5 Healthy Summer Drinks | {Shelbie}

Things that define my summers: the outdoors, getting a tan, traveling, hanging out with friends and family, and (let's be honest!) drinking. I try to change up my drinking habits from season to season. This summer, I've made it my personal mission to try new cocktails whenever I get the opportunity. The summer heat usually makes me crave fresh and fruity drinks. So today, I wanted to share with you my top 5 favorite healthy summer drinks to try this summer!


{image via}
Cucumber & Melon White Sangria
Recipe from EatingWell

Lately I've been absolutely obsessed with cucumber flavored-everything! This recipe isn't only refreshing, but also healthy. For those of you trying to watch your summer figure, this drink would be a great option.

INGREDIENTS
1 750-mL bottle Gewürztraminer, dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc
1/2 cup dry vermouth
2 cups diced honeydew melon
1 cup diced cucumber
1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves
1 cup chilled plain seltzer
Ice

MAKE IT!
Combine wine, vermouth, melon, cucumber and basil in a large pitcher. Refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours. Just before serving, stir in the seltzer. Serve over ice.


{image via}
Strawberry Margarita Punch
Recipe from Dinners, Dishes & Desserts

I've always loved everything strawberry and, of course, everything margarita-related! Margaritas in the summer are definitely a staple of mine. This fun punch will definitely "punch" you in the taste buds—in a good way! Although this might not be the healthiest drink on this list, I had to add it because it's perfect for summer!

INGREDIENTS
8 oz frozen strawberries
1 can frozen limeade concentrate—thawed
1 cup orange juice
3/4 cup tequila
1/4 cup triple sec
1 bottle sweet sparkling wine (strawberry moscato is preferable, if you can find it)

MAKE IT!
With a blender, blend together strawberries, thawed limeade and orange juice until smooth. Pour into a large pitcher. Add tequila and triple sec. Mix well. Refrigerate until cold. Pour in sparkling wine to serve. Serve over ice.


{image via}
The Skinnygirl American Virgin
Recipe from Food.com

I used to be an avid Real Housewives of New York fan, so I've always kept up with Bethany Frankel. She is the creator of Skinnygirl cocktails. I think this drink is a must-try!

INGREDIENTS
2 ounces peach vodka
2 ounces club soda
splash orange juice
splash lemonade

MAKE IT!
Well, this one is simple. Mix it all together, add ice and garnish with a lemon wedge.


{image via}
Ruby-Red Grapefruit Cocktail
Recipe from EatingWell

Some people think grapefruit is an acquired taste, and that's fine with me—more for the rest of us! This fun-colored drink is so bright and vibrant—it could definitely be dressed up for parties. Plus, who doesn't love pretty drinks?

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups red or pink grapefruit juice, preferably fresh-squeezed
1 1/2 cups plain seltzer
1/2 cup gin
2 tablespoons Campari
Ice cubes
Grapefruit wedges or slices for garnish

MAKE IT!
Stir grapefruit juice, seltzer, gin and Campari together in a pitcher. Pour over ice. Garnish with grapefruit, if desired.


{image via}
Skinny Asian Mojito
Recipe from Shape

This mojito is fresh, crisp, and from what I've heard, addicting! Keep your waist small with this naturally sweet drink. I haven't tried this one yet, but I plan to soon!

INGREDIENTS
2 ounces TY KU Sake
Fresh mint
1 splash citrus seltzer
1 squeeze citrus (lemon, lime, or orange)

MAKE IT!
Combine first 3 ingredients in a glass over ice and add a squeeze of citrus.

I hope you all have a healthy, fruity and refreshing rest of the summer. Cheers!


{image via}

Frikadeller 2 Ways: Family Recipe vs. Lightened-Up Recipe | {Megan}

Growing up, frikadeller (aka. Danish meatballs) was a recipe that my mom had on rotation for weeknight dinners and it's always been one of my favorites. My family is proud of our Danish heritage, and that is likely why I grew up eating some of Denmark's trademark foods. Once I moved out of my parent's house, I was constantly calling my mom and asking her for dinner recipes—this one is still my favorite to this day! Here is the recipe for the frikadeller I grew up eating:



Ingredients:
• 1 pound of hamburger meat
• 3/4 sleeve of saltine or Ritz crackers
• 1 egg
• A splash of milk
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• A couple squirts of ketchup
• Note: many recipes call for chopped onions but I prefer mine without

Steps:
1. Mix all of the ingredients together





2. Form the meat into firm balls



3. Place the meatballs on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil
4. Add 4 tablespoons of butter in the pan around the meatballs
5. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes





I've always loved this exact recipe, but one day I thought I'd try experimenting a little to try to make a healthier version of frikadeller. I looked up healthier substitutions for many of the ingredients and this is what I came up with:



Ingredients:
• 1 pound of ground turkey breast (substitution for hamburger meat)
• 1 1/4 pieces of ezekiel bread (substitution for the crackers)
• 1 egg white (substitution for egg)
• A splash of milk
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil (substitution for melted butter)
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• A couple squirts of ketchup

I followed the same steps as above, except I didn't add any butter to the cookie sheet before baking.







I honestly can't decide which recipe is better. A couple of months ago I made the healthier version for my parents and I knew my dad would be the true test for whether or not it was as good as the original, and I think he loved them just as much as our family recipe!



If you decide to try out either recipe, let me know what you all think!

Stuffed Peppers | {Shelbie}

Tad and I recently made a pact that together we would start eating healthier. We spent all day Sunday relaxing like usual, but instead of eating out for dinner, we decided we wanted to find a healthy, fun, and easy recipe to cook together! I'm sort of obsessed with Julianne Hough. I love following her on all social media and always read up on her blog. She recently posted a grilled and stuffed pepper recipe she prepared for her and her beau. I've seen stuffed pepper recipes before but never really thought about trying it until now! We used her recipe as inspiration, but changed it up for our liking.

Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Adapted from Jules' Stuffed & Roasted Peppers

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
4 bell peppers
1 tomato
1 onion
feta cheese
2 cobs sweet corn
thyme
1 garlic glove
salt & pepper
oregano
chili powder
garlic powder





Instructions:
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Season the turkey with the chili powder, garlic powder and pepper, then begin browning it in a skillet.
• Cut peppers & scoop them out.
• After preparing the peppers, boil some water and get the corn started.
• Once the turkey is ready, use the same pan and sauté the onions.
• Chop the tomato into small pieces and mince the garlic.
• To get the small leaves off of the thyme, simply run your fingers up and down the stem.
• Stuff the meat and onions into the peppers first.
• Next, add tomato, corn, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper into the peppers.
• Sprinkle in some feta cheese and oregano on the top for extra flavor.
• Bake the peppers for 25 minutes at 375 degrees.



Note: you can tailor the ingredients to your liking and can also season the meat however you want. These peppers are a really delicious AND healthy dinner option!



What ingredients would you use to stuff your peppers? I'd love to hear your ideas!