A Lifestyle Blog

honey

Classic Fruit Popsicles Two Ways

by Leave a Comment

Hello Summer!

Nothing quite eases the scorching temperatures of summer like homemade popsicles grabbed from the freezer on a hot day. To welcome the warm season, I’ve created Classic Fruit Popsicles Two Ways: Honey Pineapple Citrus and Fresh Strawberry Kiwi. These recipes are easy for you to make and far healthier than ice cream.

From the moment I bought my Koji ice pop molds at Target ($9.99), nostalgia set in on the drive home. Less fattening than ice cream desserts and fun to make, the popsicle is on trend again. Maybe it’s because you control the flavors! You can add any ingredient to your juice base from vegetables to fruit. Some people even add fresh herbs. Why not? A citrus basil ice pop might sounds delicious.

You can easily make my Honey Pineapple Citrus Popsicles using frozen chunks of Dole Fruit-n-Spice Honey Lime Pineapple Chunks (leftover from a smoothie experiment last week), fresh lime juice, clover honey, Stevia, and grapefruit juice. You’ll may want to use more Stevia than I did to cut the tangy citrus flavor from the grapefruit. Preparing these cool pops is as simple as dumping the ingredients in a blender or Cuisinart and blending it until smooth even to pour.

Honey Pineapple Citrus Popsicle Recipe: Yields 3-4 popsicles

  • 1 c. Dole Fruit-n-Spice Honey Lime Pineapple Chunks
  • 1 c. grapefruit juice
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1 tsp clover honey
  • 2 tsp Stevia

Fill each popsicle well 3/4 of the way full to leave room for expansion as the fruit mixture freezes. Place your popsicles molds in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then, remove the popsicles from the freezer and gently insert the popsicles sticks. Place them back in the freezer and allow these sweet treats to harden. When you’re ready to eat one, simply run warm water on the outside of the popsicle mold until you’re able to wiggle the popsicle free to devour it.

Use the same instructions to make Fresh Strawberry Kiwi Popsicles except you will instead blend cranberry/grape juice cocktail, sliced strawberries and kiwi, and Stevia until smooth. I used less added sugar in this recipe because the fruit and juice already were sweeteners.

Fresh Strawberry Kiwi Popsicle Recipe: Yield 3-4 popsicles

  • 1 c. cranberry/grape cocktail juice
  • 1 c. sliced fresh strawberries
  • 2 peeled and sliced fresh kiwi
  • 1/4 tsp Stevia

What’s your fondest memories of summer? I remember learning how to swim at the community pool, riding my yellow Schwinn bicycle (banana seat included) with abandon, and running back and forth to my neighborhood friends’ house to play.

Take a moment to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer while cooling off from the hot temperatures with one of these fruit popsicles, a sure-win with your kids and adult kiddos too!

Cantaloupe Margaritas

by Leave a Comment

Read about the 7 health benefits of eating cantaloupe by clicking on the photo.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo and my love affair with margaritas, I created a refreshing cocktail recipe – Cantaloupe Margaritas! I was equally inspired to try a new version of the standard lime Mexican cocktail by using up a ripe cantaloupe that was sitting on my kitchen counter and some leftover silver tequila. You’re going to love this recipe!

Read about the 7 health benefits of eating cantaloupe by clicking on the photo.

This cocktail reminds me of the fresh cantaloupe smoothie that I ordered once at an authentic Mexican restaurant in our city. Imagine a backdrop of festive music, multi-colored decorations, and authentic food with a fresh drink to go with it. It was like a time warp right back to our fabulous visit to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. You can read my travel tips from that vacation here.

We’ve also spent time in Playa del Carmen, my favorite spot in Mexico thanks to the beautiful turquoise color of the water and soft sand beaches.

This cocktail, made by first blending fresh cantaloupe, is a slight variation on the traditional lime cocktail thanks to the added honey, lemonade, and refined sugar. The sweet additions counter balance the acidic citrus taste of the fresh squeezed lime juice  and lemonade to give the margarita an easy finish.

After blending the cantaloupe until very smooth, pour it into a cocktail shaker and add the tequila, lime juice, lemonade, honey, and sugar. Shake and stain into ice-filled glasses rimmed pre-rimmed with lime juice and kosher salt. If you want to garnish each glass with more cantaloupe, use a melon baller to form several circular pieces of melon and skewer them on a toothpick. I added fresh mint and a wedge of lime for added color. One look at your finished cocktail and you’ll quickly take a sip – it’s refreshing and delicious!

As you know, I love to celebrate a holiday or host a party. My Cantaloupe Margarita inspired by the Cinco de Mayo holiday is the essential cocktail to accompany sizzling fajitas or savory tacos. Let me know in the comments section how to make your favorite party cocktail. I’m always ready to try a new recipe! Cheers.

4 small cocktails

Serves 1.5 cups

Cantaloupe Margaritas

This new take on the traditional margarita is refreshing and will wow your party guests on Cinco de Mayo.

15 minPrep Time

15 minTotal Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups blended cantaloupe
  • 1/2 cup silver tequila (I used Camarena Tequila)
  • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 2 T lemonade
  • 1 T honey
  • 1 T sugar
  • cubed ice
  • Garnish:
  • 1 T kosher or maragarita salt
  • lime wedge
  • sprig of mint
  • 2 cantaloupe melon balls
  • 1 toothpick

Instructions

  1. Rim the cocktail glass with a lime wedge and then salt.
  2. Blend cantaloupe in your blender on puree setting until very smooth. This may take a couple minutes.
  3. Pour blended cantaloupe in a large cocktail shaker.
  4. Add tequila, lime juice, lemonade, honey, and sugar.
  5. Shake vigourously.
  6. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish.

Notes

Tip: Spray your measuring spoon with a little cooking spray before measuring the honey. The spray helps the honey pour from the spoon leaving very little extra on the spoon.

7.8.1.2
73
https://onedelightfullife.com/cantaloupe-margaritas/

Nutrition

Calories

76 cal

Carbs

19 g

Protein

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

 

 

No Bake Energy Bites: A Mid-Day Snack to Keep You From Feeling Hangry

by Leave a Comment

Hangry – The word ‘hangry’ is a concise way to describe a common feeling. Hangry is a clever word combination of hungry and angry, and an adjective that describes being irritable due to hunger, according to Webster’s Dictionary.

Anyone who works with me knows that I keep snacks in my drawer (fruit roll-ups, whole fruit, or granola bars) so that in the event I begin to feel hangry, I’ve got relief nearby. Sometimes I can feel myself getting hangry mid-morning and nobody wants me to get hangry. Nobody. So, I grab a healthy snack.

Inspired by our healthier “lifestyle” (we’re not calling it a diet), I was inspired to make No Bake Energy Bites: A Mid-Day Snack to Keep You From Feeling Hangry. They taste like no bake cookies and curb your hunger thanks to the addition of oatmeal and chia seeds, a popular ingredient in smoothies and granola bowls. Chia seeds are a trending super food high in nutrients that provides boost of energy. You can purchase them in bulk at any health food store. Because they expand a bit when wet, they make you feel full! Oh, and total bonus…chia seeds are suppose to promote healthy skin and reduce the signs of aging. Well, duh! I think I’ll add them to every early morning breakfast.

These No Bake Energy Bites taste like a cookie but they’re healthy for you. This recipe included cocoa, chocolate chips, peanut butter, almonds, vanilla and honey add-ins. See the recipe card below.

Using quick oats as the base, the mix-in ingredient options are about as endless as your imagination. For example, you can make ingredient substitutions or try these flavor combinations:

  • butterscotch chips for chocolate chips
  • chopped dried bananas, bacon bits, and peanut butter
  • dried apple chips with raisins and cinnamon
  • sunflower seeds instead of peanuts or almonds
  • Nutella and dried berries like cherries or blueberries
  • crushed honey oat cereal and peanut butter
  • cranberries, raisins, and toasted coconut with Nutella (see photos below)

Making No Bake Energy Bites is as easy as combining all of the recipe ingredients in a bowl, mixing them (your hands are a great kitchen tool but beware – the added honey will leave your hands sticky), and rolling them into one inch balls after the mixture refrigerates for 30 minutes. It’s a cinch!

This recipe version of No Bake Energy Bites includes cranberries, chopped peanuts, chia seeds, toasted coconut, raisins, Nutella, honey, vanilla, and oatmeal.
Work together all of the ingredients by pressing your spoon into the walls of the bowl and then finish mixing.

If you initially have a hard time rolling the mixture into balls, squeeze it in your hand until the mixture is tight and then use both hands to form a one-inch ball. Tip: Layer parchment paper (or wax paper) between the layers of energy balls in an airtight container before you store them in the refrigerator for at least two hours. I’m impatient and put my Tupperware container of energy bites in the freezer for one hour. A-c-t-u-a-l-l-y, I must admit that I ate one before the rest even made it into the refrigerator. They’re simply delicious!

Cranberry Raisin with Nutella No Bake Energy Bites

There you have it! No Bake Energy Bites are healthy for you and will save you from hunger pains at work so you don’t “bite” your co-worker’s head off. Yes, I went there (insert eye roll). Grab some oatmeal and your favorite mix-in ingredients and get started making tomorrow’s mid-day snack (or breakfast)!

9 energy bites

No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Bites

Fight mid-day hunger with this healthy grab-and-go snack that tastes like an oatmeal cookie.

40 minPrep Time

1 hrCook Time

1 hr, 40 Total Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 c. quick oats
  • 1/2 c. natural peanut butter
  • 1/3 c. honey
  • 1/4 c. cocoa
  • 2 T. chopped almonds
  • 2 T. milk chocolate chips
  • 1 T. chia seeds
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients with a spoon.
  2. Refrigerate mixture in the bowl for 30 minutes.
  3. Remove bowl from the refrigerator and shape it into one-inch balls.
  4. Place energy bites into a airtight container. Separate layers with wax paper or parchment paper.
  5. Refrigerate at least an hour before serving.
7.8.1.2
72
https://onedelightfullife.com/no-bake-energy-bites-a-mid-day-snack-to-keep-you-from-feeling-hangry/

Nutrition

Calories

98 cal

Fat

3 g

Carbs

16 g

Protein

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

Enjoy friends.

Peanut Butter Banana Honey Overnight Oats

by Leave a Comment

Sometimes I wish I could come up with a genius invention to cash in on. For example, the person who invented the Post-It note is a total genius. I use those every day!  While I do get creative in the kitchen when it comes to recipes, I can’t claim the overnight oats idea. It’s a brilliant recipe that is incredibly simple to make and you can flavor it up any way you like with mix-ins. If you’ve got a mason jar and oatmeal, then you’re halfway there.

Peanut Butter Banana Honey Overnight Oats combines many of my favorite flavor combinations and includes heart-healthy ingredients. Many recipes for overnight oats call for chia seeds. I wasn’t going to drive all the way to the store just for fancy seeds and I think my recipe came out just as great or even better.

While I made a large batch of overnight oats, which I’ve eaten on for two mornings, you could make a half size mason jar for one serving. Simply layer the ingredients (see recipe card below), shake, and refrigerate overnight. Don’t be put off by the look of the mixture when you spy it in the refrigerator the next morning. It will taste delicious!

Open the jar and top it with your favorite flavors. You can use everything from dark chocolate to fruit. Let your imagination go wild as you enjoy a guilt-free, healthy breakfast.

Overnight oats are all about the layers and mix-ins and like a surprise in your refrigerator in the morning.
Overnight oats are all about the layers and mix-ins. Think of it like a lil’ breakfast surprise waiting in your refrigerator for you to enjoy.

The first time I read about “healthy fats” I thought it was an oxymoron. It turns out that healthy fats are r-e-a-l! Monounsaturated fats are actually good for your body and they have positive effects on your health. The nuts in this recipe contain protein, vitamins, and fiber.

Walnuts contain fatty acids which are good for heart health and peanuts have compounds that keep your cholesterol on the level. You can feel good about eating dark chocolate chips in your breakfast. A study noted in a 2014 article “Why is Dark Chocolate Good for You? Thank your Microbes” in Scientific American by Katherin Harmon, found that dark chocolate “improves vascular function and cardiovascular health in general.”

And what’s all the buzz about using honey in recipes? Honey is high in antibacterial properties and published studies confirm that a daily consumption of the liquid gold helps boost the memory of women experiencing menopause.

1 large jar

Peanut Butter Banana Honey Overnight Oats

Overnight oats sound labor intensive but they're incredibly simple to make and delicious. The mix-in combinations are limitless!

10 minPrep Time

8 hrCook Time

8 hr, 10 Total Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • Overnight Oats Mixture:
  • 1/2 c. quick oats
  • 1/2 c. plain low-fat yogurt
  • 1/4 c. soy milk (vanilla flavor optional)
  • 1 T cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Mix-In Toppings:
  • 1 T. whole walnuts
  • 1 T. peanut butter
  • 1 T. dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 sliced banana
  • 1 tsp honey

Instructions

  1. Layer all ingredients in a mason or Bell jar starting with the oats.
  2. Secure the lid.
  3. Shake for 5 seconds.
  4. Refrigerate overnight.
  5. After the oats have refrigerated overnight, open the jar and top with sliced banana, walnuts, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, and a honey drizzle.

Notes

Use the One Delightful Life graphic to try other mix-in combinations.

7.8.1.2
40
https://onedelightfullife.com/peanut-butter-banana-honey-overnight-oats/

Nutrition

Calories

1051 cal

Fat

80 g

Carbs

66 g

Protein

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

new-piktochart (4)Happy Eating!

Signature ODL 170x70px

 

5 Healthy Summer Smoothies

by Leave a Comment

Hosting a summer party but don’t just want to serve alcoholic drinks? Or maybe you’re looking for an alternative to your usual dash-and-go morning coffee routine. These 5 Healthy Summer Smoothies are the perfect solution to refresh your mornings and give you a natural energy jump start.

Bonus: You add servings of vitamins from produce to your diet. And if you’re making a cool fruit smoothie, there’s no need to heat up the kitchen during the dog days of summer. Fire up that blender and mix the following recipe ingredients until well blended.

Green Detox Smoothie

Full of antioxidants and vitamins, this detoxifying smoothie is the perfect start to the week.
Full of antioxidants and vitamins, this detoxifying smoothie is the perfect start to the week.

This refreshing green drink boosts your immune system. Spinach is considered an anti-cancer food.

  • 5.3 oz plain Greek nonfat yogurt
  • 1/2 cup low fat milk
  • 1 cup ice crushed
  • 1/4 cucumber cubed
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • Small handful fresh spinach leaves torn
  • Small handful of flat leaf parsley
  • 1 tbsp honey

 

Banana Blackberry Smoothie

Drop in a bunch of ripe blackberries into your smoothie mix. According to the Huffington Post article "Blackberry Facts: 10 Things You May Not Know About The Fruit," the dark fruit is high in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, low in sodium, and only have 62 calories to a cup.
Drop in a bunch of ripe blackberries into your smoothie mix. According to the Huffington Post article “Blackberry Facts: 10 Things You May Not Know About The Fruit,” the dark fruit is high in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, low in sodium, and only have 62 calories to a cup.
  • 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 1/2 cup grape juice
  • 1 cup ice crushed
  • 1/2 of a banana
  • 1/2 cup fresh blackberries

 

Cantaloupe Mint Smoothie

You know what makes creating a smoothie for breakfast easier? Prepping the melon the night before so it can be easily added to the blender before you head off to work.
You know what makes creating a smoothie for breakfast easier? Prepping the melon the night before so it can be easily added to the blender before you start your day.
  • 2 cups cubed cantaloupe
  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 5.3 oz plain Greek nonfat yogurt
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Small handful fresh mint torn
  • Small handful of flat leaf parsley

Raspberry Chocolate Vanilla Smoothie

It's dessert in a glass and well, it has fruit so it's healthy right? Of course! Top this Raspberry Chocolate Vanilla smoothie with extra milk chocolate chips. It's our secret!
It’s dessert in a glass and well, it has fruit so it’s healthy right? Of course! Top this Raspberry Chocolate Vanilla smoothie with extra milk chocolate chips. It’s our secret!
  • 1 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 2 cups raspberries
  • 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Raspberry Lemon Smoothie

www.onedelightfullife.com 5 Summer Smoothies Doesn't this smoothie look yummy? We'll take two please. Blend up this easy to make drink for a run-out-the-door breakfast or freeze a few to grab and go.
www.onedelightfullife.com
5 Healthy Summer Smoothies
Yummy, right? We’ll take two please. Blend up this easy to make drink for a run-out-the-door sweet treat or to cool down after heating up outside.
5 Healthy Summer Smoothies

This thick base includes fresh, ripened fruit providing a dose of healthy vitamins to your diet. It's a great combination of sweet and tart.

5 minPrep Time

5 minTotal Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh raspberries
  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • 5.3 oz Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and serve cold.
7.8.1.2
5
https://onedelightfullife.com/5-healthy-summer-smoothies/

Nutrition

Calories

184 cal

Fat

2 g

Carbs

42 g

Protein

4 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
Signature ODL 170x70px