Strawberry Lemon Italian Ice (low sugar)

So I know the shave ice places are really popular around here. They are also loaded with sugar. I thought it would be fun to make a refreshing ice drink without all the sugar. That tastes fantastic. Mission accomplished I was very happy with the results. It was wonderful to the last drop.

Ingredients

1 C water
2 1/2  C Ice cubes
2 C frozen strawberries unsweetened
2 T chia *optional
juice from 1 small lemon
3 T honey or other sweetener


Directions


1. Put ingredients into the blender starting with the water.
2. Then blend and pulse. I stopped in a couple times to stir it. It works best with a high powered blender.
3. Serve at once.
Enjoy

Chia Fresca Drink (protein drink)

My daughter thinks it is fun to buy the chia drinks from the store. You know you can make your own and down on the sugar and control what is put in it? Here is a fast and easy recipe. That tastes really good. Great way to boost up your energy for the day.


Ingredients

1 C unsweetened pure juice (I used pomegranate cranberry)
3 C water
3 T chia
3-4 T honey
juice from one lime
quart jar with a lid

Directions

1. Pour all ingredients into a quart jar and shake it up. Leave in the fridge for at least 30 min to let the chia soften and expand. A great drink to enjoy all day long.

Raspberry Orange Ginger Swirl

Recipe Redux this month is spotlighting beverages. Have you been noticing a lot of drinks popping up in your Pinterest feed? Well, you want to add this one, too. Just as the name suggests, it's a lovely mix of frozen raspberries, oranges, and just a bit of ginger. It tastes like sunlight in the middle of winter.

Even my baby couldn't get enough of it. See?

Ingredients (serves 2)
1 1/2 C fresh orange juice
2 frozen bananas
1/4 tsp ginger
1 C frozen raspberries
1/2 C water

Directions
1. Blend together orange juice, bananas, and ginger. Pour into a small pitcher or liquid measuring cup.
2. Next, blend the raspberries and water together. (You don't have to clean out the blender prior to mixing.)
3. Pour some of the orange mixture into the two cups you'll be serving it in, until they are a little over half full. Pour the raspberry mixture evenly into both.
4. Pour the remaining orange mixture in the cups. Use a shish kebab stick (or whatever you have on hand) to gently blend the two together so the raspberry mixture shows through the sides of the cup. Serve immediately.
 You can also try this Mango Blueberry Swirl.

An InLinkz Link-up

Orange Julius

I was talking to my friend Sabrina who always has great recipes. She gave me this one. I love it! It is such a natural tasting orange Julius. I love that it can taste great without the sugar. It is a great way to start your morning, or could be enjoyed anytime of day. Having grown up in California, I loved having fresh orange juice. We used to have oranges growing in our yard. I miss them. Thank you Sabrina, for another great recipe.

Ingredients:
1 orange peeled
1 T unsweetened almond milk or cashew milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2  C ice
2 tsp sweetener * optional (depending on how sweet the orange is)
Directions: 1 serving
1. Blend the oranges, milk , and vanilla. Blend until all smooth.
2. Pour in ice and blend until it is at the desired consistency.  Serve. Yum!

Cucumber Lime Smoothie

This is a wonderful recipe that my friend shared with me. It's a delicious green smoothie recipes--a wonderfully refreshing drink for a warm summer day or night. My husband and I enjoyed it after a evening walk. I preferred to not have it be very sweet. You can make it to your taste preference. It makes a great "No Cook Meal" for our Recipe Redux this month.

Enjoy a wonderful summer!

Ingredients: about 4 servings depending on serving sizes

1 English cucumber washed and chopped (leave peel on)

juice from 4 limes

1 to 1 1/2 T honey or other sweetener

16 ice cubes

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.  

2. Pour into desired glasses and serve immediately for best results. Store leftovers in the fridge.

Yummy Mulled Apple Cider

I am not a huge fan of warm drinks. Every so often they sound good, and this was one of those occasions. I loved the idea of putting all these wonderful spices together to make a heavenly flavor. It turned out fantastic! It adds a wonderful aroma to your home as well. There are great health benefits with this combination of spices too. :)

Ingredients: Serves about 10
1/2 nutmeg (smashed into pieces)
Zest from 1 orange (dry out about 24 hours on a paper towel)
4 cinnamon sticks
12 allspice berries (crush the berries)
1 star anise (crushed) or 1/2 tsp of dried anise seeds
4 to 5 cardamom (crush the pods)
20 whole cloves (crush the berries)
cheese cloth bag or cheese cloth and twine
1/2 to 1 orange sliced
1/2 to 1 lemon sliced
1/2 gallon of apple cider

Directions:

1. Prepare all the spices as directed. Then put all the spices in a cheese cloth bag or make your on bag with cheese cloth and tie with twine on the top.

2. Pour the apple cider in a big pot. Then put the bag with spices into the cider. Then add the sliced lemon and oranges. Turn to med high heat and let it get very hot. Then turn down to low and let it simmer. Prepare at least 25 min ahead of time so all the flavors can combine. Store leftovers in fridge. I love spices. Happy Holidays! :)

*I am going to save the left over cheese cloth bag with the spices still in it. I think it would be great in water to add a nice aroma to your home. I also think it would be great to drink the water hot or cold and enjoy the benefits of the spices.