Watermelon Lemonade

 

 

:: Watermelon Lemonade ::

Summer is not over on my calendar yet! I still have one more day before the back to school routine starts.  I don’t know about you, but this week has been HOT! That being said, it’s time to cool down with a lovely drink of Watermelon Lemonade.  Mocktail or Cocktail this drink is a must on a warm day.  It’s sweet and tangy and will leave you feeling cool as a cucumber.  I don’t know why I didn’t share it with you earlier in the summer {thanks Erica for the reminder, wink}, but hey… I know you still have time to whip up this easy drink!  The heat doesn’t kick up a notch until September for us here and in Southern California.  With less time for trips to the beach, or a dreamy Hawaiian in the future, this cocktail will make any celebration a reason to say “cheers” to the end of summer! [Read more…]

Funfetti Cake Batter Milkshakes

 

:: Funfetti Cake Batter Milkshakes ::

What do you think of when you hear the word, “funfetti?”  You think of cake, sprinkles, confetti, & fun…. right?! Exactly! I knew when I heard of this cake batter milkshake that I had to blend up a batch for the kids! After all, what kid doesn’t love milkshakes & funfetti cake? The combination of funfetti cake mix + vanilla ice cream + milk = pure heaven {in my world}! I promise… it was just that!  [Read more…]

Avocado and Mango Smoothie

:: Avocado and Mango Smoothie ::

Oh my I don’t know about you, but I have been in a total downward spiral with food this summer.  This Avocado and Mango Smoothie is the perfect way to help you to get back on track.  These past couple months have been filled with cotton candy, s’mores by the fire, cheese paired nicely with a glass of wine, and a few other summer time sweets…not to mention a whole lot of ice cream.  Wonderful food and memories make summer time a blast, but now it’s time to look ahead to a successful upcoming school year with a little menu planning and a few quick and easy breakfasts that can get the kids out the door and Mama off to a great and energetic start to her day.  This Avocado & Mango Smoothie is creamy, filling, and healthy. It is a cinch to make and with the abundance of local {California} avocados in season and a mixture of bananas, Greek yogurt, orange juice, and a staple of frozen mangoes, packs this meal with protein. All of which I think we lack a little at breakfast time.  I am a firm believer that breakfast makes or breaks your day.  When we are running behind and I don’t plan ahead, I often find myself hungry throughout the day.  This smoothie helped me feel satisfied until lunchtime.  Sara and I have been looking forward to planning a little ahead with some of our favorite easy weeknight meals, a few healthy choices, and of course some sweet fall dessert favorites.  Stay tuned to our upcoming “back to school” recipes.  Enjoy! [Read more…]

Blueberry Banana Coffeecake

 

:: Blueberry Banana Coffeecake ::

You already know that I’m a bit obsessed with warm, wholesome muffins. What you don’t know, is that I have the same obsession over coffeecake! For me… it started many, many years ago. I was fortunate to have a mom who let me explore the kitchen and come up with “concoctions,” as I liked to call them. I spent my Saturday mornings as a young child whipping up what I thought to be delicious creations with whatever I could get my hands on {baking soda, flour, vanilla extract, eggs, green food coloring — you get the idea!}. I would then try to feed my tasty “concoctions” to my family {they must have loved me!}. Luckily for them, by the age of seven, I started making coffeecake from scratch. Warm, comforting, sweet, buttery, cinnamon coffeecakes! Over the years, I’ve tried dozens of variations. Last week, I had bananas that were overly ripe and a carton of fresh blueberries to work with. After a little recipe research, I converted a standard banana bread recipe into this delectable, moist breakfast treat! Yum! [Read more…]

8 Easy Candies To Make At Home

:: 8 Easy Candies To Make At Home ::

Are you a fan of Pinterest?  What are some of your favorite items to pin? We love Pinterest and we {heart} coming across lovely photos, recipes, or home decor {image above from pinimg}. Sara and I are very excited to have Marcela De Vivo of Gryffin Media share an infographic. Wondering what is an infographic? It is a fun “pin-able” image that you can use your “pin-it” button on your computer to save to one of your Pinterest Boards.  Marcela has created a Candy Making one for us.  Go ahead… “pin-it” and let us know what kind of candy you want to make this upcoming holiday season! [Read more…]

Homemade Fudgesicles

:: Homemade Fudgesicles ::

Homemade Fudgesicles are the perfect way to cool down on a hot day.  They are a simple and refreshing dessert that can be created with your kids.  Ice pops in general, feature a few quality ingredients that allow for a healthier dessert.  I don’t know about you, but in our house… dessert is a must! With my sweet tooth, and the kids following not far behind, homemade pops are easy to control the sugary sweetness. Not-to-mention, they only require a few simple tools to create. I like to use Tovolo Pop Molds.  This recipe can also be used with Zoku Quick Ice Pop Makers, or even using a small disposable water cup with old-fashioned wooden sticks.  My kids enjoyed helping and testing the chocolate mixture, as well as, having a taste or two of the chopped chocolate.  Home economics at it’s finest, allows for a teachable yet fun moment with family!  This classic recipe makes you remember why you loved getting one of these from the ice cream truck as a kid! [Read more…]