Piña Colada ~ Thanks Alotta...

Needing a crisp cocktail to help you finish off the summer? Try this Piña Colada garnished with a wedge of fresh pineapple and a cherry in a pretty glass. I make it ahead... 2 blendersful for my army.


Place in blender:
7 oz. good rum - I like Castillo silver
1/2 can pineapple juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 can creme de coconut
ice to top of blender

Blend, pour into Tupperware jug, then repeat process, using remaining second half of juice and coconut. Store in freezer. Keeps several weeks if you are lucky.

Move Over Smoothie King

Today's breakfast included a fresh peach smoothie, and I scored a 4 out of 4 with the grands. All enjoyed it... just add a colorful jumbo straw and they think they have been to Smoothie King. What a glassful of nutrients... calcium, protein, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and FIBER... all without any fillers, thickeners, or preservatives. Go ahead and get some of those peaches your next time at the fruit stand. Mine are in the freezer already because I enjoy them all year-round.

Place in blender:
1 cup Greek nonfat yogurt (I like Fage from Costco)
2 cups fresh or frozen fruit of your choice, partially defrosted in microwave
1 or 2 cups ice
1 Tbsp. good vanilla
2 Tbsp. sugar

Blend until smooth. Makes 4-5 8 ounce servings.

Trying To Be More Out Of The BOX

My children would tell you that I am an "in the box" type - rule follower, go by the recipe, etc. So when I decided to do battle with my refrigerator drawers, I was definitely pushed to thinking outside that box. These drawers have never performed to my satisfaction, and, of course, the call to the manufacturer produced nothing. They simply will not slide, so they are both cracked from the tragic impact of the anger in this household. Then I got an idea: who cares about the idiot drawers. I have removed the drawer on the lower left and now have ample room for a couple of things, one being my favorite versatile Pampered Chef Cool 'N' Serve square BOX. It not only holds 2 dozen deviled eggs (and can keep them cool for hours for travel), it holds a plethora of raw veggies, cut up and ready to eat. No more wasting multiple gallon zip bags. Currently, it is holding 3 colors of bell peppers, carrots, and celery. Rainy days in July can bring out the best (or worst) in some people. 

A New Appetizer

Light up the bottle rockets, all you party animals... here is a new recipe given to me recently from my brother-in-law, Mark. Green Salsa... oh, what a pretty color for many other occasions, too. Made in the blender, this spicy dip is great served with raw veggies or chips. It is traveling with us to the home of friends for the 4th of July. Delicious.

6-8 jalapenos (seeded if you desire it with less heat) (I used 1 good-size)

1 (8 oz.) package of Philadelphia cream cheese

1 dry package of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (I used 2 Tbsp.)

1 bundle of cilantro

1 cup of plain Greek yogurt or Mayo

½ cup of buttermilk 

I Love Ziploc

I haven't blogged for quite some time but wanted to share something today. Recently I purchased at Costco a Combo Pack of Ziploc "Space Bags." It includes a whopping 15 bags in varying sizes. Get your vacuum cleaners started, fair readers. You will love these if you need more storage space at your house. I am creating new storage space left and right. Besides that, you can SEE what you have put away! The Auburn gear on the left was occupying an enormous dresser drawer plus a large copy paper box... voila! One airtight bag. And the items on the right are relics from my parents' deaths, also occupying a large dresser drawer. You will be delighted to see your storage dilemmas solved. Happy organizing to you!