Strawberry Coconut Bread Pudding

The sweetness of strawberries comes together perfectly with the creaminess of coconut in this easy to make Strawberry Coconut Bread Pudding...

So, one of my favorite things about us going from late spring to early summertime is those first of the season strawberries. There is just nothing quite like them- wouldn't you all agree? Not only do they seem to be at their very best, but the prices drop dramatically and you can snag a big ole package of them for just a few bucks. 

But unfortunately when there are only two people in your house most of the time, a big ole package of strawberries doesn't seem to get consumed quickly enough. Not wanting to see them go to waste, I brainstormed what I could do with them. 

I also happened to have on hand a loaf of locally baked sourdough bread I needed to use and some leftover canned coconut milk from when my boyfriend made me homemade Indian food from scratch a few days before. 

Fresh strawberries + sourdough bread + coconut milk? It was a no-brainer, folks. It was time to whip up a new homemade bread pudding recipe! ;)

Coconut-Lime Teriyaki Chicken with Roasted Coconut-Pineapple Sweet Potatoes

Today I am giving you all a very rare two-for-one recipe post in this Coconut-Lime Teriyaki Chicken with Roasted Coconut-Pineapple Sweet Potatoes.  This little taste of the Caribbean pretty much happened completely on a whim.

And I often find that some of the best recipes I come up will happen that way.  

Not the ones that I research and Google and pour over (although those recipes are pretty darn tasty too. ;) ).

But the recipes I come up with on the days when I haven't planned a dinner for that day...

The ones in which I look in my fridge, and cupboard, and produce bowls on the kitchen island, and think what do I need to use up now? What do I have to work with here?

And my friends, this particular recipe started with the sweet potatoes.  Yes, I built an entire meal around the side dish.  

As I was rummaging through the bowl that I keep my potatoes in, I realized that there were two sweet potatoes hiding beneath a big bag of russet potatoes. I had bought them a few weeks back and then had forgot that they were there.

They were still good, but I knew their days were numbered.

I saw a lime sitting in my fruit bowl, and then inspiration struck.  

I created a flavorful marinade for chicken breasts with the lime juice, a little teriyaki sauce, and some coconut milk to complement what I had in mind for those sweet potatoes. ;)

The sweet potatoes were tossed with some shredded coconut and fresh pineapple that I had leftover from a couple of days before and then were oven roasted.

Not only is this dinner flavorful and bright, but it is also healthy- packed with all kinds of good stuff like coconut oil, fresh fruit, and sweet potatoes...

Frozen Lemonade Colada

This Frozen Lemonade Colada is what happens when you blend a lemonade stand with the beach- a perfect frosty sip of summer...

Am I the only one who feels like summer is being rushed away already?

At a visit to my local crafts store last week, I was bombarded with fake leaves in the deep shades of autumn and the scent of cinnamon spiced pine cones.

Just step inside any local department store and you will find back-to-school supplies already being shoved into our faces.  

They all seem to be jeering at me... Tick-tock, tick-tock. Your summer is almost up!

And granted, my son starts back to school on August 14th (August 14th, you all) so maybe I shouldn't be so bitter about the whole back-to-school supplies displays.

But come on!  What ever happened to school starting back in September? Do you all remember that? 

And technically speaking, I have to point out that we actually have until September 22nd before summer officially gives way to fall.

So can we just all slow our roll here for a second?

This Frozen Lemonade Colada is the perfectly frosty way to savor summer a little longer... with tart lemon and creamy coconut, every sip is like prolonging those summer days for just one more minute. And I will take every extra sun kissed, summery minute that I can get my hands on (or lips on, in this case)... ;)

Almond Joy Green Smoothie

I would venture to say that it is no secret to my regular readers and followers that I have a crazy mad sweet tooth.  I have been making strides to eat healthier more often, but I do try to live by a moderation and not deprivation rule as far as my daily diet goes. To curb and satisfy those frequent sweet tooth cravings, I like to create a few lower calorie and lower fat versions of some of my dessert favorites. 

And one of my fave ways to do this is with simple & creamy green smoothies. 

While there are a handful of candy bars that I crave, Almond Joys often top my list.  Creamy coconut & crunchy almonds coated in sweet milk chocolate...

I am pretty happy to report to you all that my Almond Joy Green Smoothie comes pretty close to the real deal. ;)

Perfect for when you need a sweet treat without overindulging...

Pina Colada Smoothie {Greek Style}

Take your taste buds on a guilt free getaway to the tropics with this creamy & low fat Pina Colada Smoothie...

Our beach vacation is just one and a half months away.  And I will admit it- I want to look good in my bathing suit. Who doesn't?  

But I also have no desire to give up my sweets.  (You all have perused the recipes on my blog, right? ;) )

So, I am not cutting out all sweets.  I am still baking cookies and making homemade ice cream.

But I am trying to to replace some of the sweets that I love with some healthier alternatives here and there.

My coupon to try FAGE Total Greek Yogurt for free as a newly appointed BzzAgent came just in time. ;)

Honestly, when I took my first bite of the FAGE Total 0% Greek Yogurt I was FAR from sold. It wasn't sweet at all.  But I quickly learned it was fabulous with a drizzle of honey topped with crunchy almonds and sweet dried cranberries. ;)

And then I started baking with it.  And then I start making smoothies with it...