Rhubarb Slushies

This is one of my favourite ways to use rhubarb. This stuff is seriously SO good, especially on a hot summer day...Of course, we haven't had many of those yet, but even on a rainy day, this was still really good. You can make a big batch ahead of time and store it in the freezer until you need it. I first tried this at my mother-in-law's place, and that's where I got the recipe.

Rhubarb Slush
8 cups rhubarb (fresh or frozen)
8 cups of water
2 cups sugar
2 cups boiling water
2 Tbsp strawberry jelly powder
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 cups pineapple juice

In a large saucepan, bring rhubarb and 8 cups water to a boil, simmer 10 minutes, then strain. Reserve the juice. Combine sugar, jelly powder, and 2 cups boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Stir into rhubarb juice. Add pineapple and lemon juices and mix well. Allow to cool, then freeze juice in smaller containers. To use, allow it to thaw slightly, scoop with an ice cream scoop and add an equal amount of ginger ale. Yields 35-40 servings.



*Raising Homemakers Homemaking Link-up*

Caramel Frappuccino

This is my favourite afternoon pick-me-up in the summertime. Why spend a few bucks on one of these when you can whip one up at home for a few pennies!? And with low fat milk and low fat real whipped cream, I can have one nearly every day - guilt-free!

Caramel Frappuccino

3/4 cup cold, strong coffee (make sure it's very strong)
1/4 cup milk (or a little more, depending on your personal preference)
1 cup of ice (I use one full mini ice cube tray per recipe)
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp caramel sauce

Blend together in a blender until smooth (I use my magic bullet - love it!). Garnish with whipped cream and more caramel sauce. Sit down, relax, and enjoy!

Monkey Fruit Free Smoothie

When I was pregnant with our daughter, one of the only things I could tolerate was cold, thick drinks like iced cappuccinos, strawberry milkshakes, and peach slushies. Maybe that’s when my love for cold, thick drinks first was kindled. I don’t know. But, for the past year or so, I have been on a mission to discover the perfect smoothie blend. My only stipulation – the perfect smoothie cannot contain any bananas. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am *ahem* "allergic" to “monkey fruit”, as I like to call them. Well, I am happy to inform you all that I think I have finally found the perfect smoothie combination, and best of all, it is monkey fruit free. Most of my failed attempts at the perfect smoothie blend have involved crushed ice, which just did not cut it. But I think I have now discovered the perfect smoothie, and it is seriously good. I call it....drum roll please...The Monkey Fruit Free Honey Yogurt Berry Smoothie. Don't you just love the long name. LOL. Since I first discovered it, I have been having one for lunch nearly every day for the past 2 weeks. I truly believe the key ingredients to be the honey and vanilla flavoured yogurt. So, here is the blend (with a bit of guestimation on the measurements).

Monkey Fruit Free Honey Yogurt Berry Smoothie (yes, a long name, I know!)

• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries)
• 1/2 cup Tropicana orange juice (or 100% freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 – 2/3 cup vanilla yogurt
• Honey, to taste (about 1-2 tsp)

Directions: Blend together and you will have, in my opinion, one of the healthiest, tastiest monkey fruit free smoothies around! If you want it to be “extra-healthy” you can add a bit of ground flax seed or whey powder.