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!

Sweet Strawberries

We have made it an annual summer tradition to go strawberry picking.  We have found the perfect patch about an hour north of us.  It makes for an easy trip and we get some fantastic pickings-perfect for making freezer jam.  The kids love peanut butter and jelly so I try to make a year supply.  We just finished our last jar from a year ago so I knew it was time to get picking. The older kids were busy in camps so I took the little boys to help me.  It was the perfect day-sun was shinning but it wasn't too hot.  We packed our rain boots because the fields have been muddy with all the rain that we've been having.  We picked for an hour and got 3 big boxes packed to the brim.

The Best & Super Easy Freezer Jam

Here is what you’ll need: 

2 pints of strawberries

4  cups sugar

1 box Sure Jell fruit pectin

3/4 cup water

half pint sized mason jars

*I do boil my jars and lids to make sure they are sterile before using them.  

I rinse the berries well and cut off the tops and place them in a large bowl.

Next I mash using a potato masher until completely mashed and the consistency is thick and a bit chunky.

Add 4 cups of sugar to the crushed strawberries and stir until completely mixed.

Place Sure-Jell into a saucepan with 3/4 cups of water and bring to a boil on high heat until the jell is dissolved in the water.  Add the mixture to the berries and stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Use a funnel to pour jam into the jars.  If you don't have a kitchen funnel then carefully spoon the jam into the jars.  Leave about a 1/2 of an inch at the top of each jar.  Screw the lids on tight and let stand on the counter at room temperature for 24 hours.  Place in freezer for up to a year .  I usually have one jar in the fridge for about 3-4 weeks at a time.  I also double or triple this recipe depending how many strawberries we pick.

This recipe makes the best jam for peanut butter and jellies.  It's also so yummy on top of a bowl of vanilla ice cream.  Perfect for strawberry sundaes.

Favorite Summer Look

I have this outfit from J. Crew for summer and I love it.  It's been my fave for the backyard BBQ.  I have my white jeans on repeat this summer because I feel that you can never go wrong with a great white denim on a casual summer night.  I just make sure that I wait until the very last moment before heading out the door to put them on.  Lots of dirty little hands around here so it's pajama pants for me until I'm walking out the door. 

My outfit details are below:

Fresh Summer Salad

It's gettin' hot round here and summer is knocking on the door.  I love summer salads.  Could eat them for every meal.  I only wish the rest of the fam felt the same way.-Ha!  This corn salad is one of my faves.  I love using our garden basil-my herb garden is exploding right now with fresh herbs!

This recipe is simple and I'm all about simplicity when get home late from all of these evening baseball and softball games.  This can be whipped up in a matter of minutes.

Fresh Summer Corn Salad

4 ears of corn cut from cob 

3 medium zucchini sliced in 1/2 inch rounds

1 cup fresh basil leaves roughly chopped

1 garlic clove minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste

In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add sliced zucchini and garlic and saute for approximately 2 minutes.  Add the corn kernels and season with salt and pepper-cook for an additional minute.  Remove from heat and add fresh basil and white wine vinegar.  Toss and enjoy!

Hope you are enjoying the week!

Nautical Summer

I'm addicted to stripes.  I can't help myself.  When I'm shopping they immediately pull me in and I have to have them.  Striped T's, bags, shoes-I love them all.  I especially love navy and white.  It is clean and fresh and the perfect color combination for summer.  Yesterday the kids finished school so it's official- summer vacation has officially begun!  Hope you are enjoying your Wednesday!  

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Classic Mojito

I'm sorry I've been MIA for several days.  We've been so busy in the evenings with the kids baseball and softball games that by the time we get home, eat a late dinner, bathe the kids and get them to bed I sit down and I'm too tired to compute!-Ha 

I can't believe it's already Thursday!-Wow, I'm behind. I'll try to make it up by starting the weekend a day early with this Thirsty Thursday recipe.  I think the nice weather we've been having calls for a classic mojito to kick off summer!  This recipe reminds me of my favorite Tommy Bahama cocktail.  Makes me think of a tropical paradise.

It's best to use fresh ingredients. Fresh is best!!

Classic Mojito

1 lime-juice to taste

1/4 cup simple syrup

bunch of fresh mint leaves

1-2 ounces favorite white rum

club soda or for extra sweet, Sprite

crushed ice

Simple Syrup:

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

Combine equal parts sugar and water and boil in small saucepan until sugar is dissolved.

Directions:

In a tall glass combine lime juice, simple syrup, and a bunch of mint leaves.  Muddle the leaves until bruised.   Fill the glass with ice and pour in rum.  Top off with the club soda or Sprite for extra sweetness. Garnish with a lime wedge.

It's time to kick back and enjoy this fresh taste of summer. -If only I can stay awake long enough to enjoy it!-Ha!

Lavender Lemonade

Happy Friday!!!  It's beginning to feel like summer-yippee!!! The kids are running around the neighborhood with their friends and the windows are open.  Signs that the temperatures are warming up and summer is right around the corner.  I can't wait!   I love having a pitcher of cold lemonade on the counter when the kids run in and need a quick drink.  I found this amazing recipe that puts plain ole' lemonade to shame.  

It's refreshing and pretty and so yum!!!  I think it would be amazing for a mother's day brunch.  Turn it into a cocktail as well, with a splash of vodka. Perfect for a girls night!

Lavender Lemonade Recipe

2 cups water 

1 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons dried lavender

2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice

5 cups water

1 lemon sliced for the garnish

Combine 2 cups of water and 1 cup sugar  in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil until sugar is dissolved and simple syrup is achieved.  Remove from heat and stir in the dried lavender.  Cover and let sit for about 15 minutes.  Strain lavender.  

In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, lavender/simple syrup and water.  Chill for 2 hours and serve over ice.  And if you want a little party in your summer drink add a bit of vodka.

Enjoy!!!

Doesn't this just look so pretty and summer-y??

Wishing you all the most happiest Mother's Day!