Indulge In Dr Pepper Cotton Candy

 Imagine combining your two favorite things. That's what it is with Dr.Pepper Cotton Candy. Cotton candy is special but adding this soda flavor elevates it to an epic level.

This is what I discovered today on a a fun trip to my local Five Below.

It was my two favorite things - the marriage of Dr. Pepper with cotton candy. They also had a Mike and Ike flavor which looked kind of interesting although it's not my favorite candy. Five Below is a store that has tons of cute stuff ,from tee shirts to toys to make up and bath gear to books and home furnishings to candy - lots and lots of candy.Imagine a funky sweet shop where you ca get everything from giant candy dots to all sorts of bubble gum. There are also savory snacks like flaming hot Taki sticks and Funyuns too.Yet it's. the candy that shines though.

Of course I could not resist this.It ;s that deep cherry red that  Dr Pepper is. Did it taste extra sweet with the soda flavor added?

It was super sweet as any cotton candy would be. Yet the soda's flavor came through perfectly. it was a fun once in a great while treat. I'm a big fan of freshly spun cotton candy, especially if it's down the shore yet this is a nice alternative. I do wonder if there will be a Coke,Pepsi  or Fanta flavored cotton candy next.Would I buy any of those? Maybe.

If you want a different treat then try Dr. Pepper flavored cotton candy.It's just a fun summery treat. Enjoy it like you would a icy glass of the soda.!

Frosty Drinks

 This is definitely the time for a nice cold drink. It doesn;'t matter if it's store bought or home made. As long as it's filled with ice and wintry cold. 

One of th emost fun frozen drinks is A slurpee ro Icee. Mc.Donamds; is offering their version  in both the Fanta Blue raspberry and Coca Cola Classic/ The lastt is really a gift. It is cold sweet and numbingly icy. I've been choosing it over regular soda when I grab a burger there. Another must sip (or slurp) is QuikChek Quick Freeze Try their Coke and Jarrito's manadarin orange flavors. Jarrito's is really refreshing and has a tang to it. You can easily make something similar at home by using a Zoku Slush cup. This is two cups with the inner cup being put into  freezer.  Keep in mind to use only regular soda and not diet. The best slush comes from a good fizzy sugary soda like Coke or Pepsi.

Iced coffee is a must too these days. Starbucks has a rich almost liquid-y dessert brew Chocolate Java Mint. This is more of a coffee slushie that should be sipped slowly through a straw. Get a vente  of that or their Mocha Cookie crumble for a tasty cool drink. Another must drink is their refreshers which have all sorts of fruits in it. A good place to hang out is Dunkin Donuts. Nothing beats a huge cup of their iced cappucino which is more like coffee ice cream. It's so thick that it can be eaten with a spoon.A nother is their refreshers. These come in such tasty flavor combos as raspberry watermelon which I could drink down in seconds. Try their peach mango or their dragonfruit strawberry combos.

The weather is hellish. Coool or ice down with a big sip of something chilling. It's a tasty way of beating the heat.

Wading Through The Soda Stream

 One of the best kitchen gadgets to have right now is the Soda Stream. This takes ordinary water and turns it into healthy plain or flavored seltzer as well as the base for homemade sodas. To be honest it took me a few years to actually get into mine. I'm sorry I came to the party late , wasting money on commercial sodas and seltzers.

This is the Soda Stream machine.

It's a long hollowed out canister with the charger being hooked up in the back. The machine itself ranges from $80.00 to an electric version costing $117. on sale. There's also the more deluxe version at $144.00 again on sale.  I bought mine at Target.All models come with a carbonating cylinder which lasts about three to four months, depending on how much you use it.  Bring back the empty to any store and you 'll receive a free replacement.  All come with a bottle or a carafe for the fizzy water.

You fill it with tap water and then set it into the canister.

My model has a large button on top and then it's just pressing so carbonation shoots (and I mean shoot - water does splash out of it) into it.  You can see the bubbles there. 

Afterwards it's then adding (and only adding afterwards) the flavors. 

I bought Soda Stream's cola flavor at my local Acme. I use only half a cap which give it a nice , light cola taste (and much better tasting than Coke or Pepsi.). I shake it up to mix and then pop into the fridge to chill. There are other flavors, like Dr Pete's which is a riff on Dr. Pepper along with their ginger ale. The company recently added Buble seltzer flavors - a definite must buy on my next Target trip. They also have fruit essences too - another must buy. Another plus  - I'm helping the environment by not buying all those cans and bottles. It's just one metal canister every few months.

Homemade soda is really the best. Get Soda Stream for a more refreshing take on soda and seltzer. Buy one today as an early Valentines' day gift for yourself. Then enjoy the fizz and bubbles.

A Taste Of To Go

Most of us are fed up with home cooking. Let's face it two months of isolation , forage food shopping and cooking non stop is wearing. There's something about eating out - well the new eating out.

I know the lure of take out is strong. There's something about someone else cooking burgers and fries that's tempting. Yes, the restaurants are closed , at least in my state, New Jersey until June 1st. However take out and drive through are going strong. Even getting a soup at Panera, which I did yesterday for lunch was great. I'd forgotten about how good their tomato soup was, even a small cup of it. The accompanying mini loaf of French bread was much appreciated too.Of course the day was too nice and I was itching to go out in the late afternoon. That's when Popeyes called. Luckily one of the ones by me has opened their lobby which means that there's no waiting on the long line for take out. The food, especially their chicken sandwich is still super popular. People want it, quarantine or not. However there is a long wait once you're indoors. There was no choice of soda - only Coke - fine - and no extras like barbecue sauce or honey mustard for the chicken tenders. Still, it was one of the best tasting chicken dinners ever.

If you really have that itch for take out - then take out. There's something great about a freshly made pizza with homemade tomato sauce and tons of gooey cheese. Creating homemade sauce and pasta was probably fulfilling a month ago. Now it's a chore. Treat yourself and your family to your local pastaria's scratch made angel hair or ravioli. They usually include salad, bread  and sometimes soup and even dessert. It's still a filling  and delicious meal but without all the forage shopping and headache of making everything. As the weather gets warmer, there's a need for the beach. Take advantage of the seafood restaurants there. There's something about a fresh lobster or crab dinner with all the trimmings, like melted butter and a side of cole slaw. Take advantage of the freshly made clam chowder too which tastes soooo much better than the canned stuff. Also take advantage of the fish and chips. Again , the fresh made is so much better than the frozen stuff. Restaurant's like Bahr's in the New Jersey town of Atlantic Highlands can bring your dinner and a cocktail out to your car. What more can you ask for?

This quarantine is getting to all of us. If you're tired of cooking. go out. Eat in the parking lot, far from the other cars. You'll feel better and happier.

Don't Cater To Your Caterers

A catered affair should be classy and elegant, with amazing arrays of food and drink. Yet, surprisingly this isn't the case in many situations. A lot of banquet halls seem to have the upper hand when it comes to planning their clients fetes. Is this right? No. Don't cater to the people planning your big day.

This was brought home when I attended a friend's do for his daughter. At first it looked like a lush  luncheon , almost too much for a baptism. There were all kinds of foods , from the brunch classic , the omelet bar to the carving board, full of ham, turkey and pork roll. One side of the room has about fifty or sixty different kinds of dessert , Creme brule shared the spotlight with both white and milk chocolate fountains along with every kind of cake from strawberry to carrot. There was only one small problem. We had to share all this grub with the Sweet Sixteen party occurring in the next room. A fight broke out between the two groups a sort of Darwinian survival of the fittest and hungriest party guests. It  not something my friend or his family needed on this blessed day. Let this be a lesson. Make sure the food you want is yours exclusively.I'm sure both parties were surprised  - to say the least - at having communal food tables.Ask about exclusivity when scoping out the place. Will the food served be just for your party? Why is our buffet also someone else's?Of course read reviews too and if this is mentioned, then look for another place.

Another problem was the lack of soft drinks and juices. There were only two drinks offered - water and mimosas/ Kids could only have orange juice or water. I understand the fact that my friend wanted the invited little ones to have something healthy to drink but he could have also sprung for a pitchers of apple juice on the table. As for us adults, it was impossible to even get a much needed glass of soda. He had opted for everything else, including entertainment but not for six dollar pitchers of soda on each  table. The guests had to pay two dollars plus tip for a glass of Coke. Another important factor when you're planning a luncheon or dinner  is asking  what kind of hard and soft drinks will be provided. Don't opt for limits or "You can have either this or that but not both." The banquet hall should have given more options.They should have served a sparkling white wine instead of mimosas and also offer pitchers of soft drinks or iced teas.Don;t settle or get talked into having  just one expensive drink. I found  the idea too limiting and annoying , especially when I was looking for a non-alcoholic choice of beverage.

Caterers should cater to you. Don't agree to what they want if it's not what you want. It's your affair. Have it the way you want .

Medicinal Foods

Remember the old saying : feed  cold and starve a fever.It's true. What you eat can help or hinder your illness,whether it's a full-blown stomach virus or a slight sniffle.You need to be prepared since it's cold and flu season already.

One of the best elixirs I can recommend is that Jamaican classic ginger beer. It's great for taming a stomach virus along with helping to relieve gas and bloating.Many confuse it with its' milder cousin ginger ale. The beer is actually brewed and  another tummy settler - lemon juice - is added in.It's much stronger than ginger ale which is nothing more than fizzy water with ginger flavor added.The first was created surprisingly not in Jamaica but  in Ireland in 1851 while the other was created in 1907 by Canadian John McLaughlin. The company evolved into Canada Dry and they still make the mellow drink. Try to have one or the other (not many stores sell ginger beer,Stop &Shop has its;' own brand and Stewart's also makes it).Another must for virus season is any cola drink, whether it be Coke, Pepsi or a generic in house brand.Cola poured over crushed ice also helps soothe a troubled stomach, .All kitchen should have herbal teas, especially peppermint or chamomile.These not only help a stomach that's been ravaged by a nasty bug but great in calming a sore throat.Colds benefit from fresh pressed juices This is the time to get oranges along with apples and pears ad start juicing..

Boullion cubes should be in every kitchen. Individual cubes ca be turned into broths for one,They are a great bridge from not eating to be able to get down some food. It seems vegetable bouillon is the mildest. There's none of that slightly fatty aftertaste that you get with the chicken and beef kinds. They also make excellent bases for simple soups such as pastina, orzo and my all time favorite pompeist, the Piedmontese mix of broth, beaten egg and bread crumbs.Stay away from canned soup. They're not hat your stomach needs. Homemade is better. Have these with crackers and oysterettes.in fact these will probably be the only kinds of foods that you'll eat after a stomach virus. What about transitioning into regular food again.  Think dry as in sliced chicken or turkey.If you don;t feel like cooking a whole bird, remember that diners always have these two meats . Order a plain  no mayo sandwich from yours on toast.from your local one. The BRAT diet-bananas, rice, applesauce, toast  is a tried and true one for diarrhea. Bananas are chock full of potassium which will be depleted thanks to  it being forced out fo you. Rice with butter is another good transitional food. For more flavor cook the rice in broth as opposed to plain water. Use the applesauce if you're craving something sweet.


Be prepared this cold,  flu, and virus season with the right foods. These will help you get over those nasty bugs, sniffly noses and scratchy throats.Having them is your best for a speedy recovery.

Hot Weather Temptations

The hot weather brings a lot of joys, more time at the beach, nights just hanging with friends. and al fresco meals .Unfortunately with the balmy temps comes temptations, in fact  now more than during the winter holidays. As always eat and especially snack judiciously. Take advantage of  farmer's markets and produce stands cropping up right now.

Hot weather brings about thirst. We reach for bottles of anything and everything. The best choice is an icy bottle of spring water.It;s refreshing and doesn't cause any extra thirstiness. However it does have competition. Many would rather enjoy a cold soda, brimming with ice. This  is refreshing but loaded full of calories One cup of Coke is 100 . The better bet is Diet Coke if you have to have a soda. Those creamy iced coffees are downright delicious too , especially if they're loaded with ice cubes but they're also loaded with fat. Some of the Dunkin Donuts iced drinks can have as much as 600(!) calories.If you want an iced coffee, think of just get a plain iced black. This is just as refreshing than those  loaded with chocolate and caramel and topped with a pillow of whipped cream. You'll also enjoy the rich nutty flavor of the coffee too. For lower calorie drinks, definitely try Bai5 and Bai Bubbles. Both are low on calories- five each - but big on flavor.Try their blueberry  or lemon ade chilled for a respite from the heat. The BAI Bubbles has the same fizz as soda but with tropical flavors like coconut and pineapple.

Hot days bring about hot dogs - and hamburgers. Who doesn';t like hanging out at the local stand and get a dog loaded with chili and cheese.? A plain one from Stewart's is around 450 calories. Corn dogs,  always a festival fave are also high in everything from fat  to sodium. One gobble can cot you 450 calories.Burgers too  can be fat bombs. Many are between 400 and 600 calories, If you want a low calorie sandwich to bring to the beach or park then go for Subway. You can pick and choose all good low cal choices from the whole wheat bread to the meat and veggies involved. Luckily chopped salads are big right now and they 'll be a warm weather must have. Again these can be made super healthy by adding the right mix of veggies and extras.Chips are always a hot weather bring along. They're great for satisfying both hunger pangs and salt cravings however they are soaked in sodium. Instead nibble on almonds or grape tomatoes.For crunch  try low sodium pretzels.

The hot weather is here and with it comes temptations. Be prudent  with picking out drinks and snacks. Keep in mind these treats have calories - not good for the start of bathing suit and shorts season.

Super Bowl Super Foods

This Sunday will be a paean to football and all kinds of snack foods.Unfortunately Americans turn to outside sources as opposed to making their own quick bites.That shouldn't be.You can create a tasty snack filled homemade platter for SuperBowl Sunday. Sam Sifton, one of the New York Times' great food writers , asked this question in yesterday's New York Times Dining section.He came up with a tasty and much better solution than a list of take out phone numbers.He has updated three classic Sunday football dishes, fried chicken ,nachos and clam dip.These are the perfect dishes to serve not just for a football themed day but for parties as well.His fried chicken is heavenly.This is a Coke brined chicken where it's marinated in a mix of The soda ,thyme and hot sauce infuse the meat with a sweet and fiery flavor.The crust is a mix of flour ,cayenne pepper along with onion and garlic powder.It's fried quickly in a mix of peanut oil and lard. If that's not enough Mr Sifton gives us an old classic clam dip and a new one ,nachos.Clam dip was almost a requirement for every party thrown during the 1950's.Thanks to the season being one for fresh clams ,you can make a very fresh dip using the freshly caught seafood along with sour cream.Again cayenne pepper and Worcester sauce give the dip zing.Serve with potato chips for a classic treat or fresh veggies for a healthier twist.Nachos ,another game day must, are made with a shredded pork shoulder moistened with lime juice instead of the usua Ground beef.This is layered over tortilla chips along with more lime infused sour cream.Crunchy radishes not only decorate it but give it a nice pop of sharpness. Cilantro is then sprinkled on for more flavor as is another layer of meat ,sour cream and cheese. Game day dishes don't have to be take out fumbles.They can be hot, fresh and inspired.It's a great way to celebrate a modern American tradition.

Summer Temptations

Summer is the time of many temptations from sweet fizzy drinks to backyard barbecues .It's a tough time to be on a diet . Yet there are ways to avoid piling on the pounds and sticking to a healthy diet.

Hot weather always brings on thirst. The proper drink is water which keeps one's body properly hydrated. Yet many people love a big ice filled glass of Coke or Pepsi (or any other soda for that matter) While that may be refreshing it is also lethal . Soda carries so many calories and sugar  which is detrimental to any diet and waistline. If you have to have something flavored, think about zero calorie flavored waters or teas like Fuze. Another big problem is trying to find something cool. Most reach for a yummy bowl of ice cream or even frozen yogurt. While these do the trick they pack on the unnecessary pounds.. Again sub in Popsicles or frozen fruit juice. .These are just as refreshing but without all that dreadful fat and dairy.

Summer is also the time for easy eating and snacking. Most people usually go the fast food route whether they ;re on the road or at the beach. This means burgers or dogs along with fries and onion rings. Although delicious, especially with all that grease and salt ,they are pure fat bombs. Try to go for either a grilled chicken sandwich or even tenders. Another option is salad  which every fast food joint has on their menu. This is just as filling and some salad combos can be just as fun as a hamburger. Barbecues are also guilty of high calorie but tasty foods. Try to steer clear of sauce laden wings and ribs. Stick with making plain grilled chicken or salmon. Flavor with  a twist of lemon or lime.

Don't give in to summer's temptation.Try to eat and drink healthy , keeping your body swimsuit ready.Stick to the stuff that's good for you - not that tastes good.

Sick Day Food

Every year around this time I write about food s for a sick day. I know it becomes tedious but ther'es a reason I write an entry like this. I'm a magnet for all sorts of germs and right now I'm fighting off the double whammy of a cold and a virus. The problem for me is what to eat without upsetting the apple cart (pardon the bad analogy). The thing is I'm probably not the only one with the question of what to eat when you' re sick.

Soup is always good. It calms a restless stomach and it;s easy to make. , especially the homemade kind. I always have to boxes of bouillon on hand for my family's recipe of pompeist. it;s Piedmonte version of chicken soup - a cure all for anything. That's made for any illness .it has gotten me through a lot of colds and viruses over the years. It'sa simple recipe of making chicken or vegetable broth. adding beaten eggs and then bread crumbs. Another good soup is pastina. You can make pastina soup thick or thin . It's better when there it's thick though, it's hardier and more nutritious.

Another problem is snacking. Of course no one wants to have guacamole dip after a bout of a nasty stomach flu (ewww, looks like soemthing you just got rid of anyway) however if you're hungry nibble. Thin pretzels or dry Saltines are fine. They're not greasy and satisfy your need for crunch. Have these with Coke or ginger ale . These last are perfect for helping sooth a stomach irritated by the ravages of a virus. A sweet snack is any Social tea or Lorna Doone cookie. Stick with plain bland, short breads and some hot lightly sweetened tea.Don't munch or fruit or ice cream until you feel your stomach is up to it. Wait a few days before heading back to old favorites.

The best bet for any cold, flu or virus is eat light but nutritiously . You'll still receive your daily dose of vitamins and minerals but in a lighter form.these will help you fight whatever nasty bug you;re battling and also keep you satisfied.

Food Icons

Food icons never really go away. Unlike celebrities, they are eternal, lasting from year to year and from decade to decade. We have them in our daily lives. We make them an important part of our holiday and daily traditions.


My food icons are of course what I grew up on. I was lucky to to have Piedmontese and Swabian food all the time as well as American classics.There is and will be nothing like polenta , especially when it's fried and topped with two sunnyside up eggs. There there is spaetzle with string beans. For any kid here in the States spaghetti is always the dish of choice. This icon follows us through adulthood, winding up one of our valued and cherished food icons, Another is Coke. It's not just an icon for us Yankees but also for anyone in the workd. Who hasn't popped open a can after a game or hard work? We even put another food icon in it, vanilla ice cream to make it more of a treat.


Of course fast food restuarants. are the epitome of any kind of icon. Take McDonald's with its' classic hamburgers shakes and fries. It symbolizes American eating at it's best(or worst depneding on how you look at it. Another is Taco Bell with it's south of the border menu, symbolizing Mexican food.Diners, especially here in the Garden State, are iconic of New Jersey. Who hasn't driven through this area without stopping for a three egg omlet or a stack of pancakes, complete with a host of sides at any time of the day?.



Food icons are eternal. They never really die. They're there for us when we need them to get through tough times and to celebrate the good ones.

Things Go Better With Coke

Cocoa Cola has been a summer standard for more than one hundred years. Who hasn't enjoyed a summer sitting by the beach or the pool with a can of it? Or made Coke ice pops or a Coke float?

This iconic drink started in 1885 , possibly as a competitor to an Italian coca wine, Vin Mariani. It was first made in Columbus, prohibition was launched through some of Georgia's counties and that's when Coke became carbonated. Its' early use was more for medicinal , claiming to cure everything from headaches impotence to addiction. It was also sold as a syrup to squelch nausea and calm upset stomachs. (in fact Coke is still used for that purpose today. I you feel a little queasy, COLA Coke over crushed ice really helps). It's iconic lettering was there from the very beginning thanks to Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Mason Robinson who designed it. it was a copy of the flowery cursive handwriting known as Spencerian script , popular of the times. The bottle as we know it was designed by Earl R. Dean in 1915.

Throughout the decades there have been many recipes involving Coke. There's the famous Coca Cola cake frosted with Coca Cola icing. This is a devil's food with the drink's added sweetness. Some barbecuers like to make a Coke marinade because they say it tenderizes the meat and leaves that sugary taste. You can also use it to make a teriyaki chicken or even throw a cup into a meat loaf mix to flavor it. Coke can even be used in a dressing for a sweet slaw or a different tasting salad dressing. Mostly it's use d in desserts, whether in ice creams or in pies. cakes and breads. I wonder if there's a Coca Cola cookie out there. Now that would be neat.

Coke has gone with our troops in war and celebrated our most glorious events as a country. It's our first party drink and the drink that gets us through a rough day. It really is a part of the American way of living.