FRUIT FIZZIES AND CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

When I was younger, I have memories of going to the old fashioned drug store in my hometown called Saywells. The building had a distinct smell of ice cream mixed with medications- which sounds odd, but was comforting in a way. It had squeaky old wooden floors and old fashioned swivel seats. Sadly, it is no loner there, but I am left with memories of delicious vanilla phosphates that I decided to try and recreate.

I was very excited to find these Stevia drops at a local health food store. I ended up buying several flavors through Amazon. They have a ton of different flavors with so many possibilities for use. Stevia is an all natural calorie- free sweetener and each bottle runs around $10. The sweetener comes in a dropper bottle with over 200 servings in each bottle. I was excited to make a bubbly healthy alternative that reminded me of the vanilla phosphates I used to enjoy as a child.

To start, you need a nice cold and bubbly bottle of club soda. If you are oddly curious about things like me, you may find this article interesting- it outlines the difference between tonic water, club soda, sparkling water, etc. 

The first drink I made was a Vanilla Cream Blackberry Fizzy. The flavors combined nicely. I used about 4 drops of flavor for this larger sized glass. The nice thing about the drops is that you can easily control the sweetness.

The second drink was a Lemon Raspberry Fizzy which was very citrusy and a refreshing combination of flavors! Almost as good as the original phosphate.....

SUMMER SMOOTHIES

I have been enjoying smoothies all year round after we purchased a Ninja blender last fall. I never realized how many different variations of a smoothie you could create until I started experimenting with different ingredients. 

The key to a good smoothie is a good base. Kefir, a fermented milk drink, blends into smoothies nicely and offers a bunch of probiotics. Brands like Navitas carry a lot of mixers with chia seeds, flax, pomegranate  etc. My favorite frozen fruits include blackberries and rasberries. I add a splash of orange juice and three ice cubes. If you become a smoothie addict, it is definitely worth it to invest in a nice appliance that evenly blends.

A SUMMER DINNER: LEMON PISTACHIO CHICKEN CURRY SALAD WITH SAVORY SCONES

 Sometimes figuring out which dishes to pair is almost as enjoyable as baking or cooking. I found both of these recipes on the blog Skinny Taste. These scones were delicious with a blend of zucchini, sun dried tomatos, and asiago cheese. The recipes on this blog are great because they utilize different ingredients to save on calories and fat. 

I loosely based my chicken salad on the recipe from Skinny Taste. I kept mine real simple by cooking 2 lb. of chicken tenders in the crock pot and adding some fresh celery, peppers, chopped pistachios, lemon juice, garlic, low- fat mayo, and curry powder. 

Serve with some fresh chunks of watermelon and you have a nice summer meal!

TEA TIME!

Since we are all on British baby watch mode today, it seemed like an appropriate time for a tea post! I treated myself to some really nice tea from DavidsTea and was excited when this box arrived in the mail!

 The box included some free samples of their summer teas. Who doesn't love freebies? The flavors include: Mango Fruit Punch, Tropicalia, and Rose Congou Green.

I have been trying to cut back on diet soda lately, but I still need some caffeine to get me through the work day. I love iced tea, so that is my main source of energy lately. This blueberry jam tea is absolutely amazing. It smells even better than blueberry jam if that is possible. The tea was filled with real dehydrated blueberries and made the kitchen smell like I was baking a blueberry pie! 

I purchased a Mist Iced Tea Jug from DavidsTea. I have an iced tea maker from Target that is about five years old that requires more ice than I ever seem to have. This pitcher is nice because you steep the tea with hot water+add cold water+let cool and then serve over ice. 

The filter is removable and can be taken out once steeping is completed to avoid the tea becoming overly strong.

Overall, I am pleased with my purchases. Happy sipping!

A SUMMER LUNCH: THAI CHICKPEA SALAD WITH LEMON CHIA SEED MUFFINS

I love making double batches of healthy recipes before a long stretch of work so I am not tempted to eat junk food when I come home late from the hospital. I found this interesting take on a chickpea salad from a wonderful blog entitled Oh She Glows. I made a few alterations, but I love the exotic seasonings and spices that give this salad an extra kick.

The first step is to coat two cans of rinsed and dried chickpeas with turmeric, ginger, and chili powder with some olive oil and fresh garlic.  

I spread the chickpeas on a cookie sheet with parchment paper and baked for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

I then chopped up two fresh cucumbers, two fresh red peppers, and a purple onion. The recipe calls for fresh cilantro, which I did not have, so I substituted with dried cilantro and added some fresh sea salt. I have learned the hard way about putting dressing on a salad and it turning to mush. I scooped out a single serving and added olive oil, vinegar, and a little sprinkle of feta cheese and then sprinkled the chickpeas on the top.

I love lemon baked goods in the summer and lemon poppy seeds muffins are my absolute favorite! I was working with chia seeds a few weeks ago and thought to myself that they would make a lovely alternative to poppy seeds. I also incorporated local honey to accent the lemon and help with these allergy attacks I have been having this summer!

The ingredients include: 1.5 cups whole wheat white flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup local honey, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder, 0.5 teaspoons baking soda, pinch of salt, 3 tablespoons butter, 0.75 cups of plain greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon lemon extract, 1.5 teaspoons dried orange peel, two eggs, 3 tablespoons of chia seeds.

Mix dry ingredients first then slowly incorporate the wet ingredients. Batter should be thick in texture. Test and add more lemon extract as needed.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden on outside. The chia seeds do absorb moisture, so I would recommend freezing and eating one at a time.

Enjoy with a nice glass of iced tea!

WINDY CITY: PART TWO

Our last day in Chicago we met up with my parents who live several hours away. We shared many laughs and got to enjoy the city a little bit longer until we had to catch our flight home. I like this simple bridge shot because it shows all the contrasting angles and textures of the city.

I got to enjoy a relaxing manicure with my mother-in-law at the famous Bliss Spa in the W Hotel overlooking the lake. I absolutely love the modern feel of the salon and you are instantly greeted with that trademark lemon sage scent they are so famous for. We were both excited to try their new grapefruit + aloe body butter. 

The color I chose was Essie's "Better Together." It came out nicely and is still holding strong!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have an intense love of tea. I was happily surprised that Chicago seemed almost more tea than coffee oriented, which I have never experienced in a big city before! My husband and I visited Argo Tea and I was excited to see the awesome selection of loose leaf tea and brewing accessories.

Ian had the Green Tea Ginger Twist. I tried a few sips and thought it was delicious and would be great if trying to ward off a cold or tummy ache. I went with the Smootea which was a blend of green tea and strawberries. I wish I could have discovered this place sooner so I could have tried a few more of their drinks. However, I got lots of ideas of fun ways to spice up my tea drinks!

No trip to Chicago would be complete without a trip to get some deep dish pizza. We went to Pequods which my father in law highly recommended. I can see why! This was easily the best pizza I have had- every bite was more amazing than the last.

On our second day, we enjoyed a delicious brunch at a restaurant called: Tweet: Let's Eat! If the name is any indication, the restaurant is totally cute and has great attention to detail. It was absolutely delicious and all the ingredients were super fresh and seasonal!

Everyone got a little dish of fresh fruit before their meal. I had already eaten the raspberries and blackberries before I took the picture.... I couldn't wait!

I enjoyed the breakfast burrito with eggs, ham, cheese, fresh salsa and creme fraiche. It was very tasty and fresh with lots of protein- it stuck with me the entire day!

WINDY CITY: PART ONE

I have so many awesome pictures from our weekend in Chicago that they will have to get posted in shifts. First off, this city is absolutely amazing! Ian and I recently visited NYC and started throwing around the idea of moving (a couple can dream!). Chicago has a much more midwest feel and a place we could see ourselves calling home someday. I am so blessed to have such hospitable in-laws that helped show us the amazing highlights of the windy city in a short period of time.

We were reluctant at first to stand in line at the Hancock building. However, the view when you first walk off the elevator made it all worth the scary swaying elevator ride up. Right before I snapped this shot, a helicopter flew by- literally at eye level. It was such a breathtaking moment!

The architectural boat tour was a perfect start to the weekend. I grew up in a family in which I was quizzed (much to my dismay at the time) on styles of columns and whether something is art deco or mission style. As I grow older, I have a greater respect for the designs of buildings. Seeing the old and new construction was amazing because you know every building has a story to be told.

Classic bridge shot from Michigan Ave.

When crossing a bridge, we noticed this small group of kayakers struggling to hold on to one another while they floated down the Chicago River. I am not sure how the experience was for them, but it made a really cool picture!

Our first meal was at a restaurant called Osteria Via Stato. We enjoyed the Italian dinner party menu. It was one of the best meals I have had. It consisted of six courses- all to die for! We sat outside and enjoyed the warm breeze and the plethora of people watching!

The six courses consisted of smoked salmon carpaccio, roasted garlic, farro and seasonal vegetable salad, seasonal mixed greens, fusili with pea pesto, paccheri, parmesan crusted chicken,  broccolini, and yukon potato puree. I am still a little stuffed, but it was one of those meals you will never forget!

LITTLE JALAPEÑO

I do not pretend to have a green thumb. I took a chance on this little jalapeño bush and was pleasantly surprised when a small flower bloomed into this little pepper. Because it might be the only pepper for the entire summer, I knew I had to make its little life count. After some thought, I decided to make some fresh chicken enchiladas.

Step 1: Any excuse to use my Crock Pot I take it! There is something old fashioned about this little gadget that reminds me of being a child and watching the food cook under the glass lid. My mother bought this for me at Target a few years ago. The slow cooking makes meat super tender and it is stylish to boot! I cooked chicken+olive oil+taco seasoning for four hours on high heat.

Step 2: I love peppers! This rainbow medley+fresh jalapeño combine to form a delicious fresh crunch and offers a lot of tasty nutrition. 

Step 3: The final step involves mixing together the chicken+shredded cheese+vegetable mixture and combine with light sour cream+fresh garlic. I never use a recipe, so each time I prepare them they are a little different but always delicious.

Step 4: Enjoy! 

MUSTARD SEED MARKET

Although I enjoy shopping at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, there is something that seems extra green about shopping at an organic grocery store that is also locally owned. Mustard Seed Market has a great selection and lots of fresh produce. You almost feel healthier just walking around. 

Lots of delicious and unique veggies for summer salads. Sadly, I had to pass on the $24 dollar watermelon at the checkout line. I thought the sign said $4.99 per melon, not $4.99 a pound! My mouth literally dropped when the cashier said the price. Ian and I have been obsessed with watermelon this summer, so I was sad to see it go.