The Resurgence of the Ice Cream Sandwich

Stack of ice cream sandwiches on a plate.

The ice cream sandwich never totally disappeared from the dessert scene. Vanilla ice cream between a chocolate cakey wafer is a classic American childhood summer treat.

It was good, but not that exciting. We grew up and the novelty wore off. But things have changed.  There’s been a lot of innovation since we were kids.

A few months ago, I tried Stop & Shop’s Limoncello flavor and became rather obsessed with them. They are so good! But they are around for a limited time only. Sadly, I couldn’t find them the last time that I looked.

Ciao Bella makes Gelato Squares in flavors like Key Lime Graham and Sea Salt Caramel. A cold, creamy treat for those of us who have not seen our teen years in a while. Actually, some teens and younger might like these too.

Now for those of us in Massachusetts especially, Hood ice cream takes us back to our childhoods. Hood has stepped up their game with some new limited time only flavors as well.

Pictured above is S’mores. Which I ate right after photographing. Because it was melting. I couldn’t be wasteful could I?! 😋

I also bought the Cookies ‘n Cream, but haven’t tried them yet. Looking forward to it! July is National Ice Cream Month and we are now in the heart of summer. I’m looking forward to trying out more variations. Especially since it’s in the food blogger job description — that I just made up!

Today is also National Ice Cream Day, so you can get going on your summer consumption too!

Summer Bliss: Maxwell in Concert

Maxwell_Concert_Foxwoods
Friday night, I had the best time seeing Maxwell perform live at Foxwoods in Connecticut. Maxwell has been a favorite artist of mine for decades and I had never seen him before.

It had been a while since I had been to a concert at all. After Prince died, I resolved to attend more live shows. I will never regret seeing Prince in concert on the spur of the moment. There is nothing like a live performance.

I had to save and budget for this little trip. This week money will be very tight, because of course unexpected things always come up at the worst time. But I am so glad that I went.

A friend invited me to attend with a couple of her friends and I did not hesitate agreeing to go. We decided to stay overnight at a nearby hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Preston Casino Area, so we wouldn’t have to worry about driving back to Massachusetts the same night and just enjoy ourselves.

The Hilton Garden Inn is a nice hotel and in great location. On my drive down, I passed Mystic Pizza 2. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to go in and try their famous pizza. Ever since I saw the movie, one of my all-time favorites, I’ve always wanted to try it and visit the Mystic area.

Also, since I wrote my Craving Boston article about modern Native American food, I wanted to try the food at the Pequot Museum in Mashantucket, which is just minutes away from the hotel. So I already have a return trip in mind.

Back to Maxwell. Before the show, we had a quick dinner at Fuddruckers, because we were running late. The show was a real treat for all of us. I forgot just how much I love Maxwell’s music. He and his band were incredible. And Maxwell is sexy as hell! Go and see him if you can.

You can tell that Maxwell was truly grateful when he thanked us for supporting him for 20 years. He kept mentioning how old he is at 43 and how much he has learned along the way. He knows and respects his audience and we all felt it.

He spoke about the racial tension in this country after the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and the police officers in Dallas. The show was a momentary escape, but all that is going on right now was still not far from our minds. Before he sang Lifetime, Maxwell let us know that all our lives matter and yes, Black Lives Matter too.

By the way, I’m listening to his music as I write. If you have Amazon Prime, it appears that all his albums are available in the music library for free.

After the show, we stayed nearby in the casino area, had drinks, listened to music and danced. None of us are gamblers, but we still had a blast.

The next morning we had brunch at the hotel. It was good, reasonably priced and I’d recommend staying there and eating there too. Then we left.

bike_basket_fence

It was a quick trip and I combined some additional freelance writing work with it as well. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I stopped in Tiverton, Rhode Island on the way back home. Tiverton is quintessential quaint New England. Such a beautiful area!  Milk_&_Honey_Tiverton_Rhode_Island

Milk & Honey is the cutest little store that I found. It has all sorts of local food products. I enjoyed the lemon Yacht Club soda. Delicious! Did you know that their brand is Rhode Island’s Official Soda? It is! I’m also looking forward to trying the Summertime Garden Honey that I bought. It’s from Sakonnet Seaside Bees at Hollygate Farm also in Tiverton. I could not find a website to link to for them unfortunately.Yacht_Club_Soda_Hollygate_Farm_Honey_Tiverton_Rhode_Island

Anyway, while I was there I took many more pictures and did an interview for my next Craving Boston article. Stay tuned!

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Breaking Dessert News: Donut Ice Cream Cones Coming to Massachusetts!

*Updated 4/4/2016*
If you missed getting your donut ice cream cone, don’t despair! Scroll down for details.

donut ice cream cone in front of flavor sign

When I first learned about donut ice cream cones, all I could think was, “When are they coming to Massachusetts?

This amazing dessert appears to have started at Good Food Coffee and Bakery in Prague. The original name for the pastry is “trdelník” and is of Czech or Slovak origin, according to Wikipedia.

A traditional cake and sweet pastry, trdelníks are “made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, then grilled and topped with sugar and walnut mix.”

The dessert is also called a “chimney” when filled with ice cream. Since the pastry is similar to a donut according to some people, it was dubbed a donut ice cream cone. Confectionary chaos ensued.

Like a bird at a Bernie Sanders rally, people are standing up and applauding this latest dessert trend! Including me. Although sadly, I have yet to try one.

I’m all about a good dessert mystery, so I was interested in finding out when donut ice cream cones would hit Massachusetts.

donut_ ice_ cream_cones_Pizzi_Farm

Well, breaking dessert news! Pizzi Farm in Waltham may be the first to sell them in the Bay State. Rick Pizzi graciously provided me with pictures of the donut ice cream cones that he will be selling for one day only — on Pizzi Farm’s Opening Day, this Friday, April 1st.

No joke! The supply is limited, so get there early!

donut_ice_cream_panini_sandwiches_Pizzi_Farm

But don’t worry if you miss out. There will be more donut ice cream treats throughout this season at Pizzi Farm. Donut Ice Cream Panini Sandwiches are coming and will be available as a weekday special. The day is not decided yet, so be sure to check their Facebook page for details!

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Photos: Courtesy of Rick Pizzi.

* * *

*Updated 3/29/2016* The local and national news media grabbed hold of this story and gave it a lot of coverage. Exciting!! Here are links to some of the stories below.

Universal Hub

Boston Restaurant Talk

MassLive

Boston.com

CBS Boston

Waltham Patch

Money

FOX25 News Boston

100.7 WZLX

Forbes

Wicked Local Waltham

*Updated 4/1/2016* From what I observed on Facebook, the cones sold out!

*Updated 4/4/2016*  Pizzi Farm‘s Facebook page says that due to the  overwhelming response” they will be bringing back donut ice cream cones on the first Friday of each month during the season. Good news!

Spring 2016: Free Yoga Classes in Boston

duo yoga pose While it may not be officially spring yet, it’s so close and I feel like we made it through the winter. Plus, Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring, so let’s just go with it.

The Winter Schedule of free yoga classes needed updating, so might as well start my spring cleaning here.

Remember there are Meetups in the area to try out.

Hands To Heart Center Yoga – Yoga for the People provides free yoga classes for people living with poverty and trauma in Boston. Check out their website and Twitter for class schedules.

The Free Yoga Boston Community Page on Facebook is updated everyday. So be sure to check there for all sorts of yoga news!

Also, if you know of other free or donation based classes in the Boston area that are missing from this list, please let me know. This “Big List” is always a work in progress. There will be updates, so keep checking back. Namaste!

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MONDAY

Troops for Fitness Yoga
BCYF Cleveland Community Center (Dorchester)
7:15pm – 8:15pm

As part of the Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness program, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department is offering free yoga classes on different days and locations and seems to be a year-round thing. Most classes last an hour and schedules change every couple of months. For updates and cancellations, check Twitter and Facebook.

TUESDAY

Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
Moakley Building (830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
6pm – 7:15pm

These yoga classes are not just during the summer and are open to community members in addition to BMC patients and staff. They are held indoors and part of the Program for Integrative Medicine & Health Care Disparities. Take the elevator or stairs down to the basement. The classes are free, but there is a suggested donation of $5.00. Currently there is a flyer online [click here], but it is old. If the online flyer is updated, I will link to it here.

Complete Candlelight Flow
Pop Allston (89 Brighton Ave, Boston)
8pm – 9pm

Yoga Hub, founded by Ali Singer, is offering this class designed for yogis to advance their practice through building a comprehensive understanding of yoga techniques and philosophy. Upon arrival, each student receives a candle as a symbolic token of union with the Self and with others. No experience is necessary. Free mat rental is available. While the class is free, there is a suggested $5 donation.

WEDNESDAY

More To Love Yoga
Yoga Series at the Ed Portal (Harvard Ed Portal, Allston)
7:30pm – 8:30pm

Rachel Estapa, founder of More to Love, is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher and professional body image coach. The class offers practical pose variations and enhances body acceptance. Harvard Ed Portal’s Yoga Series offers different types of free yoga classes through the year. Eventbrite registration is encouraged due to space constraints.

Troops for Fitness Yoga
BCYF Cleveland Community Center (Dorchester)
7:15pm – 8:15pm

As part of the Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness program, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department is offering free yoga classes on different days and locations and seems to be a year-round thing. Most classes last an hour and schedules change every couple of months. For updates and cancellations, check Twitter and Facebook.

THURSDAY

Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
Moakley Building (830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
4:30pm – 6pm

These yoga classes are not just during the summer and are open to community members in addition to BMC patients and staff. They are held indoors and part of the Program for Integrative Medicine & Health Care Disparities. Take the elevator or stairs down to the basement. The classes are free, but there is a suggested donation of $5.00. Currently there is a flyer online [click here], but it is old. The Thursday class starts at 4:30pm. If the online flyer is updated, I will link to it here.

Children & Family Yoga/Troops for Fitness
Walter Denney Youth Center (Dorchester)
6pm – 7pm

As part of the Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness program, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department is offering free yoga classes on different days and locations and seems to be a year-round thing. Most classes last an hour and schedules change every couple of months. For updates and cancellations, check Twitter and Facebook.

Glow Yoga
Pop Allston (89 Brighton Ave, Boston)
8pm – 9pm

Yoga Hub, founded by Ali Singer, is an all-levels class incorporating black lights, glow sticks, dance music, and asana. You get fitness, fun and will get creative with neon body paint. Free mat rental is available. While the class is free, there is a suggested $5 donation.

FRIDAY

Beyond Beginner Yoga
Yoga Series at the Ed Portal (Harvard Ed Portal, Allston)
6pm – 7pm

If you’re comfortable with basic yoga poses and are looking for more sophisticated sequences and poses, this class draws on different styles of flow yoga and integrates some meditation to relax the mind as well as the body. Harvard Ed Portal’s Yoga Series offers different types of free yoga classes through the year. Eventbrite registration is encouraged due to space constraints.

SATURDAY

Winter Workout
The Liberty Hotel (Charles Street, Beacon Hill, Boston)
10am

Back in 2009, The Liberty was one of the first hotels in Boston, or anyplace in the area for that matter, to start offering free yoga classes in the summer. They set the trend and still offer free classes in collaboration with Equinox. Guests of the hotel and members of the community are welcome to take the class for free. Classes are year round. In the summer, classes are outside in the courtyard. In the cooler months, they are indoors. Check with the concierge to find the exact class location, since it appears to change.

SUNDAY

Reggae Flow
Pop Allston (89 Brighton Ave, Boston)
9:30am – 10:30am

Yoga Hub, founded by Ali Singer, is offering this reggae-inspired yoga class. No experience is necessary for this class, where postures build through a progressive sequence, designed to cultivate total harmony in body and mind. Free mat rental is available. While the class is free, there is a suggested $5 donation.

Brewery Yoga
Night Shift Brewing (87 Santilli Highway, Everett)
11am – 12pm

These yoga classes take place at the brewery every so often. Take a look at their event calendar for confirmation and sign up! Kat O’Leary from CorePower Yoga teaches the vinyasa classes.

Yoga For Runners
Boston Marathon adidas Runbase (855 Boylston Street, Boston)
6:30pm

These free vinyasa yoga classes are taught by Liz Vail. A customized yoga flow will bring balance to overworked muscles used when running and will also provide strength to the areas of the body that are needed in order to run more efficiently. All levels of yoga experience are welcome, but it looks like you need to register each week.

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Image Credit: “Yoga Pose” courtesy of lobster20 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

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What a Difference a Day Makes

Chinese lanterns

Thursday afternoon, it was close to 60 degrees and I was wearing a light jacket. The next evening, I was walking in snow wearing mittens! That’s how it goes. By now I should be used to it, but I don’t think that will ever happen.

I’m starting to believe that we Bostonians have the the same coping mechanism when it comes to snow. A certain level of denial.We talk ourselves down (off the ledge) a lot.

We survived last year!

It’s not that bad!

We can handle it!

It’s almost spring!

February is always the hardest month. Even when we’ve had an easy winter so far. But anything is better than last year, so I guess I can’t really complain. But I think you hear me. I’m complaining!!!  😀