This content has been sponsored in part by Cafe Breaks through Acorn Influence. Regardless, all thoughts, suggestions, and photos below are original and copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2016.
Momma Told Me: I think it's time for a break.
I took a course on food styling once and found it utterly useless.
I remember sitting down in a giant auditorium and listening to the instructor explain how all one needed for amazing food photos was a 'few' simple tools of the trade. Among these tools were glycerin, glass ice cubes, fabric protector, cooking spray, make up blending wedges, glue, and antacids. Fabric protector, as it turns out, is often sprayed on porous foods (think pancakes) in order to help toppings and such (syrup) sit on the surface of the food without sinking in. The makeup sponges are soaked in water, microwaved, and stashed off screen (behind or under food) to create that fresh 'steamy food' look. Various types of glue are used for a number of adhesive purposes, but also to help thicken thin foods to make them look richer and more appealing.
What on Earth does any of this have to do with anything?
Well, while taking some casual photos for this post I thought back to that course- and began reflecting on the concept as it relates to life itself. While the argument of whether it's okay to alter food to the point it is more chemicals and add-ons then actual food, for the sake of a great food photo the fact remains that we are conditioned to respond to perfection, whether it is real or simply perceived. Magazines, television, billboards, the internet- bombard us with someone's ideal vision of a story, product, or concept. And nothing illustrates this quite like the incorporation of artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers in our everyday food.
It's enough to make any woman want to take a break.
Whatever happened to a simple 'me moment' with a cup of coffee? These days we get our caffeine fix in and out of coffee shop lines, herded like cattle, and paying 10x the ingredient value for a simple brand name and a fancy beverage title. Don't get me wrong, I love my Triple-Shot-Soy-Double Frothed-Gluten Free- Mocha-Chair-Latte as much as the next lady- but isn't it time for a little break?
That's why I'm sharing a delicious new product that recently turned up in the read-to-eat snack aisle of my local Walmart, Cafe Breaks. Remember the childhood feeling of pulling back the lid on a cup of delicious pudding, your spoon just waiting to dive in?
Cafe Breaks brings that feeling back to life in an all new culinary escape for adults. Their cafe inspired pudding cups are ready to grab and go, and full of real rich coffee flavor. Because they're made with a special packaging technology Cafe Breaks' number one ingredient is Milk, yet they're entirely preservative and gluten free! They even contain an average of 16mg of real caffeine per serving- so this snack is all for Mom!
Cafe Breaks currently come in Mocha Latte and Caramel Latte varieties of 4 count- shelf stable ready-to-eat 3.5oz cups. These are the perfect indulgent escapes to grab and go- my favorite, Mocha Latte, has just 100 calories and 14g of sugar per cup! I love to toss one in my purse when I head out for a busy afternoon, or even to watch the kids play at the park. The silky, rich, flavors of real milk pudding and coffee extract take me away to my own private adult time out. Somehow the buzz of busy patrons, or screaming kids, just melts away with each spoonful.
Even better- you can enjoy a $.50 off rebate with ibotta when you pick out a package of Cafe Breaks from Walmart, for a limited time!
In fact, I love my Cafe Breaks moments so much I decided to adapt these delicious pudding cups to one of my favorite Summertime treats- All you'll need to make this recipe are 4 ingredients and your Cafe Breaks flavor of choice. (I won't lie, I mixed them both!) My faux Frozen Caramel Mocha Latte Cheesecake bites sound a lot fancier and more involved than they actually are. All your really need is a blender and a silicone ice cube or mini muffin mold.
I whip a few cups of Cafe Breaks Mocha Latte pudding with a cup of Cafe Breaks Caramel Latte, and some whipped cream cheese for a fluffy filling that freezes velvet smooth. Add a little butter and sugar to a crushed gram cracker base and you have yourself a crust for instant cheesecake heaven- no baking or slaving required. And that's just more time to enjoy a "Cafe Break".
Life's full of over-complicated- it's important to take time out to enjoy real moments.
I cant' make pudding look sexy unless I whip it into something else, pour it into an elaborate fancy container, or layer it with a bunch of delicious toppings. But life doesn't have to be over-complicated and sometimes delicious things don't come in fancy packages with loads of gimmicks. They're just worth savoring all in themselves. Cafe Breaks understands that.
The past few months have been hectic, as my readers know- I'm finally now settling back into a simpler routine. Things that used to seem overwhelming or rushed now present themselves as a treat. I've been visiting the park a lot more just to take a 'me moment.' Whether it's with the kids, for them to run off steam, or simply a quiet walk reflecting with the dog, it's nice to sit down under a large tree and take a deep breath as the wind rustles the leaves above. Regardless of how you find your break, it's important that you make time to do it. This life can be full of unnecessary distractions, over-dressed situations, and needless stress- breaks help re-center and reconnect with the things that really matter.
It may be pleasing to look at perfection when flipping through a magazine or changing channels, but the better things in life are really delicious just as they are- no touch ups needed. It's kind of like that photo of your son or daughter covered in finger paints with their hair a mess you keep on the mantle right next to the studio family portrait. Life, dressed down, can be just as magical as life dressed up. So, consider this my little reminder to stop and take a break, to savor, those moments, this Summer. Don't forget to check out the hot
ibotta rebate offer when you buy Cafe Breaks at Walmart!
Now, tell me, what's one simple thing you enjoy reveling in?
What Daughter Says: Take a break and get real- find time to unwind without all the extras!
Mocha Caramel Latte Cheesecake Bites
