This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareTheJoyOfPie #CollectiveBias
The holidays are such a magical time of the year for so many. As I shop for my family and loved ones in the month leading up to Christmas, I’m often reminded that many people aren’t as fortunate as we are. While I don’t have lots of extra money to buy fancy, expensive gifts, I also don’t have to choose between buying a gift for my child and buying groceries. For some families, this time of year is really a struggle; I’m sure every family wants to give their child what they dream of, but some people just aren’t able to.
As my girls were growing up, I wanted to make sure that they understood that they really had it good. They didn’t always have name brand shoes or clothes or the latest gadgets, but they always had a place to live, plenty to eat, and clothes to wear. So we have always tried to give back in whatever way we could, even if it seemed small. Sometimes what seems small to us is huge to the other person. And hopefully some day, if they are able, they will pay it forward to someone else that needs help.
Another thing that I often think about during the holidays are the people that don’t get to spend those special days with their families. I think about all of the service men and women stationed in other parts of the world, away from their own families, protecting our country. That’s a huge sacrifice! And what about the men and women that protect us locally? Firefighters and police officers don’t get to take those days off to spend with their families either. But it’s easy to take a few minutes to say thank you to these people for their sacrifices to keep us safe!
I’ve always told my girls that helping out in the community and world was easy. There is likely an organization that could use your time or money for whatever cause you are passionate about. Whether you love children, pets, running, or nature, there is an organization that could use your talents!
My daughter and I sat down with some Apple Pie milkshakes that we whipped up (keep reading for the recipe) and brainstormed a list of 20 ways that our family (and your family) can volunteer this holiday season. Many of these ideas are great for the rest of the year too! I think we could have gone on and on once we started talking about it and the ideas started flowing! I created a fun printable that you can look over with your family and see what activities appeal most to you! We’re excited about getting out in the community and doing some good! (Click here for printable).
Download the printable here.
Your family may find several suggestions on this list that appeal to you, but if not, it’s a great time to sit down together and talk about what is meaningful to you. If your kids are old enough, have them sit down and make a list of 5 things they would like to do. Then decide as a family what you want to do to make a difference. The possibilities are endless and the time spent together as a family is priceless!
Since this week is Thanksgiving, we decided to kick the season off with delivering a pie to the fire station on Thanksgiving morning. We’ll be heading out of town for the day, so it will be easy to bake one while we’re packing and drop it by the station on our way to visit my daughter. To be honest though, I haven’t really baked many pies so I think I’m better off leaving that to the experts. So I picked up a couple of Marie Callender’s® Dessert Pies and some Reddi-wip® when I was at Walmart. Pecan pie is a Thanksgiving tradition with a generous portion of Reddi-wip® so that was a must. I also grabbed the lattice apple pie because it’s hands-down the best apple pie ever (sorry, Grandma) and we love pie-cycling it into milkshakes (the recipe is coming, I promise!). A pie is the perfect way to say thank you and deliver that taste of home, even when you can’t be home to enjoy it. It’s a great way to share the joy of pie!
Ok, so now on to the recipe. As with most of my inspiration, this idea started with Pinterest. The beginning of fall brought with it all things apple. I kept seeing so many recipes for apple pie milkshakes and knew I had to make one. As I browsed through the recipes, I quickly realized that these were just apple pie flavored recipes. There was no actual apple pie in them. Isn’t that a lot like false advertising? Seems like it to me. So I decided to make a 100% genuine apple pie milkshake. Although I haven’t tried any of the imposter apple pie milkshakes, I think I can safely say there is no substitute for the real thing!
This is seriously one of the easiest and best milkshakes you can ever make, especially if you’ve ever found yourself debating if you should have pie or ice cream. I simplified that decision for you! No need to thank me 🙂
I used the lattice apple pie with my recipe but I am certain that any of the other pies would be just as amazing – like the southern pecan pie, lattice cherry pie, or even pumpkin pie. After you’ve selected your pie, bake it according to the package directions. Cut a slice and add to your blender with 2-3 scoops of quality vanilla ice cream and a little milk to thin it some. Blend until the pie chunks are gone, adding a little more milk if you want to thin it more. Next, pour it into glasses, add Reddi-wip and a straw and enjoy!
Ingredients
- For Pico de gallo:
- 4 roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1 small white onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, chopped (more if you like it hotter)
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- juice from 1/2 a lime
- For tacos:
- 2 lbs marinated beef fajita meat (we get our's already marinated from a local Mexican meat market)
- 16 corn tortillas
- avocado
- pico de gallo
- cheese (I used Mexican crumble cheese but you're favorite cheese will work)
Instructions
- To make pico de gallo:
- Chop tomatoes, onions, jalapeno, cilantro and add to small dish.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Refrigerate while beef is cooking.
- To make tacos:
- On a hot grill, add fajita meat and cook until no longer pink inside.
- Slice fajita meat or cut into cubes.
- Add fajita meat to corn tortilla.
- Top with avocado, pico de gallo, cheese, and cilantro and enjoy.

Does your family volunteer during the holidays or throughout the year? I’d love to hear how you make the world a better place! And be sure to check out Marie Callender’s® Dessert Pies and Reddi-wip® for more great ideas to share the joy of pie.
Alli says
November 23, 2015 at 6:24 amI love Apple Pie Milkshakes and I always use Marie Callender’s apple pie when I make them. I always hope there’s leftover pie so I can make these delicious shakes.
Alli recently posted…Bathroom Baskets for Overnight Guests
Valerie says
November 23, 2015 at 7:36 amYum! An apple pie milkshake sounds delicious. I like the printable to remind us what we can do to make this world better!
Valerie recently posted…Outfitting Your Inner Explorer With Sierra Trading Post
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
November 23, 2015 at 8:24 amAn apple pie milkshake sounds so delicious! I’d love to try one! I always buy those apple pies from the store. They’re so convenient and delicious.
Jenn @ EngineerMommy recently posted…DIY Christmas Candy Ornaments with New Jersey Lottery
Miranda (Myrabev) says
November 23, 2015 at 11:06 amAt our church we buy food and donate clothes to the nearby shelters and charity organisations that help the homeless especially around this time when it is so cold and most do not have a warm place to sleep.
Miranda (Myrabev) recently posted…{Fashion} H&M Bag and Shoes
Angelic Sinova says
November 23, 2015 at 11:12 amThose Apple Pie Milkshakes look so yummy! I’ll definitely have to try this recipe out soon, t seems perfect for the holidays <3
Angelic Sinova recently posted…Monday’s Music 21 [Favorite Movie Soundtracks Edition]
JanetGoingCrazy says
November 23, 2015 at 11:17 amThis apple pie milkshake sounds amazing! I love that you brainstormed with your daughter on ways to give back to the community. I’m sure that the firemen really enjoyed their pie!
JanetGoingCrazy recently posted…Day 23 – Thankful for Work
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
November 23, 2015 at 4:17 pmOur mall has a tree where you can pick stars and buy gifts for elderly people in nursing homes that don’t have families and don’t usually get gifts.My youngest wanted to take all of the stars off the tree.
Heather @ Kraus House Mom recently posted…A Morning Shower Scene
Heather says
November 23, 2015 at 6:42 pmI think if you can give back you should! Tomorrow we will be donating a turkey at our local Bashas and other Thanksgiving fixings. I know it will mean a lot to a family in need.
Heather recently posted…When New Parenting Milestones Mean The End Of Baby-hood
Tiffany Lewis says
November 23, 2015 at 10:06 pmI never thought to add pie to a milkshake! Great idea!!
We do Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes each year. This year, we watched videos of kids receiving the boxes and did a lot of research about what to pack. It really helped hit home how little ppl have when my girls saw the videos.
Tiffany Lewis recently posted…Designing a BIG world………The Good Dinosaur in theaters 11/25/15! #GoodDinoEvent
Vera Sweeney says
November 24, 2015 at 12:11 amThis sounds like a great milkshake!! I love the idea of this printable, great way to remember to pay it forward this time of year.
Vera Sweeney recently posted…Candy Cane Heart Pops Recipe
Polarbelle says
November 24, 2015 at 2:46 amI didn’t realize apple pie milkshakes were a thing, but they sound delish. You have given some excellent suggestions for volunteering and helping out others that are often forgotten during the holidays….and all around the year.
Polarbelle recently posted…The Revlon Pro Collection One Step Hair Dryer And Styler Is A Time And Style Game Changer For Hair
Rebecca Swenor says
November 24, 2015 at 2:57 amThis is indeed an easy delicious idea for a milk shake for sure. I would love to try this idea with the coconut creme pie and the apple pie. Yummy!!! Thanks for sharing the easy recipe.
Up run for life fitness and health says
November 24, 2015 at 4:14 pmTHe milkshakes look amazing. I also think that it is awesome that you and your daughter came up with a bunch of ways that you can help others this holiday season.
Up run for life fitness and health recently posted…Enter to Win 3 Cases of Qurb Shot to Help You Curb Unhealthy Cravings This Holiday Season #qurbshot #makebetterchoices #weightloss Giveaway Ends 10/3
Lynzy says
November 24, 2015 at 4:57 pmWow – those look absolutely delicious! Wish I could have one right now!
Chantal says
November 24, 2015 at 9:44 pmPie in a milkshake- sounds absolutely amazing ! Such a clever and creative idea!
Claudia Krusch says
November 24, 2015 at 10:16 pmYour Apple Pie Milkshakes look so great! I’ll definitely have to try this recipe out soon!!
Claudia Krusch recently posted…My Latest Event Periscope – Interview With SEO Expert!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
December 2, 2015 at 4:00 pmOh my, what a wonderful milkshake flavor! I love it. This Christmas we will be donating toys to the needy.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen recently posted…Sakto, Sulit, and Safe Cooking with Petron Gasul