Peppermint Hot Cocoa

It's been anything but a relaxing holiday week around here...lots of festivities and other big events (I'm an aunt again!), along with some illness.  'Tis the season, right?  No matter how crazy things are, a nice warm cup of hot cocoa always seems to calm things down.

As part of the DailyBuzz Food Tastemaker Program, I was sent some Sweet'N Low samples so I could create a winter beverage that's low in sugar but still great in taste.  I immediately gravitated toward hot cocoa with a bit of a festive twist - peppermint.

Yes, I know there's sugar in the candy cane, but using the Sweet'N Low still cut back on the overall amount and made it just as delicious.  I only needed a single serving so I made this in the microwave - so easy!  This really hits the spot on a cold winter evening.


Peppermint Hot Cocoa
slightly adapted from Hershey's Kitchens

1 heaping teaspoon cocoa
1 packet Sweet'N Low sweetener
pinch of salt
milk (enough to fill your mug)
candy cane
mini marshmallows

Combine cocoa, Sweet'N Low and salt in a mug and.  Add 2 teaspoons milk and stir until smooth.  Add milk until mug is almost full.  Microwave on high for about 60-90 seconds, or until hot.  Stir.  Add marshmallows and candy cane and serve.

Linked to:  Sweets for a Saturday

Sangria

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!  Eat, drink and be merry - there are no truer words.  And this should help that right along...

Cruise right into the new year with this deliciousness!

Sangria

from Mom

1 bottle red wine

1 cup brandy

1 cup triple sec

1 cup orange juice

chopped apples

oranges

juice of one Meyer lemon

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir.  Serve cold and/or over ice.

Ginger Iced Tea

It's definitely been a hot summer.  We drink a ton of water in our house, but iced tea is a big favorite, too.  And because I get bored easily, I like to change up the flavors as much as I can.

As a member of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received a Sweet'N Low Sweetener gift pack, which included 10 packets of Sweet'N Low sweetener and other goodies, including a fun cocktail shaker!  So, in turn, I made this delicious drink using their product (which we use pretty often in our house) in place of sugar.

We loved this!  So refreshing and delicious, and when you're drinking a lot to stay cool, it's nice to not have to worry about consuming so many calories.


Ginger Iced Tea
slightly adapted from about. com

5 tea bags
one quart of water
1 inch piece of fresh ginger
Sweet'N Low, to taste
ice, for serving

Slice ginger root very thin and crush.  Heat one quart of water and let tea steep with ginger over low heat, at least 10 minutes.  Strain out tea and ginger, then add sweetener.  Let cool and serve over ice.

Mango Lassi

Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis knows how much I hate throwing food away.  I immediately begin to challenge myself by trying to figure out how I can save it before tossing it.

So, when I was faced with 2 very ripe mangoes, I immediately thought, smoothie!!  Then Bella and I went to work.

Easy and delicious, this drink really made for a great snack on a lazy warm afternoon.  I couldn't get it infront of Bella fast enough...she loved it!

Mango Lassi
slightly adapted from Simply Recipes

1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup milk (1%)
2 ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped
3 teaspoons sugar (to taste)
dash of ground cardamom (optional)

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend for about 2 minutes, until smooth.  Pour into glasses and sprinkle with cardamom, if you like.  Serve.

Makes about 2 cups.  Can be refrigerated for about 24 hours.

Salute!

Morning cocktails rock.

And when they involve delicious summer produce, you can almost kinda say they're good for you.

Peach Bellini
6 peaches, pitted and chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
1 bottle prosecco wine, chilled

Blend the peaches and sugar together.  Put through a mesh strainer to separate and discard large bits.  Fill each champagne glass 1/4 of the way with puree, followed by prosecco.  Serve.

A little help from Mother Nature

It's hot. Really, really HOT. There comes a point in the summertime when I've maxed out my patience for heat and humidity, and I'm thinking I may have already reached it this year.

Then I remember that I have an extremely active 2 1/2 year old and can't exactly veg out in the air conditioning all day, every day. But I can when it's naptime :)

Here's yesterday's naptime project - a great way to take advantage of the blazing sun while you're resting comfortably on your couch. Then when it's finished, take it outside with you to help cool you off.

Sun Tea
9 tea bags
One gallon of water
Fresh mint leaves

Place tea bags in a gallon size container, then add water. Loosely cover jug and place in the sun for about 3-4 hours. Pour over ice and add mint. Store in refrigerator.

Summer smoothie

Just popping in real fast while enjoying some time down at our shore house. Check out what we had for breakfast this morning - a great way to use up some yummy Jersey peaches!

And I apologize in advance if this post looks weird or different from the rest - this is my first time using a new app for my iPad that (hopefully!) will allow me to post.

Peach Smoothies
2 peaches
1 banana
1/2 cup apple juice
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
Ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Linked to: Sweets for a Saturday

Need a new summer drink?

Look no further, my friends...here it is.  Refreshing, tasty and easy to make...everything a summer cocktail should be.

Introducing - the Walter 45.  Named after this past weekend's yard sale location.  Courtesy of my friend Larry.  And please, don't wait until 5PM to have it - we most certainly didn't.

Walter 45

1 part St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

3 parts tonic water

one ripe nectarine

Muddle some of the nectarine in the bottom of a shaker.  Add the St. Germain, tonic and ice. Gently shake or stir.

Strain and pour over more ice.  Best enjoyed outdoors.

A smoothie for Bella

"Mommy, my favorite color is puhple".

Bella loves a good smoothie, so I came up with this combination for her.  She was jumping up and down in the kitchen, watching the blender and beaming with excitement.  It was so cute!  Next time I'll have to get a picture of her with her smoothie mustache :)

Purple Berry Smoothie
1 cup light vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup milk (1%)
1 cup Trader Joe's Very Cherry Berry Blend (found in freezer section)
3 tablespoons almond butter
2 bananas

Throw all ingredients into a blender and blend on high until smooth.