Sustainable & Creative Living
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!