My Orange Summer

                This summer has been one of the best summer’s I have ever experienced. Usually I feel exhausted and become an air conditioned couch potato, but this year I felt great. Perhaps it’s because I’m in better shape than I have been in years, or maybe it’s because I have become more involved with summer activities now my children are older. Either way, this summer has rocked.

                I wanted to share some recipes and ideas using my favorite summery drink - good ol’ orange juice! It’s just so sunny and invigorating, not to mention filled with vitamin C. Even the color makes me feel uplifted!

Orange Julius-

This is a nice twist to plain orange juice; it takes away any tartness.

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup water
¼ granulated sugar

¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8-9 ice cubes

1. Combine all ingredients except ice cubes in blender.
2. Blend for about 1-2 minutes, adding ice cubes one at a time.

Enjoy!!!

Here are some other GREAT ideas to use orange juice-

Simple Softening, Smoothing Face-Wash
Let the AHAs and vitamin C in orange juice add softness and smoothness to your skin. Simply apply orange juice to the face like a wash, then rinse. (Worked GREAT! I loved how my skin felt after using this!)

Facial Wrinkle-Buster

1 egg white, beaten
2 teaspoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
a few drops sweet almond oil

Combine ingredients and apply to face. Allow to remain on for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. ( I love this. I used to use just egg whites on my face once a week, but this makes me feel pampered. Smells great.) 

To Banish Blemishes

Mix equal parts honey and orange juice and apply to affected area. Allow to remain on skin for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water. The honey is a natural healer, while the orange juice’s astringency helps to dry up excess oils. (Again, LOVE this!! I always use honey on my skin (no, it won't be sticky once rinsed), but never thought about mixing orange juice with it! Everyone always asks how I keep my skin so nice, well here is the secret. Also try using olive oil for a moisturizer afterwards for GORGEOUS summer skin!)

Husband's Sweet Tooth

Husband wanted something sweet and chocolate-y. So, here is our favorite homemade brownie recipe! It's super easy to make, very chewy, and I always save a little batter for the kids to lick off of the spoon. Enjoy!

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup flour

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix oil and sugar until well blended.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; stir just until blended.
4. Mix all dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
5. Stir dry ingredients into the oil/sugar mixture.
6. Pour into greased 9 x 9 square pan.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until sides just start to pull away from the pan.

YUM!!!

Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!

One of our favorite recipes for chocolate chip cookies is from the Nestle Toll House Collection. These are one the BEST chocolate chip cookies we have ever tasted, and they are so easy to make!!

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 package (2 cups)semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels
• Optional: cup of chopped nuts

My son, (age 3) is helping mix in the dry ingredients with his sister, (age 5)

Directions:

Preheat: oven to 375° F.

Combine: flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

BAKE for 8 to 11 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool. Enjoy!!

My son proudly shows off his wares!

For a super moist cookie, make sure to remove from the oven as soon as the edges turn brown.

EAT AND ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is going to be a piece of cake, right?

Remembering that I once had an online journal when I was younger, I have officially decided to put my feet into the water and create a blog. Blame my dear mother-in-law (another “blogess”), because her musings helped inspire this crazy notion.

In future posts, I plan on sharing some of my favorite recipes, crafts, songs, and babblings with you! So prepare yourself for all sorts of fascinating and non-useless info!

;-)