Strawberry Smoothie

1 can (11 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
6 whole frozen strawberries
2 tsp. crystal light strawberry/orange/banana drink mix
3 tsp. vanilla
1 container light strawberry yoplait yogurt
3 c. crushed ice
1 can sprite zero

Blend until smooth. Makes at least 2 smoothies. You can also divide it into thirds. I love using the mandarin oranges... they are so versatile and blend up really well. I buy them by the case so I always have them on hand too.

Citrus Smoothie

1 can (11 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
2 tsp. lemonade crystal light powder
1 container light key lime pie yoplait yogurt
3 tsp. vanilla
1 can sprite zero
3 c. crushed ice

Add all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Divide into 3 servings. Enjoy!

We developed this recipe last night and can I just tell you... it was fabulous! The only calories in it are the yogurt and the mandarin oranges (and maybe a couple from the drink powder).

Christmas Punch

1 (46 oz.) can pineapple juice
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 2-liter bottle of lemon-lime soda
1/2 gal. lime sherbet

Mix first 3 ingredients in punch bowl. Scoop lime sherbet on top and serve. You can substitute the lime sherbet and lemon-lime soda for orange sherbet and orange soda for Halloween (or any other occasion).

Lemonade (Easy, Delicious, Sugar Free)

1 2-liter bottle diet twist up (or sprite zero)
1 tub crystal lite lemonade
juice of 2 lemons
juice of 2 limes

Serve chilled with ice. All of the flavor without the guilt:)

Orange Julius

6 oz orange juice concentrate (half of the tube)
1 c. water
1 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. powdered sugar
Mix in blender, then add 8-10 ice cubes and blend until smooth.

Home Made Root Beer

5 lbs. sugar
5 gallons water
5 lbs. dry ice
1 bottle Root Beer Extract (McCormick is usually all we can find here:)

mix water, sugar and extract. Add dry ice - DO NOT COVER!
Let brew for at least 20 minutes. Enjoy!!

Yummy Low-Cal Tropical Smoothie

2 Tbls. skim milk
1 to 1 1/3  c. crushed ice (or 6-9 ice cubes)
3-4 whole frozen strawberries
1/3 c. drained mandarin oranges
1 rounded tsp. orange sunrise crystal light powder (I use the wal-mart brand)
1/3 c. water
1 capful coconut extract
1 capful vanilla extract

Blend until smooth. Enjoy! The magic bullet works perfectly for this! I figured the calories once and I should have written it down then but I didn't... I think it was just over 80 calories. I'm sure you could change the fruit, crystal light, extract combination to make more yummy smoothies... I like this one so much that I haven't felt a need to change it up yet! The crushed ice works far better than the cubes too:)

You can substitue 1/2 of a fresh orange or 1 fresh mandarin orange for the canned mandarin oranges. I really like using the canned mandarin oranges, the smoothies come out smoother that way. lol... I buy the small cans (11.5 oz. I think), drain them and divide them into thirds. Just put the other 2 thirds into separate baggies and refrigerate for later.

Holiday Egg Nog

Whip one pint whipping cream and sweeten with powdered sugar... spoon into gallon size pitcher.

Combine:
4 eggs
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Add:

1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 qt. half & half (or 1 pint whipping cream)

Stir. Fill container to the top with milk. Sprinkle generously with nutmeg and chill for several hours. Pour into punch bowl and add scoops of vanilla ice cream (about 1/2 of a carton... or more:).

This recipe came from Sharon Evans. Years ago, she came over to help me get ready for our company party and made this egg nog for me. We make this recipe several times during the holidays!

You can use the pasteurized egg product in place of the fresh eggs. Just use 1/4 c. for each egg.

Lime Slush Punch

1 (12 oz.) can frozen limeade
2 1/2 c. sugar
12 c. water

1 (2-liter) bottle sprite chilled

Combine first 3 ingredients, stir well. Pour into a container and freeze. Break up into a slush and spoon into punch bowl. Pour in sprite.

Tip: A plastic ice cream bucket works perfect to freeze the mixture in.

Refreshing Punch

1 can limeaid
1 lg. can of pineapple juice, ready to drink

Mix together and freeze.

Slush up and add 2 2-liter bottles of chilled squirt. It is nice and slushy... kind of tangy but very refreshing!

St. Pat’s Lime Fizz

½ cup lime juice
½ cup sugar
1½ cup pineapple juice
1 qt lime sherbet
1 qt 7-up or Sprite

Place lime juice, sugar and pineapple juice in blender. Whirl until blended. Add half the lime sherbet (2 cups) and whirl again for a few seconds. Pour glasses half full of the mixture. Fill glasses to top with 7-up or Sprite. Top with a small scoop of lime sherbet.

This is a recipe from Grandma Berlin. It is fun for St. Patrick's day (or any other day)!

Homemade Limeade

1 c. lime juice (about 9 medium limes)
1 and 1/2 c. sugar
8 c. water

Squeeze limes. Mix all ingredients together in a 2 quart pitcher. Stir well,
chill & serve.