"Sip Your Way Skinny": Day 1-Coconut Water

Hope you guys had a great holiday season! We did, but we're glad to be back, we missed you. 

Anyway, it's January 9th, which means we're now 9 days into our 2012 New Year Resolutions. And, if you're like most of America, "getting fit" or "losing weight" made it onto your Resolution list this year.
(but let's be honest, isn't it on there almost every year?)

  

We're right there with you, so we decided the entire month of January should be dedicated to

healthy drinks and "skinny" drink options.

Because most of us are consuming too many liquid calories

 and there are plenty of great alternatives.

 We are calling it Sip Your Way Skinny

and guess what, it starts today! Woo!

Sip Your Way Skinny:

Day 1- Coconut Water

Image via

Have you noticed Coconut Water is all the rage? You probably have seen pictures like the ones above on the cover of US Weekly, or People, in line at the store (or in your weekly subcription if your like me...I'm a sucker for these magazines) and might be wondering what the hype is all about.

We did the research for you to see if its just trendy, or if it's really as great as they say,

 here's what we found:

Health Benefits

(these are just some we've highlighted because they're so many,

if you want to read more, there's lots of info out there, but this is the site we used):

-helps re-hydrate you

-better for you than sports drinks (less sodium and sugar, but more potassium)

-helps boost your immune system and fight viruses

-helps raise your metabolism

 -can reduce risk of cancer

-helps control diabetes 

 After reading all of that good news, we came to the conclusion that it is worth trying.

So we did, and loved it.

Coconut water can be little sour if you're not used to it,

so try adding just a splash of orange juice like what's shown above.

 (don't do too much or it will off set the low sugar/low carb benefits)

mmm...delicious.

Happy 2012!

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. We are taking a mini hiatus for a bit of family time.

 I've included some pictures of what we've been up to instead of blogging:

Kirstin and her fam went to Dallas to visit friends and go to a Black Tie Wedding (isn't it just gorgeous?)...

... and Adam and I went to Philadelphia and New York to visit our friends and family.

But we'll be back next week and have a fun couple of weeks planned that might help out with some of your new years resolutions... so stay tuned friends:).

Champagne Week: Day 3 - A Round Up

Happy New Year's Eve Eve! To ensure that you are well prepared with a bevy of beverage options for tomorrow night's festivities, we thought we'd put together a little round up of Champagne cocktails (and fun New Years-y DIY projects). And if you can't wait until tomorrow night? Mimosas are fully acceptable at any time of the day (and made with champagne). Look how festive you are.

tinsel drink stirrers

ginger champagne sparkler

DIY monogrammed glitter glass

champagne limoncello cocktail

citrus champagne sparkler

champagne strawberry spritzer

a champagne primer

classic champagne cocktail

blood orange champagne cocktail

We also shared recipes for Merry Mimosas and Cranberry Lime Bellinis earlier this week... and here are a few more champagne cocktails for kicks!

If you're feeling ambitious, bookmark (or pin) your favorite, and go grab a bottle of champagne or two! You'll be oh-so-prepared when tomorrow night rolls around- and hostess of the year for serving such yummy drinks. It's a win-win!

Champagne Week: Day 2 - Cranberry Lime Bellinis

Yesterday was Day 1 of Champagne Week. 

Did anyone get to try those? Are you planning to?

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Today we have another Champagne drink for you.

It involves Cranberry Juice again, which is a total coincidence. 

But it's de-lish.

 It's a little sweet, it's a little sour, and it's a little fizzy. 

It's a Cranberry Lime Bellini, and it needs to be at your NYE party this weekend.

Please tell me you saw those bubbles?

The recipe was adapted from Giada DeLaurentiis (Love that girl).

Here's what you need:

 

equal parts of

cranberry juice, chilled

limeade concentrate, chilled

champagne or prosecco (we used champagne), chilled

Here's how to do it:

Mix, stir, sip.

(we rimmed ours in gold sugar to glam-it-up even more)



Pretty, huh? Your friends will love it, PROMISE.

Champagne Week: Day 1 - Merry Mimosas.

2011 has five days left!


That's five days to finish last years bucket list/new years resolutions, get some good R&R to wind down from the Holiday, and... plan your New Years party (or plan what to take to someone else's).


This is precisely why we planned Champagne Week for you.
Let us help you ring in 2012 with a little sparkle.


Today, we wanted to suggest that you kick off the celebration this weekend with a Merry Mimosa.

The recipe was originally published in Southern Living's 2011 Christmas Cookbook
(that my mom gave me, thanks Mom),
but it's the perfect recipe for this time of year: Tradition + Holiday + Glam


It's so great for a brunch on NYE or on New Years day, because shouldn't every year start off with little bubbles?

Here's what you need:
3 c orange juice, chilled
1 c cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
1 bottle Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled.

Garnish with an orange peel and/or frozen cranberries.

Here's how to do it:

Combine orange juice and cranberry juice in a large pitcher.

Add Champagne just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Serve immediately.

Makes 7 cups