ICEE reinvented

In true Michigan fashion, the last month of summer is always the nicest. The weather we have waited months for is finally here then gone before we know it.

I’m not one to load up on all that sugar so I decided to whip out my Ninja and try to create something sans sugar.

I recently bought Stur, like Mio but made with natural ingredients, and thought the Coconut Lime would make a simple, refreshing ICEE. Which it absolutely did. The recipe is below and is super simple.

{Stur ICEE}

[Ingredients]

• 1/2 cup ice
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 squirts of Stur, any flavor
• 2-3 frozen strawberries

[Directions]

1. Add all ingredients to Ninja and blend until ICEE consistency.

Cheers,

Danille

Red Velvet Smoothie

While this isn’t a traditional take on a Red Velvet smoothie, the color and consistency is what gave it the name.  I would also like to note, this isn’t one of my lower calorie smoothies. But it is delicious and full of good-for-you fats.

I used my homemade coconut Kefir in this recipe and Dan was pleasantly surprised that he liked it.

I opted to use avocado to create a rich and creamy consistency rather than a frozen banana like I usually do.

This is a great recipe for a delicious dessert that is still good for you.  Try pouring it into Popsicle molds, freezing for the kids to enjoy on a warm summer night.

This recipe will give you about a 24-ounce smoothie.

{Red Velvet Smoothie}

[Ingredients]

• 1/2 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk
• 1/2 cup Coconut milk Kefir
• 7-10 strawberries
• 1/2 avocado
• 2 heaping TBSP Nutella
• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 1/2 cups ice
• 1/2 packet Carnation Instant Breakfast, Sugar free, Chocolate flavor

[Directions]

1. Add almond milk, kefir, ice, and oats to your blending system then blend until smooth.
2. Add remaining ingredients then blend for about one minute. Remove from motor and scrap down the sides of the blender.
3. Again, blend for about one minute then scrap down sides. Blend for a final time for about 2 minutes until your smoothie has a smooth, velvety consistency.

Cheers,

Danielle

Weekend Recap: 5k Races & Pear Sangria

I don’t know about you but I had an amazing weekend!  It was the kind of weekend that was full of activities but you wake up Monday morning feeling ready and excited for the work week ahead.  Why can’t every weekend be like that?

I ran two 5k races and set a personal record! Both races were raising money and awareness for separate but equally as important causes. Saturday morning I ran in the Lory’s Place Run which raises money for a counseling center for children and families.  Despite the heat and threat of thunderstorms, I ran in the Susan G. Komen 5k to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

I am amazed at how far I have come since I started running and can’t wait to see where I will be in a few months from now. I set my PR Saturday after finishing 6th in my age group with a finish time of 25:19 and a 8:09 pace. I never thought I could do that and I am so proud of myself.  All the hard work is starting to show and it is incredibly motivating!

Sunday night we celebrated our accomplishment of finishing the 3.2 miles despite the heat and HIGH humidity with an amazing dinner at a friends house.  I tried my hand at Sangria and came up with this recipe for everyone to try. I definitely should have doubled the batch, meaning you should triple it when you make it. Honest, it is THAT good 🙂

{Pear Sangria}

[Ingredients]

• 1 bottle sweet white wine, I used St. Julian’s Niagara
• 1 pear, finely diced
• 1 small/medium lemon
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• 1/2 cup light rum
• 1/2 orange juice
• 1 1/2 cups soda water
• 1/4 cup agave nectar

[Directions]

1. Wash and dry pear and lemon. Cut pear into small cubes and place in pitcher. Cut lemon into small wedges then into thin slices and add to pitcher.
2. Pour in wine, triple sec, rum, OJ, soda water, and agave nectar.
3. Using a large spoon, gently stir mixture.
4. Refrigerate for at least one hour but for the best flavor, overnight.
5. Enjoy over ice.

Cheers,

Danielle

April Showers

Last weekend I was craving a mojito in the worst way. Because Dan and I don’t usually drink rum & I don’t keep simple syrup handy, I was SOL.

With mint leaves, an almost fully stocked liquor cart, and some flavored sparkling water at my disposal, I came up with this sweet & refreshing drink.

I’m sure I’m not the first to think of it but I figured I’d share the joy anyway. I’m generous like that 🙂

{April Showers}

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 0.5 oz Triple Sec
• 3-4 crushed mint leaves
• 6 oz Key Lime Flavored Sparkling water
• ice

Directions

1. In a cup, crush mint leaves
2. Add ice cubes then liquor.
3. Top with sparkling water
4. Add straw and sip to happiness

Cheers,

Danielle

Mango Passion Fruit Sangria

Are you sitting down because this Sangria is life changing.

That may be extreme but I just really enjoy Sangria and this was just so perfectly refreshing.

Here’s what you’ll need to shake up this lovely libation:

6 oz Pinot Grigio {I used Cupcake Wine}

3 oz Vodka {YAY! I used Kettle One but Stoli, Grey Goose, Grey Heron*, or any other decent vodka will do}

1 oz Triple Sec {Honestly, I don’t even know what brand I used.}

4-6 oz Minute Maid Light Mango Passion Fruit juice

Ice cubes

You can either add all ingredients to a shake or layer in a glass and stir. Whatever blows your dress up. Serve over ice.

*Grey Heron Vodka is made by a local winery, St. Julians. Click on the link to see their website. If you enjoy good vodka, this is by far the best! And its made from grapes! http://www.stjulian.com/Spirits?orderby=PXPC.DisplayOrder%20Asc,%20P.ProductName%20ASC&startrow=1

Cheers,

Danielle