5 Exotic Smoothie Recipes From Around The Globe

These nutritious and delicious smoothies are sure to be unique treats for your taste buds. Each recipe comes from a different country and contains unique flavors and combinations indicative of the foreign food culture there. If you try them, let us know how they are! Check them out below!

Carioca’ Acai Bowl — Brazil

Brazil is one of my favorite places. From dancing samba in the parade at Carnival in Salvador, to people-watching at Posto 9 on the beach in Ipanema, it's impossible to be bored there! You'll find acai everywhere. This berry comes from the Amazon rainforest of Brazil and is considered a superfood because it's rich in antioxidants, omega fats, protein, fiber and amino acids.

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen acai packs (I use Sambazon)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 ripe banana

Blend until it's sorbet-like texture, then top with anything you'd like! Sliced bananas, bee pollen, berries — I used gluten-free granola, shredded coconut, vegan dark chocolate chips, and strawberries. YUM!!!

For a drinkable smoothie version, use only one acai pack, combine all of the ingredients and blend.

The Quintana Roo — Mexico

You would be hard-pressed to find more stunning beaches than those of Tulum, Mexico. Ah, to be there now, relaxing in a hammock, sipping on this smoothie.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 cup fresh or frozen mango
• ½ avocado
• few sprigs of fresh cilantro
• juice of one lime
• (Ice if using fresh mango)

Avocados are a great source of monounsaturated (healthy) fats and also provide potassium (twice as much as bananas), vitamin E, folic acid and fiber.

The Reclining Buddha — Thailand

The mangoes in Thailand are to die for! I took some cooking classes in Southeast Asia, which inspired this exotic smoothie!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup watercress
• 2 cups frozen mango
• 1 tsp galangal (Thai ginger) or 1 inch peeled fresh ginger
• 2 small stalks lemongrass (discard the outer leaves) or use frozen
• juice of 1 lime
• handful of cilantro

Cilantro is great for detoxifying heavy metals, easing inflammation, and is rich in vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and vitamins A, C, and K. Lemongrass has strong anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.

Two more recipes in the full article here: http://bit.ly/Z8w2dm

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The Dos & Don'ts of Growing Mint

Mint is one of several plants that works wonderfully as a window box plant, not only because it’s able to thrive in lower levels of soil than some, but also because it’s a tasty addition to many treats from ice cream to mojitos. Look below for the “Dos and Don’ts of Growing Mint”.

Mint is really the perfect place to begin as you build your herb garden. It's easy to grow and is really fun to add to many recipes, whether breakfast, dinner or desert. And don't forget to add a sprig to a glass of iced tea on a hot summer afternoon.

If mint is the perfect place to begin when learning to grow an herb garden, why then are there don'ts about growing the plant?

Mint is not just easy to grow, but its roots, which are called "runners," are incredibly invasive: they quickly grow, sprouting new leaves and new plants as they go. Mint will overtake a flower bed or garden in no time if you're not careful. So, read on for the Do's and Don'ts of Growing Mint:

DO

• When choosing a location for your mint, find one where the plant will receive morning sun and partial afternoon shade.

• Plant on a patio, in a container.

• When planting the herb in a flower bed, first submerge a container (either a pot, a mesh bag or edging to at least 5 inches deep), leaving the rim above ground level when potted, so the mint's fast-growing root system will be contained. Otherwise, the herb will take over your garden and lawn in an annoying weed-like fashion.

• Harvest mint sprigs before the plant flowers.

• To extend the harvesting season, pinch off the flowering buds as they appear.

• If planting your mint in a garden bed, apply mulch to help keep it from spreading.

• Locate mint plants fifteen inches apart, and thin them regularly.

• If planting your mint indoors, locate your container where it will receive good morning light but where it will also be away from drying heating elements.

DON'T

• Plant mint in an open bed without first submerging a vessel that will contain the herb's wild-growing roots.

• If planting mint in a bed using a submerged pot, be sure it's not cracked. The "runners" will find their way out and continue to spread.

• Plant the herb in super moist conditions where it won't dry out.

Full article here: http://bit.ly/zsVrHY

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Shallow-Rooted Veggies for Growing in Window Boxes

If you’re thinking of growing any small window box gardens, you should make sure that you pick your plants based on how well they do in shallow soils. Some plants cannot thrive in less than 12 inches of dirt, so check out this article about which veggies in your windowsill will do well.

When I moved into my first apartment, I planted veggies in the two front window boxes. But I did it pretty willy-nilly, without any research, and some of those poor plants just didn't flourish. If you're thinking of doing the same, please check this out first for some ideas of which plants do best in shallow soils:

The plants listed below do well in shallow soils, shallow being about 12" of depth (or less for the lettuce):

• lettuce

• red radishes

• spinach

• scallions

• herbs

• garlic

• strawberry

Interested in creating your own window box? Check out this DIY from HGTV. Do remember that plants with shallow root systems have a greater requirement for water, so check often and keep them well-watered!

Full article here: http://bit.ly/Xsci0v

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Peeps Bird House S'mores on a Stick

Building a birdhouse might a little complicated of a task for children, but not with these Peeps Bird House S'mores on a Stick! This yummy recipe is simple enough that the kids can help, and delicious enough that they’ll want to. Most importantly, if they mess up and want to start over, clean up just takes a couple of chomps!

Peeps Bird House S'mores on a Stick

Graham Crackers (Honeymaid)

Yellow & Blue Peeps

Chocolate Cookie Frosting (Betty Crocker)

Pretzel Sticks

Decorative straws or Lollipop Sticks

We started out by cutting the graham crackers into a bird house shape using kitchen scissors.  Start cutting from the bottom side to the middle (where the lines are). Do the same with the other side.  Then start cutting from the middle to the top into a point. Do the same on the other side.  Make 2 for 1 pop.  You will need 2 Peeps for the inside like this....

Squeeze the chocolate cookie frosting on the insides of the graham cut outs.  Poke a straw or lollipop stick through 2 Peeps and then place them on the chocolate....

Make a hole on the bottom of the top grahams using a lollipop stick. It will pop right through without breaking anything. Break a pretzel stick in half and press it in the hole. It should stay without securing with frosting. We put Tootsie Rolls in the microwave for 7 seconds each and flattened them out. We cut 1 small Tootsie roll into 4 squares using kitchen scissors.  We attached them on the top using our frosting to look like little shingles. We made a hole on the front using our frosting. We cut a couple of the Peeps heads off and placed them on the hole (like little birdies peeking out). Squeeze chocolate on the other insides of the graham cut outs and place them on top. Let dry.

More here: http://bit.ly/WX9Jc1

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5 Small Things to Splurge On

Trying to keep your apartment expenses down is something many people do. Making sure that no money is wasted on unnecessary frivolities is a good idea, but make sure you don’t go overboard. Here’s a list of five items you might want to splurge on and add to your place, unless you already have them. Don’t worry, they’ll be worth it.

1. Door Mat - Because it's the first thing you see when you walk into someone's home! That's probably the main reason anyone ever puts much thought into the doormat, but I urge you to consider function over beauty. My coir doormats drove me crazy by tracking in unwanted coir fibers, but yet I kept buying them. Not to mention, I would usually go through at least two a year. I did my research and decided on the Cape Cod Doormat, a little more money from the start, but way cheaper in the long run. After countless pretty doormats failed me, I finally got it right. My Cape Cod mat comes with no mess and has been going strong for over two years!

2. Entryway Rug - This is one area I always thought it was smart not to splurge on. I mean it's heavily trafficked, gets dirty and needs constant washing or replacing. Years practicing this theory proved I was dead wrong. The Problem: I have gone through about five different rugs in my entryway. With one pitiful rug pad and two dogs that rush the front door every time they hear a noise, I was forever straightening, fixing and flattening the front rug. The Solution: Modular carpet tiles by FLOR. Yes, they were way more expensive from the start, but they stay in place and their modular tile design allows them to be hosed off, cleaned, and replaced whenever necessary.

3. Powder-Coated Boot Tray - My Martha Stewart powder-coated boot tray has been with me for the long haul. It's the first and only boot tray I've ever bought and it's still going strong. I remember doing quite a bit of research for such a small investment, and eight years ago when I bought it, dropping $100 on a boot tray was not really in my budget. But I didn't have an entryway and knew I wanted something simple, attractive and most of all, functional. To this day, I can still say it has never once leaked and has no rust spots.

4. Dish Rack - My dish rack also survived the move from the apartment to the house and is still with me today. I remember combing The Container Store and other big box stores for a stainless steel rack before eventually settling on one from Williams Sonoma. Now that I live in a house with a dishwasher, I would eventually like to replace it with one that doesn't take up as much counter space, but I imagine it will still be here serving its purpose for a couple more years.

5. Cutlery Organizer - When we renovated, we were able to splurge on a nice kitchen cabinets. It was such a luxury and such a step up from my apartment's gritty, rusted steel cabinets that I thought putting in plastic drawer organizers would be a shame. I splurged on beautiful bamboo ones that complemented the interior of my cherry drawers and every time I open them, I love what's inside. I've never thought much more about them until the other day when a friend was over and commented on how nice my drawers were. The same comment would have never been made if I rushed to fill them with their ugly plastic counterpart, which I would have eventually replaced anyway.

Full article here: http://bit.ly/XGTfk6

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St. Patrick's Day Cookies

Do you love to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?  Check out this great recipe for Irish themed cookies for your party or celebration this weekend.   You can find more recipes and crafts that are Irish themed at Martha Stewart.


Sprinkle a little luck on your sugar cookies. Draw your own stencil or use our template to create the clover design.

• Yield Makes 50

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Ingredients

• 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Green sanding sugar

Directions

1. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl; set aside. Combine butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment; cream on high speed until fluffy. Beat in eggs
2. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in two additions, mixing until well combined. Mix in vanilla. Divide dough in half, and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out 1 piece of dough on a lightly floured work surface 1/8 inch thick. With a 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out 25 rounds. Working with 1 round at a time, place clover stencil on top; sprinkle surface with sanding sugar.
4. Arrange rounds on parchment- or nonstick baking mat-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes, or until ready to bake. Repeat process with remaining dough.
5. Bake, one sheet at a time, until edges just start to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Cook's Note

You can freeze the dough, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to one month. Store the cookies in an airtight container up to five days.

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Chores and Fun

  Do you have children that sit around while you clean up the house?  Even the youngest child can help with chores.  Check out these great cleaning tips to help get your toddlers involved at a young age.  They usually find these tasks fun, and you will get a smile on your face watching them.

You can find more tips at 20 Minute Mom.

LAUNDRY:

(about 11 months )

• Sorting: Help her practice saying her colors, identify articles of clothing and take extra time to check those pockets!
• Lugging: Have your toddler bring pieces of clothing from the pile over to the laundry machine
• Loading: Count through the numbers and practice the word "in" while your toddler loads clothing into the washer one by one. If you have a front loading washer, it can be the perfect height but consider using a step stool and a basket for top-loading washers.
• Scoop: Give your toddler the proper sized scoop and let them scoop up the soap
• Pour: Time to pour the soap in!
• Push: A toddler's favorite chore of all: button pushing! "Start" 

LIVING AREA

19.5 months

• Plant Watering: Have your toddler place an ice cube or two into each of your house plants for slow indoor plant watering. Outside is the place for your toddler to use a watering can!
• Sweeping: Turn on some music (essential to cleaning in our house) and grab an extra broom. Your toddler will be pushing it around the house in no time.
• Vacuuming: A bubble vacuum or small hand vacuum is a great toy to have around the house. I take ours out only during "vacuum time with mommy"
• Fluff Pillows: Give your toddler pillows from the couch to fluff (showing them the proper motion). This is especially fun for high energy boys :-).
• Tidy Up Toys: Have your child bring toys and place them in the toy basket (find a Clean-Up song on YouTube if you don't already have one).
• Dusting: Go to the dollar store and grab an extra dusting wand for your toddler. Show them the coffee table and the front of cabinets that are easy for them to dust. 

KITCHEN

• Food Prep: Give your toddler a small spare drawer in the kitchen that is filled with play-friendly cooking ware (spatula, dollar store pans, cupcake tins) and they will be "cooking" along side you in no time. Clean up is a cinch - throw all the items back in the drawer!
• Stir: Grab a stepping stool or clear a space on the counter. Give your toddler the job of mixing ingredients.
• Table Settings: During the young phase with a helpful toddler, consider purchasing inexpensive or plastic plates and give your toddler a couple to bring to the table. They can also be responsible for bringing place mats, napkins or a basket of rolls to the table. 
• Wipe-Up: If Mommy or toddler makes a spill on the counter or floors during food prep, your child can be given a rag to wipe it up (this helps them learn the basics of being tidy)!
• Ringing the Dinner Bell: Have your toddler be given the responsibility of ringing the dinner bell that tells Daddy and the other family members it's time to eat. They can also practice words like "Dinner" or "It's Time!"
• Emptying the Dishwasher: Quickly empty the breakable or sharp items from the dishwasher and have your toddler collect the "yellow plates" or "red spoons" (or other toddler dish ware).

BATHROOMS 
*Ideally, when cleaning with toddlers you will be using natural products, but always wash your hands after cleaning!

"mommy and me" cleaning buckets 

• Spray: Teach fine motor skills by assisting with the spray bottle 
• Wipe: Give your toddler a cloth and show them the "wiping" motion
• Pick Up Tub Toys: Have your toddler round up tub toys like foam letters and floaties to prepare for a wipe down
• Clean Toilets: My toddler LOVES the toilet scrubber. I have a hard time cleaning toilets without her holding onto the handle. If you have an overly interested toddler, be warned that a cell phone or other non-organic items may eventually end up in the toilet. My first line of defense is to keep all bathrooms closed at all times!

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