My 5 Favorite Mocktails

A little more than a year ago when we were tossed into COVID quarantine, my alcohol consumption pretty much ground to a halt. To be fair, I really only drank when I went out (either to dinner or a party or to a friend's house). I stopped drinking at home a while ago, and when it finally dawned on me that the after-effects of drinking weren't doing me any favors, I stopped drinking altogether. Every once in a while I will have a very short glass of wine or some prosecco to celebrate a special occasion, and sometimes if a new flavor is introduced, I'll try a spiked seltzer. Otherwise, I stick to non-alcoholic versions of my favorite cocktails.

I don't miss the taste of alcohol or the way it made me feel the next day, but I do miss some of the rituals around alcohol. Pouring a glass of wine signaled that my workday was over, and what a great feeling that always is. I can still enjoy those rituals, but now it's with a mocktail.

Here are 5 of my favorite mocktails that show that all the fun isn't just for cocktails.

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Faux Sous Vide Egg Bites

Brought to you by Pete & Gerry's Organic Eggs.

In less than two weeks, you may have a house full of guests for the holidays. The holidays are a time to delight in spending time with friends and family. Not only are you playing host, but you also want to spend time catching up with your guests not just catering to them. With people coming and going from your home and last minute holiday prep, things will get pretty hectic very fast.

This is the time of year where early preparation is your best friend, and one of the easiest ways to do that is with food. Prepared, grab-and-go foods are great to have on hand for guests to pick from when they need a quick meal, an afternoon snack, or something to grab as they are heading out the door for a holiday concert or light show.

For me, breakfast seems to be the meal that's the hardest for me to pull off at-the-moment, so I like to prepare, in advance, a low carb, high protein treat that makes it welcoming for everyone to sit down and enjoy a meal to kick off the day. Eggs are an easy way to fuel for a busy day ahead. I like to cook and bake with Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs. Pete and Gerry's is dedicated to the humane treatment of animals, sustainability, and to small-farming practices.

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10 Pumpkin Recipes To Make This Fall

Pumpkin season is here! Some of my may have waited all year for this, while others are turning their noses up at all things pumpkin. I fall somewhere between the two extremes. I love pumpkin-flavored desserts, but I'm not a big fan of artificially flavored pumpkin food items (pumpkin spice cereal, lattes, candy, etc). Big give me a home baked pumpkin pie, and I am all over it!

I've rounded up ten of my favorite pumpkin recipes to make this fall. Here they are, in no particular order.

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3 Healthy and Delicious Smoothie Bowl Recipes To Kickstart 2019

New year. New you. Amiright? That's all great and good, but how exactly do you get there? Taking the first step is overwhelming. Eating right, exercising regularly, practicing mindfulness. It's all so daunting.

I'll be the first to admit that from Halloween until New Year's Eve, it's a slippery slope. Lots of food and lots of booze makes for a not so favorable situation come January 1st. In addition to my regular exercise routine, I like to add in a few detox recipes that nourish my liver to rid me of toxins and help jumpstart my digestive system to help me reach my health goals.

A friendly recently shared her love of Reveri frozen treats with me, and at first, I was skeptical. It's been hard to find a non-dairy ice cream that I've loved whether I'm eating it alone or adding it to my favorite smoothies. She let me try it alone and she made a smoothie with it. One taste, and I was hooked.

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Apple Cider Floats

Let's agree. Dessert is pretty much the best part of any meal, especially Thanksgiving. Pies, pies, pies! Yes, please. But if you are looking to switch things up a bit this year when it comes to Thanksgiving dessert, why not try an apple cider float? They are especially fun for the kids, are easy to make, and don't require a ton of ingredients or a long baking time.

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Summer's "It" Cocktail: Aperol Spritz

Remember when expertly styled glasses of crisp rosé were all the rage on Instagram? It seemed every other picture on IG was a refreshing glass of rosé that made you want to crack open a bottle and pour a glass. Rosé has moved over and is being quickly replaced by the aperol spritz, a sunshine-hued cocktail. The year's most fashionable drink is blowing up Instagram and is a popular choice because it's not the kind of cocktail that knocks you over after just one. You could spend a few hours sipping a few over brunch and easily walk away unscathed.

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5 Game Time Party Tips

This shopper has been compensated by SheSpeaks, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company and Mondelez International group. All opinions are mine alone.

Game time is a big deal in our house. We love hosting football parties with friends and family and sharing our favorite game time snacks and game-watching traditions.

Our family is pulled in so many directions during the week that we love coming together on the weekends for game time. Whether we watch college or professional football, it doesn't make a difference. What matters is our special time together and making the most of it. In order to make the most of it, here are 5 game time party tips that ensure that you stay organized and on task and that you'll have just as much fun (maybe more!) than your guests.

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5 Favorites: Easy, Vegetarian Lunches

Recently lunch has been my biggest meal of the day. To get the most bang for my buck, I've been trying to focus on protein-rich lunches that will keep me full until dinner.

Here are the 5 lunches I've had on rotation lately.

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3 Amazing Freezable Dishes To Serve This Summer

photo via

There is no better time to throw a dinner party than in the summer. There is something about the long, warm days that seem to encourage people to get together, share a few stories and laughs, and enjoy a great meal together. Whether you plan to entertain during the day or at night; all it takes is a great meal that comes together quickly and doesn't require a full day of preparation. So great ready to put a few little decorations out, press play on Spotify, and enjoy a soiree with good friends.

Of course, it isn’t that simple. We like to pretend it is but, come on, who are we kidding. Playing hostess with the mostess comes with its very own unique trials and tribulations; two of which include cooking dishes you have never attempted before and making sure everything is ready on time. Get these two right, and you’ll be infinitely more available for a great time.

The key to enjoying yourself at your own party is to prepare a few amazing dishes well in advance, freeze them, and then reheat on the day of the party. Just make sure you have a professional freezer repair service on standby. After all, nothing could ruin your dinner party more than a freezer malfunction and a call for take-out.

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Flaky Cod with Tapenade

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Summer conjures up many wonderful feelings and associations with foods, from the spicy warmth of Jamaican jerk chicken (with delicious rice and peas) or a simple cone of vanilla ice cream to enjoy along a beachside walk. But arguably the best thing about summer when it comes to food is the opportunity to gather around the table and eat food that was freshly caught that day. With all the talk of food being fresh, organic or free-range, you cannot get any better than fresh-caught fish, and there's plenty of it here at the Jersey shore.

Aside from the fact that it is absolutely amazing for you (full of omega 3s, healthy fats, and plenty of protein), fish goes with pretty much anything and everything. You can have a fish with a summer salad, fish with Mediterranean vegetables covered in olive oil, and the old British classic that is eaten all year round, fish and chips.

And as summer gets in full swing, the options for fish are plenty. You can go to your local seafood market and get pretty much any type of fish you desire. Some of us are more adventurous when it comes to our fish, and some are really are not. One fish you can't go wrong with is cod. It's delicious when caught fresh and doesn’t taste too “fishy,”. It's a great great to use when introducing fish to children since it's flaky, tasty, and light.

Here’s an easy recipe for cod and a tapenade that doesn’t take long at all to whip up at home.

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Raspberry Peach Prosecco Punch

Whenever we entertain for a large group, I like to serve a signature cocktail or drink. It keeps people from being overwhelmed with choices of wine, beer, and cocktails, and it makes it much easier on me as the hostess.

On Sunday, we will be hosting Easter dinner, and I plan to make this tasty punch.

RASPBERRY PEACH PROSECCO PUNCH

Ingredients
12 oz. frozen raspberries
2 cups peach nectar, chilled
1 bottle of Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore DOCG, chilled

Preparation
1. Place frozen raspberries in a large glass pitcher or bowl. 
2. Top with the peach nectar and Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore DOCG.
3. Fill remainder of the pitcher with ice cubes. Stir and serve cold.

NOTE: I like to use frozen peach slices as ice cubes. They keep the drink cold, and they look so pretty.

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Crisp Apple Donuts for Fat Tuesday

Most of you know it as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, but if you grew up in central Pennsylvania (better known as Pennsylvania Dutch country), you know the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday as Fastnacht Day. It is customary in central Pennsylvania to celebrate Fat Tuesday by eating fastnachts.

Fastnachts (pronounced fost-nokts) are a type of German donuts. I was born and raised outside of Lancaster, and each and every Fastnacht Day my mom would come home with a big box of fresh, hot, sugary doughnuts. They were the ultimate indulgence before the austere diet of Lent begins.

Thanks to Sparkling ICE beverage, the traditional recipe for fastnachts has gotten a lighter makeover (that also happens to be type 1-friendly), so we don't need to feel guilty for over indulging before Lent begins. They are super easy to make, and are light, crispy, and delicious!

CRISP APPLE DONUTS

For The Donuts:
1 cup Crisp Apple Sparkling ICE

6 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
½ cup Splenda Sugar Blend
2 eggs
1/4 cup whole milk
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3-3/4 cup all purpose flour

For The Cinnamon Sugar:
1-1/2 cups Splenda Sugar Blend
1/2 cup ground cinnamon

Preparation:
Part 1:  Making the donut dough

• In a mixer, cream the butter and sugar together, on medium high speed for approximately 5 minutes.
• Add eggs one at a time until combined. Slowly pour in the milk and half of the Crisp Apple Sparkling ICE to the mixing bowl. 
• With the mixer on slow speed add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until just combined. The dough should look shaggy. 
• Slowly pour in the remaining amount of Crisp Apple Sparkling ICE on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Part 2:  Dough storage

1. Tear 2 pieces of parchment paper the size of a baking sheet. 
2. Line the first piece of parchment on a clean baking sheet and heavily dust with flour. 
3. Turn out the dough onto the floured parchment and press evenly till it's about 3/4 inch thick.  (If the dough seems too sticky flour your hands before pressing.) 
4. Lightly flour the top of the dough and place the second piece of parchment over the dough.  Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. 

Part 3:  Frying the donuts

1. In a deep frying pan, heat enough oil to come up 2 inches from the bottom to 375 degrees using a candy thermometer. 
2. Gently peel the top piece of parchment off the dough.
3. Using a floured donut cutter, punch out dough and place in hot oil. 
4. Fry on each side for 2-3 minutes or until light brown.  Adjust the heat if needed.  Scoop on paper towel lined baking tray. 

Part 4:  Finishing donuts

1. Combine cinnamon and splenda in a large bowl.
2. While the donuts are still warm, toss with cinnamon and Splenda mixture until evenly coated. 
3. Serve warm and devour!

Recipe appears courtesy of Sparkling ICE.

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Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies with Ginger

In our house, dinner time is often hectic and chaotic with everyone being pulled in different directions. I could be helping with homework while I am chopping vegetables, checking email, and folding laundry. Multi-tasking at it's finest.

For me, it's important to be able to focus on the tasks at hand without being too distracted. That means dinner needs to be easy to prepare with as few ingredients as possible. Dorot Garlic & Herbs makes that possible.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COUPON TO SAVE ON YOUR PURCHASE OF DOROT

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Our Weekend Breakfast Routine

Our weekday mornings are busy and full. With everyone scurrying around to get ready for work or school, there just isn't time to linger over a leisurely breakfast. Some mornings it's grab and go, and others we may have just enough time to sit down for a piece of toast with butter and honey or a bowl of cereal.

But on the weekends, breakfast is a totally different ball game. We don't necessarily go all out on both Saturday and Sunday, but on at least one of the weekend days, we are good for whipping up a breakfast that rivals one you'd find at the best diner in New Jersey.

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My Favorite Hot Chocolate Recipes

The tree is up. The stockings are hung. Christmas music is playing softly in the background, and maybe there's even snow falling outside your home. It's the holiday season, and what holiday season wouldn't be complete without steaming hot chocolate?

Today I'm sharing my favorite hot chocolate recipes. From decadent to flavorful to rich and indulgent, hot chocolate warms your insides when the bitter cold sets in your bones. Get the fire roaring in the fireplace, and whip up a batch of one of these delicious hot chocolate recipes.

1. Polar Express Hot Chocolate
There is one, and only one, hot chocolate we make when we settle in to watch The Polar Express, and this is the one. Made with milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream, this hot chocolate is smooth and decadent. Tuck in on a chilly night and curl up with a mug of this hot chocolate for a marathon of Christmas classics.

2. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
When you want both a change from typical hot chocolate but something reliably tasty and comforting, make this recipe. This time of year I crave peppermint hot chocolate. This recipe switches it up a bit by making it white hot chocolate. Yum!

3. Mexican Hot Chocolate
I love anything spicy! Do I put jalapeños on just about anything? Yep! So, when it comes to hot chocolate, I like a little kick every now and again. Mexican hot chocolate delivers up a little spice in every sip with the addition of chili powder. When combined with cinnamon and just a pinch of nutmeg, it's the perfect amount of spice.

4. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
I love anything salted caramel and hot chocolate is no exception. This Starbucks copycat recipe has an incredible likeness to the original and is a much more cost-effective option than buying a cup everyday.

5. Orange Hot Chocolate
When I was young, my dad would take us to a Christmas party held by one of the organizations to which he belonged. Santa would hand out big oranges and large Hershey's chocolate bars. I loved to peel the orange and break off a chunk of chocolate and eat them together. This hot chocolate takes me back to those days. I love the combination of orange and chocolate, and this smooth, rich concoction is a delicious way to enjoy both.

Check out this infographic for more ways to spice up your hot chocolate:

image via

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Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes

I'm always on the lookout for Thanksgiving desserts that aren't pumpkin pie. When I saw these turkey cupcakes recently on Martha Stewart, I was thrilled to discover they aren't pumpkin-related and it's one that the kids can help make. Since the cupcakes featured on Martha Stewart's site looked a little in depth, especially when little hands are helping, I adapted it slightly. Plus, I wanted to include two of my favorite candies: Hershey's Kisses and Gimbals jelly beans!

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Friday Fun: Halloween Bark With A Bite

I'm always looking for easy-to-make festive treats for the kids around the holidays. This weekend in preparation for Halloween, we are making this Halloween bark with a bite! This treat comes together quickly. But it goes quickly too!

BARK WITH A BITE

Ingredients
1 pkg. candy melts (can be purchased at a craft store)
Assorted candies (candy corn, gummy worms, licorice, coarsely chopped candy bars)

Preparation
1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Melt the package of candy melts according to package directions. Spread melted candy onto the cookie sheet.

3. While the candy is melted, press pieces of candy into it. Allow to dry.

4. Break and enjoy!

Recipe appears courtesy of FamilyFun magazine.

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10 Pumpkin Recipes To Make This Fall

This year more than any other I am seeing a plethora of pumpkin spice flavored everything. From cereals to coffee creamer to crackers, it's everywhere I look. While I'm not big on all the pumpkin spice products, I do love me some genuine pumpkin flavored goodies. I've gathered my favorite pumpkin recipes in one place. From now until Thanksgiving, I'll be making it a goal to whip up each of these.

Top Row: 
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls via The Novice Chef.

Pumpkin Crumb Cake Muffins via Sally's Baking Addiction.

Mini Pumpkin Pies via Home Is Where The Boat Is.


Middle Row:
7-Layer Pumpkin Magic Bars via Bakers Royale.

Melt-In-Your Mouth Pumpkin Cookies via Dear Crissy.

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie via Skinnymom.

Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Browned Butter and Pecans via A Chef's Kitchen.


Bottom Row:
Pumpkin Spice Truffles via Sally's Baking Addiction.

Pumpkin Scones via Cooking Classy.

Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping via Chelsea's Messy Apron.

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Easy Entertaining: Soup and Salad

 

 I remember the first time I hosted a playdate. Emma was two years old, and we invited a friend from music class and her mother to join us for lunch. I labored over what to serve. As the mother of a toddler, I didn't have tons of time to spend in the kitchen preparing an elaborate meal. But on the other hand, I wanted to make a good impression.

What did I finally decide on for our lunch? Soup and salad. Sounds really simple and unimpressive, but let me tell you, they loved it! I made a basic tortellini in broth and a simple mixed greens salad.

These days, I rely on the simple comfort of soup and salad for lunch time entertaining. It's always a crowd pleaser. For those times when I can't spend all day in the kitchen whipping up a batch from scratch, I head straight for a box of Good Natured Soups from Progresso™. Good Natured Soups are hearty, vegetable-based soups made from the fresh and real ingredients. There are no GMOs, artificial colors and flavors, or preservatives.

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Easy To Make and Fun To Eat Goldfish Halloween Snack Mix

 

When it comes to snacks, nothing beats a hearty and robust snack mix. The best part is that it's as fun to make as it is to eat, and is perfect for little hands and creative little minds.

We've been making Goldfish snack mix for years, and it never gets old...even for the adults. It's a fun way to use your creativity to create a custom snack that consists of everything you love including Goldfish crackers!

Not that you need a reason or a special occasion to make Goldfish snack mix, but here are a few good ones:

• After school snack
• Family movie night
• Sleepover activity
• Goody bags for a birthday party
• Snack for a road trip or trip to the beach or park
• A treat to cheer up a friend

For our Goldfish snack mix, we used the following ingredients:

• Goldfish crackers (Cheddar and Colors varieties)
• Popcorn
• Mini pretzels
• Peanuts
• Small chocolate candies (fall-themed)
• Candy corn

You could also use:

• Baking morsels (white chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter, or mini)
• Nuts (almonds, cashews, etc.)
• Cereal (oats or chex)

We didn't measure any of the ingredients precisely. Part of the fun is grabbing a handful here and a handful there and combining everything as you please until you have the perfect combination.

The idea behind the Goldfish snack mix is to have fun with it. Make a big batch and transfer it to snack-sized bags for later. Or let everyone mix up their own in individual bowls. Whatever you make and however you make it, munching on the final product is the best part!

Preparing meals and fun snacks are great ways to bring your family together and make lasting memories. Of course, a way to preserve those memories is to snap a photo of the family making memories. Submit a stop-animation video HERE for a chance to win $5,000.

To see complete contest details and instructions, click HERE.

For more fun, be sure to check out the Goldfish "Finn and Friends Mysteries App for your iPad. Available in the iTunes App Store.

 

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