Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Healthy Gut Tonic with Chia


When you're feeling backed-up, this high-fiber chia concoction can help make your bathroom routine smoother. The chia seeds form a gel-like consistency to help move digestion along easily, and the kick of cayenne pepper acts as an intestinal stimulant.

Preparation
Combine chia seeds, lemon juice and cayenne in a mug or glass; add water. Stir continuously until the chia seeds gel and become suspended throughout the water, 30 seconds or more.

Nutrition information 
Serving size: 1 cup
Per serving: 53 calories; 3 g fat(0 g sat); 4 g fiber; 5 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 6 mcg folate; 0 cholesterol; 0 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; 102 IU vitamin A; 2 mg vitamin C; 74 mg calcium; 1 mg iron; 9 mg sodium; 56 mg potassium.

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Herbal Chamomile Health Tonic


Immunity-boosting ingredients ginger, lemon and rosemary are steeped with soothing chamomile tea and honey for a homemade health tonic. While the drink may help when you're sick, it's not a quick fix. Drinking wellness tonics, like this one, regularly over time may help boost your immune system. Serve hot, room temperature or cold.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups boiling water
  • 6 bags chamomile tea
  • Twinings of London 
  • Revive Lemon
  • Ginger Herbal Tea 
  • Bags 20 Ct
  • 4 slices lemon
  • 2-4 teaspoons honey
  • 2 sprigs rosemary lightly bruised


Preparation
Stir boiling water, tea bags, ginger, lemon, honey and rosemary together in large heatproof bowl. Steep, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the tea bags to get as much liquid out as possible.

Nutrition information
Per serving: 6 calories; 0 g fat(0 g sat); 0 g fiber; 1 g carbohydrates; 0 g protein; 0 mcg folate; 0 cholesterol; 3 g sugars; 3 g added sugars; 7 IU vitamin A; 4 mg vitamin C; 6 mg calcium; 0 mg iron; 3 mg sodium; 15 mg potassium

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie



A Blueberry Banana avocado smoothie will be a delicious breakfast smoothie, AND it’s packed with nourishing ingredients that will help give you glowing skin. This avocado smoothie with blueberries and bananas is skin care in a glass, no fancy products required!

This harsh Wisconsin winter has not been kind to my face. I never imagined I’d be battling adult acne, wrinkles, and dry skin at the same time, but apparently that’s what a combination of being in my early 30s and living in the tundra can do to a girl. Today’s Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie recipe is one of the ways I’m fighting back to protect one of my most important and most personal assets my skin.

Avocado Smoothie for Healthier Skin
My skin isn’t an area where I’ve ever had much confidence. I battled severe acne through high school and college. Every morning, I’d meticulously apply my foundation, trying to hide every pockmark and scar. My skin looked cakey and flat, and I was constantly checking the mirror to see if my makeup needed to be reapplied. I usually decided that it did.

Now that I’m in my 30s, although I’ve left acne *mostly* behind, I’ve moved onto other stresses. According to glossy magazines, I should have started my anti-aging skincare “regimen” ages ago (did you see what I did there?). According to prime time commercials and mailbox flyers, I should be talking to my doctor about “options” to “smooth the appearance of fine lines” that have begun to form at the corners of my mouth and along my forehead.

It’s tempting to believe that, if I could only find the right medication or combination creams, my skin would magically become as bright and dewy as a girl in a Neutrogena ad. It’s why I don’t go into Sephora on days when my self-esteem is low. Know thyself.

While I certainly think that some skincare products are important (I wear sunscreen every single day, even in the winter), in recent weeks, I’ve been paying more attention to what I’m putting inside my body, not just outside of it.

I did some reading about different ingredients that can help promote healthy, glowing skin, and although the lists I found varied here and there, all of them included foods that are rich in antioxidants (which remove toxins from the body and fight inflammation), fiber (another inflammation fighter), and healthy fats (which help your skin hold on to water and stay moisturized).

While not all of the ingredients I read about made the recipe cut (oysters, I’m looking at you), I am happy to report that many skin-boosting foods taste delicious blended together in my new favorite avocado smoothie recipe, this Glowing Skin Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie.

close up photo of a glass with a Glowing Skin Blueberry Avocado Banana Smoothie, garnished with fresh blueberries



Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie Recipe Health Benefits
Check out this smoothie powerhouse: On the healthy fat side, we have almonds, avocado, and flax. On the fiber/antioxidant/vitamin side, we have blueberries, spinach, and banana. Avocado is one of my favorite smoothie additions as evidenced by the growing number of avocado smoothie recipes on my site (including this amazing Cleansing Apple Avocado Smoothie and this Avocado Mint Smoothie!).

In this recipe, I took the almond factor a step further by using Almond Breeze Almondmilk Unsweetened Vanilla. This is my second year partnering with Almond Breeze to bring you a series of healthy recipes that will help you be your best self. I love almondmilk in my smoothies and cereal because it’s extra creamy while being low in calories, and it provides an excellent dairy-free option for those who can’t have regular cow’s milk. It’s also delicious. Ben has even started using it in his cereal and smoothies, which means we plow through at least two cartons a week.

ingredients to make a hydrating blueberry banana avocado smoothie recipe

Even if you aren’t battling the winter-skin blues, this avocado smoothie recipe is still absolutely worth making. It’s sweet, fruity, filling, and one of the tastiest, creamiest smoothies I’ve made in a long time.

clear glass holding a Blueberry Avocado Banana Smoothie garnished with fresh blueberries and a blue and white striped straw

Get your glow on, you beauty you.

Some Unsolicited Skin Care Favorites + Blender Recommendations:

  • Current favorite face wash: This all in one. A friend gave it to me, and I am in love! I never thought that a moisturizing wash would be important, but I notice that when I use it, my skin is much less dry throughout the day, and I love that it removes makeup too.
  • Current daily sunscreen: I’ve been using this one for years and am now wondering if the time has come for me to go with this one. Any fans?
  • Blender: I use this high-powered blender. (This is another excellent and much more economical option.)

Watch How to Make a Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie:

Blueberry Avocado Banana Smoothie {Glowing Skin!}
Blueberry Avocado Banana Smoothie. With antioxidants and healthy fats from spinach, avocado, and flax, this vegan smoothie promotes glowing skin.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Almond Breeze Almondmilk Unsweetened Vanilla
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1 medium ripe banana, peeled
  • 1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 2 cups frozen blueberries
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter (or whole almonds if you have a very high-powered blender that will ensure the mixture is smooth)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

  1. Place all the ingredients in your blender in the order listed: almondmilk, spinach, banana, avocado, blueberries, flaxseed meal, and almond butter. Blend until smooth. If you’d like a thicker smoothie, add a small handful of ice. For a thinner smoothie, add a bit more almondmilk. Enjoy immediately.

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Grapefruit Mimosas for a Crowd


A lucky New Year's Day brunch calls for something simple and bubbly to begin the year on a festive note, and I have just the thing. It's hardly groundbreaking — we all know and love the classic brunch mimosa — but grapefruit puts such a refreshing edge on this old favorite. And with just two ingredients, it can't be beat for simplicity.

And since we're entering high citrus season, I scooped up a box of kumquats to make a whimsical garnish. Why not perch a roly-poly kumquat on the edge of a glass, and have a sip of bubbly to toast the new year for luck?

RECIPE
Grapefruit Mimosas for a Crowd
  • 3 cups unsweetened grapefruit juice, chilled
  • One (750-milliliter) bottle dry sparkling wine, chilled
  • 8 to 10 kumquats
Fill a champagne coupe or flute about 1/2 full with grapefruit juice, then top off with dry sparkling wine and stir lightly.
Make a slit lengthwise in a kumquat and slide it on the edge of the glass. Serve (and sip) immediately.
Non-alcoholic note: For a non-alcoholic sparkler, replace the sparkling wine with chilled tonic water.

Watermelon Prosecco Punch


To me, serving a cocktail that involves bubbles makes just about any occasion feel like a celebration — even if it's only an impromptu Thursday barbecue. That's what makes this punch so important to have on your roster this summer. Cubes of fresh, juicy watermelon bob in a pitcher of Prosecco and the whole thing is brightened up further with fresh mint leaves. It's a cocktail that is sure to turn even the most laid-back, thrown-together affair feel extra festive and fun.

A Celebratory Pitcher Cocktail for Laid-Back Summer Days
The darling of summer fruit — watermelon — is what really makes this drink taste of the season. Pick up a container of the fruit already cubed and it's simply a matter of tossing it into the pitcher along with fresh mint leaves, which bring a bright, herbal note to the situation. Just before you're ready to serve, pour in the Prosecco so that it's at its most bubbly when you go to pour the punch into ice-filled glasses.


3-Ingredient Pitcher Cocktails
If you're looking to serve up festive cocktails to the crowd at your next gathering, be it a impromptu happy hour or a backyard bash, know that it is a whole lot easier than you may think. If you've got a pitcher on hand and just three ingredients, you've got all it takes to kick off the party.

RECIPE
Watermelon Prosecco Punch

  • 2 cups loosely packed fresh mint leaves
  • 2 cups cubed watermelon
  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle dry sparkling wine, such as prosecco or cava, chilled

Slap the mint leaves in your hands to release their aromatic oils. Mix the mint, watermelon, and sparkling wine in a pitcher. Serve in ice-filled glasses.

Spicy Pineapple Punch


Here is exactly the drink you need to stir up for your next Taco Tuesday. It's got a spicy kick from muddled jalapeños to keep things interesting, but just enough sweet tang from the pineapple juice to prevent the heat from overwhelming your taste buds. The colorful punch is sure to be a hit at any and all parties you serve it at, whether there are tacos involved or not.

A Sweet and Spicy Punch That Delivers a Party
Just about any drink that is called a "punch" is guaranteed to be the center of a party, and this one is no different. What makes this one stand out among the rest are its layers of sweet and spicy flavor, which keep each sip interesting and ensure that it may well be a little bit too easy to finish off the pitcher. For that reason, I suggest you have extra ingredients on hand in case you need to stir up another pitcher to please your crowd.


3-Ingredient Pitcher Cocktails
If you're looking to serve up festive cocktails to the crowd at your next gathering, be it a impromptu happy hour or a backyard bash, know that it is a whole lot easier than you may think. If you've got a pitcher on hand and just three ingredients, you've got all it takes to kick off the party.

RECIPE
Spicy Pineapple Punch

  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
  • 4 cups pineapple juice, chilled
  • 1 1/2 cups tequila
  • Ice

Muddle the jalapeño slices in a pitcher. Stir in the pineapple juice and tequila. Serve in ice-filled glasses.

Cucumber Gin & Tonic Pitcher Cocktail


My favorite cocktail is a gin and tonic. But sometimes, even if I use extra-fancy tonic water and good gin, it feels like it just needs a little bit more. Sure, a lime will do, but what about something a touch different? Something that could transform it into a party-ready cocktail rather than the quiet cocktail I sip on Sunday evenings. The answer to this dilemma is a slew of cucumbers — oh, and a big ol' pitcher so that it can be batched and served up to whatever thirsty crowd you happen to invite over.


Cool as a Cucumber
Icy-cold gin and tonics are extra refreshing in their most classic form, but add muddled cucumbers to the mix and they are even more so. The cucumbers add a fresh, green bite to the drink that complements gin's herbal flavor and tonic's gentle bitterness. Tossing all three ingredients into a pitcher means you've got a cocktail that is party-ready — all you need is a handful of ice-filled glasses for your friends to grab from and serve themselves with.

3-Ingredient Pitcher Cocktails
If you're looking to serve up festive cocktails to the crowd at your next gathering, be it an impromptu happy hour or a backyard bash, know that it's as easy as three ingredients and your largest pitcher. That's all it takes to kick off the party.

RECIPE
Cucumber Gin & Tonic Pitcher Cocktail
  • 1 large cucumber, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups gin
  • 1 liter tonic water, chilled
  • Ice
Muddle the cucumbers in a pitcher. Add the gin and tonic water, give it a gentle stir, and serve in ice-filled glasses.

Blood Orange Mimosa Pitcher Cocktail


A traditional mimosa is an ounce or two (depending who is pouring!) of fresh-squeezed orange juice topped with chilly Brut Champagne. Today, we're replacing those navel oranges with the brilliantly-hued juice from blood oranges. This makes a striking and delicious pitcher drink to serve at brunch this coming weekend. And, as we know, nothing makes brunch better than a fabulous cocktail.

Blood oranges, originally from Sicily, are sweet like oranges but also have a nice bitter balance and a gorgeous blood red pulp. If you can find them in your market, fresh-squeezed is preferable, but you can also substitute bottled blood orange juice. Shop carefully, though, because blood orange juice is different than blood orange soda. Blood orange soda is carbonated and may contain additional sweeteners.

And since blood oranges are not exactly an inexpensive luxury, I thought I'd balance their cost by using more economical, but equally delicious, bubbles from Italy (Prosecco!) or Spain (Cava!). Don't splash out on anything too expensive; a modest dry sparkler will do just fine.


I'm a purist when it comes to this pitcher cocktail. I don't like any added sugar or sweet liqueurs, but that's my personal preference. If you like the sweetness of bottled orange juice you may want to add a little sugar to this pitcher drink — but I truly mean a little. A tablespoon of sugar should do the trick to take the edge off any bitterness.

Make-Ahead Tips
As a seasoned entertainer, I like to do as much in advance of my guests' arrival as possible. In this case, squeeze the oranges ahead of time and set out all the glasses, but wait to open your bottles of bubbly until the guests arrive. Any time you serve bubbly wines you want to pour them as close to serving as possible to preserve all the pop and fizz.

→ Open bubbly like a pro: How To Open a Bottle of Champagne

When your guests arrive, pop the cork, and add the entire bottle to the pitcher. All that's left to do is set the pitcher on the table and let your guests help themselves.

Tester's Notes
What is there to test, when it comes to mimosas? I confess this testing mission was something of a boondoggle, but I can report back and tell you truthfully that this is a very good mimosa. I had never thought to use blood oranges in a mimosa, but the splurge is worth it. Their flavor is a little darker, less acidic, almost savory, and for me this made such an enjoyable drink.

I also recommend the sangria version with the added orange liqueur; I tried this as well and it makes a perfectly delicious (and easy) cocktail for any time of day.

RECIPE
Blood Orange Mimosa Pitcher Cocktail
10 to 12 blood oranges, juiced and strained, or 2 1/2 cups blood orange juice
1 750-ml bottle dry sparkling wine, such as Prosecco or Cava, chilled
8 to 10 pieces blood orange peel, removed with a vegetable peeler and twisted, for garnish

Pour the blood orange juice into a large pitcher and keep chilled until ready to serve. Just before serving, pour in the chilled sparkling wine, and stir. Serve immediately in coupe glasses or champagne flutes with the blood orange twists for garnish.

Recipe Notes
Blood Orange Alternatives: If you can not find blood oranges to juice, you can buy organic blood orange juice and garnish using twists from regular oranges, tangerines or clementines.
Turn the Mimosa Into Sangria: You can add 1/3 cup of orange liqueur, or 1/2 cup of orange- or blood orange-flavored vodka to ease this pitcher drink from brunch into lunch (and beyond).

Strawberry & Limoncello Rosé Sangria


Sparkling rosé wine is my choice over and over in the spring and summer, for both casual sipping and for sangrias. This week I chose a demi-sec rosé champagne. Demi-sec translates to "half dry," which is another way of saying "semi-sweet," so expect a little inherent sweetness here. That touch of sweetness also makes rosé perfect for an icy pitcher drink.

When making sangria, you need four things: wine, a spirit, usually sugar, and fruit. I chose to use limoncello as my spirit in this sangria; this liqueur is already plenty sweet, so I skipped using any additional sugar.

The sparkling rosé, while it's semi-dry, isn't nearly as sweet as those pink wines labeled white zinfandel or blush. Rosé champagne is elegant, with incredible bubbles and great structure. What's great structure? Well it's a beginning, a middle, and an end that can hold their own when paired with all sorts of food, and in this case, fruits for our sangria.

This pitcher of sangria is perfect for brunch or enjoying happy hour tonight on your porch. With very little effort you'll have a gorgeous drink to sip that is equally as delicious to kick off your weekend.


RECIPE
Strawberry & Limoncello Rosé Sangria
  • 3/4 cup limoncello
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1 cup hulled and quartered fresh strawberries
  • 1 750-ml bottle chilled demi-sec rosé champagne
  • 1 medium lemon, thinly sliced, seeds discarded

In a large pitcher, combine the limoncello and the strawberries. Top with the chilled rosé champagne and stir in half of the lemon wheels.

Pour the sangria into ice-filled stemware. Scoop some fruit into each glass and garnish with a lemon wheel.

Recipe Notes
You can also make this with a non-sparkling dry rosé wine.

Breakfast Sangria


Brunch season is heartily upon us, and what's a holiday brunch without a festive drink? Here's a gorgeously simple sangria that isn't much more work than a pitcher of mimosas, but much prettier.

I call this a breakfast sangria for two reasons: Number one, it's a citrus-driven sangria with all the breakfast fruit you can eat. Oranges and grapefruits make for a pretty pitcher on the breakfast table, clear and colorful.

Number two: this is a light drink! Without thick orange juice to weigh it down, and sparkled up with fizzy water, this is a light and refreshing drink to toast the morning, without too much alcohol to buzz you up too early.

It's so easy — just mix it up the night before! — and just refreshing enough to see you through a merry Christmas or New Year's brunch.


RECIPE
Breakfast Sangria


  • 1 pink grapefruit
  • 1 navel orange
  • 2 limes
  • 1 cup Cointreau
  • 1 750ml bottle Prosecco
  • 12 to 24 ounces plain or grapefruit sparkling water

Slice the citrus fruit into half moons. Mix with the Cointreau in a pitcher that holds at least quarts. Add the Prosecco and cover the pitcher tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.

When ready to serve, top off the pitcher with sparkling water and serve with lime or orange wedges.

Blackberry Limeade


Take a break from lemonade and perk up with a glass of limeade featuring summer blackberries. Blackberries have been shown to have higher antioxidant activity than blueberries, cranberries, strawberries and raspberries, and are, therefore, helpful in reducing the risk of cancer. They're also rich in vitamin C and fiber, so you're getting a lot of nutrition in one glass.

Ingredients
  • 6 cups water, divided 3 cups fresh blackberries 
  • 1 cup sugar 
  • 2/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes) 
  • 8 thin lime slices Fresh blackberries (optional)


How to Make It
Place 1 cup water and 3 cups blackberries in a blender; process until smooth. Press blackberry puree through a sieve into a large pitcher; discard seeds. Add remaining 5 cups water, sugar, and juice to pitcher; stir until sugar dissolves. Place 1 lime slice and a few blackberries, if desired, into each of 8 glasses; pour about 1 cup limeade over each serving.


Watermelon Cooler


Enjoy juicy fresh watermelon without dealing with seeds in this tangy and sweet melon drink. Watermelon is a top source of lycopene, the compound (also found in tomatoes) that may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Ingredients

  • 8 cups chopped seedless watermelon (about 3 1/4 pounds) 
  • 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 6 limes) 
  • 1/2 cup sugar 
  • 1/2 cup water Dash of salt


How to Make It
Place half of watermelon in a blender; process until smooth. Strain watermelon through a sieve into a pitcher; discard solids. Repeat procedure with the remaining watermelon. Stir in lime juice, sugar, 1/2 cup water, and dash of salt. Serve over ice.

Raspberry Lemonade


Think pink when it comes to lemonade and add pureed raspberries to the lemonade concentrate. Raspberries offer fiber and vitamin C, and are a rich source of cancer-fighting antioxidants. And if you toss in a few mint sprigs, you get even more antioxidant action.

Ingredients
  • 3 cups cold water, 
  • divided 1 cup fresh raspberries 1 (6-ounce) can thawed lemonade concentrate, 
  • undiluted Mint sprigs (optional)

How to Make It
Combine 3/4 cup water and raspberries in a blender; process until smooth. Strain mixture through a sieve into a medium bowl; discard seeds. Combine raspberry liquid, 2 1/4 cups water, and lemonade concentrate in a pitcher; chill. Serve garnished with mint, if desired.