Mommy/Daughter Date: Picnic in the Park

At the end of the summer I was asked by Davidson's Organics and the Missouri Star Quilt Company to be a part of their Ultimate Picnic! program and to create a fun picnic theme to share. What fun, right! I love a good picnic. Remember this post here? Well, last week I decided it was high time I took my girls out on a little mommy/daughter date. It had been far too long since I had done anything with either of them that was just us. You know, without any errand running, after school activity pit stops, soccer games, heck, not even a brother in sight.

Since we've been having the most amazing fall weather, I thought a picnic at the park would be the perfect little getaway for us. I packed our picnic basket with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, animal crackers, apple slices, and some iced tea (caffeine free of course...my kids love when I let them have iced tea, I think it makes them feel grown up!)

I was sent a few boxes of Davidson's Organics have been loving all the fun brewed iced tea flavors they offer. I chose the Te de Hibiscus for my girls as it's caffeine free and they really enjoyed it, especially in their own little mason jar!

I was also sent an adorably happy fat eight bundle from the Missouri Star Quilt Company. I used the fabric to make each of my girls a cute Ruffled Mason Jar Cozy (tutorial found here!) to use at our picnic in the park.

We had so much fun. It was so nice being able to talk to them without the interruptions of any brothers. Since school started it seems that they have both grown so much. They had so much to tell me about school, their routines, their classmates, their favorite parts of their days. I loved it all and relished every bit of the fact that they were both such open books :-)

Ellie seems so much older now that she is in preschool. She is learning about the weather, the calendar, days of the week, she loves all the songs they sing and giggles as she tries to teach them to us.

And Penny. Wow! I knew she loved school, but hot dog, she downright adores it. Every. Bit. Of. It. She soaks it all in and remembers every detail of every day. Right now her favorite class is art, she is learning about money and loves the fact that there is a song about the penny (which she thinks is about her :-) ), she memorizes everything her teacher does and is so pleased with herself to share the minute by minute action with us. 

I'm not sure who had more fun on this picnic date, me or the girls. I do know that I cannot wait to carve out time to do this with the two of them again...as well as I am trying to find something special to do with my boys. Even if only for an hour, it ends up being such a special time and such a great memory for all of us!

Thanks for stopping by today!

XOXO, 

RECIPE: Raspberry Lemonade Margaritas

With Memorial Day weekend coming up (this weekend folks!) I thought I would share with you my all-time favorite Margarita recipe in case you were entertaining a crowd...or maybe you would like a little something to enjoy after the kids are in bed, I totally get that!  

I love this recipe because it is soooo soooo easy and it's even easier to change up the flavor...lime, strawberry lemonade, you name it depending on your mood :-)  It is the perfect drink for a Girl's Night In with your favorite ladies or a BBQ with your neighbors, summer lovin' at it's best, ahhhh!

Raspberry Lemonade Margarita (serves 8)

1/2  cup Tequila

1/2 cup Triple Sec

1 bottle of light beer

1 can of Frozen Raspberry Lemonade 

1 cup of water

Empty the can of raspberry lemonade into a pitcher.  Add in 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup tequila, 1/2 cup triple sec, and 1 bottle of light beer.  Mix well.  Pour over ice or blend with ice and enjoy!

 

Are you ready!?  Get out your Triple Sec and Tequila....you'll need 1/2 cup of each.

You'll also need a bottle of light beer.  I love using one with Lime flavor but any kind you have on hand will do!

And this, my friends, is how you get the delicious flavor!  Frozen Raspberry Lemonade is by far our favorite one we've ever tried.  You can also try using Frozen Limeade, Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, Regular Frozen Lemonade, etc. too!

Mix all the ingredients above with a cup of water (you can just fill the empty can!) and mix well.  We love to serve this on crushed ice but it is mighty fine blended too, we are just too lazy most times to do it that way!

Is it summer yet?

Enjoy!

And thanks for stopping by today!

XOXO,

Mango Smoothies Recipe and Giveaway!

The National Mango Board contacted me earlier this summer to share a recipe with you from their new cookbook, Mango Eats & Treats, and to challenge me to create healthier eating and snack options for my family.  I was more than willing to participate as we L.O.V.E. mangoes in the Smashed Peas household.

Want to know a few fun mango facts!?  Did you know that an average mango has about 100 calories and is an excellent source of vitamins C & A?  Vitamin C helps promote healthy immune function and collagen formation (it's good for you skin!) and vitamin A is important for vision and bone growth.  They are also a great source of dietary fiber...so eat your mangos people!

One recipe from the cookbook that we really liked was for Mango Smoothies...yum!  They are super quick to whip up and make for a great breakfast option, lunch companion, or after-school snack, holla!

Mango Smoothies (makes approximately 20 ounces)

2 ripe mangos, peeled, pitted and diced

1/2 cup ice cubes

1/3 cup vanilla yogurt

2 tablespoons orange juice

 Combine all ingredients in a blender.  Blend until smooth.  Serve immediately.

Seriously, so easy.  Cut up your mangos and add to a blender along with the yogurt, ice, and orange juice.

Blend away....

And then pour and enjoy!  5 minutes to a delicious and healthy drink :-)

And for your viewing pleasure, how about a quick video short of my little ones enjoying their mango smoothies as part of our lunch time fun!  Awesomeness I tell you...Ellie cracks me up at the very end of the video! :-)

If you want more information about mangos or would like more healthy recipes using this fun fruit to feed your family something healthy just visit the Mango board!


The National Mango Board challenged me to spend a week creating healthier eating and snacking habits for my family. Join the conversation and one of my readers will receive a cookbook and a chance to win a shipment of mangos and $200 gift card to Williams-Sonoma. 

Good Luck!

Giveaway ends Monday, August 20 at midnight!

*This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of National Mango Board. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

XOXO,

Easy Frosty Pina Coladas (non-alcoholic version)-RECIPES

It's summertime and it's hot.  Like, real hot.  Like, 100 degrees hot.  Every. Single. Day.  And not that nice dry heat I always here about, no, here in Chicago we have that lovely humid, can't-take-a-breathe-cause-the-air-is-so-thick type of heat.  Ugh.  It makes me tired just thinking about it.

When it's freakin' hot outside you've got to increase your fluid intake.  Right?  But water is boring.  So let's make it fun by blending up some Pina Coladas.  Yeah, now we're talking.  

These are great anytime of day as this is the non-alcoholic version, although feel free to add in some rum after the kids go to bed.  You deserve it :-)  Blend away and then enjoy on your porch while watching the sun set....my happy place. 

Hold onto your hats peeps, you only need 3 ingredients to get to your happy place!

Frosty Pina Coladas (non-alcoholic version) 

makes 8 cups

1 20 oz can crushed pineapple with juice

2/3 cup real cream of coconut (not coconut milk!)

8 cups of ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix together until well blended.  Pour into glasses and enjoy!

So simple...just a can of crushed pineapple with the juice and 2/3 cup real cream of coconut.  I love the Coco Lopez brand.  You will not want to use coconut milk, it's just not the same...sorry.  You can usually find Coco Lopez in the alcohol section of your grocery store.  You know, by the beer and the drink mixers...it's good stuff.  Know it.  Own it. 

 
You will also need 8 cups of ice.  Now most blenders cannot handle this much ice plus the ingredients so I usually split the ingredients list in half and make it in two batches.

Ice, crushed pineapple, Coco Lopez, blend, pour, repeat, enjoy!

Perfect for your next momma's night in...especially if you or someone you know if pregnant or breastfeeding ;-)  Or how about a baby shower...bridal shower...BBQ...or just for funsies!

Thanks for stopping by today!

XOXO,

Simply Cranberry Cocktail Review and $100 Gift Card Giveaway PLUS Cranberry Lime Party Punch-RECIPE

**This Giveaway is now closed!**

Not too long ago I was asked by the Simply Orange Juice Company to try out their new Simply Cranberry Cocktail that is in stores now. They are the only company that provides a cranberry cocktail (found in the chilled section of the grocery store) that is made with not-from-concentrate cranberry juice, for reals folks! As I love Simply Orange, especially the orange with mango flavor, I of course needed to try this product too :-)

Y'all know my love for things simple and natural...so I was on it!

With the weather being so nice lately and the feeling of spring in the air, the kids and I decided to throw a fun "Spring is Here!" party for their little friends and mine too!  I'll post more about the party later this week so stay tuned!  :-)

This party was the perfect opportunity to try Simply Cranberry Cocktail as the color really made for a great drink presentation, and the simple nature of the ingredients (plus no added preservatives) made it perfect for me to serve it to all the kids who came.  Plus I had the chance to have my willing taste-testers tell me what they thought of it!

I made a Cranberry Lime Party Punch as one of our drinks, and it was soooo good. Simply Cranberry Cocktail alone is a delicious blend of sweet and tart, but adding in some lime gave it a nice tart kick we all really enjoyed, especially for a late morning/early afternoon play date party!

{mason jar drink glasses decorated with twine for the mommas!}

Cranberry Lime Party Punch

1 bottle (59 oz) of Simply Cranberry Cocktail

1/2 cup lime juice

Lime slices

1/2 bag whole cranberries

So simple, this one! Just squeeze the juice from 4-6 limes until you get a 1/2 cup of juice or you can use already squeezed lime juice in the bottle. Add it too your drink pitcher along with Simply Cranberry Cocktail and mix well. Slice 1 lime and add it along with the washed whole cranberries to the drink for a pretty presentation. Enjoy on ice!

So here is the bottle of Simply Cranberry Cocktail ...you can find it next to the Simply Orange in the chilled juice and milk section of your local grocery store; Simply Cranberry Cocktail is kept chilled from the time it is blended.

Just squeeze a few limes to get 1/2 cup of lime juice (saving one for slicing!) and add it to your cranberry cocktail, mix well.

I added about 1/2 bag of frozen, thawed and washed cranberries to my drink dispenser as well as the lime slices to enhance the drink's presentation...I love fruit floating in drinks!!!

And there you have it! (I also added a few ice cubes to keep the drink chilled during the party, so that is what else is floating in my drink dispenser!)

PS. If you want to know where I bought my Ball Mason Jar drink dispensers, click here as I talked about it before in this party post!

The verdict? We all enjoyed the Simply Cranberry Cocktail...and the lime addition made for a nice, tart drink that even the kids loved! It was the perfect addition to our spring party, adding in the perfect taste and touch of color!

So I want to know how you liven up your parties?

"What is your favorite way to make a party or get-together at your home more festive?" Tell me about it in the comments for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

**This winner is...

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 5/7/2012 - 6/6/2012
Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggersí reviews and find more chances to win!

"Simply Cranberry" is a trademark of Simply Orange Juice Company.

XOXO,

Crockpot Hot Chocolate-RECIPE

This past weekend my husband Clif had an actual Saturday off from work so we thought it would be a good idea to spend an hour on Saturday morning bundling up the kids in snowsuits, coats, warm hats, mittens and snow boots to take them all sledding.  If you have kids, you know how much work is involved in getting out the door once cold weather hits.  Somedays it's just no fun at all but if our agenda is to head to our nearest giant snow-laden hill than we are cool with it.  This was our first sledding adventure this winter if you can believe it.  We finally had a big snowfall here in Illinois last week and the snow was just perfect for sledding and building snowman.  

Before we headed out the door I made my favorite hot chocolate in my crockpot so when we came back from our snowy day out it would be ready and waiting for us to warm up our bellies.  I don't know about you but my kids immediately ask for hot chocolate the minute they come in from playing out in the cold.  If you have never made hot chocolate in a crockpot you must!  It is so nice to come home and have a warm cup of chocolatey goodness just waiting for you after you spent a good 20 minutes getting everyone out of their snow gear...just one less thing to do!

I love this recipe because it makes really creamy hot chocolate and it used 3 types of chocolate so the (pregnant) chocolate lover in me is satisfied.  I hope you love it too and make some before your next cold-weather gathering!

Crockpot Hot Chocolate (serves 4-6)

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp vanilla

3 cups milk

1 cup heavy cream 

1 tbsp white chocolate chips

1 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips

whipped cream

mini chocolate chips for serving

Combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt together in your crockpot.  I used my mini crockpot to make this!  Add in the milk and vanilla and whisk everything together until smooth and well-combined.  Cover and cook on low for 2 hours.  After 2 hours, add in the heavy cream, white and semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Stir until chips are melted.  After about 10 minutes, pour into mugs and serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips.  Enjoy!

First up, grab 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and add it to your crockpot.  I used my little 'mini' crockpot, the one you usually use for warm dips, I find it is just perfect for this recipe.

Then add in 1/3 cup of white granulated sugar.

And a 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Add the vanilla and pour in 3 cups of milk, any variety will do although the more milk fat the creamier your hot chocolate will be...and more fattening...but hey, this is hot chocolate and it is winter so it's worth it!  I personally like to go with 1% as we will be adding in heavy cream a bit later ;-)

Grab your whisk and whisk all that goodness up....Yum!  Place the cover back on your crockpot and cook on LOW for about 2 hours.  Now, go sledding!

After 2 hours your hot chocolate will look a little like this...frothy on top!

Now go ahead and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream...

And add in your tablespoon each of white and semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Who's hips are getting fat just thinking about this?

Stir it all up until those chips are melted.  Wait about 10 minutes for the cream to warm up a bit and then ladle it out dude. 

I love serving it with whipped cream and mini chocolate chips, my kids love it this way.  I think it has to do with the thought of more candy getting into their bellies.   Of course whatever your favorite toppings and add-ins you enjoy are perfect too.

Mmm...one for me and one for you.

Enjoy....and stay warm out there!

XOXO,