08/09

YoBanana Split

National Banana Split Day is August 25. There’s nothing like a banana split – it’s an American Classic. Too many will send our bodies into sugar overload though, so this year we’ve ‘healthified’ the Banana Split and we’re calling it YoBanana Split. We’ve substituted all the sugary ingredients with healthy alternatives so your Banana Split is not lacking in ingredients or flavor, and I promise, it’s really good…so good and healthy for you, you can have several times a week. Plus it will keep you full and satisfied. Since this is so healthy, you should host a brunch, or just incorporate it into a party with a YoBanana Split Bar. All the items/ideas you need are below to make your party bananas of fun!

Ingredients Comparison
Banana Split vs. YoBanana Split
banana = 1 banana
ice cream = 2-3 scoops of Greek yogurt
sprinkles = 1/8-1/4 tsp ground flax seeds and 1/8-1/4 tsp chia seeds
chopped nuts = ¼ cup walnuts
chocolate sauce or Oreos = ¼ cup blueberries
caramel drizzle = 1 tsp honey drizzle
cherry on top = 1-3 rainier cherries on top

Begin with a banana on the boat-shaped dish, and then add scoops of yogurt on top of it. I made mine with 3 scoops, 1 strawberry flavored Greek yogurt and the other 2 plain Greek yogurt.
Then, sprinkle the chia and flax seeds on top.
Add walnuts, blueberries and then drizzle honey for a touch of sweetness and top it off with a cherry, or 3!
Enjoy!

Party Ideas
Make your own DIY invites – here’s a banana inspiration from DoItYourself Invitations.com.
Send guests home with a treat in these adorable Banana party favor boxes from Piggy Bank Parties.
Set up a YoBanana Split Bar with inspiration from here and here. Just remember to fill your bowls/containers with healthy ingredients.
If you really want to make a statement, Oh Happy Day! made some kids really happy when they constructed a 10 foot long Banana Split. You can do the same, even with different ingredients.
Order these Banana Split boats for your guests to create their own YoBanana Split.

Happy {early} Banana Split day from the 3 sisters at Tutto Bella.

{images via Tutto Bella}

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07/08

{recipe} mini patriotic pound cakes

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July holiday. We had a terrific weekend with family and friends at the pool, on the golf course and at fabulous parties {you will see party details soon}.

We had some glitches last week on our blog {convenient with a holiday, huh?}, so forgive us for not getting some of our patriotic posts to you. Good news is this recipe is easy and versatile. You don’t need to decorate with red, white and blue. Use fresh strawberries and blueberries if you want – but design it with someone’s name, a flower or even shapes.  Keep this in your recipe books because it is the best pound cake recipe ever! It’s the perfect summer time dessert. It’s slightly revised from my grandma’s recipe, and I think my grandma is one of the best cooks I’ve known. I will always cherish the special times I spent in the kitchen with her.

Mini Pound Cake
makes 14 or 1 loaf

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter {softened}
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1.5 cups whole milk
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt

How To
Add butter, eggs and sugar and mix with a blender until well blended.
Add salt and baking powder to the flour, then add the flour and milk, alternating each {while blending}.
Add vanilla and blend.
Pour into baking cups {you do not need to grease baking cups, however if you are using a standard loaf baking tin, you need to grease the pan}
Fill the baking cup 1/2-3/4 full.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-23 minutes. If you are making a standard loaf, cook for 50 minutes.
Stick a toothpick in the loaf or mini loaf, and if its comes out clean, it’s done.
Top with whipped cream and decorate with fruit.

Whipping Cream
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla.

Whip on a medium to medium-high speed until cream gets thicker and forms peaks.

Savor each bite! I know I do.

{images via Tutto Bella Blog}

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06/04

its picnic time


June 18 is International Picnic Day. Save the date. Find a date. Or be your own date. And pack a snack.

1. Take the time to think about the space and ambiance…pick a pretty blanket, make it comfortable with pillows, find a beautiful spot, think about lighting with summer lanterns, candles or tiki torches, bring flowers in a basket, and pack an ipod player to really set the mood.

2. Use acrylic or melamine plates – there are bold and bright plates available now at Pottery Barn like these. Invest in Vino2Go’s for everyone, because they are fabulous and you will use all the time {you can buy at Fleur de Lis at 303.996.6885}. I am obsessed with this Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker from Terrain {$48} for other cocktails.

3. Don’t forget to pack a wine opener, utensils, knife, garbage bag for easy clean up, napkins and a knife. We love this idea of making Clip-On Picnic Utensils by Oh Happy Day – utensils attached to a paper bag.

4. Food should be easy to transport and eat – pack sandwiches, fruit salads, kabobs, salad, pasta salad, etc.
 Spring Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Artichokes, Food for My Family
Cheesecake in a Jar, I am Baker
my all-time favorite because it brings me back to my days in Italy Brie, Baguette, Grapes and Salami
Sliced watermelon

Our Picnic Necessities
LL Bean Horseshoe Set {$69}
Kate Space Picnic Blanket, Kate Spade
Picnic Basket Tote, Swoozies {$28.95}
Mason Jars for food, candles, flowers and drinks {found at Amazon}

{images via Everything Fab, We Heart It, Roverista, Food for My Family, I am Baker, Kate Spade, Oh Happy Day, Catch my Party, Swoozies and LL Bean}

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05/07

paleo-style burgers {recipe of the week}

So, my husband is into the Paleo-diet these days. We’ve just ‘dipped’ our toes ever so slightly into the new craze, but I believe in the premise and research behind it, and know that whole and healthy food is the key to optimal health and defeating chronic disease. The Paleo-diet has been described as the cave-man diet because the diet consists of meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. I’m all for it…I have a hard time with all the meat {I tend to lean more to the vegetarian-side}, but sign me up for the veggies, fruits, seafood and nuts. If you haven’t heard about the whole Paleo-diet craze, read more about it here.

I visited PaleOMG – it’s a great site and a wonderful resource…plus Juli is a fellow Colorado gal and you gotta love that!! This recipe caught my eye. I made a few changes because I didn’t have some ingredients/changed to my liking…and it was DELISH. The whole family loved it, and wanted round 2. It’s been added to my recipe book. I hope you give it a try. Buon Appetito.

Spinach Turkey Burgers
recipe adapted from PaleOMG
*makes about 5-6 patties

Ingredients
1 pound ground organic turkey
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
avocado, sliced

Garnish/Salad Ingredients
spinach
arugula
baby kale
carrots {any vegetables of your liking}
olive oil/balsamic vinaigrette dressing {I made my own dressing with olive oil, balsamic, salt, pepper and pressed garlic}

How To
1.  Add all the ingredients for your burgers in a medium size bowl and use your hands to mix well
2. Form balls with your hands
3. Place a non-stick large skillet OR warm a griddle {and add olive oil to prevent sticking patties} on medium heat. Once hot, place the balls onto the skillet/griddle, then press down with a spatula to flatten out
4. Cook on both sides for at least 8-10 minutes until turkey cooked through
5. Once done, add to the top of your salad, top off with avocados and devour!
NOTE: for the kiddos, I made the burgers traditional-style, topped with cheese in between buns…and they {most impressively, my incredibly picky son who turns his nose to everything green} LOVED them.

If you have any other delicious Paleo-diet recipe you want to share, please send them to trejsorelle@gmail.com. We’d love to try more recipes.

{images via Tutto Bella}

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03/28

the little things…

It’s the little things in life that have the biggest impact sometimes. When I think of the little things that make me smile, it’s watching my kids discover something new for the first time, or the sound of tiny feet running into our bedroom in the morning, or a sweet note from a friend, a hug, a smile – whatever it may be, the little things are noticed and often, never forgotten.

All that was so ‘high level;’ in relation to what this post is really about. I’m not even sure why I got into that. This post is so not deep or philosophical. But, you know those little things that you’ve discovered, or special treats that can make a big impact in your day-to-day routine? That’s what we’re sharing with you today…some of our tricks of the trade that are small, but worth trying.

1. Frozen grapes in your wine glass.
Instead of ice, add frozen grapes to your glass of vino, and it will look pretty, and stay chilled without getting watery.  

2. Coconut Oil on the skin
Looking for a glow to your skin, without feeling oily? Coconut {organic and unrefined} is my go-to for a healthy, softening and brightening skin lotion. It adds a special glow, and doesn’t stain clothes or make me feel oily. You can find liquid Coconut Oil or solid Coconut Oil {when rubbed in between your hands, it will melt immediately and then you can apply to your skin} at your local health food store, and possibly grocery store. 

3. Cinnamon in coffee
Cinnamon consumption has been known to have positive health benefits, including lowering blood sugar and has also been noted to detoxify the system, help fight bladder infections and stimulate brain function. My brother-in-law, Will, said this coffee trick, changed his life. 🙂 Just a dash of cinnamon added to the ground coffee in the filter {before you brew} will give your coffee a little {and delicious} kick, and healthy non-natural flavor. 

4. Chlorophyll in water
I know this sounds totally gross, but a couple drops of chlorophyll in a glass of water is so yummy! Even my hubby likes it, and the kids ask for green water daily. If you’re not a water drinker, but enjoy mint flavor, adding chlorophyll to your water will make boring water, tasty and refreshing. Chlorophyll fights toxins and boosts energy, so you’ll get some healthy benefits as well. Find liquid chlorophyll {mint is our favorite} at your local health store, and follow the directions for appropriate amounts of chlorophyll in your water. 

 Do you have any little things we MUST try. Please share! Send us an email at trejsorelle@gmail.com or comment on this post.

{image via Tutto Bella}

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