Apple Dip Ups the Ante Hey Shuga! sweetness of sugarcane

Apples are oh so in. The calendar reads they are the seasonal fruit and to chop’em, slice’em, bake’em, cover in caramel and nut topping, or bask in the glory of the detoxifying elements and eat them plain or simply coat the slices in cinnamon.

Whatever you do, don’t serve them up with plain Jane peanut butter, the apples long time evident protein partner.

Here’s an equally as healthy of a dip to decorate the slices with for anyone who can’t go about their affairs without the crutch of chocolate and who wants the pleasure of all of that peanut butter protein.

img_08991Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and melt in a pan on the stovetop. Take a large spoon and add your favorite all natural creamy peanut butter. I didn’t measure because measuring peanut butter is as fun as … (insert a task you dread here). Stir, stir, stir and grab a regular sized spoon and add the unsweetened cocoa powder. I splashed in about a teaspoon of vanilla and I added a splash of this unrefined, vegan friendly, gluten free sweetener I snagged at the grocery store.

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Hey Shuga! A Balanced Sweetener for a Balanced Life made from the sweetness of the sugarcane, the warmth of the Caribbean, and the passion of hard working people.

The sugarcane blasts the bitterness of Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa without having to add chocolate chips. I melted all of the ingredients together and then stirred in Bob’s Red Mill Old-Fashioned gluten-free, Kosher certified, vegan rolled oats (about 2/3 Cups) until the compactness of this chocolate concoction was consummated. If you opt out of oats unsweetened coconut flakes will create a neat consistency.

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I served up one generous spoonful of the deceptive snack with the slices of half of an organic Fuji apple. You can adjust the amount depending on the horde of hungry individuals around.

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Josie is an award-winning journalist and healthy eating enthusiast.

Homemade Pumpkin Spiced Latte made with Cafe Bustelo in the Florida Keys

My last stop at the market sent me looking for all of the ingredients to make my favorite fall foods; sharp white cheddar grilled cheese on sour dough, chili, caramel apples covered in nuts, and ingredients for homemade pumpkin spiced latte.

On site with TV 88 in the Florida Keys I presented a Cuban version of this caffeine delicacy made with Cafe Bustelo.

Watch on YouTube: Josie Koler makes a Homemade Pumpkin Spiced Latte

I have tried this using Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk and added two teaspoons of sugar, versus just one (when using sweetened condensed milk.) I’ve also pumped up the pumpkin spice to 1/4 of a teaspoon.

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Happy Fall, or Feliz Caida!

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One One on Middle Bass Island ask for condo 106

Clean, comfortable and on the water.

Condo 106 at St. Hazards Resort on Middle Bass Island is a sweet spot for a weekend getaway. Or, stay for the entire week. Travelers will be basking by the pool with a homemade lemonade or ice tea in their hand after realizing the glory of the godsend that these accommodations are on an island extremely difficult to access.

Booking a place to stay on the Lake Erie Islands isn’t exactly as easy as calling the Kimberly Hotel in New York City with dates and arrival times. The islands nestled between Ohio’s coastline and Canada are only open from May through September and then again for ice fishing season. Finding, calling and making that connection for a legitimate booking is a lot of work.

Here’s a look at Room 106 and the view in the Saint Hazards Resort lakeside condominiums.

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Condo 107 is a two-bedroom and has bunk beds for travelers planning to bring children.

To reach this 800 acre island catch the Miller Ferry at Catawba Point. Reservations are required to bring a car, or truck. The number to call to book this room or one similar in style is 419-285-6121.

A ferry service runs every half hour from MBI (Middle Bass Island) and Put-In-Bay from 9 am until one in the morning (1 am).

Josie is a former TV anchorwoman and award-winning journalist. She grew up on Coastal Ohio and continues to explore all of the nooks and crannies which make the region spectacular.
Josie is a former TV anchorwoman and award-winning journalist. She grew up on Coastal Ohio and continues to explore all of the nooks and crannies which make the region spectacular.

Home Inventory Drops in the Middle Keys ReMax Keys to the Key realtor Bill Wilkinson has the numbers

Middle Keys realtor Bill Wilkinson and his wife Karen have just sold a two-and-a-half million dollar oceanfront property. He discusses the unique market, what opportunities are available to the local workforce, and how exactly buyers end up with their eyes on this island paradise located just before the Seven Mile Bridge, and before the final stretch of US 1 takes travelers to Key West.

Bucci Busys one local Barista breakfast staple made at Leigh Ann's Coffee House

Ordering a Starbucks in the Florida Keys is simply sinful. That company is headquartered on another ocean located two time zones away. On the sub-tropical islands south of Miami Cuban and Caribbean cuisine; and, as in this case coffee, reign. At Leigh Ann’s Coffee House on Key Colony Beach the baristas are busy taking orders of cafe con leches and making shots of bucci. We go back behind the counter and start grinding the beans.

Relax with an 88 Relaxer behind the bar at Marker 88 Restaurant Gulfside

There’s a drink being made and served up to patrons from as far away as Canada at this local Florida Keys establishment in Islamorada. The drink is called the 88 Relaxer and is made with infused-spiced rum, plenty of fruit juices and a host of other
islandy-ingredients. Whether you’re on the property for breakfast, lunch or the world-renown sunset, this cocktail puts the Caribbean in anyone’s Caribbean vacation.

 

Blue Marlin Jewelry Sculpture Unveil Get Lucky Friday, February 13th 2015

The Islamorada Fine Arts and Cultural District has a new neighbor, Blue Marlin Jewelry. Owner, Armando Gonzalez moved to Mile Marker 81.5 Oceanside with only a courtyard separating him and Art by Pasta.
This Art and Cultural District is now home to some of the county’s, and nation’s, most revered artists and businesses. On this particular Friday in February the crowd witnessed the Pasta art sculpture unveiling for the Florida Keys’ only authorized Rolex dealer.

Cooking with Chef Carl at home in the Florida Keys

Chorizo oil, crab and couscous can take the most basic chicken breast and turn the poultry cut from bland to delectable.

Marathon High’s culinary instructor, Carl Stanton and I get crankin’ in the kitchen to show you how to make Chicken Roulade with couscous, chorizo oil, guava, habanero and a rum butter sauce.

These flavors are oh-so Caribbean and oh-so delicious for dinner.

Buyers are bringing their Boats American Caribbean's Stephanie Clark on the Islamorada Market

Contractors in the Upper Keys are experiencing a flurry of activity. Buyers are entering the Upper Keys real estate market, often with cash in their hands, to buy and remodel entire homes and the accompanying property. As soon as the dust from Pierre’s New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular settled down over the ocean, buying activity turned on like a light switch.

Here’s more with fifteen-year veteran realtor Stephanie Clark.