My Trip To Ivywild School - 5/9/2014

Hello again. After my work shift today, I decided to go to Ivywild School in Colorado Springs, CO.  It's an old school turned into stores and restaurants. I got there by a special Mountain Metro public bus shuttle. This was my first time there.  It's a nice use of an old school.

There, I went to Hunt Or Gather market.  I purchased two watermelon honey sticks and two blackberry honey sticks.  I'll find a use for them.  Here is a link about the store. http://www.ppcf.org/impact/hunt-or-gather   I gathered some information on the foods that they have there. I like some of the combinations of jellies and preserves they have there.  I have to find the right combo of peanut butter, jelly and chocolate for the Hot Mess Hidalgo doughnut that I am in the process of putting together.

There will be more to come as I start purchasing and making treats using items from the Ivywild School.  Until next time, have a great day.

Updates on COS Suspended Coffee And Business Closures - 5/8/2014

Hello, everyone.  I would like to update you on Suspended Coffee at Gold Hill Java Downtown in Colorado Springs and recent business closures.  The total on the Suspended Coffee gift certificate is now at $17.16.  Please tell your friends and family about Suspended Coffee at Gold Hill Java Downtown in Colorado Springs.

I still have not heard back from Orchard Ovens Bakery and why their location on East Bijou closed.  Also, the 7-Eleven store on West Bijou & Walnut has recently closed.  I had remembered that I went there last month and all seemed fine.  If you know of a local business closing its doors or relocating, let me know.  I wish that these businesses would contact the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce so we won't be surprised by their closings.

I received a pastry bag of lemon curd today.  I'll let you know what I do with it in a future post.  Until next time, have a great day.

Being In A Grocery Store Makes Me Cry - 5/7/2014

When I entered into a King Soopers store yesterday, I started to cry. I cried that I didn't have enough money to purchase most items in the store.  With the price of beef near or over US$6 a lb. and most other items has skyrocketed in price, I couldn't afford the healthy, good for me, stuff. All I could get was two 12 oz. cans of soda, a $0.40 cup of store brand yogurt and a Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bar to help in preparing my ChocoChurro Bites.

I went to a food pantry today to get some foods to last me a week. If I run out of food, I'll just have to go hungry or do volunteer work for my food since I don't have enough work this week.

The days of permanent, full time employment are almost gone due to the Affordable Care Act.  Post secondary education is almost impossible to pay for. University administrators are nothing more than, "Education Terrorists" by holding education hostage from the low to no income people.

That's all for now.  Until next post, have a great day.

Orchard Ovens Bakery Is Now Closed - 5/6/2014

Hello there.  I went by Orchard Ovens Bakery in Colorado Springs CO today. I found out it had either moved or gone out of business.  It was a pretty nice bakery while it lasted.  They are just another victim of the down economy.  I wonder what will take its place.  I looked inside and it was almost empty.  I hope they will open up again in a new location.  I hope to find out more information soon.

I hope you had a nice Cinco De Mayo.  Take care and have a great day.

Suspended Coffee Update from Gold Hill Java Downtown - 5/3/2014

Hi, everyone.  The update on the suspended coffee at Gold Hill Java Downtown in Colorado Springs, CO. is up to $17.01.  Thanks to all who contribute to help their fellow coffee drinkers who are down on their luck.

I hope it goes up to $20 by the end of the month.  We shall see.

Take care and have a great day!

$7.00 For A Mail Order Chocolate Covered Strawberry? - 5/1/2014

Hello, everyone.  Mother's Day is less than two weeks away.  Have you ordered something special for Mother's Day yet?  I know one company that has a package of 6 (read: Half Dozen) Chocolate covered Strawberries for $20 plus delivery.  It comes to around $40. That's almost $7 for each individual strawberry .  Isn't that too much?

That package arrives by FedEx or UPS. If you're not at home, the delivery person leaves the package there and the berries may not be as good.  A good way to avoid this is to shop local.

Shopping local means that you can save on shipping costs.  Shopping local also means a boost to the local economy.  Remember, convenience is a con. Work on your own food.  Also, refer to my post on my Nutella Filled Strawberries.

We are all interconnected.  Please remember that.  Until my next post, take care and have a great day.

ChocoChurro Bites - 4/29/2014

Hello again.  Today, I made a special treat.  It is called, "ChocoChurro Bites".  I took a store bought churro, sliced it into one inch pieces. In a bowl, I placed a broken up 1.5 oz. chocolate bar, a 1/4 cup of milk and a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of Mexican Cocoa that I bought from Savory Spice Shop in Colorado Springs, CO. I melted the ingredients in the microwave for about one minute or until it is melted.  I then stirred the contents of the bowl until combined and smooth.

I took a fork and placed the churro pieces and covered them in the melted chocolate mixture. I then plated them and sprinkled the ChocoChurro Bites with a Black Onyx Chocolate Sugar that I also bought from Savory Spice Shop.  Here's a picture of the finished product.

This dessert is in honor of Cinco De Mayo and Belen De Leon from KUSA Channel 9 in Denver, CO.  This dessert is best eaten with a fork or chopsticks so you won't get any chocolate on your fingers.

I hope you like this dessert and will try to make this yourself. Follow me on Twitter at @uniquelymike  You can also e-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net  Take care and have a great day!