Sustainable & Creative Living
Flavored Ice Cubes are a great way to spice up just about any summer drink. When they melt, they not only add extra flavor to your drink but they also make your drink look so pretty! There are endless flavor combinations but some of my favorite are right here in this post!
If you’re tired of plain water, this Watermelon Mint Infused Water recipe is an amazingly refreshing alternative that will keep you hydrated all summer long. It’s easy to make and the result is a naturally sweetened water that’s full of flavor, antioxidants, and has a great aroma too!
News flash!! I may be a little late to the party, but I’m newly obsessed with celery juice. Ok, maybe way late but hey, better late than never. This blend of Cucumber Lemon Celery Juice is now one of my favorite morning rituals. You can check out my recipe below. [Read more…]
It may be early spring, but it’s always a good time for a cup of hot (or cold) tea. This Homemade Ginger Tea has a unique taste that’s a combination of mild sweetness and pungent pepperiness. Just add a little honey to bring out the sweetness and cut down on the spiciness. There’s no right or wrong way to drink tea. It’s all delicious! [Read more…]
There are so many types and brands of tea out there that a person may be overwhelmed with choices and end up drinking the same ones again and again. Even though I’m a long-time tea drinker, I never used to venture much beyond plain green tea or fruity flavors like raspberry or peach. All that changed when the host of one of my book clubs brought in different and delicious teas every week. Since then, rich and flavorful teas have become my new favorite. If you want to venture out of your tea comfort zone, here are 10 Must-Try Teas with the Most Flavor. [Read more…]
The holidays are coming up and chocolate treats are going to be everywhere! I am absolutely positive that I am going to want as many of those treats as possible, but to avoid over indulging in too many calories and fats, I’ll try to stick to healthy chocolate indulgences. This Chocolate Almond Milk Shake is my version of a [Read more…]
Now that pumpkin spice season is officially in full swing, you’re probably enjoying this fall favorite every chance you can! There are pumpkin spice donuts, cookies, yogurt, cereal, and, of course, the popular pumpkin spice latte! So, if you love pumpkin spice flavor and you’re sick of spending all that cash on your daily coffee run, you’ll love this Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Blend!
My newest obsession is the Starbucks pink drink, which consists mostly of coconut milk, strawberries, and a delicious sugary syrup that makes the drink just perfect in my opinion. Every time I discover a drink I like at Starbucks I immediately start trying to recreate it at home. Mostly to save money because my obsession can get to be a little out of control if I let it, but also because I enjoy the thrill of knowing I can recreate the flashy, expensive drinks at [Read more…]
Hot tea is a great home remedy for a sore throat, even my doctor prescribes it when I’m suffering from a bout of strep or severe allergies. One of my favorite teas to drink when I’m sick is from Starbucks- Venti Honey Citrus Mint Tea- not only delicious but also runs about $5 a pop. That can add up pretty quickly when my throat bothers me for a week or two! In efforts to avoid going broke with daily Starbucks runs, I created [Read more…]
One of my new morning obsessions is a nice, cold, Iced Matcha Latte. A form of green tea that is essentially in the powdered form. Traditional green tea is made from components of the leaves, which are infused with hot water and then the leaves are discarded. Matcha, on the other hand, is made from the entire leaf, powdered, and then mixed with milk or water. I’ve never been a coffee drinker, but I love getting that caffeine fix from my morning Matcha Latte without the [Read more…]
If you’re anything like me and you have a problem working greens into your diet, then you have to try my Green Energy Smoothie recipe. I’ve been drinking this every morning for the past 4 months, and it has changed my life!
Prior to starting my Green Energy Smoothie morning ritual, I rarely ate enough vegetables. On average I was eating 1 fruit and 1 veggie a day! Not fitting for the healthy lifestyle I try to lead. Forget about the daily recommended serving, which is 2 fruits and 3 vegetables. [Read more…]
With the holidays upon us, our homes will be overflowing with joy, love, and cranberries –well, with all kinds of delicious foods! Unfortunately, most of us throw out more of that food than we’d like to admit. Smoothies and juices are a great way to use a lot of the extra fruits and vegetables we find in our kitchens.
I came up with these smoothie combinations from different fruits and greens that I needed to use up before they went bad. I don’t buy fresh cranberries often, but I know I’ll have plenty of them in the house during the holiday season. They also stay fresh in the fridge for several weeks because of their acidity.
Simple sparkling juice drinks are a year-round staple at our house. My kids and I enjoy creating our own blends of refreshing and delicious juices and smoothies. Creating something new, whether it’s a drink or another recipe or a craft is a great way to spend time with any child but especially a teen.
Finding fun things to do or ways to bond with a teen can be challenging. None of the three teens I’ve raised wanted to spend much bonding time with me unless, of course, it included me driving them somewhere-preferably to the mall ready to wear down the strip on the back of my debit card. There’s a special feel about creating something from nothing that seems to break down barriers with my teens. We’re both starting a project on level playing field ready to do something, participate, and have fun. I won’t deny a little arguing goes on sometimes, but working together on a common goal creates a connection. By the time we’re done we’re always in a better mood!
