Friday, March 28, 2014

Healthy Homemade Cucumber Kale Juice Recipe

We love making a wide variety of homemade juices. To be honest with you, we rarely purchase bottled juice at the store due to the sugar content and preservatives. We find it super easy to make our own juices at home which only takes a few minutes to do. Here is a great recipe from our friends over at Omega Juicers.

Just my note: When I make their recipe, I like to toss in a few small red cherry tomatoes too.

Cucumber and Kale Juice Recipe

1 cucumber
4 celery stalks
2 apples
6-8 leaves kale
1/2 lemon
1 tbsp ginger

Wash all produce well. Cut produce to fit into the hopper. Juice in an Omega juicer. Pour over Ice or refrigerate until cold (optional). Enjoy!

Health Benefits: Raw kale is one of the best sources of vitamin C, important for protection against immune system deficiency. Each 100 gram serving of raw kale includes about 120 mg of vitamin C, well over the recommended dietary amounts for men (90 mg) and women (75 mg).

Disclosure: This recipe and photo is courtesy of Omega Juicers.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Sparkling Orange Mango Granita Recipe

I love whipping up quick and easy treats for my family. I especially love it when they incorporate fresh fruit since many of us don't eat the recommended amount of fruit every day. My family are big orange eaters and this recipe that was sent over to us from the great folks at Sparkling ICE looks delicious. Don't ya think? Super easy to prepare too! I just love the combination of flavors - orange and mango!

Sparkling Orange Mango Granita Recipe

6 oranges, emptied and shells frozen
1 mango, peeled and pitted
1 bottle of Orange Mango Sparkling ICE
½ cup water
¼ cup granulated sugar

Preparation: Cut the oranges in half and scoop out the pulp for later use. A thin layer can be sliced off the bottom of the orange halves to create a flat surface and prevent them from rolling around when serving. Freeze empty orange shells. Note: For easier scooping, roll the oranges by hand before cutting in half, using a firm downward pressure to loosen the pulp.

Directions: Place chopped mango in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the water, Sparkling ICE and sugar, and stir to dissolve. Pour mixture into deep-sided metal or glass pan. Place it in the freezer, uncovered. When the top of the liquid forms an icy layer, scrape through entire pan with a fork every 30 minutes. Return to freezer and let another frozen layer form; scrape again with fork. Repeat freezing and scraping steps until all liquid is frozen. Remove from freezer, and scrape surface with the tines of a fork until it is the texture of shaved ice. Fluff with a fork to create soft granita. Repeat this process every 30 minutes for 3 to 4hrs. Put mixture in frozen oranges and serve.

Disclosure: The recipe and photo are courtesy of Sparkling ICE. Please see their web site for additional information and recipes.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Tips for Introducing a New Pet to Family

Today I am sharing with all of my readers a great guest article about how to introduce a new pet to the family. This is very timely information for me since I will be bringing home a new pet in about 2 weeks! Yes, I am getting a new kitty! Finally!

Thank you Heidi Ganahl for sharing all of these valuable tips with my blog readers.
From your very first pet, to introducing your pet to a new baby, there are certain situations you need to prepare for. To make sure your house and family members are ready to welcome its new addition, without feeling overwhelmed, it is important to do some research to make these transitions easier for all parties involved.

To answer questions every pet owner should be asking when it comes to preparing for a new pet or for baby, Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of Camp Bow Wow, North America’s largest and fastest growing pet care franchise and INC 5000, has some very helpful tips.

Tips for Introducing a New Pet to Family

1. Get everyone in the family on board – It is important that all of your family members are ready for the responsibility of a dog. Prior to bringing your new dog home, determine who is responsible for walks, feeding, etc., so once your pup is in the home, you are ready to get started on the right paw.

2. Head to the store – You will want to purchase items you will need for your pet prior to them coming home. You will need food, dishes, toys, cleaner for accidents, a leash and collar and more. You want to ensure that you have as much as you need.

3. Let your pet settle in – When you bring your dog home, give them time to settle in and relax, especially if you have child. It can take a new dog a few days to acclimate to their new surroundings, so give them time to de-stress.

4. Get your pup on a schedule - Dogs are very schedule-oriented, so ensuring that you get them on a routine as quickly as possible will help them understand potty times, feeding, walks and more. This will help the transition of having new pets in your home easier for the dog and your family.

Tips for Introducing Pet to Baby

1. Get started right away – Start working on helping your dog get prepared for the new little one’s arrival as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you wait until the last couple of months, you will have less time to devote to helping get your dog ready for the baby’s arrival. It will also help your dog by not overwhelming them with too many changes at once.

2. Take a training class- If your dog has not been to training in a while, it is important to take a refresher course. There are many commands that will be extremely helpful for you to use when the baby arrives. You want to ensure that your dog is able to understand your requests and respond in a timely manner once your baby arrives, so a refresher course will help both you and your dog.

3. Put the baby gate up now - You want to start teaching your dog boundaries, especially at the door of the baby’s room. You want to ensure that your four legged family member starts getting used to not being able to come everywhere with you. Practice going into the baby’s room and closing the baby gate so your dog can’t come in with you so they get used to seeing that behavior before your baby arrives. By the time your baby arrives, your dog will see it as a normal behavior and not something that is occurring just because of the little one.

4. Put baby items around the house – Start bringing in items that will be around the house when the baby arrives. Put a bouncy chair on the floor, bring in a high chair and other items. This will allow your pup to get used to seeing them. It is also a good idea to get a CD of a crying baby and baby noises and have your dog get used to hearing those.

5. Let Fido adjust to new smells – Dogs have a very keen sense of smell so it is important to bring in items that are going to be used on the baby. Purchase baby powder, some diapers, and any other items you know you will be using that have a distinct scent. Your pup will acclimate to them and they will be part of their everyday experience before the baby even arrives.

6. Quality time - Spend a minimum of 10 minutes a day doing something with your dog that they enjoy. Play fetch in the back yard, go for a ride in the car, or simply spend time petting them.

7. Buy a baby doll - You will want to practice having your dog respond to commands and displaying good manners when you are holding the baby, so there is no better way to practice than to carry a baby doll. Sit on your couch and hold and talk to the baby doll and make sure your dog sits on the floor and doesn’t try to jump up, put the baby doll in the bouncy chair and get your dog to lay down next to it. Getting your dog practicing manners right away is a must.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Irish Farmhouse Cocktail Recipe

St. Patrick's Day is just a few days away and many of us are planning our Luck of the Irish parties. Every year my husband and I look forward to St. Paddy's Day but neither of us are Irish, but we do love to party and have some fun!

Here is a great St. Patrick's Day Cocktail Recipe for all of you to enjoy! Plus, you can find additional cocktail recipes right here on my blog by looking in the Food & Beverages category.
Irish Farmhouse Cocktail Recipe

2 oz Irish whiskey
½ oz Crème de Cassis
2 tbsp Orange Marmalade
1 oz Fresh Orange Juice
1 dash Cinnamon
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Ginger Ale
Seltzer

Preparation: Fill a shaker with ice. Add first six ingredients and shake well until chilled and marmalade is dissolved. Double strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with half ginger ale and half seltzer.

Disclosure: This recipe and photo is courtesy of Sweet Hospitality Group. You must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Fargo Arrives on Blu-ray April 1st

Hubby and I are both big time movie buffs! Over the years we have built ourselves quite the collection and currently have over 3,000 DVDs that we enjoy. Our movie tastes are very different. I like action, war, horror and sci-fi whereas he enjoys drama, comedy, historical and musicals. Neither one of us are into romance movies at all.

Well today, I wanted to let you know about the upcoming release of "Fargo" which arrives on blu-ray on April 1st, 2014. Have any of you seen Fargo and if so, what did you think of it? I like William H. Macy as he is a great actor so perhaps we will get this one once released. Thoughts?

Fargo Synopsis: The “middle of nowhere” has never looked better in this new edition, now remastered for the best high-definition picture yet! In this film Nominated for seven OSCARS®, * things go terribly awry when small-time Minnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) hires two thugs (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife so he can collect the ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. Once people start dying, the very chipper and very pregnant Police Chief Marge (Frances McDormand) takes the case. Will she stop at nothing until she gets her man? You betcha.

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is the industry leading worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox produced, acquired and third party partner film and television programing. Each year TCFHE expands its award-winning global product portfolio with the introduction of new entertainment content through established and emerging formats including DVD, Blu-ray™ and Digital HD™. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

3 Delicious St. Patrick's Day Cocktail Recipes

St. Patrick's Day is quickly approaching and even though I am not Irish, we love to celebrate it. It is always a fun time to get together with some family and friends to kick back some Irish theme'd cocktails and appetizers.

Today I am sharing with all of you these 3 St. Patrick's Day Cocktail Recipes that were sent over to me by the great folks at Voga Italia and Sparkling ICE. Enjoy!
Sparkling Shamrock Cocktail Recipe

5 oz Lemon Lime Sparkling ICE
1 oz. Bacardi Light Rum
6 Mint leaves lightly muddled
Splash of Lime

Preparation: Shake and pour into a chilled tall glass with ice. Garnish with a lime slice.
Dizzy Leprechaun Cocktail Recipe

3 oz Lemon Lime Sparkling ICE
1oz. Tequila
Splash of Triple Sec
Fresh Squeezed Lime

Preparation: Shake and pour into a chilled rocks glass rimmed in salt. Garnish with a lime slice.
Luck of the Irish Cocktail Recipe

4 oz. Lemonade Sparkling ICE
1 ½ oz. vodka
Cucumber and lemon slices

Preparation: Muddle a few cucumber sliced with vodka. Strain and pour into a tall chilled glass over ice. Top with Lemonade Sparkling ICE. Garnish with lemon and cucumber slices.

Disclaimer: These recipes and photos were provided to me by a PR firm on behalf of Voga Italia and Sparkling ICE. You must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.