Amazing Fredericksburg Peach Fruit Smoothies

Freshly picked Fredericksburg Peaches

Just imagine the most tender, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth, plump peach you can think of. That is what a Fredericksburg peach tastes like. And even more, that is what an Engel's Orchards peach from Fredericksburg, Texas tastes like. I literally cannot express how delicious these things are. I eat them every Summer and before the next one I almost forget how truly wonderful they are. Then the next Summer rolls around and I sink my teeth into one of their peaches and I remember all over again why these peaches are the best peaches I have ever had.


I love these peaches so much that I made a sweet and creamy fruit smoothie in honor of their amazingness. Not only is it full of sweet and delicious fruit but I also added some Vanilla Protein to mine to make it a little more healthy and a little more amazing.  However, you will feel like you are eating a big gallon of fattening ice cream because these peaches are so sweet that it's almost like eating candy. This smoothie is so delicious that I couldn't keep it to myself. I had to share it so that you too can partake in this sweet journey of peaches and creamy smoothieness. Plus, it's Summer and what a nice treat a homemade fruit smoothie is.

Without further ado...Here is how we do this

What you will need:

Gadgets:
A badass blender
A spoon
A knife
Cups
A mouth for tasting

Ingredients:
One Banana
About 5 Cherries (fresh if possible) pitted
One big Peach or two small ones
6 Strawberries
A cup of ice
1/2 Cup of natural coconut pineapple juice (I use L&A brand)
1/4 Cup reduced fat milk
3 Tbsp Sugar or Honey
1 scoop or 3 Tbsp Vanilla protein powder (optional)

First, get out the blender and plug her in. Then use your knife and cut up all your fruit (banana, cherries, strawberries and peaches) and toss them in the blender. Then add the juice, milk and sugar or honey. I use sugar because I don't drink a lot of sugary drinks and I'm cool with a little sugar here and there. As usual moderation and balance in everything is important. Blend all of this together on the puree setting if you have one. If not, the lower setting. Just to get it all pureed. After that you can add the ice and blend for a couple of minutes or until the ice is completely blended. Add the vanilla protein powder and blend, if you choose. It just adds a little something extra and turns the smoothie into more of a meal replacement smoothie. This smoothie is great before or after a workout. Once everything is blended, use your spoon to taste the smoothie and make sure that it is up to your standards and preferences. If it is too thick then just add a little more juice or water to thin it out. If it is too runny then just add a little more ice, a cube at a time. It should be pretty close to perfect. Pour into your cups and enjoy!

Fredericksburg Peach Smoothie

If this wasn't enough to convince you that Fredericksburg peaches are the best in the state if not the country, then I highly recommend that you get your little fanny on down to Engel's Peach Stand in Blanco, Texas. These peaches come straight from the tree in Fredericksburg, Tx and delivered fresh everyday. They are there all week. Engel's makes fresh peach ice cream and cobbler on the spot as well as carry a full variety of veggies and fruits. What a wonderful way to spend a hot summer day than to pack up the car, take a road trip and stop off for some fresh peach cobbler and ice cream. Make sure to buy a the big box of peaches. Trust me. Once you get home and realize that half the box is gone in the first two days, you will be thanking me that you bought the big box.

I hope you get a chance to get down to Fredericksburg, Texas and get a big box of peaches to make your own recipes and if you can't make then don't be afraid to experiment in you kitchen with different smoothie recipes. Smoothies are a great way to get lots of fruit and sometimes veggies in all at once. Most importantly, Enjoy your journey in the kitchen.

Blessings,



Enjoying every moment

I feel blessed to have two boys that are seven years apart. My oldest boy is going to be eight in a few months and my youngest is going to be one in a few months too. There is something special about having time to see the first one grow into a smart young man and actually to see how quickly they do grow. I don't know where the time has gone but It has flown by. It is bittersweet because in a way It makes me sad that he is already eight and on the other hand I feel blessed to get a reality check on the importance of time and enjoying every moment before it is gone. It is also a blessing to know that my second child will be my last child and I can truly savor everyday with him. I can make sure to be present in every moment of both of their lives.

The way the years are spread out between them has also allowed me to do things better than I did the first time. I feel like I have always been a good mother to my firstborn but when we grow and mature, we can almost always look back and see thing we could have handled a little differently. I could have been more patient and less irritable with my eight year old. I could have been less lazy and more present for every moment. Regardless, I did my best and I love him more than words can describe and I know he feels the same for me. I know he is an intelligent, creative and loving child and there is no reason to dwell on the past. I have grown as a mother and I learn as I go, as we all do.

As I have grown as a mother and woman I can go forward everyday with the lessons that life and my children teach me and implement them on a daily basis. I practice more patience with them. I try to remember what it is like to be a kid and I know now that in the big picture the only thing that matters in the end is being there for them and being supportive of them no matter what. I can be present in every moment and take my time to really take it all in and love on them. When you give a child your attention it makes them feel important and necessary and they are more likely to respect you in return, as well as others. I no longer yell at my children as I may have been more likely to do when I was in my early twenties and my first one was only a toddler. I hate being yelled at. It is degrading and never solves anything. If you want to make a hostile situation better, you don't respond with hostility. You respond with a calm and peaceful demeanor. Same goes with kids. They mirror your behaviors. As they say, "you get more bees with honey".  I now can see how much more beneficial a calm and peaceful momma can defuse a situation much more quickly than an impatient yelling mommy. And another benefit is that I get the same respect. 

I take the time to love on my children everyday and listen to them. Respect them. Kiss them. Hug them. Smell them. Squeeze them. Most importantly, I try my hardest to be present for every moment. It is a gift to be blessed with babies. There are a lot of people out there who can't have kids and who would give anything to be a parent. I think it is easy to forget just how special it is to have the opportunity to be a parent and it is easy to take it for granted. I don't want to look back on my life and wonder where I was the whole time. I may have been there but not truly present at every moment.

Make every moment with your children count. It goes by so fast and we all know the older you get the faster it goes. This life is a gift. A journey. A beautiful moment at a time that makes up your legacy. Enjoy the little things. Leave your children with sweet memories and a great example.

Blessings

Cheesecake Truffles

We all love truffles and most of us seem to be in love with cheesecake. Well what if you could get a truffle made of cheesecake? Yes! Your dreams are coming true. You can! You can have a sweet and tangy, creamy filled little white chocolate coated bite sized balls of heaven. You can breathe now and put your tongue back in your mouth. Just wait to taste these wonderful creations. 

I won't go on and on with any useless tips, education or info. I know you want to get started and get one of these things in your mouth. So I won't make you wait any longer.

What you will need:
Gadgets:
Large mixing bowl
Rubber or silicone spatula
Mixer/Beater/Muscles and whisk
9" Springform pan
Baking sheet
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
3 - 5 bowls for toppings
parchment paper
nonstick cooking spray

Ingredients:
3 - 8oz packages Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 Large Eggs
1 tbsp. Vanilla extract
1 cup Sour cream
1 pkg (12oz)White Chocolate Chips
1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs (I used Biscoff Lotus cookies. You know the ones you get on the plane) It just adds a little something extra!!!
2 Tbsp. Shortening
Various decorations and/or toppings: sprinkles, chopped nuts, grated coconut, grated chocolate, sifted cocoa powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line the bottom of your springform pan with parchment paper. Coat paper and sides of pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream and vanilla until mixed thoroughly. Add one egg at a time, mixing on low between each one just until all three eggs are incorporated. Pour mixture into springform pan and place on a baking sheet in the oven.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until cheesecake is golden brown and not jiggly.
Take out of oven and let pan cool on rack for 10-15minutes. Run a knife along the edge of the pan to loosen up the cheesecake. Let cool for another 30 minutes on counter then move to refrigerator to chill and set up for no less than 4 hours. Can freeze or refrigerate over night.

Remove cheesecake from refrigerator (if frozen let thaw for 30 minutes). Place graham cracker crumbs in shallow dish. Scoop out 1 inch balls and roll into graham cracker crumbs and place on wax or parchment paper covered baking sheet. After all the balls are scooped our and rolled in crumbs then you can place the baking sheet of balls into freezer to set up for 1 hour.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips and shortening in 15 second intervals, stirring in between each until all the chocolate is melted. Place your toppings and add ons in bowls for decorating. Using a small fork or spoon, dip the balls into the white chocolate and make sure the whole ball gets coated in chocolate and place on baking sheet and immediately add your sprinkles or toppings to the balls while the chocolate is still warm. The chocolate cools quickly on the cold balls and if you wait too long the toppings won't stick. After all of the cheesecake balls are coated and decorated, place the sheet back into the freezer for about 15-20 minutes to chill the balls one more time.

Okay. Now you can eat one. HALLELUJAH!!! Delish! I know.
Find someone special to share these divine little desserts with. Someone will be very impressed.
You will have the satisfaction of knowing that all that hard labor intensive work wasn't for nothing.
I hope you enjoyed making these. Remember, moderation is key.
Most importantly, enjoy your journey in the kitchen.
Blessings,



Chocolate Coconut & Pecan Easy and Delicious Chewy Granola

Granola is one of those snacks that you don't have to feel too bad about eating. Depending on what you use to make your granola, it can be very healthy.

This isn't exactly that kind of granola!!!

Don't get me wrong, this granola is healthy but I didn't skimp on the good stuff. I may have not gone the healthiest route but you can always very easily substitute my ingredients for even healthier alternatives.

Once you know the general and universal ingredients to make granola, the sky is the limit when it comes to the many different combinations you can concoct. I love granola of all kinds. I like the chewy, the crunchy, the sweet and the fruity, the nutty and the spicy. It is all good. Even though this recipe isn't the healthiest of recipes, it is still a much healthier snack than a candy bar.
As usual moderation is key.
Here is a bit of education on the health benefits of oats from Medical News Today:

Dietary fiber - oats are rich in a specific type of fiber called beta-glucan. This particular type of fiber is known to help lower levels of bad cholesterol. One cup of oats contains 16.5 grams of fiber, which is roughly half of a person's recommended daily intake of fiber.

Minerals - oats contain manganese, selenium, phosphorus, fiber, magnesium, and zinc. Oats are also rich in carotenoids, tocols (Vitamin E), flavonoids and avenanthramides - a class of polyphenols.

Calories - one cup of oats contains approximately 607 calories.

This recipe makes a lot of granola. I can always find someone to share the extra with. If you don't want to make as big of a batch then you can cut the recipe in half and use a 9x13" baking pan instead of the massive one I use for this. Again, you can substitute the add ins for others as well. Chocolate, coconut and pecans are quite the heavenly combination. So I suggest giving this flavor combo a try first.

Okay, let's get this granola going...

What you will need:
Gadgets:
A large mixing bowl
A silicone spatula or spoonish stiring utensil of your choice
Large 12"x18" Baking Sheet
A Small Saucepan
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons

Ingredients:
5 cups uncooked rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened puff rice cereal (rice crispies)
1/4 cup coconut oil or a similar cooking oil (vegetable oil, almond oil, sesame oil, etc..)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup (Real maple syrup. The good stuff)
1/2 cup honey
2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
4 oz roughly chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (you can use chocolate chips as well) I use Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate bars
(you can substitute the coconut, pecans and chocolate for other add ins)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350degrees

Measure out and spread uncooked oats onto your baking sheet and toast in oven for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Meanwhile, in small saucepan measure and combine coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Simmer on medium heat until all ingredients are combined and brown sugar is melted completely. About 5 minutes.




Mix it good. Mix it real good!

Once the oats are finished toasting, pour them into your large mixing bowl, add the crispie cereal and pour the hot liquids over the oats. Stir and combine all ingredients until all the oats are coated in sugary sweet liquids. Now you can add your coconut and pecans and mix thoroughly. Pour granola back onto your baking sheet and with either oiled hands or a rubber spatula press and flatten granola into the pan until it is level and even. You can use a piece of wax or parchment paper as well to flatten out the granola if it is too sticky. Just lay the paper, wax side down on the granola and rub your hands over it and press it outwards just the same way.

Place the granola pan back into the oven for 3-5 more minutes to warm up the granola. As soon as the granola comes out of the oven sprinkle the chocolate chunks all over the granola and the heat from the granola with slightly melt the chocolate and help it to stick to the granola better. Allow the granola to set up on the counter for about an hour and once the pan has cooled enough you can also put it in freezer for about 15 - 20 minutes if you can't seem to wait. After the granola has cooled off and set up then you can cut it into granola sized bars. This recipe can make 36-40 1"x3" bars. You can cut them up however you would like or sometimes I just crumble it into big chunks and bite sized pieces and put them into a big Ziplock baggie or little snack sized baggies for on the go and I just snack on it. This granola seems to taste better the longer it sits and tastes even better the next day. 


If you want to make a healthier version of this granola you can substitute the following:
Maple syrup : More Honey
Brown sugar : More Honey
Rice Crispies : Sunflower Kernels or Flax seed
Add dried fruits and other nuts like apples, cherries, cranberries, raisins, almonds, walnuts

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Get creative and see what combinations you can come up with. Get the kids to help you out in the stirring department and let them know how much "their muscles" saved you from hard labor and sweat. They love to hear that.
Most of all...Enjoy your journey in the kitchen!!!

Blessings