Summer Detox-Thirsty Thursday

I can't believe it's the last day of July!  Nothing makes me more sad than summer flying by and thinking of back to school.  Maybe it's the kid in me or the former teacher???  I love summer for the freedom, the sun, the later mornings and the longer nights.  School starts August 25th around here which means that August is last call.  It's the month that we cram everything we haven't done on our summer bucket list into our last days and nights.  This thought calls for a drink-Ha!  But today it's not the alcoholic kind-it's for a detox water that will make you feel great even with the thought of school right around the corner.  

I tend to take it easy at the gym during the summer months only because its difficult to maintain any sort of a schedule with the kids going every which way.  I workout when I can and I try to make good choices when it comes to eating. That way I can enjoy summer without feeling guilty that I'm not being a gym rat.  One great way is by drinking more water and infusing it with fresh, available fruits.  It makes the water taste great as well as boost your metabolism and help kick start or maintain your slim down.  Give this one a try as well as this one.  And let me know what you think.

Summer Detox Water

1 pitcher or carafe of H2O

1 lime

1 peach

1 cup of blue berries

1 cup of strawberries

Slice your favorite summer fruits and combine into pitcher.  Allow to chill in refrigerator for 1-2 hours.  

Make a new pitcher each day for maximum freshness.  

Happy Thirsty Thursday!  Enjoy!

Summer Appetizer

Well, we survived our backyard bash this past weekend despite a crazy day with two kids in the baseball/softball championships and a evening full of thunderstorms!  We had about a hundred neighborhood friends filling our tented backyard and house.  It was a ton of preparation but a ton of fun!  I have been spending the last few days playing catch up and clean up. 

Despite the hard work, I love to entertain and in the summer I am drawn to ease and simplicity.  Foods that don't require an oven or even a stove.  This cool appetizer is perfect for a summer gathering.  Few ingredients that are plentiful in summer months.  

Watermelon Feta Bites

1 small watermelon sliced-

1 boxes of chunk Feta cheese

1 cup of fresh basil for garnish

optional-balsamic vinegar 

Use a small round cookie cutter to cut small circles from the watermelon slices.  Cut Feta into bit sized cubes.  Place Feta cube onto watermelon round and garnish with fresh basil leaf.  Place on to platter and drizzle with balsamic.

Super simple!  

Here are some pics from the Saturday preparation:

Happy Wednesday!

In House Favorite

Our family always loves Mexican food whether we are out at a restaurant or right here in our own house.  When the kids were babies we would spoon feed them guacamole and they LOVED every bite.  So funny that our number one baby food of choice was guacamole.  Avocados are full of antioxidants and fiber and unsaturated heart healthy fats.

This classic recipe is so yum I have to pass on the pure guacamole love.

Simple Guacamole 

2 ripe avocados peeled and pits removed 

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/2 jalapeno pepper diced with seeds removed

1 clove of garlic finely diced/pressed

1/2 cup of freshly diced tomatoes

1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped

juice from 1 lime

add salt and pepper to taste

In a medium mixing bowl combine all ingredients and mash together using fork.  Place the avocado pits in the finished guacamole-this will help to keep it fresh longer.  Serve with your favorite corn chips, quesadillas, tacos or any favorite Mexican dishes. 

Looking forward to the summer months when we make this more often than not and my husby cracks open a Corona with a lime and I make an icy margarita-Yippee!  Hope you enjoy as much as we do!

Our little Jack years ago loving his very own bowl.