Beverages

Blueberry Lime “Mock-a-Ritas”

May 6, 2013 by Denisesawyer Leave a Comment

Did you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? It’s not too late! There are lots of great Mexican food recipes that are quick family meals that everyone will love on a busy weeknight. I’ve got lots of ideas here on WholesomeMommy.

Need some ideas to wash down all that delicious Mexican Food? I’ve got a crowd-pleasing recipe over at the Georgia Blueberry Commission’s website today. It is a non-alcoholic Blueberry Lime “mock-arita.” My kids love this special little drink when we enjoy Mexican food night at home, and it is a great way to boost your diet with healthy antioxidants.

Like your drink a little “harder”? No problem, it’s easy to add a splash of tequila for those who enjoy a REAL margarita. Go check out my recipe today. Doesn’t it look delicious?

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Melt in Your Mouth Oven Baked Tacos and Strawberry Margaritas for Cinco De Mayo

April 25, 2013 by Denisesawyer Leave a Comment

Are you celebrating Cinco De Mayo? I’ve got awinning combo for you to make your guests (or your family) for this or any fun Mexican Themed dinner night. These oven baked tacos are SOOO good, my family would eat them once a week…EVERY week! We all LOVE them. Once you try these oven baked tacos you will NEVER go back. Baking them in the oven makes them awesome. They are melt in your mouth,make you drool, good!

:: Oven Baked Tacos

1 lb. ground beef (preferably grass fed)
1 small can (or equivalent of homemade) refried beans
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 recipe for homemade taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (I use grass fed)
8-10 hard taco shells

Brown beef and onions. When it is done, drain the grease off, if there is any. Add in the beans and taco seasoning. Cook together until it is thick, and most all the liquid is cooked out. Next place 8 to 10 hard taco shells in an 9×11 casserole dish. Place some of the bean and beef mixture in each taco shell. Sprinkle cheese over the tops of the tacos. Bake for 10 or 15 minutes at 400 degrees F.

We like ours with tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, and sour cream after they come out of the oven.

Of course you need something to wash these tacos down! Why not keep with the Mexican theme and serve up some Strawberry Lime Margaritas with organic strawberries from Driscoll’s? We made them and they were delicious! We used an artisinal {and organic!} tequila for our libation called Casa Noble Tequila.

Casa Noble Tequila is handcrafted and has the distinction of being one of the only 19 companies in Mexico to have earned a certificate from the Profepa, an organization created in Mexico in 1992 to recognize leaders in environmental conservation.

:: Strawberry Lime Margaritas

2 cups crushed ice
1 cup of fresh Driscoll’s organic strawberries
1 cup Casa Noble Tequila
2 limes, juiced
Splash simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water heated until sugar dissolves, then cooled)

Blend all ingredients together. Rim the glasses with salt, pour into glasses. Garnish with a fresh strawberry and or a lime slice.

I received samples of Casa Noble Tequila and Driscoll’s berries in order to create this menu.

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Filed Under: Beverages, Main Dishes, Uncategorized, Wholesome Recipes Tagged With: cinco de mayo, dinner, margaritas, mexican food, Organic, oven baked tacos, puff pastry, stawberry lime margaritas

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Homemade Chocolate Syrup… SOOO Good!

March 10, 2013 by Denisesawyer 6 Comments

I told you last week that I was searching for a replacement for my Hershey’s chocolate syrup. It has High Fructose Corn Syrup … a deal breaker for my whole food pantry/fridge makeover. I’m trying my best to find replacements for the last few bad guys hanging out in my fridge and pantry. I’ve recently had a fire lit under my butt and I’ve gotten serious about it again.

So, after sharing my fridge with you and a group of ladies I feel is very knowledgeable about this subject, a new friend, Amanda put me on to a link for making my own. So, with her recommendation I set off to my kitchen to see if I had the necessary ingredients. And, guess what? I did! So, this little experiment turned out both successful AND frugal! Yay!

It took less than fifteen minutes to make (including locating the ingredients and bottling the finished product). Judah and Eliana both helped and Judah gladly became chief taste tester. And, he declared the new chocolate milk, “better than the other kind.” And, he asked if we could make this kind EVERY TIME! Hooray! I love it when the healthier version also turns out to be the TASTIER version!

I must say, this convenience food turned out to be very simple to make and will easily be my go to from now on. No more bottled chocolate syrup from the grocery store for me.

:: Chocolate Syrup

1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Divine, Fair Trade)
1 cup water
dash of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a small saucepan, add sugar, cocoa, and salt. Whisk together gently. Add water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool.

I poured mine into these little squeeze bottles. I purchased them in the cake/cookie decorating supply area. They are made for icing cookies with royal icing. You can also find squeeze bottles in most kitchen supply areas for things like ketchup and mustard. Store in the refrigerator.

For making chocolate milk, just add two teaspoons (more or less to taste) to an 8 oz. glass of milk.

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Filed Under: Beverages, Dessert, Uncategorized, Wholesome Recipes Tagged With: chocolate milk, chocolate syrup, fair trade chocolate syrup, Hershey's syrup, homemade chocolate syrup, Organic, wholesome

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Appliances for Tailgating that will Kick it Up a Notch!

September 21, 2012 by Denisesawyer Leave a Comment

Its football season and it is serious business here in Georgia. The weather is just starting to cool off here so now it REALLY feels like football season to me. Walmart has sent me some appliances to help out with tailgating – whether you enjoy football at the game or from your couch!

Growing up I was a cheerleader in high school and my memories of the football games included hot chocolate. I can guarantee you that the hot chocolate I had from concessions was not anything like the delicious hot chocolate I made in my new Mr. Coffee Cafe Latte maker. I also made a delicious “Almond Joy” cafe latte that was to die for! Here’s how I made it:

:: Almond Joy Cafe Latte

12 ounces of milk
1/4 cup Coffee Mate coconut cream
3 Tbsp chocolate syrup

Brew the coffee as directed per the instructions that came with the Mr. Coffee Cafe Latte maker (2 – 3 Tbsp of ground coffee). Add all the ingredients to the pitcher and start the cafe latte maker. You will not be disappointed!

I also had the opportunity to try out the new Crock Pot Triple Dipper. It is a really sweet appliance with three small crocks on a spinning lazy susan. You can make three dips of dishes at once – or not – you can totally use just one, two, or all three crocks at once.

My favorite dip is one my father in law taught me. It is really simple and sooo good.

:: Creamy Bean Dip with a Kick!

1 8 oz block of cream cheese at room temperature
1 can of refried beans
1 jar of salsa
1 cup of cheddar cheese (or more if you like!)

Layer the ingredients into the crock: beans, cream cheese, salsa, then cheese. When it is heated through it is ready to go! Serve with tortilla chips – delicious!

And, maybe you’d like to try these recipes in your own new appliances along with a $200 Walmart gift card to help you through your ultimate tailgating party. Well, your in luck because Mr. Coffee is giving away a party package of appliances, games, and a $200 gift card – all worth over $1300!! You can enter to win here.

Disclosure: I am a Walmart Mom. This post is sponsored by Walmart. Walmart has provided me with product and/or compensation in exchange for my time and efforts in creating this post. My participation is voluntary. As always, my opinion is my own.

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Beverages, Product Reviews & Giveaways, Wholesome Recipes Tagged With: coffee, dip, recipes, tailgating

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Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade

July 11, 2012 by Denisesawyer Leave a Comment

Its summer time and although I won’t claim that this drink will make the hot any less hot…I can say this Strawberry Lemonade will make it a bit more bearable. Ok, maybe not more bearable, but perhaps you’ll forget how hot it is for just a few moments while you’re sippin’ this delicious concoction. It is by far, one of my favorites!

:: Strawberry Lemonade

3/4 cup lemon juice (this is about 5 lemons)
2 cups sugar (divided)
1 lb. strawberries, sliced

Place sliced strawberries and 1 cup of sugar in a container and place into the fridge. Allow strawberries to make s syrup in the fridge (this takes about an hour).

Meanwhile, squeeze lemons and pour lemon juice and remaining 1 cup of sugar into a 2 quart pitcher. Pour in about a cup 1/2 of hot water to melt the sugar. Fill the pitcher up to the two quart line with cold water.

Place ice into a cup. Pour 2 Tbsp of strawberry syrup into the glass. Fill the remainder of the glass with lemonade. Add some of the reserved strawberries if desired. Enjoy!!

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Filed Under: Beverages Tagged With: fruit lemonade, lemonade, strawberry lemonade, summer

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Blueberry Lemonade

June 15, 2012 by Denisesawyer Leave a Comment

Its summertime! Or is it? You can’t call it officially summer until you’ve had a glass of sweet tea or lemonade while sitting on the porch. At least that is how we do it here in the south. To beat the heat we’ve always got a glass of something cool in our hand and I’ve got a new recipe you are going to love: Georgia blueberry lemonade. Go find out how you can make a batch of your own over at the Georgia Blueberry site this week! Let me know what you think!

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Filed Under: Beverages, Wholesome Recipes

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Drink to Your Health With Blueberry Green Tea

May 7, 2012 by Denisesawyer 2 Comments

Last week, I shared a recipe for one of Judah’s favorite ways to enjoy blueberries in a blueberry banana smoothie (link to post). This week I’m letting you in on a favorite of mine: blueberry green tea. This healthy, delicious tea is made with fresh blueberry juice, where I control the ingredients. I feed my body with great cancer-fighting foods, like blueberries and green tea, while feeding my soul with a little “me” time. Check out the how to over at the Georgia Blueberry site.

Filed Under: Beverages, Wholesome Recipes Tagged With: beverages, BLUEBERRY, blueberry recipe, Georgia Blueberries, Georgia Blueberry Commission, hot tea, tea

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Blueberry Banana Smoothies

April 30, 2012 by Denisesawyer Leave a Comment

Judah and I are blending up a sweet treat over at the Georgia Blueberry website today. This recipe is one of our new favorites so be sure to click here to get the recipe for our Blueberry Banana Dream. You’re going to want to whip up a batch of your own AND stash the recipe for later to make your very own healthy, low fat, frosty treats on one of those hot summer days coming soon!

Filed Under: Beverages, Wholesome Recipes

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New Years Eve Recipe – A Goodnight Kiss

December 28, 2011 by Denisesawyer 3 Comments

I had to share this. With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, I have the perfect recipe to share. One tradition that everyone is aware of at New Year’s is that you are to kiss your sweet heart when the clock strikes midnight. The other tradition is that you are to stuff yourself with delicious appetizers and fancy drinks {that is everyone’s tradition right…not just my family? LOL}.

If you take this opportunity to enjoy a cocktail, I have the perfect drink that pulls both traditions together. It is called A Goodnight Kiss! And if you don’t enjoy an alcoholic beverage I’ve got some ideas for you too!

:: A Goodnight Kiss

4 oz Champagne
1 splash Campari® bitters
1 sugar cube
1 drop Angostura® bitters

Place a drop of angostura bitters on a sugar cube and drop into a champagne flute. Add champagne and splash of campari.

You could serve sparkling apple juice or sparkling grape juice to the kiddos and those who aren’t imbibing, or Anne Marie of This Mama Cooks has a great recipe for a mocktail to make something extra special just for them. Its called Angostura Orange Blossom Mocktail and you can get the recipe here.

Filed Under: Beverages, Wholesome Recipes Tagged With: angostura bitters, drinks, new year's, recipe

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Cherry Limeade

July 12, 2011 by Denisesawyer 2 Comments

It is so hot and keeping hydrated is important. But, this mama gets bored with just plain water and we’ve kicked our soda habit. So, what do I do to keep it interesting and fun? You can bet I’ll have a pitcher of lemonade, limeade, or tea in the fridge. But, even then it seems like same ol’, same ol’ so I keep it interesting by adding flavors. Some of our favorites are cherry limeade, strawberry lemonade, and mint tea.

These drinks are great as is, but to make a real treat I pop them in my counter top ice cream maker and let them take a spin for a few minutes. In no time I have a delicious slushy!

:: Cherry Limeade

4 or 5 limes
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp maraschino cherry juice (from a jar of maraschino cherries)
4 or 5 cherries
slices of lime or picks with cherries for garnish {optional}

Squeeze limes and add to pitcher. Add sugar to the pitcher. Heat 2 cups of water in the microwave for about 3 minutes. Add to the pitcher and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add maraschino cherry juice and cherries and enough water to fill to 2 quart line. Stir and refrigerate. This is great immediately – but I prefer it after it has gotten really chilled {even better the next day!}

Filed Under: Beverages, Snacks, Wholesome Recipes Tagged With: cherry limeade, drinks, limeade, mocktail, recipes, summer

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Blueberry Lime “Mock-a-Ritas”

Melt in Your Mouth Oven Baked Tacos and Strawberry Margaritas for Cinco De Mayo

:: Oven Baked Tacos

:: Strawberry Lime Margaritas

Homemade Chocolate Syrup… SOOO Good!

:: Chocolate Syrup

Appliances for Tailgating that will Kick it Up a Notch!

:: Almond Joy Cafe Latte

:: Creamy Bean Dip with a Kick!

Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade

:: Strawberry Lemonade

Blueberry Lemonade

Drink to Your Health With Blueberry Green Tea

Blueberry Banana Smoothies

New Years Eve Recipe – A Goodnight Kiss

:: A Goodnight Kiss

Cherry Limeade

:: Cherry Limeade

Click the Image for a Printable Meal Plan

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