Connect - on the right side of my blog *** Leave a message saying you follow.

Bonus Entries:

Follow Fishful Thinking on Twitter.

Check out Coffee-mate's website. Come back here to Fishful Thinking and let me know what product you would love to try or have tried.

"Like" Coffee-mate on Facebook.

Follow Coffee-mate on Twitter.

Tweet about the Giveaway: You can copy and paste the following Tweet over on Twitter once per day. Remember to let me know you tweeted.

Copy and Paste Tweet:

U can #win @Coffee_mate Creamer on @busch0218 blog! http://t.co/g9SqjED Ends 04/16 1159pm MST #giveaways

Enter my other Giveaways for Bigfat's Hot Sauce or Simply Potatoes  or  Bora Bora Organic Food Gift Box of items (04-25-11)  and leave me a message you did.

Good Luck Everyone!

Happy List thanks to Coffee-mate

Well the main part of my Happy List this week is Thanks to my trip from Coffee-mate!


View from the airplane over the Rocky Mountains.


It was such an awesome trip and the weather was perfect.  Check out the view from our room!

We wined and dined and enjoyed being a couple again.   It is amazing how you sometimes can forget what it is like to be a couple again with out children in tow (but we couldn't wait to get home to their smiling faces).



Free Breakfast Buffet at the hotel.


I learned so much about Nestle Coffee-mate and how much they actually care about their consumers - what a great change of pace for a large cooperation.

Arrived home late Saturday to find an awesome box from Granola Snacks on my door step - need I say more about that.

Helped Dylan complete his 100th day of School shirt with 100 gummy candies (his idea).  It turned out great so can't wait to send him to school wearing it on Wends.

And last but not least - My Gooseberry Cookbook arrived which features one my my recipes!!!

***Only complaint my "lovely" 2 month old HP computer is acting up again - so I am wondering if they company is going to want it shipped back once again for repairs :(

Very Vanilla Coffee-mate Rice Pudding Recipe

What a great few days away from my busy life to enjoy LA thanks to Nestle Coffee-mate.  I met some fellow Brew Crew Members and shared my love of Coffee-mate.

It motivated me to share one my recipes that I created with the help of Coffee-mate's liquid French Vanilla Creamer. 

This Very Vanilla Rice Pudding is rich, creamy and full of  floral goodness from the vanilla beans and the Coffee-mate French Vanilla.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup Coffee-mate French Vanilla liquid creamer
5 1/3 cups milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup long grain white rice
2 fresh vanilla beans

Directions:

Add Coffee-mate French Vanilla Liquid, milk, and sugar into a large pot.

Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally.

While waiting for the mixture to boil - cut the vanilla beans open and scrape out the vanilla bean seeds (I like to call it vanilla caviar).  Add the "caviar" and the split open beans into the pot.

Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low.

Continue to cook, stirring occasionally for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, until the rice is cook through.

When rice is cooked, carefully pour the mixture into a glass bowl (leaving in vanilla beans - so they can continue to release there flavor goodness).

Place plastic wrap directly onto the top of the hot rice pudding - it will stop the "skin" from forming on the top.

Place in a refrigerator and stir every 30 minutes while it cools so it does not clump.

Enjoy this decedent dessert or rich breakfast treat plain or with a sprinkling of cinnamon nutmeg sugar.  The vanilla bean seeds add such eye appeal and flavor.  It is amazing how that just 2/3 of a cup of the Coffee-mate French Vanilla can enhance and intensify the vanilla flavor to a whole different level.

How do you enjoy your Coffee-mate??

The Smell of Autumn in the Air...

The Smell of Autumn in the Air….


Autumn is my most favorite season of all. I love watching the changing of the leaves from a brilliant green to the beautiful gold, red and brown. But the best part of leaves is waiting until they have all fallen down and you can crunch through them. I am smiling as I am writing this. It makes me feel like a child again.

My family also waits for this time of year to arrive because it makes me want to cook and bake all the time. They look with anticipation to see what I will be “whipping” up next. I love filling our house with all the scents of spices and aromas of food being created.

One recipe I love to make and enjoy myself is Chai Tea. After the house is quiet, and the boys are put to sleep. It is great to have a little “me” time. I love sitting down with a steaming mug of this mix. The sweet smell of the spices and velvety texture on my tongue is so relaxing.

The best part about this mix is it makes a great gift for the holidays. I love making extra when I create a batch to have on hand. I put the mix in glass jars and decorate them with seasonal ribbons and bows. I include instructions and the recipe. That way when I am invited to a Thanksgiving gathering or a Christmas party, I always have something homemade to bring along.

Go head try my recipe below and find some “me” time during the busy holiday season to enjoy.

1 cup Coffee-mate Original Creamer

1 ¼ cups Coffee-mate French Vanilla Creamer

1 Cup nonfat dry milk powder

2 ½ cups white sugar

1 ½ cups unsweetened instant tea (decaf if you don’t want the caffeine)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground ginger

½ teaspoon allspice

3/4 teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon cardamom


Combine all the ingredients into a large bowl. Place a small amount of the mixture into a blender and mix until it is a fine powder. If you do not blend it into a fine powder – when the mix is used it will be grainy and the flavors will not be incorporated properly.

Use two rounded tablespoons of mix in an 8oz mug of hot water. If you like Chai Tea richer – add some scalded milk to the mug before the hot water.

I am excited to say that I have entered this blog post to Coffee-mate as they asked me to submit a blog in regards to the holidays that may be featured in Nov or Dec of the Coffee-mate.com blog- Coffee Talk!  It will be great if it is selected.  I was asked because I am a Brew Crew Member.  Wish me luck and watch the Coffee-mate.com  blog - Coffee Talk and see if I make it.

What a great thing to have on my Happy List for the week.  Check out this one below.