citrus sangria

Everyone always talks about going out for drinks on Thursday and Friday as the week is coming to an end.  But I say, what about drinks on Monday?

citrus sangria // edible perspective

It seems like the exact perfect day for a drink.

Something to look forward to at the start of the week.  Something with a little zing.  Something to get you through the last weeks of winter, or the start of winter if you live in Colorado. 

citrus sangria // edible perspective

This drink is light and refreshing with a definite burst of juicy citrus flavor.  Sure to brighten the Monday blues.

citrus sangria // edible perspective

And the best part?

Eating the fruit cocktail at the bottom of your glass.

citrus sangria // edible perspective

citrus sangria // edible perspective

citrus sangria // edible perspective

citrus sangria // edible perspective

Print this!

Citrus Sangria

yields 2-4 servings

adapted from: Jessica’s Blood Orange Sangria

• 1 bottle chardonnay
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 3 blood oranges
• 1 cara-cara orange, or other orange
• 1/2 ruby red grapefruit
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 small apple
• 1 small pear
• sparkling water

1. Pour the wine and brandy in a large pitcher.
2. Juice 2 blood oranges, 1/2 grapefruit, and 1/2 lemon.  Juicing by hand works perfectly.
3. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp and seeds, then pour into the pitcher.  Stir.
4. Core and chop the apple and pear and place the pieces into the pitcher.
5. Slice the remaining 2 oranges into halved segments and/or round slices and add to the pitcher.
6. Stir and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Best if chilled for 4 hours before serving to allow flavors to fully develop.
7. Pour each glass, add some of the fruit, and a good splash of sparkling water [about 2-3 tablespoons per serving, for 4 servings].

notes/subs: Recipe is easily doubled.  For a sweeter drink add 1/4 cup sparkling citrus juice in step 1, and reduce the splash of sparkling water by half.

Check Jessica’s recipe for a fun idea for rimming the glasses with sugar!

citrus sangria // edible perspective

Can’t transport a pitcher of sangria to a friend’s house?

No problem.  Make the sangria ahead of time and pour into 12oz jars with a lid for each guest!

citrus sangria // edible perspective

Hello, Monday.

You don’t look so bad after all.

Ashley

super green smoothie

Howdy from Ohio!

I’m back east this week visiting my family which hasn’t happened since June.  It’s been way too long.  I’m soaking up every single minute and loving it.

A few days before leaving I upped my intake of fruits + veggies in hopes of staying healthy while at home.  My vegetable consumption has been at an all-time high the past few weeks but now even more so.  I just can’t get enough.

Don’t worry though, I’m balancing it with things like orange honey corn cake which I ate the entire pan of last week.  As soon as I got home I made another batch for my[self] family.

One quick and easy way to get a huge helping of fruits + veggies is in smoothies. But you knew that already.  However, I find myself making the same two smoothies time and time again.  I was due for a change.  Something super green and banana-less!

I know there are quite a few banana haters out there and most smoothies include banana for a silky smooth texture, sweetness, and flavor.  For this combination I used avocado to create a smooth and thick texture, and pear, green apple, and kiwi for sweetness and flavor.  Kale is thrown in for the veggie punch but is undetectable alongside the fruit.

Print this!

Super Green Smoothie

vegan, gluten-free // serves 2

• 3 cups green kale, stemmed + chopped
• 2 kiwi, skins removed
• 2 green apples, cored + chopped
• 1 bartlett pear, cored + chopped
• 1/3 avocado
• 1- 1 1/2 cups ice
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth.  Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency. 

notes: Use ripe fruit for the maximum flavor and sweetness.  Use any type of milk.  If desired, add honey, agave, or soaked dates for more sweetness.  I keep the peels on the apple and pear but scoop out the fruit from the kiwi.  Peel all fruit if desired.

If you don’t have a juicer, are in a smoothie rut, and/or don’t like banana in your smoothie this is the drink for you!  Super green smoothie to the rescue! 

Hope you all had a nice weekend.

Ashley

You still have a few more hours to enter the Love Grown Foods HOT OATS giveaway!  The winner will be announced on Facebook Monday morning.  Thanks for all who entered.  Your comments have been absolutely fantastic.  I have enjoyed reading each and every one and have gained so much hope and inspiration for this year because of all of YOU!  Thank you!