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. happy birthday sklyar!
    i love vanilla as well!!
    my day went well; i got homework done, talked to some people, went to the gym, etc.
    i like vanilla in *anything sweet*
    other scents that i like are: flowery, chocolatey, and basically anything that smells sweet or refreshing!

    Reply

  4. I looooove vanilla! When people refer to “plain vanilla” I think “vanilla isn’t plain, its delicious!”

    Reply

  5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR LITTLE PRINCESS!!!

    i love vanilla everything too!!! most baking and making desserts…but i also love vanilla drinks! vanilla ice cream! yum yum!

    Reply

  7. Your daughter is so cute!

    As for scents…I love lavender and burn a lavender candle when I’m studying (it’s supposed to be calming). I also have some fruity scents (mango, berry) that I adore!

    Oh and cupcake scented…almost as good as indulging in one!

    Reply

  8. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GORGEOUS SKYLAR!!!!

    I am obsessed with vanilla too! I need to get my paws on some of that bourbon vanilla!!! Was just at the farmers market next to TJ’s today. It was so icy I never went in TJ’s, but now I am regretting not going in to grab some peanut flour!

    Reply

  9. i love vanilla but not as much as chocolate! you should do a cacao or chocolate post like this! Happy birthday Skylar!

    Reply

  10. I always double the amount of vanilla called for in recipes. I love the bourbon vanilla, and vanilla beans are amazing. I haven’t tried vanilla sugar or paste, but as soon as I find them, you can believe I will be getting them. I have about 6 kinds of vanilla in my cabinet. For trial recipes, I use the cheapo stuff, but for when I know something is going to be good, I go all out. I want to make some vanilla maple granola right now, but I’m too lazy.

    Reply

  11. On Amazon you can buy 32 oz of Nielsen-Massey vanilla for $25! It’s so the way to go, and I can fly through one of those tallboys scary fast!

    Reply

  12. Love vanilla!! I’m soooo vanilla. I would rather have vanilla than chocolate, any day!

    Happy Birthday to Skylar!

    Reply

  13. Happy Birthday to Skylar! Yes, I do love vanilla as a scent and flavoring. I also love sandalwood scent. After discovering Indian food, I fell in love with rosewater as a flavoring. Recently found a recipe in 30 minute vegan’s Asian cookbook for Vanilla Rose Cardamom Lassi that is off the charts to my taste buds. :)

    Reply

  14. Wow, she’s getting cuter if that was even possible. Love her smile.

    I got ahold of some vanilla sugar and was disappointed. I wanted real vanilla powder, not sugar. You can also buy it in Sweden and it’s yummy but it’s more the consistency of powdered sugar. Yes I love it. Mostly in smoothies :-)

    Reply