Review: McDonald's Pumkin Shake

Friday's Victim: McDonald's Pumpkin Pie Shake

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

Holy crap I had no idea McDonald's would be the one to capture the true essence of pumpkin in their milkshake but hot damn they sure as hell did it and did it well. I am not pro McDonald's in the same way I'm not crazy about WalMart; they both are huge corporations serving lazy, poor quality seeking individuals who just want to "get the job done," aside from the the occasional cheap craving for something completely void of nutritional, culinary, raw, epicurean, value. This shake, however, is phenomenal, and worth every bit of the McDonald's endorsement experience.

A photo for the curious:



So it's not the greatest picture but it does show the important features:

1. Layer of vanilla on the bottom. My constant complaint so far in all the "pumpkin" products is that there is too much of some non-characteristic pumpkin flavor (orange, spice, water, etc) and what they all lack is a creamy texture; this is mandatory in anything that claims to be pumpkin. The vanilla layer of this pumpkin shake completely satisfies this attribute and completes the creamy custard pumpkin goodness that is this shake.
2. The pumpkin layer. it's just what it needs to be: pumpkin. No more, no less. Just pumpkin.
3. Whipped cream. It's piled on, it's delicious, and it blends in perfectly.

So, my synopsis:

The highs:

• Everything. The whole shake is awesome. Pumpkin flavor is great, vanilla background gives it creamy, body and deliciousness, and doesn't disguise the pumpkin but rather enhances it. Oh my goodness it's yummy.
• It's the best pumpkin product I've had by far to this point.

The lows:

• If I had to pick one thing it would be the cherry on top. I'm not a big fan of maraschino cherries, in that I hate them, and they should just do some harvest spice goodness similar to DQ's blizzard and that would be perfect. The solution is to pass the cherry off to a friend and pretend like it never happened.

Good golly I think I want another...

Review: Pumpkin Spice Jell-O Pudding

before I get started... I GOT THE APARTMENT! (excuse the girl moment) EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now onto bigger matters, Tuesday's victim:



So I have a confession. I made this with soy milk and completely compromised the intention of Jell-O corporate's holiday abilities. In the word of Gilly, "sorry."

Nonetheless, the review:

The highs:

• It's pudding and it's instant. I love pudding. Instant gratification in this category is a good thing and gives this product a big step in the right direction.
• It also has good balance. I'd say it's a little heavy on the spice region and could do more pumpkin-ing but I'm learning that "pumpkin" and "pumpkin spice" are two very different things fulfilling two very different cravings.

The lows:

• This one, like the blizzard, also lacked in the creamy department. The saving grace is pudding easily and frequently comes with some kind of whipped topping and that takes this dessert/snack to a whole new level. I also am hesitent to put this in the low category since I made it with soy milk instead of whole.

Suggestions:

• Eat warm and with whipped cream.

Regrets:

• Why have I not made this before?!!

DQ Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Review

I think I'm going to embrace harvest season by reviewing everything commercial and pumpkin I can find so this will be somewhat of a string of posts. I'm going to start with Dairy Queen's Pumpkin Pie Blizzard because, well, it's on my way home and I have zero self control.

Today's victim:



High points:

• The spices on the whipped cream are perfect and awaken harvest within the soul.
• I ordered graham cracker crumbles on top. This was a good choice.

Low points:

• The flavor. It's like the unbaked pie but like an old can of Libby's was used. It's all over too watery, too spicy, and has an orange-like background that isn't very pleasant. Maybe it has something to do with the DQ - Orange Julius affiliation.
• They should redo their whipped cream at least for this drink. Being harvest seasonal only it wouldn't hurt to play on the thick custard background intended in pumpkin pie and bump up the whipped cream this time of year to something a bit heavier. Maybe Coldstone or Culvers could lend them a hand.

Something I'd rather have instead: Pumpkin Pie Breve. Find a coffee shop, make sure they have pumpkin pie (not pumpkin spice) syrup/sauce, and have them put it in a breve. You might as well be drinking a pie. Oh lordy, lordy. If you need a location, the first place I had this was Seattle's Best, but Dunn Bro's in the midwest and other small cafe's will have it. If you go to Starbucks you're SOL.

Until tomorrow, happy pumpkining :)

weighing on my mind

I want to get this apartment:

I already thought I had it, then thought I didn't. and now I think I have it again. It's more than I can afford but it's what I'm ready for. I want to afford and have nice things. This is something nice. I should have it.

I'm afraid to live on my own in a new town. I think I'll get lonely and cry. This is very possible. However, at the same time I really do enjoy my freedom and even tonight and today, I had a good time hanging out with friends and I'm happy to be home, with roommates out of town, on my couch on my own. Maybe this is a good change? I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this... I also am afraid that this is what I'll be always: alone.

I realized last week that I really enjoy who I'm becoming and I'm about ready to share that with someone else.

Other things:

- I broke my baking pact in lieu of friendship bread. I freaking love this stuff and I'm sharing most of it :) which I think friends are worth a slight detour :)

- I'm anxious and nervous to start work tomorrow. I think it will be really good to meet people outside of class but it always weighs on me a little when I think about how much time and energy making new friends can be.

- Christmas cannot come soon enough.

- This last week of school was really hard. I hit a wall, of sorts. Not a typical wall, but rather one more like a matress. made of Jell-O pudding. fashioned from apathy. I'm hoping that this break will give me time to explore the other things in life that energize and revive me. I'm so exhasted from dilligently studying every second... I just don't have much more left to give. It's time for a change of pace.

Take Home Lesson:

Life By Pintrest:

Today I...

got a job...

got locked out...

started looking for an apartment. again...

sweat at the gym. and running for the bus...

enjoyed fozen pizza...

avoided homework...

got a bad grade...

wanted to cry...

felt alone...

felt mad...

felt rushed...

watched Mean Girls...

and found myself searching for comfort in pintrest:

progress

I am not a very patient person. When things are changing and I'm aware of it, I want it to happen now. I know things take time, I know you can't force things into being because whatever is "supposed" to happen will if you just let it, but god is it terrible waiting.

I found out about a month ago that both of my roommates are moving out, leaving me with a $850 delapedated townhouse to pay for. Solo. Awesome how that is convenient for them and 100% shitty for me. Anyway, today was good progress. For a Monday I took a Chemistry test and felt pretty good about it, got an interview for a part time job at a sweet little coffee shop, and have a brand new apartment on hold for me.

Connie had a big day.

The comfort of having a plan, even if it means double rent payments, is just heavenly. I think I'm going to celebrate with a brownie :)

Note to self: always have brownies.



NOM. NOM. NOM.