Recipe: Mixed Berries and Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:
* 1 cup of frozen mixed berries
* 1 frozen ripe banana
* 1/2 cup of low-fat vanilla yogurt
* 1/4 cup of orange juice
* 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in a blender and puree until smooth

Sit back and enjoy

Find more recipes at foodnetwork.com

Cocktail Friday: Mango Mojito

Ingredients:

6 oz Cruzan® mango rum

12 oz club soda

16 mint leaves

4 lime wedge

Slices of fresh mango

Directions:

Muddle the mint leaves and lime wedge in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass.

Add Cruzan mango rum and club soda as above or adjusted to taste.

Add fresh slices of mangos for a added touch.

 Add ice cubes, and serve.

Read more: Mango Mojito recipe http://www.drinksmixer.com/recipes/10331/#ixzz1ebgVJznL

Serving for 4 people

Happy Thanksgiving

We would like to say "Happy Thanksgiving" to everyone who takes the time out of their day to read and follow our blog.

We are truly thankful for your friendship and wish you a safe and happy holiday.

To all the servicemen and women stationed throughout the world, Thank You for all you do.

Respect

Cocktail Friday: Virgin~Pina Colada

Ingredients • 10 ozs. Crushed ice
• 10 ozs pineapple slices in juice (well blended)
• 2 - 3 tbslp. Granulated sugar
• 5.57 fl. ozs. Coconut milk
• 2 shakes of nutmeg
• Maraschino Cherries and Pineapple slices for garnish


Directions :
1. Place the pineapple slices and juice in a blender and process well.
2. Add coconut milk, nutmeg and granulated sugar. Blend together well.
3. Next add the crushed ice blending all the ingredients together
4. Finally add 1 drinking straw and garnish with Maraschino cherry and pineapple slice.
5. Now relax and soak it all in – gradually.

Sharing this great recipe from Antoinette Patel & Caribbean Recipes on Facebook

Random Thought - Changes

There are times when you just know you need to make a change, but for some reason something is holding you back and you can't put your finger on the reason...at that exact moment...stop what you are doing, close your eyes and think about that.

Ask yourself...why can't I just do what needs to be done?
Ask yourself...what am I afraid of?
Ask yourself...what would truly happen if I choose to make this change?

Just a thought...let me know how that works for you.

Respect!

Veteran's Day 11/11/2011

Happy Veteran's Day

This is my handsome son-in-law Jeffrey Thomas who is serving our country in the US Navy!

To my Dad. JB Johnson who served in the US Army before he past. I love you Dad and truly miss you and I appreciate your service to the United States of America! 

This is my sister-friend Quanetta McNeal who served our country

To ALL the men and women who have served our country and who has allowed us to live in a free nation today and everyday I take my hat off to you and say "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart.

You are truly the backbone of the United States of America.

We love you

Benefit of eating Strawberries

Now anyone who truly knows me...know that I love fresh fruit and I am forever snacking on berries so I decided to share a little information about them and share some of the great benefits of eating one of my favorite fruits....aw I need to go wash some right now and have a sweet tangy snack while I share this with you.

A little history first...I didn't even know this...

Now did you know that they were first grown in Europe in the early 18th century and today it is cultivated in almost all the cold countries around the world. Now strawberries are not only tasty and delicious but it packs a lot of nutritional value within. The only problem with strawberries is that they do perish pretty quickly and so I like to get a few baskets and put the in the small ziploc bags and freeze them if I am not going to be eating them right away...then when I'm ready take them out of the the freezer and have a great fresh snack that is really tasty every time you eat them.

Nutritional Value of Strawberry

1 cup (around 145-150 gm) of strawberrycomprises of the following nutrients: 

• Protein - 1 gm
• Carbohydrates - 10.5 gm
• Fat - 0.6 gm (No Saturated Fat)
• Fiber - 1.6 gm
• Vitamin A - 3 RE
• Vitamin C - 84.5 mg
• Thiamin - 0.1 mg
• Riboflavin - 0.1 mg
• Niacin - 0.4 mg
• Vitamin B6 - 0.1 mg
• Vitamin B12 - 0.1 mcg.
• Folic Acid - 26.4 mcg
• Sodium - 2 mg
• Calcium - 21 mg
• Iron - 0.6 mg
• Potassium - 247 mg
• Zinc - 0.2 mg
• Magnesium - 16 mg
• Calories - 45 (kcal) 

Health and Nutrition Benefits of Eating Strawberries:

* Rubbing a cut strawberry on teeth and gums helps remove tartar, apart from strengthening and healing the gums.

* Since strawberries are rich in fiber, they help the body in adsorbing nutrients,

* Strawberries are good for diabetics, as they help stabilize the level of blood glucose.

* Strawberries are said to help in regulating blood pressure and thus, diminishing the risk of heart disease.

* Strawberries have been associated with inhibiting the production of cholesterol in the liver.

* Strawberries have been known to help the body in getting rid of harmful toxins.

* The high antioxidant levels in strawberries can help the body neutralize the destructive effects of free radicals.

* The potassium in strawberries helps regulate the electrolytes in the body, in turn lowering the risk of stroke.

For more information visit WebMD.com