The No. 1 Drink To Make During Summer

Lemon-Lime-Blueberry Infused Water by Toni

Summer is just around the corner, and I --  like most people who have survived the long winter that is nipping away at spring --  am looking forward to the sunny days. I'm also looking forward to enjoying some of my favorite drinks while sitting in my garden (more about that later) after a long day of work.

Homemade sweet tea and lemonade along with Mojitos and Daiquiris are among my favorites. This year, I'm adding homemade infused water to the list. It's super simple and refreshing!

I don't have to tell you how important it is to stay hydrated, especially during the warmer months, or how good water is for your skin and hair. You know those things I'm sure. That doesn't make water any sexier or appealing.

But water, like anything else you've consumed repeatedly, needs an occasional upgrade. Homemade infused water is the way to go. Not only do you select the ingredients you prefer, fruit or vegetable, you save money by using items you already have on hand or use regularly and you help the environment by recycling a bottle for the infused water you make.

How could you not give it a try after learning about all those benefits?

Ingredients:
Any available fresh fruit in your refrigerator: I used lemon and lime slices and blueberries
1 re-purposed bottle: I reused a cherry juice bottle
Water
Splenda sweetener or something similar is optional. I passed on the sweetener, just a personal choice.

How Anyone Can Make Simple, Healthy and Quick Meals

Given the number of cooking shows and contests flooding the media, you would think a culinary degree with a specialization in exotic spices is required to make an eye-pleasing, delicious yet quick and healthy meal. Not so. 

As much as I enjoy watching the cooking shows and chefs with engaging personalities, sometimes the recipes offered are overly complicated, time-consuming and costly. Even the "quick meals" they often touted have way too may steps or ingredients. It can take the fun out of cooking and enjoying the meal, which is counter to A Single Table's purpose. 

All you really need is curiosity, a willingness to experiment and an appreciation for good food. Some of the most satisfying meals I've eaten also have been the simplest to make with common (items found in most cupboards) ingredients and a few steps. 

So today I offer this salmon salad with dried cranberries and a fruit bowl. This meal contains the flavors, textures and items I like. 

On the plate:

Pan-fried (in olive oil) salmon steaks

Romaine lettuce

Dried cranberries

Sliced almonds 

Homemade pomegranate vinaigrette (instructions here)

All the items purchased at the Dollar Tree store except for the lettuce, which I got from a local grocer.

In the bowl:

1 sliced banana

2 sliced strawberries (mine were extras from a previous dessert I made)

One memorable meal within 30 minutes for pennies. Yeah!

Four Household Items That Protect the Environment and Your Pocketbook

You'd be surprised to learn many household items serve dual or multiple purposes beyond their common uses. You'll be excited to know using them can save you money, protect the environment and extend the longevity of your belongings.

Today, in honor of  Earth Day, I'm sharing homemade concoctions to help you do the same. You'll want to make these solutions a permanent part of your cleaning routine whether you continue to recognize Earth Day or not.

Unclogging Drains and Freshening Sinks

If you've noticed your has started to drain slowly and you can't pinpoint a reason for the slow down, it probably is time to "flush" the drain. By flush, I mean clean/dissolve the materials that clump together and clog drains.

Some people call a plumber immediately. Hiring a professional to unclog your drain is expensive and may not be necessary. Some people will grab a solution like Liquid Plumber, adding to the amount of chemicals in the ecosystem. I use a simple homemade solution from items in my cabinets. It's safe, easy to make, consistently works well and allows me to repurpose items -- saving me money.

Here's my solution, which I use for regular maintenance:

Pour 3/4 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Plug or cover the drain for about 30 minutes (I sometimes let it stay overnight). Rinse with hot water.

Got any tips to share? Please do.

Watch  To Find the Four Household Items That Protect Earth and Home

                                                   

How Do You Spice Up The Sausage Sandwich?

We've all been there: You're hankering for something different, beyond the routine. You peer into the refrigerator and find only the standards --eggs, bacon, milk, sausage. Still, nothing comes to mind. 

You close the frig in frustration and wait until an idea hits you or you give in and cook something that doesn't require much thought. 

You eat, yet you're left unsatisfied. 

It's often those times when you spend money unnecessarily -- buy additional food or order out to fill that craving. With a little patience and creativity, you can spin your standards into something special like this basil-sausage sandwich. Mmmm, mmmmm good. 

Basil-sausage Sandwich

How'd I do it?

Well, I didn't give up so easily though in the past I had. I asked myself how can I step up a sausage sandwich -- make it urban sophisticated like the ones restaurants change more than $10 for?  I grabbed the tomato-basil-flavor sausage, French roll bread, Ranch dressing, fresh basil, tomatoes, butter and worked my magic.

Cut the sausage lengthwise and grill the halves. Butter both sides of the roll. Grill the buttered-sides. Spread Ranch dressing or a similar cool-flavored condiment on the bread. Slice tomatoes and put on the bread. Top with the cooked sausage then fresh basil. Pour an individual-size bag of Cool Ranch Doritos in the tray. 

Now serve your new sassy sausage sandwich. 

Fruit Isn't Just For Eating

Have you thought about the multiple uses for fruit besides eating? This week's video treat comes from BuzzFeed, which offers clever ways to use fruit.

You'll look at fruit differently or at least with a smile.

Plop In A Chair, Kick Off Your Shoes & Sip On A Slushee Mojito

Aaah, it's finally Friday. It's been a long week, and I need  -- no deserve -- a drink. Usually, I'd open a bottle of Merlot or Shiraz, pour a glass of wine, lean back on my couch and celebrate Happy Friday!

Once a bottle of wine is open, it has to be consumed in a couple of days. That isn't always ideal for times when I just want one drink. So I've found a new drink to try just for those moments. It has just a tad of liquor and plenty of mint, another herb grown in my garden.

Spaghetti Pesto With A Twist

I make homemade pesto with basil from my garden during the summer. If I don't make and store enough pesto to last during the winter, I have to use store-bought pesto with my pasta dishes.

Well, here's another option: Spaghetti with parsley almond pesto. I've got plenty of parsley year-round, and almonds are readily available.
I'd always swap out the pasta for wheat spaghetti, a healthier choice. Click here for the recipe.