Strawberry Peach Smoothie

I don't know about in your neck of the woods, but in mine, it's bliseteringly hot already. As in, it's been over 100 degrees for a few weeks. Yesterday as dinner time was approaching, I couldn't bring myself to turn on the stove or the oven. I used my trusty electric griddle to make BLT's, and then I remembered a recipe page I'd just clipped from one of my magazines that was full of tons of smoothies. I thought it would be perfect, and it was! Really yummy, refreshing, and my kids all thought I was giving them dessert with their dinner! ;)

When I made it, I wanted something a little thicker, more shake-like, so I added some ice. But that part is totally optional.

Ingredients:
2 cups vanilla yogurt
2 cups fresh strawberries
2 cups fresh of frozen sliced peaches
2 tablespoons sugar
ice cubes, optional

Rinse and slice your strawberries.

Put all ingredients into the blender and pulse until thoroughly mixed. Garnish with whole strawberries (cut a slit in them and stick them on the side of the glass) or sliced.

What's your weather like??

Hawaiian Punch

We love any excuse to have people over, and of course the holidays are a great one! With all those people coming by constantly this time of year, have you found yourself wondering what to serve to drink? Sparkling cider is yummy, but to buy enough to hydrate all your family and friends would end up costing you a pretty penny. Bottled water is a good option, but that's not exactly festive. Milk prices have gone down a little bit, but that's just boring.

This punch is so simple (as in, I'm almost embarrassed to post it because of how simple it is) and good and cheap. Kids and adults all love it. My youngest daughter just turned 2 last month, and I served this at her party. Every adult there asked me how I made it, and every kid had at least 2 glasses full.

As with other things, it's not really a recipe. It's a method. You could change this up in so many ways. Add sherbet, add pineapple rings, add strawberries, use different flavors of juice. . .

Ingredients:
1 2-liter Sprite
1 can Hawaiian's Own frozen juice concentrate

Dump both ingredients into a bowl, mix until concentrate is dissolved, and voila!