Pistachio Ice Cream With Over 34g of Protein & Collagen

If you love pistachio ice cream as much as I do, you are going to want to grab your Ninja Creami because this one is GOOD!

I wanted something that tasted like a rich, creamy pistachio dessert but also had a little something extra hiding inside. So I started experimenting with my usual Ninja Creami creations and came up with this Pistachio Ice Cream with over 34 grams of protein and collagen.

And the best part?

You would never know it was packed with protein and collagen!

It tastes like a creamy, sweet pistachio treat rather than something that belongs in the “healthy food” category.

Why I Love This Pistachio Ice Cream

I am all about finding ways to sneak extra nutrition into things my family already enjoys. Sometimes you don’t need to completely change what you’re eating—you just need to add a few smart ingredients.

This recipe uses Vanilla Boost powder and Naked Marine Collagen along with milk and heavy cream to create a super creamy base.

The result is rich, smooth and full of delicious pistachio flavour.

And with over 34 grams of protein and collagen in the recipe, it is a fun way to add some extra protein to your day while still enjoying dessert.

The Ingredients

Here is everything you need to make this creamy pistachio Ninja Creami creation:

• 2/3 cup vanilla Boost powder
• 2 scoops Naked Marine Collagen
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 2 packets instant pistachio pudding mix

That’s it!

No complicated ingredients. No fancy ice cream maker. Just a few simple ingredients and your Ninja Creami.

How to Make Pistachio Ice Cream in the Ninja Creami

Step 1: Make the Base

Add the 2 cups of heavy cream, 2 cups of 2% milk, 2/3 cup of vanilla Boost powder, 2 scoops of marine collagen and two packets of instant pistachio pudding mix to a large bowl.

Whisk everything together really well.

You want the pudding mix and powders completely incorporated into the liquid so you don’t end up with little pockets of dry ingredients.

The pistachio pudding gives the mixture that gorgeous pistachio flavour while also helping create that thick, creamy texture we want.

Step 2: Fill Your Ninja Creami Container

Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container.

Make sure you don’t fill beyond the maximum fill line.

Put the lid on securely and place the container in your freezer.

Step 3: Freeze

This is the hardest part because you have to wait!

Freeze the container for at least 24 hours so the mixture is completely frozen.

I know—it is torture when you know there is pistachio ice cream waiting for you.

Step 4: Process It

Once your base is completely frozen, place the container into your Ninja Creami.

Process it using the Ice Cream setting.

When you first take it out, don’t panic if it looks a little crumbly. That is completely normal with many Ninja Creami recipes.

If needed, use the Re-Spin function until you get that smooth, creamy texture.

Step 5: Enjoy!

Once it is creamy and smooth, scoop it into a bowl and dig in!

You can eat it exactly as it is, or add your favourite toppings.

My Favourite Pistachio Ice Cream Toppings

If you want to make this extra fancy, try adding:

• Chopped pistachios
• Whipped cream
• A drizzle of chocolate
• Mini chocolate chips
• Crushed waffle cones
• White chocolate pieces
• A little extra pistachio pudding mix sprinkled on top

Honestly, though, this ice cream is delicious all by itself.

The Secret Protein Boost

This is what makes this recipe especially fun.

The protein and collagen are basically hidden in the ice cream.

You’re getting the Vanilla Boost powder and marine collagen without having to sit down and drink a protein shake.

That’s one of the reasons I love experimenting with Ninja Creami recipes so much. You can take ingredients you already enjoy and turn them into something that feels like an indulgent dessert.

Just keep in mind that the exact nutrition will depend on the specific brands and nutritional labels of the Vanilla Boost powder, collagen, pudding mix and dairy products you use.

More Than 34 Grams of Protein & Collagen

The recipe provides more than 34 grams of combined protein and collagen according to my ingredient calculations, but nutritional values can vary between brands and serving sizes.

If you’re tracking macros closely, always calculate the final numbers using the nutrition labels on the exact products you use.

Why Pistachio?

Pistachio is one of those flavours that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.

Chocolate and vanilla seem to get all the glory, but there is something about that sweet, nutty pistachio flavour that makes an amazing frozen dessert.

The instant pistachio pudding does a lot of the flavour work here, giving the ice cream that classic pistachio taste while helping create a thick and creamy base.

And because we’re making it in the Ninja Creami, the texture is absolutely fantastic.

More Ninja Creami Recipes From Funky Frugal Mommy

If you’ve fallen down the Ninja Creami rabbit hole like I have, you definitely need to check out some of my other frozen creations!

🍨 Snowball Ice Cream

My Snowball Ice Cream combines creamy vanilla ice cream with brownie pieces, marshmallow fluff and shredded coconut for a seriously fun dessert.

Snowball Ice Cream Recipe

🍭 Copycat Cotton Candy Blizzard

If you love those fun, colourful cotton candy-style frozen treats, you’ll definitely want to check out my Copycat Cotton Candy Blizzard.

Funky Frugal Mommy Recipes

🍫 High Protein Double Chocolate Ice Cream

Chocolate lovers aren’t being left out! My High Protein Double Chocolate Ice Cream is another protein-packed Ninja Creami creation worth trying.

More Funky Frugal Mommy Recipes

🍓 High Protein Strawberry Banana Frozen Yogurt

If fruity desserts are more your thing, try my High Protein Strawberry Banana Frozen Yogurt.

Funky Frugal Mommy Recipes

You can also browse my full Funky Frugal Mommy recipe collection for even more family-friendly recipes, treats and kitchen creations. (Funky Frugal Mommy)

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love when a recipe comes together and ends up being both delicious and a little more nutritious than you’d expect.

This Pistachio Ice Cream is creamy, sweet, nutty and completely satisfying, while the Vanilla Boost powder and marine collagen are quietly doing their thing in the background.

It is basically dessert with a secret.

And honestly, those are my favourite kinds of recipes!

If you have a Ninja Creami sitting on your counter collecting dust, this is your sign to pull it out and start experimenting.

You can make so many different flavours, and once you find a base you love, the possibilities are practically endless.

So grab your ingredients, freeze that pint and get ready for one seriously creamy pistachio treat!

Have you tried making protein ice cream in your Ninja Creami? What flavour should I make next?

Broken Appliance in Kelowna? A Frugal Repair-or-Replace Checklist

A broken appliance can turn an ordinary week into a rushed spending decision. The refrigerator is warming, the washer stops mid-cycle, or the dishwasher leaves water on the floor. Suddenly, the easiest option seems to be whichever repair or replacement can happen first.

But “fast” and “frugal” are not always the same thing. Replacing a machine too quickly can create delivery, installation, and fit costs that were never part of the sticker price. Approving a repair without understanding the problem can be just as frustrating. A better approach is to slow the decision down just enough to collect the facts that actually matter.

Here is a practical checklist Kelowna households can use before choosing repair or replacement.

1. Deal with safety before cost

Some appliance symptoms are not budgeting questions. Smoke, sparking, a burning or gas smell, uncontrolled heating, flooding near electricity, or a carbon-monoxide alarm calls for immediate safety action.

Stop using the appliance and keep people away from the hazard. Do not run “one more cycle” to see whether the problem happens again, and do not remove a panel to investigate. Follow current emergency, utility, or manufacturer guidance for the situation.

Once the area is safe, you can return to the repair-or-replace decision. Keeping safety separate prevents a financial calculation from delaying the response to a real hazard.

2. Write down the symptom in plain language

You do not need to diagnose the failed part. In fact, guessing at a part can make the first conversation less useful. Record what you can directly observe instead:

• What was the appliance doing when the problem began?
• Which function still works, and which function does not?
• Is there a fault code, unusual sound, smell, leak, or change in cycle time?
• Did the problem begin after an outage, move, renovation, or other event?
• Has the same problem happened before?

“The washer fills, then stops before spinning and shows this code” is more useful than “the motor is broken.” The first statement gives a repair professional evidence. The second is an unconfirmed conclusion.

Take safe photos of the model label, display, installation, and any visible water or damage. Do not move a connected gas appliance, tip a water-filled machine, or reach into a live electrical area to get a better picture.

3. Find the model and repair history

The model number can change the whole conversation. It helps identify the correct documentation, parts, dimensions, and installation requirements. If the label is accessible without moving or opening the appliance, photograph it rather than trying to copy a long string by hand.

Then look for previous invoices, warranty information, and notes about earlier problems. One isolated failure is different from a pattern of repeated repairs across several functions. A dependable appliance with one new symptom deserves a different comparison than a machine that has leaked, stopped, and needed multiple major parts in a short period.

If you cannot find the exact age, do not invent it. Approximate purchase timing and repair records are still more useful than a confident guess.

4. Get a diagnosis before using a percentage rule

You may have heard a rule such as “replace the appliance if the repair costs half as much as a new one.” It sounds simple, but it can hide the biggest variables.

The repair estimate may not be firm until the problem is diagnosed. The replacement price may exclude delivery, removal, installation, connection parts, taxes, and changes to the home. A built-in oven, panel-ready dishwasher, stacked laundry pair, or refrigerator in a tight opening can be especially sensitive to fit.

Instead of starting with an arbitrary percentage, compare two complete options. The repair-or-replace checklist for Kelowna households lays out the symptom, repair history, parts, expected outcome, and full installed replacement cost in the same decision.

The goal is not to prove that repair is always cheaper or replacement is always smarter. It is to compare the likely result of each option using the facts of your appliance and home.

5. Build the real replacement total

The price on a product page is only the beginning. Before treating replacement as the less expensive option, list the costs and practical changes that may come with it:

• Delivery to the home
• Removal or responsible disposal of the old appliance
• Installation labour and new connection parts
• Electrical, gas, plumbing, drain, or vent changes
• Cabinet, counter, flooring, or door-clearance work
• Taxes and optional coverage
• Time without a working appliance

Measure the opening, pathways, stairs, and doors. Note the fuel type and existing connections. If the old appliance is part of a stack, built-in set, or matched pair, confirm whether the new equipment can work safely with what remains.

A replacement can still be the right choice. This step simply makes sure you are comparing the repair with the installed replacement—not with an incomplete shelf price.

6. Consider what the appliance does for your household

The same failure can create very different pressure for different homes. A second refrigerator in a garage is not the same as the only refrigerator for a large family. A broken washer may be manageable for a few days in one household and a serious accessibility problem in another.

Ask practical questions:

• Can the household safely manage while waiting for a part?
• Does the current capacity still fit the family?
• Is the appliance easy to access and use?
• Would replacement require other changes the household does not want?
• Is an essential function unreliable even when the appliance is running?

Frugal decisions account for disruption, not just the invoice. Sometimes preserving a machine that fits the space and routine has real value. Sometimes an appliance no longer meets the household’s needs even if the immediate fault can be repaired.

7. Ask for a clear repair scope

Before approving work, ask what the estimate includes. A useful answer separates diagnosis, parts, labour, taxes, timing, warranty terms, and anything that remains uncertain.

Also ask whether the inspection found other significant wear and whether the proposed repair addresses the symptom you reported. A repair can solve a specific failure without promising that an unrelated component will never fail. Replacement also comes with limits: fit, delivery, setup, and the manufacturer’s stated coverage all need review.

If you are preparing to contact someone, a before-you-call appliance checklist can help you organize the model, symptoms, codes, safe photos, previous work, and access details before sending a request.

A simple final test

Put the two options side by side. For repair, record the diagnosed problem, estimate, timing, expected outcome, and warranty terms. For replacement, choose a genuinely suitable model and calculate the complete installed cost and disruption.

Then ask: which option leaves the household with the better practical outcome for the money, based on information you can verify today?

That answer may still be replacement. It may be repair. The frugal win is avoiding a rushed decision built on an age rule, a guessed part, or a price that leaves half the real costs out.

What Homeowners Should Know Before Making Major Home Improvements

A major home improvement can be exciting. You get to imagine the finished kitchen, picture yourself using that newly renovated basement, or finally tackle the noise that's been driving you crazy. But before the demolition starts, there are a few less glamorous details worth thinking about.

A renovation isn't just about choosing finishes and watching a project come together. Contracts, comfort, functionality, and potential return on investment can all affect whether an improvement feels like money well spent. A little planning before the work begins can save you from headaches once the project is underway.

Protecting Your Interests With a Written Contract

Few things can sour a renovation faster than discovering that you and your contractor had completely different ideas about what was included. Before anyone picks up a hammer, make sure you understand what you're agreeing to and what the other party is expected to deliver.

A detailed written agreement can spell out the scope of work, materials, project timeline, payment schedule, and what happens if plans change. It also gives you something concrete to refer back to if a disagreement pops up halfway through the project.

Some agreements may actually be required to be in writing under state law. For example, according to the Connecticut General Assembly, certain contracts, including some involving real estate or agreements that cannot be completed within one year, must be written down. The exact requirements depend on the type of agreement and the jurisdiction involved.

Before signing, look closely at the start and completion dates, payment schedule, warranties, permits, materials, cancellation provisions, and procedures for handling unexpected work. If something is unclear, ask about it before signing rather than hoping it will sort itself out later.

And don't toss the paperwork into a drawer once the project begins. Keep your contract, invoices, receipts, emails, messages, and other project records together. If something goes sideways, those records can become extremely valuable.

Considering Improvements That Increase Comfort

Not every home improvement needs to boost resale value to be worthwhile. Sometimes the best renovation is simply the one that makes you enjoy being in your own home a little more.

Think about the things that regularly annoy you. Is traffic noise keeping you awake? Are loud neighbors making it difficult to work from home? Does a particular room feel dark, stuffy, or awkward to use? Those everyday frustrations can be just as legitimate a reason to improve your home as preparing it for sale.

Noise, in particular, can be easy to overlook during renovation planning. Traffic, construction, businesses, and activity from neighboring properties can all find their way indoors. The right improvement may make the house feel noticeably calmer.

Window treatments can be one option when outside noise is coming through windows. According to Homely, quality insulated shutters can reduce noise levels by up to 60%, which can make them appealing for homes near busy streets or loud neighbors.

Of course, noise reduction isn't the only thing to consider when choosing shutters. Window size, materials, insulation, privacy, light control, appearance, and maintenance can all influence which option makes sense for a particular room.

The same thinking applies to other comfort-focused upgrades. Better lighting, improved ventilation, updated flooring, energy-efficient windows, and accessibility improvements can all make a home easier and more pleasant to live in. Start with the problem you want to solve, then look for an improvement that actually addresses it.

Evaluating the Potential Value of a Renovation

A renovation can make your home more enjoyable today while potentially adding value tomorrow. But not every project delivers the same financial payoff, and a renovation shouldn't be treated as a guaranteed investment.

Consider a basement. An unfinished basement can be little more than a storage area, but with the right renovation, it could become a bedroom, home office, entertainment space, gym, or guest area. Suddenly, square footage that was gathering dust has a purpose.

According to Architectural Digest, converting a basement into a living area has an 86% return on investment. That's an impressive figure, but it doesn't mean every basement conversion will produce an identical return. Location, renovation quality, project cost, and what buyers want in a particular market can all influence the outcome.

There's another question homeowners should ask: Will I actually enjoy this improvement if I never sell? A renovation that makes your home more functional for the next five or 10 years can provide real value through everyday use, even if it doesn't produce a dramatic increase in the home's eventual selling price.

Build some room into the budget for unexpected expenses, and compare the cost of different approaches before committing. Sometimes a smaller project can solve the same problem without turning your home into a construction zone for months.

Major home improvements are about more than making a house look better. Protect your investment with a solid contract, choose upgrades that make daily life better, and think about the value you'll get from the project. A little planning upfront can make the finished result much more satisfying.