Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie

I have officially made the switch from my fall obsession and pumpkin everything craze to more peppermint infused cocktails and ginger spiced everything.  However, I am still trying to stay healthy through out the holiday without over indulging every day.  

I love the holiday themed desserts and drinks.  It is very hard for me to say no all the time to freshly baked cookies or hot chocolate as my after dinner treat, again every night.  For me, the holiday is a time to treat yourself a few times to enjoy the deliciousness of all things homemade, but I also like to keep active and healthy all through out the Christmas season.

I decided to try a few extra spices in my smoothie the other morning to try and create the feeling of drinking a liquid gingerbread cookie.  It is still low in calories, keeps you full for a few hours, and really does taste like a healthy, holiday treat.  I added a scoop of protein to make it a full breakfast, but without the protein it tastes just as good.  Pour yourself a glass or two and enjoy feeling full and satisfied with this healthy, holiday smoothie.  Happy December!

Xo,
Laura

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups of vanilla almond milk (coconut milk or regular milk works too)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup of ice cubes (add extra if the banana is not frozen)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Extra: 1 scoop Perfect Fit Protein (my favorite!)

Add all ingredients to blender and mix until smooth.  Add an extra shake or two of cinnamon to the top of the smoothie and enjoy!

Thanksgiving Cranberry Cocktail

I am happy to admit I am a big fan of all things SkinnyGirl.  I have been a big fan of Bethenny's work ethic, business skills, and amazing products for years.  Out of them all though, my favorite products are her SkinnyGirl Cocktails.  Since Thanksgiving is less than a week away and with my husband and I hosting our first dinner, I wanted to have something a little festive.  And when I say a little festive, I mean I  go overboard trying to make every single detail as holiday themed as possible down to having frozen cranberry ice cubs and pumpkins holding my seating cards.  However, I enjoy decorating and don't mind if anyone else notices or enjoys the little touches I put on my entertaining decor.  The idea is as long as I'm happy doing these crazy projects, it's all ok (that's at least what I like to tell myself).  

So, to the cocktail.  It is made up of SkinnyGirl White Cranberry Cosmo, cranberry juice, and frozen cranberries.  It's so easy to make, but looks great and tastes even better.  A shaker is not necessary and sometimes I add a splash of club soda for a little fizz to the drink.  So pour yourself a glass, kick of your heels while cooking dinner, and take a few sips.  It will definitely be a happy and festive Thanksgiving.  Cheers!

Xo,
Laura

Ingredients:

~1 bottle SkinnyGirl White Cranberry Cosmo
~1 bottle of Cranberry Juice
~1 package of frozen cranberries

• Add a handful of frozen cranberries to the glass, and I also added a few ice cubes
• Pour 1 part SkinnyGirl 
• Then pour 2 parts cranberry juice to fill the glass

Caramel Apple Sangria

Happy Friday! It's time to relax and enjoy all this fall weekend has to offer, including some caramel apple sangria! When I was at the farmer's market last weekend I was thinking about using all of my apples in different ways and also eyeing up the caramel apples.  I could easily eat one (realistically more like three) caramel apples every day from Brace's Orchard. I just can't get enough of them, but I also don't like the feeling of having trouble zipping my jeans. 

Thus, I was inspired to turn this fall treat into a liquid concoction to satisfy my fall craving and keep the calories on the lower side.  Don't get me wrong, this drink is definitely still a treat with the apple cider's sugary content, but one or two glasses is just the right weekend cocktail to leave you feeling festive and happy for the fall season.  

This recipe makes a larger amount, but feel free to half the ingredients, use a smaller bottle of wine (mine was the jumbo bottle), and use less apple cider or more ice in your glass to lessen the sweetness of the drink. Don't forget to add an apple slice for some garnish; cheers!

Caramel Apple Sangria:
~Serves 12

• 1/2 gallon of organic or local apple cider
• 3 apples, unpeeled, cut into slices
• 1.5 liter bottle of white wine (I used a Riesling)
• 2-3 shots of caramel flavored vodka

~Add apple cider and wine to pitcher
~Add apple pieces to pitcher

~Add 2 shots of caramel vodka and mix together, taste drink to determine if you want another shot of caramel; it depends on your desire for more sweetness and flavor

~Mix again and cheers!

Xo,

Laura

TGIF!

I know everyone is posting this week about getting back on track after the holiday weekend and what smoothies and work outs will help detox your system, but since I worked the weekend and it's been so hot out, I decided to give myself another option. Enjoy a mojito for tonight's happy hour. Anything with ice and mint is so refreshing to me. And while I write this I am dripping in sweat (sorry for the visual), but I am slowly cooling off with a raspberry mint mojito. This drink is so light and under 50 calories (none if you make it a virgin mojito). I found this Poland Springs seltzer water at Wegmans, and it has the perfect mix of sweet raspberry and cooling mint. Pick up your favorite rum (I always have Bacardi rum on hand), grab a few fresh mint leaves from your herb garden, and cool off.

Cheers to the start of the weekend, feeling a little bit more refreshed and slightly less sweaty!

Raspberry Mint Mojito:

• 3 oz. raspberry mint seltzer water
• 1 oz. rum
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves

1. Muddle mint leaves in the bottom of the glass

2. Add crushed ice to desired amount

3. Add seltzer water, top with rum and stir or use a shaker to mix

4. Add some mint for garnish 

Cheers!

Xo,

Laura

A Red Wine kind of Night

Last night was the first night that finally felt like spring to me. Warm air, green everywhere with bursts of colors, pollen filling my eyes and lungs, and the smell of a promising summer to come.  I had worked the last three days and all my body wanted to do was collapse on the sofa and turn on the air conditioning. But as the sun seemed to shine brighter, the spring feeling lured me up off the sofa and out into a beautiful evening. I immediately felt rejuvenated and grateful for being able to walk barefoot in the grass and not feel cold in shorts and a t-shirt. 

After some fetch with the dogs, a run in the neighborhood with my husband, and a quick stick pick up in the yard, we realized why not turn our stick pile into a fire on the patio. Our fire pit was a quick buy from Walmart a few years ago when we first moved in together and although it may not have a lot of character, it has a lot of sentiment to the two of us and is here to stay. For the first outdoor fire of 2014 it only seemed right to pair it with some red wine. I am always open to trying any type of wine, but red wine is my number one choice. I have selected some of my favorite red wines that are budget friendly with a very rich taste. (Please note, my wine comments may not be “professional”, but they are described with great passion.)

1. Clos du Val, Cabernet: Clos du Val is probably the fanciest wine on the list, but if you are a cabernet fan, you will not be disappointed. This is a perfect wine to start with while preparing dinner and to pair with an italian or a seafood meal. 
2. Mark West, Pinot Noir: Whenever I open a bottle of Mark West pinot I know I will be able to have more than one glass. It is very light with still plenty of body and is very easy to drink during cocktail hour, dinner time, and after dinner. 
3. Skinny Girl, California Red: Of course my Skinny Girl brand had to make the list. For me, always a great red no matter what the occasion may be
4. Francis Coppola, Claret: I am a fan of pretty much all the Francis Coppola reds, but the Claret has a strong aroma and a very delicious taste. Sip slowly to enjoy. 
5. Cupcake, Red Velvet: Cupcake makes a variety of wines that have a lot of bang for your buck. The red velvet is a varietal red that is smooth and has some hints of red berries. It’s right in the middle of not being too heavy or light of a red wine, but just right!