kefir shake

this is my favorite type of shake. kefir is a great source of probiotics, which is essential for good digestion. the only problem is that it doesn't exactly have the kind of flavor that people are drawn to. it's like a sour yogurt type of flavor and i have trouble drinking it unless i mix it with something. so, the 8 oz. kefir shake is one of my favorite treats. i'll have this with breakfast or as a snack during the day and i think it's around 250 calories give or take. i enjoy yogurt as a snack as well, but i can't really have the same snack every day, so these shakes are definitely something i look forward to once or twice a week.


the ingredients: 2 small scoops of vanilla ice cream...i prefer breyers, about 6 oz. of helios kefir i prefer berry flavor, and a handful of fruit...i prefer an assortment of berries especially blueberries with lots of antioxidants. kefir comes in different flavors even plain i think, so definitely try and experiment with different ice cream flavors and fruits.

just before the blender does its magic. i like mine to be somewhat liquid and not too thick and i blend it just enough for most of the fruit to be puréed with some small chunks left.

Cucumber, Ginger, and Sake Sangria

I loooooved this drink! Okay, let me be honest though...I enjoy drinking...but this one is great for people who don't like drinks that taste like hard alcohol. It is light and perfect for spring and summer BBQs. You have to be very careful drinking it though because it doesn't taste like alcohol and it is quite strong, but you don't feel the effects immediately. It's very subtle. And if you are into presentation as much as I am you will really appreciate this one because it is gorgeous. Make sure you serve it in a clear colored punch bowl!

1 large seedless cucumber (they're usually wrapped in plastic at the store)
2 cups water
2/3 cup sugar
1 tbs. finely grated fresh ginger (peel the ginger before you grate it)
2 tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 (720-ml) bottle chilled dry sake
2 tbs. finely chopped crystallized ginger...optional (try the health food section of your store)

1. Cut cumber crosswise into three equal pieces ( 1 | 2 | 3 ) does that look like a cucumber?

2. Peel and chop 2 of the pieces and put into a blender. Add water, sugar, fresh ginger, and lemon juice to the blender and puree until smooth. Pour through a medium-mesh (medium sized holes) strainer into serving bowl or pitcher to get rid of chunks.

3. Use a hand peeler to peel the remaining big piece of cucumber so it looks like it has zebra stripes, then cut it in half lengthwise, so you have two long skinny pieces and then scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Cut into slices (they'll look like half moon shapes).

4. Toss in sliced cucumber, crystallized ginger and sake and stir (You can cover and chill for up to 2 hours if you need to prepare in advance). Serve over ice!

Tips: I thought this recipe was almost perfect, but I would use a little less sugar and a little more lemon juice. Try it and adjust it to your taste...all recipes need a little tweaking to make it just perfect for your taste buds.