Hungry Blogger

It's officially dessert season! Is there a more perfect month for Dessert Month than October? All the fun flavors are out and you can find something delectable around every corner. The Cheesecake Factory is celebrating not only with their typical yummy variety of cheesecakes, but also a signature pumpkin cheesecake they are selling at Fazolis!

If that wasn't enough, the Cheesecake Factory also has ice cream/cheesecake blends selling at grocery stores now that look pretty good. I've seen flavors in salted caramel and cookies and cream. They are also selling these new premium pudding cups in stores, which also look interesting. Would you try one?

Where do you get your cheesecake from? Who makes the best cheesecake--or do you have a really good recipe to share? Post your thoughts in the chat.

So many restaurants are pushing their food-ordering apps lately, and I wanted to see who is actually using these glitchy apps on the regular. Each time I try to use a food app--whether it's for a coffee shop, fast food, a restaurant, whatever--it usually glitches or says that it's currently not available, etc. Who has space for apps like these or time to make an order only for it to be denied? I've even ordered, been charged and had my money reimbursed days later after being told the order was denied!

Are these apps even worth the trouble? Are their email deals worth it, either? Subway's deal today, for example, is free bacon on a sandwich or salad. This reminds me of the Chipotle versus Qdoba thing years ago. Shouldn't bacon just be included with the price of a sandwich or salad? I remember when a deal was really something worth planning your day around, like a freebie or at least a BOGO. This kind of deal does not send me running to plan a purchase I otherwise would not have made into my schedule.

Do you think food-buying apps and email deals are worth the time or not? Whose is actually worth using? Share your thoughts in the chat.

Mochas are great iced or hot, but have you ever had a mocha shake? Thicker than a Frappucino, a mocha shake is a delicious treat that's perfect for cooling off, enjoying some chocolate flavor and still getting that caffeine kick, depending on how you make it. Yes, you can make one without caffeine if you like!

You can also make mocha shakes with fewer calories or sugar. Just use this recipe for a mocha shake from Hungry Girl, or try some mocha syrup from Skinny Syrups. If you want to use real, full chocolate and ice cream, this decadent recipe is a good one to try, and if you only have instant coffee and cocoa available, you're still in luck!

How do you like to make mocha shakes at home? What kinds of flavors, mix-ins or toppings do you like to add? Share them in the chat.

My teen loves to cook, but not to clean up. The cleanup is what keeps me from cooking much in the summer! I can't wait fall when we can use the crockpot again. We don't have air conditioning in the kitchen so heat from cooking plus cleanup time equals no fun. So you can bet if I can avoid cooking or get takeout, I will. One of the best things to do to keep from cooking is to keep a bunch of salad staples in your house.

Along with plenty of fresh greens (which we sadly didn't grow this year--maybe this fall!), keeping lots of chopped veggies, cheese and frozen or fresh meats on hand is super helpful. Grilled chicken breasts, falafel, shrimp and tuna are fantastic to keep on hand to toss into salads. Plenty of fun ingredients like sunflower seeds or cheese crackers help keep it interesting, too, as do the ingredients for a good salad dressing.

What kinds of staples do you have on hand for no-cook meals? Share them in the chat!