Matcha white hot cocoa is the holiday drink of the season for all the matcha latte lovers out there. Whip up a batch for gift giving!

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I may not make a new flavor of homemade hot cocoa mix every year, but I’ve certainly made my fair share. After the chai hot cocoa I made two years ago I knew what had to be next – matcha!

Normally there is 1-1/2 cups of cocoa powder in the basic hot cocoa mix recipe but I wanted to make this matcha version with a white hot cocoa base. However, a little bit of matcha goes a long way and you only need 1/2-1 teaspoon per serving which if we use the high end equates to 1/2 cup for 2 dozen servings for this mix.

Due to the decreased volume I did consider increasing the amount of dry milk powder to make up for it but in the end decided to just leave it as is and reduce the amount of matcha white hot cocoa mix needed for each serving – reducing from 1/3 cup to a slightly mounded 1/4 cup.

The result was even better than I imagined, even though I already imagined the combination of a matcha latte and white chocolate to be delicious. And the color is extra fun for the season/holidays! I plan to bring this one along with a few other fun flavors to make a little holiday hot cocoa bar for family when we visit this coming week. Maybe serve them with some festive cookies because ’tis the season!

Other Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Flavors:

• Brownie Batter
• Cake Batter White Chocolate
• Chai
• Cinnamon
• Dark Chocolate
• Malted
• Peanut Butter
• Red Velvet
• Salted Caramel

MATCHA WHITE HOT COCOA MIX

Print

Yield: 2 Dozen Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup matcha powder
• 1-1/2 cups* white chocolate chips

Directions

1. Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Working in two batches, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the white chocolate is finely ground.
3. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
4. To make matcha white hot cocoa, put a slightly mounded 1/4 cup of the mix in a mug and whisk in 1 cup of hot milk**. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows.

Notes

*About one 12 oz. bag. **Not boiling, preferably 140-175F (60-80C).

Source: Adapted from my Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix.

What happens when you blend together homemade chai mix with hot cocoa? You get a deliciously warm homemade chai hot cocoa mix!

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Just like my varieties of buckeye candy, every year I try to come up with a new flavor spin for my homemade hot cocoa mix. This year, I had a serious light bulb go off while in NYC last weekend to combine the forces of chai and hot cocoa into one.

I am not sure how or why it took me this long to come up with this combination. After all, I knew chocolate chai was already a thing, and I make my own homemade chai and hot cocoa mixes, so why not combine them? And that’s precisely what I did.

The result is exactly what you would expect from a chai hot cocoa – creamy chocolate with extra warmth from the combination of spices and a little boost from the black tea. So be aware that there is instant tea powder in there if you or someone you are gifting this to has a sensitivity to caffeine.

Speaking of the added instant tea powder, Normally my hot cocoa recipes use 1/3 cup of mix per cup of hot milk, but with the extra dry ingredient you have to add a little more to get the same proportions. Yes you can use water because there is dry milk powder in the mix, by why make a sub-par version?

HOMEMADE CHAI HOT COCOA MIX

Print

Yield: About 2 dozen servings Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups unsweetened instant tea powder
• 1-1/2 cups cocoa powder
• 1-1/2 cups white chocolate chips
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 3 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1-1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice

Directions

1. Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Working in two batches, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the chocolate is finely ground.
3. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
4. To make chai hot cocoa, put 1/2 cup of the cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup of hot milk

Source: Adapted from my Homemade Vanilla Chai Mix and Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix.

Did you make this recipe? I want to see! Tag @THESPIFFYCOOKIE on Instagram and hashtag it #THESPIFFYCOOKIE

Hot chocolate bombs are the hottest things to hit mugs everywhere. But have you had a buckeye version yet?

This content contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Well, Ohio State is playing in the Big Ten Conference Championship today against Northwestern! And if all goes well, despite only playing half a season’s worth of games we may still somehow make it into the College Football Playoffs. Here’s hoping our talent outweighs our shorter playing time.

Whatever keeps the #PBchocSat coming, amiright?

I know I already shared a buckeye hot chocolate a couple weeks ago, but that one was spiked with peanut butter whiskey. These babies deserve their own spotlight if only because hot chocolate bombs are all over the place this season.

I am not entirely sure who started this trend, but I think they missed out on a marketing opportunity. But businesses everywhere are thankful as people rush in to purchase their own. 

These bombs are hollow chocolate shells filled with hot chocolate powder and marshmallows. Of course all kinds of varieties have popped up across the internet, I’ve even seen snowmen and a Grinch version! For more detailed instructions, check out one of theses tutorials on how to make hot chocolate bombs or other flavor ideas.

I actually was resisting the trend until the idea popped into my head to make one that looks like a buckeye! All bets were off at that point. The only rate limiting step was acquiring the silicone molds. Trust me I would have posted these a lot sooner if I could have.

While silicone semi sphere molds give you that nice round shape and are easy to work with, you could really use any shape. I’ve even seen some make with cupcake pans (although I don’t relish the idea of getting the chocolate out of a solid mold).

To make these a buckeye hot chocolate bomb, I simple had to add a dot of melted peanut butter chips before coating them with chocolate. Then all that’s left is to fill with hot cocoa powder, powdered peanut butter, and marshmallows. Place it in a mug, pour over hot milk, and watch the magic happen.

Two years ago: Chewy Holiday M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies

Four years ago: Eggnog Oreo Ice Cream

Six years ago: Eggnog Hot Chocolate Pound Cake

Seven years ago: Meyer Lemon Chess Pie

Nine years ago: Pecan Fruit Cake

BUCKEYE HOT CHOCOLATE BOMBS

Print

Yield: 9 servings Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• Three Large 6-Cavity Semi Sphere Silicone Molds
• 2 oz. peanut butter chips
• 16 oz. good semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 9 Tbsp dry hot cocoa mix
• 9 tsp powdered peanut butter
• 54 mini marshmallows (about 1/2 cup)
• Hot milk for serving

Directions

1. Melt the peanut butter chips by microwaving at 50% power in a bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until the chips are all melted, about 1-2 minutes.
2. Use a small spoon to dollop the melted peanut butter chips in the center of half the sphere molds, creating the "eye" of the buckeye. Place in fridge for 5 minutes, or until set.
3. Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler over barely simmering water (or microwave as in step 1). Use a spoon to dollop the melted chocolate into every mold, smoothing it around the edges until everything is covered (a pastry brush helps). Place in fridge for 5 minutes, or until set. Repeat 1-2x until all but a couple tablespoons of melted chocolate remains*.
4. Carefully remove chocolate shells from the molds. Fill half of the shells with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon powdered peanut butter, and 6 marshmallows. Brush the open-side edge of an empty chocolate shell with remaining melted chocolate and carefully press to seal over a filled shell. Gently wipe away excess chocolate with a gloved hand or pastry brush. Place in fridge to set and store until ready to serve.
5. To serve, place in a mug and pour 8 ounces of hot milk over the bomb, stirring once it breaks open until completely melted.

Notes

*This is to ensure your bombs are thick enough to hold their shape and not fall apart.

Did you make this recipe? I want to see!
Tag @THESPIFFYCOOKIE on Instagram and hashtag it #THESPIFFYCOOKIE

Social distancing doesn’t have to be a drag. Give the gift of quarantine to your loved ones or buy something for yourself.

The end of quarantine seems to be drawing near (for some states the end has already arrived despite advice from public health or medical officials but I digress). However, things will not be opening in a flash, still requiring the practice of social distancing.

I plan to continue social distancing as much as possible and hope the options for grocery pickup and food delivery continues. And if you are with me in continuing on this trajectory, I have compiled a list of things to keep you and your loved ones sane while staying at home for even longer.

One year ago: Maple Bacon Old FashionedMaple Bacon Old Fashioned

Five years ago: Breakfast Grilled Cheese

Seven years ago: Nutella-Stuffed Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Eight years ago: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Nine years ago: Bacon-Corn Fritters

THE HOMESICK

Events and holidays have come and past which under normal circumstances would have involved visiting family, near and far. Being unable to visit family during a crisis is hard, longing for that comfort of home. To help with this, here’s a gift idea for the homesick: Elements Tea Steeping Mug, to help you calmly sip your tea (may I suggest some homemade vanilla chai tea) in the comfort of your home, which is scented by familiar aromas thanks to a Homesick Candle. Bob and I both grew up in Western NY so I chose the New York candle, but they have scents for all 50 states!

I’m not a coffee drinker so when I am cold or feeling down (or simply sick) tea is my go to. I loved that the handmade and hand-painted nature-themed ceramic mugs had different designs based on the four elements: water, earth, air, and fire. I chose earth because it have a very appropriate message of “be still” on the inside of the lid, which keeps in the heat while your tea seeps and then doubles as a tea bag dish. But if you are looking for a different kind of mug or cup, Uncommon Goods have plenty to chose from.

THE SPORTS FAN

From golf to basketball, many a sports fan is feeling lost without being able to participate in or watch their favorites. No hang outs at sports bars, no bar food, not even any Draft watch parties (aka my husband is losing hims mind). Instead, bring the games inside! Play this Baseball Board Game, while snacking on homemade spicy ranch seasoned hard pretzels  and enjoying a Simple Times Mixers beverage (10% off with code SPIFFY10). Hold the alcohol for kid-friendly!

I’m not normally much of a baseball fan due to the undetermined length of a game but thankfully this game is much quicker paced by moving around the bases, or getting out, by rolling the dice. This well made wooden board game is handcrafted in St. Louis. Looking for other ideas? There are tons of games and puzzles available at Uncommon Goods website. I was eyeing the geode puzzle but it was sold out when I placed by order.

THE TRAVELING FOODIE

The travel industry took a big hit during this crisis. At least three of my own travel plans have been cancelled thus far. Since traveling beyond our homes is not an option, why not bring those world flavors home? With all the bread baking myself and many others have been doing, enjoy a bread and olive oil tasting experience by grating fresh garlic in this Fossil Garlic Grater and Dipping Dish before drizzling with different flavors of Pomora Italian Olive Oil (25% off with code SPIFFY25) to then be soaked up by your homemade rustic sourdough bread. Add a couple wines to sample and your taste buds are ready to go on a journey!

This French-style grater is handmade and finished with an earthy, stippled glaze. The spiral of ridges that resemble a fossilized fern or ancient seashell are used to grate the garlic (or other veggies and cheeses). The best part about this little grater? It’s handmade from my birthplace, Plano, TX! Uncommon Goods has tons of other cool kitchen utensils and gadgets that would be great gifts as well.

Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary product from Uncommon Goods for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Everyone loves shiny new sunglasses, but how about some carved wood sunglasses? JORD not only makes hand crafted wood watches but also sunglasses!

The days may be getting shorter but there’s still plenty of sunlight from which we need to protect our eyes. I actually think we appreciate the sunlight more when there is less. So I was excited to find out that JORD now makes unique wood sunglasses.

I’ve already told your all about JORD watches and oddly enough just like watches I used to not be good about wearing sunglasses. I think growing up wearing glasses didn’t promote me enjoying the idea of having more pairs of them, especially because it meant remembering to carry around a case with them because it was the days before transitioning lenses.

It wasn’t until after I had surgery for my strabismus in high school that I was able to get contacts and then I got into sunglasses. I kind of went off the deep end to be honest with all shapes and colors, but they weren’t very high quality. This pair of JORD louie style sunglasses is my first! It’s my first time having polarized dark gray lenses in addition to spring hinges, ultra-light titanium frame, acetate finish, and JORD’s signature stacked wood.

Just like their watches, they offer a variety of frame styles for both men and women but I think some could be unisex. And if you’re into other accessories they also have apple watch bands and baseball caps.

Of course I’m not going to sit here and rub it your your face so of course I am also doing a giveaway! Think of it as an exclusive accessory sale because anyone who enters will receive 10% off any of JORD’s accessories, and one lucky winner will get 50% off. Click HERE to enter.

Five years ago: Chocolate Peanut Butter Bacon Bark

Six years ago: Winter Wheat Berry Power Salad

Seven years ago: Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes

Eight years ago: Red Beans and Rice

Wooden Wrist Watch

This post and giveaway is sponsored by Jord Watches. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

What is the perfect Father’s Day gift? I’ve compiled a list of gift ideas including a beautiful wood watch from JORD.

Remember when I teased my husband, the wood craft hobbyist, with my beautiful black wood watch by JORD? Well He finally got one of his own! No this is not a pregnancy announcement, I understand how that can is confusing given that this is a post titled “Father’s Day Gift Guide” but we can celebrate the purposeful lack of fatherhood as well, right? It just happens that he is a dude to whom I gifted a wood watch and thought it timely to share that it would also be a great gift, such as for Father’s Day!

Frankie

I actually got the Frankie Purpleheart & Plum for myself too while I was at it because I mean it’s purple! Granted it’s more magenta than purple but I still enjoy it. I actually liked both of our watches, in fact I threatened to steal his right after I gave it to him because it looked good on me too (and adjusting the links is just as easy as with a metal band – just saying). I wish I could have gotten him the new limited edition Black Palm Meridian watch but I already bought him a super fancy watch as a wedding present (but they do offer an interest-free payment plan) and honestly the Hyde Walnut & Black is pretty darn sharp looking as well.

Hyde

Is the man you are looking for a tech junkie or into fitness? He might either want or already have an Apple watch so you might not think a JORD wood watch is a good fit. But guess what, JORD also sells wood (and leather) Apple watch bands that are compatible with any series! So grab him a cool new wood band and if you want to make it a package deal you can throw in a baseball cap as well. Don’t forget the watches and cedar boxes can also be engraved, every watch has a one year warranty, and ships worldwide for free.

Need more ideas? If the dad in your life enjoys cooking, how about a quarterly shipment of Italian olive oil from Pomora? I’ve been getting olive oil shipped directly to me for years and it’s some of the best I’ve ever had. I love that they send both classic and flavored varieties. Get 25% off with code SPIFFY25!

Does dad like to mix up a cocktail at home? How about a cocktail of the month club from Simple Times Mixers! They are located right here in Columbus, OH which might not be a good thing for my wallet because I do both the cocktail of the month club and buy other flavors when I spot them locally. They provide deliciously unique mixers that can be blended with his favorite spirit. Get 10% off with my code SPIFFY10!/span>

So what are you going to get the important men in your life this Father’s Day? If it’s a JORD item, one of you will receive a $100 gift code towards their purchase! Didn’t snag the grand prize? Technically everyone wins because everyone who enters will receive a 10% off gift code upon the conclusion of the giveaway. Enter by clicking HERE!

Wooden Wrist Watch

Two years ago: Grilled Garlic & Peppercorn Pork Tenderloin with Corn Salsa

Six years ago: Twinkie Truffles

Eight years ago: Grilled Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

This post is sponsored by Jord Watches. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

When you think of watches, the image that pops into your mind is likely shiny and metallic. But I am here to pop that little thought bubble with Jord wood watches!

I interrupt your normally scheduled recipe post to talk about time – still a vital part of a recipe but in this case I am talking about the wearable type of time – a watch! But not just any watch, a wood watch! I have coveted these Jord (pronounced Yode, like Yoda without the -a) watches ever since I first spotted one, particularly the frankie series which comes in various colors but I am partial to the ebony & gold, thedark sandalwood & emerald, and obviously the purpleheart & plum – a purple wood watch<3!

I used to wear watches a lot, particularly for style, but the ever-growing attachment to my cell phone had diminished the functionality of watches as I relied on my cell phone to tell me the time. That doesn’t mean I don’t still wear watches from time to time, but let’s just say someone asked me what time it was once while wearing one, to which I responded I don’t know because the battery had been dead for ages. I did tell you I particularly like watches for style and I wasn’t kidding.

Needless to say it has been a hot minute since I last acquired a new (functional) watch. So even though I totally dig the emerald face and the all purple versions of the frankie, it was probably best for me to start with the ebony as it would pair with more things. My husband is @themakeshitcraftsman so needless to say he was quite jealous of my new wood watch. Don’t tell him but if I put the extra links back in he could wear mine because many of their styles are unisex.

But back to my watch. As you can see from the photos ebony is a dark, highly saturated wood with a glossy sheen. What you might not know is that is is found in East Africa.  It is also a very hard wood, making it challenging to work with – but that just means the watch is more durable! If you are looing for a different watch then the Rolex, Luxe watches will help you sell your rolex so you can get money to by a Jord watch. As for Jord, they are a St. Louis based company who likes to develop new designs that are natural yet sophisticated, while combining reclaimed materials with quality components. And yes they truly are made from wood! I’ve only seen one other wood watch brand before but Jord watches are the prettiest. They are light without feeling cheap, are beautifully made, and I loved how I could add some bracelets to change it up and go with my style for the day. Or I can wear it by itself for a more sophisticated minimalism.

If I do decide to be nice and buy Bob his own, I might just have to get his engraved – I could make him wait until our 5 years anniversary since the gift is wood haha. You can also get a cedar humidor box engraved as well. The sneaky part will be measuring their wrist without them knowing because you can have them sized to fit for the lucky recipient. Pro tip: I actually did buy him a watch for our wedding and I measured some of his other watches when he wasn’t home. There are also options for customization such as mixing and matching faces and woods! I would love to see that green or purple face on the ebony wood band. Other useful info is that every watch has a one year warranty and ships worldwide for free – FREE!

The best part about me bragging about my new watch? One of you will receive a $100 gift code towards the purchase of any watch from their collection! Don’t like the odds of being the one of many? Technically everyone wins because if you are not the grand prize winner, you will still receive a 10% off gift code upon the conclusion of the giveaway. Enter by clicking HERE! ***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***

Wooden Wrist Watch

Create a marble effect using oven-bake clay to make your own ring dishes. Every one will be unique.

This content contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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I almost forgot all about this little DIY project until I dug through the files on my old camera’s (RIP) SD card. Since I am on vacation in the Finger Lakes this week I figured it was a good time to finally share it.

These metallic marbled ring dishes came into being as I was preparing to propose to my bridesmaids (and also made a few extra for the females in our immediate families) which would hold one of my favorite candies – ring pops!

I know lots of people propose to their bridesmaids with ring pops but I am known to have a constant stash of ring pops since probably middle school, back when they were only a seasonal summer item and I had to hoard a bunch to last me through the seasons. Lucky for us they are now available year round! But I digress.

While you can make these any color you would like, a good place to start is to use 2 large rods of white, 1 small rod of black, and 2 medium rods of whatever other colors you would like to incorporate. In my case I used gold and silver clay in varying proportions to create some a little more gold or silver.

Once you have your proportions, you twist the rods together several times before flattening and forming into a bowl to be baked. That’s really all it takes! I’ve included some photos of the steps with numbers that correlate to the steps in the directions to help.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 7

I baked mine in one of those tortilla bowl makers to give them those ruffles edges, added a little gold or silver rim, and coated with a glossy spray paint but that’s all optional. The fun part is that they will all turn out different based on how they are twisted and the proportions of the colors that your use.

Just a heads up, these will feel more like slightly flexible hard rubber than anything else because you are making them out of clay and not ceramic. But have no fear, they will still hold their shape! If anything it’s an added bonus that they will be more difficult to break than if they were ceramic.

P.S. Yes those are the 2 wooden rings Bob made to propose to me. The first one that he actually proposed with was a little too bit so he then made a smaller one. While I now have a “real” engagement ring I will always keep those originals.

P.P.S. All the bridesmaids said yes ;-).

P.P.P.S. Just a little under 2 months!!

Two years ago: Raspberry Cheesecake Stuffed Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes

Four years ago: Eggplant Parmesan with Parsley Orzo

Five years ago: Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Granola Bars

DIY MARBLED CLAY RING DISH

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Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• Sculpey oven-bake clay (I used white, black, gold, and silver)
• Clay knife
• Rolling pin
• 4 to 5-inch round cutter or can
• Oven safe bowl or ramekin (I used a tortilla bowl maker)
• Gold and silver Sharpie paint markers or craft paint and a small brush
• Clear glossy spray paint (optional)

Directions

1. Cut clay colors White:Gold:Silver:Black in ratios of 8:2:2:1. Roll the white clay into two 5-inch long rods and the other colors into single 5-inch rods.
2. Twist rods together, then roll into a 10-inch rod. Fold in half and then twist together again. Repeat rolling, folding, and twisting 2-3 more times.
3. Smoosh the clay into a ball. What you see on the surface of the ball will be your pattern so smoosh wisely.
4. Using a rolling pin, roll out to 1/8-inch thick and a little wider than 4-inches. Cut out circles using a round cookie cutter or cut out around a can or other template.
5. Place circle evenly into a bowl or ramekin that is a little smaller than the circle so it will sag a little in the center and result in a dish shape.
6. Bake for at 275 degrees for 15 minutes or until firm (or whatever temperature your clay brand specifies). Remove the bowl from the oven and allow to cool. To remove, turn bowl upside down and tap lightly until the clay dish falls out.
7. Once completely cool*, use a paint marker or small paint brush to color the rim of the dish, then set aside to dry.
8. If you desire a glossy finish, seal the dish with clear glossy spray paint following the instructions on the can.

Notes

*The dish will be a little flexible even once cooled, but it will keep it's shape.

I’m in my kitchen a lot. Shocking I know, it’s as if I have a food blog or something. As such I am constantly cleaning my kitchen but I guarantee it’s not getting the proper scrub down it deserves on a frequent enough basis. And then there’s my pantry situation. I have food stored EVERYWHERE. In the cabinets, on an open shelf, more stock piles on shelves in the basement (mostly baking supplies – this is what happens when a company sends you 50lbs of sugar), and a chest freezer too.

Anywho, where I’m going with this is that it’s time for that thing people like to call “spring cleaning”. I guess after months of hibernation, hiding inside our houses waiting for winter to cease, it could use a good once over. Normally this event is not that much of a thing in our house but with the appearance of the new OXO Kitchen Appliance Cleaning Set, Microfiber Under Appliance Duster and 10-Piece POP Container Set I really didn’t have much of an excuse.

To avoid single-function tool clutter (which I hate as much as Alton Brown does),the Kitchen Appliance Cleaning Set has lots of uses and is very compact, snapping together into a clip for storage. The set has durable nylon brushes and scrapers that can get into your kitchen fixtures and appliances’ tight spaces and get unsightly buildup out of them. Things that come to mind: edges around the sink, bullet blender blades, immersion blender blades, any knobs and grooves on appliances that have collected grease, etc.

Have I ever told you how much of a klutz I am? I probably break something glass or porcelain in the kitchen bimonthly. While I do my best to use a broom and vacuum to collect all the pieces that somehow mange to go clear across the entire kitchen, I don’t exactly take the extra effort to get under the appliances. Sure I stuck the vacuum hose under there but I bet it’s not getting it all. Sure enough when I put the Microfiber Under Appliance Duster to work it came up with more than dust and food particles. Oh yea some glass shards! The duster’s long, flat profile allows it to go where no dusters has gone before! It adventured around and underneath my appliances and cabinets. Exciting I know. It also has long, fluffy fibers that conform to uneven surfaces to capture dust bunnies, which are unfortunately not as cute as the name would imply. To clean the head, it easily unsnaps to then be washed in cold water and dried without heat.

Once everything was clean (and broken glass-free), I went to work on organizing my open shelf. It used to be organized and neat but over time it has lost it’s original order. I actually already owned a set of the POP containers but clearly one set was not enough. Heck I could probably do with one or two more if I really went to town but I stuck to the items that were most at risk of causing spills or had irregular shapes. Which means all of the various kinds of baking chips went into them, along with all types of flour, starches, grains, and miscellaneous baking supplies. These containers are seriously the best. They are stackable, space efficient, and designed for modular use allowing you to organize in an array of height combinations to fit your countertop and pantry. And they have an air-tight seal provided by the push-button mechanism which means no spills!

Just look at it all orderly and stuff! I also included a full before and after below for your viewing pleasure. But before I release you I wanted to pick your brain. What are your least favorite things to clean in the kitchen? Does your pantry desperately need a makeover? Or better yet, tell me your secrets to keeping your kitchen clean and organized year round so I don’t have to do a huge haul every year. Thanks in advance!

Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary products from OXO. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

I already done a review on RawSpiceBar before so I won’t go into the specific details again but I wanted to give you another chance to win a free month! The last time I posted it was after Thanksgiving and I pitched it as a great gift idea for the foodie in your life (or even for yourself). That still definitely holds true but I’m not about to start talking to you about Christmas present ideas in the beginning of October when I can barely grasp the idea of Trick or Treaters coming to my door at the end of the month. So I digress.

As I mentioned previously, RawSpiceBar, is a monthly subscription box delivering small batch, freshly ground, high quality spice blends. For $8/month you get 3 spice blends from a different region to be used in the recipes included. Las time I did this, I cooked with spices and recipes from Instanbul. This time I got the Arguillian spice box featuring recipes for jerk chicken wings, Bloody Mary mango salad, and black pepper ice cream (with Scotch Bonnet jerk seasoning, Pimenton Bloody Mary seasoning, and Poivre Melange seasoning.

These wings were stinking amazing! I think they are the best homemade wings I’ve veer had. And they paired perfectly with the mango salad served on the side. To finish the meal, I put on my brave pants and tried the black pepper ice cream and you know what? While it was definitely black pepper flavored there was something about it that kept me going back for more. I will admit that after 1 scoop I ended up serving the rest of it with a drizzle of homemade strawberry topping. Dude, strawberries and black pepper go so well together! Shouldn’t really come as a surprise after the success of my strawberry black peppercorn pistachio cookie bars.

After making these recipes I was perusing their website and noticed a couple new features (or maybe I didn’t notice it last time). You can now take a “flavor quiz” to get personalized recipes and spices based on your and your family’s preferred tastes/diet. You can also browse recipes on their site utilizing their spices if for some reason you don’t use it all on the recipes already sent to you, or you happen to not like one of them. And the big winner for me is that you can now buy more of the spices you loved most! With all the fun, delicious recipes I have tried I have been dying to get my hands on more of the in order to recreate them and now I can, muahahaha!

Now enter to win using the widget below!

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