Let your kids create their own box of chocolates! They could eat 'em up themselves or wrap them in a pretty be-ribboned box and present them to their 'rents when they get home.
What You'll Need:
bags of white and dark chocolate chips
candy cups
nuts
cookie sheet
decorative box
What You'll Do:
1. Line up several candy cups on cookie sheet.
2. Melt chocolate according to package instructions.
3. Pour melted chocolate into cups. Decorate tops with nuts, coconut, chocolate chips or sprinkles.
4. Set sheet in refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
5. Put hardened chocolate cups into gift box.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
You'll need the ripest, sweetest berries for this ice cream. (Go strawberry pickin'!) If your supermarket's berries are hard and tasteless, use unsweetened frozen strawberries. Before using, partially defrost them in a bowl; use the juice in the recipe.
What You’ll Need: Serves 4
2 pints ripe strawberries (about 4 cups)
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup vanilla yogurt (it doesn't matter if it's lowfat or nonfat.)
What You’ll Do:
1. Wash the strawberries and cut off the stems. Cut them in half and place in a blender with the orange juice and water. Blend until smooth. Pour into a mixing bowl and whisk in the sugar and yogurt.
2. Pour into an ice cream freezer or shallow pan. Eat or spoon into a chilled plastic container; freeze. Let frozen yogurt soften again slightly before eating.
Tool:
Blender
Measuring cups, spoons
Small cutting board
Paring knife
Shallow pan or ice cream freezer
Whisk, rubber spatula
The Fixins'
Here are some ideas for anyone that wants more than naked ice cream.
-Set up a frozen yogurt bar with toppings such as nuts, coconut, chopped fruit, granola, and a berry sauce.
What You’ll Need: Serves 4
2 pints ripe strawberries (about 4 cups)
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup vanilla yogurt (it doesn't matter if it's lowfat or nonfat.)
What You’ll Do:
1. Wash the strawberries and cut off the stems. Cut them in half and place in a blender with the orange juice and water. Blend until smooth. Pour into a mixing bowl and whisk in the sugar and yogurt.
2. Pour into an ice cream freezer or shallow pan. Eat or spoon into a chilled plastic container; freeze. Let frozen yogurt soften again slightly before eating.
Tool:
Blender
Measuring cups, spoons
Small cutting board
Paring knife
Shallow pan or ice cream freezer
Whisk, rubber spatula
The Fixins'
Here are some ideas for anyone that wants more than naked ice cream.
-Set up a frozen yogurt bar with toppings such as nuts, coconut, chopped fruit, granola, and a berry sauce.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Perfect BBQ Chicken Pizza
Trying to shape up for summer but can't fight your pesky pizza cravings? This simple recipe will nix your need to nosh without piling on the extra calories! Serve it at your next sleepover party or surprise your ‘rents with this easy 'n' healthy dish.
What You’ll Need:
Pillsburry Refrigerated Pizza Crust
Barbecue Chicken (Can be a container from the grocery store, or a homemade recipe, etc.)
1 tomato, sliced
Fresh Mozzarella cheese, sliced
Basil or oregano to taste
What You’ll Do:
1. Heat oven to 425°F.
2. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray. Unroll dough in pan; starting at center, evenly press out the dough to edge of the pan to form the crust.
3. Carefully place the pan in the oven and bake 7 to 9 minutes or until the dough is light golden brown.
4. Carefully take out of the oven and spread the bbq chicken on top of the dough
5. Used as many tomato slices as you want. Place 'em on top of the BBQ chicken
6. Add the slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
7. Top it off with basil or oregano to taste
8. Carefully place back in the oven for a couple minutes or until the cheese is bubbly
9. Take it out, slice it up, and its ready to serve!
What You’ll Need:
Pillsburry Refrigerated Pizza Crust
Barbecue Chicken (Can be a container from the grocery store, or a homemade recipe, etc.)
1 tomato, sliced
Fresh Mozzarella cheese, sliced
Basil or oregano to taste
What You’ll Do:
1. Heat oven to 425°F.
2. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray. Unroll dough in pan; starting at center, evenly press out the dough to edge of the pan to form the crust.
3. Carefully place the pan in the oven and bake 7 to 9 minutes or until the dough is light golden brown.
4. Carefully take out of the oven and spread the bbq chicken on top of the dough
5. Used as many tomato slices as you want. Place 'em on top of the BBQ chicken
6. Add the slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
7. Top it off with basil or oregano to taste
8. Carefully place back in the oven for a couple minutes or until the cheese is bubbly
9. Take it out, slice it up, and its ready to serve!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
TREAT YOUR FEET
Are your dogs tired after a little too much summer fun? Revive 'em with this rockin' routine!
First, get barefoot, and pace back and forth on a soft surface (like the living room rug or freshly cut lawn) for five minutes; this will exercise muscles that get all bound up in your shoes, and fight foot fatigue. Next, cut a lemon into two wedges, and rub your heels and soles with it vigorously¬¬––this is a great natural way to clean the tootsies and strip off dead, yucky skin. Now, fill a big bowl of footbath with cool, soapy water (use antibacterial dishwashing liquid that's marked safe for hands) and soak for 20 relaxin' minutes. Let your feet air dry by holding them toward the airflow of the air conditioner or a fan. Doesn't that feel better?
First, get barefoot, and pace back and forth on a soft surface (like the living room rug or freshly cut lawn) for five minutes; this will exercise muscles that get all bound up in your shoes, and fight foot fatigue. Next, cut a lemon into two wedges, and rub your heels and soles with it vigorously¬¬––this is a great natural way to clean the tootsies and strip off dead, yucky skin. Now, fill a big bowl of footbath with cool, soapy water (use antibacterial dishwashing liquid that's marked safe for hands) and soak for 20 relaxin' minutes. Let your feet air dry by holding them toward the airflow of the air conditioner or a fan. Doesn't that feel better?
YOUR DAILY MOTIVATOR
Up the nutrition on your ice cream! Instead of topping your frozen treats with gooey hot fudge and marshmallow, pile on fresh strawberries and blueberries. Or, go tropical and cut up mango and pineapple for a fab twist on a banana split.
Summer Fitness: Fill-In-The-Blanks!
I motivate myself to get movin’ by ___ .
The best way to cool down is ___ .
After an intense workout sesh, I quench my thirst with ___ .
In a typical summer week, I exercise ___ times.
My ultimate jam that makes me groove is ___ .
I stay fueled and energized with ___ .
A sweet treat I reward myself with is ___ .
The best way to cool down is ___ .
After an intense workout sesh, I quench my thirst with ___ .
In a typical summer week, I exercise ___ times.
My ultimate jam that makes me groove is ___ .
I stay fueled and energized with ___ .
A sweet treat I reward myself with is ___ .
Asian Broccoli Circles
Broccoli haters of the world unite! You don’t have to eat disgusting broccoli tops in this recipe, only the stalks. The stalks have almost as many vitamins and nutrients as the broccoli tops.
What You’ll Need: Serves 3-4
*2 broccoli stalks with long stems
*1/4 cup water
*3-4 slices gingerroot
*1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
*1 tablespoon maple syrup
What You’ll Do:
1. Have ready a 10-12 inch non-stick skillet with a lid. Cut the tops off of the broccoli stem and save for another day. On a cutting board, hold your broccoli tree vertically (up) and carefully trim off any brown or tough parts with a paring knife. Lay the tree on its side and cut off the dried end.
2. Cut into thin 1/8 inch thick circles. (There should be about 20-25 circles.) Cut the ginger root into thin circles. Lay the broccoli and ginger root circles in a single layer in the skillet.
3. Put water into a glass measuring cup and pour into the skillet, cover, and turn on the stove to medium heat. Set a timer for 7 minutes. Check every few minutes to see if the water has evaporated.
4. In the glass measuring cup, stir together the tamari and the maple syrup. As soon as all the water is gone, pour the sauce evenly over the broccoli. Cook for about another minute or so until the sauce starts to bubble up. Serve hot.
What You’ll Need: Serves 3-4
*2 broccoli stalks with long stems
*1/4 cup water
*3-4 slices gingerroot
*1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
*1 tablespoon maple syrup
What You’ll Do:
1. Have ready a 10-12 inch non-stick skillet with a lid. Cut the tops off of the broccoli stem and save for another day. On a cutting board, hold your broccoli tree vertically (up) and carefully trim off any brown or tough parts with a paring knife. Lay the tree on its side and cut off the dried end.
2. Cut into thin 1/8 inch thick circles. (There should be about 20-25 circles.) Cut the ginger root into thin circles. Lay the broccoli and ginger root circles in a single layer in the skillet.
3. Put water into a glass measuring cup and pour into the skillet, cover, and turn on the stove to medium heat. Set a timer for 7 minutes. Check every few minutes to see if the water has evaporated.
4. In the glass measuring cup, stir together the tamari and the maple syrup. As soon as all the water is gone, pour the sauce evenly over the broccoli. Cook for about another minute or so until the sauce starts to bubble up. Serve hot.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A Perf St. Patty's Party
Throw a super-cool St. Patty’s Day party. Gather up all your friends, send out some shamrock invites and get ready to shamrock ‘n’ roll, sistah. Here’s our how-to on the perf St. Patty’s Day party, green attire required.
GREET ‘EM IN GREEN
How to decorate for your St. Pat’s soiree? This DIY craft is great for greeting all your green-day guests.
What You’ll Need:
-Green construction paper
-Plastic Cups
What You’ll Do:
1. Place the cups in the shape of a Four-leaf clover (Two going down and two side by side). Keep ‘em connected in the center!
2. Next, trace the outline of the cups and cut out your clover.
3. Write a guest’s name on it.
4. Hang up your new décor and repeat the steps until you’ve got enough shamrocks for all of your guests.Other cool St. Pat’s day décor? Go all-out green with green tinsel, string green beads around the room and shamrock cut-outs.
GREEN-DAY GRUB
What to feed your guests? Our St. Patty’s grub is leprechaun-tested, GL approved.
GREEN JELLO TREATS
Stick with the St. Patty's Day tradition of going green, and celebrate with a St. Patrick's Day dessert: green Jello! It’s easy-to-make, healthy and goes great with the holiday! Really wanna get festive? Buy a Four-leaf clover cookie cutter and cut your jello into cute shamrocks. This dessert is low in cals AND green - doesn't get much better than that!
POT O’ GOLD
One of the most popular St. Patty’s Day traditions is the pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow. This St. Patty’s make your own pot o’ gold snack. Get a big bowl (that the ’rents don't mind giving up) and some green paint. Paint the bowl green and let it dry completely (leave it overnight!). Once dry, use a black marker to write something fun and festive on the bowl. Irish sayings like, “Erin go bragh” are always cute!
Once the pot’s ready to go, fill it with some popcorn, chips, cheese doodles, crackers or other crunchy party bites. Really wanna play up the pot o’ gold theme? Go for golden-colored eats…put yellow corn chips, potato chips and popcorn in the mix. Want to really Irish it up? Create a rainbow with markers and construction paper and set your own pot o’ gold at the end of it. Eat and enjoy…but look out for leprechauns!
PIN THE SHAMROCK ON THE LEPRECHAUN
How to keep your guests busy? This game is great and goes along with the all-green theme.
This game takes its cue from the kiddie party-time favorite, pin the tail on the donkey. Turn into a St. Patty’s Day pastime and play pin the shamrock on the leprechaun! Get a poster-sized piece of paper and draw your own laughin’ leprechaun on it. Make sure your lil’ leprechaun has his right hand opened-up (this is where the shamrock will go). Make your leprechaun creative – give him a cute green outfit and a hip style this year!
Next, draw a shamrock (aka a four-leaf clover) on a piece of green paper and cut it out. Trace your shamrock a few times and cut out identical ones (depending on the number of people playing). Next attach a piece of tape to the back of each shamrock. Hang your leprechaun on the wall. Now you and your buds can take turns blind folding each other and trying to fit the clover into the leprechaun’s pal. Ready, set…let the luckiest lady win!
GREET ‘EM IN GREEN
How to decorate for your St. Pat’s soiree? This DIY craft is great for greeting all your green-day guests.
What You’ll Need:
-Green construction paper
-Plastic Cups
What You’ll Do:
1. Place the cups in the shape of a Four-leaf clover (Two going down and two side by side). Keep ‘em connected in the center!
2. Next, trace the outline of the cups and cut out your clover.
3. Write a guest’s name on it.
4. Hang up your new décor and repeat the steps until you’ve got enough shamrocks for all of your guests.Other cool St. Pat’s day décor? Go all-out green with green tinsel, string green beads around the room and shamrock cut-outs.
GREEN-DAY GRUB
What to feed your guests? Our St. Patty’s grub is leprechaun-tested, GL approved.
GREEN JELLO TREATS
Stick with the St. Patty's Day tradition of going green, and celebrate with a St. Patrick's Day dessert: green Jello! It’s easy-to-make, healthy and goes great with the holiday! Really wanna get festive? Buy a Four-leaf clover cookie cutter and cut your jello into cute shamrocks. This dessert is low in cals AND green - doesn't get much better than that!
POT O’ GOLD
One of the most popular St. Patty’s Day traditions is the pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow. This St. Patty’s make your own pot o’ gold snack. Get a big bowl (that the ’rents don't mind giving up) and some green paint. Paint the bowl green and let it dry completely (leave it overnight!). Once dry, use a black marker to write something fun and festive on the bowl. Irish sayings like, “Erin go bragh” are always cute!
Once the pot’s ready to go, fill it with some popcorn, chips, cheese doodles, crackers or other crunchy party bites. Really wanna play up the pot o’ gold theme? Go for golden-colored eats…put yellow corn chips, potato chips and popcorn in the mix. Want to really Irish it up? Create a rainbow with markers and construction paper and set your own pot o’ gold at the end of it. Eat and enjoy…but look out for leprechauns!
PIN THE SHAMROCK ON THE LEPRECHAUN
How to keep your guests busy? This game is great and goes along with the all-green theme.
This game takes its cue from the kiddie party-time favorite, pin the tail on the donkey. Turn into a St. Patty’s Day pastime and play pin the shamrock on the leprechaun! Get a poster-sized piece of paper and draw your own laughin’ leprechaun on it. Make sure your lil’ leprechaun has his right hand opened-up (this is where the shamrock will go). Make your leprechaun creative – give him a cute green outfit and a hip style this year!
Next, draw a shamrock (aka a four-leaf clover) on a piece of green paper and cut it out. Trace your shamrock a few times and cut out identical ones (depending on the number of people playing). Next attach a piece of tape to the back of each shamrock. Hang your leprechaun on the wall. Now you and your buds can take turns blind folding each other and trying to fit the clover into the leprechaun’s pal. Ready, set…let the luckiest lady win!
Old-School Italian Pasta
This old-school Italian pasta recipe packs a hearty punch with healthy ingredients and a tasty wow factor. You don't need to use the stove at all and you can mix 'n' match veggies for your own special touch!
What You'll Need:
1 package of EZ Mac microwaveable pasta or1 cup of fresh no-cook pasta
1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 leaves of fresh Basil
1 package of Sun Dried tomatoes
1 Teaspoon of Parmesan cheese, flaked or crumbled.
What You'll Do:
1. Microwave the pasta in hot water for about 3-4 mins, till all the water is soaked up and the pasta is cooked through.2. Mix in the olive oil, little by little- you might not need to use the entire 1/4 cup, so use your instincts!3. Chop the basil and mix it in with the tomatoes, and cheese.
Our Tip: If you're allowed to use the stove, you can use any type of pasta. Try all different shapes and textures till you find one you like!
What You'll Need:
1 package of EZ Mac microwaveable pasta or1 cup of fresh no-cook pasta
1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 leaves of fresh Basil
1 package of Sun Dried tomatoes
1 Teaspoon of Parmesan cheese, flaked or crumbled.
What You'll Do:
1. Microwave the pasta in hot water for about 3-4 mins, till all the water is soaked up and the pasta is cooked through.2. Mix in the olive oil, little by little- you might not need to use the entire 1/4 cup, so use your instincts!3. Chop the basil and mix it in with the tomatoes, and cheese.
Our Tip: If you're allowed to use the stove, you can use any type of pasta. Try all different shapes and textures till you find one you like!
Super-Duper Beadmobile
Looking for a bold new way to decorate your bedroom? Just bead it! Beads aren't just for jewelry anymore... follow these steps and add some bling to your bedroom with our DIY beadmobile. It'll look oh-so-cute hanging from your ceiling. Wanna share your cool creation? Wrap it up and give it as a gift!
What You'll Need:
2 pieces of 14-gauge wire
Chain link wire
A bucket 'o' beads
Needle-nosed pliers, wire cutters or toenail clippers (to snip the wires)
Costume jewelry
What You'll Do:
1. Start with a foot-long string of chain link
2. Attach two pieces of 14-gauge wire (one at the top, one at the middle) by twisting the wire onto the chain until secure.
3. Use the pliers to loop the ends of the wire into spirals.
4. String beads into five sections of a smaller gauge wire, and loopy-loop the ends around to secure.
5. Hang one string of beads onto the ends of each 14-gauge wire base, and hook one to the very end of the chain.
6. Add a piece of wire to the top of the chain, and make a loop for hanging.
7. Pin a piece of costume jewelery between the two tiers. Now you're blingin', babe!
What You'll Need:
2 pieces of 14-gauge wire
Chain link wire
A bucket 'o' beads
Needle-nosed pliers, wire cutters or toenail clippers (to snip the wires)
Costume jewelry
What You'll Do:
1. Start with a foot-long string of chain link
2. Attach two pieces of 14-gauge wire (one at the top, one at the middle) by twisting the wire onto the chain until secure.
3. Use the pliers to loop the ends of the wire into spirals.
4. String beads into five sections of a smaller gauge wire, and loopy-loop the ends around to secure.
5. Hang one string of beads onto the ends of each 14-gauge wire base, and hook one to the very end of the chain.
6. Add a piece of wire to the top of the chain, and make a loop for hanging.
7. Pin a piece of costume jewelery between the two tiers. Now you're blingin', babe!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
SPLURGE: Fluff Dip and Fresh Fruit!
There’s nothing healthy about marshmallows, which are nothing more than blown up sugar balls, but hey - sometimes you have to splurge. A Girls’ Life reader sent this in to us. Great dip for a party or for fruit-haters. ANYTHING tastes better dipped in “Fluff”.
What You’ll Need:
4 ounces cream cheese (half of an 8-ounce package)
3/4 cup “Marshmallow Fluff”
Fresh Fruit Ideas:
Whole strawberries, pineapple chunks, melon chunks, large grapes, sliced apples
Put the cream cheese into a mixing bowl and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, smash the cream cheese and “Fluff” together until they're completely blended.
To Serve: Make up a platter with fresh fruit chunks; put the dip in a small bowl. (Make sure you wash the fruit first.) You can use toothpicks to dip the fruit into the “Fluff Dip” or just dunk. The dip will keep in the refrigerator in a plastic container for up to three days.
Other Ideas - Fluff Frosting: Try using the Fluff Dip as frosting for your famous cupcakes. I like it on carrot muffins – they taste like mini-carrot cakes. You may want to whip 1/2 teaspoon vanilla into your frosting.
What You’ll Need:
4 ounces cream cheese (half of an 8-ounce package)
3/4 cup “Marshmallow Fluff”
Fresh Fruit Ideas:
Whole strawberries, pineapple chunks, melon chunks, large grapes, sliced apples
Put the cream cheese into a mixing bowl and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, smash the cream cheese and “Fluff” together until they're completely blended.
To Serve: Make up a platter with fresh fruit chunks; put the dip in a small bowl. (Make sure you wash the fruit first.) You can use toothpicks to dip the fruit into the “Fluff Dip” or just dunk. The dip will keep in the refrigerator in a plastic container for up to three days.
Other Ideas - Fluff Frosting: Try using the Fluff Dip as frosting for your famous cupcakes. I like it on carrot muffins – they taste like mini-carrot cakes. You may want to whip 1/2 teaspoon vanilla into your frosting.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Pocket Change
Have a pair of jeans that don’t fit? No need to give them to Goodwill. With just a few snips and caboodles, you can turn that ol' denim into a fab bag that you’ll never outgrow. Mix 'n' match diff materials for a totally unique look.
What You’ll Need:
Jeans with belt loops
Needle
Thread
Sewing pins
Ribbon
Pom-pom strings
Rick-rack
Buttons
D-rings (metals rings for the belt)
Fabric
Glue
Scissors
Ruler
What You’ll Do:
1. Cut each leg off below the inseam of the jeans. (Put legs aside.)
2. Cut through the inseam so that your jeans now look like a mini-skirt.
3. Flip inside out, and line pom-pom strings facing in, then pin the bottom together.
4. Using a whip stitch, sew tightly together.
5. Flip the purse right side out so the pom-poms dangle along the bottom.
6. For the belt, cut a length of ribbon long enough to go around the waist with a 4-inch overlap.
7. Fold a tiny bit of ribbon over the flat end of the D-rings and sew.
8. Slide the ribbon through the belt loops so D-rings are lined-up in front of the zipper.
9. Sew the ribbon to the denim all the way around, stitching close to both edges of the ribbon but leaving the D-rings and 4-inch end ribbon loose.
10. Thread the end ribbon up and over through the D-rings, and tighten.
11. Cut two 7-inch pieces of ribbon.
12. Just inside the waistband, sew one length at the front button and one at the center back seam for tying your purse shut.
13. To make a strap, cut a 21-by-4-inch piece of jean from the pants leg.
14. Fold it in half, inside out.
15. Lengthwise, sew the upper sides together, then flip it inside out.
16. Iron with the seam in the middle.
17. Sew a piece of ribbon in the middle of the strap, over the seam.
18. Sew the strap onto each side of the purse, inside the waistline where your hips should be.
19. Glue buttons over the zipper area, and glue rick-rack along the front pockets.
20. Tie two pieces of ribbon into bows and tack to back pockets.
What You’ll Need:
Jeans with belt loops
Needle
Thread
Sewing pins
Ribbon
Pom-pom strings
Rick-rack
Buttons
D-rings (metals rings for the belt)
Fabric
Glue
Scissors
Ruler
What You’ll Do:
1. Cut each leg off below the inseam of the jeans. (Put legs aside.)
2. Cut through the inseam so that your jeans now look like a mini-skirt.
3. Flip inside out, and line pom-pom strings facing in, then pin the bottom together.
4. Using a whip stitch, sew tightly together.
5. Flip the purse right side out so the pom-poms dangle along the bottom.
6. For the belt, cut a length of ribbon long enough to go around the waist with a 4-inch overlap.
7. Fold a tiny bit of ribbon over the flat end of the D-rings and sew.
8. Slide the ribbon through the belt loops so D-rings are lined-up in front of the zipper.
9. Sew the ribbon to the denim all the way around, stitching close to both edges of the ribbon but leaving the D-rings and 4-inch end ribbon loose.
10. Thread the end ribbon up and over through the D-rings, and tighten.
11. Cut two 7-inch pieces of ribbon.
12. Just inside the waistband, sew one length at the front button and one at the center back seam for tying your purse shut.
13. To make a strap, cut a 21-by-4-inch piece of jean from the pants leg.
14. Fold it in half, inside out.
15. Lengthwise, sew the upper sides together, then flip it inside out.
16. Iron with the seam in the middle.
17. Sew a piece of ribbon in the middle of the strap, over the seam.
18. Sew the strap onto each side of the purse, inside the waistline where your hips should be.
19. Glue buttons over the zipper area, and glue rick-rack along the front pockets.
20. Tie two pieces of ribbon into bows and tack to back pockets.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
GL's Guide to a Great St. Patty's!
Why do you love St. Patty's? 'Cause you get to wear fun green garb? Do you heart this holiday 'cause it means spring's right around the corner? Or maybe you're Irish and it's a huge part of your heritage. Irish or not, It's your lucky day. GL's got a great guide for celebratin' this holiday.
FYI
St. Patrick's Day is a holiday commemorating the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. He died on March 17, 461 AD, the very day that we celebrate St. Patty's on ! What started as a religious holiday celebrated mostly by the Irish, has morphed into an international holiday that people of any and every culture celebrate.
St. Patty's Day was first celebrated in America with a parade in Boston in 1737. Today, some towns paint the yellow road lines green for a day. In Chicago they dye the river green. (Don't worry - it's a special dye that only lasts a few hours and doesn't harm any wildlife!) Today, it is estimated that nearly 34 million Americans have Irish ancestry. That's more than all the citizens in Ireland!
Now to the more fun stuff...wanna throw a St. Patty's Day party of your own? Here's some fun ideas for everything from great St. Patty's invites to green-day grub that all your guests are sure to enjoy!
Irish Invitations
If you're a crafty chica, make invitations by hand. How to do it? Use construction paper, markers, and glitter to make fun invites. Some symbols to keep in mind: the shamrock (of course!), leprechauns, and a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. If you aren’t so artfully inclined, design something on your computer! Maybe just cut shamrocks out of green construction paper and neatly write the necessary info on them.
Green-Day Decor
Get balloons in white, gold, and diff shades of green. Scatter them around the room or tie 'em up. On an open wall, hang several different colored streamers to look like a rainbow. At the bottom, fill a black bowl with gold coin chocolates. Green it up even more with green paper plates, silverware and shamrock-themed tablecloths!
Festive Food
Use food coloring to dye the different sodas and drinks you’re having green. Keep the labels on your drinks to keep your guests from getting 'em confused! Go easy on the dye or your guests' mouths will oh-so-magically turn green, too. Eeek!
Want a delish 'n' sweet drink? Get our GL exclusive recipe RIGHT HERE.
Grab some Irish themed cookie cutters at the grocery store and make sugar cookies shaped like shamrocks, rainbows, and pots of gold. Use icing and sprinkles to Irish 'em up. You can even make green-dyed rice crispy treats by adding a little green food coloring while your mixing.
Want to have some authentic Irish grub? Make Oatmeal Lace Cookies with cream or Irish Soda Bread. Not into sweet stuff? Cook up some Corned Beef and Cabbage.
Playin' for St. Patty's Day
Not sure what to do at your celebration? Try our St. Patty's versions of Pictionary and Twenty Questions. Or have a gold coin hunt (it's a lot like an egg hunt) and a Shamrock Relay. Not into games? Try a St. Patty's Day craft instead. Here's how!
To play Irish Pictionary, write a bunch of Irish themed objects down on pieces of paper. Some suggestions? Leprechauns, lucky clovers, shamrocks, blarney stone and more! Fold up and throw all papers in a big bowl. Split up into two or three teams. One member of a team at a time will choose a paper out of the bowl and then try to draw what's written on the paper. And remember...no talking allowed! First team to guess right in the first 30 seconds scores a point!
Or try out Irish Twenty Questions. How do ya play this game? One person thinks of an Irish person, place or thing. The rest of the group gets to ask up to 20 questions to try to guess what it is. The questions can only be answered with "yes," "no," or "I don't know." The person who guesses what the person, place, or thing is gets to go next.
Feelin' lucky!? Go for a gold coin hunt! Custom-create your own gold coins or use the chocolate gold-foil wrapped ones for a sweet treat. Hide 'em around the house and set your guests off on the hunt. Give everyone 10 mins to try to find the coins. Count up and see who has the most coins. May the luckiest lady win!
Want to get goin'? Try a Shamrock Relay! To play, make two or three construction paper shamrocks (depending on how many people you'll have and how many teams you want). Each team then lines up at the starting line. The first person on each team runs to an end line and back to the start line and hands off the shamrock to the next person in line. Whichever team has had all members run back and forth with the shamrock wins!
Not really a gaming girl? Have fun making your very own shamrock t-shirt! Tell everyone to bring a plain white tee that they wouldn't mind altering. Get several different shades of green fabric paint. To mix it up, also get some gold fabric glitter paint. Cut out various sized shamrocks out of sponges and use them to decorate your white tee!
FYI
St. Patrick's Day is a holiday commemorating the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. He died on March 17, 461 AD, the very day that we celebrate St. Patty's on ! What started as a religious holiday celebrated mostly by the Irish, has morphed into an international holiday that people of any and every culture celebrate.
St. Patty's Day was first celebrated in America with a parade in Boston in 1737. Today, some towns paint the yellow road lines green for a day. In Chicago they dye the river green. (Don't worry - it's a special dye that only lasts a few hours and doesn't harm any wildlife!) Today, it is estimated that nearly 34 million Americans have Irish ancestry. That's more than all the citizens in Ireland!
Now to the more fun stuff...wanna throw a St. Patty's Day party of your own? Here's some fun ideas for everything from great St. Patty's invites to green-day grub that all your guests are sure to enjoy!
Irish Invitations
If you're a crafty chica, make invitations by hand. How to do it? Use construction paper, markers, and glitter to make fun invites. Some symbols to keep in mind: the shamrock (of course!), leprechauns, and a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. If you aren’t so artfully inclined, design something on your computer! Maybe just cut shamrocks out of green construction paper and neatly write the necessary info on them.
Green-Day Decor
Get balloons in white, gold, and diff shades of green. Scatter them around the room or tie 'em up. On an open wall, hang several different colored streamers to look like a rainbow. At the bottom, fill a black bowl with gold coin chocolates. Green it up even more with green paper plates, silverware and shamrock-themed tablecloths!
Festive Food
Use food coloring to dye the different sodas and drinks you’re having green. Keep the labels on your drinks to keep your guests from getting 'em confused! Go easy on the dye or your guests' mouths will oh-so-magically turn green, too. Eeek!
Want a delish 'n' sweet drink? Get our GL exclusive recipe RIGHT HERE.
Grab some Irish themed cookie cutters at the grocery store and make sugar cookies shaped like shamrocks, rainbows, and pots of gold. Use icing and sprinkles to Irish 'em up. You can even make green-dyed rice crispy treats by adding a little green food coloring while your mixing.
Want to have some authentic Irish grub? Make Oatmeal Lace Cookies with cream or Irish Soda Bread. Not into sweet stuff? Cook up some Corned Beef and Cabbage.
Playin' for St. Patty's Day
Not sure what to do at your celebration? Try our St. Patty's versions of Pictionary and Twenty Questions. Or have a gold coin hunt (it's a lot like an egg hunt) and a Shamrock Relay. Not into games? Try a St. Patty's Day craft instead. Here's how!
To play Irish Pictionary, write a bunch of Irish themed objects down on pieces of paper. Some suggestions? Leprechauns, lucky clovers, shamrocks, blarney stone and more! Fold up and throw all papers in a big bowl. Split up into two or three teams. One member of a team at a time will choose a paper out of the bowl and then try to draw what's written on the paper. And remember...no talking allowed! First team to guess right in the first 30 seconds scores a point!
Or try out Irish Twenty Questions. How do ya play this game? One person thinks of an Irish person, place or thing. The rest of the group gets to ask up to 20 questions to try to guess what it is. The questions can only be answered with "yes," "no," or "I don't know." The person who guesses what the person, place, or thing is gets to go next.
Feelin' lucky!? Go for a gold coin hunt! Custom-create your own gold coins or use the chocolate gold-foil wrapped ones for a sweet treat. Hide 'em around the house and set your guests off on the hunt. Give everyone 10 mins to try to find the coins. Count up and see who has the most coins. May the luckiest lady win!
Want to get goin'? Try a Shamrock Relay! To play, make two or three construction paper shamrocks (depending on how many people you'll have and how many teams you want). Each team then lines up at the starting line. The first person on each team runs to an end line and back to the start line and hands off the shamrock to the next person in line. Whichever team has had all members run back and forth with the shamrock wins!
Not really a gaming girl? Have fun making your very own shamrock t-shirt! Tell everyone to bring a plain white tee that they wouldn't mind altering. Get several different shades of green fabric paint. To mix it up, also get some gold fabric glitter paint. Cut out various sized shamrocks out of sponges and use them to decorate your white tee!
St. Patty's Day Soda Float
This St. Patrick's Day take on the classic root beer float is sure to make anyone happy-go-lucky. Serve 'em up at your St. Patty's day soiree or as a sweet surprise for your BFF, crush or your 'rents.
What You'll Need:
1 can of root beer
1 scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream
whipped cream or whipped pastry topping
What You'll Do:
1. Take a large glass mug and pour in about half the can of root beer.
2. Take one scoop of the mint chocolate chip ice cream and place it inside the mug with the root beer.
3. Slowly pour the rest of root beer inside the mug. (Be careful!Things can get messy here.)
4. Take your whipped cream or whipped pastry topping and put it righton top of your delicious drink.
Our Tip: Add a little green food coloring to the whipped topping to make it ultra festive!
What You'll Need:
1 can of root beer
1 scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream
whipped cream or whipped pastry topping
What You'll Do:
1. Take a large glass mug and pour in about half the can of root beer.
2. Take one scoop of the mint chocolate chip ice cream and place it inside the mug with the root beer.
3. Slowly pour the rest of root beer inside the mug. (Be careful!Things can get messy here.)
4. Take your whipped cream or whipped pastry topping and put it righton top of your delicious drink.
Our Tip: Add a little green food coloring to the whipped topping to make it ultra festive!
Polka-Dotted iPod case
Get ready to rock on with this rad polka-dot iPod case. These measurements are for an old-school iPod. Adjust the measurements to fit minis, nanos, cell phones, whatever!
What You'll Need:
Cotton fabricFurry feltStraight pinsMatching threadSewing needle Wide ribbonLarge “crystal” dome button6-inch piece of elasticSmall beads
What You'll Do:
1. Cut 4-inch-by-5-inch pieces of cotton fabric (we went with polka-dots) and furry felt (for lining).2. Match the felt to the cotton, backsides facing in. Fold ribbon in half lengthwise across a short edge of the matched-up fabrics, and use a blanket stitch to attach, piercing through both sides of ribbon. Trim ribbon ends.3. Cut 4-inch-by-9-inch pieces of cotton and felt. Match up backsides. 4. With felt still in place, line front sides of one piece of cotton to the non-ribboned end of the other piece, leaving a 4-inch flap. Pin around the edges.5. Backstitch a 1/4-inch seam along the sides, leaving an opening at the flap. Turn right side out. 6. For flap, fold cotton edges around felt, turning corners in like gift-wrapping. Pin to hold, then secure with a close overcast stitch without piercing through the other side of the cotton.
7. Loop elastic, and sew into inside of flap. Sew button to front of pouch. For extra pizzazz, string beads and sew to bottom of pouch.
What You'll Need:
Cotton fabricFurry feltStraight pinsMatching threadSewing needle Wide ribbonLarge “crystal” dome button6-inch piece of elasticSmall beads
What You'll Do:
1. Cut 4-inch-by-5-inch pieces of cotton fabric (we went with polka-dots) and furry felt (for lining).2. Match the felt to the cotton, backsides facing in. Fold ribbon in half lengthwise across a short edge of the matched-up fabrics, and use a blanket stitch to attach, piercing through both sides of ribbon. Trim ribbon ends.3. Cut 4-inch-by-9-inch pieces of cotton and felt. Match up backsides. 4. With felt still in place, line front sides of one piece of cotton to the non-ribboned end of the other piece, leaving a 4-inch flap. Pin around the edges.5. Backstitch a 1/4-inch seam along the sides, leaving an opening at the flap. Turn right side out. 6. For flap, fold cotton edges around felt, turning corners in like gift-wrapping. Pin to hold, then secure with a close overcast stitch without piercing through the other side of the cotton.
7. Loop elastic, and sew into inside of flap. Sew button to front of pouch. For extra pizzazz, string beads and sew to bottom of pouch.
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