Back To Nature Granola

All It Took Was a Mustache

In recent columns, I shared how busy my life has been these past few months.  Thankfully, some of my crazy schedule has revolved around entertaining friends and family.   With summer here and backyards beckoning, I thought I would pass along a couple of my favorite (albeit quirky) entertaining tips.

Disclaimer:  By nature, I am not the hostess with the mostest. The following hot tips came from friends who were kind enough to answer my frantic phone calls and share their own ideas on how I could increase my entertaining coolness factor.  I am also a shameless party copy-cat and am grateful to have friends who really know how to throw a party. 

Mustaches? Yes, Mustaches!  A few weeks ago I hosted an end-of-the-school-year party for a couple of families. I wanted to make it a memorable party.  I called one of my friends who must have been a party planner in her previous life. 

“Set out a bowl of fake mustaches,” she recommended. 

I laughed out loud. I found packets of stick-on mustaches for a couple of dollars at Party City.  Every time I think of my friends kicking back with their mustaches and margaritas, I have to laugh.  I’m not sure what was funnier—watching the preschoolers running around with their own mustaches or realizing that my husband had turned two mustaches into a pair of ridiculous sideburns.  It was a hit! 

Self-Serve Pudding Bar  Kudos to another one of my friends for this idea!  Last weekend my parents were in town for my daughter’s dance recital.  In order to celebrate a late Mother’s and Father’s Day, I had them over for a special dinner.  Dinner was easy, but I wanted to serve a creative (and easy) dessert.  Hooray for a pudding bar!  I put a container of Belgian chocolate pudding and a container of low-fat tapioca pudding on a tray.  You can find both puddings at Trader Joe’s in Aliso Viejo.  For toppings, I set up bowls of cut strawberries, sliced almonds, granola and sprinkles. I also included a container of whipped cream.  Both kids and adults devoured their desserts, and I love how easy it was to make and clean up! 

Create a Signature Drink  My husband and I are not big drinkers.  We do, however, like to have drinks on hand for guests.  Recently, my mother-in-law introduced me to a whipped-cream flavored vodka made by Pinnacle.  You can find it at our local Ralphs store in Town Center.  I realize it may sound like a fluffy-girl kind of drink, but when mixed with equal parts orange juice and lemon-lime soda, it tastes just like a Dreamsicle bar.  Honestly.  It’s that good.  And, I swear, even the men at our get-togethers have enjoyed this drink!

Granola -Back To Nature Granola Sunflower & Pumpkin Seed, 12-Ounce ...

I absolutely recommend this granola to anyone who is looking for a natural, filling way to start your day. I eat this granola 5 times a week to give me a good jump start. Instead of the recommended 2/3 cup serving though I eat 3/4 cup. Just add a glass of orange juice and another piece of fruit on the side for a healthy way to get your body functioning each morning. If you are a true granola fanatic or even just want to start trying granola for the first time I think you will like this product.

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