- Red Raspberry Smoothie -

Smoothies are the epitome of health food, apparently, and the nice thing about them is how versatile they are. You can have them with breakfast, as a snack, after a meal, or after every meal! Plus there are so many different flavors you can choose from. I prefer berry types. No green! I've had cherry smoothies, which are really delicious, but my favorite berry is the raspberry, so naturally.... Red Raspberry Smoothie! I also think putting a bit of lime in it wouldn't go amiss either. Maybe for another day...

Red Raspberry Smoothie

1/2 c. Water

1/2 c. Sugar

12 oz. frozen Raspberries

1 1/2 c. Vanilla Yogurt

Whipped Cream to top.

Directions:

To make a simple syrup, put the water and sugar together in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Stir with wooden spoon till the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes.

In a blender, add together the raspberries, yogurt, and simple syrup. Turn blender onto high till everything is blended together and brightly colored!

Pour into two tall glasses and top with dollops of whipped cream.

Enjoy!

- Three Chocolate Hot Chocolate -

Why hello Spring, when did you get here? Because according to our radar, it snowed on your first day. That's why I'm still pretending you don't exist and sipping hot chocolate!

True, in other areas of the States it might feel like Spring...maybe even Summer. But here in preppy little New England, we still have snow and temperatures in the 30s. Not that I'm complaining, though while I love warmer weather and shorts, it's not easy to pull off a convincing excuse for drinking hot chocolate in the Summer. So for all you looking to hold on to hot chocolate weather just a little bit longer, check out my three chocolate hot chocolate and try it out before the flip-flops come back!

Three Chocolate Hot Chocolate

2 c. Milk 2%
1/4 c. Whole Milk
2 Tbls. Heavy Cream
1/3 c. Milk Chocolate, finely chopped
1/3 c. Bittersweet Chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 c. Semisweet Chocolate, finely chopped
1 tsp. Vanilla
Whipped Cream

Directions:
In medium saucepan, whisk all ingredients, except the whipped cream, together over a medium heat, stirring most of the time, until the the chocolate is dissolved (this includes the chocolate flecks which hang around on the top for a while even after the chocolate has melted in), it takes about 10 minutes or so. Pour into mugs and finish off with a dollop of whipped cream. Serves 2. Enjoy!

- Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade -

Snow is everywhere here in New England, and since the snowboarding season, for me, is over, I find myself hankering for summer. What say's summer more than Lemonade? Umm...nothing. So deep into winter, with the snow falling just outside, I created my very own Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade. I'm really excited to share this one with you guys, since I am sure many of you are itching for some feeling of summer, like me. With much hurry, I furiously made this beverage and ran to the family room to snuggle up on the couch with my mom and sister to watch Downton Abbey and sip lemonade. Nothing more perfect.

Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

12 oz. bag Frozen Raspberries

3/4 cup Granulated Sugar

The juice of 4 Lemons

The juice or 1 Lime

2 liter Bottle Lemon-Lime Soda

1/2 cup Fresh Raspberries

Directions:

In medium saucepan over a medium heath, stir together the sugar and the 12 oz. of raspberries (I just threw them in frozen). Stir constantly with a wooden spoon for about 5 minutes, until it is all cooked down like a slush. 

In medium bowl (like for punch), pour in the lemon and lime juice. Strain the juice from the raspberry and sugar mixture into the lemon juice. Mix and press with wooden spoon until there is nothing left but the seeds and pulp. Add the lemon-lime soda. Add some ice cubes and then the fresh raspberries. Refrigerate for an hour until ready to serve. (Will serve about 12 give or take).

Enjoy!