Here’s what we did:

1. Making the dough was easy using the pre-made mix.  All we did was add almost boiling water and 1 tablespoon of Spanish Olive Oil.

2. Place dough in Churro maker

3. Pump out the dough according to package directions and fry for about 4-5 minutes in 350 degrees F vegetable oil.

4. Drain and sprinkle with powered sugar.

5. Enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate!

2 ¾ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ sticks of butter
4 oz cream cheese
1 ¾ cups sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and powder, set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in dry ingredients.
4. Using a small cookie scoop, drop round balls onto a cookie sheet lined with a Silpat. Sprinkle with raw or colored sugar.
5. Bake for 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned.

Making cookies or food with my kids and loved ones is one of my most treasured moments, it’s just us with the recipe and the food. It’s about watching your kids grow and learn, allowing them to get their hands dirty to accomplish something on their own. And bonus… we all get to enjoy eating it!

There are so many easy cookie recipes that kids and parents can do together, here’s a few that you can start with. What’s your favorite “parent and kid cookie recipe”? Share the recipe (and the story) with us today.

My wish for all the parents our there is for you to enjoy your treasured moments with your kids, they grow up way too fast.

Mix… Bake… Eat (in moderation)… and be Merry.

Writing from the heart,
Betty

Sugar Cookies: (By Alton Brown)	Chocolate Chip Cookies: (Nestle’s Original)

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (by Betty Hakes)	Suprise Cookies (My Martha Stewart)

At first I thought it was just a phase for us, but as I sit here 6 months later looking for some great deals on green tea, it’s much more than a phase, it’s a lifestyle change.

I must admit I am really loving tea more than coffee as my daily morning routine (not that I don’t sneak in some Cuban Coffee once in a while, but don’t tell Ron that.)

I enjoy the Green Tea in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon.  I also enjoy a Passion Fruit tea or a Chamomile/Tilo mixture before going to bed.  For a special treat I’ll brew some Jasmine Green Tea.

Do you have tea story?

Here are a few of my favorite places to search for tea:

Full disclosure, I am an affiliate and these are affiliate links (that means I am compensated by the company if you buy at these online stores using these links). I appreciate your support.

I had never heard of this before so I forwarded the message out to my Cuban family and friends. My sister married a man from Oriente, and his family is the one with the information!! I’m thinking this must be a local tradition to Oriente because I have never heard of this before. My family is from Havana and my mom lived in Pinar Del Rio and Marianao for a little while.

Here’s the tradition: Once someone is pregnant, someone in the family makes the Alinado (directions follow below) then it is put in a big bucket or container and it’s buried underground until the baby is born.

Once the baby is born family and visitors drink it to celebrate the birth of the baby.

I think it’s actually a pretty cool tradition!! What do you think? Are you from Cuba and have heard or participated in this tradition? If so, comment here — I’d love to hear about it.

Graciela (my sisters’ mother-in-law) explained the recipe to me, but can’t give me specific measurments, this is the best I can do right now:

Alinado Recipe

You will need to double this recipe as necessary. Graciela just eye’s this and “feels” the right amounts. You’ll need to experiment yourself. Follow your heart and I’m sure it will be awesome!

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 package ciruelas pasas (prunes) ** must have
Fresh fruits such as: apple (cubed) and grapes
2 cups Rum

Directions: Make the syrup: Bring water to a boil, stir in sugar. Turn the heat to low and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and add fruit and rum to taste.

Recipe got me to thinking that many people I speak with don’t know what Jicama is, so wanted to tell you more about this legume that looks like a turnip.

• Jicama skin, typically peeled best with a potato peeler, is a tan/brown color and it’s flesh is white. (Usually do peel before eating.)
• Jicama is a popular dietary staple in Latin America and widely grown in Mexico and Central America. Also referred to as a Mexican potato and the Chinese potato.
• Can be used as an alternative to the water chestnut.
• Doesn’t discolor when exposed to the open air for awhile.
• Raw jicama is often used as an accompaniment to raw vegetable platters.
• When jicama is used in cooking it tends to take on the flavors of the ingredients that it is being combined with. (It’s is a nice complement to stir-fry dishes)
• Jicama is available year-round. When purchasing jicama, select tubers that are firm and have dry roots. Make sure that the jicama has an unblemished skin and that is not bruised. Once purchased, store jicama for up to two weeks in your refrigerator.
• With only 46 calories for 1 cup of sliced Jicama and it’s high amount of vitamin C — seems like a good food you should try.

Let me know what you think about Jicama!

If so, check out these deals on Orbitz!

Send me pictures

The fact is that I wake up about 6AM and feel like the energizer bunny on speed going from one thing to another… until 2:30 PM rolls around when my body and mind starts to slow down and feel like my day should be over. Sound familiar?

Well about 1-2 months ago that’s all changed. I’ve been drinking a Verve healthy energy drink daily from Vemma and WOW do I feel the difference!

I usually drink an 8oz can around 2 or 3 PM and it gives me the oomph I need without making feel jittery or nervous, nor do I feel a crash hours after. It’s like a little bolt of Cuban coffee, but healthier! Personally, I’ve never liked the energy drinks found in the stores because I feel they have too much caffeine, they just taste too sweet to me and give me a little bit of a head rush. I don’t feel any of those effects with Verve!.

Verve! Only has 80 mg natural caffeine and filled with 12 full spectrum vitamins and a juice blend of mangosteen, green tea and aloe (Managosteen is a delicious fruit found in SE Asia and is known for its super-antioxidants properties.) You can read the supplement details of Verve on Vemma’s website.

Vemma has the regular (which is my favorite) and the sugar free version which is perfect for those who are diabetic or just watching their sugar intake.

Take it from me and give your body the OOMPH it deserves with Verve! From Vemma!

By the way, my husband loves the tropical taste and how it helps him feel revitalized and more aware, which is pretty important for a director of emergency management!

Click on this link and order yours today. Vemma has an introductory offer bundle for only $25, plus they have a risk free guarantee.

Enjoy!

disclaimer: these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. I have expressed my personal opinion and facts I’ve found on the Vemma website.

I’d like to think I have … but I must admit some days are better than others.

HealthCompareGuide.com has launched a community-driven charity that is very cool. It’s called OneACT where people in distress can receive the help they need.

Click on HealthCompareGuide.com for more information.

How about trying the services from one of our clients Roni Deutch Tax Center They are offering a $30 discount right now.

Good luck!

Betty