Strawberry-Watermelon-Mint Smoothie

I've got a new obsession: smoothies! Okay, you may laugh at me now, but I've never been the kind of person that drinks her calories - I drink my coffee black (most times) and am not the biggest fans of either juices or shakes or soft drinks. Not that I would dismiss a good homemade apple-juice or similar once in a while but in general I'm a non-sparkling-water-all-day-long kind of person.

Sorry to get back on the all-time-theme of the weather again, but some days the humidity here  in the city is a killer. But I've found my kind of relief: a good iced Strawberry-Watermelon-Mint Smoothie!!

I'm addicted to watermelon and we had a whole bunch of self-picked strawberries sitting in the refrigerator AND the mint-plants started to take over our balcony until one morning this happened:



In the short moment between laying in my bed and deciding what to have for breakfast a thought came up in my mind and the idea of a great smoothie for breakfast and to cool down as well triggered my all the time during my morning run. As I came back I immediately gathered the ingredients and fluuuuuuushhhhhh - 5 minutes (and of  course a little shower) later I was able to sit down and enjoy a whole glass of icy-strawberry-watermelon deliciousness with a good touch of mint - heaven!!
The recipe will make half a litre, so it was enough to share with my sister who requested another one right away. So get your watermelon, strawberries and mint ready and enjoy!



Strawberry-Watermelon-Mint Smoothie
- makes 500ml/ ~2 cups
- 300g/2 cups diced watermelon
- 1 cup strawberries
- a bunch of mint leaves (I used about 20), reserving a few for the decoration
- 100g/ 3/4 cup crushed ice

1. Blend together the fruits and mint until well mixed. Then add in the crushed ice and continue blending until desired consistency is reached. You can add in some optional splashes of water if the texture is too thick. Decorate with some additional mint leaves or strawberries and enjoy!

Iced Coffee

Summer, Sun, 30 °C and homemade Iced Coffee sounds like a legit combination, doesn't it?
Coffee is an essential drink for me, I like the slow weekend routine of brewing up a morning cup or cooking the espresso for a fresh latte macchiato on the stovetop, the smell of the freshly grounded beans surrounding me - pure comfort!
And in the summer I like it iceeeeed please! For me a pure iced coffee is just what the name intrigues: cold coffee and ice. Nothing can disturb this pairing, except for an occasional splash of milk, that's it! No artificial flavours or sweeteners, no, not for me! And if  I might get a so called craving for some, then I'll do it at home with some honey, nothing processed, just natures goodness! And what a beauty, once you add the milk, just look at it:



This week the situation hasn't been like the above quoted sun and warm temperatures, but more like humidity-rising-temperatures-feeling-like-the-rain-will-come-within-seconds-but-it-actually-doesn't-getting-colder-again-ooh-no-humiditiy-is-back-and-yes-finally-rain-but-noo-we-doesn't-wanted-to-have-it-for-a-whole-day-esque. Yes, it was actually crazy. I thrived for balance and drank some warm coffee in the morning, when the temperatures were still low and switched to it's iced brother in the afternoon ;-).

In the following you'll find the recipe for iced coffe just the way I like it: soaked overnight, providing a subtle sweetness and yet a huge caffeine kick. Change it up with a splash of milk, creamer or honey or sirup, if you're into that. Enjoy!



Iced Coffee
- makes 5 servings
- 35g ground coffee or espresso powder for a stronger beverage
- 1000g/1l tap water

1. Combine the ground coffee and the water in a bowl, cover and let it sit for at least 8 hours or preferably overnight.
2. In the morning: Pour the mixture through a fine sieve or preferably a coffee filter, to seperate the coffee and the liquid.
3. Throw away the filter with the coffee and either prepare your iced one of choice with some ice cubes/sweetener/milk/creamer right away or keep it in the refrigerator for later use. Enjoy!

Spiced Tea Latte {Chai Style}

 

Shopping - one thing nearly every girl loves, right? When it comes to me, I have to admit that I like it too, even though there's one thing that gets me waay more excited then a new shirt or dress. No,in this case I'm not talking about groceries(this is a totally different topic, could definitely write a whole about it ;-)). Okay, no more guessing time: props - its all about the foodtography props! A box full of old silverware right next to a bunch of linen and various backdrops - is there any better? And what's one of the most perfect places to watch out for props on a lovely sunday morning?

 

Right! A flea market! Row after row of tiny little sale stands, packed with a whole lot of garbage no one needs, but right there, in the corner of an inconspicuous carton is THE piece. It might be a fork with beautiful engravings or