Cranberry Ginger ale Punch

This also makes a yummy drink without the sherbet.

2 liter bottle Cannada Dry Ginger ale
48 oz bottle of 100% cranberry juice
1 pint sherbet (any flavor)

Add the Sherbet to a punch bowl. Than pour in the ginger ale and cranberry juice.

Cotton Candy Soda

I'm not sure if I can call this a recipe because there are only two ingredients. But I thought it was interesting and my kids thought it was fun to make. Just fill a glass with cotton candy and pour in a clear soda like Sprite or 7UP.

Strawberry Lemonade

I just love frozen strawberry lemonades from McDonald's. Before we moved we had a McD's in walking distance from our house. It was the perfect combination. I got my exercise walking to McD's and my strawberry lemonade fix everyday...it was my motivation. So just imagine my disappointment when we moved to a town that doesn't even have a McD's! I started having major withdraws, I had to do something so I went to the grocery store only to find out they don't carry strawberry syrup. So I Googled a recipe and this is what I found.

Strawberry syrup:
2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix strawberries and sugar in a sauce pan. Stirring occasionally, cook on med/high heat until it begins to thicken (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and puree half of it (or mash it with a potato masher). Place it back in with the remainder and cool in the fridge.

Lemonade:
1 cup real lemon juice
1 cup sugar
add enough water to make 2 quarts
Mix in desired amount of strawberry syrup and enjoy!

Chocolate Milk Smoothie

I love this smoothie because its basically chocolate milk sweetened with a banana. I also love it because it's healthy for my kids and they don't get all the sugar and other additives that they would get from the store bought chocolate milk.

1 cup milk
1 Tbs cocoa powder
1 banana
1 Tbs peanut butter
Blend it and enjoy!

I  like to use dark chocolate cocoa powder because it contains the highest concentration of flavonoids which are a form of antioxidants (actually I'm just a sucker for dark chocolate). Peanut butter is high in protein and the banana has potassium...what more could you ask for in a Delicious smoothie?

Hot Chocolate

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup hot water

1 cup heavy cream

3 cups milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine dry ingredients in a 2 quart sauce pan. Add the hot water and mix over med/high heat. Stir until it begins to boil. Slowly add the milk and cream and heat for about 2 minutes longer (do not let it boil after adding the milk). Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract.

Note: If you do not want to use heavy cream than leave it out and replace it with milk.

topped with cool whip and a mini candy cane