For a festive garnish, add a pitted tart cherry and a quartered slice of orange on a cocktail pick to each glass.

Ingredients:
4    Tbsp FruitFast Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate*
1/2     cup orange juice
1/2     cup orange liqueur such as grand mariner, curacao or cointreau
1     bottle (750 ml) champagne or sparkling wine

* Place 4 Tbsp cherry juice concentrate in a large measuring cup, fill to make 1-1/2 cups.

Directions:
In a large pitcher, combine cherry juice, orange juice and liqueur. Chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Just before serving stir cherry mixture. Tilt pitcher; slowly pour in champagne. Stir gently. Serve in champagne flutes or wine glasses.

Yield: 8 servings

Spring is slowly creeping into view here in Northern Michigan.  Walking down our country road last week, I noticed numerous trees with the telltale signs of maple syrup in the making.  The maple trees lining our road were “tapped” allowing the sap to flow into large buckets placed at the base of the tree.  When enough sap is captured, the process of boiling it down to syrup will begin.  It takes approximately 10 gallons of sap to produce 1 quart of maple syrup.  A long process, but nothing beats the taste of pure maple syrup on pancakes, waffles and French toast.

There are other ways to utilize maple syrup. The syrup can be baked in candies, cookies and desserts.  Check out these other uses for maple syrup previously posted in my recipe blog:  Carrots with Character and Cherry Almond Oatmeal.  Here are three more recipes that incorporate your fresh, homemade maple syrup.

Hot Cherry Drink
This fun beverage adapted from a recipe found in the Winter 2009 edition of “edible Grand Traverse” magazine combines the best of Northern Michigan— maple syrup and cherries.

Ingredients:
2    cups boiling water
4    tsp FruitFast Montmorency Cherry Juice Concentrate, or
4    tsp FruitFast CherryFlex Liquid Fruit Supplement
2    tsp pure maple syrup (or to taste)
6    drops almond extract (add last as extract evaporates quickly)
2    oz cherry brandy or other brandy (optional)

Directions:
Pour the boiling water into two mugs.  Add cherry concentrate or CherryFlex Liquid, and remaining ingredients.  Serve and enjoy!

Yield:  2 servings

Cherry Maple Syrup Recipe

For a super tasty breakfast syrup (over pancakes, waffles, or French toast) try this chunky treat adapted from a recipe found on homecooking.about.com.

Ingredients:
2    oranges
2    lemons
1-1/2    cups pure maple syrup
1    cup packed brown sugar
1/2    cup honey
1     cup Brownwood Acres Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries, chopped
2     Tbsp butter
1/2    tsp ground cinnamon
1/4     tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Directions:
Zest 1 tsp from one of the oranges and 1 tsp from one of the lemons and set aside.  Juice both the oranges and lemons and set aside.  In a medium saucepan, combine the juices, zest, maple syrup, brown sugar and honey.  Over medium-high heat, bring mixture to a boil stirring often.  Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.  Stir in the dried cherries, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg and simmer an additional 2 minutes.  Optional:  Strain mixture for a smoother, less chunky syrup.

Serve over the following pancake recipe.

Yield:  2 cups

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

Ingredients:
3/4    cups bread flour
3/4    cups whole-wheat flour
3     Tbsp sugar
1/4     Tbsp salt
2-1/2     tsp baking powder
1     tsp baking soda
1     Tbsp pure maple syrup
1     large egg
1     cup buttermilk
3/4     cup low-fat milk
2-1/2     Tbsp canola oil

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine flours, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda; set aside.  In a medium bowl, combine maple syrup, egg, buttermilk and milk; mix well.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mix until smooth.

Coat a griddle or large sauté pan, lightly, with oil and heat over medium heat.  Ladle batter on griddle or in the sauté pan and cook until bubbles form.  Flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown.

Yield:  6 servings

Smoothies are so quick and easy to make.  You do not need a lot of items—whatever you have in the refrigerator or freezer will work.  Here are a few ideas for delicious smoothies, but feel free to mix and match.  I find smoothies are a great way to use fruit that is about to reach its expiration date.  If I can’t make the smoothie that moment, I put the fruit in a freezer bag to use in smoothies later.  A helpful hint:  Put the fruit in freezer bags in one cup servings, just the right amount for one smoothie.

Banana Split Smoothie

This tastes so much like a banana split.  Adding a little crushed ice makes it super cold and you it tastes like a banana split.  I LOVE this one !!!

1 cup frozen sweet cherries
1 Tbsp FruitFast Montmorency Cherry Liquid Fruit Supplement
1 small banana
1 cup chocolate soy milk (or enough to just cover the ingredients)
Crushed ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender; blend well.  ENJOY!!!
Yield:  2 servings

Substitutes:

1 cup berries (your choice, strawberry, blueberries, raspberries, or any combo)
1 Tbsp FruitFast Mixed Berry Liquid Fruit Supplement
1 cup non-fat chocolate milk

Pomegranate and Raspberry Smoothie

1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 Tbsp FruitFast Wonderful Pomegranate Juice (Place 4 Tbsp concentrate in a measuring cup—fill with water to make 1 cup)
2 small bananas
Crushed ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender; blend well.  Add a Tbsp FruitFast Wonderful Pomegranate Liquid Fruit Supplement or FruitFast Mixed Berry Liquid Fruit Supplement to boost the health factor in these tasty treats.
Yield:  4 servings

Raspberry Smoothie

1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1 carton (6 oz) raspberry yogurt (regular or soy)
1-2 Tbsp FruitFast Red Raspberry Juice Concentrate (Place 1-2 Tbsp concentrate in a measuring cup—fill with water to make 1/2 cup)

Combine all ingredients in a blender.  Blend until smooth.   Again, FruitFast Liquid Fruit Supplements can be added for an additional healthy boost.
Yield:  2 servings

Variations:  substitute vanilla, lemon, lime or even peach yogurt.  Substitute FruitFast Wild Blueberry, Cranberry or Grape juice for the raspberry juice concentrate.

Cherry Smoothie

1-2 Tbsp FruitFast Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate (Place 1-2 Tbsp concentrate in a measuring cup—fill with water to make 1/2 cup)
1 carton (6 oz) non- or low-fat frozen vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup frozen pitted cherries
Ice cubes

Combine in a blend in a blender.
Yield: 2 servings

Variations:  Add 1 Tbsp FruitFast CherryFlex Liquid Fruit Supplement for an added healthy boost.   Use cherry yogurt for a triple cherry blast.

Pomegranate Strawberry Smoothie

1-2 Tbsp FruitFast Wonderful Pomegranate Juice Concentrate (Place 1-2 Tbsp concentrate in a measuring cup—fill with water to make 1/2 cup)
1 carton (6 oz) non-fat yogurt
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
Crushed ice cubes

Combine ingredients in a blender.
Yield:  2 servings

Variations:  Add Wonderful Pomegranate Liquid Fruit Supplement or FruitFast Mixed Berry Liquid Fruit Supplement for an extra healthy boost.   Substitute strawberry non-fat yogurt for extra berry flavor.

Strawberry Peach or Nectarine Smoothie

1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
1/2 cup chopped fresh or frozen peaches or nectarines
1 carton (6 oz) vanilla, or peach flavored yogurt
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp FruitFast Mixed Berry Liquid Fruit Supplement
1 Tbsp honey (optional) for a sweeter smoothie add an additional 1-2 Tbsp.
Crushed ice

Combine ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth.
Yield:  1 serving

Breakfast Shakes;

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  No time, smoothies are a quick fix to this problem.  Helpful hint:  Measure ingredients the night before and keep them on the same shelf in the refrigerator so you can grab, blend and go!!!  Try these wonderful pomegranate morning shakes, or create your own.  Add protein powder or flax seed for additional benefits.   These make great morning breakfast for the little ones, as well.   What a delicious way to give them part of their five fruits a day.  The wonderful part about smoothies is you can add just about anything—carrots or spinach even.  Experiment with different flavors and soon smoothies will be your go-to on the go meal, or snack.

Pomegranate Morning On the Go Shake

1 Tbsp FruitFast Wonderful Pomegranate Juice Concentrate (Place 1 Tbsp concentrate in a measuring cup—fill with water to make 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup low-fat milk, or regular or vanilla soy milk
1 large banana
2 Tbsp sliced or slivered almonds
1 tsp honey
1 Tbsp Wonderful Pomegranate Liquid Fruit Supplement (optional)
Crushed ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender and put in a plastic cup; enjoy on your morning commute.
Yield:  1 serving

Pomegranate Blueberry Smoothie

1 Tbsp FruitFast Wonderful Pomegranate Juice Concentrate (Place 1 Tbsp concentrate in a measuring cup—fill with water to make 1/2 cup)
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 carton (6 oz) non-fat blueberry yogurt
1 Tbsp Wonderful Pomegranate Liquid Fruit Supplement or FruitFast Mixed Berry Liquid Fruit Supplement for additional boost (optional)
Crushed ice

Combine ingredients in a blender;  blend until smooth.
Yield:  1 serving

Variations:  Use soy blueberry or vanilla yogurt.  Add a banana.

Pomegranates are eaten in many Middle Eastern countries at the New Year as a sign of luck.   In Greece, the families will smash a Pomegranate in front of their home.  The hope is to disperse many seeds across a wide area.  The more seeds that are scattered, the greater the fortune for the house that year.

Here is our good-luck, morning get-you-out-the-door smoothie.  It takes only minutes to prepare and can be put in a to-go cup for an on-the-go breakfast or snack.

Combine pomegranate juice with a little FruitFast Mixed  Berry Liquid for an extra healthy boost to your New Year.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup FruitFast Pomegranate Juice Concentrate (Place 1 to 2 Tbsp concentrate ina mearuing cup – fill with water to make 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt, or soy yogurt
3/4 cup frozen mixed berries
1 Tbsp FruitFast Mixed Berry Liquid Fruit Concentrate

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender, cover and blend until pureed.
Yield: 1 serving

When it comes to the holidays, all the lovely cocktails are difficult to resist. This year say “make mine fruity”. Here are some healthy low-cal recipes to keep you on track with your commitment of avoiding the holiday “heft”. These mocktails can be enjoyed by young and old as they are alcohol-free.

Put any of these holiday drinks in a special mug, flute, or glass. This will make you and your drink feel extra special. Sip slowly—savoring the flavor of the drink.

TREE TRIMMING FRUITY EGG NOG

Purchase no or low-fat eggnog
Drizzle with your favorite FruitFast Liquid Fruit Supplement
Sprinkle with nutmeg
Serve in a festive mug

FESTIVE MOCK MIMOSA

1 /2 ounce your favorite FruitFast Juice Concentrate, or
1 Tbsp FruitFast Liquid Fruit Supplement (your choice)
1 glass sparkling spumante or cider. I used St. Julian Mixed Berry Spumante combined with FruitFast Liquid Fruit Supplement.
Try combining sparkling cider or grape with pomegranate; or white grape with Cherry.
Pour juice concentrate into a champagne flute. Stir and enjoy!!!

VERY CHERRY OLD-FASHIONED

2 ounces FruitFast Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate
4 ounces sparkling water or mineral water
Combine ingredients in an old fashioned glass, with 3-4 ice cubes.
Stir with festive stir stick.

We have been told Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so begin with this nutty breakfast shake. It is simple to make and healthy for an on-the-go start to your day.

Ingredients:
1 – 2 Tbsp  FruitFast Wonderful Pomegranate Juice Concentrate (Place 1 to 2 Tbsp concentrate in a measuring cup – fill with water to make 1/2 cup) or
2 Tbsp FruitFast Wonderful Pomegranate Liquid Fruit Supplement
3/4 cup soymilk or regular low-fat milk
2 ice cubes
1 banana, peeled and broken into chunks
2 Tbsp slivered or sliced almonds
1 Tbsp Flaxseeds
1 teaspoon honey or to taste
Directions:
In a blender combine the pomegranate juice or Pomegranate Liquid Fruit Supplement with milk, ice cubes, banana, almonds, flaxseeds and honey to taste. Cover and blend on high speed for 30 seconds.
Pour into 2 tall glasses and serve immediately.

1—12 ounce can frozen lemonade

2 liters sparkling water or lime flavored sparkling water

5 Tbsp FruitFast Cherryflex Liquid Supplement

2 limes

Prepare lemonade according to package directions; substitute the sparkling water for the regular water in directions. If using unflavored sparkling water, add the juice from 1 lime. Stir in the FruitFast Cherryflex Liquid Supplement. Serve over ice and garnish with lime slices.

A refreshing pick-me-up anytime of day. 

Ingredients:
2 cups frozen tart cherries
1 ripe banana, peeled
1 cup cherry juice blend (or other juice)

Directions:
Put frozen cherries, banana and cherry juice blend in container of electric blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 (8-ounce) servings

Nutrition Info:
Nutrition Facts per 1-cup serving: 86 cal., 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 21 g carbo., 0 mg chol., 1 g pro., 2 g fiber, 14 mg sodium. Daily RDA values: 8% vit. A, 8% vit. C, 2% calcium, 4% iron.

Blend chocolate mousse-style yogurt, and frozen cherries for a choco-cherry spectacular treat.

Ingredients:
3 4-ounce containers chocolate mousse-style yogurt
1 cup frozen tart cherries
1/4 cup lowfat milk
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 tablespoon orange blossom or alfalfa honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Place yogurt, frozen cherries, milk, orange juice concentrate, honey and vanilla in blender container. Cover and blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. To serve, pour into glasses. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 (1-cup) servings.

Nutrition Info:
Nutrition Facts per 1-cup serving: 347 calories, 6 g total fat, 4 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 63 g carbohydrate, 17 mg cholesterol, 10 g protein, 1 g fiber, 184 mg sodium; Daily Values: 25% vitamin A, 60% vitamin C, 20% calcium, 2% iron.

Ingredients:
4 large or 8 small ice cubes
1 1/2 cups frozen tart cherries
1 large banana, cut into 1-inch chunks
3/4 cup vanilla soy or lowfat milk
2/3 cup orange juice
2 scoops unflavored whey protein drink mix powder (about 42 grams protein total)
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:
Place ice cubes, frozen cherries, banana, milk, orange juice, protein powder and sugar in blender container. Cover and blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. To serve, pour into glasses. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 (1 3/4-cups) servings.

Nutrition Info:
Nutrition Facts per 1 3/4 cup serving: 129 calories, 8 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 12 g carbohydrate, 0 mg cholesterol, 2 g protein, 2 g fiber, 5 mg sodium; Daily Values: 20% vitamin A, 80% vitamin C, 35% calcium, 6% iron.