Pretty Successful

Margarita Grilled Shrimp

This summer favorite is bursting with flavor from our La Vida Buena Style Guide.

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp tequila

1 tbsp olive oil

1 lime (for zest and juice)

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 lb large shrimp, shelled and deveined

In a large bowl, combine cilantro, garlic, tequila, oil, lime zest, lime juice, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Add the shrimp, tossing to coat. Set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat grill. Grill the shrimp 6 inches from the heat, turning once, for 3 minutes, or until just opaque.

Serves 4

August National Food Holidays

August 1 National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

August 2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

August 2 National Ice Cream Soda Day

August 3 National Watermelon Day

August 3 Grab Some Nuts Day

August 4 National Lasagna Day

August 4 National Chocolate Chip Day

August 5 National Mustard Day

August 5 National Waffle Day

August 5 National Oyster Day

August 6 National Root Beer Float Day

August 7 National Raspberries in Cream Day

August 8 National Zucchini Day

August 8 National Frozen Custard Day

August 9 National Rice Pudding Day

August 10 National Banana Split Day

August 10 National S’mores Day

August 11 National Raspberry Tart Day

August 12 Julienne Fries Day

August 13 National Filet Mignon Day

August 14 National Creamsicle Day

August 15 Lemon Meringue Pie Day

August 16 Bratwurst Day

August 16 National Rum Day

August 17 National Vanilla Custard Day

August 18 National Soft Ice Cream Day

August 19 Potato Day

August 19 Hot & Spicy Food Day

August 20 Lemonade Day

August 20 National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day

August 21 National Pecan Torte Day

August 22 National Spumoni Day

August 22 National Pecan Torte Day

August 22 Eat a Peach Day

August 23 National Sponge Cake Day

August 24 National Peach Pie Day

August 25 Whiskey Sour Day

August 25 National Banana Split Day

August 26 National Cherry Popsicle Day

August 27 National Pots de Crème Day

August 27 Banana Lover’s Day

August 28 National Cherry Turnover Day

August 29 More Herbs, Less Salt Day

August 29 Chop Suey Day

August 29 Lemon Juice Day

August 30 National Toasted Marshmallow Day

August 31 Eat Outside Day

August 31 National Trail Mix Day

Kathy Ireland encountered all this excitement and glamour when she embarked on her modeling career. By the time she was 18 she was traveling around the world on her own. Early on in her career she needed to decide how she would handle the tough work of the modeling business as well as the trappings that come with being a successful model. Just who and what would be her guide for her career and life?

As time has proven, that crucial decision laid the foundation for becoming one of the world’s top models—called by many a supermodel. It also helped her to grow as a woman of conviction, one who was willing to trust God for her family and future businesses.

Strawberry Watermelon Slush

1 pt Fresh strawberries
2 c Watermelon [seeded, cubed]
1/3 c Sugar or simple syrup
1/3 c Vodka
1/4 c Lemon juice
2 c Ice cubes

Combine the strawberries, watermelon, sugar, vodka, and lemon juice in a blender, and blend well.

Gradually add the ice, blending until smooth.

Serve immediately

Serves 4

Wonderful Water lilies

  Water Lilies are exquisite flowers and as they are the flower of the month for July that makes this month an exquisite one. There has always been something magical about water lilies, they have been painted, famously by Monet, written about and photographed extensively. The mystique that surrounds them is due in part to their ability to grow in mud and muck and yet their flowers and leaves float effortlessly on the top of the water, quite an amazing task.  Nature is full of miracles and the water lily captures our imagination because its ability to thrive in difficult environments is miraculous. Water lilies are part of the Nymphaeceae family of aquatic flowering plants and they can be found in freshwater environments in tropical climates worldwide.  There are about seventy known species of water lily and for such an exotic plant they are surprisingly easy to grow in any water feature that you have in your garden.   

Growing these lovelies will add grace and beauty to your backyard but bear in mind there are two types of water lily, one is the tropical variety and they need the water temperature to be at 70 degrees for them to survive, but there is a hardier variety and they happily grow in cooler climates, yet they only bloom during the day unlike their tropical cousins that bloom both day and night. So here is how to grow hardy lilies and achieve great success:

1.  Plant the lilies in a basket with ample space for growth, about twelve to twenty inches is a good size.  Ensure that the soil does not run out if the basket has drainage holes by lining it with landscape fabric or simply a piece of burlap.
2.  You need to use a heavy topsoil for planting as potting mix is not dense enough to  stay put when the basket is placed beneath the water’s surface.
3. You must fertilize the soil or the water lilies will not thrive, use a fertilizer that is specifically for made for flowering aquatic plants.
4. Cover the top of the soil with gravel or pebbles to keep the soil in place taking care not to damage the lily tuber.  Point the end of the lily tuber towards the center of the basket.
5. Put the basket in the water carefully and submerge it to about 18 inches, the usual requirement for most lilies.
6. In the fall remove the basket from the pond if you live in a colder climate and cover the water lilies and store them over the winter season.  In the spring get rid of any dead leaves and re-submerge the basket for another season of beauty.

Water lilies will add mystique and grace to any garden, reminding us that beauty can grow anywhere, now that that’s wonderful.  

Patriotic Parfait

This simple red, white and blueberry parfait is a healthy delicious way to start off your day.

1 cup strawberries, washed and slices
low-fat vanilla yoghurt
1 cup blueberries, washed

Granola

Divide strawberries and blueberries in half. In 2 dessert glasses place a layer of strawberries, add yoghurt, then a layer of blueberries, a dab of yoghurt followed with crunchy granola on top.

Serves 2