Monday, October 10, 2011

31 Days: Day 10 - Addicted to Cappuccino?

First I apologize for no post on Sunday.  We went to church, then to my mom-in-law's to help her move some rooms around.  Then we headed to my parents to return some cots the boys borrowed, and spent some time with them.  By the time we got home I had just enough light to plant a bush and some ground cover I picked up last week on clearance, and get a start on trimming the raspberries.  So Sunday's post didn't happen.  I did give you a twofer (two for one) on the first day of this series though...so am I forgiven? 

Okay, all Starbuck's and coffee elitists please step away from your computer.  I am slightly addicted to gas station french vanilla cappuccino.  Gasp!  I know, I know.  For a coffee elitist, gas station and cappuccino don't belong in the same sentence.



But I.love.them.  Yes I have a sweet tooth.  No I can't stand coffee unless it is totally adulterated with flavored creamer and plenty of sweetener.   I tried Starbucks once.  It was...let's just say...it was not for me.

I know they are loaded with calories and fat.  I know they are not good for me.  Fortunately I don't go to town everyday.  I do limit myself to one or two a week, usually in the small size.  They are a little indulgence for me...and a very affordable one at on around $1.00 per 8 oz cup.  After all, if I buy 2 a week that's only $2.00/week, which is an average of $8.67/month...ummm $104/year.  Yikes!  I can think of a lot of things I'd rather do with $104 than add inches to my waistline.  But ooooh they are good!


So in the interest of saving some of that $104, and maybe coming up with a less calorie laden cup of joe,  I went in search of a recipe.  I found one that sounded good, but it was way too weak and not nearly as sweet as the gas station cappucino.  So I added a little more of this, a lot more of that, and a touch of chocolate.  I think I hit it pretty close.

One of my modifications was to use decaf instant coffee.  Caffeine and I don't get along very well.  I have to limit the amount I drink to a couple cups of tea in the morning.  I also used splenda to cut some of the sugar in the mix.  Here's my recipe.

French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix:

1/3 cup instant coffee
1 cup instant dry milk powder
1 cup powdered coffee creamer
3/4 cup sucralose (Splenda - I used Great Value)
1/4 cup instant sugar free vanilla pudding mix
1/4 cup powdered chocolate drink mix (like Nestle quick)

Mix well and store in airtight container.  Makes  about 3 1/2 cups of mix which makes about 19 cups.

To Use:  Add 3 level Tablespoons of  mix to 8 oz hot water.

Next time I think I will try it without the vanilla pudding and instead use french vanilla coffee creamer.  You could use any flavor creamer you want to get different flavored cappuccino.

This recipe cost about $3.30 to make.  Each serving costs about .17 cents.  Assuming I buy two cappuccino's per week, I will save $1.66/week,  $86.32/year or on average $7.19 per month.

If you are benefiting from this series, I’d love it if you would grab my button from the top of my sidebar.  I will be back with another money saving tip tomorrow.   I will keep up a running tally of my savings at the bottom of each new post. Just scroll down to the bottom to see.  See you tomorrow, same time?, same place.

My tally so far:
$1073.70/year
$89.47/month


5 comments:

  1. Excellent and useful post!

    I wish you a pleasant day and I send kisses:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This recipe sounds like a must try! Honestly even I'm a bit of a gas station coffee lover. Fancy coffees taste like they lack something...know what I mean? :) My favorite coffee by far is the coffee you get from Mac Donalds. I know, the coffee elitist will kill me.

    You have a great blog Deborah and I'd be a regular! Thanks for visiting mine.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is exactly what I have been looking for!!!!! Have you ever tried it as iced coffee, or a blended frappuccino?

    ReplyDelete
  4. No I haven't, but if you do, let me know how you fix it. That sounds wonderful! Thanks for stopping by. By the way, you have your comments set to no reply, which means I can't respond to your email. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  5. motorcycle accident maryland
    Cappuccinos are a beloved coffee drink that has become a daily ritual for many. The combination of espresso, steamed milk, and frothy foam in a cappuccino is irresistible, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the delicate foam art on top make each cappuccino a work of art. They are not just a drink but a source of inspiration, and they are the ultimate indulgence for coffee enthusiasts. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the delicate foam art on top make each cappuccino a work of art. Cappuccinos are not ashamed to plan their day around cappuccino breaks, as they serve as a little escape from the hustle and bustle. The first sip of a cappuccino in the morning is like a promise of good things to come, and the love affair they have with the drink is unabashedly addictive. In summary, cappuccinos hold a special place in the hearts of many, offering a daily dose of comfort and pleasure that is hard to resist.

    ReplyDelete

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