Drinks & Refreshments

Orange You Glad The Kids Are Asleep

March 18, 2014 by Danielle 8 Comments

“Orange you glad?” Do you remember that saying from childhood? Maybe from a knock knock joke? I sure do. And I fondly remember it every time I sit down with this drink. Most of the time I’m thinking, “Orange you glad the kids are asleep?”

Now don’t get me wrong… I love my kids. But some days the countdown to bedtime is on as soon as my husband walks in the door. Other days the countdown to bedtime is on as soon as they wake up from their naps. But no matter what type of day it is, this drink can perk me up.

Because having that time to enjoy a drink after the kids bedtime means that I get to take a moment for myself before delving into the wonderful world of working into the night. And it brings me right out of a bad day with just a sip. We all need drinks like this in our lives.

(oh yes, working from home means I get to enjoy a drink on the job… just not excessively!)

And in a few short weeks when I attend SoFabCon I’d love to sit back with my friends and ask, “Orange you glad…” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Drinks & Refreshments, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: alcohol, alcoholic drinks, boozy drinks, tequila

Simple 5-Ingredient Skinny Margarita Recipe

February 1, 2014 by Danielle 19 Comments

The Super Bowl is this weekend and many love to celebrate with their favorite drinks. Obviously these includes an adult beverage (so if you’re under 21 you need to stop reading now) and usually that beverage is a nice cold beer. But this year I’m shaking things up with a Mexican theme and celebrating in style with this Skinny Margarita.

In an effort to bring lighter fare to the menu for our Super Bowl shindig and to cater to my Weight Watchers lifestyle, we’ve whipped up some delicious skinny margaritas that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Especially when paired with the street tacos I have planned.

With a simple ingredient list, easy directions, and a great taste, this is the perfect recipe to replace your cold one this Sunday.

From the gorgeous, sleek bottles, to the smooth taste, Partida Tequila is a delicious addition to any football party.

Now I’m no tequila connoisseur but living in San Diego I’ve had a shot or two south of the border and I have to say that Partida tequila is something that would be kept in my cupboards.

And now that I have this delicious, calorie friendly alternative to my favorite margarita, I may be seeing more of Partida in the near future. Responsibly, of course.

The Skinny Margarita recipe starts with 5 simple ingredients: tequila, Agave, lime, water, and salt.

If you like your margarita with salt, grab a slice of lime and rub it around the rim of your glass.

Then turn the cup over, rim down, into a plate of sea salt to coat the rim of the glass.

Now it’s time to make your skinny margarita!

Partida Skinny Margarita

This margarita is a perfect way to relax and enjoy the festivities without going over on your Weight Watcher points. Only 3pp+ for one margarita!

1 ½ oz Partida Blanco Tequila
1 oz Fresh squeezed lime juice
¾ oz Agave Nectar
lime slice (for garnish)
sea salt
¾ oz Water

Take lime slice for garnish and run it along the edge of the Margarita glass. Then flip the glass over and dip rim into salt leaving a light layer of salt around the rim of the glass.
Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake to combine. Strain over fresh ice into a Margarita glass or Old-Fashioned glass.
Taste for balance and adjust if necessary.

How do you enjoy your tequila?

Filed Under: Drinks & Refreshments, In the Kitchen, Recipes Tagged With: 21+, alcohol, alcoholic drinks, Margarita, Partida Blanco, Partida Skinny Margarita, Partida Tequila

Green Monster Protein Smoothie {6 WW+}

January 7, 2014 by Danielle 13 Comments

There’s one thing I’ve been obsessed about for months. Something that’s healthy for me that I actually crave at times. And you’ll think I’m crazy, but they really are good. What am I talking about? This green monster protein smoothie.

No, seriously… this protein-packed green machine is something I blend up in the morning and enjoy sipping until the very end. I have to thank the frozen banana and teaspoon of PB2 for that.

Haven’t heard of PB2? Well it’s basically powdered peanut butter and is much more calorie friendly than your typical jar of Skippy or Jif. You can find it on Amazon or on select store shelves. You can also find another version from Just Great Stuff that tastes very similar. And? It also comes in chocolate peanut butter form too!

I’ve spotted the Just Great Stuff brand at Target and Whole Foods but there are specialty stores around town that carry PB2 as well. And the protein powder? I pick up the Whole Foods generic brand, 365. It was recommended by a few people and I enjoy the taste.

Oh, and this whole huge 24oz cup? 6 WW+ points! How awesome is that? Definitely a breakfast I can dig before a workout. Then, when I have more time at lunch, I enjoy some scrambled eggs after my workouts. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Drinks & Refreshments, Health & Wellness, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, Weight Watchers Tagged With: Breakfast, green monster, protein, smoothie, spinach, Weight Watchers, Weight Watchers recipes

Juicing Recipes: Green Monster Juice

July 6, 2013 by Danielle 109 Comments

About a month or two ago I received a new toy for review. The NutriPro Juicer arrived at my doorstep all shiny and new and I couldn’t wait to bust it open and start using it.

The first juice I made with my juicer was a simple carrot juice. But I found that just because there was only one ingredient didn’t mean it’d be easy to get a full glass of juice! So I branched out into more complex juice recipes to find a green juice I love.

And this green monster juice hits the spot! There’s no need for any fruit other than the lime but if you’d like you can add 1/2 an apple. I chose not to so that I don’t have to figure out the calories, etc for my Nutrisystem program.

I’m using these juices as a way to get in more servings of veggies on top of the 4 I already get. And I’m having a lot of fun figuring out different variations with the veggies we have on hand!

How to Make the Perfect Root Beer Float

June 26, 2013 by Danielle 10 Comments

One of our favorite summertime treats is the classic root beer float. So after years and years of making them with friends and family I’ve finally mastered how to make the perfect root beer float.

Now I’m sure your thinking come on, how hard is a root beer float?! Well, it’s not! That’s what’s so awesome about them.

BUT by adding two more additional ingredients we’ve taken the classic root beer float and bumped it to the next level of awesome. And who doesn’t love the next level of awesome?

Now lets get to how to make the perfect root beer float!

Green Monster Smoothies {Breakfast Recipe}

March 23, 2012 by Danielle 35 Comments

One of my favorite new ways to get greens into my kids is by blending them up into smoothie form. And this smoothie started it all. Now this is just your basic Green Monster. There are so many different variations of this smoothie and my kids and I love to experiment with what we put in it when we make it.

For some awesome ways to shake up the original recipe check out my friend CB’s Green Monster journey over on her blog See Cupcake Run. Just search for “green monster” since I’m not sure how to link to one of her categories.

Green Monster Smoothie

1 cup milk
1 ripe, frozen banana, peeled
3 handfuls organic spinach
1 tablespoon ground flax
1 tablespoon peanut butter (or PB2)
4-5 ice cubes

Add 1 cup of milk to the blender.

Now add in the chia or flax (if using) and nut butter.

Next, add in the spinach followed by the banana on top.

Blend until smooth.

Add in your ice cubes and blend some more.

Serves 2 | 4 WW pp+ with PB2 (not including banana)

Filed Under: Drinks & Refreshments, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, Weight Watchers Tagged With: Breakfast, Health, Healthy Eating for Kids, healthy recipes, Kids Health, smoothie, Toddler Food

Orange You Glad The Kids Are Asleep

(oh yes, working from home means I get to enjoy a drink on the job… just not excessively!)

Simple 5-Ingredient Skinny Margarita Recipe

Partida Skinny Margarita

How do you enjoy your tequila?

Green Monster Protein Smoothie {6 WW+}

Juicing Recipes: Green Monster Juice

[Read more…]

How to Make the Perfect Root Beer Float

Green Monster Smoothies {Breakfast Recipe}

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