Halloween Potion Punch Recipe

If you've been searching for the perfect Halloween party punch recipe, then search no further. This recipe is simple and quick and tastes soooo yummy!The lime green color really makes it look like a potion.

This punch has been kid tested, and they all approved! So, make some for your Halloween party and drink up! 

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Halloween Potion Punch
*Lime Hawaiian Punch, 1 Gallon
*Large can (46 0z.) of Pineapple juice
*One small bottle of Sunny D (10oz. or 11oz. That's an individually sized bottle.
*Green food coloring if desired.

Mix all together and chill. Serve and enjoy!

Valentine Snack Mix

 

 

Each year for Valentine's Day, I like to send a treat for both of my girl's classes.  This year, I made a sweet-n-salty treat that anyone would love. And I made sure I included lots of chocolate to please Katlyn, my oldest daughter. She is our chocoholic. She could even rival me for the Lover-of-All-Things-Chocolate title. 

By the way.....what do you think about the M&M bag? I just noticed it as I type this post. Rose in the mouth, monogrammed robe. That is quite funny!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of Cheerios (or store brand)
• One bag of Mini pretzel twists
• One bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• One bag of Valentine M&Ms
• 3 cups of Cocoa Puffs Cereal

***Makes approximately 30 half cup portions. 

I love recipes like this that are simple and taste good!  Combine all of your ingredients into a large bowl, mix and your are ready to serve.

 
This year, I measured out half cup portions into re-sealable bags. Then, I added a cute Valentine sticker to the front.  Bam! Valentine's Day class treats done. (I ordered the personalized sticker and bag sets from Jane.com a couple weeks ago.)

Red Velvet Truffles

If there's one thing I absolutely love during the holidays, it's my Granny's Red Velvet Cake.  It is by far the best recipe I've ever had, however partial I may be, and it screams Christmas to me. (You can read an article I wrote about it in Southern Holiday Life Magazine here. Pages 81-82.)

When I make this cake, I always have to even out the cake so that it will be level. When I'm finished making the delectable treat, I always have extra cake sitting around from where I shaved down the layers. So I decided to put that extra cake to good use. Making truffles with it seemed like a good idea.  (Recipe at the bottom of this post.)

My Granny's recipe makes three layers. Sometimes, I like to make a four layer cake so that it looks a little more appealing.  So, I double the recipe, make a four layer cake, and use the rest of the cake layers and the parts I shaved off to make the truffles. 

These truffles are just as mouth-watering as their layered counterpart.  You'll notice in the recipe that I add a pinch of sea salt to the top of the truffle. That's to cut the sweetness just a bit. These treats are very rich!  They also make great hostess or neighbor gifts!  Package in a treat box and tie with ribbon and you have a gift anyone would love. 

Granny's Red Velvet Cake
1 box Duncan Hines Butter Recipe cake mix
1 Tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
1 bottle of red food coloring
1 stick of butter
3 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp vinegar

Mix cake mix and cocoa together. Then, add vanilla, buttermilk, food coloring, butter, and eggs. Blend well until moist. Add baking soda and vinegar. Beat the mixture for four minutes.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Makes three layers.

Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting
1 stick of butter
1 8oz. cream cheese
1 box of powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans

Soften butter and cream cheese. Cream well. Add sugar, vanilla, and nuts.

Red Velvet Truffles
Red Velvet cake and Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting
Almond Bark
Sea Salt
Chopped pecans

Crumble cake in a large bowl. Mix in the cream cheese pecan frosting. Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Place in freezer for twenty minutes for balls to set. Once set, dip balls into Almond Bark and top with a pinch of salt and garnish with chopped pecans.

Linking up to:
Thistlewood Farms Holiday Recipe Link Party

Favorite Healthy Recipes

Finding healthy recipes isn't that difficult, especially with the help of Pinterest.  Finding healthy recipes that actually taste good is a different ballgame.  I have tried some that were downright terrible! Today, I thought I'd share some healthy recipes that I have tested and are really delicious. I've listed the link to each recipe below the picture.

Breakfasts

Mexican Turkey Frittata

This frittata is delicious and is easy to vary according to taste. Sometimes I leave out the peppers and just add ground turkey sausage and cheddar cheese. This is an easy, make-ahead recipe that reheats well.

Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins

These muffins hit the spot if you want something sweet.  They are flourless, contain healthy ground flax, and are free of refined, white sugar.  They are sweetened with honey.  These are so yummy!  They make great snacks, too.


Sides

Best Broccoli of Your Life

This broccoli recipe is so easy to make and is very flavorful.  You won't believe it's not bad for you. 

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Fresh green beans, olive oil, and parmesan cheese? Yes, please. 

Main Dishes

Baked Turkey Meatballs with Spinach

These meatballs are so delicious!  I made mine into patties like a hamburger and served them with marinara sauce and mozarella cheese.  Kind of like a healthy version of a meatball sub.  I toasted a whole grain sandwich round, added the marinara and cheese, and ate with a side salad.  I had the leftovers later without any bread.  Be sure to click the link. There are other suggestions and variations of this recipe there. 

The Best Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot

What can I say about this yummy recipe?  It is super easy, and I have made it many times.  The seasoning is wonderful and cooking the chicken in the crock pot all day makes it so moist.  Sometimes, I add baby carrots to the bottom of the crock pot as well. Definitely a must-try for the busy mom. 


You can also check out my Healthful Pinterest Board for more healthy recipe ideas. 

*I am looking for some new smoothie recipes.  If you have one that you love, please share the recipe in the comments below.  I would love to try a few out and share my favorite ones with everyone soon.  

And just in case any of you missed it earlier this week, let me update you about Weigh-In Wednesdays.  I don't want my readers to bore of my weekly updates, so I decided to post once a month instead of weekly.  I will weigh in every first Wednesday of the month. (Which means next Wednesday will be the next weigh in.) Thank you all for continued support, encouragement, and prayers as I continue on the road to good health. 

One more thing!  Be sure to be on the lookout later today for a Giveaway post!  I'm not going to spoil the surprise of what the Giveaway is, but you won't want to miss it.

Guest Post: Honey Cilantro Shrimp from Five4Five Meals

I am thrilled to have Lydia from Five4Five Meals join us today with a scrumptious recipe that is both healthy and delicious.  

Take it away, Lydia!

I was practically born in the kitchen. I come from a long line of southern cooks and if it isn’t deep fried, covered in cheese and slathered with butter it must not be good, right? Wrong.
I say this all the time and it is my truth I AM A WORK IN PROGRESS.
My health is a work in progress, my transition to a healthier kitchen is a work in progress and my ability to overcome the southern “unhealth” food is a work in progress.
But I still love my Alabama cuisine. Particularly the shrimp. I am a sucker for a good shrimp.
Have you ever roasted shrimp in your oven? If you haven’t be prepared to have your life changed.
Roasting shrimp makes them super sweet and plump. Like butter, without the butter.
This little recipe is Honey Cilantro Shrimp, which I whipped up with just a few things I had lying around. They are super simple, super yummy and they won’t leave you feeling like your pants will split up the back.

What you'll need:
1/2 pound shrimp peeled and deveined 

1/2 a cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2 -4 tbsp honey

2-4 tbsp olive oil (I used Extra Virgin Kalamata Oil)



Preheat your oven to 350 and spray a cookie sheet with Pam and set aside.

In a large bowl combine your honey, olive oil and cilantro. Whisk it all together so it fully incorporates.

Add in the shrimp and mix with your hands.

Pour the mixtures with the shrimp onto a cookie sheet and slide in the oven. You will want to roast them 20-25 minutes.

Lydia Senn is a former stressed-out newspaper reporter turned work from home mom. She likes slow cooking, slow talking and raising her little boys near the beach. You can visit her at Five4FiveMeals.com

Doesn't that look so yummy?  I can't wait to cook it for my husband!  Thanks, Lydia, for sharing with us today!  Be sure to go check out her blog where she shares delicious recipes, craft projects, and much, much more. 

Yummy Strawberry Balls

When I was a little girl, I loved Strawberry Shortcake, the cartoon, and anything that tasted like strawberries.  Knowing that, my Memaw used to make strawberry balls for special occasions and I have always loved them. 

I honestly have never seen anyone else make this recipe. My Memaw is the only person who ever made it when I was growing up.  I even looked on Pinterest to see if I could find it, but I didn't. 

Now that I'm all grown up , I like to make Strawberry Balls for Christmas. And while I was making these delicious bites for neighbors (yes, they are coming, guys) I decided to share the recipe with you. While I don't plan making a habit of sharing sugary sweets on my blog, I thought Christmastime would be a good exception to the rule.  They really are one of my favorite special occasion treats....they are sweet and sour and unlike anything else I've ever tasted. You have to try these!

Strawberry Balls: 

Ingredients:
1 box confectioners sugar
2 cups chopped pecans
2 large boxes and 1 small box of strawberry Jell-O
1 cup of coconut
1 can of Eagle Brand milk

1. Mix sugar, milk, and 2 large boxes of Jell-O together.

2. Then mix in pecans and coconut. 

3. Put in refrigerator until firm.

4. Remove from refrigerator and roll into balls.

5. Then roll the balls into the third box of Jell-O to coat.

My ball-rolling skills seem to be a little lacking, but that won't make them taste anything less than absolutely delicious.

Strawberry Balls Recipe:
1 box confectioners sugar
2 cups chopped pecans
2 large boxes and 1 small box of strawberry Jell-O
1 cup of coconut
1 can of Eagle Brand milk

*Mix sugar, milk, and 2 large boxes of Jell-O together.  Then mix in pecans and coconut.  Put in refrigerator until firm.  Remove from refrigerator and roll into balls. Then roll the balls into the third box of Jell-O to coat. 

Hope you enjoy!

**Be sure to stop by tomorrow for my Holiday Home Tour 2013!

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Weigh-In Wednesday #3

It's that time of the week again!  I have been looking forward to this day. I am so thankful to have a goal and accountability in posting every week.  Your prayers and accountability have helped so much!  

I have had a lot of people ask me what I eat throughout the day, so I thought I would share what a typical day would look like for me.  

Breakfast:

I usually have an egg scramble with veggies, turkey, and cheese. You can see that recipe here. 

Lunch:

Lunch will usually consist of meat, veggies, and fruit.  (Although, this past weekend I started adding whole grains back in to my diet at the lunch-time meal.)  A lunch I have really enjoyed is a baked sweet potato with cinnamon pecan butter. So yummy. 

Snack:

Snack is usually fruit and yogurt. Most of the time, I have plain Greek yogurt with strawberries and honey. I have found, though, that I love the Toasted Coconut Vanilla Oikos Greek yogurt with strawberries. It tastes like a dessert.  I also enjoy apple with peanut butter or a smoothie. 

Dinner:

Dinner generally consists of lots of veggies, like stewed squash and fresh garlic green beans,  and a protein.  Serve the squash and beans up with grilled chicken and you have a delish dinner. Other options I have enjoyed are chicken fajitas (without the tortilla), bunless hamburgers, and soups. 

I am really having to get used to cooking so much.  Cooking isn't something that I necessarily enjoy, but in order to eat clean and not grab processed foods all the time, you have no other option but to cook.  Planning ahead is key.  

So without further ado, the weigh-in!

Beginning weight: 304 pounds

Today's weight: 290 pounds

This week's weight loss: 2 pounds

Total weight loss in 3 weeks: 14 pounds 

I didn't get a whole lot of walking in this week because I had a lot going on.  I think since last weigh-in I only got to walk three times.  I really need to work on making workouts a priority.  But, I will say, focusing on nutrition these last three weeks has really helped me. That is the hardest part for me.  It has been good to take it one step at a time, but I am ready to step up in the excercise area. 

Things I need to improve on:
*Drink more water......Water (and a coffee in the mornings) is all I have been drinking but I still think I'm not quite drinking enough.
*Exercise more......in addition to walking and some free weights, I need to add in cardio. And make it a priority.  
*Get more rest......I am a night owl, but I pay for it in the mornings.  I need to make myself wind down earlier and get more rest. 

How are you guys doing?  Any areas that need to be improved upon? Already over the exercise hump? Comment and share what has worked for you!  I'd love to hear some creative ideas for exercise. 

*To view the post that started the weight-loss journey, click here.

Breakfast Scramble

Day 29 of 31 Days of Revising Home: Revising Myself

Today is day seven for me!  No sodas and eating clean: No breads, processed foods, sugars (other than all natural like honey or fruits and only in limited quatities) rice, or white potatoes.  

That means no grabbing a Pop Tart for breakfast. Or smothering a piece of toast with Nutella.  No pre-packaged muffins or pancakes or waffles. No sugary cereals.  

I had to come up with something I could eat.  And a plain egg with turkey bacon everyday wasn't that appealing to me.  I wanted flavor. I wanted a healthy breakfast I would look forward to.

A couple of weeks ago, before I started my journey to health, I popped into Subway for breakfast before heading out for the day.  It took me a couple of minutes debating what kind of bread I wanted; a flatbread or the regular wheat bread I usually get.   The lady who worked there said, "Well, you're not watching your calories are you?"  Gees, lady. Was it that obvious?  

I went for the flatbread. 

The sandwich was delicious.  It had egg white, ham, green bell pepper, onion, and southwest sauce.  I decided on day one of my weight loss journey I would try to recreate the flavors of that sandwich into a dish I could eat guilt free.    

This has been the typical breakfast for me virtually everyday. It is so yummy and healthy, too!

Turkey Pepper Egg Scramble (because I am terrible at making omelets)

1. Start with dicing one green onion, some red and green bell pepper, and some all natural, no preservatives added turkey lunch meat. 

2. Saute vegetables in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil.  

3. Add the turkey. 

4. Then add two eggs. Scramble.

5. Top with a little cheese and enjoy. 

Guys, it is so yummy!  I have also done a spinach variation.  I saute fresh baby spinach with a green onion and a little fresh garlic in olive oil. Then I add eggs and top with a little cheese. 

I have also been taking living multi-vitamins.  In The Maker's Diet, which I am following for the most part, the author Jordan Rubin recommends these two types of vitamins for the overall health benefits. I found them at the health food store.  

And look what I found at the supermarket!  Skinny Girl Organic Stevia.  I use the all natural calorie-free sweetener in my one cup of coffee in the morning.  So good!

So that has been my typical breakfast this past week.  It does take a little more prep time in the mornings, but it is worth it.  

So, how are you all doing on your journeys toward health?  How has it been going since last week?  You all have been in my prayers and I have been so thankful for yours!

I am looking forward to tomorrow for the very first Weigh-In Wednesday!  I can't wait to share with you the progress during week one!