White Chocolate Mousse

I love watching "5 Ingredients Fix" with Claire Robinson. I love her show because she always uses 5 ingredients or less, she made this incredible easy and delicious recipe, it's mouthwatering! And if you love chocolate as much as I do, you're going to love it. Give it try. 

(photo and recipe: Food Network)

Ingredients:

7 ounces white chocolate, chopped into very small pieces

2 egg yolks

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup heavy cream, plus 1 cup

12 fresh blackberries, for garnish

Mint sprigs, for garnish, optional

Directions:

1. In a large glass bowl, place the chopped white chocolate and set aside.

2. Add the egg yolks and sugar to a small bowl and whisk until pale in color.
3. In a saucepan, over low heat, bring 1/4 cup of the cream to a simmer, and slowly add the cream into the yolk and sugar mixture to temper. Pour the creamy mixture back into pan and stir with a wooden spoon until it coats the back of it.
4. Pour hot mix into a fine mesh sieve placed directly over bowl with the chopped chocolate. Stir until completely smooth.
5. In another bowl, whip remaining 1 cup of the cream to almost stiff peaks. Fold half the whipped cream into the white chocolate mix to lighten and then fold in the remaining whipped cream.
6. Spoon the white chocolate mousse into 4 serving cups and refrigerate until set, approximately 1 hour.
7. Garnish each serving with 3 blackberries and a sprig of mint, if using.

Popsicles, Yum!

Summer? Check. Hot weather? Check. How about a popsicle to go with it? Check, check! Try one of these delicious easy recipes because nothing is better than a popsicle in this hot weather.

Kiwi Popsicle

(photo and recipe: Country Living)

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
4 kiwis
1/2 cup (about 4 limes) fresh lime juice

Directions:

1. Make the syrup: combine 1 cup of water with the sugar in a small saucepan and bring just to a boil. Set aside to cool.

2. Make the ice pops: using a paring knife, cut kiwis into quarters, peel, and remove the withe core and seeds from each piece. Place the seeded kiwi pieces in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade and puree to a liquid-about 1 minute. Combine the pureed kiwi, 3/4 cup syrup, lime juice, and remaining 3/4 cup water in a large bowl. Pout the mixture into molds and freeze until solid (about 6 hours).

Strawberry-Banana Smoothie Pops

(photo and recipe: EatingWell)

Ingredients:

2 cups frozen strawberries

1 medium banana

1 cup low-fat strawberry yogurt or vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup cranberry juice or pomegranate juice

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

Directions:

1. Place strawberries, banana, yogurt, juice and maple syrup in a blender and blend until smooth. Divide among six 4-ounce freezer-pop molds. Freeze until firm, at least 6 hours.

Playing Dress Up: White Chic

To me there's nothing more simple, chic and elegant than an all white outfit. It's really easy to put it together and the result is incredible. Add a black shoulder bag, a panama hat and a leopard print flats to make the outfit stand out. Try going all white!

White Chic by sweetcarolinee1

River Island white shirt, $24
Dorothy Perkins white cotton pants, $11
Black Poppy ballerina flat, $13
Burberry metallic handbag, $995
Panama hat, $140

How to Stay Cool in a Hot Weather!

Isn't hot? very hot? I guess this heat wave is here to stay. It's very important to stay cool in this hot weather, I have been going to the pool regularly for the past few days trying to cool off from this insane heat. Here are few of my tips on how to stay cool:

Keep blinds shut - you'll still get enough sunlight but mostly it'll help reflect heat away from the house.

Cook less - eat more salads or quick easy meals, avoid using the oven because the temperature can increase inside the home.

Drink more liquids - make sure to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids such as water, fresh fruit juices or different lemonades and iced teas.

Ice cream - a bowl of ice cream doesn't hurt during this weather, it only helps. Try frozen fruit pops or frozen yogurt.

Fruits to eat - watermelon(contains high amounts of water that refreshes), lemon(cools you down on a hot summer day especially when mixed with tea or juice), mango(rich in fiber, beta-carotene, vitamins A and C) and coconut(contains not just coconut water and meat but also vitamins and minerals).

Clothes - wear loose and lightweight clothes such as cotton and linen.

Pools - take advantage of your private pool or public pools in your neighborhood, take a dip!

Make sure to enjoy your Summer in the safest way possible. Happy Summer!

Walking Around at Nay Aug Park

Yesterday I had the opportunity of going to the park with the family, it was such a beautiful and hot day to just be outside. I love going to the park during Summer, I love to walk and seeing the great nature scenery. My daughter Sophia still pretty young but I want her to get used of being outdoors with nature. We decided to go to our local park, Nay Aug. We visited the David Wenzel Treehouse set in the woods overlooking the Gorge. Take a look:

Entrance to the Treehouse

View of the Gorge from the Treehouse

the little squirrels playing

pond in front the museum

Everhart Museum

Little facts* about Nay Aug:
- Largest park in Scranton, Pa.
- The Gorge was created at the end of the most recent ice age.
- The Everhart Museum was founded in 1908 by Dr. Isaiah Fawkes Everhart.
*facts from Wikipedia*

A Different Potato Salad

This is one of my favorites dishes to make and it's really delicious too. The apple really adds special crunch to the salad. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 pound red potatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
1/2 white onion, diced
1 gala apple, diced
1 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper

Directions:
In a medium pot, combine the potatoes and enough salted cold water to cover, do the same with the carrots in another medium pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until tender. Drain well, add to a bowl. Add the apples, onion and mayo, mix it well together. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and serve.

4th of July Trifle

Looking for an easy and beatiful dessert for the 4th of July? Try this patriotic trifle recipe, your guests will love it. Enjoy!


(Recipe and photo: Taste of Home)

 Ingredients:
1 package (3 ounces) berry blue gelatin

1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin

2 cups boiling water

1 cup cold water

2 cups cold whole milk

2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

1 pint fresh blueberries

1 quart fresh strawberries, quartered

1 prepared angel food cake (8 to 10 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes

Directions:
- In two small bowls, combine each gelatin flavor with 1 cup boiling water. Stir 1/2 cup cold water into each. Pour each into an ungreased 9-in. square pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
- In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in 2 cups whipped topping.
- Set aside 1/4 cup blueberries and 1/2 cup strawberries for garnish. Cut the gelatin into 1-in. cubes. In a 3-qt. trifle bowl or serving dish, layer the strawberry gelatin, half of the cake cubes, the remaining blueberries and half of the pudding mixture.
- Top with blue gelatin and remaining cake cubes, strawberries and pudding mixture. Garnish with reserved berries and remaining whipped topping. Serve immediately. Yield: 16-20 servings.