Strawberry Oat Smoothie

 

Sometimes we are in need of a quick, yummy snack that will actually fills up the kid's tummies. We eat a variety of snacks (everything from granola bars to cookies to pull-aparts to fruit to veggies), but sometimes they need a change.

I totally don't blame them.  I hate eating the same thing day in and day out.  I am a variety kind of girl and I think my kids inherited that from me.

Plus some days I get so tired of hearing "I'm hungry" over and over again that I have to come up with a protein filled snack that will fill them up for several hours and I can have my peace and quiet.

Smoothies are at the top of our list for so many reasons.
1. There are so many ways to make them that we haven't gotten tired of them yet.
2. You can have them for breakfast.
3. You can have them for a snack.
4. You can totally tailor them to certain people's picky needs (not going to mention which child that is of mine!).
5. They are just down right yummy.

This is one of our favorite versions lately. And the best part.  Their tummies are completely full for at least 2 hours.  That's a record at this house.

Strawberry Oat Smoothie

(click here for printable version)

* This makes 6 (8oz) portions

1 cup strawberries, washed, core removed, and quartered

1 banana, sliced

1/4 cup raw almonds

1/3 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup greek vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp maple syrup

1. Toss everything into a blender and let blend until completely smooth, at least 1-2 minutes.  Pour into cups and enjoy!

Polar Express Hot Chocolate (aka The Best Hot Chocolate EVER!)

 Hot Chocolate is so magical to me.  There is nothing like a cup full of chocolatety goodness on a cold, snowy, Christmasy day.

As the weather gets colder and Christmas get closer my kids get so excited for hot chocolate and could drink it probably every day (don't worry I restrain them but with this amazing stuff it's pretty difficult).

I came across this fabulousness on Pinterest and was intrigued, especially because my kids are having a Polar Express themed Christmas--thanks to my parents.

We whipped some up and WOW!  We haven't gone back.  It even beats the premium, gourmet stuff at the restaurants--seriously.  Maybe because it's so high rent (you know the calorie count is quite over the top), but hey it's Christmas and your kids will love it.

Funny story on this hot chocolate first.  We had some friends stop by the other night.  We had just gotten home from taking our kids to see Christmas lights and I had made some of this amazingness to drink when we got back.

We invited them in for some hot cocoa. "St. Farm" (names have been changed to protect the innocent) drank his cup and said several nice things about how this hot chocolate was the best he ever had, even beat a super fancy French restaurant in SLC.  

I was thinking "sweet", that's so nice of him to say but really I knew it was good, but that good?  Well he then proceeds to drink what is left of his two girl's cups, then have what was left in the pan.  Next thing I know he is licking off the ladle and the spoon I had used to stir the cocoa with and even licking out the pan.  Not kidding!!  (and for the record his wife was embarrassed)

So if you don't believe me that this is the best hot chocolate EVER. just ask "St. Farm". 

Polar Express Hot Chocolate

(click here for printable version)

1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
6 cups milk
2 tsp vanilla
Optional: whip cream and marshmallows to top it off

1.  In a large, heavy bottom sauce pan combine sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips over medium heat. Stir constantly until chocolate is completely melted and smooth.  Add whipping cream, milk, and vanilla, whisking mixture together till smooth and completely combined.  Serve warm with whip cream or marshmallows. Enjoy!

Tip: If you are making this for a party the mixture can be put in a large crockpot 3-4 hours before serving time, stirring every hour.

Banana Protein Smoothie

Sometimes we have crazy days.

Especially in the mornings.  Like Tuesdays.

I volunteer at the kid's school in the mornings at 8:30.  So as soon as they are off to school it's a mad dash to clean up breakfast, shower, and get out the door (and of course it would be easier if I got up earlier in the morning so I wouldn't be in a hurry but there is just something about staying up late to watch 4 episodes of "Once Upon A Time"--just discovered it on netflix, awesome!!--that makes me not want to get up in the mornings, hmmm....)

Which means that I need a quick breakfast.  And a filling breakfast.

That's been one of the hardest parts of going gluten free is breakfast.  Pretty much everything has gluten in it that's fast.  And I can only handle eating so many eggs in the morning.  I usually vary between yogurt and granola to cereal.

But now I have something else in my repertoire and it's delicious.  Especially if you are one of those protein smoothie people.  This is a nice change and I loved it.  

Banana Protein Smoothie

(click here for printable version)

2 whole bananas (best with brown flecks on peel)

2 cups ice

1/3 cup greek yogurt

1/2 cup cooked oatmeal

1 tbsp peanut butter (optional)

1/3 cup almonds

1. Pour all ingredients in blender except the ice. Pulse several times, then add ice and blend on high for 30 seconds or until smoothie thickens.  Pour in glasses and enjoy!

Source: Chiquitas Bananas

Hot Cocoa Dippers

Now that it's December we are in the full Christmas swing at our house.  One of the things we love to do this time of year is give out treats to our neighbors.  We plan and think about it for weeks trying to come up with something great to give (and we usually revert to what we did growing up, a candy wreath filled with delicious goodies--but hey it's fun to think about something else :).

I am always looking for something new to share with them.  I thought this idea was fantastic.  I had my children try them and they were in love.  They thought it was so fun to have something cute to stir into their chocolate, plus I love the little zing of flavor the mint gives it.

It will be so cute packaged in a clear bag with some dippers, hot chocolate, and tied with Christmas  string.  Perfect for a cold winter night.

These beauties can be made many different ways.  I used crushed candy canes, Andes mint chips, and red sugar flakes.  You can also use red sprinkles.  Feel free to use your imagination and experiment.  

Hot Cocoa Dippers

(click here for printable version)

Large marshmallows

Drinking straws ( I got mine at Garnish)

Chocolate (I used chocolate candy melts)

Toppings: crushed candy canes, Andes mint chips, red sugar sprinkles, or red nonpareil sprinkles

1. Spread out wax paper on a flat surface.  Skewer marshmallows on straws, making sure to not go through the end. Melt chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl, according to package directions. Dip in marshmallows, leaving white tops exposed; lift sticks straight up, letting excess chocolate drip off. Add toppings and let cool completely on wax paper.  Package for your neighbors or make yourself some cocoa and add your dipper.  Enjoy!

Source:  idea from Good House Keeping

Pumpkin Pie Smoothies

Do you make "to do" lists at your house?

I certainly do.  I'm just that kind of person.  Right before I started writing this post I was making three lists: recipes I am going to make in the next two weeks, groceries I need for those recipes, and all the things I need to accomplish in the next 2 days (you don't really want to see that one because it's no fun but a mom has got to do what a mom has got to do!).

Lists make me feel better.  Makes me "feel" organized.  I am contemplating starting one for Thanksgiving.  Mine would look like this:

10. Make apple pie.

9. Make pumpkin pie.

8. Make pumpkin cheesecake pie.

7. Make a "cherpumple" pie/cake.

6. Make a chocolate pie (any will do)

5.  Make more pie crusts.

4. Make pecan pie (a must for the madre)

3. Make another pumpkin pie (because I ate the other one already).

2.  Make a "pie shake" (haven't had one yet and the sisters rave about them)

1. Eat some pie.

Like my list?  And now since I haven't made any pie to put in milkshake we made a smoothie.  Delicious and perfect for pumpkin season.  We all loved them!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothies

(click here for printable version)


1 can (15 Ounce) Pumpkin Pie Filling
3 cups whole milk
3/4 cup vanilla yogurt
A dash of cinnamon
Cinnamon graham crackers, crushed

1.  Several hours before making the smoothie, place pumpkin pie filling in a freezer-safe container and freeze till partially frozen.

2. To make the smoothie, add milk, and yogurt to a blender. Drop in the frozen pumpkin pie filling and blend until the frozen filling is completely pulverized. Add more milk or yogurt as needed to get it the consistency you'd like.

3. Pour into individual glasses and sprinkle the tops with graham cracker crumbs. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Source: Pioneer Woman

Italian Sodas

 Summer is such a fun time to have drinks that are out of the ordinary.

 The kids think anything with a straw is pretty awesome so when we made this one night for dessert, they were so excited.  Whip cream and a straw.  Life couldn't get much better than that, especially on a hot summer day.

This beauty can be made many different ways.  This is a our preferred version, especially the kids, and because all the ingredients can be found in pretty much every grocery store, including the flavorings (they just don't have a large variety).  We love to pick up different flavorings at World Market (this time it was Blackberry, Raspberry, and Blood Orange).  

Italian Sodas

(click here for printable version)

*this makes enough for one drink.

Sprite (or mineral water--my kids don't like that version so totally up to you)
1/4 cup half-n-half
2 tbsp flavoring
Whip Cream (the can kind works awesome)
Ice (we prefer crushed--like the Sonic kind)

1.  Fill your cup half way up with ice.  Pour in half-n-half and flavoring.  Slowly pour in Sprite (or mineral water) till it reaches the top, the Sprite will overflow if you pour it in too fast.  Top with whip cream and add a straw--just for fun.  Enjoy!

Raspberry Slush

 Sometimes I just get sick of drinking water.

It's not that I hate water (Tara :) because sometimes there is nothing better than a tall, ice cold drink of water.  Plus I am kind of a fanatic about making sure i get my water in everyday.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I hear this little voice telling me that I have to make up for the diet coke I just drank so then I try to drink twice as much water to flush it out (maybe I should just stop drinking pop but...yep it's the but and I haven't conquered that non pop drinking demon yet!)

But in the mean time when I am sick of water and I trying not to drink a pop I love drinking something with a little flavor!  Lemonades are so perfect on a hot day but this is perfect for a party or a bbq.  I got this fabulous recipe from a good friend and I have loved it since.  Just don't mind all the sugar in there, at least it's the real stuff, and it sure is tasty!!

Raspberry Slush

(click here for printable version)

3 Cherry or Raspberry (or any kind of red flavor) Koolaid packages
4 cups sugar
1 46 ounce pineapple juice
1 12 ounce frozen lemonade
1 package frozen raspeberries
Water
1 2 liter Sprite

*Note: you should make this at least the night before so it has enough time to freeze completely.

1.  In a one gallon container (I just used my pitcher) mix koolaid, sugar, pineapple juice and frozen lemonade until lemonade and sugar is completely dissolved.  This is important, you don't want all the sugar at the bottom so make it is completely mixed in.  Then add enough water so the bring the mixture up to the gallon line on your pitcher.  Stir in frozen raspberries, cover, and freeze 24 hours or overnight.

2.  One and a half hours before serving the drink, remove from freezer and let sit.  Then right before serving, carefully pour mixture into a punch bowl and break up any large chunks.  Pour entire 2 liter of Sprite over mixture, stir, and serve.  Enjoy!

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Is it too late for hot chocolate? Not at our house especially because we finally got snow.  Yeah!!

This is our first white stuff of the winter season so were so excited to see it coming down.  We broke open the snow gear, went and played (and shoveled the walks), enjoyed how beautiful it was, and then came in and warmed up with some hot cocoa.

I love coming into a warm house and drinking some delicious chocolate.  Ahhh...so good.

This year we have been trying the homemade version of hot chocolate.  I grew up on the homemade stuff and my mom always kept a huge container in the pantry.  My children on the other hand have grown up with Stevens (that's pretty yummy stuff especially the candy cane one) and I have been trying to get them to enjoy the homemade kind.

Homemade hot cocoa has a different flavor, delicious but different so be prepared.  Don't expect it to taste like Stevens or Little Miss or any other those other boughten kind.  In some ways it might be an acquired taste but I really like it.  So give it a chance and let me know what you think.  

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

(click here for printable version)


3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder, dutch-process or natural
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or finely chopped white chocolate
1/4 tsp. salt


1.  Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl. Working in two (or more, I ended up doing 3) batches, depending on the size of your food processor, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the chocolate is finely ground. Store the dry mix in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

2.  To make hot cocoa, put 1/3 cup of the cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup of hot milk. Top with whipped cream or miniature marshmallows, if desired.  Enjoy!

Make about 20 servings

Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

A random fact about me:  I am usually always cold.

It's true, I can remember as a little kid being cold a lot (the dr. always thought I was anemic but nope that wasn't it, it was thyroid) and it just hasn't gone away.  Even as I sit here writing this I am wearing pants, socks, slippers, a long sleeve shirt, a short sleeve over the top of that, and a jacket--and my house is set at 72°.  

I don't like to be cold and try to avoid it at all costs (but dang it sometimes you just have to leave your house!!).  Like I dislike greatly (we are trying to teach our kids not to use the word 'hate') going to the indoor swimming pool in the winter.  It is so stinking cold getting out from the pool and walking to the locker room--it gives me the shivers just thinking about it right now.  I also dislike greatly sledding or skiing or any winter sports.  Not because I don't like them but from the fact that I am outside getting cold and it seems like no matter how many socks I put on, what gloves or coats I buy, or how many layers I put on--I get cold!

Anyway...I think because I am cold so much, I LOVE hot drinks (except coffee--we don't drink that our house).  One of our favorite breakfasts is hot chocolate and toast.  Not very healthy but man is it tasty especially as snow is falling, the fire is burning (in the fireplace), and I don't have to leave my house.

When I came across this lovely lady I knew I would be in heaven--pumpkin and it's served hot.  Perfect!  It's even better with a whole bunch of whip cream, mmm....mmm...good.  So go make yourself some and curl up in favorite armchair and try to stay warm.

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

(click here for printable version)

1 1/2 c. whole milk

1/2 c. canned pumpkin pie filling (different from pumpkin puree--if you want it healthier you can add regular pumpkin but I liked this sweeter version better)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

pinch of ground cloves

1/2 tsp. vanilla

pinch sea salt

2 ounces white chocolate (roughly chopped)

Whipped cream

1.  In a small sauce pan over medium heat, combine milk, pumpkin and spices. Cook stirring constantly until just simmering.

2.  Remove from heat and add chocolate, reserving some for garnish if you would like.  Just before serving, top each mug with a generous mound of whipped cream, a few shavings of white chocolate, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Source:  slightly adapted from Tidy Mom

Linking with Joy of Desserts and these fabulous parties

Apricot Nectar

 Sorry Jennifer I have taken so long to post this but canning season is in full swing at my house so everything else takes a back seat.

Apricots are a weird fruit to me.  People either like them or hate them.  

I think there is so much hate involved because if you have a apricot tree that is within a 5 mile radius of your house those "neighbors" will try to pawn their fruit off on you.  I guess we should link apricots with the quote of "if you have a apricot tree you can feed a nation" (okay not really but your entire neighborhood!).

Apricots are like zucchini in that way, there is always a million of them and you never know what to do with them because after eating them all day long for 2 weeks straight, you kinda get sick of them and nobody wants to take them off your hands.

Except me.  At least a few bucket loads because even I can only handle so much of these little beauties.

We like apricot jam a little bit at our house so one or two batches gets jamified but we L.O.V.E. apricot nectar.  Isn't it beautiful in the jar?  I love how brilliant orange it gets and it is delicious.

This is my grandmother's recipe and we grew up drinking this juice.  We always mixed it with orange juice or orange koolaid but it's totally up to your preferences, I just know that it's awesome to drink and quite easy to can (as far as canning things goes anyways...) so if you have a apricot tree near you give it a try and because in my neck of the woods people will let you have as many apricots as you want for free.  Sweet!

And if you have never canned before, read this post first.  It's a great introduction to canning.

Apricot Nectar

(click here for printable version)

Apricots (a 5 gallon bucket produce about 10-12 quarts of juice)

Water

Sugar

Lemon juice

Water bath or steam canner

Canning jars, sterilized (I send them through a cycle in the dishwasher)

New lids

Rings

Chinois Strainers(we just called it a sieve growing up)

1.  Wash all your apricots and remove pits.  Put apricots in your large thick bottomed pot--very important because you don't want the bottom to burn.  For every 4 cups of apricots you put in, add 1 cup of water. Let sit at a gentle boil until apricots are very soft--I let mine sit 3-4 hours or longer.

2.  After your jars have been sterilized, fill each one with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice.

3.  When the apricots are soft, set up your sieve (or chinois) over a bowl to catch all the juice.  Gently pour several cups of the apricot/water mixture in your sieve and using the pestle push the mixture all around trying to get out as much juice as possible.  Pour juice into jar, filling up to the neck.  Dump out remains of apricots in separate bowl.  Using a wooden spoon stir juice until sugar dissolves.  Repeat until apricot/water mixture is gone.

4.  Top each jar with a lid and ring.  Process for 20 minutes according to manufacture's instructions.  Enjoy!

Mint Juleps (non-alcoholic)

I know, I know, this is a major no no to some of you but let me explain.  Well I guess there is not much to explain except that my husband loves "drinks" (seriously when we go to restaurants he drinks at least 6 different flavors of lemonade before our meal comes out) and we don't drink alcoholic beverages so this leads me to finding creative ways to make yummy, delicious drinks for him.

This particular one started about 9 years ago.  We were in the middle of law school (and by that I mean really my hubby was going to school but I was doing all the behind the scenes stuff like cleaning the house, making food, taking care of 3 kids, so really he couldn't of done school with out me--any one else with me on this?!!?).  He had a group of would-be attorneys that got together with their wives monthly to eat dinner and unwind.  

One of them, Steve, loved mint juleps.  Every time we got together, he had an ice cold pitcher of mint juleps waiting for us--oh was it heaven in the summer!  Back then I wasn't into asking people for recipes, mostly because too many people would say, "that's a family secret".  Seriously--it's a recipe but that topic is for another day.  So I never asked Steve how he made it.

Well this past Father's Day I wanted to make the hubs a knock your socks off drink that he would love.  A lovely Russian lady had just given us some fresh mint from her garden and I knew what I was going to make.  After scouring the internet and finding many comments about how it was a disgrace to not add alcohol to this lovely drink, I decided to risk it and we came up with a delicious, amazing creation that we all loved, even the kids.  They kept asking for more "juice" and probably drank more than the hubby, which says a lot!

This would be amazing for any family friendly bbq and perfect for hot summer nights.

Mint Juleps (non-alcoholic)

(click here for printable version)

6 mint leaves, rinsed

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 c. cold water

3/4 c. lemon juice

4 c. fresca (or any flavor of lemon-lime soda pop)

2 c. ginger ale

1.  Place sugar, water and lemon juice in large bowl.  Mix until sugar dissolves and add mint leaves.  Let sit for 1 hour.  Fill a large pitcher with ice and pour sugar, lemon juice mixture over ice.  You can discard the mint leaves at this time.  We left them in because we wanted a stronger mint flavor.  Add fresca and ginger ale.  Serve and enjoy!

Linking to these fabulous parties
and
Beauty and Bedlam

Lemon Ice

What a refreshing, fun summer treat.  We all absolutely loved these, even my 3 year old.  We made these on a very hot summer day and they were perfect.  It is so fun to drink straight out of the lemons and the kids loved helping me make them.  This is must have for summer and would be perfect for parties or your end of summer BBQ.  I found them here.

6 lemons

3 c. water

1 c. sugar

3/4 c. lemon juice (from your lemons)

1 T. grated lemon zest

1. Cut off the ends of all your lemons, making sure that the end that will be the bottom is not too deep (you don't want the mixture leaking out the end).  Then squeeze all the lemon juice out of your lemons and set aside the juice for later use. Use a spoon to scrape out the insides of the lemons. For the extra stubborn pulp we used our lemon zester and it worked like a charm. This is the part that would be great for the kids to help out with.  Put the lemons in a covered container and store in fridge until ready to use.

2.  For the lemon ice, mix the water and sugar in a 2-qt saucepan; bring to boil over high heat. Boil uncovered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and lemon zest. 

3. Pour into a 13 x 9-in. baking pan. Freeze 1 hour; stir. Cover; freeze 2 hours or overnight until firm. (Mine took much longer.  Every few hours I would stir it up and then let it freeze some more)

3. Take your prepared lemon "cups" and then fill them with the frozen lemon ice and enjoy.  So yummy!!

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Have you ever had this?  I had never heard of it until my sister visited from Seattle.  She found it on FFR and loved it.  She made it for us and I fell in love too.  It would be so perfect for summer nights, I hope you try it.

4-5 oz. milk chocolate chips

2 t. store bought hot chocolate mix

1 1/2 T. sugar

1 1/2 c. milk, divided

3 c. ice

Whipped cream

* Melt chocolate in a small heavy saucepan or in the microwave. Stir occasionally until melted. Add the hot chocolate mix and sugar, stirring constantly until blended. Remove from heat, slowly add half a cup of the milk, and stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature. In a blender, place the remaining cup of milk, the chocolate mixture, and the ice (a little at a time). Blend on high speed until smooth (don't overdo it though, you don't want it to be too runny). Pour into cup or mug and top with whipped cream. Enjoy!