Strawberry Shortcake Cocktail

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This cocktail is... so good, you'll never taste the alcohol. The combination of cake flavored vodka and sweet, fruit-flavored grenadine syrup will not disappoint. You'll feel like a cute little girl in a ruffled dress with ribbons in her hair... because, after all, drinking cocktails is just a grown up tea party, right?

Let's talk about alcohol. Why? Because it's Friday.

Okay, that was wrong of me. You don't have to drink on Fridays. In fact, I usually don't. But when I do, there are two versions of me. The first is very adventurous and bold. I'll try a drink that's very strong or a drink that tastes so strongly of whiskey that I'm proud of myself for simply finishing it.

The second is a little more picky. Because sometimes, you just don't want to deal with that look that crosses your face when it's a little too alcohol flavored. Sometimes, you just want your drink to taste damn good. Like heaven. Or Strawberry Shortcake.

And boom. We've come full circle.

Strawberry Shortcake Cocktail

Servings: 1 per recipe
Prep Time: 1 minute
Ingredients:

• Ice
• 1.5 oz Cake Flavored Vodka (Pinnacle)
• ~ 1 tbsp Grenadine
• ~ 1/2 cup Seltzer Water or Club Soda (Can substitute Champagne for a bit more bite)

Directions:

1. Fill cup with ice.
2. Add vodka and grenadine.
3. Pour seltzer water, club soda, or champagne over.
4. Add the cutest straw you can find :)

Mixed Berry Coconut Smoothie (And Wildberry Coconut Cocktail)

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I was sick as a dog last weekend. I'm not even sure what "sick as a dog" means, but whatever it is, I was it. Headache, throat ache, nasty cough bark, the whole sha bang.

So what'd I do? Darn right, I made myself a smoothie! My mom used to make fruit smoothies when I was sick so I "Pulled a Bonnie" and did the same.

Only a sick person has much less energy than her energizer bunny mom. So, I couldn't even think about combining lots of freshly cut up fruit. Enter frozen fruit, my best friend. And coconut milk, my other best friend. When combined, the two make a lovely child.

Note: This would be to die for with rum. Malibu is high in sugar but might be worth it if you like it sweet. Otherwise, stick with a light rum that is either normal flavored or berry flavored.

Mixed Berry Coconut Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Frozen Fruit (I used a bag of mixed berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries)
• 1/2 cup Coconut Milk
• Optional: 1 tablespoon Agave Nectar

Directions:

1. Combine in a blender and mix well. If the blender gets stuck and won't mix any further, add coconut milk in small increments until you are successful!
2. Serve!

Wildberry Coconut Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Frozen Fruit (I used a bag of mixed berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries)
• 1/2 cup Coconut Milk
• 1 1/2 shot, White Rum

Directions:

1. Combine in a blender and mix well. If the blender gets stuck and won't mix any further, add coconut milk in small increments until you are successful!
2. Serve!

Chocolate-Cheesecake Protein Yogurt (Pro-Yo?)

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The flavor of rich, delicate chocolate cheesecake. The texture of smooth frozen yogurt. The health benefits of protein powder. It's a triple threat. It will soothe your soul, delight your taste buds, and cool your body. What's not to love?

It's a hot one, folks! I'm one to make an extra stop at Chicago's frozen yogurt shops when the temperature climbs this high. 


But, as with everything in life, there's an equation for frozen yogurt procurement. Here's mine. Getting frozen yogurt from one of the local shops requires:

1. that the place be open -- which it often isn't, and that's just depressing...
2. that it not be pouring rain -- because God knows I'm not walking 8 blocks in the rain to get anything...
3. that I spend money -- which I hate to do...
4. that I spend calories -- which I also hate to do...

Most of your typical frozen yogurt shops are slightly deceiving. They not only give you so many topping options that it's easy to add at least a hundred calories in toppings alone... but they also tend to add a lot of sugar to the flavors they have. Trust me, friends, there's a reason it tastes so darn sweet.

At the end of the day, maybe you're trying to avoid paying. Maybe you're trying to avoid calories. Maybe you don't want to walk in the rain. Or maybe you're just too lazy to leave the house. But you know what? I've got you covered. Here's some Chocolate-Cheesecake Protein Yogurt. 

Let's start a new thing. Instead of Fro Yo, let's call it Pro Yo. Ya dig?

Chocolate-Cheesecake Protein Yogurt

Servings: 2 per recipe
Calories: 115 per serving
Ingredients:

• 1 cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt
• 1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
• Optional: Freshly sliced strawberries

Directions:

1. Combine yogurt and protein powder and mix well.
2. Top with strawberries.
3. Serve!

Fruit Infused Water... Chug it, baby, chug it!

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According to the Mayo Clinic, we need between 2.2-3 Liters of water per day (2.2 for women, 3 for men). On your average, regular day. Once you've factored in the summer heat (which is in the 90s lately), that goes up. If you work out every day, it also goes up. So I'm guessing I should be drinking around 2.5 Liters, as a ball park estimate.

That's a tough feat for me. I generally start my day with a delicious cup of coffee (and, in this heat, perhaps a cold brew... try it out!), then try to keep filling up my fabulous chevron cup from Holland. I draw myself 8 water drops on a piece of paper and try to color them in after every cup of water I consume. But sometimes... okay, a lot of times... I still miss the mark.

And when you're going on a two hour bike ride on a hot summer day, you sure as hell are gonna need to be hydrated.

But this summer, I've finally found my water drink of choice :) By adding some fruit to my water, I can very lightly flavor it. Somehow, this very light flavor manages to keep me coming back for more. I've been hitting the water mark every time.

Lemon & Berry Flavored Water

Calories: <5 per glass
Add To Large Water Pitcher:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced and squeezed
• 5 frozen raspberries
• 3 frozen blackberries
• 1 sliced fresh strawberry
• Ice!

Berry & Ginger Flavored Water

Calories: <5 per glass

Add To Large Water Pitcher:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced and squeezed
• 3 frozen raspberries
• 3 frozen blackberries
• 2 tsp freshly grated ginger
• (Optional: 1 tbsp Truvia or Sugar)
• Ice!

Lightly Flavored Strawberry Lemonade

Calories: <5 per flass

Add To Large Water Pitcher:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced and squeezed
• Juice from 1/2 lemon (the other half)
• 1/2 lime, sliced and squeezed
• 3 strawberries, sliced
• 1 tablespoon Truvia or Sugar
• Ice!

Notes:

• Frozen berries work better! Unlike most dishes, when fresh has more flavor, when it comes to dropping things in water, the frozen berries share their flavor more quickly than the fresh ones. I expect it's because they've already been squished, frozen, melted, etc so many times during their journey from their home to my home.
• These lightly flavored fruit drinks are delicious alongside summer fruits like berries and watermelon! They are also paired wonderfully with cheese.

Skinny Strawberry Almond Chocolate Trifle

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If you're having a huge dessert craving, this is for you. It is decadent, creamy, and rich... while still being low calorie. And you can trick your friends into eating it. They'll never guess it's low cal!

Time for dessert! You can make this in individual servings for yourself... or have them sitting out at your next cocktail party. I promise they will not disappoint.

P.S. Are you making one of these recipes? Send me a picture (via email or facebook!).

Strawberry Almond Chocolate Trifle

Servings: 6

Calories: 162

WW Points (Old): 3

WW PointsPlus: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Skim Milk
• 1 Box Jello Chocolate Mousse Mix
• 1/4 cup Coconut Flakes
• 10 strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup Sliced Almonds
• Whipped Cream (TruWhip is awesome), to taste (I used 2 tbsp per serving, or 12 tbsp per recipe)

Directions:

1. Combine chocolate mousse mix with 1 cup of skim milk and mix, using an electric mixer, on low for 30 seconds, then on high for 4 minutes.
2. Set mousse in the fridge to cool for 2 hours.
3. In individual wine glasses, begin with 2 spoonfulls of Chocolate Mousse. 
4. Add a layer of Coconut Flakes (or omit if you're not a fan!).
5. Add a layer of Strawberry slices.
6. Add a layer of Whipped Cream.
7. Add another layer of 2 spoonfulls of Chocolate Mousse.
8. Add a layer of Sliced Almonds.
9. Add a layer of Strawberry slices.
10. Add a layer of Coconut Flakes.
11. Add a layer of Whipped Cream and top with remaining Strawberries.

Just for shoots and giggles... how cute is this strawberry? It wants to kiss ya!

Skinny Strawberry Ginger Margarita

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This drink is... happy. Summertime. Sunny. Fun. The tequila offsets the sweet, sugary goodness of the fruit, leaving you with a very balanced palate (and able to drink more than one!). Perfectly refreshing for an afternoon in the sun!

Chicago weather is fairly dismal today. What happened to SUMMER?! A rain dance might bring rain, but this Strawberry Ginger Margarita brings sunshine. Guaranteed to work 60% of the time, all the time ;-)

Ingredients:

• 2 Strawberries (3 if you want one for garnishing)
• 1 tsp Ginger, grated
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Lime Juice
• 1/2 tsp Truvia (or other Sugar/Sugar Substitute)
• 1.5 oz Tequila
• 1 sprig Cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

1. Grate ginger. Use a peeler to peel the outside and then a cheese grater to grate about 1 tsp of fresh ginger. (1 Min Video on How To Prepare/Use Fresh Ginger)
2. Combine Strawberries, Ginger, Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, and Truvia (or sugar substitute) in a glass. Muddle well (a.k.a. mash that stuff up until it looks more like pulp than strawberries)
3. Add Tequila and mix well. Add ice cubes and stir.