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Give It a Squeeze: Fresh Juice {Recipes}

January 18, 2013 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Food Fridays:

Disclaimer:
I received an Omega juicer for purposes of this review. Links to affiliate links may also be included. However, the opinions are all my own.

Special Note:
With my current mamachallenge, the Shred diet, one of my daily beverage options is fresh juice. So when I needed to look up some juicing recipes, I went back to a post from April 2012 and my first experience with a juicer. So I’m sharing this post again with some tasty juice recipes along with a special offer of a whole month’s offering of new juice recipes when you LIKE Omega Juicers!

With spring time in full swing, I enjoy everything Mother Nature offers like al fresco dining, working in the yard and consuming fresh fruit. Unfortunately, my vegetable intake is not exactly what it should be, although I have very good intentions when I purchase produce for my family. Undoubtedly, I end up throwing some of it away since I can’t always get to cooking something with it before it goes south. It’s a never-ending cycle that many times the cost outweighs my want for fresh vegetables and fruit, and I end up with frozen and canned versions instead (despite the flavor, color and quality.)

Trying to provide some suggestions to my “taste it vs. trash it” conundrum, someone suggested I juice my produce. Of course, I immediately struck down the idea. All I needed was another huge appliance to take up space that would be hard to clean and from what I had heard in the past, would probably not work well anyways. But when I got my hands on the Omega juicer, the size of the juicer surprised me – it was small although was little heavy (due to the amazing motor I would find out later). Now ready to juice, I purchased several different fruits and vegetables and waited for the “right time” to make it and then clean up the mess.

So when my husband asked for some orange juice, I immediately thought this was a good opportunity to test it out. The kitchen was already a mess from Saturday breakfast preparation, so it wouldn’t be a big deal. And since the kids were all up, I didn’t have to worry the loud sound from the juicer would wake anyone up. Best of all, I had some help if I couldn’t figure out how to put it all together. So I decided to take the plunge.

In only three minutes I was able to put it all together without any instructions, I was pleasantly surprised.

Not bad.

Next I turned it on ready to have the kids look at me in horror of the noise, but there was no real noise. Just a little hum of the motor.

Even better.

Then I let my son put in the fruit and in just a few moments, we had fresh, delicious orange juice that was amazing. So being huge fans of strawberries, we opted to try another. Again, in just a short bit, we were all sharing our version of a Blushing OJ with strawberries, raspberries, apples and oranges.

Fresh and fantastic.

With the small amount of leftover juice, as requested by my three year-old, we put them in ice cubes and made popsicles.

Healthy and delicious treat for later.

But knowing that there wasn’t a secret maid button on the juicer, I knew the clean up was going to take forever. I “womaned” up to the sink and only five minutes later, everything was clean and drying.

Excellent.

I definitely am now one of those people that appreciates what a good, quality juicer can do. For instance my juicer is the Omega Vert VRT330 Juicer

– equipped with a 2-horsepower equivalent single-phase induction motor. This masticating juicer thoroughly chews up plant fibers to extract vitamins, enzymes, and minerals from fruits and vegetables, including wheatgrass and leafy greens. The Vert VRT330 Juicer dual-stage juicing system ensures maximum juice and extremely dry pulp, the first crushing stage extracts and the second pressing stage squeezes. Its Low Speed Technology System (LSTS) and low rotation speed of 80 RPMs result in minimal heat build up and oxidation which means higher quality juice, flavor, and nutrients. Best of all, the automatic pulp-ejection function allows for continuous juicing – compost the pulp, or better yet, use it to flavor soups, cakes, and more.

The Vert VRT330 Juicer also features an Automatic Wiping System that utilizes a silicone wiping blade, similar to a car’s windshield wiper, to help keep the juicing screen free of excess pulp. Other highlights include built-in reverse mode to prevent food from getting stuck, heavy-duty construction, and quiet operation due to squeezing slowly rather than grinding at high speed like centrifugal juicers.

I’ve included the recipe we made as well as my next conquest, Sweet Spring Mix, which is a lot like the Dr. Oz’s Green Drink.

Blushing Orange Juice
3 oranges
1 apple
1 handful raspberries

Juice together in the order given; stir the juice to mix the flavors.

Sweet Spring Mix
1 cucumber
1 carrot
1 green apple
¼ cup parsley
¼ cup mint
1 stalk of celery
½ inch of fresh ginger
½ lemon (peeled)

Sweet Spring Mix

I also have posted several juice recipes on Pinterest!

The Super “Grain”: Can You Say QUINOA? {Recipes}

January 11, 2013 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

As part of my vow to be a little healthier this year, I’ve decided to broaden my family’s minds (and taste buds) to include more diverse foods like QUINOA.

I’ll be honest, a few year’s ago I didn’t even know what or how to pronounce it, but now it seems like I keep hearing about it. Then coincidentally on TV this week, Bobby Flay made delicious meal on The Chew using quinoa, so on my last trip to the grocery story – I threw it in the basket.
Call it peer pressure.

Of course, the real issue was the next step – what to do with it. While Bobby did give me a good start on a great way to prepare it, he is Bobby Flay…so I wanted to know what my friends had done with it first. So with the help of Facebook, I got tons of responses from family, friends and neighbors on their favorite recipes using this “grain?”
Since inquiring minds always want to know more, I went Googling what was so dang special about quinoa. According to About.com, first of all, it’s not actually a grain, but a seed. And since Quinoa provides all 9 essential amino acids, it’s considered a complete protein that is gluten-free and cholesterol free. I guess that does make it kinda awesome, but the real question remained, would do I do with it?

Thankfully, one of my friends that is always on top of identifying awesome things way ahead of the curve (he totally has been in love with Mumford and Sons for years), shared some of his tried-and-tasted family recipes for me to try. So while I prepare a little quinoa for dinner tonight (wish me luck), I wanted to share their amazing recipes including his wife’s, Nanette’s Quinoa Salad.

Do you have a quinoa recipe you’d like to share?

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment:

Healthy Holiday Cocktails {Recipe}

December 21, 2012 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Food Fridays (Extra):

Because you never can have too many cocktail recipes! I wanted to share these Antioxidant Rich Holiday Cocktails from DailyBurn.com so you can continue with your diet while still enjoying the flavors of the season.

Hot Apple Toddy

This hot toddy is juicy thanks to the hot apple cider base, and spicy cloves add an antioxidant punch.

Serves 1

Adjust recipe for number of guests

Ingredients:

2 oz whiskey or apple brandy
1 tsp sugar
6 oz apple cider
Lemon wedge for garnish
Cinnamon stick for garnish
2-3 whole cloves for garnish

Directions:

In a small saucepan, slowly heat apple cider, sugar, and whiskey (or apple brandy). Pour into a mug and serve with cloves, a cinnamon stick, and a lemon wedge.

Almond Peppermint Patty

This dairy-free chocolate peppermint martini contains antioxidant-rich cocoa. It’s also high in magnesium, thanks to the almond milk and chocolate combo.

Serves 1

Adjust recipe for number of guests

Ingredients:

3/4 oz peppermint schnapps
6 oz chocolate almond milk
Cocoa powder for garnish
Ice

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, pour chocolate almond milk and peppermint schnapps over ice. Shake for a few seconds, and pour into a martini glass. Sprinkle cocoa powder on top of the martini.

Pomegranate Bellini

This bubbly antioxidant-rich bellini looks and smells like the holiday season. When you think of Christmas, pomegranates are a classic decorative, healthy, and tasty festive food.

Serves 1

Adjust recipe for number of guests

Ingredients:

6 oz prosecco
1 oz pomegranate juice
1 tsp pomegranate seeds
1 splash simple syrup

Directions:

In a champagne flute, add simple syrup and pomegranate juice. Fill glass with prosecco and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Mulled Wine

This warm drink is spicy, warm and aromatic. Cloves and ginger add a kick and plenty of antioxidants.

Serves 1

Adjust recipe for number of guests

Ingredients:

5 oz red wine
1 oz brandy
1 tbsp honey
1 cinnamon stick
1 orange peel
1 clove
1 slice ginger

Directions:

In a small saucepan, slowly heat red wine, brandy, and honey. Do not attempt to boil. Add cinnamon stick, orange peel, clove, and ginger. Simmer on low heat for 10 – 15 minutes and serve immediately.

Secret Trick to Peanut Butter Fudge {Recipe}

December 21, 2012 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Food Fridays:

A holiday tradition in our home is the making of the Peanut Butter Fudge. I felt it was such a momentous occasion I even shared it with my Junior League anniversary cookbook a few years ago…too bad when I submitted the recipe, I forgot one ingredient. Can you guess what it was?

Yes, it was the peanut butter! Worst of all, I didn’t notice until the NEXT year when I used the recipe to make sure I was forgetting anything and saw I left out the most important part. Thankfully, I did include the substitute just in case someone wanted to make normal chococlate fudge.

However, since I’ve been asked about this recipe for many years (which is actually not mine, but my mother-in-law’s as I explain in the cookbook), I thought I’d share with you as well.

It’s quick, it’s easy and as long as you don’t forget the one cup of peanut butter (LOL), it’s amazing. It’s perfect, cheap and quick to make for neighbor gifts and more!

Flyaway This Christmas with Girlfriend Wine Cocktails {Recipes}

December 14, 2012 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">Food Fridays:

I love the holidays for many reasons, but the opportunity to get together with friends (and enjoy festive drinks like hot mulled cider and eggnog) happens to be close to the top. Unfortunately, by the time you actually get to Christmas, you might be all holiday’d out with the wine, cider and eggnog.

However, when a lovely delivery of new wines called Butterfly Kiss by Jason Dade arrived on my doorstep and could actually be used to create some new fun “signature” cocktails for an upcoming girls’ get together, I was pretty stoked to try them out. I was also excited to use with my marshmallow-flavored vodka gathering dust.

So to celebrate Friday and the holidays here are a few cocktail recipes for you to try with your girls using Butterfly Kiss Pinot Grigio or Pink Pinot Grigio (which I’m personally excited to taste!) Of course you can use any of your favorite wine varietals, but Butterfly Kiss was used specifically to create the perfect cocktail flavor.

The Puffy Cloud

3 oz Butterfly Kiss Pinot Grigio

½ oz Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow flavored vodka

1 oz Sour mix

Spl. Tonic water

Garnish: Lime wedge

Build in a wine glass over ice. Stir.

Spring Azure

4 oz Butterfly Kiss Pinot Grigio

3 oz Ginger ale

1½ oz Apple juice

2 Lime wedges

Garnish: Orange Wheel

Build in a wine glass over ice. Squeeze lime wedges on top. Stir.

Love Potion Sangria

1 btl. Butterfly Kiss Pinot Grigio

4 oz Tanqueray gin

16 oz White grape juice

8 oz Ruby red grapefruit juice

12 oz Lemon-lime soda

4 oz Sour mix

7 dshs Aromatic cocktail bitters

Garnish: Green and red seedless grapes

Build in a pitcher over ice. Serves 8.

Afternoon Delight

4 oz Butterfly Kiss Pink Pinot Grigio

3 oz Cranberry juice

1½ oz Soda water

Garnish: Grapefruit wedge

Build in a wine glass over ice. Stir.

Parisian Affair

3 oz Butterfly Kiss Pink Pinot Grigio

¼ oz French herbal liquer

¼ oz Italian orange aperitif

½ oz Fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 oz Soda water

3dsh. Orange bitters

Garnish: Lemon peel

Build in a glass over ice. Stir.

Lively Up

3 oz Butterfly Kiss Pink Pinot Grigio

½ oz Black raspberry liqueur

1½ oz Sour mix

Spl. Lemon-lime soda

Garnish: Cherry

Build in a wine glass over ice. Stir.

Tropical Escape

4 oz Butterfly Kiss Chardonnay

3 oz Lemon-lime soda

1½ oz Pineapple juice

Garnish: Lime wedge

Build in a wine glass over ice. Stir.

Wonder Kiss

3 oz Butterfly Kiss Chardonnay

½ oz Smirnoff vanilla flavored vodka

1 oz Sour mix

Spl. Cola

Garnish: Cherry

Build in a wine glass over ice. Stir.

Butterfly Kiss is a new wine, so it is soon to be found
wherever you purchase your wine and spirits.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Clink. Clink! Clink!

* Printed with permission by Butterfly Kiss.

DISCLAIMER:

I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Food Fridays:

One of my favorite trends is gourmet butters. I just love the Cabernet Goat Cheese Butter you can add to your burger at Chop House Burgers in Arlington or the sweet honey butter you get delivered with your bread at Saltgrass Steak House. It’s that extra buttery touch that takes it to the next level. And like my kids say, “it makes it taste GOOOD!”

And while I’d love to cook it up Paula Deen style, I don’t have the time or the calorie count. Thankfully, I’ve got a shortcut now for making those fancy butters without the time with Twister Butter. Available in savory and sweet flavors, these cute little tubs are filled with natural ingredients and come in six delicious flavors: Blueberry, Honey & Lemon Zest; Cinnamon, Honey & Brown Sugar; Cilantro & Lime; Chives & Parsley; Portobello Mushroom with Boursin-Garlic & Fine Herb Cheese; Bacon, Dijon Mustard & Green Onion. For now you can get them at DFW Albertsonsstores, so with Thanksgiving around the corner, I’d stock up on these now…especially before EveryDay with Rachael Ray Magazine’s November 2012 issue hits the stands featuring Twisted Butter as one of her top picks for best butters (which including some 60 sticks and tubs of butter).

Rachel Ray says this Twisted Butter is one of the best butters available!

Of course, I couldn’t just choose one flavor to try, so I decided to take one for the team and taste four of them (the mushroom and cilantro didn’t make it to the testing.) And to be fair, I enlisted a few panelists (my son, daughter, husband and bestie) to help me. To be fair, I decided the only way to really “try” them was to have something simple in which to taste them with (butter on a spoon just isn’t appetizing), so I purchased plain bagels as to not taint our taste buds.

What did the results say of our “official butter tasting?” While I thought the Blueberry, Honey & Lemon Zest would reign supreme, it was the Cinnamon, Honey & Brown Sugar and Bacon, Dijon Mustard & Green Onion that took top honors. The bacon one just screamed baked potato heaven and the blueberry seemed like a great topping on top of French toast. However, when we were done, I really wondered on the different ways I could use these butters to look like I had worked really hard at dinner and didn’t.

Thankfully, the good folks at Twisted Butter already went there for me! Their site was filled with recipes that made me look (almost) Paula Deen worthy. And of course with the holiday cooking season about to go into full gear, these little guys might be just the perfect pairing for a holiday gift to the neighbors with homemade bread. Just remember it’s always homemade if you wrapped it up at home. You don’t necessarily have to make it from scratch.

It’s the thought that counted, right?

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Do you have a quinoa recipe you’d like to share?

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