Sweet Tooth Sundays-Caramel Apple Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Congrats Giants fans! Nice win! From our apartment in Hoboken, we can hear fireworks and crazy cheering!

Anyway, here is what we snacked on during the game: CARAMEL APPLE COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES. Just one word: HEAVEN! I found this recipe through my friend, April, on Pinterest.

This recipe is adapted from Beach Side Baker
1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 box of Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink Mix-10 packets (not sugar free)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 bag of caramels (I used Brachs)-cut these in half.
Vanilla bean ice cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon and set aside.

In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar, salt, and the 10 packets of apple cider mix until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg at a time and mix until blended and then add vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture until combined.

Scoop out walnut-sized piece of dough and roll flat in your palm. Add piece of caramel to dough. Add another piece of walnut-sized dough and roll together into a ball. Arrange on cookie sheets 1-2 inches apart.

Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. Remove the parchment paper from the cookie sheets and place on cooling racks for 4-5 minutes. Remove cookies from parchment paper and put directly on cookie sheets. Cool completely.

When you are ready to make your ice cream sandwiches, stick 2 cookies in the microwave for about 20 seconds until cookies get slightly warm. Put one large scoop of ice cream on upside-down cookie and place other cookie on top.

Enjoy :)

A haircut that costs more in time than in money

I went to the Aveda Institute (233 Spring St, between Varick and 6th) today for a hair cut during my lunch break. It's literally 5 minutes from my office, which is great to know! I haven't gotten my hair trimmed since May! Ooops! Way before Landon was born. That's like 8 months! And good Lord, my hair needed some TLC.

It was my first time at the Aveda Institute, so I didn't really know what to expect. Basically, the deal is that its you get services for a significant discount but the catch is that you're trusting your precious hair to the shaky hands of nervous students. They follow a step-by-step routine, which is actually written out on a checklist for them:

• They greet you, shake your hand and introduce themselves (seriously?? this is written on a checklist?? Isn't that just common sense?)
• Then there's the consultation phase where they ask you what you want done. 
• Right afterwards, their teachers come and double check that's what you want (making sure the students don't eff up!)
• And then they give you a glorious scalp massage with a delicious-smelling oil (best thing ever!)
• You get the typical shampoo/condition, but the product they use is Rosemary Mint. I had to buy some for myself. It smells so good!

• Then comes the student stuff. Whoaaa, it took a long time! It took my coiffeur about 10 minutes just to brush my hair out. And snip, snip. Bye, bye hair!

All told, after the wash, cut, blowdry, and a little survey, I was so glad I was finally done! Definitely know better now that I will not do it on a lunch break. My student, Suezann, said that the day before, a woman was there for 6 hours, getting her hair lightened from black to blonde. Wow!

Suezann had also asked me how far in advance I booked my service. I had just done it on Tuesday and when I called, they asked if I wanted to come in on Wednesday. She had told me that people book at least a month in advance. I don't believe that for one second! They do walk-ins!

So, I'll definitely go back. My hair cut cost $20! How can you beat that, especially getting treatments with the luscious Aveda products!? They also offer 60 minute facials for $40. Such a great deal!

Here is the Aveda Institute's Menu of services. Hope you get to enjoy it too!