Memorial Day isn’t just a day in which we get time off of work and school. Every last Monday of May, we celebrate by remembering the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have passed while serving and protecting our country. While most of us relax over some traditional, American food and look forward to even warmer weather, others are looking for a sipping soiree. Check out these fabulous, summery drink recipes to kick-start Memorial Day with loved ones. -Meryl Lumba

Sparkling Gin & Juice

1/4 cup gin

2 tablespoons lemonade concentrate

2/3 cup Champagne

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice

Lime wedges for garnish

Instructions:

In a small pitcher, mix gin and lemonade until fully mixed. Add in lime juice. Top mixture off with Champagne and mix lightly. Serve with fresh lime wedges over ice.

Boozy Banana Split Milkshake

Ingredients:

2 frozen bananas, chopped

1 cup light cream

1/4-1/3 cup dark cocoa liqueur

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons sugar

1/3 cup whipped cream plus 1 tablespoon

Instructions: Place bananas, light cream, liquer, vanilla and 1/3 cup whipped cream in a blender. Blend on low until smooth and thick. Garnish with extra tablespoon of whipped cream, coffee grounds or chocolate chips.

Porch Swing

1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) gin

1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur

4 ounces (1/2 cup) homemade lemonade

7-Up or another lemon/lime soda

10 paper-thin half moon slices of cucumber

Instructions:

Pour gin, Pimm’s and lemonade into tall Collins glass, then add a few ice cubes and a splash of 7-Up. Finish with cucumber slices.

Strawberry Sake Cocktail

2 strawberries, sliced plus another for garnish

3/4 ounces fresh juice from 1 to 2 limes

1 ounce simple syrup (see note above)

1 sprig of mint, plus another for garnish

2 ounces sake

1 1/2 ounces seltzer water

Instructions:

In a mixing glass, muddle strawberry, lime juice, and simple syrup in the bottom of a tall glass until the strawberry is completely dissolved. Add mint leaves and gently tap 5 times with muddler. Fill glass with ice and add sake. Stir and pour unstrained into serving glass. Top with seltzer and garnish with a sprig of mint and a strawberry.

The Rocket

1 cup finely crushed ice (to slush consistency)

1/4 fluid ounce blue curacao liqueur

2 fluid ounces lemon-flavored Smirnoff vodka, divided

1/4 fluid ounce raspberry flavored liqueur

Instructions:

Place half the ice into a bowl; divide the other half of the ice between 2 bowls (1/4 cup of ice in each). Place blue curacao liqueur and 1/2 fluid ounce of lemon vodka into a bowl containing 1/4 cup of ice. Mix well. Place raspberry liqueur and 1/2 fluid ounce of lemon vodka into the other 1/4 cup of ice and mix well. Mix the remaining 1 fluid ounce of lemon vodka into the bowl containing 1/2 cup of ice. Layer the blue curacao-flavored ice into the bottom of a glass. Place the lemon vodka-flavored ice over the blue layer; top with the raspberry-flavored ice.

Boston Rum Punch

2 oz Parrot’s Bay Rum

Lemonade

Fill a shaker with finely cracked ice. Add the rum and fill with lemonade. Shake briefly and pour (unstrained) into a pint glass. Garnish with nutmeg or half a strawberry and an orange slice.

Dirty Shirley

1 oz Little Black Dress vodka

5 – 6 oz lemon-lime soda

1 dash grenadine syrup

Instructions: Pour the vodka over ice cubes in a highball glass. Fill the glass the rest of the way with lemon-lime soda. Add grenadine, garnish with a cherry, and serve.

The Emerald

2 ounces Jack Daniel’s whiskey

1 ounce  vermouth

1 dash orange bitters

Instructions: Stir all ingredients well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Ran out of gift-giving ideas for your beau? After all the anniversaries, holidays, and birthdays, the sentimental present list gets quite short rather quickly. While some of us worry about being insincere with gift-giving, others purchase gifts for their partners with the intent of using it for themselves. However, thinking of a gift that your long-term partner would genuinely like and put to good use can be a challenge in and of itself. We’ve got some tips to help you decide. -Meryl Lumba

1. The Active

a. Traveler

What better way to surprise your partner than a planned  trip together to backpack across Europe? You’ll obviously have to consult each other’s schedules, but exploring Europe is not only romantic but also exciting! Each day will bring about something new. Check out the Globus – European Sampler Tour (starting at $2349 at libertytravel.com).

b. Handyman

If he’s working on something new every weekend, building or re-doing a woodshop might be worth considering. He’ll definitely appreciate the new space! Here’s a grand gesture: The Journeyman (starting at $16k on barnpros.com).

c. Athlete

Whether he’s a runner or plays sports recreationally, athletes know that shoes make all the difference. The newest release, and runner’s choice shoe,  is Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ (various colors at $160 on nike.com). Choose his favorite color or surprise him with a bolder design!

3. The Creative

a. Gamer

This isn’t as hard as it first seems. Just check out his game collection! Many well-known games create specialty controls. Buying him one, similar to this Gears of War 3 Controller ($60 on amazon.com), will channel his inner gamer!

b. Reader

If your guy loves his books, buying him a rare book, or rare edition, will win his heart over again. abebooks.com is a good source to buy such treasures!

c. Artist

We all wish we had enough spare time to pursue our hobbies. Whether he channels his creativity at work, or constantly tells you that he wishes he had more time to sculpt or paint, giving him the gift of assigned time will help. Check out classes at The Painting Lounge ($50 per person for a 2 hour session). They have a little something for every art-lover!

3. The Adventurous

a. In Bed

Check out toys for him on babeland.com! You never know what he’ll love to try!

b. With Food

Does he love to cook? Check out this Cutting Board ($55 at etsy.com), which you can personalize for him!

c. With Hobbies

If he likes to try different projects every weekend, this beer making kit ($40 at williams-sonoma.com) will definitely throw him off guard! He’ll be brewing something for every season.

It’s been said that all great art is born of the metropolis, that all great women and men flock to cities, and that in the city, you don’t have to wait for next week to get the answer to a question, taste the food of any country, or find new voices to listen to. For sure, the city is a wonderful thing.

It’s also a place where people are lonely, where the most evil and atrocious events happen right next to the most virtuous ones, and where there are no backyards.

Okay, there are some. But most of us aren’t fortunate enough to have them. And those that do often have to share them. They are tiny, cement, treeless. Frankly, they suck.

Enter Backyard Porn. We couldn’t help ourselves. With the impending holiday weekend, we’ve been eyeing the many outdoor spaces that keep appearing on our favorite blogs, which we day-dreamily imagine becoming our very own one day (and which we intend to visit, however briefly, over Memorial Day).

When the intensity of backyard-less urban dwelling crushes down on you like a tequila hangover, visit Backyard Porn and slide back on a mental Adirondack chair and virtually flip a rack of ribs on the barbie.

If you could be an outdoor space, which one would you be? A grassy backyard with artistically landscaped trees? Or a big deck with sweeping curtains blowing in the wind (and a frozen margarita machine behind the hot tub?)

A salvaged wood table with rocks for seats, secluded in a cove of ivy and dogwood trees? A fire pit right on the beach?

A swinging hammock, a lavish vegetable garden, a sauna?  A pool of fish and a mystical waterfall? If no amount of money in the world was stopping you, what ideal outdoor space would you create where you live?

]]> http://www.sheckys.com/2013/05/20/what-outdoor-space-are-you/feed/ 8 http://www.sheckys.com/2013/05/17/5-vegan-foods-to-try-now/ http://www.sheckys.com/2013/05/17/5-vegan-foods-to-try-now/#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:57 +0000 gracetexter http://www.sheckys.com/?p=103871
There are so many health trends out there that it's hard to keep track of what's good and what's just unsavory. When it comes to being a vegan, it [...]]]>

There are so many health trends out there that it’s hard to keep track of what’s good and what’s just unsavory. When it comes to being a vegan, it can be hard to find recipes and products that adhere to our dietary restrictions but don’t taste like glue. We did some research and gathered our 5 favorite products that all vegans and vegan-curious foodies must try. – Grace Texter

Chia Star

The brand Chia Star uses chia seeds in their delicious beverage products to provide an excellent source of nutrients to their consumers. Chock full of antioxidants, omega 3’s, calcium, protein, and fiber, Chia Star drinks are also vegan and gluten free. Some of their flavors include Blackberry Lime Refresh, Peach Green Tea Fusion, Pineapple Honey Love, and their newest flavor Lemon Berry. We love this vegan product because it is just as nutritious for you as it is tasty. Visit Chia Star’s website for more information.

Quinoa

Quinoa is often compared to rice and may be prepared in the same way but it is not a whole grain, it is a seed. It is great as a substitute for any rice, barley, or pilaf in a recipe and can be served hot or cold. It is a great vegan food because it provides all 9 essential amino acids to help keep your unique diet balanced. It also is gluten-free and cholesterol-free. Check out this website for some quinoa recipes you won’t be disappointed with.

Tofu Scramble

You won’t believe it’s not eggs! All it takes is a bit of soft tofu and some herbs and spices, and you’ve got a totally vegan meal you might even think tastes better than the usual. Here’s a tasty recipe we love from Bon Appetit.

Chickpeas

These little gems, also known as garbanzo beans, are full of protein and fiber. They taste delicious alone, in a salad, or (and widely favored) mashed up with some tahini and garlic for a delicious hummus dip. Here is a recipe for a vegan Creamy Cashew Kale and Chickpea dish that will fill you up and leave you wanting for more vegan-licious delights!

Almond Milk

Almond Milk is a delicious alternative to regular dairy milk; it is even more delicious with a subtle almond-y flavor and a consistency that makes you feel healthier just sipping it. When it comes to baking as a vegan, things can get tricky. In this regard, almond milk is a savior. This No-Bake Espresso Vegan Cookie recipe uses almond milk instead of dairy, making sure we don’t have to compromise our vegan preferences.

We here at Shecky’s love to bring in sweets to the office to treat ourselves when we feel like indulging. These sporadic spurts of sweet morsels usually are sparked by someone stumbling onto any of the many food blogs that we are obsessed with. We decided to share some of our favorite pastry and dessert blogs with you so you can get just as inspired as we are by the many delectable recipes! – Grace Texter

Butter Me Up Brooklyn

http://buttermeupbrooklyn.com/

This fantastic blog by Lillie has the most scrumptious recipes of every kind. But we especially covet her various sweets. From her brownies to her tarts, we trust that every recipe will produce a delicious dessert that will leave us wanting more… and MORE!

Sweet Roots

www.sweetroots.blogspot.com

We love to hate this blog because all the photos are beautiful and make us hungry at our desks. Author Mary Banducci calls herself a modern-day forager, mother, wife, and as you’ll see, an incredibly talented chef of non-dairy gluten-free foods. The recipe for the Ginger Cake pictured above is to die.

Orangette

http://orangette.blogspot.com/

This quaint blog by Molly hosts fantastic recipes alongside actual blog posts focused around Molly’s life (and her scrumptious little baby) that keep us coming back for more! What more could you ask for than tasty recipes with great reading on the side that inspires you to follow your dreams?

A Splash of Vanilla

www.asplashofvanilla.com

We love Emma from Australia, and how her sweet personality matches her love of sweets. She’s got the best taste in dessert, and her recipes often suggest “smashing up some biscuits” like for these Lemon Coconut Bars.

Food52

www.food52.com

If you haven’t discovered the Food52 phenomenon yet, you are really in for a treat. This website has a whole archive of delicious recipes constantly rolling in. You’ll not only get a slew of ideas for tonight’s dinner every single day, but you may find a recipe for chocolate cabernet cake and before you realize anything has happened, it’s 7 hours later.

Pastry Studio

http://pastrystudio.blogspot.com/

We love the way Pastry Studio treats each sweet treat like an artistic masterpiece. Photographed with delicacy and precision, the morsels couldn’t look more mouth-watering. And each recipe is written in prose that convinces you to dive right in and start baking! Go for it!

Baking Obsession

http://www.bakingobsession.com/

It is almost torture to scroll through Baking Obsession because each and every recipe gets better and better and BETTER! If that is even possible… Vera has turned her obsession for baking into her career and generously shares her creations with all of us! Of course, we may not make it as beautiful as she, but it tastes so good so we have to forgive ourselves for any error in presentation… right?

Dorie Greenspan

http://doriegreenspan.com

While Dorie has many recipes of various categories, she is a master of all things sweet! She has written many a cookbook and mainly focused on sweets and cakes. However, we love her blog because she not only shares her recipes with us, she keeps us updated on social media and issues that are important to her. Way to go Dorie! Keep on keepin’ on!

Scrambled Eggs

Beat eggs, dash of optional milk, salt, pepper. Melt a little butter over medium heat, add the egg mix, and massage minimally with spatula. Remove when slightly undercooked. High heat and lots of movement makes for tough eggs.

Roasted Chicken

Wash chicken, cut the backbone with poultry scissors (gotta learn to do it some time). Pat dry. Season all over with olive oil, salt, dried rosemary, pepper. Place in oven preheated to 475 for about 20-25 minutes. Now take some of the bastings, mix in a mug with paprika, and brush over chicken. After 30 minutes reduce heat to 350 and cook for an hour longer, brushing chicken with paprika and juice every 20 minutes.

Roasted Vegetables

Slice up onions, carrots, butternut squash, potatoes (yumm) etc. Toss in olive oil and kosher salt. Spread out thinly on cookie sheet. Throw in 425-degree oven for about 10-15 minutes, knock heat down to 400 and cook until tender.

Steak

Take a good steak, pat it dry, salt it on each side, and throw in sizzling hot cast iron pan with butter for 5 minutes a side for medium rare. Let rest for five minutes.

Homemade Mac n’ Cheese

Easy Mac is over. Especially once you realize how tasty homemade mac is. Here’s what you do:

Boil water for your pasta. In another pot on low heat, add 1 cup milk, salt, 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, and stir gently. Add about 1.5 cups shredded cheese and stir slowly until it’s melted and starts to thicken like a paste. Add salt, pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta. Add hot sauce.

Basic Tomato Sauce

Now that you’ve seen The Great Gatsby, it’s time to get together and do your own rendition of the 1920s, while practicing your Long Island accent. We have the perfect ideas for hosting a raving soiree – from Gatsby-inspired cocktails, to jazz-age music – for way less than Mr. Gatsby would have done it himself. Here’s a roundup of what you’ll need to swing like the upper social echelon of 1920s New York City in your own apartment, without having to spend half your paycheck.

1. Cocktails

The Daisy Buchanan

An obvious choice and reasonably priced. Grab a few bottles of cheap Champagne, a bottle of pear liqueur, some lemons, and if you don’t already have champagne saucers, pick up the plastic ones from the dollar store (they work great!).  Like Daisy, the recipe for this drink is a beautiful, elegant and feminine. The lemon peel, dropped into the Champagne flute, gives it a rustic contrast, like Daisy herself – a city girl misplaced in the country.

Here’s how you make it:

• 1/2 ounce pear liqueur ($6 a bottle)
• Champagne ($15 for three bottles)
• Wide strip of lemon peel, for garnish ($2 for 3 lemons)

In a Champagne flute, add pear liqueur. Fill with champagne and garnish with lemon peel.

Total cost: $23

Spa Day

Design an afternoon of pampering for you and your mom to spend together. Adorn your living room with scented candles, throw pillows, and mellow music. Then commence the indulgence!

Okay, so the pressure is on. You’re hosting a dinner party for some friends and you’re the star of the night—the chef! Sometimes plans are made way in advance and when the time comes, you may find yourself scrambling for cash. But no need to worry, we’ve got a scrumptious recipe that will leave your guests feeling full and happy… but most importantly it will keep your wallet happy too! Add a few bottles of inexpensive wine or champagne to the menu and you’ll be in for a good night.  – Natalie DeBari

This easy kabob recipe is such a versatile choice for a dinner party. Depending on your guests, everyone most likely has a different preference when it comes to food. Although the recipe calls for pork tenderloin, feel free to channel your inner chef and substitute the meat for something else if pork doesn’t appeal to your guests. If you want to take it to the next level you can even make an assortment of kabobs to make sure everyone is happy—even a vegetarian! The nice weather is finally here, so gas up those grills and get to cooking. Depending on your choice of meat, this meal can range from $30-60.

To Start

You can easily start this dinner off with a nice tossed salad. Colorful and simple, with salt and pepper.

While you take the time to finish off the kabobs on the grill, your guests can munch on their healthy appetizer. Once the kabobs are hot and ready to go, they can come right off the grill and onto a serving platter. Accompany your dinner with some summer-y cocktails or maybe some wine on the side. Healthy, delicious, and cost effective—now that’s a recipe for success!

For Dinner

Here’s your recipe:

• 2 pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes*
• 1/2 cup Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 (20 ounce) can Dole pineapple chunks, drained
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 2 red or green bell peppers, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

1. Pierce meat with a fork so marinade can penetrate. Combine teriyaki sauce and oil. Reserve 2 tablespoons in separate bowl. Pour remainder of marinade over meat cubes and marinate 1 hour, turning occasionally.

2. Thread meat on skewers alternating meat with vegetables and pineapple chunks. Place on grill 4 to 5 inches from heat and cook 15 minutes. Turn skewers and brush ingredients with reserved marinade, and cook to desired doneness.

For dessert

An easy favorite. All you need is a dozen fresh peaches and some light white wine (a good Chardonnay will do).

In individual glasses, fill halfway with wine, and add 5-6 chilled peach slices. Serve on the back porch with forks.

Yolanda Foster from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is the most home-oriented housewife on the show: she loves to entertain, cook, and decorate her own house as much as her friends’. She says, “I should have been Martha Stewart’s daughter.” Read below to find out some of her best tips for throwing a dinner party and for keeping a beautiful home. -Victoria Barton

1. Flowers

To set a dinner table, she says that “flowers are your number one friend” and she loves hydrangeas because “it’s a cheap way of getting big arrangements and big volume.” She also suggests keeping the arrangements low so that guests can see each other across the table.

2. Incorporating Fruit into Arrangements

In flower arrangements, she uses fruits such as lemons cut in half to decorate the bouquet by propping them on a stick.

3. Centerpieces

For centerpieces, she starts at the middle and works her way out. She adds organic elements like branches with leaves and candles with bark accents.

4. Variety

She chooses fruits and vegetables that follow the same color-scheme to complement one another as a centerpiece. Other combinations include red roses with apples and tomatoes for other occasions.

5. Her fridge

She custom designed a glass-door fridge that showcases her fruits and vegetables that are meticulously arranged in wicker baskets. She’s proud of her design, and insists that it has been copied by friends who have visited her home.

6. Keep Organized

In an interview with Us Weekly, she says, “I think I was born organized. I have a huge need to stay organized because when I’m organized and there’s no stuff on the floor and no clutter, it gives me energy to create new things.”

7. Keep Trying

She says, “I’m not a great cook, but I’m not afraid to make mistakes, so I’ll make four or five recipes hoping one of them comes out great. My tip is to keep trying. I get all of the little cookbooks and check it out, and keep trying until there’s something [David Foster] loves.”

8. Avoid Overdoing It

In her blog, she warns against over-decorating: “Clutter, overcrowding or over-decorating are overlooked threats to any successful event. Therefore, it’s best to rely on the simplicity of neutral pieces from a good china collection. Whites and creams are beautiful for chargers, plates and side dishes, giving you the ability to add accents of colors with napkin rings and table décor.”