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I’m attending the 2017 Food Wine Conference, and although I’ve always wanted to enter one of their recipe contests, I’ve been chicken every year. This year, that changes! I decided to enter the Make it With Milk Recipe contest!

The rules seemed simple enough – Develop an original recipe which must include at least 1 cup of real milk and at least 1 cup of one other dairy product (cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc.) Be creative! It cannot be an adapted recipe.

So, I came up with a yummy drinkable food recipe that in my opinion is PERFECT! Here’s my entry. Let me know what you think in the comments below 😀

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Boozy Milkshake Featuring Wish Farms Berries!

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Yields: 2 Boozy Milkshakes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Wish Farm Strawberries (freeze them the night before)
• 1 cup of REAL milk
• 1 cup of chocolate ice cream
• 2-4 oz of vodka depending on how strong you like your drinks
• Grand Marnier – just a splash as this will be a floater
• Whipped Cream

Directions:

1. In a Blender (I used a Ninja) add the 1/2 cup of frozen Wish Farm Strawberries
2. Cover the berries with the cup of real milk
3. Add the vodka
4. Then add the cup of chocolate ice cream.
5. Blend!
6. Pour into a glass
7. Pour a little Grand Marnier on the top of the boozy shake – not too much, just enough to act as a floater like I said
8. Top with whipped cream, add a straw and slurp it down!

 

Ya’ll, this drink was sooooooooo good, and was so filling I almost didn’t eat my dinner. I loved every single sip of it. I can’t wait for the next excuse (read weekday) to make these yummy boozy milkshakes. I hope you make them and love them too.

To make them mocktails, simply remove the alcohol.

Want to enter this contest too?

You can enter the Food Wine Conference #makeitwithMILK Contest here. And, remember, you need to use at least 1 cup of real milk and at least 1 cup of one other dairy product for your recipe to be valid in the contest.

Interested in attending the 2017 Food Wine Conference?

The Food Wine Conference brings together bloggers, small business owners, winemakers, chefs, public relations professionals, traditional media, new media, authors and brands.

Bloggers gain knowledge and insight to:

– SEO – Search Engine Optimization
– Marketing and promotion on social media channels
– Effective writing
– Publishing a cookbook
– Working with PR agencies
– Food photography

Attend the conference and tap into information and resources that can lead to growth for both you and your blog. Connections are very important in today’s ever growing blogosphere. This conference puts you and those connections in one place. It is an opportunity not to miss!

Learn more about the conference right here!

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I’m attending the 2017 Food Wine Conference, and although I’ve always wanted to enter one of their recipe contests, I’ve been chicken every year. This year, that changes! I decided to enter the Wish Farms Berry Delish Recipe contest!

The rules seemed simple enough – Develop an original cocktail/mocktail recipe which must include at least 1/4 cup of fresh Wish Farms berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and/or blackberries).  Be creative! It cannot be an adapted recipe.

So, I came up with a cocktail recipe that in my opinion is PERFECT! Here’s my entry. Let me know what you think in the comments below 😀

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Boozy Milkshake Featuring Wish Farms Berries!

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Yields: 2 Boozy Milkshakes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Wish Farm Strawberries (freeze them the night before)
• 1 cup of real milk
• 1 cup of chocolate ice cream
• 2-4 oz of vodka depending on how strong you like your drinks
• Grand Marnier – just a splash as this will be a floater
• Whipped Cream

Directions:

1. In a Blender (I used a Ninja) add the 1/2 cup of frozen Wish Farm Strawberries
2. Cover the berries with the cup of real milk
3. Add the vodka
4. Then add the cup of chocolate ice cream.
5. Blend!
6. Pour into a glass
7. Pour a little Grand Marnier on the top of the boozy shake – not too much, just enough to act as a floater like I said
8. Top with whipped cream, add a straw and slurp it down!

Ya’ll, this drink was sooooooooo good. I loved every single sip of it. I can’t wait for the next excuse (read weekday) to make these yummy boozy milkshakes. I hope you make them and love them too.

To make them mocktails, simply remove the alcohol.

Want to enter this contest too?

You can enter the Food Wine Conference #BerryDelish Contest here. And, remember, you need to use at least 1/4 cup of fresh Wish Farm berries for your recipe to be valid in the contest.

Interested in attending the 2017 Food Wine Conference?

The Food Wine Conference brings together bloggers, small business owners, winemakers, chefs, public relations professionals, traditional media, new media, authors and brands.

Bloggers gain knowledge and insight to:

– SEO – Search Engine Optimization
– Marketing and promotion on social media channels
– Effective writing
– Publishing a cookbook
– Working with PR agencies
– Food photography

Attend the conference and tap into information and resources that can lead to growth for both you and your blog. Connections are very important in today’s ever growing blogosphere. This conference puts you and those connections in one place. It is an opportunity not to miss!

Learn more about the conference right here!

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Yesterday was a fabulous day! First, I got to go to my second Buccaneers game. This is crazy to me because after maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaany years of never having an opportunity to go to one, I’ve been to TWO actual games this season alone. In 2014 (I think it was) C1Bank sent me to my first pre-season game, but this season I’ve been to not one, but two real games and it’s just the neatest thing ever. Sure, it stinks that the Bucs have a notorious reputation for choking even when they are ahead, but yesterday we WON! I can’t even explain how amazing the energy was.

And, I now have my very own Bucs shirt because they gave the crowd free shirts for attending. How cool is that?!? Best part? They gave us two extras because they had so many and we can use those for Christmas gifts! This is what the shirt looks like:

It was also a fabulous day because my hubby and I went to Chipotle for lunch and had a little bit of unexpected income come our way. Loving the manifest your money game. I told Santa recently that I desire $10,000 a month, so I’m taking this extra income as a nod from the Universe that my big paydays ARE coming down the pike 😀

After the game it was a lazy night of watching a movie and eating a yummy dinner of pasta with meat sauce. Overall it just felt like one of the best Sundays I’ve had in a while. I love happy and fun weekends and look forward to many more of them!!

Okay, so there has been something on my mind lately, and it’s really been bugging me. I’ve noticed an issue taking over me and during a recent getaway it came to a head. Just a week ago I was at an event that was supposed to simply be a fun experience filled with food, wine and friends. Luckily, it was also an epiphany waiting to happen. What happened? I realized I was letting alcohol become too much of an addiction….again.

In 2013 I had this same realization. That year, I noticed myself beginning to crave alcohol. I was craving the buzz. Craving the fun that was supposed to come with it. And so, when I got home from a 2013 event where I’d overindulged I forced myself to take a 30 day fast from alcohol. It lead to a longer period of course, but the idea behind it was to stop wanting to drink merely for the sake of drinking. Long story short, I finally got a handle on it and only drank occasionally, because then and even now I feel that an occasional drink is fine. The kicker is you have to be able to keep it in check.

During 2014 all was well, but in 2015 I noticed my old habits were starting to creep up once more. I convinced myself that what was happening is that I was simply stressed. A glass or two of wine was all I needed to chill out and relax. It was under control and no big deal. Enter 2016…

I am not completely sure why, but I was suddenly making any excuse I could to drink. I would invite people to cocktails, head to networking events where I knew there would be alcohol, even cash in on alcohol rebates because I knew it meant an excuse to buy bottles.

Without even really noticing it, alcohol was becoming the forefront of my reasoning behind hanging out. Constantly craving the buzz and “fun” that would come with it. Then, recently my drinking desires came to a head. I didn’t intend it to happen quite like this, but in a weird way, I’m glad it did.

I got to go to an event that centered on food, and more importantly to me – wine. Taking it as the perfect excuse to indulge I bought a bottle of wine for my room and my roommate purchased little liquor bottles to continue the party. Throughout the weekend I knew I was overdoing it, and I continued anyway because all I wanted was that damn buzz and some “fun”.

I took myself away from the event, called my husband and told him I knew I was taking things too far. Against my better judgement I was letting my addiction to alcohol take over. I told him how sorry I was and that I needed his help.

Long story short, I made it home and on the Monday after the event, I had my last drink. Even though I said to myself I wouldn’t drink it, I did and it pissed me off so badly I poured out every bit of alcohol I had in my liquor cabinet and then I gave away the full bottles I had been saving for a special occasion.

Will it be my last drink for the rest of my life? No. But, for now, I have to stop drinking. Why? The simple fact is when I realize I’m letting something consume me for the worst, I have to stop it. I know I’ve been drinking too much and I can feel myself let it control me. I know me, and I know if I don’t squash this right now, it could get really bad.

I had another long talk with my husband after pouring out the alcohol from our apartment and I told him of my plans to stop drinking. I apologized for allowing myself to come this close to being full blown addicted, and asked him to help me get over the desire for alcohol. He hugged me and told me he loved me, then told me he would help me through this. Thank God for this man! So, that was it- I had made him, and more importantly myself, the promise of quitting drinking for now, maybe forever.

Tuesday night after my resolve to quit I went to a networking event and people were shocked I didn’t want any wine. That further proved to me it’s become a problem that I must take care of immediately. I don’t want to be the girl who let’s ANYTHING control her. To feel like I have no control is one of the worst feelings I’ve ever felt. It’s why I work for myself, it’s why I make and follow my own rules, and now it’s why I’ve quit drinking.

So, today makes one week since alcohol has been in my system, and I refuse to drink another drink of it until I can be 100% sure it won’t become a problem. This might mean I don’t drink for a year, this might mean I never drink again, and for me that’s okay. It means I’m taking back control and controlling my own life is the best buzz of all time!

 

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I am so frikkin excited because this is my first real post of NEW content here on this new website of mine and it just so happens to be my official 2015 Food and Wine Conference Recap!!! Friday 7/17/15 started happily enough with all smiles as my pal Letty and I hopped into her car for the quick drive to Orlando for the 2015 Food and Wine Conference. One stop at Cracker Barrel later and we had arrived here:

Yep, the beautiful Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, Golf Course and Spa. Isn’t it grand? And huge! This place was HUGE! I’ve never stayed at a resort quite this large, but it was so nice! After getting settled into my room I went to check in for the conference and was pleasantly surprised that the conference organizers created a poster just for my initials of A G:

I just know they did this just for me! Thanks ya’ll for making me feel so special 🙂 Anywho, after checking in I was handed an awesome swag bag with these cool items:

Then, it was off to the Dixie Crystals Sugar Retreat where the other attendees and I got to make some fabulous sugar scrubs. After that we enjoyed some yummy Strawberry martinis, chocolates and popcorn from the Florida Strawberry Grower’s Association before heading to the Taste of Rosen Shingle Creek where I got to try the amazing Tequila and Grapes cocktail that knocked my socks off! The evening ended with me heading to Mi Casa Tequila with my girlfriend Letty so she could indulge in some guacamole and I could indulge in the largest margarita I’ve ever been given!

The next morning it was not easy getting up in part because of the drinking and eating from the night before, but also because of how comfortable that bed was. I felt like the mattress swallowed me and didn’t want to spit me back out!

Still, there was more eating and drinking to do so I got up and went off to breakfast, enjoyed a session about blogging my way to success with the amazing Liz Lathem of Hoosier Homemade and Stephanie Parker of Plain Chicken. Then, it was morning break time with Cabot Cheese and Pacari Chocolate. After this I felt a little off so I headed back to my room for a bit missing the other awesome sessions, but managed to get my ASH up in time for lunch.

At lunch I finally got to try what my Canadian Pals have been talking about for months…Poutine. Although after I posted images of it one of them told me that the conference was bastardizing it and another commented “So damn wrong! THis video was made to explain to americans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFbQVUlK6pc“

It may not have been the correct Canadian style, but aside from it being pretty salty the poutine was damn tasty! our dessert was sponsored by the peeps over at Fields Auto who just so happened to be the sponsors I was assigned to as a brand ambassador for the weekend. I loved learning about their awesome vehicles and seeing their momma and baby BMWs and the desserts were pretty freaking awesome too!

Saturday night was the dinner every FWCon attendee is still talking about and salivating over. The Certified Angus Beef Dinner with Hess Wines. OH. EM. GEE!!! Talk about a yummy meal. May just have been the best steak and wine I ever put in my mouth!

 The next morning we were treated to a yummy brunch from Duda Farms, then we were driven by the kickASH cars of Fields Auto to the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality for some classes and a yummy lunch from Out of the Weeds. During lunch we learned just how versatile potatoes can be and then it was time for one more class before my 2015 Food and Wine Conference adventure came to an end so I could catch my ride back to Tampa.

Overall it was a whirlwind of a weekend and I honestly hope I get the chance to do it again next year. Next time I’ll make sure I have enough time and energy for what I hear was an epic unofficial after party!

To me there is so much in this recap post that I feel as though I didn’t really have space to share specifics about a number of things that happened, that I ate or that I saw over the weekend. So, stay tuned because over the coming weeks I’m going to dive deeper into all that I enjoyed and a few things I didn’t at the 2015 Food and Wine Conference!

I don’t know about you guys, but right now I’m so upset! Why? Well, because I missed one of my favoritest events EVER! Yep, I missed the Hottest Heroes show at the Ritz last Saturday because I’m the dumbASH that didn’t add the correct date to her frikkin calendar. GRRRRRRRR!!! Luckily, I’m friends with the gal who hosted the shindig and she sent me some sexy photos to go gaga over. mmmmmmmmmmm!

Photo credit for the droolworthy shot above: This hunky piece of yum is Jared Goldman and the lucky chick that took his pic is Taya Fagan. Kudos Taya. He looks just as yummy as Matt Bomer in Magic Mike. #SWOON!

Okay, okay, I know why you are really here…You want to see more of what we both missed. Check out these pics and eat your heart out! (all pics below by that lucky chick Taya!)

Rollie Cabrera

 

Kyle Rowley

 

Niko Valdes

Alright girls, if I’m still living in Tampa, Florida when this awesome event comes around again let’s make a pact to go together! Oh, and the kick ASH sexy bitch that put on this drool worthy affair?
The stunning Lisa (McCorkle) Hast  of Dream Makers Events. Show her some love by visiting her website HERE!

 

“Don’t settle! Screw the Nine to Five” Those words have echoed in my ears in one way or another for years, but a real live voice finally came to those words when I stumbled onto this nifty site called Screw the Nine to Five approximately two years ago…or was it 2 and a half. Definitely more than one year. Who knows? I can’t math good…but I digress.. The speaker of those words I’ve muttered in some way, shape or form to myself for as long as I can remember was none other than Josh Stanton. a.k.a. the hunky Aussie married to the stunningly gorgeous Jill Stanton.

Since stumbling onto their website I’ve read many of their blog posts, I’ve listened to nearly every podcast they have produced and have even purchased three of their programs. These two have screwed the nine to five in the most awesome way possible and thanks to their teachings I’m learning not only how to avoid ever having to go back to a nine to five again, but also that there is an amazing group of entrepreneurs just as like-minded as me ready and willing to chat and boost each other up. I’ve learned loads from this amazing couple, but for the sake of your limited attention span (fine! my limited attention span) here are just 5 things I’ve learned from Josh and Jill Stanton:

1. Sell what you know. The easiest way to make money is to sell what you already know. Even if it’s not necessarily your passion you could at least start a business based on what you know so that maybe later you could afford trying to turn your passion into a business or at least have the money to fund your passion as a hobby.

2. Just focus on one thing. Multitasking does no one any good. You get more done when you just do one thing at a time, cross it off your list and then move on to the next thing on the list.

3. There is more than one way to make money online. Okay, so technically I already knew this one, but they did open my mind up to ways to make money I hadn’t thought of.

4.Communicating about money even when it’s tight is crucial for success as a couple. It’s not easy to talk about money for a lot of people, but you have to get comfortable with communication for your own sanity and to keep your relationship in a happy place.

5. Haters gonna hate, but that’s okay. Alright, I know this lesson isn’t new to anyone, but for some reason hearing them say it made me believe it’s okay to have haters. Not everyone is going to get me or my mission, but that doesn’t matter. Only I can shape my destiny and so only my opinion of what I’m doing matters!

Alright peeps! That’s the end of my list of 5 things. You should seriously check out Screw The Nine to Five. By the way- Jill is totally known for SHOWING HER TIPS on her podcast!!!

These were the AWESOME speakers of Spark & Hustle Tampa (Descriptions pulled from the Spark & Hustle Tampa website. See all about Spark & Hustle HERE)

BRANDING

The story begins a few years ago when the four Nardo’s brothers
discovered the health benefits of coconut oil for the skin. The brothers
were inspired to formulate a responsible skin care line with
ingredients derived from nature. A few months later, Nardo’s Natural
developed their first moisturizer in their kitchen. The family business
has since introduced a variety of organic products and continues to
grow everyday.

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “I was offered a job with a
  marketing firm. It was the early stages of our skin care line and I
  juggled the concept between a secured paycheck and a gamble on our
  business start-up.”
• Daring decision:  “Swim with 15-foot Great White Sharks. Ironic that
  I swam with ‘Sharks’ on ABC’s Shark Tank, but yes, I also swam with
  Great White’s during my travels in South Africa. “

@nardosnatural

ENGAGEMENT MARKETING

Pamela is a business expert with more than 20 years of experience in marketing and new business development.  Prior to joining Constant Contact,
she owned a marketing service that helped professionals secure more
clients and build their repeat and referral business.  Today, she uses
her marketing and business development acumen to help small businesses
in Central Florida maximize the power of relationship marketing.

• “When the going gets tough, I double down.”
• Daring decision: “Quitting a corporate job and starting my own business.”
• Little known fact: “I used to be a ballet dancer.”

@constantcontact

MUSCLE MARKETING

Joy Gendusa is the owner and CEO of direct mail marketing firm, PostcardMania.
Joy began PostcardMania in 1998, with nothing but a phone and a
computer, never taking a dime of investment capital. Joy originally
started PostcardMania as a full-service postcard marketing company
helping clients create turn-key marketing campaigns with graphic design,
printing, mailing list acquisition and mailing services. Since then,
PostcardMania has expanded to offer its clients more services including
website and landing page design and development, email marketing and
full marketing evaluations — all while continuing to educate clients
with free marketing advice.

• Ever threw in the towel?: “I have ridiculous junk yard dog skills.
  Once I get my teeth into something that’s it. Have I been discouraged?
  Of course, but I really know the value of persistence.
”
• Little known fact: “I’m a grandma and love it.”

@postcardmania

• Ever throw in the towel?: “While I might have come close to throwing
  in the towel on an occasion or two, my mission and passion for what I
  do always brought me back into focus. Like most women, I’ve faced lots
  of interesting challenges. One challenge that was draining emotionally
  was when the online advertising display revenues started to decline in
  2008. The drop in monthly revenue left the business hurting and resulted
  in my having to lay off my staff. However, with perseverance, some
  elbow grease and a positive attitude, I was determined to fix the
  situation. With the help of key friends and business colleagues,
  Pregnancy.org is here today and my staff is back in place.”

@pregnancyorg

HOW TO BE A LOCAL HERO

Laurie is the founder and owner of LB&Smith, a small
business/practice development firm. She first received national
attention for her “It” Factor Job Club as part of the Good Morning
America Job Club Initiative. Forever a Texan at Heart, Laurie channels
her passion and energy into being a catalyst for both businesses and
individuals looking to reach their potential, and beyond. “It’s not
bragging, if it’s true,” is the Lone Star State axiom Laurie proudly
applies to the personal, highly specific work she does both discovering
and promoting the best talent around.
@LaurieBaggett

SALES AND SCALE

Founded by professional trainers Richard Fenton & Andrea Waltz, Courage Crafters
is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations overcome
self-imposed limitations and achieve breakthrough performance. They are
the creators of the highly sought after book and program, Go for No!®

• “When the going gets tough, we…: “Pout and then dig in our heels and get really focused on the mission.”
• Daring decision:  “Quit our corporate jobs with basically no safety net or concrete plan.”

@GoforNo

Tired of losing cards and money, Wendy Krepak created the Card Cubby
out of her need to organize all her gift, loyalty and frequent
buyer cards. Card Cubby was introduced at the Atlanta Gift Show in 2009
and went on to be highlighted by People Magazine, The Today Show and Good Morning America
to name a few. In 2011 sales topped $1 million and the company
continues to grow with new additions to its line of “Save in Style”
products. Card Cubby is currently sold in approximately 1,400 stores in
the U.S and Canada, online and on QVC.

• Little known fact: “I am not a college graduate.”

@cardcubby

OVERCOMING FEARS AND BUILDING CONFIDENCE

National speaker, small business advisor, media correspondent and life coach, Jenn Lee
isn’t letting anyone or anything stop her from helping Americans shift
their thinking, boldly move forward and bring sanity back into their
everyday lives! Right to the point with a good dose of humor, Jenn’s
authentically honest approach and down to earth tips quickly landed her a
regular spot on Orlando’s FOX Morning show, BLOG talk radio shows and
as an on-line contributor for Working Mother Media.

• Ever almost throw in the towel?: “Four months after I launched my
  business, my dream job presented itself and was there for the taking. I
  had a difficult choice to make: my business was brand new and I wasn’t
  making a lot of money. I had a choice—to take the easy road and big
  paycheck, or reconfirm my commitment to myself and continue on with my
  business and my dream. I turned down the job offer and have never looked
  back or thought about throwing in the towel since.”
• Little known fact: “I escaped a two-year physically abusive
  relationship and went into hiding for several months for my safety. I
  credit this part of my life as the ultimate training ground for helping
  others to see the value of their lives and to stop allowing their past
  to dictate their future. “

@coachjennlee

MIND FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

Lindsay Phillips is the energetic inspiration and founding force behind SwitchFlops.
Her footwear concept evolved from a high school art project—amazed by
the response, Lindsay began designing functional flops with colorful
straps, each adorned by a unique button. Her idea evolved when she
realized that by using hook-and-loop fasteners she could create one shoe
with many straps–unlimited choices with minimal effort. This simple,
yet brilliant innovation was the birth of SwitchFlops.

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “We got our first shipment of
  straps for the shoes and all of the buttons were loose. My mom and I had
  to individually re-sew all the adornments on to make them saleable. As
  an entrepreneur you have to learn from your mistakes, laugh, and move
  forward with a smile.”

@switchflops