My Way, No. 27

*If you’re new to my blog, you may want to read this for info on what ‘My Way’ posts are all about. 🙂 *

— Hope you’ve had a lovely day! Several Adventures in Food to share with you. Last week, I had a day I wasn’t feeling so hot. All I could manage to eat was a thin slice of a toasted bagel. I was looking over the Healthy Snacks Under 200 Calories post and thought the mango-lime sorbet sounded like something I could handle. I added a wee bit o’ rum (to keep it from freezing too hard), some red chile, and key lime zest. I tried to make it look tropical to cheer myself up. That’s also the reason you may see plates/dishes beyond my plain white on this blog — oftentimes, different serving wares give me a boost in mood. Perhaps this is why I have a hard time not buying every other set of dishes, glasses, silverware, etc., that I see, haha. I do love just the ordinary white plates, though, too — très simple.

What are your go-to meals when you have a ton of veggies (besides just eating them raw and unadorned)? I think pasta or salads come to mind first for me, also stir-fries, soups, stews, sandwiches/toast, and curries. A few weeks ago, I had potatoes that needed to be used, so I made these Mustard Seed-Potato Curry Lettuce Tacos: potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, garlic, quartered shallots, fresh coconut milk, apple, raisins, cilantro, lemon, yellow mustard seeds, and a blend of curry spices. Homemade Greek-style yogurt to top them off. They were very satisfying.

2 more dishes with potatoes: Grilled Summer Salad w/ Queso Fresco & Potato Croutons. My initial craving when composing this salad was raw squash, potatoes and grilled corn. I added to it a bit with spring mix, grilled asparagus & peppers, and roasted tomatoes. I used the queso recipe from this post, but with skim milk. I made a quick cilantro dressing and squeezed the charred limes over the top. Really delicious. I decided to add about a 1/4 cup more corn after I snapped the pic.

Gazing at the Healthy Snacks post, I also decided to make the Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites (simple and tasty!) and Skinny Pizza Potato Skins:

The pizza skins in the post were pepperoni, but I usually prefer veggie pizza. I made these on the spur of the moment, so I had to whip up my short-cut pizza sauce. I took the pic pre-oven as I was starved & knew a post-oven pic would delay my eating (toaster or convection ovens are a great option here). Toppings were sautéed squash & kale, caramelized onion, marinated artichoke, and the queso. Instead of cutting the potato in half, I just cut small rounds. I think I’ll go with the halves (as indicated in the recipe) next time. The small rounds were difficult to get enough of the toppings on. But, I think they would be fab party apps. These really hit the spot, and I will be making them again for sure.

I’m finding so many ways to use the homemade yogurt! I slathered a bit on a piece of fish for a pistachio crust:

I enjoyed this particular meal so much, I made it 2 days in a row. I had a flashback to culinary school (way back in the day) the first preparation. During one class, the chef instructor decided that I should be the ‘chosen one’ to filet a sturgeon. I just recall that it was HUGE — almost as big as I am, haha! Plums (raw) are a fruit that I have to be in the mood to have. Grilled, though, I could eat them every day. I served the fish with a berry-shallot relish, and a baby chard, spin, kale salad w/ berries, sunflower seeds, and a berry vin. For the most part, when I mention I made a vin on this blog, it doesn’t have as much oil as many recipes call for. I usually find some other flavor-packed liquid to sub & punch it up with other herbs, spices, etc. Oil, of course, has a certain mouth-feel and balancing quality, so I try to find things comparable. Also pic’d is a petite rosemary baguette (used this technique w/ my food processor) and rosemary tea. Just hot water & fresh rosemary. One of my fave comforting teas. Yes, it’s hot outside! But, there’s A/C inside, and I always prefer hot tea to cold when I can have it.

Last item for today: I finally had a bit of chicken, so I was able to make the grilled chicken with the Turkish spices. I used the same honey & balsamic mixture as the chickpeas. Yums! The Turkish spices were also great on home fries. I was inspired by the Grilled Chicken Caesar Skewers with Kale Pesto, as well. I used the same lemony-buttermilk Caesar dressing as in this post, and a baby chard, spin, kale, sunflower seed pesto. As with vinaigrettes, I usually lighten up my pestos by using less cheese & nuts and replacing some of the oil with stock. I might also add in some other wacky ingredients. Other skewers pic’d here are pomegranate molasses-mint, and homemade Italian dressing.

— Went to my friend’s fashion conference last week and all was grand. There was an Arabian horse show, as well as jewelry, accessories, and clothing galore. There are 3 class “break-out” sessions, so I chose to attend the Latin dance class the first session. It was SO fun, but I really should have come prepared with a workout outfit (instead of my vintage frock). There were also hula dancers for entertainment:

If someone can turn Latin dance into a fitness trend, I think the next one should be hula. It looks like it would be a blast.

This year, there was an award given for ‘Best Dressed,’ and one dress that had many of us “oohing and ahhhing” was this:
Sakura | Henkaa.com.

It’s a convertible dress by Henkaa. This style is called Sakura, but they have several other styles available. You choose your length and color, and they also have additional accessories to coordinate. I think the young lady demo-ing the dress said there were as many as 60 style possibilities. Now, that’s what I call a SQUEAL DEAL! Make sure to check out the website! *Edit: Here is a direct link to the young lady’s personal page for the Henkaa dresses. FYI, you can also host a style shoppe and earn 1/2 OFF items, as well as rewards dollars to spend on items from Henkaa. Awesome!*

I barely snapped ANY conference pics this year, but here are a couple of things I found interesting:

Rolling bag & the black fringe bag next to it

Handmade jewelry

I like these flowy prints (will Hello Kitty ever stop being so popular? I think not, lol).

— 67 Homemade, All-Natural Cleaning Recipes.

— And, I thought a cutting board is a cutting board is a cutting board. After seeing some of these beauties, I might have developed a new culinary product love. Why do people have to tempt you? Fabulous cutting boards and other kitchen goodies here (several items on sale & have a peek at the accompanying food blog while you’re there):
Products – Bowl & Pitcher

— Upcycled Furniture / awesome ideas! | Decorating Ideas | Pinterest.

— Today’s good eats: 
Impressive Date Night Desserts: Raspberry Souffle With Framboise Liqueur | cravelocal.com. 

52 Herbal Tea Recipes | adelightfulhome.com. Enjoy them hot or cold!

Seafood Lasagna Recipe For The Seafood Lovers | Taste the Food and Fruit.

Fermented Food for Kids: A Guide with Kid-Friendly Recipes | fearlesseating.net.

 Baked Mediterranean Fish | texies.co.za Easy Peasy

Salted Chocolate + Caramel Ice Cream Cake | Coley Cooks.

Cherry Tomato Sauce | frogsinmykitchen.com.

Ginger Sweet Potato Juice | Natural Thrifty.

Blackberry Gin Fizz Float | browneyedbaker.com.

‘Til next time!

My Way, No. 26

*If you’re new to my blog, you may want to read this for info on what ‘My Way’ posts are all about. 🙂 *

— How to Create a Work Wardrobe on a Budget. Did you enjoy the Stitch Fix clothing site? The young lady who started the trend among the cohorts recently told me she feels most comfortable in a skirt at work. I replied that (in an office setting), I feel most comfortable in a skirt suit. She said she thought people would laugh at her if she wore a suit. Professional dress for the office has always been important to me, and this blog post gives a few tips on working it on a budget. A while back, I managed a non-profit women’s business clothing boutique (one of many roles in a large organization). Those looking for professional interview and work wear were able to receive several outfits, accessories, a handbag, shoes, and toiletries to jumpstart their careers. It was really one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. Many women in the community donated clothing for this venture, as well as several large mall clothing stores (Big THANKS to those who give back!). You might look for similar organizations within your community (for men or women). Donations of this kind are so appreciated by those who receive them. I would always tell the clients my ‘first job’ story (a short-lived job, as the business closed a month after I started): I was informed by the assistant manager that the general manager chose me (over those with experience, resumes, etc.) because I “looked better” than the other applicants. That statement has never left my thinking in professional environments. Maybe I’m stretching, but I really believe I have received several positions and promotions based on professional appearance. For many positions, I had neither experience nor education. There was the time, though, I think I was hired because I told the interviewer I liked her hair. I wasn’t qualified at all. Her face just lit up, and I got the job, haha!

— As I mentioned in my post World Mental Health Day, 2014 & NAMI Multi-Cultural Action Center, July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Look for another edition of my Mental Health Series soon. Previous installments can be found under the category of Health on my blog menu (click on the 3 lines at the top right-hand corner of the screen to view the menu).

— Today’s Adventures in Food (I may get back to WhirlwinDISH posts sometime soon): Encouraged by my Healthy Appetizers Post, I gave a few more lighter bites a try this past week. Nothing fancy, just some standard-type apps. I don’t know that I would deem my nibbles health-y, but perhaps health-ier or light-er than what I could have had (in sat fat, trans fat, calories, salt, sugar, whatever the new latest thing we are not supposed to have is, etc, lol). I saw a recipe listed from that roundup for Teriyaki Turkey Bites, and that sounded smashing. I whipped up a quick kitchen sink-teriyaki with orange zest. I used very finely ground turkey (which you can do with a food processor), garlic, onion, s&p, brown rice flour, and my homemade non-fat yogurt. I baked them off, then gave them a good roll around in the sauce reduction. Finished with a bit more orange zest. These were absolutely fabulous — melt in your mouth tender. And, I used wonton wrappers for an eggroll type filling — shredded Brussels, carrots, leeks, salmon, fresh ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Wonton wrappers are a quick, easy portion control vehicle for any number of fillings. You can do breakfast burrito-type filings, ravioli, fruit, all kinds of meats or veggies, potatoes (like pierogies)…so many possibilities. They are usually only 15-20 calories per wrapper. I just gave them a Misto of oil and baked until golden. Along with a pot of goji berry green tea, I was in petite food heaven.

I also made these Honey-Balsamic Turkish Chickpea Mini Pitas:

My mom had a Turkish spice blend from Penzeys’ Spices that I wanted to try on grilled chicken. Lacking chicken again, lol, I came up with these mini-pitas instead. (I also saw a Grilled Chicken Caesar Skewers with Kale Pesto recipe on the Apps post I would like to try. Yums!) Penzeys’ has several U.S. locations, so you might try locating one in your area. If you are unable to find one, you might try online or mail orders. I know many of you make your own blends, but some of you may not. I make many of my own, but I also use blends that others have put together. I know folks in remote and rural areas appreciate the handiness of mail deliveries! Penzeys’ has some wonderful blends, as well as single spices and herbs available. I love receiving their catalouge every month. They feature wonderful down-home recipes, and the business owner always writes such nice letters. He seems a socially conscious/responsible sort. I relayed that to one of the store employees, and she said, “Everyone says he’s really like that. Very kind, transparent…what you see is what you get.” That makes me feel good about shopping there. The employees are there to build relationships, not just sell merchandise. I think if you care about people, the rewards will eventually come. Anyway……..about these pitas: I made the bread the same way I did in my Making Yeast Bread Doughs with a Food Processor post, subbing non-fat yogurt for oil. They were about 3 inches across. I stuffed them with a bit of homemade yogurt cheese, carrots, lettuce, tomato, and cukes. I’ve found I do not have to simmer the chickpeas for an hour or so if I soak them overnight. Once soaked, I just season them (this time with balsamic vin, honey, spritz of oil, and the Turkish spices) and roast. Major time-saver!

There was also a spinach-artichoke dip in the Healthy Apps post that could be made low fat or fat-free. I made mine with yogurt cheese, light mayo, s&p, romano, marinated artichokes, beet greens from the freezer, garlic chives, scallions, and capers. I thought the beet greens would turn the dip pink, but miraculously, they did not bleed all that much. I had them frozen for smoothies, but I figured they would suffice for this recipe. I cut up some of the mini-pitas for chips and sprinkled them with my own smoked salt za’atar blend. My dip portion control tip: spoon a bit of dip onto your plate vs. dunking it into a huge bowl (or, use a shot glass like I did in this post). I have an all-in-one measuring spoon to carry to restaurants, etc. You’d be surprised how much less you use if you consciously portion it beforehand. Or, better yet…skip the dip if it’s not absolutely necessary for you to enjoy the app. Some people (my mother!) and restaurants ladle in vast amounts of oil, cream, or butter for dips and sauces, so just be aware.

To end today’s adventures, something sweet: Chunky Dark Chocolate-Covered Granola Bites. I absolutely love that low cal granola recipe I posted several months back, and I often keep that in mind when preparing granola/protein bars. I love to carry snack bars with me when I’m out. Sometimes, I forget, though, and have to grab a Clif Bar. I made these as more of a small bite for when the sweet tooth strikes. Even though they have some healthier ingredients, I don’t try to fool myself — they are really just a small chocolate candy bar, lol. I made a base batch, then divided them into several flavors: oats, oat flour, flax meal, wheat germ, a vegan meal replacement protein powder, non-fat yogurt, pepita seed butter (made with a food processor), toasted teff, quinoa, black sesame, and amaranth (nice crunch from this combo!), vanilla, pinch of salt, and honey. I wanted to use dates or date syrup for this, but I ran out. So, I subbed honey, and they were fab. The chunky add-ins were: goji berries, almonds, cacao nibs, and toasted sesame. I planned on a chile version, as well, but forgot. My fave was the sesame. I really savor the flavors of sesame and chocolate. Even without the chocolate, this was one of my favorite granolas I’ve made over the years. I’m glad I have this blog to keep my memories!

— While taking yoga instructor classes, I met a terrific young lady DIYer. She made all sorts of things like flip flops from recycled tires and homemade sunblock. As the heat goes on (and on), I thought I would share this natural sunscreen (no parabens or undesirables) post: 3 Natural Sunscreen Recipes to Make at Home for Cheap | treehugger.com.

— Gatsby Inspired Hair Accessories | fashionlady.in.

— What you can do with rocks and stones!

Chanticleer Part 2: Garden Seating | CAROLYN’S SHADE GARDENS

Creative Stacked Stone Wall Ideas | goodhomedesign.com. Love the re-purposed wine bottles one.

— Featured Recipes:
Salt Cod Croquettes | finedininglovers.com.

Mango Raspberry Jelly with Pomegranate and Chia Seeds | noGuilt Nutrition.

10 Ricette Vegane con la Papaya | ecco.it.

Muhammara and Cucumber Bites | phamfatale.com.

Grilled Carrot & Walnut Salad with Carrot Top Pesto | Dishing Up the Dirt. This is a farmer’s blog. Read their posts on the trials (like deer consuming some of their crops 😦 ), tribs, and triumphs of working the land. It’s really interesting. Then, make this salad.

Mushroom, Onion, and Stout Grilled Cheese Sandwiches | floatingkitchen.net.

Earl Grey Caramels | Patisserie Makes Perfect.

Pineapple, Raspberry, and Peach Sangria Blanca | cookswithcocktails.com.

Take care! ‘Til next time!

Baking Substitutions & How to Make Healthy Muffins from Scratch

How To Make Healthy Muffins from Scratch | Easy Healthy Recipes | simplenourishedliving.com.

It’s been a long while since I’ve purchased whole wheat pastry flour. I had no idea what I would use it for, but I figured it’s a useful pantry item. I thought about making a cake (which I rarely do from scratch), then cupcakes, then savory muffins. Ultimately, I did decide on muffins, but went with a just barely sweet version. I kept searching for healthier versions of muffins, and then specifically searched for lower calorie, whole wheat, or butter-free options (trying to keep it butter-free these days 😦 ). Finally, I went with an older recipe my mom had for basic whole wheat muffins. I needed to make a few substitutions for what I had in mind, though. I wanted to share the above blog post as it gives baking substitutions and great tips concerning what to do (and not do) to create wholesome, nourishing muffins. A couple other links you may find helpful:

Ingredient Substitution Table

Substitution List for Baking

And, this link gave me a good look at the scientific breakdown of cooking without butter: Dairy-Free Cooking. Make sure to check the included link listing specific dairy-free butter alternatives.

These links helped me determine the best course to take with my substitutions. Whole wheat pastry flour for whole wheat, 1/2 homemade skim buttermilk & 1/2 homemade non-fat yogurt for milk, 1/2 mango puree & 1/2 orange puree for oil, and maple for sugar. I separated the egg and folded the whipped white in at the end (as tipped in the last link), also adding orange zest and a tiny bit of vanilla. I know that’s a lot, lol 😀 . The zest really made the muffins pop. The sugar called for in the recipe was very minimal, and that was fine by me. I initially wanted a savory muffin, anyway, I just thought the fruit puree would be nice. I thought about dates or more mango/orange to replace the white sugar, but went with maple instead. Next time, I might replace the oil with a veggie puree (sweet potato, even?). So, with all that, I ended up with Whole Wheat Toasted Sesame Mango-Mandarin Muffins. Pic:

These are fab to take-with, and there was not much textural difference from the whole wheat pastry flour in comparison to AP flour. The blog posts were very handy indeed!

Blueberry muffins are popular, for sure, so I wanted to leave you with a recipe I came across in my search:

Vegan Whole Wheat Banana Blueberry Muffins | lowfatveganchef.com.

Have a great day, and I hope these links are of some use to some of you!

My Way, No. 11

*If you’re new to my blog, you may want to read this for info on what ‘My Way’ posts are all about. 🙂 *

— Has one of your New Year’s Resolutions been to get more organized? I am going to make this ‘minimalist-chic’ entryway organizer. Crafted from a simple wood frame & bungee cords, it’s one of the easiest and most practical projects I’ve seen. As I have a few days to myself, I’m doing a lot of clearing out and re-organizing of things right now. How do you collect so much stuff? I err on the side of ‘pitch it, donate it, or give it to an unsuspecting friend or relative ;)’ if I think an item has fulfilled its purpose in my life. This comes from previously living with a roommate and relatives with “stuff” in every nook they can find — they cannot have an inch of unused space anywhere. I do have a tendency to collect way too many kitchen pieces, though…gadgets, glasses, dishes, etc. Sometimes, I have to force myself to not purchase them. And, speaking of the kitchen, take a look at this link with 50 Clever Ways to Organize Your Pots and Pans.

— The Detox Drinks have been a hit! Since the last ‘My Way‘ post, I’ve also prepared the Natural Daily Detox Remedy, Beet Juice Smoothie, Mango Ginger Lemonade, Detox Smoothie w/ Pineapple, Spinach, & Ginger, Citrus & Green Tea Smoothie (very grapefruit-y, so you’ll have to love grapefruit), Grapefruit-Cado Sunrise Smoothie, and the Detox Beet and Carrot Smoothie. I left the beets and carrots raw in the beet/carrot smoothie instead of steaming them. I added a good handful of cranberries, a 1/4 of a lime, and a tsp. of sweetener, as well. Delish! I realized the Cranberry Pomegranate Detox Juice I linked to from another site is the same as the Red and Green Festive Cocktail on my original post. So far my faves have been the pineapple-spinach-ginger (just needs a little rum — teasing 😉 ), and the Grapefruit-Cado (I added just a little extra banana).

— EATS & DRINKS: Homemade Chili-Garlic Paste, Lentil Meatballs with Lemony Pesto, Cinnamon Whole Grain Power Pancakes, Philly Cheesesteak Stew, Grilled Lobster Tails with Sriracha Butter, Cinnamon-Orange Animal Crackers, Harvest Apple Sangria with Bourbon and Thyme, Nutty Florentine Bars. Also, I want to make a batch of granola bars soon, so I found these low cal treats: Low Cal Almond-Raisin Granola Bars & Low-Fat Banana Pecan Cranberry Granola Bars. I usually do not use a recipe for granola bars, but I wanted to try to control the portions and cal count. There’s not a lot of sense in eating something supposedly healthy if it’s going to have 500 calories per serving, lol.

— I updated my blogroll and photo gallery.

— As you know, I have a series of posts on mental health. I will try to post another installment soon, but I like to take the opportunity to share a few related articles here. I found this quite heart-breaking: http://atlantablackstar.com/2015/01/11/racial-discrimination-behind-high-suicide-rates-young-black-men-proving-dire-need-combat-stigma-depression/

— I would like to do another WhirlwinDISH post soon, too, but my meals have pretty much been the detox smoothies, salads, bagel sandwiches, and the salmon-Thai coconut soup recipe collision. I saw a recipe for a Salade Niçoise Wrap, so I started craving Niçoise. I put together a simple one with cold roasted veggies and a light vinaigrette. Besides just lettuce and tomato, Niçoise was the first type of salad I ever prepared. It is the reason for my love of cold, salty potatoes.

Pic’d: boiled eggs, roasted turnips, boiled Peruvian potatoes, roasted white asparagus, roasted red bells, roasted golden beets, radishes, roasted rutabagas, grilled marinated artichokes, tuna, toasted walnuts, capers, and black olives. I have never been able to get used to the color of purple potatoes. They came in a mixed bag, and it was the sole boiled potato in the fridge. I subbed asparagus for my normal haricots verts. I need to pick up anchovies, so I had to make-do without them. I added the walnuts because I read they are terrific in upping your serotonin levels.
After posting about How to Eat in Europe on a Budget, I saw a perfect picnic opportunity. What do you do when you have a few days to yourself? Have a “girly” day: an indoor picnic for one, pretend you are in Europe & put on your Maurice Chevalier records, soak in a bubble bath (Homemade Bubble Baths), give yourself a facial (10 Homemade Facial Scrubs), bubbling water spa pedicure, warm hand wax and manicure, deep condition your hair (Homemade Deep Conditioner and Hot Oil Treatment), don your best fluffy ‘hotel-style’ robe and slippers, and turn on your heated back and neck massagers. My picnic included a sandwich inspired by the Pan Bagnat I posted several months back. I stuffed a round mini-loaf with all the same Niçoise toppings except the turnips, rutabagas, and walnuts. I also added a little avocado and raw green bell pepper. Guess what I used for the bread? The bagel recipe, of course! I know you probably think I’m going a little too far with the reshaping the bagels, haha. That super-quick bagel recipe, though, is the next best thing for me since (well, it is sliced bread, so that analogy won’t work)…since Noosa Honey Yogurt, I guess.

And, as I am keeping it alcohol-free for a couple of weeks, I made myself a little kicked up green tea in a flask (it helps with the illusion 😉 ): Green tea, honey, ginger, lemon juice, lemon zest, & red chiles. Who needs bourbon when it’s this good? A set of 2 of these flasks in a nice leather bag came by way of a very good family friend. We lost touch with him for years, and through very miraculous and random circumstances found him again. Anyway, I have him to thank for this lovely picnic memory. I cherished a few pear slices and some sugar & spice frozen cranberries (raw sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves). After the Holidays, I always keep craving cranberry sauce, so this satisfied my need. I think I could eat a whole cup or two in one sitting, I love it so much. A lot less damage this way, with probably less than a 1/4 tsp. of sugar.

— Scroll down to see this wicked decent DIY Zipper Cuff Bracelet and also check out this DIY Gold Hinge and Chain Bracelet.

— Article: Why Are So Many Drinks Flavored with Honey? Because it’s yummy??? I received honeyed bourbon as a Holiday gift. Yums. This article also includes comparisons between honey, agave, xylitol, and stevia. What about maple? Maple bourbon is good, too. Scratch my earlier statement about the green tea…maple bourbon might be all the world ever needed.

‘Til we meet again!

Recipes: Labor Day

Port Wine Sliders with Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions  

I went back and forth about rounding up Labor Day recipes to post, but I finally made a decision to go for it. I hope everyone reading in the States has a fine, long, relaxing holiday weekend. Best wishes to all others reading as well!

Many of the blogs I have had the chance to read have started to talk about the weather getting cooler and getting ready for the fall season. It is a sunshine-filled 100 degrees today in Tucson, Arizona, USA!!! I just wanted to make you jealous 😉 .

So, onto the fooooood…If calories were not an issue, I would be making ALL of these. There are so many fab dishes to choose from, but I only had time to look at so many. See my earlier post for ‘Red, White, and Blue’ dishes from the 4^th of July and food blogs listed on my blogroll to get more great ideas.

Lamb Sliders with Feta, Red Onion, and Cumin Mayo – I love lamb, and this sounds like a delicious alternative to ground beef burgers.

Homemade Pretzel Dogs – I have wanted to make these for a while. This is a Kosher recipe, so it’s doubly good.

Grilled Graffiti Eggplant – I posted this on my previous blog, but I forgot to re-post it on this one. So Good! Eggplant is one of my very favorite things. I recently had it at a restaurant so differently than I am used to…I think it might be my new favorite eggplant dish. More on that another time…

Slow Cooker Saag Aloo – Awesome! You can just throw this in the slow cooker and get to the rest of your food prep.

Cherry and Wild Rice Salad with Mango Vinaigrette – This looks lovely and is perfect for a picnic, but I think it would be just as nice for a formal lunch or dinner.

Cranberry-Lime Coconut Macaroons – You know what I will be doing with some of the fresh coconut I dried. Yum!

Homemade S’mores – If you are already outdoors grilling, might as well throw some marshmallows on the barbie.

Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream – No machine needed!

English Garden Cocktail – The gin used in this recipe may only be available in England. I’m not sure. I’m sure you can substitute another fine spirit, though. Also, make sure you read the note about the gin being export strength.

Shirley Temple – A favorite!!! This recipe is a gorgeous version, and I think it would work nicely in a punch bowl or glass pitcher.

Again, I hope you all have a fabulous Labor Day weekend, and I hope you enjoy these recipe selections.