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summer

Mixed Berry Popsicles with Coconut Water

August 5, 2018 by Vanessa 2 Comments

The quintessential summer dessert is the classic popsicle. Wouldn’t you agree? Sure melted s’mores are delicious, but I consider s’mores more of a fall dessert made around a campfire. I have fond memories of the ice cream truck cruising down the city street. It conjures up nostalgic thoughts of having to choose from tri-colored bomb pops, ice cream drumsticks or fruity popsicles. A tough decision! Which one did you choose? I used my 75 cents to buy the rainbow popsicle almost every time.

Now an adult, I still mark summer by indulging in a colorful popsicle, but I’d rather not ingest corn fructose syrup or ingredients I can’t pronounce. So, this summer I made Mixed Berry Popsicles with Coconut Water, a thirst-quenching treat made from natural flavors!

I used frozen, mixed berries and coconut water, which is low in calories and high in nutrients. The benefits of coconut water will convince you that it’s worth trying!

I used frozen organic fruit, but you could easily use canned or fresh fruit as well.

I prepared them using Koji popsicle molds, which I purchased at Target last year. Filling the molds is as easy as adding a tablespoon (or two!) of mixed frozen berries, filling the mold with coconut water almost to the top of it, a tiny bit of Stevia, and a pinch of lime zest for added tanginess. You could add lime juice instead of zest as well. Prepping the yummy popsicles only takes minutes and they are ready to enjoy within a few hours of placing them in the freezer.

When you’re ready to eat them, remove the popsicle molds from the freezer and let them sit out on the counter for about ten minutes or so. Allowing them to thaw out will help you easily remove the popsicles from the mold. Isn’t it cool how the whole berries can be seen through the frozen coconut water? These popsicles are not only yummy tasting but they’re pretty, too!

What was your summer like? I spent mine living for the weekend and trying to squeeze the most delightful moments out of each day. I’m not ready for fall temperatures or lattes just yet. I’ve got popsicles to enjoy on the back porch while watching the gorgeous Kansas sunset!

Filed Under: Desserts, Taste Tagged With: coconut water, cold, cool, dessert, freezer, fresh fruit, frozen, frozen fruit, fruit, ice cream, Kansas, Koji, lime, lime zest, mixed berries, popsicles, seasonal fruit, summer, summertime, sunset

Blackberry Mint Fizzy Cocktail

June 16, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Of all of the seasons to make cocktails, summer is my favorite! A cool drink with the fresh flavors of muddled fruit and mint is refreshing and bright in flavors and colors. My Blackberry Mint Fizzy Cocktail is a drink you can make for one or as a big batch for guests, if you triple the ingredients!

The best part of a serving a muddled cocktail is that it looks as if it required a ton of effort to make, but that’s simply not true. If you don’t own a mortar and pestle, you can use a wooden spoon inside of a tall glass to smash the blackberries for this drink.

I would recommend wearing an apron or coving the mortar with your other hand when muddling the blackberries to prevent stains on your shirt.

Once the blackberries are completely smashed, scoop the fruit goop (that’s a yummy word!) into the cocktail glass. (Instead of muddling the mint leaves, I tore them into super small pieces with my hands releasing their herbal aromatic flavor before dropping them into the glass.) Then add the sugar.

Next, add the juice of one lime wedge.

Summer drinks are made so much better tasting because of citrus from an orange, lime or lemon.

Now, add the vodka – yes, please!

You’re almost done! All you need to do is top off the glass with crushed ice and bubbly club soda to the rim.

:: Wishing I had Sonic ice for this right now ::

No need to transfer this cocktail to another glass to try to shake up the ingredients. Simply add colorful straws and stir the drink gently.

Garnish the glass with a sprig of fresh mint, a lime wedge, more blackberries, and colorful straws before serving! Cheers my dears!

You could easily swap blackberries for strawberries, blueberries, or another fruit of your choice.

Have a muddle cocktail recipe that you think I’d love? Please share the recipe in the comments! Happy Summer Drinking, friends!

onedelightfullife.com

1 cocktail

Blackberry Mint Fizzy Cocktail

This bubbly summer cocktail is a balance of tart and sweet and will remind you of a mojito but better!

15 minPrep Time

15 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 4-5 blackberries
  • 4-5 mint leaves
  • 1 tsp sugar.
  • 1/2 cup vodka
  • Crushed ice
  • Lime juice of one lime wedge
  • 1/2 cup club soda
  • 1-2 blackberries and a mint sprig for garnish.

Instructions

  1. Muddle 4-5 blackberries.
  2. Tear 4-5 mint leaves. Add blackberries and mint into a cocktail glass.
  3. Add 1 tsp sugar.
  4. Add 1/2 cup vodka.
  5. Fill cocktail glass halfway with crushed ice.
  6. Lime juice squeezed from one small lime wedge.
  7. Fill glass nearly full with crushed ice.
  8. Fill remaining space in glass with club soda about 1/2 cup.
  9. Stir cocktail with straw and top with fresh blackberries and a mint sprig for garnish.

Notes

You could easily substitute vodka for rum or silver tequila. Looking for a non-alcoholic cooler? Take out the booze!

7.8.1.2
89
https://onedelightfullife.com/blackberry-mint-fizzy-cocktail/
onedelightfullife.com

Nutrition

Calories

540 cal

Fat

3 g

Carbs

68 g

Protein

8 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Filed Under: Cocktails Tagged With: berries, berry, blackberries, citrus, club soda, cocktail, crushed ice, drink, fizzy, lime juice, mojito, mortar, muddle, pestle, smashed, straw, sugar, summer, vodka

How to Achieve Clutter-Free Bliss

April 26, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

You might think I’m weird when I tell you my secret. I love to declutter. The messier the junk drawer, the more I want to clean and organize it.

I realize not everyone enjoys my odd hobby, but decluttering has to be done people! If you accept that what you’re pitching in the trash, or donating to charity, is only “stuff,” then it makes it much easier to remove it from your life. Besides, doesn’t spending time with your friends and family hold more meaning for you than the energy you spend looking for things amongst the junk?

After cleaning my closet of clothes I don’t wear, I was shocked at what I was actually wearing! About half of my closet represented clothes that were out of style, over worn, not my size or in bad shape. Warning: Don’t clean out your significant other’s closet without their permission. You’re just asking for WWIII by assuming they’ll appreciate you for spring cleaning.

Lack the knack for decluttering? Use The Get Rid of It List below to guide you to clutter-free bliss. Happy Spring Cleaning!

If you want to deep clean your home after you declutter the junk, check out my Ultimate Summer Housecleaning List!

Grab a pen and cross off each item as you get rid of it!

 

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: bliss, cleaning, closet, clothes, declutter, decluttering, dispose, donate, hobby, home, house, housecleaning, junk, minimalism, organizing, remove, rid, spring cleaning, summer, trash

Pink Lemonade Blueberry Splash

July 5, 2017 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Some of the best tasting recipes are simply made and cocktails are no different.

Made with Bacardi Limon Rum this boozy Pink Lemonade Blueberry Splash cocktail uses fruit that is in season and doesn’t require you to make fresh lemonade. Simply add citrus flavored rum over ice, fill the glass 3/4 of the way full with store bought pink lemonade, top with lemon seltzer water, a squeeze of lemon wedge and stir. I prefer to cut the citrus sour flavor with a teaspoon of sugar or Splenda. Then, garnish with a sprig of mint, a slice of lemon and you’re on your way to happy hour!

Here’s the recipe rundown quick list:

  • 1 travel sized bottle of Bacardi Limon Rum
  • 1 small bottle of store bought pink lemonade
  • 1 can of lemon seltzer water
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp sugar or Splenda
  • ice
  • garnishes = sprig of mint, slice of lemon

Don’t forget to add a fancy Nancy straw. Now that’s one pretty drink. Pretty delightful that is…;-) Cheers!

If you’re not interested in adding alcohol and want to drink a poolside mocktail instead, simply add more lemonade or seltzer water in place of the rum.

Pink Lemonade Blueberry Splash

A big fan of seasonal blueberries? Try my take on a warm Vanilla Blueberry Sauce that goes great over lemon bars or ice cream. Still craving blueberries? Add them to fresh fruit to create a last minute picnic side Watermelon Blueberry Salad with Feta and Mint. 

Filed Under: Cocktails, Drinks Tagged With: Barcardi, Barcardi Limon, Barcardi Rum, blue, blueberries, blueberry, booze, boozy, citrus, cocktail, drink, fresh fruit, fruit, garnish, happy hour, juice, lemon slice, lemon-lime, lemonade, mint, mocktail, pink, pink lemonade, poolside, rum, seasonal fruit, seltzer, sip, splash, summer, water, yellow

Lone Star Turkey Chili with Sour Cream and Chives

June 11, 2017 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Looks yummy, doesn’t it?

When you’d rather get dinner on the table so you enjoy time with the family outside, this is your new go-to meal. Chili is not just a winter meal. It’s a versatile dish with many options for eating it: layered on top of a grilled hotdog, poured over bowtie pasta, inside an empanada or as the base of Frito pie.

I prefer a thick tomato based chili served as the base for a multitude of toppings. Lone Star Turkey Chili with Sour Cream and Chives is not a overly spiced chili, but if you want more heat you can add a couple smoked ancho peppers (that will crank up the heat!) to the pot or top a bowl of chili with fresh sliced jalapenos. Because people like their chili with different levels of heat, I keep it simple and provide options for toppings, like a “buffet o’ heat” ranging from bottled sriracha to sliced peppers. The sour cream cools of the heat and balances the acidic tomato flavor.

My recipe gets its name from using Texas Jet Lone Star Chili Seasoning, a packet of spices brought home by my boyfriend after a trip to Houston. However, you can make your own chili seasoning with this Taste of Home recipe, if you need it.

Saute the garlic and onions in a tablespoon of melted butter until soft before adding a pound of ground turkey. Over medium heat to medium-high heat, stir the meat with the garlic and onions continuously until it is cooked thoroughly, Because there is no grease to drain (healthier!), you can then add the canned ingredients, mix well, cover and allow to cook on a medium-low simmer until the chili reaches the consistency you prefer for serving (typically about 30 minutes).

Remember to provide options for toppings for your chili fans. I grow fresh herbs in container pots so adding fresh chive was as easy as chopping some and sprinkling them on top of added sour cream and cheddar cheese.

Chives are super simple to grow as long as you provide them partial sun, maintain moist soil, and give them drainage.

This dinner recipe will serve about 6-8 bowls of chili. If cooking for two people, like me, you will have a couple days of leftovers available to pack for lunches or freeze for later use. By preparing Lone Star Turkey Chili with Sour Cream and Chives for dinner tonight, you’ll free yourself from worrying about future meals because you’ll have extra servings on-the-ready when you’re ready to heat and eat. Free up yourself from the confines of the kitchen this summer by making a big batch of this yummy, stovetop chili to feed your family for days!

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onedelightfullife.com

6-8 bowls

Lone Star Turkey Chili with Sour Cream and Chives

Chili is a hearty, make-ahead meal that helps keep dinnertime chaos-free for you and your family.

20 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

50 minTotal Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe
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Ingredients

  • 2 cloves chopped garlic
  • 1 chopped white or yellow onion
  • 1 T butter
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1.5 oz (half a package) Texas Jet Lone Star Chili Seasoning
  • 1 can tomato paste
  • 1 can chili-ready canned beans (or pinto beans) undrained
  • 1 can chili-ready diced canned tomatoes undrained
  • 1 cup water (optional, if you think the chili is too thick)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, melt butter and then add onions and garlic over medium heat. Stir continuously until garlic and onions are softened. Add in ground turkey and continue stirring until cooked thoroughly. Add the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and allow the chili to simmer at least 30 minutes. Serve in bowls garnished with sour cream, cheddar cheese and chives.

Notes

Crank up the heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flake or sriracha while the chile is simmering.

7.8.1.2
76
https://onedelightfullife.com/lone-star-turkey-chili-with-sour-cream-and-chives/
onedelightfullife.com

Nutrition

Calories

177 cal

Fat

12 g

Carbs

18 g

Protein

2 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
ESHA Logo

Filed Under: Dinner, Taste Tagged With: ancho chiles, beans, bowl, canned, cheddar, cheese, chili, chili-ready, chives, dinner, garlic, ground turkey, hearty, heat, herbs, jalapenos, leftovers, lone star, make-ahead, meat, onions, seasoning, smoked, sour cream, spices, spicy, sriracha, stovetop, summer, taste of home, Texas, tomato

Summer Bucket List Printable

August 3, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Dear Parents,

I know that feeling that you’re experiencing right now. It’s the “oh my gosh it is time to shop for back to school stuff” feeling. I worked in schools for over a decade and the last thing any teacher wants to see at the local grocery store is a display for school supplies. Yes, even teachers who love their students dislike the end of summer. Don’t suffer from Where Did My Summer Go syndrome one more moment.

With one, maybe two weeks left of summer…it’s time to print out my Summer Bucket List for your family’s refrigerator. List ten must-do activities for the family using this handy-dandy template. You know, those activities you told yourself you’d take the kids to do but life got in the way. I’ll even give you an idea to write down! Go to the pool and then come home with the kiddos to gobble up my recipe for Chewy Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches. 

Click on the picture below and print it off before it’s too late and the school bell rings. Have a blast!

Always,

Signature ODL 170x70px

summer-bucket-list

Filed Under: DIY, Lifestyle Tagged With: back to school, bucket list, summer, summer fun

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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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