Merry Marshmallows

'tis the season to be roasty toasty and happy go merry! seriously, these homemade marshmallows bring instant smiles! soooo fun to make - yes it will be messy and crazy (you may feel the need to hold your tongue from cursing) - but the end result is well worth it. i've never been a fan of marshmallow - just weird to me for some reason. but homemade? totally HUGE difference. i couldn't taste the chocolate covered mittens, but sugarbuns said it was heaven in a mug. the chocolate melts first before melting the ooey-gooey goodness of the 'mallow. Word to the wise: wear an apron - i goobered my new hoodie... ticked.

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray (PAM)

3 packets of Knox unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold water

2 cups sugar

2/3 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon kosher/sea salt

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

ghiradelli baking chocolate (sam's carries big blocks)

crushed peppermint candy canes (I prefer Bob's)

powdered sugar for dusting snowflakes

Directions:

Lightly spray a 9X13 glass baking dish with cooking spray. Line the entire pan with plastic wrap. Spray the wrap with cooking spray and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer (don't use a hand mixer - you'll burn out the motor) fitted with the whisk attachment, pour 1/2 cup cold water into the bowl. Pour the gelatin packets into the cold water and let stand for ~10 minutes.

In the meantime, combine sugar, 1/4 cup water, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Turn heat to med-high and bring to a boil. Boil rapidly for 1 minute - stirring constantly (temp should be ~245 on a candy thermometer). If you don't have a therm don't fret - just boil for at least 1 minute. Pour hot sugar SLOWLY into the bowl of gelatin with the mixer on medium speed. Add salt and turn mixer up to high. Whisk on high for 12 minutes.

Turn mixer to low and add the vanilla and mix until combined. Spray a rubber spatula LIBERALLY and pour the marshmallow into the prepared baking dish. You won't be able to get every drop out - just get the majority out. Don't worry about spreading the marshmallow smooth with the spatula (it ain't happin' sista... so don't stress). Instead spray your hands and pat the marshmallow pushing to the sides and corners until evenly distributed. Spray another sheet of plastic wrap and place, spray side down, directly on top the marshmallow. Let sit over night.

Remove the plastic wrap and remove marshmallows from dish. Place the marshmallows on wax or parchment paper. Spray cookie cutters (mitten, snowflake) liberally with cooking spray and press firmly into the marshmallow. Remove and place into a container lined with wax or parchment paper. Repeat until all marshmallows are cut. If leaving white, roll marshmallows in powdered sugar to keep from sticking. If dipping in chocolate don't roll in sugar. Dip when chocolate is slightly cooled and decorate with candy pieces. Marshmallows will stay good for 3 days in an airtight container. *Makes about 16

Make Me Gorgeous, Green Smoothie!

Back on my throne ready to sip some greens! I deserve to enjoy a smoothie in silence. Bc I've totally got this whole motherhood thing in the bag. it's like so second nature that i can pretty much paint my face while painting my toes, cook a 5 course meal, and feed the babe all at the same time and barely remember doing it. i should clone myself to share with everyone. so back to being amazing while working on becoming gorge - it's all because of this seriously green goodness. a'hem - thanks mommita for sharing it with me and all of my food fans. i'm hooked on this garbage. husby and i pretty much have to have one almost every day. 1) bc it totally keeps you... hmm... "regular" and 2) because it wickedly fresh and good for your genes.

If you wanna be gorgeous - go green.

Ingredients
1/2 c H2o
2 T flaxseed (ground or whole) - packed with Omega 3's, fiber, cancer fighters, and lignans
1/2 c frozen pineapple
2 clementines peeled
1 banana
2 c fresh spinach

Directions
Blend all this perfect potion together until smooth. If it's not "icy" enough - just add ice. I was out of bananas one am and couldn't say, "i'll just make one tmrw" so i used up some cantaloopay and it was like tahiti in a glass.

Tip
Want to have your "go to" ready at any moment? Do what I did and buy a case of wide mouth pint sized canning jars and make it in bulk. All you do is freeze the whole mother-load and take one out the night before you want to enjoy it. You can even sip it straight from the jar! Oh and you can buy these reusable white plastic lids so that you're not having to deal with the metal parts. Super genius - yes, thank you again, madre.

You'll need: 16oz spinach (sam's has a big thing of it), 2 pineapples diced, 6 bananas, 12 clementines, and a almost a 1/2 bag of flaxseeds.

Missy's Cucumber Punch!!!

I'm happy to report - Brrrr *cymbal crash* WE HAVE CUCS in our lil' a-dora-ball 'ganic garden! Awww, my lil' pink thumb has produced beautyfull produce! So in celebration of our chipper garden - I made punch! Mmm...

Ingredients

1 12oz can organic frozen lemonade
2 liter sprite or 7 up (can be diet)
1 large cucumber

Directions

Pour frozen lemonade concentrate into a pitcher. Skew the sides of the cucumber using the tines of a fork. Slice the cucumbers and add to the pitcher. Stir lemonade and cucumbers together and let marinate for 30 minutes in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, add the soda, ice, and stir! Serve with a slice of lemon and cucumber on the rim of each glass!!

Fruitie Aqua!!!

We've been livin' the good life during our lil' vacay!!! Our hotellie has Amaaazing aqua in the Lobby! I've become a ginormo fan. As such, I'm going to do sucha thang at home sweetie home!

Here's Whatcha Do:
1) Fill a pitcher or water jug slash container 1/2 full with icie-cubes
2) Put fresh fruit of choice on top
3) Fill with aqua!!!

Fruitie Combos I've Tried:
-Raspberry Lime
-Blueberry, Strawberry, Orange
-Grapefruit Lime
-Strawberry Orange
-Watermelon Berry

Choconana Smoothie

Husby and I were not hungry for a big meal since we had a late lunch. So why not skip straight to dessert?!? So we did. It was just as tasty as a milkshake, but didn't give you the "guilty" side affect! Isn't that Peachy? No, wait...I mean just Bananas?

Ingredients

2 frozen bananas (peel and freeze in a ziplock)
4 tablespoons to taste good chocolate syrup (or melt your fave chocolate of choice)
1 cup 1/2 n' 1/2 or whole milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt (to taste)
optional: whip and chocolate sauce

Directions

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth! Tip: You may need to add crushed ice depending on the size of the bananas.

July 4 Daily D: Firework Icie Cubes!

Want a big BAaang to add to any clear colored Bev today!!?? This is super cutie-ba-tootie and sooo simple! All you have to do is buy some of those "old school" icie-cube trays [or if you already have 'em...ask your husby to buy you a fridge with an ice-maker ma-bobber bc you deserve it]!

Umm...kay.

Ingredients

Mountain Berry Blast Powerade
Hawaiian Sun Fruit Punch
San Pellegrino, Sprite, lemonade, or any clear beverage
ice cube trays or molds

Directions

You have the icie-cube molds slash trays and just fill 'em with a blue liquid of choice - I used Mountain Berry Blast Powerade [preferably not window-washy fluid...this is toxic and can harm your poopsies]. Then fill another tray with red liquid of choice - I used Hawaiian Sun Tropical Punch! Frrrreeeze 'em and then pop 'em into some San Pellegrino, Sprite, Lemonade or any clear Bev for a ROcKiN Boom Boom POW Fireworks in a glass!

July 4 Daily D: Patriotic Milkshakes!

Ingredients
Serves 12

6 ounces (1 3/4 cups) raspberries, plus more for garnish
4 ounces strawberries, stemmed and quartered (1 cup), plus more for garnish
5 ounces (1 cup) pitted whole cherries, plus more for garnish
3 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
16 ounces (4 cups) blueberries, plus more for garnish
2 quarts vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Combine raspberries, strawberries, cherries, 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until berries release their juices, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and refrigerate until cold.

Combine remaining 2 teaspoons lemon juice and 1/4 cup sugar with 2 cups blueberries in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until berries release their juices, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Let cool completely. Stir in remaining 2 cups blueberries, cover, and refrigerate until cold.

Whisk ice cream, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Spoon 1/4 cup of either fruit mixture into the bottom of a glass. Top with milk shake. Repeat with remaining fruit and milk shake. Garnish milk shakes with fresh fruit, and serve immediately.


[pic and recipe from marthastewart.com]

Watermelon Lemonade!

We had watermelon with our meal last night. It was what you would call a "so-so" melon. It was really juicy but lacked color and flavor. So I wanted to use it up and quick! After sun-bathing I was desperate for a refreshing drink! Ooo, what about watermelon lemonade? So here's my 1st attempt at a recipe! It is definitely a "toned down" version of lemonade (aka won't make your lips pucker). It's light, mild, and refreshing!

Ingredients

4 cups (after blending) watermelon
1 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (~3 lemons)
** If you want it stronger, double the water, lemon, and sugar amounts!

Directions

Cut watermelon up into chunks. Blend in a blender until you have 4 cups. Strain using a fine strainer. Add lemon juice, sugar, water, and stir. Chill in the fridge until cool. Add ice and enjoy!

Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 pint fresh strawberries, halved
2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
Ice
Mint sprigs, garnish
Whole strawberries, garnish

Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely, then strain into a clean pitcher.

In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.

Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint and strawberries.

Sunshine Strawberry Smoothie

We made this refreshing, tart, sweet, and satisfying smoothie this morning! It was the perfect start to a beautiful day!

Ingredients:[makes ~ 4 cups or 28oz.]
12-15 organic strawberries to taste & desired consistency
1 1/4 cup fresh squeezed oj (~2 oranges)
1 frozen banana (peel & freeze in a ziplock)
1 cup ice
1/2 cup organic plain yogurt (stoneyfield)

Local Specials [Harris Teeter]:
10/$6 stoneyfield yogurts

Directions:
blend all ingredients in a blender until incorporated. serve in glasses with straws. garnish with a whole sliced strawberry.

Health Benefits:
exceptional source of the antioxidant vitamin C, strawberries may help protect against developing a whole host of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. organic plain yogurt contains live active cultures which serve as a natural antibiotic (try it the next time you feel sickness coming on). bananas have lots of potassium essential for regulating blood pressure and muscle strength. oranges have many antioxidants, vitamin C, calcium, folic acid (brain function), vitamin B6 (supports hemoglobin which carries oxygen throughout the body).

Organic Dairy Philosophy [provided by stoneyfield.com]:

“I understand the idea of organic fruit and vegetables, but organic milk and yogurt? Isn’t milk already pure and natural?”
Yes. Milk is an all natural product. Organic milk means that the cows’ feed, such as corn, soy, and hay, were grown organically. In addition, organic regulations prohibit the use of antibiotics and synthetic growth hormones. Organic regulations also mandate specific humane animal standards including access to fresh air and pasture. All of the milk used to make Stonyfield Farm products is from cows that have not been treated with rBST (artificial bovine growth hormone).


Did your family like this healthy and nutritious smoothie starter to their Earth Day? Let me know by commenting below! :)

Simply Herbal Tea

I find that not all herbal teas are considered equal. It's a hassle to taste-test various name brand's teas just to be disappointed. So why not make your own according to your own taste? Here's one that my lovely and talented mother swears by. I do too! It's a new take on the orginal AVEDA herbal tea.

Ingredients:
*equal amouts of ea. loose herb (~1/4 cup of ea)
-licorice root
-basil
-cut shavegrass (aka horsetail)
-nettle leaf
-peppermint leaf

Directions:
Combine all loose herbs in a container of choice (I used a cute glass candy jar). Loosely mix all herbs together until combined. When ready to use, seep 1 T herbs per 1 cup boiling water. You may also prefer to use a Tea Ball Infuser that can be used to seep loose tea.

*Note~ not only is this tea delicious, it has many health benefits. Don't be afraid to swallow the herbs...it won't hurt a thing.

Variations:
Don't have time to make your own tea? Do your little girls despise classic tea? Simple fix! Try warming your child's favorite 100% juice in the microwave and seep any Celestial Seasonings Herbal tea in the warmed juice.



P.S. Find a Nature Food's Store (i.e. Whole Foods) that sell herbs in bulk