Summer Berry Oatmeal Shake Recipe

Hola Amigos! Mornings are about to get quite hectic here and one way of making things easy in the morning is with a complete breakfast on the go if necessary or just to break the routine of the same kind of breakfast everyday.
Both my kids are picky eaters so I really have to try to pack the most amount of nutrients, good flavors in 1 bite (or drink) literally. It gets worse when the above description has to be the first in thing in the morning when let's face it, after months eating a bit late, no one is really hungry at 7 am.
This is my go to recipe, make it your own by changing the flavors of the fruit or oatmeal.

The carnation breakfast drinks were recommended by my oldest's Pediatrician when he entered Jr, High and he still likes them. When we don't have any handy (rarely) he substitutes it with Protein Powder.

Now that my little one is ready to enter K, I'm sure he would enjoy the different flavor drinks mama can make him for his mornings, strawberries are his favorite!!!

Are you ready for this new school year yet? Are your kids already in school? This week I will try to make some of the meals my kids like before they go to school, when they come back and what I like to cook for supper when car pooling, car taxing and homework make time disappear in a blink of an eye! Always keeping in mind that food tastes better with a Pinch of Love!

Besitos,

Lizy

Summer Berry Oatmeal Shake

Ingredients

1  Cup of Milk

1 Envelope of Carnation Breakfast French Vanilla

1 Container (2.46 oz) Instant Oatmeal, Processed* (or whatever instant oatmeal you have)

1 Cup Mix Berries (My garden gave me fresh blackberries, raspberries and a few strawberries)
1 tsps Sugar (optional)

*I put my oatmeal through a food processor or blender and pulse a couple of times for a smoother texture for my shake, this particular step is optional, my kids prefer it this way. 

Directions:

Add all ingredients and blend until smooth. 

Prep Time 5 minutes               Serves 2 (8 oz Cups)

Sharing some morning fruity goodness at these Fabulous Parties:

Rain on a Tin Roof, Huckleberry Love, Jembellish, A Southern Fairytale, Mad in Crafts, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cupcake-n-Bake, Who Needs a Cape, BoogieBoard Cottage, The Blackberry Vine, Say Not Sweet Anne, My Mixing Spoon, Feeding Big, Setting for Four, Home Stories A to Z, Handmade Cuddles, Ladybugs Blessigns, Mandy's Recipe Box, Nap-Time Creations, Kathe with an E, Pint Sized Baker, Adventures of a DIY Mom, Summer Scraps, The Princess and her Cowboys, Sugar Bee Crafts, Our Table for Seven, Memories by the Mile, Not Just a Housewife, Bebetsy, Clean and Scentsible, Mom's Test Kitchen, The Lady Behind the Curtain, The Everyday Home, Smart School House, Kitchen Meets Girl, Duck's in a Row, The Shaddy Porch, Crystal and Co., Made to be a Momma, Sew Much Ado, Thank You Honey, My Girlish Whims, This Silly Girl's Life, Someday Crafts, Polkadots on Parade, The Real Housewives of Riverton, We Like to Learn as We Go, 733 Blog, Real Coake, 52 Mantels, The 36th Avenue, The Brambleberry Cottage, What's Cooking, Love?, A Handful of Everything, Katherine's Corner, CrazyLou, House of Hepwoths, The Mandatory Mooch, I Gotta Create, Lamberts Lately, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Best Blog Recipes, Jennifer Rizzo, Do Small Things with Love, Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons, The Answer is Chocolate, My Turn (for Us), The Pin Junkie, Simply Designing, 504 Main, Craftionary, Tidy Mom, The Shabby Nest, A Simple Five, A Peek Into My Paradise, Living Better Together, One Tough Mother, Happy and Blessed Home, Five Days Five Ways, Shaken Together, Not Your Ordinary Recipes, Four Little Fergusons, Just Us Four, Made From Pinterest, The Wondering Brain, Cheerios and Lattes, Classy Clutter, A Little Claireification, Too Much Time on my Hands, Angels Homestead, What's Cooking with Ruthie, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Serenity You, Under the Table and Dreaming, Frugal Foodie Mama, Claire Justine oxox, Craft-O-Maniac, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Flour Me With Love, Jam Hands,Sew Can Do, Keeping it Simple, Ms. enPlace, The Tumbleweed Contessa, Joyful Healthy Eats, Cozy Little House, Pint Sized Baker, The Gunny Sack, Hun...What's for Dinner?, Chef in Trainning, Dessert Now, Dinner Later, A Pretty Life in the Suburbs, On Nom Ally

Other Healthy drinks you might like:

Funfetti Cake Smoothie (no cake batter)

Sharknado Cupcake Recipe

Hola Amigos! I'm sure by now you are all excited about the best film of this summer season: Sharknado!!!! Nothing celebrates Shark Week better than a powerful whirlwind carrying thousands of sharks ready to devour an entire city!!! Ok, Ok...so the movie is one of the dumbest syfy films so far...borderline comedy! but Shark Week is still awesome and to celebrate my love of all things shark and bad acting, I made fun cupcakes!

This is a tongue in cheek kind of post, if you are sensitive to realistic looking gummy sharks and fake blood, better read tomorrow's post I promise you it will be a serious one, but for now...you've been warned, if you are game, sit down and enjoy a few of my favorite personal Shark Facts.

I love sharks! Since little I learned to admire them and to fear them. We were at the beach every weekend and the rule was, if you hear dad yell "Get Out Of The Water" you just did it! no questions ask! Ever!!! I'm sure you know why...

My Grad School thesis was about the Economical vs Biological Impact of the Commercialization of Sharks (specific species). I got high scores from the 3 judging professors whoot whoot...lol..I think I know my sharks alright!

Believe it or not, I know how to prepare a killer Shark Fin Soup! From collecting, drying, removing skin to separating and bleaching the little fibers to make the soup, which is a delicacy in Asian cultures. My dad thought me the process and it's an experience I will never forget. Note: We never killed a shark for this purpose, sometimes fisherman have a few as bycatch for the day.

We are a bigger threat to sharks than they are to us. Granted nobody wants to be attacked or eaten by a shark, chances are you are most likely to be bitten by another human being in your lifetime than by a shark. The practice of 'shark finning" for the above mentioned soup, sport and fear among other things, are  the main threats to these animals.

The Shark Conservation Act was signed into a Law in January 2011

White Sharks can smell a drop of blood from up to mile away, but most sharks can smell a drop of blood 3000 yards away.

Sharks don't sleep like we do. Most of them need to constant be in the move in order to get oxygen through their gills and bodies, so they "sleep swim" (not to be confused with sleep walk) part of their brains are less active and allows them to rest.

And on the subject of sleeping now that you are more likely to put that bikini and swim in the middle of the night right after watching a JAWS marathon, I want to thank you for your visit today! Enjoy Shark Week and remember than even Sharknado Cupcakes taste better with a Pinch of Love! (for sharks)

Besitos,

Lizy

Sharknado Cupckaes

Ingredients:

1 Bag of White Cupcake Mix

1 Cup Cream Soda

2 TBSP Raspberry Preserves

5 Straberries

5 Blakberries

Vanilla Icing

Cotton Candy

Shark Gummies

Directions:

Pre Heat oven at 350 degrees. Follow instructions on your cupcake bag. I replaced what the instructions ask for water and replaced it for the same amount of cream soda. Fill your cupcake liners and bake for about 15-20 minutes or follow bag instructions.

For the "Blood" Filling

In a saucepan on low heat add and mix 1/4 cup cream soda, preserves and fruit. Heat up until mix starts to thicken, about 10 minutes. Set aside and cool to room temperature. Once cooled, put the mix in a blender and blend on high until smooth. Inject the center of the cupcakes with this mix.

Once filled, top each cupcake with some vanilla icing. Shape a piece of your cotton candy into a funnel shape (resembling a tornado) and place it on top of the icing with a few shark gummies.

Take A Bite of your cupcakes and enjoy.

Preparation: 12 minutes         Cook Time 15-20 minutes      Serves 12

Sharing my Review on Sharknado at these Fabulous Parties:

Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons, Craftionary, The Best Blog Recipes, Tidy Mom, Home Maid Simple, My Romantic Home, French Country Cottage, Happy Hour Projects, One Tough Mother, 504 Main, Love and Laundry. A Simple Five, Liz Marie Blog, Becoming Martha, Happy and Blessed Home, The Pin Junkie, Living Better Together, The Answer is Chocolate, A Peek into my Paradise, My Turn (for Us). Le Chateau des Fleurs, Chic on a Shoestring, Claire Justine oxox, Serenity Now, Six Sister's Stuff, Cheerios and Lattes, Cooking with Curls, 4 Little Fergusons, Just Us Four, Angels Homestead, Spatulas on Parade, Suburbs Mama, The Tablescaper, The Foley Fam, Twigg Studios, VMG206, Flamingo Toes, Nifty Thrifty Things, Tartertots and Jello, Classy Clutter, Too Much Time, Claire Justine oxox Ms. enPlace Mommy Mentionables, WCFS, TwelveOeight, TitiCrafty, Made from Pinterest, Frugal Foodie Mama, My Mixing Spoons, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Lines Across, The Chicken Chick, Say Not Sweet Anne, Flour Me with Love, Cupcake-n-Bake, The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen, jembellish, Sew Can Do, Keeping it Simple Crafts, Boogieboard Cottage, Alderberry Hill, DIY Home Sweet Home, Under the Table and Dreaming. Everyday Moms Meals, The Princess and her Cowboys, The Tumbleweed Contessa, Kathe with an E, The Blackberry Vine, Ladybug Blessings, Handmade Cuddles, Pint Sized Baker, Rain on a Tin Roof, Setting for Four, Huckleberry Love, Chef in Training, Love Grows Wild, Sugar Bee Crafts, Nap-Time Creations, Powerful Mothering, Adventures of a DIY Mom, Not Just a Housewife, Memories by the Mile, Mandy's Recipe Box, Clean and Scentsible, Smart School House, Lady Behind the Curtain, Made to be a Momma, Ginger Snap Crafts, My Girlish Whims, DIY Crafty Projects, The Everyday Home, Ducks'n a Row,Kitchen Meets Girl, Creations by Kara, All She Cooks, The Shady Porch, Thank You Honey, Crystal & Co., Life with the Crust Cut Off, SNAP, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, We Like to Learn as We Go, The Style Sisters, Feeding Big, Fine Craft Guild, The Real Housewives of Riverton, The Brambleberry Cottage, Polkadots on Parade, We Made That, Sweet Haute, The Crafty Blog Stalker, Saving 4 Six, Lanberts Lately, What's cooking, Love?, The Mandatory Mooch, The 36th AVENUE, Katherine's Corner, CrazyLou Creations, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, House of the Hepworths, Krative Creationz, Sparkles and a Stove, Artsy Fartsy Mama, Living Well Spending Less, Domestic SuperHero, Diana Rambles, Simply Designing, Easy Life Meal and Party Planning, It's Overflowing, The Inspiration Network

Other Fun Cupcakes you Might Enjoy:

Spring Clay Pots with a Surprise (Dirt Cakes)

Fruity Frozen Sangria Recipe

Hola Amigos! We had a beautiful day yesterday..81 Degrees!!! I was doing a little dance all day! So excited since that is the perfect temperature for me!
We grilled some Drunken Chicken (recipe coming soon) and I made a fruity drink for me that took me all the way back to the 80's! Oh yeah...do you remember when Wine Coolers were "the Thing"? I find it  very hard to resist when I go to the grocery store to purchase these mini bottles available in every single color of the rainbow for just $1!!!..Not because I'm crazy for what's in it, but I just love the way the colors look.

I know there is no wine on modern  "coolers" but malt, still, I'm making a frozen sangria with one I bought. I like my fruity drinks sweet and where I can't taste the alcohol, since I don't drink...so if you are like me, you are going to love this recipe...besides you can have 1 for everyday of Summer since they are only $1 dollar and oh, so pretty looking!  Note that if you are a purist and love your real wine Sangria, all you have to do is replace the cooler for real red wine and have fun.  Here is the recipe

Wine Cooler  Fruity Frozen Sangria

1 bottle wine cooler chilled

1/2 Cup Guava Nectar chilled (you can use your favorite nectar)

1/2 Cup Frozen Strawberries

1/4 Cup Frozen Blackberries

1/4 Cup Mixed Fruit Cocktail

Put all ingredients in a blender and Frappe until smooth, serve and enjoy!

Serves 2 (or 1 if you are greedy, lol) 

Listo

 It is sweet and you can't taste the wine cooler, which I love!

On the other hand you keep having this all day...and you might start giggling sooner than you expect!

This drink is easy to make and perfect for hot days!

Thank You for visiting, I hope on your next visit to the grocery store you keep this recipe in mind and enjoy your personal Frozen Sangria a try!

Remember everything tastes better with a Pinch of Love and a  Pretty Cup!

Besitos,

Lizy

Sharing some Frozen Sangria at these Fabulous Parties:

Jennifer Rizzo, The Home Girl, Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons, My Turn (for Us), The Best Blog Recipes, Rattlebridge Farm, Love and Laundry, This and That, 504 Main, One Artsy Mama
Simply Designing, Real HouseMoms, Atkinson Drive, The Domestic Fringe, This Gal Cooks, The Chicken Chic, Nap- Time Creations, Pint Sized Baker, Love Grows Wild, Love Bakes Good Cakes, Memories by the Mile, Our Home Away from Home, Hun..what's for dinner, twelveOeight, Fluster Buster, Feeding Big and More, Mom's Test Kitchen, Clean and Scentsible, The Style Sisters, No Minimalist Here, The Mnadatory Mooch, Seven Alive, Cupcake-n-Bake, RealCoake.com, Food Done Light, Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons, Chic on a Shoestring, Serenity You, Dessert Now Dinner Later, Natasha in, I Gotta Try That, Brown Gingham Creations

Triple Purple Berry Smoothie

Hola Amigos...Here is the smoothie of the week...straight to the point today, lol...why you say, because I'm excited to share this beautiful, delicious and Purple Drink with you!
This smoothie has an extra step, totally worth it though! Recipe as follows:

Triple Purple Berry Smoothie

1 1/2 Cup Blueberries

1/4 cup Sugar

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 Cup Blackberries

1 Cup Grape Juice

1 Cup Vanilla Soy Milk (or 2% regular milk)

2 Cups Blueberry Vanilla Greek frozen yogurt ( I tried the new B&J with swirls of graham crackers, yummo!)

In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the blueberries, sugar and water until it starts to boil. Turn the heat to low and simmer the mix for about 5 minutes until it begins to thicken and the blueberries begin to burst.

Remove from heat and let it cool until is no longer too hot to touch.

In a blender add blackberries, grape juice, soy milk, frozen yogurt and blueberry syrup. Blend until smooth serve and enjoy!

Listo!

      You can have it just as it comes from the blender

Or add a swirls of the blueberry mix,

Enjoy it from a tall glass, or a small, add more blackberries!

Whip Cream and Sugar...

I mean..you can go on forever with this purple nectar!

The extra step gives it a depth in sweet flavors to play with the tad acidic flavor of the blackberries and grape juice!

I hope you enjoy the smoothie of the week. I'm very proud of it's Royal Purpleness! lol

Have a great weekend my friends, and remember everything tastes better with a Pinch of Love!

Besitos,

Lizy

Sharing The Royal Highness of Smoothies as these Fabulous Parties:
Diana Rambles
Just Us Four
Dear Creatives
Nosh My Way
Gladiator in Heels
Cheerios and Lattes
Classy Clutter
Your Homebased Mom
Life on Lakeshore Drive
Sunny Simple Life
The Tablescaper
Flamingo Toes
Sew-licious Home Decor
Navy Wifey Peters
Will Cook for Smiles
The Dedicated Home
Parola di Laura
Pint Sized Baker
twelveOeight
Clippie Dips
Cozy Little House
The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen
Fluster Buster
Clean and Scentisible
Ducks'n a Row
Handy Man, Crafty Woman
Twin Dragonfly Designs
No Minimalist Here
Serenity You
Walking on Sunshine

Very Berry Kool Aid Cheesecake

Amor Es=Sugar Rush

Hola Amigos...usually I bring you a craft on Thursdays  but today I'm sharing with you this surprisingly delicious and quick dessert which main ingredient is the humble Kool Aid!

For a couple of days now, while trying to organize my pantry, my little 4 yo helper found a few forgotten, maybe on purpose, packets of Kool Aid! I still don't know what possessed me to by them on the first place..is nothing we drink at this household anyways...but I couldn't just trow them away. I did a little online research and found a recipe using Kool Aid. I changed it a little bit and this Cheesecake was born.

Very Berry Kool Aid Cheesecake

1 .14 oz packet of Balck Cherry Kool Aid

1 .14oz packet of Grape Kool Aid

1 8oz container of Cool Whip

1 can Condensed Milk

8 ounces Strawberry Cream Cheese

3 Tablespoon Milk

1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust

Strawberries, Blackberries and Blackberry Preserves for Garnish

 Yes, that is Little Helper Mixing Everything and "Berry" excited to try his new favorite treat! Can you blame him, what is not to like about this one!

Put the Cool Whip, Kool Aid, Condensed Milk, Cream Cheese and Milk in a Bowl, mix with a spatula until you can't see any traces of the Kool Aid. Once everything is mixed, refrigerate for 2 hours until firm. Decorate with strawberry slices, whole blackberries and drizzle some blackberry preserve preciously heated up in the microwave.

Listo!

I've got to tell you guys, this tastes better than I expected. 

I think it's because I cut some of the sweetness of the ingredients with the strawberry cream cheese.

Not only it gave it texture where you can actually sink your fork in, but it also goes well with the blackberry preserves and Graham Cracker Crust!

Claire Justine oxox

It's Valentine's, It's O.k to have a little sugar rush to keep the Love Going!

After all everything tastes better with a spoonful of sweetness and a  Pinch of Love!

Also friends, remember the Red Cross needs your help, not only this Valentine's but everyday of the year, not only by donating blood or funds, but also you can volunteer your time assisting staff and donors on blood drives or perhaps encouraging other people to get involved and donate! Whatever it is your call, give the gift of life this February 14th!

Besitos,

Lizy

Bringing some Sweetness to these Fabulous Parties:
Rate the Plate Utah
Fireflies and Jellybeans
Chic on a Shoestring
My Turn (for us)
This and That
Rattlebridge Farm
Miss Information
Designed Decor
Sew-licious Home Decor
Pamela's Heavenly Treats
Life on Lakeshore Drive
Flamingo Toes
The Naptime Review
Pint Sized Baker
Kathe with an E
Ginger Snap Craft
Crazy for Crust