frozen yogurt

Crackberry

Crackberry

Valentine’s eve is upon us. It’s cold, rainy and all I can think of is Pinkberry. Or as it’s known on the streets, Crackberry.

Pinkberry has no need for one more iota of press or undying confession of admiration. It probably scoffs at my undeterred crush.

For whatever reason I haven’t researched more thoroughly yet, I feel as though their frozen yogurt is a superior quality and if they would let me, I’d position myself with an unhinged jaw directly under the pineapple/coconut flavor levers. One shining difference between them and other mainstream froyo places is that you buy a size and then have the opportunity to fill the space with any of the available toppings (versus paying per ounce). I made my mom eat their glorious frozen yogurt with all the toppings the container could hold twice in one day.

The nearest Pinkberry is in New Orleans or Birmingham and I haven’t decided whether that’s actually a good thing or not. Right now, not. To get your Pinkberry fix, there are two locations in New Orleans – one near the French Quarter on Canal and one on Magazine in the Garden District/Uptown.

Pinkberry
French Quarter
300 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone 504-899-4260
http://www.pinkberry.com

Uptown
5601 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 7011
Phone 504-899-4260

Ten Fun Finds and Things

In the good name of procrastination, I’ve complied this post of fun things instead of writing about restaurants.

1. Cooking Wild in Missouri cookbook
Unexpected gifts are the best kind. The other day a friend sent us a copy of Cooking Wild in Missouri, a cookbook focused on using seasonal, local ingredients and meats. Chronicling their adventures of hunting, gathering and scavenging to work their way through all the recipes, they started their own blog, Woods to Food. Read their stories of true woods to table meals.

2. Zoya nail polishes
While scanning the deal headlines in my feed reader, I saw a post advertising a code for two free Zoya nail polishes for the cost of shipping. Normally $8 a piece, I got polishes in Jem and Dea for $6.95, a total savings of $16. I love those bargain blogs.

3. Pinkberry
Torn between feeling crushed and relieved, the nearest Pinkberry is two and a half hours away. I could eat it every day especially after being easily swayed by the numerous so-called health benefits. We had it twice in the same day in New Orleans, it’s that delicious.

4. Appetite for Jackson
On Saturday, January 28 from 2-9 p.m. I’ll be at the Art Garden downtown eating great food, listening to live music and maybe even sipping on a beer. Andrew Zimmerman from the Travel Channel will be there. The proceeds benefit the Craig Noone Miracle League. Can I say awesome?

5. Mississippi Warrior Dash
I was suckered in by the pit of fire and the Nordic helmet. Jackson hosts Mississippi’s Warrior Dash on April 21, and you can find me sinking in a mud pit or hurling myself over a wall.

6. Australian Open
Although there never is a true winter in the South, at least not to this Northern girl, I am excited it’s warming up outside and tennis season is starting up again. And nothing is more motivating to get back on the court than watching a little of the Australian Open.

7. Thirty-One umbrella
One a snowy evening in January many years ago, I arrived in the United States from South Korea and was welcomed into my family. Each year my mom commemorates my “Coming to America” day with a thoughtful gift and this year it was a personalized umbrella. Timing was perfect because it poured the next day.

8. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
Please go read this book by Mindy Kaling. She writes likes she’s having a conversation – a hilarious conversation – which is an amazing feat. Her story felt so familiar and I believe we could be friends. You’ll want to be her friend too. (If you’re not convinced, she’s the Indian girl on The Office who writes, produces and acts.)

9. Prima Donna’s Closet
In New Orleans I scored the best find at a consignment store, Prima Donna’s Closet. Hiding among the racks was a Banana Republic black blazer, similar to the one pictured above. An equal original is currently selling for $158, I paid $19.

10. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Everyone needs to read this book. The story is nearly unbelievable except that it’s very much true and Louis Zamperini lives on. Laura Hillenbrand masterfully narrates Zamperini’s childhood, Olympic running aspirations and survival through World War II. I stayed up until 1 a.m. on a work night to finish this book because it is riveting beginning to end.

Can’t get enough of my lengthy ramblings? Then visit my list page!

A Match Made in Heaven

Sweet Tree Frozen Yogert

I’ve been waiting for this deal to pop up ever since I heard Groupon was coming to Mississippi.

Amidst all the Black Friday hoopla, I’m most excited about the discount I scored today. On Groupon (for Jackson) the deal is $4 for $8 worth of frozen yogurt at Sweet Tree Yogurt.

The addiction started on a trip home to Kansas City and upon return to Jackson I quickly did ample research for sources to supply my cravings. After my initial visit, Sweet Tree has become one of the places I frequent to satisfy my froyo needs.

Sweet Tree also has a frequent buyer electronic point system, every ounce is worth a point and when you accumulate 60 points you get free froyo. I’ve already enjoyed one free froyo and am well on my way to a second round on the house.

If you’re curious, skeptical or already hooked like I am, today’s Groupon is a deal for you!

Sweet Tree Yogurt
772 Lake Harbour Suite 5
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone 601-707-5491
http://www.sweettreeyogurt.com

Sweet Cece’s Frozen Yogurt and Treats

Adorable

In my book, Sweet Tree Yogurt has won for best fro-yo in the area, but Sweet Cece’s definitely wins for best dressed.

The other night I met up with some girlfriends for a yogurt fix, and we couldn’t have picked a better spot for our gab fest than Sweet Cece’s. The decor is a mix of Anthropologie style and candy shop, with a lot of pink thrown in for good measure.

One difference in this shop (besides the wildly adorable decor), is if you want to sample any yogurt flavor an employee has to get it for you. No going crazy at the machines trying out every flavor with your own small paper cup allowed. Although I understand the protocol and underlying reasons, that’s a bummer for a flavor junkie like me.

Maybe to compensate for the free sample restrictions, they have the largest selection of toppings out of the four area frozen yogurt places. It’s the first place I’ve seen with small cheesecake bites. Yum.

I was chose cake batter yogurt topped with some candy bar pieces, snow caps, and a few strawberries (makes it healthy, ha!). It was decent, and the cute couch we were sprawled on made it that much more enjoyable.

Sweet Cece’s Frozen Yogurt and Treats
256 Dogwood Blvd.
Flowood, MS 39208
Phone 601-919-0999
http://sweetceces.com

Sweet Tree Yogurt

My addiction

True to my latest addiction, I’ve hit three out of the four frozen yogurt establishments previous mentioned within the last two weeks.

Heading north on I-55 to Lake Harbour, I ventured into a brand new part of town (new to me) and met some friends at Sweet Tree Yogurt on Saturday.  Sweet Tree occupies a small space in a strip mall, with a bench lining one wall and cute tables topped with vases of fresh flowers. We visited in the middle of the afternoon and it was packed!

Thank goodness for sample cups, because we were overwhelmed with the yogurt choices. At any of these self-serve yogurt shops, this is how it works:

1. Start by tasting the yogurt before making your final decision, ask for a sample cup at the register or a staff person will get the sample for you.
2. Grab a cup near the yogurt machines and fill to your hearts desire. Be careful because it can come out fast and the cup is much bigger than you think it is.
3. Go to town on the toppings bar and throw on whatever you like, or be a purist and skip the toppings altogether.
4. The cup is weighed at the registered and you pay by the ounce.

Around here the average price is $0.45 per ounce, and my cups have been around $3-$3.50. You can easily rack up a high yogurt bill if you fill the cup to the brim or put on a lot of toppings.

Pictured above is a mixed palate of flavors from Sweet Tree Yogurt: German chocolate, white chocolate mousse, cheesecake, blueberry trifle, chocolate, and peanut butter. There’s a few strawberries and Reese Peanut Butter cup pieces sprinkled on for good measure.

I love the flavors of fro-yo more than the vast selection of toppings (clearly). And after visiting Berry Berry Good, Sweet Tree, and Sweet Cece’s, I believe Sweet Tree has the best tasting yogurt flavors and the highest number to choose from. Sadly it’s also the farthest away from our apartment, but is certainly worth the trip.

Sweet Tree Yogurt
772 Lake Harbour Suite 5
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone 601-707-5491
http://www.sweettreeyogurt.com