It is hard to believe that we are a few weeks away from Christmas and baking season is officially upon us! For me it’s the most magical time of the year and I hate that this season seems to already be passing so quickly. Anyone else want December to last just a little bit longer? Every holiday season, my baking bug returns almost instantly as the tree gets decorated and the house feels extra cozy. While I love baking the traditional recipes, I am all about finding recipes that are slightly better for me that I can bring to all of the holiday festivities that come about this time of year. Gingerbread is one of those quintessential holiday flavors that is my go-to whenever I decide to bake. It smells the house up with warming spices that just say merry Christmas. My healthier gingerbread blondies are chewy and delicious and your family and friends will love them this holiday season!
Back to school might be right around the corner, but that doesn't mean summer (or it's temperatures) are going anywhere anytime soon! We have totally been surviving by playing in the sprinkler every afternoon and eating as many popsicles as we possibly can! My favorite childhood popsicle flavor has to be a dreamsicle because it basically has ice cream in the middle which combines the best of both worlds. My peach dreamsicle pops with goat cheese and thyme are a delicious twist on a summertime classic and you have to try them out!
Okay so I just realized that all of my last recipes have been all about fruit. I guess that's because the heat index in Houston has been 104 degrees lately and fruit is my favorite snack of choice when it is hot outside! The fruit that is produced at this time of year is one of summer's greatest qualities if you ask me, and they just so happen to be all of my favorites! Right now I'm all about sweet cherries and have been eating them in my smoothies, plain-jane by themselves, and even in popsicles! My cherry and vanilla yogurt granola pops are healthy and delicious and, the best part, they are perfectly suitable for breakfast!
It's hard to believe that June is almost over and it's already time for July 4th! This year is speeding by and just like that we are halfway through the year. Before you know it Halloween will be here and then Christmas...which is maybe a little dramatic, but seriously it will be here in the blink of an eye! Do you have big plans for the 4th? We have friends coming into town and will probably find some fireworks to watch, head down to the water for the day, and of course will be eating lots of yummy food (duh). One item that will be on my 4th of July menu is my fresh berry salad with whipped cream for dessert! It's the easiest, no bake dessert and you don't have to feel as bad about eating it either!
After all, we will all be indulging a little more than usual with all the BBQ and celebrating that will be happening over the course of the weekend, so it's kinda nice to have a light dessert option! Berries are still gorgeous just about everywhere right now and to me, they just go with the 4th of July!
Um...so we started watching House of Cards last weekend and found ourselves glued to the couch for about seventy-five percent of the past three days. Addictive is an understatement, and I am both sad and glad that we finished season three yesterday after a week and a half of watching! I'm glad because now I can get on with normal life without obsessing about what Frank and Claire Underwood will be up to next. If you haven't watched it yet, you should...but just know that nothing productive will happen until you finish all three seasons. Luckily I made my honey and beet frozen yogurt ahead of time, saving me from eating an unhealthier sweet treat while we watched the drama unfold.
Yep, you heard correctly...that's beet frozen yogurt. Don't think I'm crazy. If you are a beet fan, you are going to love turning them into something sweet! When beets are roasted they get caramelized and their natural sweetness shines through making them the perfect candidate to be turned into a unique frozen treat.
We were watching Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown the other night right before we went to sleep. He was in Chile eating the most gorgeous food, exploring gorgeous land, and drinking to his heart's content. I was half asleep, half listening and watching when all of the sudden I caught a glimpse of the most refreshing looking drink I had ever laid my eyes on. It was simple, no fuss, and genius! A two ingredient cocktail that I will be thinking about until after I have this baby, but for now I wanted to introduce it to you! Pineapple sorbet and crisp white wine come together to create my version of the magical drink I saw on TV that I am calling the pineapple sorbet wine cooler.
Who remembers wine coolers? I can't believe I used to drink those overly sweet, give you a headache the next day fruity drinks. Well never fear, this cocktail is nothing like your memories of any wine coolers that you have ever tasted before. This one is not too sweet and is what summertime happy hours are made of.
