Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Your Way This Year

Back in my college days, I could almost guarantee I would participate in any holiday that surrounded a day of drinking.  Even, when I was first married, we'd spend time together just socializing all day with each other and of course friends.  Now things are different having children.  Don't misunderstand me though, when I say different, I mean it in a good way.  We still have the freedom to head out when we want to especially with our kids old enough to behave in restaurants too.  But for Cinco de Mayo this year, I am pregnant and heading out to enjoy one of my favorite celebrations just isn't in the cards.

Not only can spending a day drinking and eating my heart out be quite costly, a lot of adults just don't have the same free time they once could.  We've got jobs, kids, and busy family schedules.  So instead of heading to your favorite restaurant, why not keep the party at home!  Make your own healthy foods, save some money, and even celebrate more than just on May 5th!   Check out the following awesome products to do exactly that!

Tortillas at Home
Have you ever watched someone make tortillas at the restaurants?  Our favorite place to eat has an open window to watch them create these versatile foods easily.  I've always wanted to create my own healthy and simple tortillas at home and now I can.

All you need to make 8 tortillas is:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
Combine flour, salt, water, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Once mixed, ingredients will become thick and doughy.  Knead dough on a floured surface (feel free to add a little flour or water if needed). Let sit for approximately 10 minutes.  Then divide and roll into simple balls.

Easily place dough balls into the IMUSA Tortilla Press and with one press, your dough turns into griddle-ready disks, ready to be cooked.  Using medium heat, place tortilla discs in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray.  Each side will take approximately 1 minute to lightly brown.

The IMUSA Tortilla Press makes this quicker than rolling out the dough by hand and is simple to use.  This was a really fun activity to try with my children this year and clean up was a breeze. The IMUSA Tortilla Press can be used for the family to create their own soft shell tacos; impress Cinco de Mayo guests with the best tasting burritos; or dip cut up tortillas in a homemade guacamole for a healthy snack!

Easy Margaritas (alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions)

Now I am a HUGE margarita drinker so whether it includes tequila or not, you will easily find me sipping on a lemon or lime beverage on any given day throughout the warm summer months.  It can be pretty difficult to make your own margaritas at home if you don't have the perfect sweet and sour combo in a mix.  I have certain restaurants which I favor their recipes because of a particular sweet n sour mix they use.  Margaritas can also be pretty hefty on the calorie intake for those concerned with having a lighter beverage when they choose to splurge.

After trying a recipe from Sparkling Ice, I've got to suggest going the simple route especially at home.  Using something as simple as the Lemon Lime Sparkling ICE, your saving on time preparing a mix and definitely calories.  The taste is going to be bold with a much lighter end result.  Their lightly carbonated, zero-calorie beverage recipe includes:

3 oz Lemon Lime Sparkling ICE
1 ½ oz Tequila (do not include for non-alcoholic versions)
Splash of fresh squeezed orange
Fresh squeezed lime

But because I am quite particular about my margaritas, I've got a bit of a modified recipe.  I am more of a sour fan and I like my tequila (when not pregnant).  My suggested recipe includes:

3 oz Lemon Lime Sparkling ICE
2 oz Tequila (do not include for non-alcoholic versions)
1 oz Cointreau
Fresh squeezed lime
Salted rim is a must for me
Shake and pour over ice for on the rocks margarita OR blend with ample ice for a blended margarita.

Combining sparkling water, fruit juice, vitamins, antioxidants, and BOLD natural flavors, the Lemon Lime Sparkling ICE is perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any other day for that matter.  To be honest our bottles barely last a few days in our house since the kids love sipping on these so we are always trying to stock up.

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