Tasty Tuesday: 5 Summer Cocktails

I've compiled a list of five delicious cocktails that would be perfect for summertime! I've only tried the third one, but I hope I'll have time to make some of the others for parties and BBQs!

1. Pink Grapefruit Margarita: A fun, fruity twist on a regular margarita!

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2. Coconut Mango Mojito: Tropical and refreshing!

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3. Mint Lemonade: This is a recipe from a family friend. It's simple and yummy!

1 cup packed mint leaves (chopped up)
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup pure lemon juice
1 cup vodka (or as much as you like)

Let stand in refrigerator for a couple hours. Then drain (using cheese cloth) until clear and bottle it, as you wish. Pour over crushed ice and enjoy!

4. Whiskey Smash: I'm a whiskey fan and this sounded fresh and delicious! Perfect for summer!

5. White Summer Sangria: What a great and easy way to use fresh summer fruit!

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Tasty Tuesday

It's been a LONG time since I've done a Tasty Tuesday post, but recently I made some recipes that were so amazing that I just had to share!  I don't know how many of you are on Pinterest, but I've found tons of great ideas on there, especially new recipes.  Heather and I were given the duty of making dinner a couple weeks ago, but we had to use a bunch of veggies from our Bountiful Basket.  We did a search on Pinterest and went to work.

Our menu included the following:

Poppy Seed-Crusted Butternut Squash with Romaine and Pomegranate [Pinterest source]

Oven Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts [Pinterest source]

Crispy Baked Eggplant [Pinterest source]

Talk about using vegetables!  We made a few changes from the original recipes, like substituting romaine lettuce for kale, since that's what we had on hand.  For the eggplant recipe I created the egg mixture and dipped them straight into the panko crumbs mixture [to which I added parmesan cheese], rather than dipping them in flour.  It was all so delicious!  It makes me excited to try more new recipes and learn different ways to use our Bountiful Basket goodies!  Let me know if you end up trying one of these recipes!  Feel free to share any yummy recipes you think I should try!

Tasty Tuesday

I don't think I ever thought I'd be saying this, BUT I think I'm going vegan, well, at least vegetarian. AND IT'S ALL JENNY'S FAULT!!

Okay, not really, but kind of. Let me tell you why.

I posted back in September that I found a lump. I ended up cancelling my consultation with the specialist because I needed time to wrap my mind around what was happening and look into other options. Because I'm under 30, uninsured and the level of risk (or whatever) of the lump was considered low, I'm not eligible for any kind of assistance from anywhere.

In my searching I found some alternative treatments for fibroadenoma which include changing my diet, i.e. more fiber, less caffeine, etc. I was talking to Jenny and she recommended that I read The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone just to get ideas and figure out where to start. I just started reading it last week (thank you library, but I think I need my own copy). I don't have much spare time so it's taking me a while. But what I've read so far, I really like. It just makes sense. Read it for yourself and make up your own mind. Check out the website: The Kind Life.

I'm trying to make this lifestyle/diet change while living at home and I think it's going to be harder because of it. I won't be successful if I don't have my family's support. It'd be one thing if I would or could volunteer to cook dinner every night, but my schedule doesn't afford the luxury.

Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Please share any thoughts, recommendations or tips for me personally or to help get the family on board! I need all the help I can get. Thanks in advance!

Tasty Tuesday: Current Fav Snack

I'm all about super fast and delicious snacks. Everyone loves chips and salsa, right? This is a fun twist on chips and salsa. Wildtree Herbs has an amazing Roasted Tomatillo Sauce that I eat with these yummy multigrain chips the parents found at Costco. You can use the sauce for other things like enchiladas, burritos, etc., but I love it straight up.

You may have seen Heather's post last week that she became a Wildtree Rep! This Thursday and Saturday she's having tastings to launch her business. Check out her website HERE to learn more about Wildtree and see some of their delicious and natural products!!

Tasty Tuesday: Sunshine Zucchini Bread

We've had so much zucchini growing in the garden that my mom has been baking zucchini bread like crazy. I love this delicious twist on zucchini bread! I almost love it more than regular zucchini bread, but shhhhh.....don't tell anyone. ;)

Tasty Tuesday: Rhubarb Coffee Cake

I love this recipe! First of all, please tell me you know what rhubarb is! I overheard a conversation this summer and one person explained to another than rhubarb was like colored celery. No, it's definitely not.

Saturday night I picked fresh rhubarb from our garden and made up this yummy coffee cake for breakfast on Sunday morning. I love it warmed a little. It's not too difficult to make and doesn't take that long. I didn't have buttermilk so I googled a substitute. I mixed 1 tbsp of vinegar with 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. Enjoy!

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

1 cup buttermilk

2 cups chopped rhubarb (floured with 1 cup flour, extra)

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and beat well

Sift dry ingredients together and add to butter-sugar-egg mixture, alternating with milk

Gently fold in rhubarb, vanilla and nuts

Pour into greased and floured 9x13 pan

Mix together:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup soft butter

Sprinkle over cake

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Tasty Tuesday: Corn Dip

This recipe for Corn Dip is SUPER easy and fast to make. It's great for parties or a just yummy snack. I love to eat it with Wheatables!

2 cans Mexicorn, drained

2 cups cheddar cheese

1 bunch green onions, sliced

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayo

2 cans chopped green chilies

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate until serving.

It's not the prettiest, but it is so delicious!!

Tasty Tuesday: Lemon Cheesecake Squares

These Lemon Cheesecake Squares are so light and delicious! Plus, they're really easy to make! It's a fabulous summer dessert.