Homemade Organic Strawberry Lemonade

My best friend and I made this for a baby shower we catered.  It was delish. And SO pretty, also.  I'm all about pretty looking food and drink.  The recipe is originally from Emeril Lagasse.  With a few tweaks, it is MAXIMIZED! Advaned Plan friendly, of course.

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup pulverized Xylitol (find grind help it dissolve better)
• 1-2 tablespoons organic grated lemon peel
• 1 cup fresh organic lemon juice (don't skimp here, people.  No bottled junk... juice 'em yourself!) 
• 1 pint fresh organic strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
• Ice
• Mint sprigs
• Whole strawberries, garnish



Look!  How beauitful would this lemonade table be at a summer party? Just perfect!



Method

• In a medium saucepan, bring the water and Xylitol to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally.
• Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat.
• Let cool completely, the strain into a clean pitcher.
• In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.
• Add the sparkling water and stir well.
• Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint, strawberries and lemon slices.

Easy Party Snack

I had my closest girlfriends over tonight.  And I am on the Advaned Plan... I was maybe a little bummed on missing out on a glass of wine.  But I thought this would be a good opportunity to start a weekly tradition: quick and easy party appies and treats.  You CAN be on the Advanced Plan and still eat yummy, indulgent food with your girlfriends.

Tonight...
Warm Brie & Apples  

• 12 ounces good french brie, but into 4 wedges
• 3 granny smith apples, cored and thinly sliced
• A handful of raw pistachios

Place brie wedges in a small, oven safe dish and sprinkle with pistachios.  Bake in a 350 oven for about 5 minutes.  Serve with apple slices

Blueberry Lemon Scones

As always: gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free and OH-SO-GOOD.  Perfect for Mother's Day brunch.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup pulverized Xylitol (whiz it up in a blender or spice grinder to get a finer consistency)
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 2 free-range organic eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• the zest of one lemon
• 1 cup (or more if you love 'em as much as I do) organic blueberries

Method

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In large bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
• In a small bowl, wisk together wet ingredients.
• Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients and add lemon zest and blueberries.
• Form scones with about 1/4 cup of the mixture and place on baking sheet at least one inch apart.
• Bake for 12-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.