The Great CRANBERRY State

Have you heard? Oceanspray is looking to Michigan for help with cranberry farming!

Since cranberries are grown and cultivated in water, it only makes sense that the Great Lakes State is a natural choice.
Oceanspray says it needs 6,000 acres for farming, which would mean we need only to find another 2,500.

This venture would give our state a $45 million boost, as well as around 1,600 jobs! (1,100 for the construction and 500 for farming).
Talk about a beacon of light in a dark economy!

All of this has got me thinking about this amazing little fruit, indigenous to America and a true Thanksgiving staple.

But why do we only bring it out during the holidays?
Let's celebrate the possible investment in Michigan's future!

Cheers! Here's to the cranberry!

Cranberry Margaritas
INGREDIENTS:
20 oz Ocean Spray® Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
5 oz tequila
4 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz triple sec
Crushed ice

Put all ingredients in a blender. Blend for a few seconds on high speed or until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pour into a large glass.


Cranberry Turkey Wraps
* An easy, brown-bag lunch option! *

INGREDIENTS:
2 whole wheat tortillas
2 oz cream cheese
4 oz Ocean Spray® Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
1 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced
4 oz deli-style smoked turkey
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1/2 oz sliced red onion
1 oz mixed greens

Combine cream cheese and cranberry sauce. Spread on tortilla and top with remaining ingredients. Roll up sandwich and enjoy!

Winter Blues

I feel deceived.

Looking outside, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, there's not a cloud in the sky! It leads one to believe they could frolic merrily through the streets of Ann Arbor in a mere t-shirt and shorts!
Well, ok, maybe not...
How about a sweatshirt and jeans? Not even close.

The sun lures you outside only to laugh in your face when the cold hits. THIRTEEN??? Really? Only 13 degrees? But its so sunny! This shouldn't be allowed to happen!

As you trudge back into the house, this is when it hits most of us. We know it well in the MidWest. Winter blues, cabin fever, call it what you will, but apparently Seasonal Affective Disorder affects two out of every ten adults living in cold climates, and women are more likely than men to experience it.

But this Michigander refuses to accept it!

I read recently that planning a vacation can release almost as many endorphins as actually being ON vacation.
So while I researched cruises through the Caribbean, hikes in Hawaii and beaches in Bora Bora, my mind (and stomach) started wandering... the result? A tropical cake that takes your mind away from anything snow related...



Aloha! Cake
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups shredded carrots
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, strained (reserve the juice)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Juice from crushed pineapple
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
• Lime zest
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. In a mixer, beat butter and sugar together until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time. Slowly add the flour mixture until just mixed. Fold in the carrots, pineapple and raisins. Pour batter into a greased and floured cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

Beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar. Add lime and pineapple juice. If frosting becomes too thin, thicken with more powdered sugar.
Frost cake completely and sprinkle generously with coconut and macadamia nuts. Garnish with lime zest.