Way Too Simple Cafe Frappe

If you are like most divas and find caffeinated drinks to contain way too much sugar for your fabulous body, this is an alternative party drink. Consider this to be your own homemade frapuccino, no longer do you need to buy the packaged Starbucks Frapuccinos in the refrigerated section at the market. Unfortunately, I cannot suggest a low fat alternative for this drink, it is just as fatty as it sounds so consume it wisely :)

Prep Time: 20 min, serves 15 people

Ingredients:

• 1 qt of Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1 coffee pot of Tasters Choice Instant Coffee/Folgers Regular Brewed Coffee
• 1 box of Vanilla Ice Cream/1box of Coffee Flavored Ice Cream
• 1 large punch bowl

Preparation:

First, prepare the Taster's Choice Instant Coffee or Folgers Coffee ( whichever one you prefer) as you regularly would each morning. Meanwhile, take out the ice cream Vanilla or Coffee Flavor ( again, whichever you prefer) and allow it to thaw. This should take no more than five minutes, it is just to soften the ice cream to later mix into the coffee. Or, if your in my position and are pressed for time, simply microwave the ice cream for 10 seconds. This will guarantee soft ice cream for your frapuccinos. But, of course, if your worried about radiation that is transmitted through the microwave, forget my suggestion! Once you believe the ice cream is no longer frozen, empty the entire box of ice cream into the punch bowl. Then mix the heavy whipping cream into both the coffee and ice cream. This will give the punch a thicker, creamier texture; in other words, add more calories into those super thin diva like bodies. And, if you are really craving the extra calories, add each serving with some Reddi Whip cream. This drink is sure to make your party a success, and will save you from running to Starbucks and buying everyone an iced coffee.

Fruit Salad w/Pineapple Juice

Like any diva, one should know how to play around with drinks including the cocktail favorite, pineapple juice. It does more than provide a sweet tangy alternative for those non-drinkers at lounges, it is also the key ingredient to the crowd favorite, fruit salad. This recipe is simple, healthy, and bursting with flavor, making you appear like the hostess with the mostest.

Ingredients:

• 14 0z, 1 qt of Dole Pineapple Juice
• 4 large organic oranges
• 4 yellow organic apples
• 1 package of organic blueberries
• 1 package of organic red seedless grapes

Preparation:

This recipe is quite simple, it just consumes a lot of time: cutting the fruits, but you are in luck, because the grapes and blueberries just need to be washed and thrown in. I usually use a large ceramic bowl to prevent the pineapple juice from over flowing and making a mess. Divas do not make messes! As for the apples, I suggest you invest in an apple slicer. It shaves the time spent cutting apples in half, and you do not have to worry about cutting yourself trying to peel the skin. I t would not look good for a hostess to have a band aid on her finger. However, an apple slicer simply cuts the apple into eight slices and gets rid of those unwanted seeds. Unless you want to invest in buying tons of apples, I would suggest cutting each individual slice into five smaller pieces. If you are going to make the salad the night before you can either substitute the pineapple juice for freshly squeezed lemon juice to preserve the apples and prevent them from browning, or you can make the salad, seal it tightly and add both the apples and pineapple juice moments before the party. The oranges, on the other hand, do not have the same problem, and can therefore, be peeled and cut into smaller individual slices. While peeling the orange slices into smaller pieces, make sure to squeeze the juice into the salad. The juice helps to add a little zest to the salad. And, you have your fruit salad, which everyone is sure to enjoy!

Wild Rice with a Southern Flair

For all those who love Paula Deen, but don't agree with the amounts of butter and oil she incorporates in her cooking, here is one of her recipes with half the fat! No diva should consume more butter than she needs to, waste the calories on something worth it, like Starbucks! But, if you're like my husband who is taking advantage of being here in the South and enjoying all the fatty food it has to offer, you'll love this recipe. I have omitted a few of the ingredients, but it still tastes great, because I love my fatty white chocolate mochas, which I would find worth indulging the calories. It's also perfect for that working diva on the run or the busy mom, who wants to avoid feeding her kids junk food!

Shrimp and Wild Rice w/ Cream of Mushroom dressing (optional)

Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of all spice or all purpose seafood seasoning
• 1/2 pound of shrimp
• 1box of Uncle Ben's Wild Rice Original Recipe
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup ( optional)

Cooking Directions

1. Heat oil in a skillet or frying pan on medium to medium/low heat.

2. Once the oil starts to sizzle, put in shrimp with spices.

3. Mix the shrimp around with the spices until the shrimp is slightly pink or tender. It all depends upon how tender you like your shrimp. This usually takes no more than 10 minutes.

4. Prepare Uncle Ben's Wild Rice Recipe as you usually would.

5. Heat Campbell's Cream of mushroom soup.

6. Once the soup is warm or hot, put it in skillet with shrimp, for about 5 minutes of cooking.

Steps 5 and 6 are optional, my husband prefers it without the cream of mushroom soup.

7. Once rice is done, but still warm, mix in shrimp. Meal is complete.

Lime Sorbet Punch

Lime Sorbet Punch

Prep Time: 10 min, serves 20 cups

Ingredients:

• Organic Lime Sorbet ( 1package)
• 1 L of Ginger Ale
• 1 Large Punch Bowl

Like any diva, your party must have some super fabulous drinks to serve your guests, because regular soda just will not do, and not all your guests will be "drinking". This punch will be perfect for all ages, and it will make those young party goers feel like they are getting away with drinking cocktails and makes you appear like " Sir Mix-A-Lot." My son is still too young to enjoy it, but I have served it at a child's birthday party making me appear like " Super Mom." " Super Mom" and " Diva" are two titles worth holding! But like most moms, worrying about sugar is always a concern, so I generally substitute Lime Sorbet for Organic Low Fat Sorbet from Whole Foods and Diet Ginger Ale. It tastes just as good, without worry about those extra unwanted calories.

Preparation:

This punch is so simple it is not even worth dedicating the time to make a preparation guide, but will do anyway. First, find your largest punch bowl, then take out the sorbet, and let it thaw for five to ten minutes. Once it is soft enough, empty all the contents into the punch bowl. And then, slowly pour the Ginger Ale onto the sorbet filling the punch bowl. Once the Ginger Ale has been poured, let the sorbet melt into the Ginger Ale ( this normally takes 10 minutes) and serve.

* No matter how much sorbet or Ginger Ale you choose to use, make sure the Ginger Ale does not over power the sorbet. Remember to always have more Sorbet than Ginger Ale in the punch bowl, because the Sorbet will eventually melt into the punch.

Turkey on Rye Cocktail Sandwiches

Prep Time: 20 minutes, makes 18 sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Rubschlager Cocktail Rye Bread
• 1 package of Organic Cherry Tomatoes
• 1 package of Pepper Jack Cheese Deli Slices
• 1 package of Hillshire Farms Turkey Deli Slices
• l package of Hellman's Mayonnaise ( optional)
• Toothpicks

For the party planning diva that does not have time to prepare for her party because she has so many other things to do, but does not want to run to the deli for pre-made sandwiches, here is the perfect h'orderve for any type of party. For my daytime parties, I usually serve it as a main dish, but for my more elaborate evening parties, it is the perfect h'orderve. My son, on the other hand, finds this to be the perfect finger food snack, and it is healthier than running to McDonald's or serving him chips. The preparation might be a bit meticulous for the diva who is always on the move, but the final product will make it appear like you spent hours slaving in the kitchen.

Preparation:

First, take the slices of Rye bread and lay them across to give yourself an idea of how many sandwiches you will be making. Then, take the turkey slices and cut them evenly into four pieces. Place two of the slices onto each sandwich. If you like your sandwiches thick, like most men do, then place all four slices onto each piece of bread. If you choose to do this, then remember you will need more turkey than just one package. Once the turkey has been placed, take the pepper jack cheese and cut it into four slices. Again, you have the choice of how many slices you want to place on each sandwich depending upon your liking. Generally, I place two slices, because it evenly divides the flavor of both the cheese and turkey. If you put all four slices, your guests will be soaking in the flavor, and forgetting it is indeed a turkey sandwich. Since I usually am having to prepare the night before while my son is asleep, I opt against the mayonnaise; it soaks into the sandwich if refrigerated overnight running into the sandwich and running the taste. But if you are the ultimate diva and have time the day of the party, then by all means, put on the mayonnaise! Once you have completed the sandwich, top it off with the second slice of bread. Then, take a cherry tomato and pin it onto the sandwich with a toothpick. This helps to keep the sandwich in place, and allows the tomato to serve both as a garnish and sandwich topper. It also helps to keep the sandwich fresh, and again prevents the tomato from running into the sandwich. And, as a result, you look like a domestic goddess in the kitchen!