Things making me happy

We've had 100+ temps and humidity, complete with afternoon thunderstorms which is really rare for this area. It feels like the sticky Long Island summers of my childhood. I do have to say summer is 150% better post weight loss surgery but this week I dare say even the barely there Olsen Twins would be feeling the heat. I've been taking pleasure in a few favorite things and trying to stay cool.

A few things that made this week more bearable...

* Iced Tea Lattes - Homemade Iced Tea Lattes have been a highlight of my day.

Here's how I do them...

Fill a glass (16 oz.) halfway with ice.
I use my Keurig to brew (on the iced tea setting) some tea. Sometimes I use a storebought K cup but mostly I use that a My K-cup doohickey filled with my favorite loose leaf (1 rounded teaspoon) My favorites are Blueberry Rooibos and Masala Chai.
Top off with milk (I use Vanilla Soy), a squirt of Sugar Free Torani Syrup and optional SF Whipped Cream.

Speaking of Sugar Free Torani Syrup... check out this cool variety pack of flavors. Would be a nice starter set for a new post-op.

* Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner - OMG I love this stuff. I store it in the fridge... late afternoon when the high temps have me feeling (and looking) like I've been run over by a pack of wild boars. I grab this out of the ice box, spritz my face and neck and ahhhh all is right with the world again.

* BBC's Emma miniseries - I am a period romance freak and Jane Austen is a favorite. I popped this in again this week and it transported me to my happy place. It's my favorite version.

* My Fluff Stuff - If you haven't made this stuff yet. Make it. Remember that Jello 1-2-3 layered dessert from the 80's this is like a healthier version of that. Any Sugar Free Jello, any flavor SF Torani Syrup, any Fruit, and a little Greek Yogurt combination and YUM!

Some of my favs so far...

SF Orange Jello, SF Vanilla Torani, Pineapple (like a Creamsicle)
SF Black Cherry Jello, SF Black Cherry Torani, fresh Cherries (my ultimate favorite)
SF Lemon Jello, SF Vanilla Torani, Strawberries (Strawberry Lemonade)

and this one I made this morning SF Strawberry Jello, SF Strawberry Torani and fresh Cherries

Shelly's Fluff Stuff

1 cup Boiling Water
1 box (4-serving size - the small one) Sugar Free Strawberry Jello Mix
3 1/2 oz. (half a small container) Fage Greek Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Strawberry)
1 1/2 cups Cherries, (fresh or frozen)

Pour boiling water slowly over jello mix. Stir till dissolved. Set aside. Mix yogurt & syrup together till well combined. Add to Jello mixture. Beat with an electric mixer till well combined. I use this gadget.

Place in fridge for 1 hour. Remove from fridge and beat again for 5 minutes till fluffy. Fold in fruit. Put back in fridge and allow to set fully (about 2 hours)

You can use any fruit (fresh, frozen defrosted or canned drained), any Jello flavor, any Torani Syrup flavor.

* Surfing the net.

For the Fashionistas Polyvore.
For the Foodies: Slashfood
For Support: Twitter and the WLS Twibe
For Music: Blip.fm

Well that's about it. The things making me happy this week despite the gnarly heat.

"People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy." ~Anton Chekhov