Home Maid Simple

Tag: beverage

  • Cranberry Wassail Recipe

    Cranberry Wassail Recipe

     The snow hasn’t fallen yet, but the temperature has. When the weather starts dipping, that’s when I pull out this Cranberry Wassail. Full of flavor and soothing to the soul, you’ll make this for all your holiday gatherings.
     
     
    Almost 5 years ago I wrote this post after it had been featured in Old Orchard’s newsletter. I had submitted it to a contest they were running, and it won! Back then I had no idea how to style my photos, and let’s just say, no one was interested in a pot of liquid and fruit. So I finally decided it was time to update with some nicer photos of one of my favorite wintertime beverages.
     
    The first time I made wassail I followed a recipe that had me juicing 10+ Oranges, some lemons, and then boiling it forever. It was delicious, but oh so much work. Cranberry Wassail was created with both ease and flavor in mind. 
     
    This Cranberry Wassail is super easy to make.
    It must have been a few years since I last made this particular wassail because when Mark came home his reaction was one of delight. He’s not a big fan of hot beverages like myself, but he does love cranberries. His eyes totally lit up as he walked in the house, breathed in the scent of simmering fruit and spices, and then drank a healthy mug of it.  
    Cranberry Wassail
    Spiced Cranberry Juice warmed will warm your soul
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    Ingredients
    1. 64 oz Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals Original
    2. 6 oz Old Orchard Frozen Apple Concentrate
    3. 1 Gala Apple, peeled, cored and sliced
    4. 1 Orange, juiced
    5. 1 Orange, sliced
    6. 2 Cinnamon sticks
    7. 1/2 tsp Allspice
    Instructions
    1. In a large pot, mix all ingredients together. Bring to a boil.
    2. Once boiling, let simmer about 20 minutes.
    3. Serve warm.
    4. Slow Cooker
    5. Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker. Turn on high for at least 1 hour. Then keep warm to serve.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
    Now if you want, you can strain the cooked fruit and spices out, but in our house we kind of find it fun to have these pieces of fruit floating in our wassail. The allspice berries not so much, but they are easy to spoon out, as well as the cinnamon sticks. We then garnish the Cranberry Wassail with a few frozen cranberries – it helps cool the drink down for little kids – and an orange slice on the side of the cup. 

     PIN ME! Save this recipe for Cranberry Wassail Cranberry Wassail is the perfect warm beverage all winter long. Serve it at holiday gatherings, or just to warm up.


  • Creamy Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa

    Creamy Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa

    Creamy Milk Chocolate combined with Pumpkin Spice make the perfect mug of Hot Cocoa to warm up with this season. 

    Creamy Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa

    I’m sitting on the couch right now, watching my son play Just Dance, and notice that it appears to be half snowing half raining outside. I start to feel the chill in my bones that cold brings and the excitement just builds from there. 

    I LOVE SNOW! It’s cold, it’s wet, the sun rarely shines during these months – what could there possibly be to love about this weather? Perhaps most of my childhood memories are rooted around winter time. Building forts with my brothers, throwing snowballs with friends, and sledding down the hill into the forest with my parents. 

    Creamy Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa

    Maybe it’s the clean beauty white adds to our world. From a green summer, to a colorful fall – winter brings us a fresh canvas to restart and refresh. I may not spend as much time outdoors as I did as a kid these days, but my ideal spot would be curled under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa next to a window facing a winter wonderland. 

    Creamy Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa

    Enjoy this Creamy Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa, and smile at the beauty that comes with winter. All you need is your favorite chocolate bar, some Pumpkin Spice Syrup (affiliate), milk and whipped cream for a delicious warming drink.

    Creamy Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa
    Serves 1
    Your favorite chocolate bar + Pumpkin Spice lead to a cozy mug of this Creamy Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa
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    Ingredients
    1. 2.5oz favorite chocolate bar
    2. 1 cup milk
    3. Whipped Cream
    4. Pumpkin Spice Syrup
    Instructions
    1. Over low heat, mix the milk and chocolate bar until chocolate is completely melted.
    2. Pour into your favorite mug.
    3. Top with Whipped Cream and Pumpkin Spice Syrup.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
  • Weekend Bites #49 Bottoms Up

    Weekend Bites #49 Bottoms Up

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites


    New to Weekend Bites? Here’s the run down
    Visit my cohost Debi at Practical Parenting
    1. Link up your any food related post below
    2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined. 
    3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
    4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)
    5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!!  This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spamming involved. Subscribe!

    Drinks seem to be on a lot of people’s minds these days. From the adult kind, to kid friendly it seems to be a favorite way to treat ourselves. Today I’ll be featuring the kids friendly versions from last week’s party, but if you’re looking for an adult beverage, just check the linky. 
    FEATURES
    This Shirley Temple Float is a great summer twist on the classic cherry and soda beverage!
    from Living Better Together
    This creamy & healthy Chocolate Raspberry Chia Seed Smoothie only tastes like a decadent treat.
    From Frugal Foodie Mama
    Blue Frozen Punch for Any Party - Marty's Musings
    from Marty’s Musings
    Love Chick-fil-A Peach Milkshakes? My Copycat Chick-fil-A Peach Milkshake has delicious chunks of fresh peaches, and creamy vanilla ice cream blended together for the most amazing shake right at home!
    from Delightful E Made
    Grab a Featured Button!

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites

  • Dove Blueberry Milkshake

    Dove Blueberry Milkshake

    *I received an Influenster Box with Dove Fruit. All opinions are my own.
     
    A couple weeks ago when our temps hit the mid 80’s I was dying! Suffice it to say, I’m not a warm weather gal. This Dove Blueberry Milkshake came at the right time to cool off just as the weather started to cool off too. 
     
    Dove Blueberry Milkshake
     
    Ever since Dove came out with their Real Fruit Chocolate, I have been hooked! We found some snack bags for 10cents one day at our local Walmart and practically bought them out. They made great incentive treats for the kids. 
    As great as these are to just snack on, I knew I could really indulge if I tossed them in a milkshake. We’ve done a lot of smoothies this year, but milkshakes are new to the kids. They weren’t sold on the idea until they learned it included ice cream
     and chocolate.

    Dove Blueberry Milkshake

    Dove Blueberry Milkshake
    No excuse needed to cool down with this Dove Blueberry Milkshake
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 bag Dove Real Fruit Blueberries
    2. 2 cups Vanilla Ice Cream
    3. 3/4 cup Frozen Blueberries
    4. 1 cup milk
    Instructions
    1. Combine the ice cream, milk, blueberries and Dove in a blender.
    2. Blend until smooth.
    3. Top with a few Dove Real Fruit Blueberries and enjoy.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
    Enjoyed this recipe? Check out this Homemade Horchata
     
     
  • Homemade Horchata for a #DelimexFiesta

    Homemade Horchata for a #DelimexFiesta

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertisers. All opinions are mine alone. #DelimexFiesta #CollectiveBias
    Homemade Horchata #DelimexFiesta #Cbias #Ad
     
    Are you still watching any Basketball? Did your team make it through, or have they been eliminated already? We don’t actually cheer for any one team, but we have a lot of fun letting Dad watch the games while we play around him. Easy snacks and a yummy drink were exactly what we needed to round off our weekend. 
    I wanted to let Mark relax with the games so I grabbed up some of his favorites – Delimex Taquitos and Tamales! 
     
    Grab Your Coupon and save $1 on any 2 Delimex (excluding Fruit Taquitos)
    He’s been wanting to make some Horchata at home as well, so we browsed some recipes and then did some experimenting. I’ve not been a fan of this cinnamon drink before, but I actually enjoyed our homemade version. Although a bit time consuming, it is easy to make! 
     
    Have a #DelimexFiesta with Taquitos, Tamales and homemade Horchata #Ad
     

     

    Homemade Horchata
    Homemade Horchata is a refreshing cinnamon drink you’ll love
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    Ingredients
    1. 1/3 cup Jasmine Rice
    2. 1 cup sliced Almonds
    3. 1 vanilla bean, sliced open (leave seeds inside)
    4. 5 cups warm water
    5. 2 cups cold water
    6. 2 TBS Cinnamon
    7. 2 cups sugar
    8. 1 cup water
    9. *cheesecloth
    Instructions
    1. In a food processor or blender, pulverize the rice to a fine powder (we used the blender, and got more of a chunky sand texture). Set aside.
    2. Blanche the almonds, drain.
    3. Toast over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
    4. Combine rice, almonds, vanilla bean and 5 cups warm water.
    5. Cover, and let sit over night.
    6. Remove the vanilla bean from rice mixture, scrape out the seeds, and add them back in.
    7. Combine rice mixture, and 2 cups cold water into blender.
    8. Blend until smooth.
    9. Add Cinnamon.
    10. Strain through cheesecloth, or a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher.
    11. Discard leftover rice and almonds.
    12. In a saucepan combine sugar and 1 cup water.
    13. Dissolve sugar over medium heat.
    14. Add to the rice/almond milk.
    15. Chill.
    16. Serve over ice.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
     
     
     
    It was a pretty cloudy weekend, so to keep the kids entertained while we watched some ball, we made our own indoor stadium. A little blue painters tape on the floor, and stacked couch cushions, they were entertained the whole afternoon!
     
    Home Court #DelimexFiesta #Ad

     

    The kids actually came up with the stands, by stacking our oddly sized couch cushions. Of course the put it right next to the Delimex and Horchata, making the perfect time out break space.

    Stacked Cushions make an indoor stand for the fans, and a timeout area to enjoy a #DelimexFiesta #Ad

    You can find all the ingredients for the Horchata and many different varieties of Delimex at your local Walmart!

    Delimex at Walmart #DelimexFiesta #Ad

    Find more great inspiration on the Delimex website! I’d love to hear what your favorite game time snacks are. 

     
    Homemade Horchata and Delimex Taquitos for the WIN! #DelimexFiesta #Ad
     
  • Strawberry Coconut Green Smoothie

    Strawberry Coconut Green Smoothie

    This post is sponsored. I received product for review. All opinions are mine alone.
    Strawberry Coconut Green Smoothie

    Strawberry Coconut Green Smoothie

    Ingredients

    1 cup frozen spinach
    1 can coconut juice
    1 banana
    1-2 cups Strawberries, sliced

    Directions
    1. Begin by placing the Spinach alone in your blender. Pulse it a couple times to chop the spinach up. I’ve found this helps the spinach incorporate better into smoothies without missing chunks of the leafy green. 
    2. Add half the Coconut Juice, puree. 
    3. Add banana and strawberries, blend until well mixed, while slowly adding the rest of the Coconut Juice.
    4. Serve and Enjoy!
    Strawberry Coconut Green Smoothie

    Do you ever go through food phases? I’ve always loved smoothies, but recently have started making them more frequently. I just love how much goodness can be packed into a smoothie, and usually the kids love them as well!

    Mark brought home some Coconut Juice one day, and I immediately though Smoothie! I keep a bag of frozen spinach just for such occasions, and we’ve been buying a lot more fresh fruit. Personally I don’t think you can have a smoothie without a little banana, but the Strawberries are what make this my kids favorite.

    Green Smoothie

    My kids often like to spoon their smoothies out, making huge messes. I was so tired of cleaning up smoothie, that I found these fun Silikids Straw tops. The kids think they’re fun, and I no longer have big messes to clean up. My kids also love that mom lets them blow bubbles in their drink now, because it won’t overflow when they get a little crazy.

    Follow Silikids

    Strawberry Coconut Green Smoothie with Silikids Straw Tops
    How do you get more fruits and veggies in your diet?
  • Weekend Bites #19 Beverages

    Weekend Bites #19 Beverages

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites




    If you’re new to Weekend Bites, here’s the run down
    Visit my cohost Debi at Practical Parenting
    1. Link up your any food related post below
    2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined. 
    3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
    4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)
    5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!!  This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spamming involved. Subscribe!

    Hello Hello! Wow January is over this weekend, but I’m still not quite use to writing 2015 – anyone with me?  A couple weeks ago I joined a support group on facebook one of my friends had put together. I wasn’t sure entirely what, if anything I would get out of it, but it has been amazing! I have some new friends, and they have helped keep me accountable for my goals around the house. I seriously feel like a new person this year. 
    How are you all doing with your new year goals? Have you found success yet? Let me know in the comments what you’re up to! I’d love to help encourage you along. 
    This weeks Features!
    Drinks anyone? So many beverages caught my eye this last week; check them out!
    Skittles Game Face Fizz- This fruity and fizzy drink is fun for all ages! Make it in your favorite team colors for the big game. #BigGameTreats #Ad
    Skittles Game Face Fizz
    I see so much potential for these with different party themes! I especially love that they are kid friendly. 

    Apple, Carrot, Ginger Smoothie
    I love smoothies, and this one sounds so perfect! Can’t wait to try it with the kids
    Orange 
    Orange Blossom Punch
    Punch without color is a win for my house of kids!
    Grab a Featured Button if you’d like
    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites

  • Pomegranate Lemonade Recipe

    Pomegranate Lemonade Recipe

    Holidays are upon us! Have Pomegranate Lemonade on hand to add to a little sparkling beverage and you’ll always have a delicious special drink to share.
    Pomegranate Lemonade Recipe

    One night, while I’m putting the kids to bed, Mark receives a phone call. When I come out, he tells me someone is coming by with some pomegranates. Cool, I say. I love Pomegranates! But why, who gets rid of Pomegranates?

    “Oh they said they bought too many, and don’t want them to go to waste”

    Sounds good to me. Though I’m not sure how anyone can buy too many pomegranates. They’re like a once MAYBE twice special fall/winter treat I allow myself. So I wait up. Expecting them to come by with maybe 4-5 pomegranates. Maybe they weren’t expecting the hard work that comes with eating this delicious fruit?

    Opening Pomegranates

    What I was not expecting were 2 1/2 boxes full with approximately 100 pomegranates! Seriously? I was most definitely in my own kind of fruit heaven. I spent the next 2 weeks…yes 2 weeks. Peeling this precious fruit and pulling out the little arils.

    Boxes of Pomegranates

    I tell you what, though, the work involved was completely worth it in the end. I have 2 quarts of frozen arils in my freezer – perfect for salads, parfaits, and adding color to other dishes – 6 pints Pomegranate Jelly, and then I took the rest and juiced them (which is no easy task without a juicer!), and made 3 quarts of Pomegranate Lemonade.

    Can your own Pomegranate Lemonade Recipe

     

    Pomegranate Lemonade
    Enjoy a delicious glass of Pomegranate Lemonade
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    Ingredients
    1. 2.5 Liters Fresh Pomegranate Juice
    2. 2 cups fresh squeezed lemons
    3. 1 1/2 cups sugar (more or less to taste)
    Instructions
    1. Combine the Pomegranate Juice, Lemon Juice and sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil, and simmer until sugar is all dissolved.
    2. Depending on how sweet your pomegranate juice is, and how tart the lemons are you can add less sugar. My pomegranates were more tart, and lacking in the sweet flavor.
    3. Pour hot juice into sanitized quart canning jar.
    4. Dip lids in boiling water for a few seconds, then place on top of jars. Secure with jar rings.
    5. Process in a water bath for 20 minutes. Let cool, and listen for a “pop” that will signify the lid is sealed.
    6. When ready to serve, pour over a cup of ice and let chill. To make it fancy, mix with sprite or similar soft drink. Great for holiday gatherings.
    Notes
    1. Sealed juice will last up to 1 year.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

    Love this recipe for Pomegranate Lemonade? Try this one for Pomegranate Stuffing