Last week when I made my Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble, I had a little of my precious rhubarb left over.  I didn’t have much, but I didn’t want to let it go unused.   I decided on this Sparkling Rhubarb Lemonade.   I just made a simple rhubarb syrup, added it to frozen lemonade and then finished it with lemon-lime soda to add the sparkle.  This Rhubarb Lemonade is a fun, easy, and maybe a little unexpected addition to any picnic or relaxing weekend.  Delicious with  Sloppy Joe Sliders,  Grilled Steak Sandwiches, or Caramelized Jalapeño Burgers.

Sparkling Rhubarb Lemonade

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup chopped rhubarb

1 1/2  cup water

3/4 cup sugar

1 ( 6 ounce ) can frozen pink lemonade

2 fresh lemons

16 -20 ounces lemon-lime soda

Directions

Bring the rhubarb, sugar and water to a boil.  Simmer 5-10 minutes.  Strain the mixture and discard the solids.  Add the frozen lemonade and the juice from one fresh lemon; chill until cold.  When ready to serve add the soda.  (You can add more water/soda depending on how tart/sweet you like it.)

Slice the remaining lemon for serving.  Pour lemonade over ice and add lemon slices.

Agua fresca is Spanish for “fresh water”.  All you need is fruit and a little agave or honey for a simple, healthy, and delicious change from soda!  You have to love the pure simplicity.  The secret is to just infuse water with fruit essence without turning it into a smoothie or slushy.

This light and refreshing drink popularized in Central America is perfect for your Cinco de Mayo celebration, or as a cool, all-natural drink to sip by the pool on hot summer days.

In addition, we recommend these favorites for your Cinco de Mayo celebration:

Honey Lime Enchiladas

Mexican Rice with Cotija Cheese

Fajitas

Fajita Style Quesadillas

Crockpot Fajita Tacos

Caramelized Jalapeño Burgers 

Tortilla Soup

Chipotle and Chocolate Chili

Chicken Taco Chili

Week Night Chili

Chipotle Black Bean Dip

Mexi-Corn Dip

Mango Pineapple Salsa

Restaurant Style Salsa

Guacamole

Black Bean Confetti Salad

Grilled Pineapple Sundae with Brown Sugar Lime Sauce

Coconut Bread

Brazilian Lemonade

Pineapple Smoothie

Mango Agua Fresca Recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients

1   ripe mango, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks

1 1/2  cup cold water

1/2  teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2  teaspoon agave nectar or honey, more or less to taste

Lime wedge and mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

In a blender, combine mango and water and blend until smooth. Pour through a strainer into ice-filled glasses. Stir in lime juice and agave. Garnish with lime and mint, and serve.

recipe from Whole Foods

My husband’s parents lived in the Philippines for a couple of years  as missionaries.  One of their favorite things there was the yellow mangos.  They would  tell about these amazing mangos and how much they missed them.  Then one day I went to Costco and there they were – yellow mangos or Ataúlfo.  Once we tried them, we knew why they loved them so much.  Of course we called to gloat about eating their mangos!  {Fortunately they were soon at their Costco also, and now at most all grocery stores.}

We love the Ataúlfo mangos and try to find as many ways to eat them as possible.   Slice them and squeeze a little fresh lime juice on them for a healthy treat; or add them to this delicious smoothie packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and all kinds of good stuff.

Speaking of fresh and delicious . . .  have you seen the new Fete des Fleurs line of vintage-inspired fashions at Shabby Apple?  Absolutely Yummy!  There is still time to enter our $100 Shabby Apple Giveaway!  Don’t miss out!

Mango Avocado Smoothie Recipe

1/2 cup chilled unsweetened coconut milk

1 ripe mango, sliced

1/2 avocado, sliced

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 teaspoon honey {more to taste}

1 cup ice

Blend until smooth.  Enjoy!

Find more smoothie recipes here

In the past month, I have traveled to Washington, Georgia, Denver and Utah- just returning home to Texas late last night.  I’ve been home a total of 7 days of the past 30 day – Phew!  {Now comes all the endless catching up . . . }

Don’t we always have times when life seems a little hetic . . . Here’s a fast and easy smoothie for busy mornings, an afternoon pick-me-up, or late-night snack.  This pineapple smoothie reminds me of the taste of frozen yogurt to satisfy that “I need something sweet” attack- yet we can feel good knowing pineapple is low-fat, is rich in fiber, and is packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.  Pinepple also contains manganese which helps build bones; and pineapple has bromelain that gives the fruit an anti-inflammatory benefit.

Busy day or any day, your family will love this smoothie; it’s two-ingredients easy!

Pineapple Smoothie Recipe

1 cup low-fat or non-fat vanilla yogurt

1 cup fresh pineapple chunks

6 ice cubes

Blend until smooth- enjoy!

recipe from Prevention

There is something so refreshing about January.  I finally got my Christmas traditions and memories all safely tucked away . . . now it’s cleaning, organizing, and looking forward to a new year of opportunities!

This Blueberry Agave Smoothie is a refreshing addition to your menu.  Whether it’s a fast and easy breakfast or a quick after-school snack, this smoothie will get you going.  It’s pack with protein, potassium,  and plenty of antioxidants.

Agave nectar (sometimes called syrup) comes from the agave plant and is sweeter than honey and sugar – so you can use less, which means fewer calories {yeah}.  You can find it near the honey in most grocery stores.

P.S.  If you want to go a little more green – just throw in a handful of spinach.

Blueberry Agave Low-fat Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1 ripe banana
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
2 teaspoonss light agave nectar (syrup)
1/2 cup ice

Directions

Process all the ingredients in blender until smooth.

Makes 1 serving (approx. 1 1/2 cup)