blower machine up

I don’t usually post two days in a row, but last weekend’s attic insulation diy project took just a tiny bit longer than expected (okay, twice as long) and threw off the beginning of our week hong kong homes for rent. On the bright side, that seems like it was a pretty worthwhile endeavor given that we spent a fifth of what it would have cost to bring in professionals. But getting the 125 pound+ insulation blower machine up (and down) a couple flights of stairs? That was no joke. We will not be sad if we never have to do that again.

I’m a tad backed up on my recipe queue, and seeing as how this recipe is St. Patrick’s Day appropriate, I didn’t want to wait any longer. Also, it’s a vegan Mint Oreo Blizzard so…you want this recipe asap, trust me 24 volt dc motors.

I do have to make a small confession though: I’ve never had a real DQ Blizzard. Are you horrified? Aaron likes to say I lived under a bit of a culture rock growing up because I rarely ate fast food, didn’t know what Monty Python was, and a bunch of other things I guess I was supposed to have experienced. Honestly, I can’t say I missed out technology commercialization.

So while I won’t ever get behind the fast food version of this shake, I do really like the whole blizzard concept of soft-serve ice cream with layers of toppings all mixed throughout. I live for the toppings bar at self-serve fro yo places. #givemeallthesprinkles

This vegan blizzard has everything you love about the original, but it’s probably about a million times better for you. Rich coconut milk ice cream, pure maple syrup, two forms of real mint flavor (via fresh mint leaves and peppermint oil), and you know how I achieved that lovely and festive green color? Baby spinach. I promise you cannot even taste it. Also, I like to think it offsets the Oreos a little. I didn’t skimp on those because they’re already vegan!

If you’re looking to health-ify this up even more, I’m betting raw cacao nibs in place of the Oreos would be a solid choice for a totally vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free mint chocolate chip treat.

Possibly the best news of all: you don’t need an ice cream maker! Just 2 ice cube trays, 8 ingredients, a blender, and an extra long spoon.

I like this blizzard so much more than the ones we’ve had this winter.