Avila Orange Smoothie

How about a glass of sunshine to start the week? 

Do you love farms?  I do, I do!  On a weekend getaway MGG and I were relaxing in San Luis Obispo and stopped by the Avila Valley Barn on our way home.  What a gem!!!  I LOVE THIS PLACE!!

They have a wonderful farm stand that sells their produce.  You can take a hay ride and pick your own in season produce and they had the BEST fresh pressed apple cider I've ever had....!

One great item I'm featuring here is their honey...fresh from their honey bees.  It's sweet and delectable!


Let's make some sunshine in a glass!

Take your banana and break it in to chunks and place in the blender.

Add you yogurt.  I used a vanilla chai lite yogurt...yum!  You can use regular or vanilla yogurt if you wish. 

Now for the honey. ummmm...honey.....add that.

Add some orange juice.

Blend it up good, and voila!!!  Sunshine in a glass!!!  It's good too!

Avila Orange Smoothie

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 6 oz container vanilla chai flavored lite yogurt
1 medium banana
¼ cup orange juice
2 t Avila Valley Barn honey

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a blender and mix until combined.  Serve in a tall glass with a straw.

Happy 4th of July!!! Tablescape

Happy 4th of July!

A friend sent me this comment on Facebook and I thought it was so appropriate that I had to share:

"Remember this as you celebrate this weekend! The American flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. The American flag flies from the last breath of each military member who has died protecting it. American Soldiers don't fight because they hate what's in front of them...they fight because they love what's behind them. "

Here's some great ideas for a pretty 4th of July tablescape.

We're having an outdoor party.

The table is set with a red, white, and blue theme.

A sweet red basket holds patriotic napkins, flatware, drinks, glasses. and patriotic flags.  The white flatware tied in bundles with a deep navy colored napkin are a great touch! 

A white colander is all set to hold slice of watermelon and other fruit.

The place settings consist of a red wicker charger, a navy blue plate peppered with white dots in a floral fireworks pattern.  A salad plate in a lighter blue version also in a white dot floral pattern.  A white bowl tops the set.  So pretty!

Some great ramekins used for condiments will keep in the theme...

Simple and easy...that's always best...oh and to have fun!  Happy 4th of July!

Land of the Free Lemonade

I just had to share this little recipe with you...it's called

"Land of the Free Lemonade"

What a wonderful name right?

We made this last night and WOW...what flavors!!!

This is a delicious drink for all your summer parties and especially for your July 4th celebrations....and it tastes great too!

Beautiful pink color, fruity, tart flavor....delishhhh!

Enjoy!

Land of the Free Lemonade

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups water, divided

3/4 cups sugar or splenda

1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 large lemons)

2 cups chopped watermelon

Preparation

Bring 3 cups water, sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat, allowing to cool.

 

Meanwhile, puree chopped watermelon in a blender or food processor with 1/2 cup water.

 

Pour syrup and watermelon puree through a strainer into a pitcher. Stir in lemon juice. Serve over ice.

source:  adapted from BHG's Land of the Free Lemonade