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It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Guava Cocktail

June 24, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

I used to work in a high stress job around over 500 people a day so Jimmy Buffet’s lyrics “it’s five o’clock somewhere” didn’t just run through my head on Fridays but all week long. If you’re like me, one sip of this frothy tropical cocktail and you’ll feel like your toes are sinking into the sand.

When we visit Mexico and stay at an all-inclusive resort, we hear dual blenders firing behind the bar to serve poolside tourists all afternoon. It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Cocktail doesn’t require any complicated prep or a blender. Simply shake it up and strain into a ice filled glass and you’re on your way to an oasis. Just add flip flops and a lounge chair.

It's-5-O'clock-Somewhere-Guava-Cocktail2

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It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Guava Cocktail

Jimmy Buffet claims "it's five o'clock somewhere" and who are we to argue with one of the happiest men on earth? This cocktail leaves you daydreaming of crashing ocean waves on the shore.

5 minPrep Time

PCook Time

5 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 11.5 oz Kern's Guava Nectar (can)
  • 4 oz. Dole tropical fruit juice
  • 1 1/2 oz. Burnett's Orange vodka
  • ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Add ice cubes to a martini shaker.
  2. Add 1 c. guava nectar with juice and vodka into shaker.
  3. Secure shaker lid. Shake one minute.
  4. Strain into a ice filled cocktail glass.
  5. Garnish with pineapple (optional).

Notes

You could substitute pineapple juice for tropical fruit juice. If you don't like vodka, use rum.

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Filed Under: Cocktails, Drinks Tagged With: 5 O'Clock Somewhere, alcoholic drink, Friday cocktail, fruit cocktail, guava, guava juice, happy hour, juice, oasis, orange vodka, poolside cocktail, resort drinks, summer cocktail, tropical cocktail, vodka cocktail, vodka drink

Salted Caramel Apple Martini

June 24, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

I don’t need to wait for the fall season to enjoy a Salted Caramel Apple Martini especially when the last drop is like a sweetened caramel kiss waiting just for me. Why should you?

Try my take on this typically seasonal cocktail anytime you’re craving notes of apple. It’s the perfect compliment as a dessert drink after…well, anytime. Sip it after a summer barbecue pulled pork dinner or when the crisp air beckons fall.

salted-caramel-apple-martini

onedelightfullife.com

Salted Caramel Apple Martini

Why wait until fall to enjoy the always delicious Salted Caramel Apple Martini? This pleasing cocktail only takes five minutes to prepare and you'll think "this is the sweet life."

5 minPrep Time

PCook Time

5 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 4 oz. apple juice
  • 1/2 oz Pinnacle Salted Caramel vodka
  • 1 T. caramel ice cream topping
  • sugar
  • cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Fill a martini shaker half way with cubed ice and set aside.
  2. Pour a small amount of apple juice onto a small flat plate. Rim the martini class with apple juice.
  3. Pour a small amount of mixed cinnamon and sugar to a small flat plate. Rim the already wet martini glass with cinnamon and sugar.
  4. Warm caramel ice cream topping in the microwave for 20 seconds (remove lid).
  5. Add T. warmed caramel to martini glass and rotate glass to coat the inside.
  6. Add salted caramel vodka and rest of apple juice to martini shaker. Shake one minute.
  7. Strain into the already prepped martini glass.
  8. Garnish with an apple slide (optional).
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This cocktail comes with a kiss-a caramel one.
This cocktail comes with a kiss-a caramel one.

The trick to enjoying the “caramel kiss” is to drizzle warmed caramel ice cream topping sauce inside the martini glass and rotate it until it perfectly coats the glass. Just when you start to feel sad that your cocktail glass is near empty, pucker up! Your caramel kiss awaits in the bottom of the glass.

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Filed Under: Cocktails, Drinks, Taste Tagged With: apple juice, autumn drink, caramel, cinnamon and sugar, cocktail, dessert cocktail, dessert martini, fall cocktails, fall drinks, kiss, martini, salted caramel, salted caramel martini, sweet cocktail

Grilled Greek Pizza

June 24, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

I think it’s great that in Greek culture a common saying is “Να ζήσεις,” which means “may you live well.” I completely agree.

How is that Greeks look so at ease and happy all day long? (Oh, and that tan, olive colored skin!) They live to eat and socialize while doing it. They also appreciate quality seasonal ingredients such as fragrant herbs like parsley, oregano, and dill.

Grilled Greek Pizza is a no fuss recipe and it is packed with vegetables and Mediterranean flavor. I cheated and used a bottle Tzatziki sauce, made with creamy greek yogurt, in an effort to save time. Honestly, it was still delicious. We grilled our pizzas in our newly purchased Traeger giving them a slightly smoked flavor.

Bring on the ouzo! Grilled Greek Pizza is layered in fresh flavors reminiscent of the Mediterranean and is a lighter substitute for dinner.
Bring on the ouzo! Grilled Greek Pizza is layered in fresh flavors reminiscent of the Mediterranean and is a lighter substitute for dinner.

Turn on the patio cafe lights and create your own ambience while enjoying a slice with a fresh squeeze of lemon (or drizzle olive oil) on each slice. Now, where’s the ouzo? “Stin iyia mas!” (Greek for “to your health.”)

onedelightfullife.com

Serves 2 pizzas

Grilled Greek Pizza

Get the patio party started like the Greeks do with this high flavor Grilled Greek Pizza. Don't forget the ouzo!

10 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

20 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • Naan flat bread
  • 1 c. diced grilled chicken
  • 1 diced tomato
  • 1/4 thinly sliced red onion
  • 4 oz. can black olives
  • 1/2 c. Tzatziki (I used Sam's Choice Tzatziki Dressing)
  • 1/4 sliced cucumbers
  • 1 T. feta cheese (optional)
  • pinch pepper
  • springs fresh dill
  • springs fresh parsley
  • 1/2 lemon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brush the Naan flat bread with olive oil.
  2. Grill flat break for a few minutes until warm.
  3. Remove Naan flat bread from the grill and drizzle with Tzatziki.
  4. Layer your flat bread with veggies and diced grilled chicken.
  5. Top with feta cheese, pinch pepper.
  6. Drizzle again with a little Tzatziki.
  7. Garnish with bits of fresh parley, dill, and a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

You can purchased already grilled chicken strips, but we just used leftover breast meat from the night before's dinner.

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Nutrition

Calories

325 cal

Fat

21 g

Carbs

7 g

Protein

26 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Filed Under: Dinner, Grilled Tagged With: dill, flatbread, Greek, Greek yogurt, grilled chicken, grilled chicken pizza, grilled pizza, gyro, herbs, Meditteranean, Naan, olives, ouzo, parsley, pizza, red onion, tomatoes, Traeger, Tzatziki

Easy Cheesy Tortellini Bake

June 23, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Trust me when I tell you that this “get-it-on-the-table-good” pasta is the easiest side dish I’ve ever made, next to Ramen noodles in college. Bonus? EVERYONE loves Easy Cheesy Tortellini Bake.

These little pockets of gooey cheese are easy to bake with just a few ingredients in fifteen minutes flat. I make this dish when I need some hubby grub in a hurry. On Trisha Yearwood’s cooking show, I saw that her husband, Garth Brooks, adds tortellini to everything from breakfast bowls to salads. He might just be on to something. Smart man.

Everyone is a fan of this cheesy side dish. Eat it alone and it's dinner. No leftovers tonight!
Everyone is a fan of this cheesy side dish. Eat it alone and it’s dinner. No leftovers tonight!

onedelightfullife.com

Serves 6 servings

Easy Cheesy Tortellini Bake

This tortellini dish is "get-it-on-the-table-good." It's a crowd-pleasing side dish that will leave you wanting more.

5 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

15 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 18 oz. frozen cheese tortellini
  • 1/2 jar spaghetti sauce
  • 8 oz. softened cream cheese
  • 3-4 fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 c. shredded colby-jack cheese (mozzarella can be used instead)
  • 2 T grated parmesan

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cook tortellini according to directions and drain water.
  3. While the tortellini is cooking, warm up the cream cheese and spaghetti sauce in a saucepan on low. Stir until the cream cheese combines with the sauce completely. Your mixture may be slightly lumpy.
  4. Add cooked tortellini to saucepan mixture, stir. Sprinkle 2 T. graded parmesan on to the mixture, stir.
  5. Transfer mixture into a 8x8 glass dish. Top with sprinkled colby-jack cheese.
  6. Bake uncovered for 8-10 minutes. Serve with freshly torn basil on top.

Notes

Substitute mozzarella for colby-jack cheese. This is a super easy and quick side dish or lunchtime entree. If you need a protein, add Italian sausage or pepperoni.

7.8.1.2
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Nutrition

Fat

2 g

Protein

1 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Everyone is a fan of this cheesy side dish. Eat it alone and it's dinner. No leftovers tonight!
Everyone is a fan of this cheesy side dish. Eat it alone for dinner. No leftovers tonight!

 

Filed Under: Dinner, Pasta, Sides Tagged With: baked pasta, basil, cheese, colby-jack, cream cheese, parmesan, pasta dish, pasta sauce, pasta side dish, shredded cheese, side dish, spaghetti sauce, tortellini

Puerto Vallarta – Barcelo Premium All-Inclusive Resort

June 22, 2016 by Vanessa 16 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for information. 

Welcome to paradise at Barcelo Puerto Vallarta. You have arrived. Well, not yet. But you will want to visit after reading this post!

It feels like I just got home from Mexico, but we visited last January. I highly recommend making the trip to PV. Stay at an all-inclusive resort miles outside of the bustling, loud center of the city. Honestly, I’m glad we didn’t hang out in the city. It was crowded and hot. Driving in town was a chore and it takes your full attention especially at confusing intersections with people randomly crossing the road. Once you cut through town from the airport to the resort, your vacation awaits. It’s worth it.

To help you book your all-inclusive trip to BPV, I’ve broken down the resort and the city into categories. I hope my insider tips will provide you with the best experience possible while at BPV.

Barcelo Premium Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort is located on Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
Barcelo Premium Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort is located on Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
barcelo-puerto-vallarta-lobby

ROOMS

We’ve stayed at more than one all-inclusive resort in Mexico and each one has its own unique qualities from the amenities to the color of the ocean water. One trait these resorts have in common-total relaxation! Barcelo Puerto Vallarta is no exception.

You definitely want to reserve a view of the ocean or overlooking the courtyard. When booking your room, ask about this option. Otherwise, you may be facing the employee parking lot or a massive grove of shady trees.

View from room's patio facing the center courtyard.
View from room’s patio facing the center courtyard.
barcelo-premium-resort13

We booked the Family Suite, which was 732 square feet of ample space. The rooms are quite spacious and you’ll be happy to find that some of them come with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms. Oh, and the showers! They’re HUGE glass encased spa-like showers with strong water pressure.

We were in agreement that the beds were some of the most comfortable ones we’ve ever slept on in a hotel.

Tip: The rooms stay cool thanks to a tile floor and black out curtains, but you may want to bring flip-flops or slippers. The bathrooms include basic toiletries, a hairdryer, plush white towels, and a robe in each bathroom. There is no need to order room service (an extra cost) unless you’re too hungover from the night before to get up for the breakfast spread downstairs. Also, the Wi-Fi does NOT work in your room unless you pay an extra fee for it at the front desk. The front desk manager claimed that Wi-Fi worked everywhere else within the resort without a charge. Not true!

DINING

If you stay several nights, you are gifted two to three passes to dine at the higher end restaurants at the resort: Don Quijote, Capri, or Los Arcos. Stay an additional night or longer and the resort gifts you an additional restaurant pass so you can enjoy all three eateries. Take advantage of these opportunities to dine at the resort but bring money to tip your waiter. It’s customary. Be prepared to have to book your reservation as soon as the concierge desk opens the day that you want to dine for dinner. A strict dress code applies and men must dress business casual in dress pants. Women usually wear a dress to dinner. If you don’t follow the dress code, they will graciously ask you to return to your room to change into something more formal.

What can you expect from the menus? It depends on the style of restaurant as some serve Spanish cuisine while another caters in seafood entrees. Plating of one’s food is exquisitely done and camera worthy. It was my boyfriend’s birthday during our stay. The concierge and waitstaff presented him with not one, but two birthday dessert surprises throughout the day as we dined. The server at Los Arcos also presented him with a bottle of champagne and rounded up his co-workers to sing “Happy Birthday” to him. The staff at Barcelo resorts always exceeds your expectations by anticipating your every need.

Tip: Don’t lose your dining reservation ticket, a slip that you must present at the restaurant’s hostess desk. Also, Los Arcos is a casual outdoor dining area during the afternoon serving handmade tortillas with taco bar. Enjoy views of Mismaloya Beach and the Bay of Banderas while munching on barbacoa mini tacos. Corona anyone?

SPA

If you’ve never had a massage near the ocean, you need to book one. This level of relaxation is unlike any hometown spa experience you’ve ever had. I should know…I worked at a well-known spa in my city for two years. You will feel your stress fade away while listening to the repetitive crash of the Pacific’s waves nearby.

Barcelo Puerto Vallarta spa packages are available and must be charged to your room. You can also just book an individual treatment. However, I recommend a full-body aromatherapy massage coupled with a deep cleansing facial. Both of my treatments were done by the same therapist, which was not something I expected.

So, imagine two hours at the spa followed by…oh, I don’t know…a day by the pool. That’s one delightful day!

barcelo-premium-resort14

Tip: If someone in your party rather not pay spa prices, you can walk about a quarter mile down the beach to a third-party “spa” and get a massage there for as little as $20 an hour. I also tried out this massage treatment and was glad I did. Yes, the dressing room is primitive. No, you shouldn’t expect infused water when greeted. But, it does include the backdrop of ocean waves, a foot bath, and a quality head to toe massage.

ENTERTAINMENT

Pool side entertainment includes a twenty-something disc jockey playing bass thumping hits from the golden oldies to 80s hair bands. The entertainment director isn’t a day older than twenty-one years old and his energy is contagious. Before you realize it, you’ve been persuaded to join in on a game of sand volleyball or happy hour shots at the swim up bar. Younger resort patrons can take advantage of a lengthy schedule of activities on the property. A life-size Jenga game never sat untouched and families with toddlers enjoyed the children’s pool.

Barcelo Premium Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort is located on Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
Barcelo Premium Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort is located on Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
barcelo-premium-resort3

An evening show is performed every night by a troupe of singers and dancers. I was not a fan of Night at the Circus. It probably wasn’t so much the dancers fault. A large table of incredibly drunk Canadians (they left everyone know where they were from) brought in a bottle of Patron and proceeded to drink nearly the entire bottle and celebrate. Loudly. They were not interested in the free popcorn.

BEACH

Not overly crowded the beach is relaxing and tranquil. The water is swift depending on the tide, which ebbs and flows. We were only prevented from using the beach once during our stay due to high tide.

You’ll enjoy watching the come and go activity of fishermen leaving in the morning and returning in the late afternoon as well as boys who ride the waves. The occasional salesman will ask you if you want to buy trinkets, but they only ask once and don’t bother you again.

The resort has two dining areas that provide ocean views. I highly recommend eating al fresco on the patio.

ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE RESORT

Since the resort is not close to town, you will want to rent a car or sign up for excursions that guarantee a shuttle pick up and drop off.  We drove our Enterprise rental car to Vallarta Botanical Gardens, a short winding drive through the hills. Talk about a breathtaking view! The owner, an American originally from the midwest, greeted us warmly and made small talk. This elaborate garden, featuring more than one hiking trail, is his creation. His friendly dog served as a “tour guide” during the entire route of our hike through the trees. Enjoy the educational center or dine for lunch on fresh tortillas and “the world’s best guacamole” before you leave.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens charges a low-price of admission to walk the grounds and view tropical plants and flowers.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens charges a low-price for admission to walk the grounds and view tropical plants and exotic flowers.

Deep sea adventures can be booked at the scuba hut near the beach. A German speaking dive coordinator with schedule your appointment to dive with one of his instructors.

Tip: Bring bug spray with Deet to the botanical garden. Posted signs warn guests to wear it, but we didn’t think to bring any. Big mistake. “No-see-ums,” or nearly invisible type of sandfly, will serve as your “tour guide” as well. Also, wear tennis shoes or hiking booths to enjoy the trails.

WEATHER

We vacationed at BPV during mid January and the weather was pleasantly sunny with slight overcast during the late afternoon. You should expect it to rain at some point during your stay but it won’t cancel your plans and is usually so brief, it doesn’t matter. It may be quite windy causing members of your party, who like to scuba dive, to have to wait until friendlier waters return. The tide definitely changes throughout the day at this semi-private beach. Don’t leave your beach towel on the beach.

Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.

PS. Check out my slideshow of botanicals taken while visiting Vallarta Botanical Gardens just outside of the resort.

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Filed Under: Mexico, Travel Tagged With: all-inclusive resort, Barcelo resort, Bay of Banderas, beach getaway, Mexico, ocean, Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta, resort, spa, travel, Vallarta Botanical Gardins

Peach Pie Martini

June 22, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Capture the taste of homemade, fresh-baked peach pie in a glass with this amazing martini. Baking a pie can takes some serious dedication, but you can have the best of both worlds in just five minutes by shaking up this delightful Peach Pie Martini.

This martini recipe is the perfect complement to a backyard barbecue.

(I prefer to leave the peach skin on when pureeing it. You can also substitute any other fruit-flavored vodka to create another pie flavor.) Recipe below!

peach-pie-martini2


onedelighfullife.com

Peach Pie Martini

This martini tastes like Grandma's fresh-baked peach pie and is the perfect complement to a backyard barbecue.

5 minPrep Time

5 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 1 c. club soda
  • 2 T. pureed fresh peach (1/2 peach, skin optional)
  • 1 1/2 oz. Pinnacle cake vodka
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon (reserve 1 tsp. to rim the glass later)
  • 1 tsp. sugar (reserve to rim the glass later)

Instructions

  1. Pit one peach and add fruit to a Cuisinart to puree until reaching a softened mixture.
  2. Add ice cubes to a martini shaker.
  3. Add pureed peach, vodka, club soda, and cinnamon. Shake for 15 seconds.
  4. To rim the martini glass, use part of the leftover peach to moisten the rim and then dip it in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Notes

Substitute any other fruit-flavored vodka to create another pie flavor.

7.8.1.2
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https://onedelightfullife.com/peach-pie-martini/

onedelightfullife.com

Nutrition

Calories

23 cal

Carbs

6 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info


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Filed Under: Cocktails, Drinks, Taste Tagged With: cinnamon, cinnamon and sugar, cocktail, dessert cocktail, fall cocktail, happy hour, martini, peach, peach martini, peach pie, pie

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Hello! I'm Vanessa. Welcome to One Delightful Life, a blog created to add more delight to your life with delicious recipes, travel destinations, and lifestyle improvement ideas. Thanks for exploring my blog!

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