Happy Hour: Strawberry-Basil Cocktail

It's hot hot hot in central Texas and there is nothing more refreshing than a cool cocktail sipped on your own back porch.  This little gem of a drink has just FOUR ingredients and is just as easy to make in a large batch as it is to make single-serve.  Get out your muddlers y'all!

See that y'all I threw in up there?  I'm embracing my inner Texan.  If you can't beat em...



Ingredients:
3 medium strawberries, sliced
2 large basil leaves
1.5 oz bourbon
Sparkling beverage of choice (I used sparkling lemonade)
Ice

1.  In your glass, muddle together the berries and basil.  There is no wrong way to do this.

2.  Add the bourbon.  If you prefer to make it a heavier pour, go right ahead.  Top with ice and stir will with a bar spoon (you know...that long swirly lookin' one).

3.  Fill the rest of your glass with your sparkling beverage of choice.  It can be soda water, ginger ale, lemon lime soda, or if you're like me...sugar free sparkling lemonade.  If you want to get fancy, garnish with an extra strawberry and a sprig of basil.  It's freakin' delicious so drink up!

Baked Eggs in Portabellos

If you're looking to get healthier, it's no secret that cutting down on red meat will make a big difference to your diet.  It can be difficult to feel fully satisfied at dinner without having that slice of protein, which is why I made this dish for dinner tonight.  The large mushroom with an egg delivers a punch of protein and a very satisfying bite.  Tonight, I served it alongside southwestern hashbrowns simply because that's what I had on hand.  However, I think it would be equally delicious served with a salad and a fruity vinagrette or even with some roasted asparagus and a squirt of lemon...yum!

Ingredients:

2 large portabello caps

2 large eggs

1 green onion, sliced

cooking spray

salt and pepper

1.  Preheat the oven to 375.  Meanwhile, clean your mushrooms and remove the stems.  Pat dry and leave the gills intact.

2.  Layer a small baking dish with foil and spray with cooking spray.  Place your mushrooms in the dish and sprinkle with half the green onions.  Top with a single egg, careful to keep it from running off the side of your 'shroom.

3.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and bake until the eggs are cooked to your liking.  I, myself, prefer the yolks to be a bit runny, so mine took about 20 minutes.  

4.  Serve with your favorite side and garnish with the additional green onion slices.  Enjoy!

Healthy PB&J Popcicles

There is nothing that brings me back to my childhood summers like a good popsicle.  I think we all remember sitting on the front porch trying to finish it before the whole thing melts and runs down your arm.  And being a completely sticky, stained mess by the time you're done.  The only problem is most of these classic treats are so full of sugar and food coloring...probably not all that good for you.  So the obvious solution is to just make your own.  The possibilities are endless...and you can totally just use some good organic fruit juice and call it a day.  But you know me...gotta take it one step further...made my own grape juice and a pb/greek yogurt blend.

Grape Juice:

1 cup water in a medium sauce pan

enough grapes to fill the water without coming up out of the water 

Boil until the grapes have all burst and look dull.  

Strain through a fine mesh strainer, smooshing (very technical term) the grapes to extract as much juice as possible.  

Allow to cool completely.

You *can* add sugar to the water before boiling...but grapes are pretty sweet on their own...really up to you.

PB swirl:

1/4 c greek yogurt, plain

2 tbsp peanut butter, creamy

1 tsp honey

Mix until everything is incorporated and smooth.  

Put in a piping bag (or in my case, a sandwich bag with a corner snipped off).

In your pop molds, pipe the pb mixure around the sides...doesn't have to be perfect since you're pouring liquid over it that might displace it anyway.

See...not perfect...but still tasty!

Pour cooled grape juice into each mold.  

Place your sticks/handles, and freeze until solid.

Run the mold under some warm water to loosen before removing the pops.

These really tasted like pb&j...and were freaking awesome!  My son loved them and wanted more.  We're definitely going to try some other flavors soon!

Ayden approved!

TLC Vox Box!

This is not the first time I've raved about how much I love Influenster.  Seriously guys, if you haven't signed up, then you must just not like getting cool stuff for free.  If you want to join and get free stuff like I've gotten, click here and sign up.  It's fun, easy, and did I mention you get free stuff??

This will be the fourth Vox Box I've gotten from Influenster.  This one is called the TLC Vox Box and it's exclusively for mommies!  It's got a few things that I can use with my little guy to keep him happy and healthy, and a few that are just for me...I might even share with my husband.  Because all parents need a little TLC every now and then right?

So what does it mean to get a little TLC from Influenster?  Read on...

Neosporin Neo To Go!

$4.97-$7.50

Neosporin Neo To Go! is a convenient no touch, no sting spray that fits anywhere to give you infection protection, plus pain relief, on the go.  It is specially designed for one-handed use and is great for your purse, kitchen, desk, workshop, golf, gym, or travel bag.

I'm not going to lie, I'm a little embarrassed to say I haven't already tried this item.  My son is 2 and full of energy.  As a result, we have lots of boo-boos that will really benefit from this being in Mommy's bag.  I will be posting my review here soon!

Breyers Gelato Indugences

$4.49-$5.99

Breyers, the brand known for bringing families together to enjoy delicious frozen treats for more than 140 years, is expanding it portfolio with the introduction of new Breyers Gelato Indulgences.  Each of the four delicious varieties features a trio of textures-creamy gelato, luscious sauce and gourmet toppings-for the ultimate indulgence.  To support the launch of Breyers Gelato Indulgences, this campaign will show couples how to create the perfect date night at home-and have a new reason to "spoon."

I think I'm most excited about this item...I can't wait to go pick it up from my local grocery store and enjoy it with my hubby.  Check back here for a link to my pinterest board with tips for creating the ultimate at-home date night with Breyers!

Ivory Bar Soap

I love the vintage-y packaging!

$3.99 for a 10-pack

Ivory bar soap is 99.44% pure clean & simple and contains no dyes or heavy perfumes.  Plus, with how gentle Ivory is on skin, it's no wonder it's recommended by 4 out of 5 moms.

I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of bar soap.  However, at $3.99 for 10 bars, I'm definitely willing to give it the old college try.  Seriously...that's 39 cents per bar!  Plus, I have really sensitive skin, so I'm looking forward to seeing how my skin responds to Ivory.  Stay tuned for an update!

AVON Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother

Beautiful and sleek

$30

Introducing Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother.  This translucent balm BLURS the look of WRINKLES on the forehead & around eyes INSTANTLY!  Use our fingers to gently pat onto the skin.  The cream-to-powder skin perfector delivers a silky smooth virtually line-free look for skin that gets you noticed!  Anew You starts today!  Visit AVON.com and receive 15% off your Anew purchase of $50 or more with the code ANEW15.  Offer code valid until 8/1/14 on AVON.com direct delivery orders only.

Wrinkles-ugh.  No one likes to admit they're getting older and those fine lines are a dead giveaway.  Of course the best thing to do is prevent them with good sunscreen and staying hydrated.  But for those of us who erred in our youth by sunning ourselves hoping for that elusive perfect tan...we need a little Anew.  I'm in my late 20's and they say you should start taking anti-aging measures by the time you turn 30.  So let's get on top of it ladies!

Puffs To Go

$0.49 per single pack

Puffs To Go are perfect for use in the car, in your purse, on-the-go, wherever you go!  Plus, Puffs are Dermatologist tested to be gentle.

I honestly laughed when I pulled this out of my box.  You have no idea how many of these things I've gone through in the last month alone.  I'm NEVER without my Puffs to go.  NEVER.  If it's not my son who needs a boogie wiped from his nose, my husband is asking for them because he has allergies. While I've already tried these and know how much I love them, I'm grateful since it's one less thing I have to remember at the store.

Shell Fuel Rewards Network Card

The Fuel Rewards Network program at Shell is a free loyalty program that helps you save money on fuel.  For a limited time, new members save 25 cents per gallon on their second fill up and 3 cents every time after!

It just so happens we have a Shell down the street from our new house and they also have the lowest gas prices in our area.  Needless to say, if there's a way to save even more money on gas, I'm all for it.  What's even better about this program?  It's free for you even if you didn't get a TLC vox box!  Just go to your local Shell station and pick up a card, register it online, and BOOM you're saving money.  You're welcome.

I think I'm becoming a morning person...

Ever since starting my job in January, I've had to be up at 5am since my shift starts at 6.  It was rough at first since I was never a morning person.  I hated mornings.  I hated being up before the sun came up; I hated rousing myself from a peaceful slumber and climbing out of my soft, comfy bed.  But now that it's been a few months, I think things have changed.

It's Sunday morning and everyone else, including the dogs, are still asleep and quiet in the other room.  So far, I've brewed a cup of coffee, read a magazine from last month that still hadn't been touched, and I'm contemplating actually doing my hair properly today instead of my usual mom-do of a pony tail haphazardly thrown on the back of my head.

But instead I think I'll sit here and finish my coffee and listen to the birds chirping outside my sun-filled window...because I won't be able to hear them after everyone wakes up.

So, I guess my point is...things really do change with age.  And if you're a mom, or even just a really busy person without kids, getting up an extra hour before your day really needs to start can become a worth-while ritual.  I am totally ready to wrangle my two-year-old and find my husbands keys/wallet/cellphone/pants/whatever-he-lost-but-can't-find...yup, I'm ready to greet the day!