Champagne and Chocolate - New Years Eve Beverages

What are you doing New Years... New Years Eve?!  Whether it's a quiet night at home with family or a large party with numerous friends, the food and drinks should be memorable for ringing in the New Year.

For the last several years, we've spent New Years Eve with some family and friends.  There is always a pleasing spread of food; such as BBQ cocktail franks, veggie pizza, salads, leftover Christmas cookies, bacon-wrapped water-chestnuts, and spinach dip.  At midnight, champagne is the typical beverage of choice.

If you are looking for a few fun drink recipes, I hope one of these can make a guest appearance at your event.


Chocolate Irish Cocktail
- 1 shot of premium vodka
- 1 1/2 shot of Irish Cream
- 1 shot of milk
- Chocolate syrup

Add ice to a short glass.  Pour in the vodka, Irish cream, and milk.  Stir until liquids are mixed together.  Drizzle the chocolate sauce over the top in a cross-hatch pattern (something taken from my days as a barista at Starbucks).  Serve and enjoy!


Holiday Champagne
- 4 to 5 ounces of champagne (regular, not blush or color)
- 1 TBSP of cranberry juice
- 2 whole cranberries

Pop 2 or 3 whole cranberries into the bottom of the champagne flute for decoration.  Then pour the champagne into the flute.  Add the cranberry juice and stir slowly. 

This idea came for AllRecipes.com - Poinsettia Recipe


Chocolate Pudding Shots
- 4 oz. package of chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 3 oz. Irish Cream
- 3 oz. Kahlua
- 1 cup "Cool Whip"

Combine the milk and pudding mix into a bowl.  Use a mixer to blend evenly.  When it's smooth, blend in the liquors.  Fold in the cool whip.  Separate into individual cups.  Refrigerate until party time.

This recipe was sent in by a friend - she found the recipe on My Science Project.


Most importantly, drive safe and plan ahead!  I hope that you all have a very safe and Happy New Year!


*Image taken from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images

Resolutions Beyond The New Year - Low Cal Food

For those of you that are starting a new workout or diet plan on January 1st... this post contains 3 excellent diet foods that you are sure to love.

I am a firm believer in making lifestyle changes instead of jumping on the latest "diet trend".  I also believe that you should exercise and choose a diet/lifestyle plan that fits you best.  Some people choose to count carbs, cut out high fats or join a gym.  Personally, I have been counting calories and doing an interactive workout plan at home.

As part of my recent lifestyle change, I am happy to share low-cal foods that I love.  Be sure to pick these up on your next grocery trip.


Skinny Cow - Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream
Calories = 150
Weight = 5.8 oz
Price = $1.22

I am the typical woman and sometimes get a craving for chocolate.  I ate this small container in 2 sittings.  This made for a great low-cal desert.  Assorted flavors are available.

 

Skinny Cow

Weight Watchers White Cheddar Cheese Wedges
Calories = 1 wedge, 30 calories
Weight = 4 oz container
Price = $2.25

This is a great low-cal snack for those mid-day cravings.  Pair with Reduced Fat Wheat Thins (16 Pieces = 130 calories).  I do not participate in Weight Watchers but they do have a lot of food options that work with a low-cal diet.

 

Weight Watchers

Lean Cuisine - Fajita-Style Chicken Spring Rolls
Calories = 3 rolls, 200 cal
Price = $2.00

I really like eating the spring rolls for lunch.  The box comes with 2 servings of spring rolls and 2 heat jackets.  So it can provide you lunch for 2 days.  Pair with an apple, veggies and/or a yogurt.  It makes for a great low-cal lunch and will keep you satisfied for the afternoon!

 

Lean Cuisine

I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year!




Copyright 2011 A Hint of Thyme. All rights reserved.

* Images taken by Mara D.

Flashback Friday - Christmas Morning Traditions

 

Flashback Friday

My typical breakfast during the week is apple & cinnamon oatmeal, Greek yogurt, or some type of non-sugar cereal.  During the holiday season, I like to make a nice breakfast for myself and Jon.  I kick breakfast up by adding whip cream or Irish cream to coffee and sprinkling cinnamon or nutmeg on top.  

Last year was our first Christmas as a married couple and I wanted to make it extra special.  If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times... the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!  I plan to make a "breakfast casserole" for Jon again.  This time I will add bacon instead of sausage.

Check out December's Flashback Friday recipe for "Set it and Forget it - Christmas Morning". 

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  God's blessings on your holiday season.

We could all use a hint of more time.

Copyright 2011 A Hint of Thyme.  All rights reserved.

*Image taken from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images.

2011 Thanksgiving Turkey Poll - The Results

Here are the results from the 2011 Thanksgiving Turkey Poll, as mentioned in a previous post "Another Year of Turkey and Thanks".


Question 1 - Where is your Thanksgiving typically held?

• 45% answered "another relatives house".

Question 2 -  What is your favorite food to eat on Thanksgiving day?

• Two answers came in at 33.5% for "the turkey" and "stuffing".

Question 3 - What is your favorite kind of pie to eat on Thanksgiving? 

• "Pumpkin pie" came in with a land slide of 66.7%.

Question 4 - What kind of utensil do you use to eat pie?

• No question about it... 100% answered "fork".

Question 5 - What is your favorite pie topping?

• 88.9% answered "whip cream".

Question 6 - What do you love most about Thanksgiving?

• 100% came in for "spending time with family" ... that's my favorite too!
  
• 66.7% said "taking time to reflect and be thankful for the past year" and "eating a ton of yummy food".
• 55.4% happens to enjoy "watching football" that day.

Thank you to all that took the time to participate in a quick poll.  Check back in a few days for the "Christmas Poll".

Coming soon...  
Tips and Recipes for Traditional Christmas Meals.

We could all use a hint of more time.
Copyright 2011 A Hint of Thyme.  All rights reserved.


*Image at top taken from office.microsoft.com/en-us/images.