Healthy Orange Bubbly With Cherry - Drink Recipe

Here is another healthyish drink recipe making use of my obsession with sparkling water. 

Ingredients:
Crushed Ice
Orange Juice (1/3 Cup)
Maraschino Cherries
Your favorite overpriced carbonated mineral water

Directions:
Fill your glass halfway up with crushed ice.  Pour orange juice in the bottom.  Fill your glass with sparkling mineral water.   I usually go for a pint sized glass.  Dump in 2 maraschino cherries and a teaspoon or two of the juice.  Stir.  Drink with a straw (very important).


Missed out on my healthy cherry limeade recipe?  Find it here.

Healthy "Cherry Limeade" Recipe

I am obsessed with Perrier, TopoChico, and various other over priced sparkling mineral waters.  This started when I was pregnant and for some reason did not leave.  It was a good way to force more water in me.  Once we find a way to get our CO2 canister from Texas to Florida or break down and buy a new one, I will make my own.  Until then, I will continue to hydrate in a most expensive way.

Here is a fabulous new recipe that you might like if you can handle the sparkling mineral water.

Ingredients:
Crushed Ice
Limes
Maraschino Cherries
Your favorite overpriced carbonated mineral water

Directions:
Fill your cup halfway up with crushed ice.  If you have a Sonic ice maker, that would be AWEsome.  Fill your glass with sparkling mineral water.   Squeeze about half a lime into your glass.  Dump in 2 maraschino cherries and a teaspoon or two of the juice.  Stir. 

Variation:
Use a lime flavored carbonated mineral water.  My fave is Topo Chico. 

Requirement:
Drink with a straw.  Enjoy the bubbles. 

Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup

Most crock pot meals are mediocre to me, especially ones that are listed as healthy.  I found a keeper.  Try Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup by SkinnyTaste. 

I opt not to use reduced fat cheese, sour cream, etc not because I don't believe in it...just because I don't believe in the taste. ;)  Make sure you have an avocado in the hizzy before you make this.  I also used chicken thighs because I have a plethora (thanks Costco). 

Side note...is 7 months the NOT magical age that babies decide they don't enjoy sleeping and would much prefer crying and screaming?  A new level of awareness maybe?  A new phase?  I realize I am alone?  I don't think its teeth.  Poor Wyatt.  Poor Janet's heart.

Another side note.  I am trying my first BB Cream.  Since I don't really wear makeup anymore, I decided this might have a chance since it is an all in one and has big SPF.  I bought Clinique's Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30.  I plan to wear it at the next baby play date or my next grocery store trip.  Whatever comes first. 

Healthy Err Dip

I love dips.  If you asked me what my favorite food is, I would probably say something like seafood (all kinds) or maybe pizza.  Secretly I would be thinking dip.  Guacamole, queso, veggies and ranch dip, philly hostess dip, french onion, salsa...I love them all. 

The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook has an interesting way to make sour cream based dips a little bit healthier.  I was skeptical, but gave it a try today.  It is rockstar good and slightly healthier.  Here is the secret.

1. Boil some water, you will need 1/4 cup.  
2. Put 3/4 cup cottage cheese into a food processor or blender and add the 1/4 cup boiling water.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Add  3/4 cup light sour cream and pulse until combined.
5. Add in whatever you usually do to make a tasty dip!

Today I added lime juice, chipotles in adobo, an avocado, green onions, and cilantro according to one of the featured recipes in the book.  Now, if I could just find a way to make chips or crackers healthier.

Healthier Fudgy Brownies

Amanda and Mason raved about the America's Test Kitchen Brownies recipe that they had for Valentines Day.  I have been trying to cook several recipes from The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook and the book has a Makeover Spotlight for the Fudgy Brownies recipe.  The recipe reduced the amount of bittersweet chocolate and used dutch-processed cocoa along with a tablespoon of chocolate syrup.  They also replace 6 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of light sour cream, and eliminate one egg yolk.

Calories: Original=230, Healthy=110
Fat: Original=11g, Healthy=3.5g
Sat Fat: Original=7g, Healthy=2g
Cholesterol: Original=55mg, Healthy=20mg


The end result......drum rolll.......good but not amazing (3 out of 5 stars).  I had high hopes because America's Test Kitchen usually rocks.  Also a serving size is a 1"x1" brownie.  Who can eat something that small?!? I had two and felt ripped off.