Cascade Flavored Ice Water Product Review

Because I am an avid water drinker – it is my beverage of choice, other than morning coffee, and that falls into a wholly different category – I always expect others to feel the same.  It is, after all, essential to good health, thirst quenching like no other beverage, and so conveniently available.  But not everyone feels as I do, including Mr. O-P, who doesn’t care for water at all.  Recent health issues have caused his doctor to insist that he drink more water, something that is just not easy for him.

Imagine the convenience (divine intervention?) when the good people at Cascade Ice Water sent me a six-pack and asked if I’d give it a try.  I tried it immediately and loved it, but the good news here is that so did Mr. O-P.

Cascade Ice Water stands on its own, I think, as being the best tasting flavored water that I’ve tried, and in the history of my life, I have pretty much tried them all both in the U.S. and abroad.  It is lightly sparkling, so doesn’t have the “bite” that is sometimes present in other brands that seem to be a bit heavy on the carbonation.  It is organic – a big plus – and the flavors are true, not at all synthetic. 

Refreshing at any time of the day, it is particularly good first thing in the morning to help the body re-hydrate after a long night of sleep.  The grapefruit flavored water can easily, satisfyingly, replace calorie-laden orange or grapefruit juice; other flavors can refresh throughout the day.  The lime variety, I have found, makes a great mixer for cocktails, replacing club soda in fine fashion.

Thumbs up on this one, it is definitely a keeper.

 

Disclosure:  Cascade Ice Water products were provided to me, free of charge, in exchange for an honest review.  Glassware was provided by Uncommon Goods.

Organic Baby Sweet Potato Biscuits

Today is my two year blog-iversary, pointed out to me by blogging friend, Louise, of the recently ended, much lamented, Months of Edible Celebrations blog. Two years is a LOT of recipes. Not to worry, though, I have enough cookbooks to build a bunker, with the remaining left to shelve and read. But despite this overabundance of cooking tomes, I still find breakfast the most difficult meal of the day. I'm not much for cold cereal (unless it's my homemade granola), or packaged convenience foods (with the occasional exception), and I generally want something warm and soothing. Isn't that the best way to start a day? Soothed?

This morning my eyes fell on this package of baby sweet potatoes. 

Now, what have I told you about packaged foods? Turn them over, there is usually a tasty recipe on the back. 

Sweet potato biscuits were featured on this package and it sounded like a suitable way to begin a chilly morning. Sweet potato biscuits are unique among the usual baking soda or yeast-raised biscuits. They are moist, dense, flavorful, and spicy, and the perfect base for that maple butter that I made last week. 

This recipe is an easy one, employing the use of Bisquick. I'm a spicy person, so added the following spices into the dry ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon mace
1/8 teaspoon cardamom

I also cut mine cut with a 3" biscuit cutter and baked them about 20-23 minutes. 

Organic Baby Sweet Potato Biscuits
Servings: 6-8

1 pkg. Melissa's Organic Baby Sweet Potatoes
1 cup light brown sugar
1//4 cup water
2-1/4 cups Bisquick

Boil Melissa's Organic Sweet Potatoes until fork tender (this took me about 20 minutes once the water came to a boil).  Cool and peel sweet potatoes; mash with a fork. While potatoes are boiling, mix the dry ingredients together (and additional spices, if desired). Add water and mashed sweet potatoes and mix well. (I used my hands for this.)  Mixture will be more moist than the standard biscuit dough. Flour cutting board. Turn dough onto board, flatten with hands and roll to 3/4" thickness. Cut with a 2-3" round cutter. Place on greased baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 18-23 minutes. Serve hot with sweet butter and honey. 

What a great taste of fall!

This post is linked to:

Foodie Friday

Sweets for a Saturday

Seasonal Sunday