THE GOOD NEWS: We can easily change that!

It’s hard to feel good about a party when you think about the potential COST to the ENVIRONMENT…and there’s no room for guilt at a party! Here are some of the things you can do RIGHT NOW to have a clean CONSCIENCE and help NOURISH the PLANET while you nourish your GUESTS…

Liza’s CHEAT SHEET:  Top 10 things YOU can DO right now!

1. KEEP YOUR GLASS JARS – Don’t throw them out!  These are the perfect replacements for plastic containers.  I use old BBQ sauce glass bottles to store my home made vinaigrette, peanut butter jars are the perfect size for small leftovers, mayo jars for left over soups.  Glass jars also double as votive holders…mix up different shapes and sizes and you have a beautiful display for your table…best part is glass is non-toxic and recyclable!

3. At dinner DINE BY CANDLE LIGHT – Turn off all the lights, television, and computer, and light some ambient candles.  Not only does this create a beautiful setting for you and your guests but you are reducing your energy consumption during the peak hours of the day.

1. RECYCLE YOUR TIN FOIL – Make sure it’s rinsed clean first and/or BUY RECYCLED TIN FOIL – All the tin foil you’ve recycled comes back to you!
2. BUY PRODUCTS IN RECYCLABLE CONTAINERS – If you have a choice between a  plastic bag, paper or a glass jar – go for the glass… and of course BRING YOUR OWN SHOPPING BAGS or ASK FOR PAPER instead of plastic at the checkout stand.
3. REUSE WHAT YOU’VE GOT – Before you run out to buy something new, look around and see what you can reuse that you already have?  One of my all time favorites are tin buckets and pails!  These guys get a lot of use around our house!  I use them for everything from, flower tubs, ice buckets, utensil containers on the buffet table, to bread baskets – even carnage buckets for shucking crab!!
4. Send out RECYCLED PAPER INVITATIONS or use an ELECTRONIC INVITATION – I have just recently started using the e-version of invites and I must say that not only do they make life so much easier by keeping track of the guest list but they have super creative styles and designs to fit just about every occasion.
5. GREEN UP YOUR CLEAN UP! – Use Bio-Bag certified compostable trash bags for your food waste – the bags are made of vegetable oil and “breathe” allowing for safe and rapid composting.

Get all of Liza’s fabulous recipes and party planning ideas at her website!  Follow Liza on Twitter @LizaUtter 

The post Hosting Green Written by America’s Host Liza Utter appeared first on Michelle Rivera Lifestyle.

Toffee Soaked Brownie & Peppermint Candy Ice Cream

INGREDIENTS:

* Brownie mix or of course if you have time, scratch made is best 

* 1 Jar Caramel Sauce or Butterscotch

* Vanilla Ice Cream or Non fat vanilla yogurt

* 10 Candy Canes

* 1 hammer

* 1 zip lock bag

Add this step below for the ADULT Version:

** 2 shots or a 1/4 cup of Grand Marnier or Cointreau – Makes it a little merrier 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Bake brownies
2. Let cool
3. Take knife and poke holes evenly about 2 inches apart over the top making sure the knife reaches down to the bottom of the dish
4. Adult version – pour Grand Marnier over the top the go to step 5
5. Pour entire bottle of caramel over the top of the brownies smoothing evenly (save a little to pour on top of the brownie when you serve it)
6. Let the brownie soak in the dish at least 2 hours – 24 hours…the longer it soaks the better!!
7. Put candy canes in a zip lock bag and pulverize with hammer into itty bitty pieces
8. Take ice cream out and let it get soft
9. When the ice cream is soft stir in candy cane bits
10. When you are ready to serve cut 3 x 3 portions drizzle caramel warmed sauce over the brownie
11. Plop a scoop of peppermint ice cream on top and serve!!

**TIP: Heat brownies before you cut out of the dish and serve for that just out of the oven DELIGHT!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge5mxRkKwPE&feature=player_embedded

Visit Liza Utter’s Website!  

Follow Liza on Twitter!

The post Toffee Soaked Brownie & Peppermint Candy Ice Cream Recipe by America’s Host Liza Utter appeared first on Michelle Rivera Lifestyle.

NOTE: As rich as this dish is – it is still quite nutritious and low in fat. The three dry cheeses have very low fat content and the milk and cream cheese are both low fat too.  The ratio of butter per serving is equivalent to approx 1/2 tsp or less per person.  If you would like  you can also substitute the white pasta for whole wheat and eat it every day!

LIZA’S ‘Beach House’  Mighty MAC & CHEESE! 

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS:

– 4 cups fusilli pasta (corkscrew pasta)

– 1 cup low fat milk

– 1/2 stick salted butter

– 1 cup grated parmasean

– 1 cup grated asiago cheese

– 1 cup grated pecorino cheese

– 4 tablespoons low fat cream cheese

– 3-4 tablespoons truffle oil – If you are not a fan of truffle oil you can always forgo the truffle – but why?

– Salt (preferably truffle salt, if not then Kosher salt) & pepper to taste

**TIP:  Let your guests add the salt & pepper as the cheese itself is pretty salty…it’s so delicious the way it is you may not want any!

DIRECTIONS:

SAUCE

1. Melt butter in medium sauce pan on low

2. Add milk stir until warm

3. Add cream cheese stir until mixed thoroughly and warm

4. Add Asiago cheese stir until melted

5. Add Pecorino stir until melted

6. Add Parmesan stir until melted

7. Add salt and pepper to taste

8. Keep stirring until sauce is creamy, if it get too thick add milk

9. After you strain pasta return to the pot you cooked the pasta in and slowly mix sauce into pasta

10. Add and mix in truffle oil at the very end before you serve

PASTA

1. Boil water

2. Pour 1/4 cup olive oil  & 2 tblsp salt into water

3. Bring to boil and carefully add pasta

4. Cook pasta until tender

To Serve:  Dish out and drizzle 1/4 tsp truffle oil on top.  Try not to DIVE in head first!

** NOTE: This dish needs to be served hot!  Because all the cheeses are so low in fat, if it starts to cool the cheese will harden quickly.

Visit Liza Utter’s Website at http://lizaamericashost.com

Follow Liza on Twitter @LizaUtter

The post Liza’s Mighty Mac & Cheese! Written by America’s Host Liza Utter appeared first on Michelle Rivera Lifestyle.

The goal is to be a relaxed host, not an anxious one,  that way when your guests do arrive with tag along friends, you can genuinely welcome them into your home with a big smile.  

The More The Merrier! 

Visit America’s Host Liza Utter at her website! 

Follow Liza on Twitter @LizaUtter 

 See Liza’s lunch menu and recipes below:

Confetti Cous Cous Salad

Tossed in a 15 Second Shallot & Champagne Vinaigrette
Marinated Citrus & Teriyaki Chicken Skewers (vegetarian: replace chicken for tofu)

**Liza’s tip:  Serve this in a big bowl and let people help themselves!  It’s a great dish for a Buffet too.

Oatmeal Coconut & Dried Cranberry Cookies

Chilled Rose from Provence

Pomenade on ice with fresh mint

The post Party Planning Menu: Host Lunch Without The Stress. Written by Liza Utter appeared first on Michelle Rivera Lifestyle.