Posh Sun Tea

Mmmmmm....summer's coming, time to break out the giant pickle jars- and brew some sun tea!
Make it fancy-fied for company by adding some herbs while brewing, for a sophisticated, subtle, and delicious surprise.

1. Fill your jar or other glass container with cold water.
2. Add 7 tea bags.
3. Throw in a handful of mint and sage leaves.
4. Let it brew until it's to your liking. I like mine to go all day.
5. Take the bags and herbs out, squeeze the herbs a bit to get more of their flavor.
6. Pour over ice, and enjoy!
   

Oh NO!

Have you ever been in the middle of a recipe, get to a step, and realize- "Oh POO! I'm out of that!"?

Have no fear, many pantry staples can make a nice substitute in a pinch. :)

• Out of eggs? One egg can be substituted for 1 heaping Tbsp. soy flour plus 1 Tbsp. water.
• Low on brown sugar? 1 cup white sugar plus 2 Tbsp. molasses will make 1 cup of it.
• PMS made you eat all your chocolate? Just mix 3 Tbsp. cocoa and 1 Tbsp. shortening.
• Need buttermilk, but forgot to pick it up? Put 1-2 Tbsp. of lemon juice or vinegar into a 1 cup measuring cup, and fill it with milk.
• You can also enjoy the creamy-ness of whole milk in a recipe, even if you don't keep it on hand. Just mix 1/2 cup evaporated milk with 1/2 cup of water.

More great substitutions tomorrow! :)

Gift Wrap On the Move

Do you find yourself needing to wrap a gift, but the wrapping paper is in the closet, the scissors are in the kitchen and the tape is upstairs in the kids' rooms?

Keep your giftwrap station portable. Get a 5-gallon bucket and a garden tool cover for the bucket. Use the pockets to store ribbons, tape, scissors, and markers. Use the inside of the bucket to store rolls of gift wrap.

You will be able to just pick it up, take it wherever you need it and wrap away without having to search all over the house or make several trips to get your supplies together.

Did you know??

That an apple,

not caffeine,

is more efficient in

waking you up in the mornings?

Birthday Party Tips

* Write each child's name on a cup to serve as a place card. This will stop confusion when you go to give them refills.

* Several hours before the party line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and place one scoop of ice cream in each. Store in the freezer until serving time. For an extra special treat sprinkle with sprinkles.

* Place birthday candles on toothpicks before inserting into the cake. They will stay in place better.

* Pay a couple of teenagers to help out at your next party. They can serve refreshments, help with games, and with clean up.

* Not sure how many kids to invite? A good rule of thumb is one guest per age of the birthday child.

* Pass on making a whole cake and bake cupcakes. Have the kids decorate their own.

Protect your blonde color this summer!

If you are like me and pay to be blonde...be sure to get your money's worth by protecting it and keeping your color this summer!

When doing Extreme Makeover on ABC, my hair dresser told me:

1) Only wash your hair every 2-3 days. It's not a hard change to make. I've been doing every other hair washing days 4 years now. It just becomes automatic.

2) Don't straighten your hair everyday. Typically, I will straighten it the first day and pull it up on the 2nd day.

3) Before you jump in that pool or lake, put a layer of conditioner in your hair!
By doing so, the chlorine has a harder time getting to your hair, turning it that awful green color. >:(

If you're anything like me, I get in and out of the water several times. I recommend putting more conditioner in your hair each time you get out to lay in the sun. I never hit the pool or ocean without my Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner. It's easy to travel with and use anywhere!

Ten Dieting Tips For REAL Women

We don't live in Hollyweird, with our private chefs, Pilate's gurus, and personal trainers. We are real women, in the real world. We have 15 minute dinners before scouts, laundry for a million children, and the soft bellies that carried said children.

BUT, we can still be fit, healthy mommas if we diet smart.

Here are a few things you can do to help:

• 1. Use a child's or salad plate.
• 2. Limit your juice to one 8oz serving a day. Juice has just as many calories as soda.
• 3. Since you cut down on your juice, grab more fruit. Whole fruit is filled with healthy, tummy filling fiber.
• 4. Eat at home. Most restaurant entrees have 1000-2000 calories. Do you want to use up your whole day's worth at one spot?
• 5. DON'T SKIP MEALS! It causes nothing more than binge eating later, an a slow metabolism all day.
• 6. Keep bags of frozen veggies and pre-cooked chicken on hand for quick, easy low-cal meals.
• 7. Brush your teeth after dinner. Who wants to re-brush them after a nighttime snack?
• 8. Yoga isn't just for hippies. An hour-long class burns ad many calories as an hour of walking, and relaxes, as well as builds muscle tone.
• 9. Do bars grow on trees? Nope...ditch the chemical-filled fad bars for healthy, natural snacks such as fruit, veggies, nuts, or even a glass of low fat milk.
• 10. Start small. Little changes over time can make a big impact. Don't let yourself get too overwhelmed by too many changes at once.

Denise Austin: Get your free fitness success plan!