Before I share some tasty drink recipes to help keep you cool while the temps are hot, I wanted to share a few random household tips and picnic ideas for your consideration. I do hope both 'lineups' will help make your life easier as you make the most of the rest of your summer!
- Slot the stick of a popsicle through a cupcake paper to prevent drips on little fingers.
- Store bed sheets inside their pillowcases for easy storage and access.
- A ball of aluminum foil makes a great glassware scrubber!
- Spoon fruit or veggie salads into mini mason jars - fun for summer picnics and easy to tuck into a picnic basket.
- If you're picnicking on the ground, a tray or two is nice for setting drinks on so they don't tip easily.
- Place a few drops of essential oil on the inside of the cardboard tube of a toilet paper roll to make your bathroom smell wonderful.
- When setting out chilled salads or other cold foods at your picnic, consider placing the serving containers in a larger pan filled with ice to keep them cold.
- To test baking powder for freshness, add 1/2 tsp. to 1/4 c. hot water; if it fizzes, it's good.
- Replace 1 TB. cornstarch with 2 TB. all-purpose flour as a thickener in recipes.
COPYCAT ORANGE JULIUS
1 (6 ozs) can frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed
1 c. milk
1 c. water
1/3 c. sugar (or sugar substitute)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 ice cubes
Put all the ingredients into the blender. Process until blended and frothy. Pour-relax and enjoy every sip. Yield: 3-4 yummy servings
ICED VANILLA COFFEE
1/3 c. double strength regular or decaf coffee, chilled
1/2 c. 1% (or 2%) milk
1 Tb. instant vanilla pudding, dry (optional)
1 pkt. Truvia or liquid stevia to taste
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. crushed ice
Combine all ingredients in blender, blending on high until drink is smooth. Pour into a glass - top with light whipped cream if desired. Yield: 1 large drink
HEALTHY PEACH VANILLA MILKSHAKE
1/2 c. peaches, frozen or fresh
1 heaping tsp. flaxseed meal, optional
1/2 c. (1%) milk (or almond milk)
1/4 c. plain or vanilla (Greek) yogurt
1 tsp. vanilla (or almond) extract
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. crushed ice
1 pkt. Truvia (or sweetener to equal 2 tsps.)
Place all ingredients in blender; blend until smooth and frothy. Add more liquid if needed. Yield: 2 servings.
RASPBERRY LEMONADE SMOOTHIE
3 pieces of ice, chunked
1/2 c. frozen raspberries
1/2-3/4 c. water
1-2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. honey (or liquid stevia, to taste)
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Start with 1/2 c. water and add more after you've blended the smoothie to get the consistency you'd like. If you let the blender stand just a few minutes most of the seeds will drop to the bottom. Just stop pouring before you get to that part. Yield: 1 serving
You could try using a combo of raspberries and blackberries for this amazing drink!
EASY BLUEBERRY LEMONADE
3/4 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 4 or 5 lemons)
7 c. water, divided
3/4 to 1 c. sugar
1 c. fresh blueberries
Over medium heat, stir 2 cups of water and sugar in a pan until sugar is dissolved. Add blueberries; allow to simmer for 6-7 minutes until they begin to break down and color the sugar water. Pour mixture through a strainer to remove blueberries. Allow to cool to room temperature. Add lemon juice and the remaining 5 c. water, stir well. Serve over ice and garnish by adding lemon slices and fresh blueberries. Yield: about 2 qts.
You can't see a rainbow when you're looking down - Charlie Chaplin
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