#2,661: Berry-Granola Smoothie

Man the blue background is really giving off a weird color for this picture!  Oops.  I probably should have noticed that sooner!  If you read my previous post, you'll know we have a whole lot of homemade yogurt in our fridge that we now need to use up.  Since the consistency is a little bit thin, I figured it would be a great addition to smoothies...which it is!  My oldest has made a lot of smoothies lately!

I had also bought some granola because the kids like to put it in their yogurt, and this recipe called for granola in it too.  That scared me a little.  But my kids loved this smoothie recipe and even my non-smoothie loving middle child has asked me to make this again!  

I found this recipe in a little pull-out book in a recent issue of Food Network Magazine "50 Berry Treats."

1 c frozen mixed berries
1/2 c vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 c granola
1/2 c almond milk
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp honey

In a blender combine all of the ingredients and blend until smooth.  

#2,657: Instant Pot Iced Tea

I have a whole lot of green tea bags in my pantry and I have got to start using them up.  I love unsweetened iced tea (okay maybe that's not true because I usually add some stevia into it too), so I figured there had to be a way to make some ice tea in my Instant Pot.  I was right...thank you Pinterest!  

The original recipe I found had basil in it too, but I wasn't in the mood for basil, even though I have a ton of it in my garden.  Oh, maybe I should try adding the chocolate mint next time.  Does chocolate mint and green tea go together?!  

This is a really mild tea...but I love that about it.  Sometimes ice tea is so bitter and strong, but this is not bitter and it is not too strong.  I also didn't have any lemons or limes on hand, but I did have my Young Living Vitality Essential oil, so I added 10 drops of each to the slightly cooled liquid, along with 2 tbsp of swerve sugar substitute.  DELISH!  

I've made this so many times now, I just keep trying different types of tea that are in my pantry (I have quite a few).  Today I made it with 5 bags of green tea and 5 bags of Detox tea from Oola!  LOVE!  This is such a versatile recipe so use whatever tea bags you have on hand!  

1 gallon water (16 cups)

1/4 c honey

10 bags of green tea

pinch of baking soda 

Lemon slices (I omitted, see my note above)

Lime slices (I omitted, see my note above)

Basil leaves (I omitted)

Remove the tags from the tea bags, tie all the strings together to make it easier to remove the tea bags later.

Add the water to the Instant Pot and turn on the saute function so it starts to warm up the water. Mix in the honey and baking soda until it is dissolved.  Once dissolved, hit cancel.  Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is in the sealed position.  Switch the setting to pressure cook on high and set the timer to 4 minutes.  

When done release the pressure using a controlled quick release. Let tea cool to room temperature then pour into a pitcher to store in the refrigerator.  I let mine cool for about 30 minutes, then I added the vitality essential oils and the poured into a glass pitcher.  I drank a glass immediately served over ice (yum!), and then put the rest of the pitcher into the fridge to get cold overnight.  

If desired, you can serve this poured over ice with lemon slices, lime slices, and basil leaves. If you like a sweeter tea, you can add more honey to your glass.

#2,733: Watermelon Lime Slushie

I came across this recipe on a facebook post from Young Living and since we were having watermelon for dinner, I figured I'd save some and try this slushie with it.  The kids were split (half loved it, half did not).  My sister-in-law said it tastes like watermelon juice (it totally does), so personally, the more crushed ice you add to this the better it is.  We (adults!) also added some vodka to this....wink wink.

In a blender combine:
3 cups chilled watermelon
1 cup coconut water
1 drop Lime Vitality Essential Oil (I used about 5 drops!)
Crushed ice

#2,696: Homemade Latte WITHOUT an Espresso Machine

So I have been really into drinking lattes lately, but I am TERRIBLE at making them at home.  I use my Keurig in the morning and my coffee just seems super diluted no matter what I try.  I hate spending at LEAST $4 for coffee at a coffee shop (even if they do offer deals on numbers of purchases), so I figured there had to be an easier way of making them at home.  After several failed attempts, I came across this video which actually seemed to work for me!  So I figured I'd pass along this link in case anyone wants to try it too. 

First of all, I had to pull out my actual coffee maker...not my Keurig.  And I had to double the recipe so that I could fill Tervis cup (and it's a smaller one!).  My first attempt at this, I had one cup worth of a latte...yeah, I drink way more than a small/tall!

My next job/step is to learn how to add the cute latte art!  :)

4 tbsp ground coffee
10 oz water
1 cup milk
And I definitely needed 3-4 packets of stevia.  But I like my coffee a bit sweet

You will also need a glass jar with a lid.

Brew the 4 tbsp of ground coffee with 10 oz of water.
While that is brewing, place 1 cup of milk in a glass jar and microwave on high for 30 seconds. 

Remove the jar from the microwave and put the lid on the jar.  Shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds.  

Remove the lid and continue heating the milk for an additional 30 seconds.  Watch closely so that it doesn't bubble over. 

Pour your brewed coffee into a large mug (my Tervis is a 16 oz one!).  Add desired sweetener, and then add the warmed milk and foam.  

#2,068: Chamomile Lavender Latte

I've never had a tea latte, but I am a huge tea drinker lately.  So when I came up with an advertisement for it in a recent issue of Food Network Magazine, I wanted to give it a try.  So this recipe is close to/inspired from that ad. 

I didn't love this at first, but found that I kept going back and trying it again and again.  Next thing I knew, I had drank the entire thing.  I guess that's a pretty good sign.  Since then I've made this a few times.  I've tried different types of milk and there are definitely differences to it (the less healthy milk choices make a much better froth!).  Heavy cream definitely froths the best, and unsweetened almond or cashew milk don't froth at all.  Skim milk didn't froth too much either, so I've settled on 2% milk which is definitely much healthier than cream but still gives it a bit of a froth.  I'm sure if my blender was more powerful that might help too! 

I've tried making this with different essential oil flavors and/or teas and this one seems to be the best one I've had and continue to make. It's great before bedtime because it's got both chamomile and lavender, which are both calming.  Although I enjoy this first thing in the morning too! 

2 bags of chamomile tea
1 c boiling water
1/4 c creamer of choice
1 tbsp honey (sometimes I use stevia too, but honey is better)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (I don't measure, just do a splash)
1 drop of Young Living Lavender Vitality essential oil (only use one drop, or dip a toothpick into the oil and the swish around in the liquid to get a hint of it)

Boil water and pour over teabags.  Let steep for 10 minutes or so.  Pour hot tea into a blender and add remaining ingredients.  Blend until froth begins to form.  Pour into a cup/mug/teacup. 

#2,018: Essential Oil Infused Apple Cider

I love warm apple cider.  I don't buy it often because my family doesn't love it as much as I do and I can drink the gallon a little too quickly.  Here is a super easy recipe to enhance your apple cider (or juice!)  I obviously don't usually make 4 cups of juice at a time, so I often will heat the juice in a small pan or microwave, and then add the 1 drop of each oil to my cup, just before drinking. 

4 cups apple cider
5-6 drops orange vitality essential oil
4-5 drops clove vitality essential oil
3-4 drops cinnamon bark vitality essential oil 

Pour all of the ingredients in a crockpot and stir well.  Turn the crockpot on low and heat until warm (or let it continue to simmer/warm all day).

#1,995: Lavender Lemonade

After having lavender lemonade at the Young Living Farm in Mona, Utah, I was excited to come home and try this recipe on my family and friends.  It was so simple to make and personally I really, really enjoy it (and it brings me back to the farm when I drink it).  It's not overly tart, nor too sweet, so it's a perfectly refreshing drink.  Make sure to only use 1 or 2 drops of the Vitality Lavender or it will be way too overpowering.  

6 lemons, juiced

1 lime, juiced

½ cup honey (I used agave)

2 drops Lavender Vitality essential oil

Ice water, about 10 cups

Lavender sprigs, optional

Combine lemon juice, lime juice, honey, and Lavender Vitality in a large glass pitcher.

Add water to taste.  Stir until well mixed.  Garnish with sprigs of lavender.

#1,834: Pineapple Sage Smoothie

If you saw my previous post with pineapple sage tea, you know that I have a gigantic pineapple sage plant in my garden and I need to use some how.  Although I'm loving the tea, my kids are not.  So I decided to try this pineapple sage smoothie on the kiddos.  I'll admit I'm a little shocked, but they loved this!  They loved it so much they asked for me to make a second batch!  No problem kids, I'll whip this baby up in the morning before school.  Although I'll be happier after the time change in a few days because I'm tired of going to work (and school!) still in the dark!!!

1/3 cup skim milk
3/4 cup vannilla yogurt
1/2 banana (I used a whole ripe banana)
1 tsp honey
1 1/2 tbsp pineapple sage packed and chopped
I also added a few ice cubes

Place ingredients in a blender.  Process until smooth.  

#1,832: Homemade Pineapple Sage Tea

See that gigantic plant?  That was a tiny pineapple sage plant that my friend gave to me at the beginning of summer.  It was one of the few things that did super well in my garden this year.  I'm shocked that it's the first week of November and shockingly, still going strong!  I barely used it this year because I never knew what to do with it.  Since I know it's going to get super cold soon and it will probably perish, I decided to start searching for some recipes to use it in. Yes I know you can use it with chicken, but unless my chicken is grilled or in can for (for a chicken salad), I just don't love chicken.  I found a super simple recipe to make fresh brewed pineapple sage tea.  I loved the tea!  I tried to get my kids to try it but that all hated it.  

This made about 3-4 teacup size drinks for me, which I put the leftovers in mason jars and then just heated up in the microwave when I wanted to drink it.  I think I'm going to go heat up a cup now...

1 quart spring water (yeah I'm too lazy for that...tap water was good enough for me!)

1/2 c packed fresh pineapple sage leaves
3 tbsp honey

1 lemon, juiced

Bring water just to a boil and pour over the sage leaves.  Stir in honey and lemon, to taste.  (I also added a packet of stevia).  Steep the tea for about 20 minutes.  Strain into mugs.  

#1,772: Cupid Floats

This is certainly not a healthy dessert or one that I would serve to my kids often, but it was a Valentine's Day treat for my kids and they all enjoyed this.  Obviously it's super simple to make, and you could easily make this with different types of pop (soda, coke...whatever you call it).. but for Valentine's Day I liked the red color.
 

Vanilla Ice Cream

Strawberry Soda

Heavy cream and sugar to make homemade whipped cream (or you can use store-bought whipped cream)

Maraschino Cherries (optional)

Place 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream in a glass.  Slowly add strawberry soda (it will foam up quite a bit!).  Top with whipped cream and a cherry (optional).  Serve with long spoon and straw.

#1,750: Real Fruit Homemade Icee

I made this 2 ingredient frozen drink for my kids to have with their lunch one day.  I figured it would be a healthy fruit/veggie side for them, without them knowing it.  I found a 100% organic juice in the produce section that happened to be on clearance, and got so excited I didn't look at the ingredients.  Yes it was 100% fruit, but it included BEETS which totally over powered this drink.  (Actually it has apple, carrot, beets, banana, pineapple and turmeric in it).  The kids were split on this drink and liked it more than I thought they would, but didn't love it (I blame the beets).  So we will be making this again but just with a different juice choice. 

1 cup crushed ice

⅓ cup 100% fruit juice

In a blender, combine ice and fruit juice. Blend until you have an even slush consistency.

Real fruit juice with a stronger flavor (such as pomegranate juice, grape juice, cider, etc.) work best.  You can also use frozen fruit juice concentrate (such as orange) and use 2 tablespoons.

#1,741: Herbal Iced Tea

In an attempt to drink more water (for myself and the kids) and less sugary drinks (they are currently obsessed with no-cal lemonade) I decided to try and make this fruity herbal tea drink for us.  I added 4 packets of Stevia to ours to hopefully sweeten it up enough for the kids to like.  It doesn't make a whole lot (I'd definitely have to double this next time), but with the stevia I personally think it tastes like a less sweet Kool-aid.  Allison agrees, but Chloe and Matthew were not fans of this.  I think it just takes a matter of time to get used to this.  I however, enjoyed it and will definitely make this again (for myself AND the kids).

2 cups of boiling water
4 herbal tea bags

Add the 4 tea bags to the boiling water and allow to steep for at least 6 minutes.  Add another 2 cups of cold water and chill for 6 hours.  Add a little bit of sweetener if desired. 

#1,738: Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa

So my weekend napping ritual with Matthew (age 3) is to watch youtube or facebook cooking vidoes.  You know the ones that go quickly (less than 2 minutes) and show you how to make a recipe.  We love it.  And I decided that I wanted to make a video like they do as well.  So Chloe (age 6) and I made one using this super simple hot chocolate recipe that we made for New Years.  This is by no means a great video (and I realized somehow we omitted the video clip with turning on the crockpot, and yes it's blurry at the end) but we are still excited that we made one.  Hoping we can make a few more of these in 2016...of much higher quality of course!!  :) 

As far as this recipe goes, it is super creamy and rich.  If you notice in the video we altered the amounts a little bit based on some of the ingredients we had on hand.  We only used 1 cup of mini chocolate chips and I think it was the perfect amount.  We loved this hot chocolate!
1.5 cups whipping cream

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

6 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups of chocolate chips 

Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a crockpot.

Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving. Garnish as desired.

#1,685: Warm Cranberry Wassail

I pinned this recipe three years ago, and wanted to bump another long standing recipe off one of my pinterest boards.  And since it's Thanksgiving weekend, I figured this warm cranberry drink would be a good one to try on my kids.  Unfortunately, they did not enjoy it...but it could be partially because I omitted the sugar (on purpose!).  They certainly don't need extra sugar!  I personally thought this was a tad tart, but I really enjoyed it.  It's a nice, comforting warm drink to sit on the couch and watch a movie or look at the tree.  

1 64-ounce bottle Cranberry Juice Cocktail (I used lite juice)

2 1/2 cups apple juice (I used apple cider) 

1/4 cup sugar, optional

3 3-inch cinnamon sticks

1 teaspoon whole allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Orange slices, garnish

Whole cloves, garnish

Combine all ingredients, except garnishes, in a large saucepan. Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Strain punch to remove spices. Place in a heat proof punch bowl. Garnish with orange slices studded with cloves.

Makes 14 6-ounce servings.

#1,637: Copycat Starbucks Frappuccino

I have been accumulating a lot of starbucks gift cards over the last several years, and usually use them to buy one of their awesome travel mugs.  But I had a birthday coupon so I decided to go in and actually get one of their overpriced, but delicious drinks and am now totally addicted to their light frappucchinos.  Darn you Starbucks!  Fortunately the closest (of 5!) Starbucks in our town does not have a drive thru and I'm way too lazy to get out of the car, so I've been making these at home for WAY less than what they cost at Starbucks.  See the cup in the photo...I reused one from one of my trips...I really did make that one myself.  :)

I drink at least 2 of these a day now.  At least I'm getting in my calcium/dairy for the day (I use cashew milk though which only has 25 calories per cup, as well as stevia so it's much healthier too). 

1⁄2 cup brewed coffee (dark, chilled)

1 tablespoon sugar substitute

1⁄2 cup skim milk (I use cashew milk)

1 1⁄2 cups ice

Blend in a blender, then pour into a glass  and enjoy. 

#1,593: Frozen Coconut Limeade

I wasn't sure my kids were going to like this recipe since it is so lime-y, but they devoured it!  Even Matthew my picky eater drank his entire cup.  This was so simple to make and so refreshing on this super hot day.  The kids already asked me to make it again for them.  Sorry kids, I'm out of coconut milk and limes...  :) 

2 1/2 cups crushed or small ice cubes

1 cup canned coconut milk (shake well before opening can)

1/3 cup lime juice (about 3 limes)

3 tablespoons granulated or superfine sugar (more or less to taste)

Lime slices for garnish

Blend every thing until it reaches your desired consistency.  Pour into glasses, garnish with lime.

#1,568: Better-For-You Sweet Tea

Not too long ago, I came across this recipe in a recent issue of Rachel Ray magazine. We had just come back from Nashville and I was really enjoying drinking sweet tea…which I know is not very good for you.  Since this recipe looked much healthier I decided to give it a try. 

I was not a fan of the tea with the pureed peaches only because it left pieces/bits floating in my drink…not a fan.  So I decided to strain it out and did like it better.  However it still was not sweet at all.  So I added a little bit of stevia (about 3 packets) and liked it much better.  Although definitely not as good as sweet tea, I still think this was ok. Would I make it again?  Probably not, but for a one time try, I didn’t mind it.  And I’ll definitely finish the pitcher…

1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
8 plain black tea bags
2 large peaches, peeled, pitted and chopped, or 8 oz. frozen peaches, thawed
2 tablespoons honey
8 sprigs mint

In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups cold water and the ginger to a boil. Remove from heat, add tea bags and steep 5 to 7 minutes. 

Strain three-quarters of the tea into a large ice-filled pitcher. 

Strain remaining tea into a blender; add peaches and honey. Puree and add to pitcher; stir to combine. 

Divide among 8 tall, ice-filled glasses; garnish with mint sprigs.

#1,549: Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie

My kids totally loved this smoothie, even my non-smoothie loving 6 year old!  I made it with Crystal Light lemonade since that's what we had on hand and although the kids really enjoyed it, I think it would have been better with real lemonade (and taste less processed and artificial!).  It was so simple to make though and the kids drank the whole pitcher!

2 cups lemonade
3/4 cup (6 ounces) lemon yogurt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups frozen unsweetened strawberries

Place all ingredients in a blender; cover and process 15 seconds or until blended. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

#1,536: Skinny pi a colada

Here is a really easy recipe you can throw together in less than a minute, and makes a great lower calorie pina colada.  I loved this and may or may not have had this in the middle of a nice warm (not overly hot) summer day!  :)  I will definitely make this again...and again!

1 cup ice cubes
2 oz (4 tablespoons) coconut rum
2 oz (4 tablespoons) pineapple juice
1 oz (2 tablespoons) fat-free half-and-half (I used almond/cashew milk)

Place ice in blender. Pour remaining ingredients over ice. Cover; blend until smooth.  Pour into glass; serve immediately.

#1,524: Pineapple-Citrus Punch

I really thought my kids were going to love this recipe, as one (ahem, Matthew) love orange juice and would drink it all day if I let him.  But my kids weren't really into this and when I asked them if they wanted more, I got a resounding no!  :(  Bummer.  I ended up dumping it b/c lord knows I don't need the sugar or calories!  (And let's be honest, neither do they).  I thought it was good, but this is going on our "never again" list. 

4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
2 cups orange juice
juice from 1 lime
juice from 1 lemon
2 cups seltzer

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher.