coffee frap

my own knock-off of the spendy frappuccino. a great way to reuse your leftover pot of coffee from the morning.

6 coffee cubes*
1/4 C non-fat milk
1/4 C cold coffee
1/2 C vanilla ice cream
2 Tbsp chocolate syrup (optional)

add all ingredients into a blender. blend until completely incorporated. makes 1 grande size.

*use leftover coffee to make 'ice cubes'. save in a ziplock for fraps or to prevent diluting your iced coffees.

pico de gallo

my own creation to mimic the restaurant version.

3 roma tomatoes
1 sm white onion
1/2 jalepeno pepper
1/4 tsp chili pepper flakes
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 lime fresh squeezed
finely shredded cabbage (optional)

dice tomato, onion and pepper to small cubes. combine in a bowl. add spices and lime juice. toss thouroughly and evenly. let sit in the refridgerator for an hour, or overnight to blend flavors. serve with tortilla chips. add cabbage for added crunch and flavor.

make it a meal by serving it atop grilled chicken breast.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

this is a summer favorite i got from a friend years back and have adapted. you'll quickly fall in love with this recipies ease and adaptability.

green onions, sliced
chopped almonds
strawberries, sliced
baby spinach
grilled chicken, cooled (opt)

Dressing:
1/4C vegetable oil
1/4C sugar
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp worchestire sauce
dash paprika
2 tsp poppy seeds

Mix dressing together and toss with salad just prior to serving.

STARBUCKS banana walnut bread

Both my kids and I love this treat at the BUX, but it gets spendy when we all want a piece. Starbucks offered out this recipe so we can make it at home!

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 1/8 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp. buttermilk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
1/2 + 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

preheat oven to 325 degrees. grease a loaf pan and dust with flour.

blend together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. in seperate bowl, mix together the egg, sugar and vegetable oil until combined. add flour mix and when blended add the buttermilk, vanilla and mashed bananas and mix until combined.

fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and pour batter into prepared loaf pan. top batter with remaining 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts.

bake for 45-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before removing from pan.

chinese bbq pork

who doesn't love this stuff? who doesn't feel guilty taking the last piece at a party? this recipe allows you to eat it until hearts content...maybe even share some. it may seem a process to make but it is quite simple and will yield pleasurable results for all your hard work.

Step 1 - Marinade
Combine the following and marinate your meat in a gallon ziplock in the fridge for 12-48 hours.

1/4 C brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp Hoisin sauce
3/4 tsp chinese 5-spice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1/2 C white wine
2 Tbsp soy sauce
5-6 drops red food coloring (optional)
2 1/2lb pork loin, cut into 2x2x7in strips

Step 2 - BBQ
(I use a Weber charcoal grill & charcoal chimney)
Prepare coals until very hot & ready - approx 20min. Divide coals to each side of the grill. Set meat on rack, down the center of the grill, but not directly over any of the coals. Close the lid and allow coals to burn out - approx 1hr. Turn meat ONCE (lifting lid only once) at the 30min mark. At this time, I also close all grill vents.

After meat has slow-cooked for a total of 1 hour, remove from grill and let chill in the fridge.

Step 3 - Eat
Serve with hot chinese mustard, ketchup and sesame seeds.

a perfect smoothie

it took me awhile to get the perfect smoothie ratio. now that i have it, we whip up this tasty treat often. also great if kids are sick and need some nourishment. they love it and they get some vitamins too!

1 C juice (100% juice is best)
1 container of yogurt
1 banana
1 C frozen berries (or ice)

add all items to a blender with ice/frozen berries on bottom. blend until smooth. serve.
the possibilities of this smoothie are endless. try different juice & yogurt flavor combo or different berries. opt for a healthier version by using plain non-fat yogurt.

turtle treats

this is a great recipe to make with your kids, super quick and easy.

• mini muffin pan
• 16 pretzels
• single pack of rolo candies - cut horizontally in half
• 16-32 pieces of whole or half pecans

set your oven on broil and bring rack to lower third.

have your kid set a pretzel in each muffin cup and then have them set a cut ROLO on each pretzel, carmel side up.

place muffin tin under broiler for about a minute, or until the chocolate starts to get shiny.

remove from heat and, since pan is pretty hot, you'll want to be the one to top each candy with 1-2 pieces of pecans. press gently, otherwise you'll lose your chocolate to the muffin tin.

give them a few minutes to cool down then transfer to a plate.

stove-top granola

the quickest and easiest granola...good thing since I make it at least once a week.

• 3 C oats
• 1/3 C bran flakes
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/3 C butter
• 1/3 C brown sugar
• 2 tbsp honey
• cinnamon
• vanilla
• pinch of salt almonds (chopped or whole)
• raisins

pre-heat oven to 415 degrees.

heat oil in pan over med-high heat, add oats and bran flakes. stir until lightly mixed - approx 5 min. remove from heat onto a cookie sheet.

in same pan, melt butter. add brown sugar and honey until bubbly. add approx 1 tsp vanilla, salt and cinnamon to taste. stir until combined.

add oat & bran mix and almonds to the butter & sugar mix. stir until all ingredients are combined. remove from heat onto cookie sheet.

turn off oven before placing granola into the oven. let granola dry in the oven for approx 30 min. remove from oven and let cool. break up granola with a spatula, add raisins, and keep in airtight container.

add more oats (3 1/2 C) for lighter, less-sweet granola. less oats (2 1/2 C) for a larger clump, sweeter granola.