All of my life fall has been my favorite season. The changing leaves, the cooler weather, I love it all! But coming in at a close second is summer, and hanging out at the pool, back yard barbecues, and sunshine until 9pm.
Once the holidays are over I'm ready for summer to be here! In Illinois January through March are just kind of a big, gray, icy blur. Today I thought I'd do something to bring a little summer into our house...even though it's currently 7 degrees outside.
Our day started out a little slow with everyone sleeping in until 7am (what lazy children I have)
Once the holidays are over I'm ready for summer to be here! In Illinois January through March are just kind of a big, gray, icy blur. Today I thought I'd do something to bring a little summer into our house...even though it's currently 7 degrees outside.
Our day started out a little slow with everyone sleeping in until 7am (what lazy children I have)
Kaelin had a 7pm basketball game the night before so we all had kind of a late night, but Troy was eager to try and feed Cian this morning so I had some time to drink my coffee before I got started on some goodies.
The first thing I put together was a dessert for after lunch today. I wanted something light because troy has a game at noon and no one wants someone throwing up in the middle of a game. So I went with a Summer Berry Cheesecake Salad. I made this for carry ins last spring and summer, it's super easy and super yummy! Plus it tastes like summer in your mouth!
Summer Berry Cheesecake Salad
Ingredients
1 pound of strawberries cut into quarters
1 container of blueberries
1 container of raspberries
1 8 ounce package of cream cheese
1/2 cup of vanilla creamer
*Right now all of these ingredients can be found at your local Aldis!
The first thing I put together was a dessert for after lunch today. I wanted something light because troy has a game at noon and no one wants someone throwing up in the middle of a game. So I went with a Summer Berry Cheesecake Salad. I made this for carry ins last spring and summer, it's super easy and super yummy! Plus it tastes like summer in your mouth!
Summer Berry Cheesecake Salad
Ingredients
1 pound of strawberries cut into quarters
1 container of blueberries
1 container of raspberries
1 8 ounce package of cream cheese
1/2 cup of vanilla creamer
*Right now all of these ingredients can be found at your local Aldis!
Lay your berries out on some paper towels to absorb their moisture
Mix the cream cheese until it becomes smooth. I used my hand mixer, in hind sight this is why my husband bought me a stand mixer
Once your cream cheese is smooth (and that step may take a few minutes, but keep on keeping on) add in your creamer and mix until completely combined
Once thats done pour your berries in and fold them into the creamy mixture
Mix the cream cheese until it becomes smooth. I used my hand mixer, in hind sight this is why my husband bought me a stand mixer
Once your cream cheese is smooth (and that step may take a few minutes, but keep on keeping on) add in your creamer and mix until completely combined
Once thats done pour your berries in and fold them into the creamy mixture
The great thing is you can chill this in the fridge over night, or you can serve it right away. I poured mine into a tupperwear container and will let it hang out in the fridge until lunch time...okay I had a spoonfull...or two :-)
The next thing I wanted to put together was for breakfast and snacks for me this week. Since I am breastfeeding I find that around 4 o'clock I get ravenously hungry, and I want protein. The problem is that at 4 o'clock I am helping with homework, putting away laundry, and getting ready to run everyone to their after school activities. So as much as I am loving peanut butter and crackers I wanted something a little different, and a little summery!
Greek Yogurt Berry Bites
Ingredients
1/4 cup crushed almonds (I used graham crackers to be a little more budget friendly)
2 tbs granulated sugar
2 tbs butter melted
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbs honey
1 1/2 cup chopped strawberries and or raspberries (fresh or frozen, I have used both)
Spray a muffin tin down with non-stick spray
Stir together almonds (graham crackers) butter, and sugar
Spoon a small amount intoeach muffin cup and press together to form your little crusts
Mix together the yogurt and honey
Spoon yogurt mixture onto your crusts
Top with the berries
Greek Yogurt Berry Bites
Ingredients
1/4 cup crushed almonds (I used graham crackers to be a little more budget friendly)
2 tbs granulated sugar
2 tbs butter melted
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbs honey
1 1/2 cup chopped strawberries and or raspberries (fresh or frozen, I have used both)
Spray a muffin tin down with non-stick spray
Stir together almonds (graham crackers) butter, and sugar
Spoon a small amount intoeach muffin cup and press together to form your little crusts
Mix together the yogurt and honey
Spoon yogurt mixture onto your crusts
Top with the berries
Stick in the freezer for at least six hours
These are such an easy snack to keep me full in the long hours between after school and before dinner. I can throw them in a baggy and snack on them while I watch the kids, or eat them in the car on the way. Plus the protien from the greek yogurt helps keep the munchies away!
These are such an easy snack to keep me full in the long hours between after school and before dinner. I can throw them in a baggy and snack on them while I watch the kids, or eat them in the car on the way. Plus the protien from the greek yogurt helps keep the munchies away!