Vanilla, Let Me Count the Ways

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Averie Sunshine

Published: Feb 02, 2011

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I love Vanilla anything.  Always have, always will.

Here are just a few things I found in my kitchen in a matter of seconds that are vanilla related

Various vanilla products on countertop

I found this Vanilla Sugar in Aruba

Container of Vanilla Sugar

I found this gourmet real vanilla extract on sale at my local Ralph’s grocery store. $12.99 for 8 ounces.  That is insanely cheap for real vanilla extract.  The McCormick’s “non-gourmet” vanilla is about $7.99 for 2 ounces.  The math definitely pencils out on the Rodelle.

Gourmet Vanilla Extract bottle

If you have a TJ’s near you, this is definitely worth the $4.99 for 4 ounces.  Better grab this and some peanut flour.

Pure Bourbon Vanilla Extract Bottle

You can make Vegan Bourbon Vanilla Softserve with it

Vegan Bourbon Vanilla Softserve in blender

Or Vegan Vanilla Chocolate Chip Softserve

Ingredients for Vegan Vanilla Chocolate Chip Softserve in blender
Chocolate chunks added to blended softserve
Side view of ingredients in blender

That’s a bourbon vanilla pool

And Vanilla Stevia is a staple for me

Liquid Vanilla Stevia bottle

Check out my Stevia Recipes Compilation Post for the many ways I use stevia.

And I love Vanilla candles

French Vanilla candleFor grocery store type candles, this Glade one does a good job of really making the air smell vanilla-ey.  Sometimes candles are so “faint”, I find them to be a waste of money.

I also love vanilla lotions, bodyspray, perfumes, and anything vanilla-scented.

And I love vanilla in Drinks.

Vegan Vanilla Hot Cocoa.  Guiltless and fast.

Vegan Vanilla Hot Cocoa in mug

And I love vanilla in Food.  And Desserts.

Raw Vegan Apple Crumble

 

Raw Vegan Apple Crumble
Side view of Raw Vegan Apple Crumble in clear container

That is Vanilla-Agave-Cinnamon “Juice”

Vegan Caramels

Overhead of Vegan Caramels

Only 3 ingredients in these and one of them is vanilla.

Close up of Vegan Caramels

And Vegan Peanut Butter Vanilla Balls

Vegan Peanut Butter Vanilla Balls

 

Close up of Vegan Peanut Butter Vanilla Balls
 
Yes, I love vanilla.
 
From my last post about the discontinuation of Trader Joe’s Peanut Flour, yes, sorry to be the bearer of bad news for anyone who’s a fan who didn’t already know that. Seems many of you were caught off guard.
 
It was good to hear what foods you have tried lately or have tried because of the sphere.  Many of you said Peanut Flour was on your list.   And it was fun to hear what foods you tried but didn’t like.
 
Questions:
1. How’s your Hump Day going?
Mine has been busy.
 
But…Today is the actual day of Skylar’s birthday!
Young girl in pink zip up sweater smiling
She’s officially 4 as of today! And I can’t believe I was in labor 4 years ago and she was 6 pounds back then.
Young girl smiling with head tilted towards shoulder
We celebrated over the weekend, she had a party on Monday with her little friends, and today it’s a Mommy ‘n Skylar afternoon in between juggling work and everything else.
Young girl with arms crossed smiling
2. Are you a fan of vanilla?  What kinds of vanilla items do you love?  How do you use it?
I use vanilla extract in just about every sweet recipe, bakery item, cookie, cake, raw dessert, granola bar, or muffin you can think of.   And slather vanilla lotion, bodywash, and bodyspray on, too!
 
3. Any other scents or flavors you really love?
I did a post on scents and memories and mentioned some of my fave perfumes and scents.   Anything that’s sweet, smells like chocolate, or cookies or bread baking….mmm, good.
 
Time for me to be with the Birthday Girl!

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Comments

  1. I love vanilla! the real bean is the best. I order online for dirt cheap.

    FYI, I think the Trader Joe’s Bourbon might have gluten in it. I was using it but felt bad after and finally connected it to that. It probably has just a small amount, but over time adds up.

    Reply

  4. Happy Birthday Skylar!

    Averie I am so jealous of all of your vanilla items — vanilla is the best flavor AND smell. I love it. And all of your ball recipes are the best too. I need some of them in my life right now! The perfect snack.

    Humpday is always good — only 2 more days until the weekend!

    Reply

  6. Happy Birthday to Skylar!!
    Sometimes I use vanilla like perfume…I put a tiny dab on my neck lol

    Reply

  7. Love vanilla!!! I actually have the bourbon one from TJ’s too :) Every time I visit your site I say I need to get a vitamix! lol
    Happy Birthday to Skylar! What a doll!

    Reply

  8. Happy birthday Skylar!

    She is such a beautiful little lady! I love vanilla as far as foods go, but I am not to big on lotions, sprays, or candles.

    My hump day was very busy this mornig at work, but it is much better now. I just received the call that school is cancelled tomorrow….free day for me!!

    Reply

  9. Happy bday Skylar! If I am ever in Cali or you in Louisiana we need to get our girls together ot play! I love vanilla! I run out of my extract weekly!

    Reply

  10. Awe! Happy birthday to the cutie pie!! Tell her we send hugs from NY :)

    I love TJ’s bourbon vanilla, that’s pretty much the only one I buy ;) um and 2 packages of peanut flour are just chillin in my cabinet lol. I think I’m gonna have to make some pancakes with it this weekend.

    Reply

  11. happy bday skylar! i’m obsessed with vanilla too. i like chocolate as a topping on vanilla anything (choco chips in particular ;) i love pure vanilla beans, pricey but the taste is divine scraped into any food you want to flavor. i love vanilla teas, dairy free ice creams, coffee, biscotti, scones etc.

    Reply

  12. oh! i really have to bite the TJs bullet haha and just do it. maybe after my next paycheck. although one time i did find real vanilla extract superrrr cheap at marshalls and it was amaaaze! i share your appreciation for vanilla flavs ;)

    Reply

  14. I’m more of a chocolate gal myself but I can never resist the allure of a delicious vanilla candle or perfume.

    Happy Birthday to my favorite little peanut :) Love and hugs to you both!!!

    Reply

  15. Happy Birthday to Skylar!!

    I’m a vanilla freak. I wear vanilla lotion and perfume all the time, and I’ll take vanilla ice cream/cake/cookies/whatever over chocolate any day. So good! I’ll have to try some of the vanilla stevia next

    Reply

  16. I like vanilla ice cream and sometimes I put vanilla extract in my hot oats, but really it’s not my favorite flavor. I like cinnamon a lot more! :)

    Reply