Celebrate Life · Family Cookbook · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Gluten-Free Coffee Kick Smoothie

The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s book True Comfort.

This smoothie sounds so good I’ll have to try it. I like how easy it is to make and you can double the recipe to make two lattes.

1 tbs. ground coffee or instant coffee granules

1 tbs. raw cacao powder

1 tbs. coconut cream

1 cup frozen cauliflower florets

1 1/2 cups almond milk

1 frozen banana

Serves 1

Place the coffee, cacao powder, coconut cream, cauliflower, almond milk, and a banana in a high-powered blender and blend until well combined, about 1 minute.

Pour and enjoy!

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Family Cookbook · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Gluten-Free Tahini-Spiced Hot Cocoa-Sounds So Good!

The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups almond milk

2 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tb. raw cacao powder

1 1/2 tsp. raw honey

3 tsp. tahini

How To Make

In a small saucepan, warm the almond milk over medium-high heat until it simmers, 5 minutes.

Pour the warm milk into a high-powered blender and add the vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa powder, honey, and tahini.

Blend on high speed until the cocoa is smooth and frothy, 1 minute.

Serves 1

Double the recipe to make two cups.

Enjoy.

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Question Of The Day

Do you remember the first time you rode your bicycle without the training wheels?

I remember very well! I looked back to see if my dad was watching and ran into a telephone pole.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Music Videos

#Weekend Music Share-Def Leppard – Hysteria (Long Version)

Def Leopard all day any day! Big hair had its day and it was wildly popular.

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

 I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Travel

Sending A Special Thanks To Guadeloupe, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Andorra And Estonia

I get so excited when I see a new country has visited my blog, I wonder how you found me. Thank you for letting me into your life and traveling with a moment.

 

 

Take good care of yourself until I see you again.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Happy New Year!

The first day of 2025 is off to a great start because I woke up and any day I wake up is a day to be grateful. We have a year to live life the way we want to live, if you’re not there yet, keep moving forward with your eyes on the prize.

Happy New Year!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday · Men & Womens Health · Music Videos

New Year’s Eve Music Warm Up

Let’s see what type of party music I can curate at 61 years old, don’t expect current music because I don’t know any. Maybe we’ll call this an oldies music party. :)

Commodores – Brickhouse (Live)

Kool & The Gang – Get Down On It

Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (Official Video)

Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive (Official Music Video)

Rocky – Eye of The Tiger

Flashdance – What A Feeling (S.Martin Remix 2019)

Enjoy New Year’s Eve, have a great time but don’t drink and drive.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family Cookbook · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Fan Favorite! Gluten Free Coffee Energy Bites

“These are great for a morning or afternoon snack when you just need a little pick me up. I like to take them to the office with me.” Kristin Cavallari from her cookbook True Comfort.

All recipes are Gluten-Free and free of Refined sugar.

Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

Makes 14

1/4 cup finely chopped raw almonds

2/3 cup almond flour

1/2 cup creamy raw almond butter

1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

1/4 cup vanilla protein powder

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 to 2 teaspoons almond milk

1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

To Make

In a large bowl, combine the almonds, almond flour, almond butter, coffee granules, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and almond milk.

Roll the dough into golf ball size balls and place them on a baking sheet.

Place the shredded coconut in a shallow dish.

Roll each ball into the coconut and then return to the baking sheet.

Place the baking sheet in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour for the bites to firm up before you eat.

These bites keep well in a ziplock bag in the fridge for up to 14 days.

Here’s a great Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. My archives contain many Gluten Free recipes. 

Enjoy!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday · Men & Womens Health

Healthy Mocktails For Your Year Round Celebrations

As we approach several holidays mocktails are great for those who chose not to drink. 

Here are a few great recipes

 

Photo by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto on Pexels.com

 

Lemongrass Ginger Mockito

INGREDIENTS

  • 3/4 lime – halved lengthwise then cut into 6
  • 1/2 lemongrass – finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp ginger syrup
  • 1 tsp soft light brown sugar
  • 2 mint sprigs
  • 80-100ml apple juice
  • crushed ice
  • mint sprigs
  • lemongrass slices
  • 2 straws

DIRECTIONS

Add the lime pieces, lemongrass slices, ginger syrup, and sugar to a sturdy highball glass or a cocktail shaker. Muddle until the sugar has dissolved and the aromas are released. Add the mint leaves and muddle a bit more.

  1. Add half of the apple juice. Stir.
  2. Fill up with the crushed ice and the rest of the apple juice. Combine until well mixed.
  3. Add the straws, mint, and lemongrass slices.
  4. Enjoy!

Jasmine Ginger Iced Green Tea Recipe

1 wedge lime
4 ounces *brewed jasmine green tea, chilled
4 ounces ginger beer, chilled (I used Gosling’s)
Garnishes: Fresh sliced strawberries and additional lime wedges

Fill a glass with ice cubes. Squeeze the juice of a lime wedge over the ice and drop the lime wedge into the glass. Add the chilled green tea and ginger beer; stir gently. Garnish with strawberries and additional lime wedges.

Makes 1 drink

Virgin Pina Colada

Here are the ingredients in a virgin piña colada recipe: 

  • Frozen pineapple
  • Coconut milk
  • Maple syrup

Throw these in a blender, and you’ve got a tasty signature drink in no time. Except you need one last required item…drink umbrellas!

Green Russian

Brilliant green matcha makes this healthy mocktail creamy and comforting. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants and features a little caffeine kick.

We recommend using plant-based milk as the foundation for your Green Russian. This renders the drink accessible to those not consuming dairy, but it also allows the matcha to shine; milk proteins can block the absorption of matcha’s beneficial compounds.

Ingredients – makes 2 mocktails

2 ½ cups plant-based milk

Tip: Use a richer, fuller plant milk, such as cashew, macadamia, or barista-grade oat milk.

1 ½ tablespoons matcha powder

2 oz cold coffee

Tip: Try to use cold-brew coffee. Since we’re only using a little bit, you’ll want your flavor to be as full as possible. Alternatively, mushroom coffee can be used to achieve an earthy taste and add nutritional benefits.

2 tablespoons sugar or other sweetener

1 pinch cacao powder (optional)

1 cup ice

Directions

Warm 2 cups of your milk over low heat. Add the sugar and stir. Next, add the matcha powder and stir until fully dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.

Next, add ice to your glasses. Once the matcha mixture has cooled, pour it into the glasses. Add a quarter cup of the remaining milk to each glass. Pour a splash of cold coffee on top of the milk for a beautiful combination of colors and flavors. Dust the mocktail’s top with cacao powder for added glamor (and superfood power). Serve and enjoy!

Melinda

References:

Culinary Nutrition

A Couple Cooks

Martindales Nutrition

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Celebrate Life · Family Cookbook · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Gluten-Free Recharge Smoothie

The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort.

I am so impressed with her cookbook, she covers every meal, snack, and smoothie. You don’t have to be living a Gluten-Free life to enjoy the recipes, they sound delicious. Several followers have made comments about how good the recipe was.

Ingredients

1/2 avocado

1 tbs raw honey

1 cup almond milk

2 tbs raw cacao nibs

1 cup frozen cauliflower florets

1 big handful of fresh spinach

1 tsp brain octane oil (she likes Bulletproof)

1 tbs bee pollen

1 tbs hemp seeds

1/4 cup chopped or sliced blueberries and blackberry

How to make

Place the avocado, honey, almond milk, cacao nibs, cauliflower florets, spinach, and brain octane oil (if using) in a high-powered blender and blend until well combined, about one minute.

Pour into glass and top with the bee pollen, hemp seeds, and berries.

Enjoy right away.

Serves 1

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Family Cookbook · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Gluten-Free Peppermint Mocha

Coffee drinks give me a chance to stop & relax.

The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort.

What you need

1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk

1-2 shots of expresso

1 TB raw cacao powder

1 TS pure maple syrup

1/4 TS teaspoon peppermint extract

How to make

Warm the coconut milk to your desired temperature over medium to high heat in a small saucepan.

Pour the warmed milk into a high-powered blender and add the espresso, cacao powder, maple syrup, and peppermint.

Blend until the drink is combined and slightly frothy, about 1 minute.

Pour into a mug and enjoy it immediately.

Serves 1

Double the recipe to make 2 servings.

Enjoy

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Music Videos

#Weekend Music Share-Van Halen – Can’t Stop Lovin’ You (Official Music Video) [HD]

WOW!!!!!! Sing it, Sammy.

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

 I’m glad you joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Celebrate Life · Family · Family Cookbook · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

From Family Cookbook-Rocky Road Fudge

The family cookbook contains recipes my Gramps and Granny used often. It is the type of food I grew up on: good ole Southern food, from my Gramps’ dumplings to Granny’s pecan pie.

This recipe is a keeper! My brother and I would beg Granny to make it.

What You Need

1 can condensed milk

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup peanut chips

2 cups tiny marshmallows

2 cups chopped nuts

How To Make

Stir and melt chips and milk over medium heat, don’t scorch

Stir all the time and fold in marshmallows and nuts

Spread on buttered oblong pan and cool.

It is worth forgetting about the calorie count.

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday · Men & Womens Health

Have A Blessed Christmas

I pray you and your family have a blessed Christmas day. Christmas traditions like gathering with the family for a good meal and exchanging gifts are great memories. I hope you will take the time while the family is all together to count your blessing and be grateful for the help God has given your family in 2024. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season.

If you don’t celebrate Christmas, I wish you and your family the best leading up to the New Year. May 2025 bring you great joy.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Family Cookbook · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

From Family Cookbook-Oat Meal Lace Cookies

The family cookbook contains recipes, my Grandparents used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like dumplings, and pecan pie. Some recipes have been passed down or from other family members recipe. 

Ingredients

1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup quick oatmeal

1 egg

2 tb. vanilla

2 tsp. flour

1 cup finely chopped pecans

Cookie sheet

 

 

How To Make

Cream butter and sugar until combined

Add egg, and vanilla, and blend.

Add oatmeal, flour, and nuts, and mix until combined

Use a teaspoon to measure with

Drop mixture 2 inches apart on a folded lined cookie sheet

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

Cool and slide off the foil

Store in an airtight container

This recipe was a favorite of Granny’s.

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Sending A Special Thank You To Those Who Comment The Most

One of the greatest rewards of slowing down on writing is that it has allowed me to spend more time communicating with the bloggers who comment. I thank each of you who have left your comments, they are the lifeblood and the joy of blogging. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to share with me, it brings a smile every time

Here are the bloggers who have commented the most this year.

. JoAnna avatarJoAnna 655

sedge808 avatarsedge808 461

Mary K. Doyle avatarMary K. Doyle 393

Willie Torres Jr. avatarWillie Torres Jr. 211

Cindy Georgakas avatarCindy Georgakas 127

I appreciate you reading my post and sharing your thoughts with me, You’re the best.

Melinda

 

Celebrate Life · Family · Family Cookbook · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

From Family Cookbook-Syrup For Candied Sweet Potatoes

The family cookbook contains recipes that my Grandparents used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.

What You Need

3 or 4 cups sugar

1 cup water

Half a stick of butter

Medium pot

 

How To Make

Cook until butter is melted

Cook at 400 degrees until brown.

Pour over potatoes

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · DIY · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Self-Care

Sugar Scrub Skin Benefits

Willow & Sage by Stampington

Simple to make, classic sugar scrubs are a must-have item for your skin routine. They not only help remove dead skin cells, improve circulation, unclog pores, and prevent ingrown hairs, but they also leave your skin feeling soft and smooth- a necessary tool during cold winter months. You can use a sugar scrub one or two times are week. For sensitive skin, you’ll want to watch how your skin reacts and perhaps exfoliate less often.

4 Basic Benefits

Boost skin circulation

Exfoliates dead skin

Improves skin texture

Moisturizing dry skin

Which Type of Sugar To Use

Scalp: Brown Sugar

Faces: Sanding/Caster Sugar

Lips: Brown Sugar

Hands: White granulated sugar

Legs: Cane sugar

Feet: Raw/Turbinado sugar

Melinda

Celebrate Life · DIY · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Self-Care

“Walk in the Woods” Bubble Bath

Willow & Grace by Stampington

You Will Need

Bowl: Large

1 cup Castile soap: unscented/citrus

1/4 cup distilled water

2 tsp. sea salt

2 TB. vegetable glycerin

Spoon

15-30 drops cedarwood essential oil

15-20 drops of frankincense essential oil

10-15 drops clary sage essential oil

10-15 drop vanilla essential oil (optional)

2 TB raw honey (optional)

Airtight container: 8 oz

To Make

In a large bowl, combine the Castile soap, distilled water, sea salt, and vegetable glycerin, and stir gently until well combined. Add cedarwood, frankincense, clary sage, and vanilla essential oil if using. Start with the lower amount of 15 drops each and adjust to your preference.

For an extra moisturizing boost, stir in the raw honey, if desired. Pour mixture into airtight container of choice for easy storage.

To enjoy, run a warm bath and add 1/4-1/2 cup of bubble bath under running water. Relax and soak in the woody aroma.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Music Videos

#Weekend Music Share-Georgia Satellites – Keep Your Hands To Yourself (Live)

Great song to be celebrated in every state!

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

 I’m glad you joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Celebrate Life · DIY · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Self-Care

Holiday Lip Scrub

Willow & Sage by Stampington.com

You will need

Yields 3 Tins

Bowl: small

4 1/2 TB brown sugar

1 tsp. gingerbread spice/ground cinnamon

1 1/2 TB fractionated coconut oil

Spoon

Storage tins: 0.5 oz (3)

Sprinkles: gingerbread man (optional)

To Make

In a small bowl, add brown sugar, ground spices/cinnamon, and coconut oil, and mix until the ingredients are well blended. Pack the holiday lip scrub into storage tins. Decorate with gingerbread man sprinkles if desired.

Sounds yummy and sends you into Winter and the holiday season. Would make great gifts.

Melinda

 

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday

Wordless Wednesday-Christmas Ornaments

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

 

 

These are a few of my favorite ornaments. The Santa in the first photo is made of sterling silver and I forgot who designed it. The other ornaments are made by hand with European glass by Christopher Radko.

Melinda

https://www.christopherradko.com/pages/how-we-make-our-ornaments

Celebrate Life · Family Cookbook · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

From Our Family Cookbook-Pecan Pie

The family cookbook contains recipes my Grandparents used and the type of food I grew up on: good ole Southern food like dumplings and pecan pie.

Pecan Pie

What You Need

1/4 ts. vanilla

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

3 tbs. flour

1/2 stick butter or margarine

3/4 cup white Karo

1 cup pecan’s chopped

 

 

How To Make

Sprinkle pecans in the bottom of unbaked pie crust

Add filling

Bake at 300 degrees for about an hour

In a bowl add together all of the ingredients except for chopped pecans. Let the butter/margarine get soft before adding

Sprinkle pecans in the bottom of unbaked pie crust

Add filling

Bake at 300 degrees for about an hour

One of the most important things is not to overcook. Take the pie out when there is only a small part in the middle that shakes

I’ve made this Pecan Pie so many times, it’s easy and delicious.

This is a great pie year-round, but it was always on the table at the holidays.

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · DIY · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

5 Creative Projects To Help Focus Your Mind

A creative project is a great way to focus your mind and spend some downtime. Art, gardening, craft, and DIY are all very therapeutic. You’ll feel more relaxed and gain some perspective. Creativity is the perfect way to channel stress and anxiety. Put your overactive mind to good use and make something you’ll cherish forever. There are plenty of different kinds of ideas depending on your interests. Here are five creative projects to help focus your mind.

                                                                                                                Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Paint by numbers

Paint by Numbers is an example of a trendy craft gone viral during lockdown. It is incredibly therapeutic and relaxing, and not just for kids anymore. Even though you’re following instructions, it still requires a lot of patience and hard work. Paint by numbers is a good compromise if you like art but aren’t necessarily an experienced painter. You’ll be able to enjoy the results without being a natural artist. You can display your painting proudly for all your family and friends.

Winter Flowers

There are several reasons why gardening is so therapeutic. It’s a great way to get back in touch with nature and gain some perspective. Sun and fresh air also go a long way. Even when the seasons start to change, this doesn’t mean you have to be a fair-weather garden. There are plenty of winter flowers you can plant such as pansies and jasmine that grow all year round. If you want to keep it inside you could even build your own mini zen garden, or decorate the house with plants.

Customize your car

If you’re the type that likes to get your hands dirty then why not sink yourself into a project in the garage? Customize your car to your liking this fall. Automotive Stuff is an example of a site where you can find your own parts. You can even trade car parts online with other car owners. If you prefer, start small with the interior, or even work under the hood. If you’re passionate about cars you could invest in a used vehicle to revamp.

Make your own bath products

You’d be surprised how many simple products you can make at home. All you need is some essential oils and a couple of household ingredients, and you can make a variety of bath products. This is a more eco-friendly option as well, not to mention thrifty. If you want to use your creativity to make something you’re going to use, then bath products are ideal. You can even give them as gifts to your family and friends.

Upcycle your furniture

Whether you decide to flip the furniture or keep it, it’s easy to see why upcycling has become such a popular pastime. You could invest in some second-hand furniture at your local thrift store and turn it into a creative project. For example, you could find an old photo frame, print your Domonique Rodgers NC State print, and hang it on the wall. Creating Upcycling is a fun way to revamp furniture or repurpose other items. Perhaps you can find a new use for some old things around the house. It’s very therapeutic and satisfying. 

This a collaborative post. 

Melinda

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