Orange Julius - Pineapple Julius Copy Cat Recipes

As a kid, going to Orange Julius was a big treat.  So sweet and refreshing!  My favorite always was the Pineapple Julius, yum!  I recently found a copycat recipe for Orange Julius on Pinterest.  I didn't think it would be that difficult to adapt to make a pineapple version.  I was right.  This was very easy. 

Here's the Orange Julius recipe I found from the Budget Savy Diva

• 6 oz. can frozen concentrated orange juice
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 or more ice cubes
• 1 Tablespoon of Instant Vanilla Pudding Powder

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender except for the ice cubes.
2. Blend until mixed
3. Add ice cubes one at a time – blend until smooth.

Here's my adapted, lightened up Pineapple Version:

1-2 cups fresh pineapple, chopped into chunks
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
8 or more ice cubes (I didn't have any ice, so I left these out, but I can see where they would make it even better)
1 Tbsp of Instant Vanilla Pudding Powder (I didn't have any on hand, so I used Butterscotch instead)

Place all ingredients in a blender, except for the ice cubes.  Blend until mixed.  Add ice cubes on at a time, blend until smooth.

Resurrection Cookies for Easter

This was one of the best Easter ideas I've ever seen.  My husband and I are always on the lookout for activities to do with our children that will make our faith real to them.  Experiential learning is a fantastic way to go.  I found this idea on Pinterest which led me to the the MOPS website.  They have a great number of ideas that I look forward to going through and sharing with my kids.  These were easy to make and the kids worked at every step together.  They were involved completely (my kids range in age from 2 to 7).  Here's the recipe:

• 1 c whole pecans or 1 c mini-chocolate chips (for nut allergy)
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 1 c sugar
• Ziploc bag
• Wooden spoon
• Tape
• Bible

1. Preheat oven to 300.
2. Place pecans (or mini-chocolate chips) in bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him. (Read John 19:1-3)
3. Let each child smell the vinegar before putting it into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink. (Read John 19:28-30)
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. (Read John 10:10-11)
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers and the bitterness of our own sin. (Read Luke 23:27)
6. Add sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know him and belong to him. (Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16)
7. Beat egg white mixture with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3)
8. Fold in broken nut or mini-chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. (Read Matthew 27:57-60)
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. (Read Matthew 27:65-66)
10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers felt despair when the tomb was sealed too. (Read John 16:20-22)
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. He is risen! He is risen indeed! (Read Matthew 28:1-9)