As summer arrives with it’s oppressive temperatures, beat the heat by staying well hydrated. Water is the better beverage choice for staying hydrated, but plain water can get boring. Try these fun and healthy drinks to stay well hydrated at the pool, in the backyard or wherever the summer takes you. Strawberry-Basil Water Infused waters […]
I have to admit, I’ve been enjoying this mildly warm summer. On the news last night, they were discussing how we’ve only managed to reach 90 degrees in New York City three times this summer, with a huge headline flashed across the screen saying, “Where’s summer?” They went on to mention how the farmer’s almanac was […]
If you’re familiar with my site at all, you’ve probably heard me mention My Morning Smoothie about a dozen times at least. It’s a staple in my new whole foods lifestyle and the most important one at that. And for the past 8 months I haven’t strayed from that recipe- until now. I don’t know why or really […]
Find yourself needing a vitamin boost? Below are the recipes and directions of my five signature colour-free, sugar-free and bpa plastic free alkaline vitamin waters. Enjoy these combinations or get inspired to make your own!! It simple, cheap and easy way to get your vitamins in a delicious and hydrating way. *Note, these combinations still […]
If you’re craving a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone or a box of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies, blend up this smoothie recipe from Julianne Hough instead. Just like these classic treats, her smoothie offers the classic blend of mint and chocolate you’re craving but can easily stand in for a healthy breakfast! Greek yogurt […]
It’s so easy to use my Vitamix to make smoothies. Lots and lots of yummy fruity goodness. So I stepped outside of the box. A little bit. I still used fruit, but I told myself I had to make something else, despite the fact that there are THOUSANDS of different smoothie combinations. So I made […]
I drink this every. single. morning. It is officially a habit I refuse to break. More addicting than coffee. Okay, now I’m just sounding crazy… but I swear I’m not. Green smoothies are where it’s at, I’m tellin’ ya. I fully believe that my new morning ritual is 99% responsible for the success of my […]
Unlike many sangrias, this one is designed to showcase the wine, not cover it up. Made with Cline Cellar’s Cool Climate Chardonnay, this sangria is crisp and refreshing. I added basil to this recipe for a few reasons but mostly to give the drink a clean finish. And unlike most sangria, where the recipe […]
You’re gonna want to put your mouth on this, trust me. Yah, yah… that’s what she said; got it. But seriously, this jalapeno lemonade is spicy, tart and refreshing, making it perfect for the up and coming warm weather. Ingredients 8 Lemons 8 Limes 3 Cups Sugar 5 Cups Water 5 Jalapeño Peppers Yield: 8 servings […]
If I were to become as committed to the world of drinks as the universe of food, I’d choose to obsess over cocktails. I don’t have the encyclopedic memory needed to become an expert in wine. I’ll drink pretty much any beer from Bud to double bocks, which makes me far too un-picky to be a […]
I’m all about taking a shortcut in the kitchen every now and then – and that is exactly what this Basil Vinaigrette allows me to do! It’s my go-to dressing for all of my favorite summer meals and you’ll be seeing it make an appearance in a few recipes over the next several weeks. I whip […]
Gosh! There is just so much to talk about today. So let’s make a list. I’m really good at making lists. Sometimes I make lists just to make another list. Clearly I’m special. 1: It’s Mothers Day this weekend. And I’m wish my mom and all the other moms out there a very very special […]
Growing up, I wasn’t the biggest fan of cranberries. Every now and then I ate that jiggly dessert we Americans call cranberry sauce, but it wasn’t until my cousin Kathryn introduced me to real cranberries that I fell in love. Thanks, Kath! I’ve been on a bit of a shrub kick lately. You are probably […]
Rhubarb Gimlet The sweet-tart tang (and gorgeous rosy hue!) of this farm-to-highball cocktail comes from a simple DIY rhubarb syrup. Store leftover syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Better yet, double the syrup recipe and keep it on hand for homemade happy hours all month long! Ingredients3 stalks rhubarb, […]
For me, margaritas are a summertime staple. Having a warm day, chased with bright citrus fruit and tequila, all in a salt-rimmed glass is just one of my favorite things. That said, I also love seasonal margaritas, like this roasted grapefruit and habanero margarita. Instead of being tart as one would expect from a grapefruit-based […]
These decadent looking Skinny Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits are deceptively light compared to traditional cheesecake – the secret ingredients in this recipe are low-fat cottage cheese and non-fat Greek yogurt. As most of you know, I don’t make a lot of sweets, but when I do, I try to lighten them up a bit. My boys love cheesecake, so […]
When it’s not enough to braise the roast, simply splatter some hot oil. And when polka dot burns on your face aren’t enough, grab the hot part of the pan for the win. Short story: I burned my hand today. So I decided to blog something cold. It just felt right. You could make a […]
Serves 8 Made with sweet, juicy cherries and tart lime juice, this icy refresher is hard to resist on hot summer days. Ingredients: 1 1/2 pound cherries (about 6 cups), pitted, divided 1 cup sugar 3/4 cup lime juice, plus 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest Sparkling water (optional) 1 lime, cut into wedges Method: […]
Sometimes it’s just really hard to let go of summer and embrace fall. Life gets busier, the weather gets colder, and there is a lot less sangria to be had. But, fear not! Today’s recipe will help you embrace the flavors of fall but still give you the light, fruity freshness of summer. It’s the […]
Have a healthy dinner ready in 20 minutes! These low-fat, low-calorie healthy dinner recipes are perfect for busy nights. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Makes: 4 servings Ingredients 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves 3 garlic cloves 1 teaspoon salt 1 […]
If you don’t have at least a few friends with unusual dietary restrictions, I say you need more friends. Every time I have people over for a meal, I take a running tally of their food preferences and intolerances. I think it’s fun! I love cooking for people with food allergies. I love showing them […]
You know what my problem is? I make absolutely no sense sometimes. Seriously, it’s becoming problematic—or maybe it has been and I’ve been unaware. Just what am I talking about? Take a look at the pictures. I finally start to become proficient with shooting food and I decide to throw body parts in the mix. […]
Friends, I have been eagerly awaiting the day that I could share this recipe with you. It is hands down the recipe I am most excited about this month! No really! Even more than all the desserts (even the cheesecakes) I’ve shared, I am absolutely smitten with this drink! You simply must make it. Promise me this. This […]
I’m pretty sure you worked super hard this week. You deserve me. I’m cold and icy and refreshing and filled with tequila. It’s probably like… 160 degrees where you live right? See… now you really need me. I’m nothing like those sugary sweet fake-tasting strawberry margaritas. I’m just a classic margarita with some fresh strawberry […]
Hooray, it’s Friday! The weather may be a bit chilly for my liking but this Dragonfruit Margarita is tropical enough to warm things right up. I’m sharing my recipe for this refreshing and slightly floral cocktail today onStyle Me Pretty Living as well as my thoughts on spring versus summer margaritas. Now back to that wild […]
Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner and in celebration of the upcoming festivities, Ashley has mixed up a gorgeous grapefruit margarita recipe that just might be the best thing you’ve ever tasted! While margaritas are an obvious cocktail for a Mexican fiesta, fresh grapefruit juice gives this fan-favorite drink an unexpected twist. The […]
When I look back in time I see the bread crumbs leading me to put cyber pen to paper about my love for food and drink. Looking through travel photo albums, I’ll find a random cocktail photo or a plate of food I snapped ; something that just caught my eye for the color, texture and […]
You know that scene in the movie Practical Magic where Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman dance around the kitchen drinking margaritas with their aunts? “She put de lime in de coconut, she drank dem bot up”. It’s impossible to make this drink and not have that song going through your head (especially now that I […]
Call me suckered, hoodwinked, or duped. I believe in magic potions. A man hawking small bottles of potion, proclaiming outlandish results. Out of curiosity, I skeptically try the potion. A few shakes in a cocktail drink. A cocktail I am very familiar with, but with a mere few dashes of this elixir it became something […]
It’s been a painful few weeks, but I’ve finally come to accept that my 49ers aren’t in the Superbowl (it sure took me long enough). Now that I’m not listening to sports radio or football podcasts, I found time to make this ridiculously delicious pitcher of blood orange margaritas. Whenever blood oranges are in season […]