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Strawberry Soju Slushie | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

Strawberry Soju Slushie & The Liebster Award

July 28, 2015August 1, 2016 Renee 3 Comments

Guess what, friends? The awesome Julie from Sweet and Spicy Monkey nominated me for a Liebster Award! What the heck is that? That’s what I wondered. Basically, this is a way for small bloggers to help each other out and let their readers know about some other awesome small bloggers out there who need your love and support. I thought we’d celebrate with a Strawberry Soju Slushie. But first, let’s do this award thing, kids.

Julie’s got some questions for me.

1. Why do you blog?

I blog because I love it! I have a very busy mind, and my blog allows me to share my love of food and life with no one and everyone. It’s my platform to say whatever I want. It’s also an excellent excuse to make a dessert every week.

2. Where do you see your blog in one year from now?

I hope my blog continues to grow and reach a wider audience. I hope more people try my recipes and get inspired to be awesome, regardless of the size of their paycheck.

3. What’s your favorite food to make?

I love simple, straightforward food. Cheeseburgers and chocolate chip cookies. Nothing fussy. Just pure goodness.

4. Where is your dream vacation?

For a few years now, I’ve had a dream to take a train from Hong Kong to London stopping off and seeing all the world has to offer along the way. Man, I love this planet.

5. Are you a dog or a cat person?

I’m definitely a cat person. Cats are independent and opinionated. Sort of like me. They’re also hard-core nappers, which is something I aspire to.

6. Do you like sweet or salty snacks?

I definitely opt for sweet whenever I can, but I think a lot of sweets can benefit from a healthy pinch of salt. Never ever skimp on the salt in your chocolate chip cookies.

7. What’s your favorite movie?

I am a huge movie lover, so it’s hard to pick just one favorite, but 2003 live action Peter Pan has had special significance to me for a long time. It’s one of the things that inspired me to move abroad where I met my husband, so that was pretty awesome.

8. Who inspires you?

I love Nigella Lawson. She’s so effortlessly elegant, and she never feels the need to apologize for serving something simple or indulgent. Even though she comes from a privileged background, her food is accessible to the every day home cook. I hope to be a domestic goddess one day.

9. A glass of wine or a margarita?

Haha, it depends on what kind of wine. I love riesling. When it comes to margaritas, I prefer them on the rocks and preferably by the pitcher.

10. Are you where you wanted to be now at (your age)?

Haha, I’m eternally unsatisfied with myself, so I’d have to answer no. I’m always pushing myself to be better. I also don’t have any intention of growing up. I’m fine with all that, so maybe I am where I want to be.

The best part of this Liebster Award is that I get to nominate some of my blogger friends. I can’t wait for you to go check out their sites.

Jenni at Mama Plus One has been a huge help to me as I’ve worked on growing my blog. She has lots of great parenting tips and the kind of simple and delicious food I can’t get enough of.

Emma at Lily Allsorts has the prettiest little craft blog you’ll ever see. I wish I could be as craft and cute as her. She’s just as sweet as candy.

Jessica at Sprinkle Some Sugar shares some beautiful desserts, and her photos are on point!

Kaleigh at A Rambling Fancy is a former student of mine, and her style blog is just too amazing.

Angela at Shake Bake Party makes the kind of beautifully decorated cookies, cupcakes and other desserts that I could only dream of having the patience for.

Here are the rules for the Liebster Award (passed on from Julie’s post) ~

THE OFFICIAL RULES

You’ve been nominated. Now what…

1. Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you with a thank you & a link to their blog.

2. Display The Liebster Award badge on your blog.

3. Answer 10 questions about yourself, which will be provided by the person who nominated you.

4. Provide 11 random facts about yourself. (optional)

5. Nominate 5+ bloggers (with fewer than 1,000 followers) who you feel deserve the award.

6. Create a new list of 11 questions for your nominated bloggers to answer.

7. Make sure you notify your nominees!

And here are my questions for my nominees:

1. When did you know you wanted to start a blog?

2. How did you come up with your concept?

3. Who’s your favorite blogger?

4. What book have you read most often?

5. If calories didn’t count, what would you eat?

6. How many hot dogs can you eat at one cook out?

7. If you could go back in time with the knowledge you have now, what would you change about your blog?

8. What are you addicted to?

9. Where do you think you’ll be in five years?

10. What’s your go to order at the bar?

11. What advice would you give to a new blogger just starting out.

Woe mama, that was a lot of words. You deserve a Strawberry Soju Slushie. Have you hard soju before? It’s from Korea, and it’s awfully nice. I had it for the first time on New Year’s Eve my first year in Taiwan. That night went a little crazy, but this slushie is 100% rad. Get it!

Strawberry Soju Slushie

2015-07-27 21:35:42

Serves 2

Sweet and lethal, this Strawberry Soju Slushie will definitely keep you cool.

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Prep Time

10 min

Prep Time

10 min

Ingredients

About 1 cup frozen strawberries, roughly chopped
1-2 tablespoons sugar, depending on how sweet you like it
1/4 cup water
2 ounces soju
About 1 cup ice

Instructions

Put your frozen strawberries, sugar, and water in a blender and blend until smooth.
Add soju and ice and blend until the crunching noise gets quieter.
Pour your slushie into two small glasses or one large glass with two straws. Congratulate yourself on a job well done.

By Renee Rendall

How to be Awesome on $20 a day https://awesomeon20.com/

Strawberry Banana Smoothie | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Dairy-Free)

July 3, 2015August 1, 2016 Renee 1 Comment

Oof. You guys! I’ve missed you. I’ve missed talking about food and life and being generally silly because this is my blog and nobody can stop me. I’ve missed eating itself, actually. For the two weeks I was in the hospital, I was either in so much pain or so nauseous that I could barely eat anything at all. After being home for about two days, I finally got my appetite back, and it was the best thing ever. Thank you, Kraft Mac & Cheese.

One of my very sweet neighbors brought over a big bag of fruit to wish me well. Bless her, she had no idea I’m a ridiculously picky eater, and I don’t actually like fruit. Luckily, my offspring is not cursed with such an affliction, so she couldn’t wait to turn the strawberries and bananas into smoothies. We picked up a single serve blender for $20 at Ross, and started mixing.

We went back and forth about what to put in it. I refused to spend thirty bucks on protein powder, and she doesn’t like yogurt, so in the end, we went with nothin’ but fruit. It’s like, pure or something. One whole frozen banana, three or four strawberries, and just enough apple juice to make everything flow, and boom, you’ve got a pretty pink, totally healthy smoothie ready to sip.

It’s been waaaay too hot to even eat lately, let alone cook, so this strawberry banana smoothie is the perfect solution. The frozen banana keeps everything chilled out and you don’t feel gross and tired when you’re finished. There’s gotta be all kinds of vitamins in there. Genius.

Grab some fruit. Put it in a blender. Spin it up. It’s summer.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Dairy-Free)

2015-07-02 22:23:17

Serves 1

All fruit, all fun, this strawberry banana smoothie is simple to make and perfect for summer.

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Prep Time

10 min

Prep Time

10 min

Ingredients

1 frozen banana, peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
3-4 strawberries, stem removed and cut into quarters
1/2 cup 100% apple juice

Instructions

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a tall glass and enjoy.

By Emily

How to be Awesome on $20 a day https://awesomeon20.com/

Strawberry Lemon & Basil Infused Water

June 3, 2015August 1, 2016 Renee 5 Comments

So I’m at the recovering at home phase, also known as the incredibly bored, feel mostly fine but probably not, trying to remind myself I have to take it easy phase. I thought I could never get bored with Netflix and lying in bed reading books, but apparently, I also like going on ridiculously long walks, drinking cocktails, and getting stuff done. Who knew? I don’t know how I’m ever going to get back up to 10 miles in a day.

Between the pain meds and the chest tubes, I’m also in serious hydration mode. I made myself another pitcher of infused water because the last thing I need right now is more boredom. This time I filled my pitcher with sweet, plump strawberries, sunny lemon, and bright basil. After a few hours of infusing, the water turns a pretty pink and has a subtle, lovely flavor. And it’s so pretty, I don’t want to put it down.

If you have any leftover fruit, you can put it in a zip top bag and stash it in the freezer. Keep the strawberries whole and cut the lemon into wedges. It’s like flavorful ice cubes. Even if you drink your whole pitcher of infused water, you can still add these to almost any glass to help keep your drink cool.

Here’s to wellness and beauty and summer fruit and keeping things awesome.

Strawberry Lemon & Basil Infused Water

2015-06-01 13:49:03

Serves 8

Bright and summery Strawberry Lemon & Basil Infused Water adds a hint of flavor to your hydration mission.

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Prep Time

10 min

Prep Time

10 min

Ingredients

1 lemon, sliced
8 strawberries, hulled and halved
1 cup basil leaves
8 cups cold water

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stash it in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Serve with ice or frozen fruit.

By Renee Rendall

How to be Awesome on $20 a day https://awesomeon20.com/

Feta & Strawberry Salad from Awesome on 20

Feta and Strawberry Salad

July 16, 2014July 27, 2016 Renee 1 Comment

It’s me, Emily! Yep, that’s right, I’m back, viewers. I’d just like to start out with saying that, yes, I am a vegetarian, and yes, I do like sweets. So for me, that means I have to make sure I’m getting the proper nutrients I need everyday so that I don’t eat chocolate every day. What I try to eat everyday is a fruit, a vegetable, and something with protein, which usually includes beans, nuts, dairy, or eggs. So, why not eat this Feta and Strawberry Salad?

For this delicious and healthy salad, all you need are pecans (protein), feta cheese (protein), strawberries (fruit), romaine lettuce (vegetables), and poppy seed dressing (a little something extra). It has a great blended taste between the freshness of the fruits and veggies, the more bitter taste of the nuts, the addition of the magnificent cheese, and, of course, dressing never killed anyone. This blend of taste is exactly why it’s my absolute favourite salad, hands down.

To make this salad, simply cut your strawberries into quarters, slice up the lettuce, sprinkle some chopped pecans and feta in there, and pour some dressing on top of it, and it’ll taste great!

If you’d like to be a bit more adventurous, the way I’d like to be with my food, add some pineapple chunks and tangerine slices into the salad for a wider burst of flavours.

Finally, I’d just like to say, if you’re lookin’ for a cool, summertime salad with a great, fresh taste, try my favourite salad: the Feta and Strawberry Salad.

Check us out on Do Tell Tuesday!

Red, White, and Blue Fruit Jars

July 9, 2014July 27, 2016 Renee 1 Comment

So, you are finally meeting the “famous” Emily. Yep, it’s me! And one of the things some of you might not know about me is that I LOVE fruit. Pineapples, acai, lilikoi, you name it, and I eat the delicious thing. Even better, it’s good for you. Anyway, me being me, I also love being festive. So what better healthy Fourth of July dinner than a fresh, scrumptious jar o’ red, white, and blue fruit?

Let me tell you how to make this dish (it’s not difficult AT ALL). The first thing you need is a basic idea of what colors are what because grapefruits are not red. So what’re some red, delicious fruits you can put into a fruit jar? I’d recommend strawberries if you’re mixing harder fruits and cherries or raspberries for more squishy, berry-ish dishes. For the white, there are less options. Dragonfruit, apples, bananas, pears, and pineapple are close (even though pineapple are yellow, but remember, we’re limited), but bananas and pineapple definitely have the best textures to match with every fruit. Onto the blue. Blueberries are all I believe to know of, and they give you the option to be a different twist of texture in the jar, or go along with the berry theme.

For my fruit jar, I used strawberries, bananas, and blueberries: a classic. The textures and juices all mended together beautifully.

Now, when I thought of presentation, I thought: Mason Jars. Americans constantly eat things out of Mason Jars, right? First, I put in the blueberries at the bottom. Next, the bananas. And lastly, the strawberries. This way, if you were to “read” the colors up to down, it’d be red, white, and blue, in that order.