With a hot, sticky, humid summer ahead, all you want is a thirst quenching drink. Well Carpe Diem has just that! It is Carpe Diem’s favorite drink because of the simplicity! It takes no more than 15 minutes to prepare!

Contents:
- 1 can of frozen lemonade
- 52 fluid ounces of brewed black iced tea; already brewed with 4 tea bags

Steps:

1. 1. Before anything else, please brew your black iced tea bags for about 7-10 minutes. You will need 4 tea bags for this. 
   
2. 2. Next, get out your frozen lemonade and pour that into a large pitcher. 
3. 3. Following the lemonade, pour in 52 fluid ounces of black iced tea. 
4. 4. Lastly, stir together all of the contents with a big wooden/plastic spoon, until no lemonade is seen. 

If you need a light snack, recipes are on this page! From trail mix to classic celery and ranch, you will be pleased within every single nibble.
Trail Mix includes everything and that is why I like it. Trail mixes can be sweet or salty, for camping or for appetizers, with chocolate or with marshmallows. You really can make trail mix your own. I know that trail mix was originally a hiking snack for hikers who needed a power boost for a big day ahead. Since trail mixes give you energy, I have decided to make these trail mixes very kid friendly. With fun names and delectable flavors, you and your friends can enjoy this savory treat!

1. Hoppin' Snacks
I made up Hoppin' Snacks Trail Mix because of Easter Time. This trail mix package is great for little ones in their Easter baskets. Quickly make this sweet and salty treat in less than 5 minutes!

Ingredients:
- 1 bag of pretzel Goldfish
- 1 bag of Starburst jelly beans
- 1 bag of Easter colored M&Ms

Assemble:
Open up each bag of fun sweet or salty goodness and grab a jar or any other holding container. Start pouring in each candy making each layer a different one. Have fun with the fun vibrant colors!

2. Classic Mix
Classic mix includes MY favorite classics for trail mixes. All put together into one big mix, this very salty treat is perfect for a big day of outdoor activities.

Ingredients:
- 1 box of Cheez-its
- 1 bag of regular cheese Goldfish
- 1 bag of mini pretzels

Assemble:
Open up each bag of salty goodness and grab a jar or any other holding container. All you have to do is pour each bag of salty snacks into your jar.

3. Some More S'mores
Take the classic s'more ingredients, make them mini, and transform them into 1 delicious trail mix!

Ingredients:
- 1 bag of mini marshmallows
- 1 bag of mini Hershey chocolate bars
- 1 box of graham cracker

Easy Preparation:
1. Chop the mini Hershey chocolate bars. To do this, grab a knife, and a cutting board. Lastly, dice the mini chocolate bars into tinier cube-like shapes.
2. Smash the graham crackers. To do this, grab a rolling pan, and start smashing the graham crackers until you see only a thin powder.

Assemble:
Pour the mini marshmallows, the mini-mini chocolate bars, and the graham cracker powder within a jar, giving each layer a different candy.

Tomato Soup is one of those soothing, sit-down soups that make you feel a billion times better. When you are sick or down, make this soup to make your day bright! Below is a recipe complimentary of the Pioneer Woman! For a dipping side, there are some Parmesan Croutons. Enjoy this recipe and please comment if you tried this soup!

TOMATO SOUP:
Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter                                       Three 28-ounce cans whole tomatoes
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil                                     1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 garlic clove                                                   2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 medium onion, diced finely                       2 tablespoons chopped basil, extra for garnish
• 3 large carrots, diced finely                          Kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste                        4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

Directions:

1. In a big pot, melt the butter in the olive oil on medium high heat,
2. Then add the garlic, onion, and carrots.
3. Stir the vegetables around and cook them for 5 minutes or until they start to soften.
4. Add the tomato paste and stir it into the vegetables, letting it cook and release its flavor for a couple of minutes.
5. Next, add 1 cup of water along with the broth.
6. Add the tomatoes. Stir the mixture around, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes
   
7. You can serve it now, but there might be a couple big tomato and carrot chunks, so I you can put it in the blender and puree about half way.
   
8. Now stir the soup and let it cool for a few minutes before adding some more parsley and basil.
   
9. You can serve with the croutons and a couple more basil leaves!
   

PARMESAN CROUTONS:
Ingredients:

• 1/2 baguette, cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Place the baguette slices on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle them with some olive oil.
   
2. In a large non-stick skillet, mound the Parmesan Cheese in individual piles.
   
3. Lay the baguette slice on each Parmesan pile, then turn the heat to medium.
   
4. When the cheese is nice and melted and starting to bubble, carefully flip the croutons over to toast a bit on the other side.
   
5. Now set them aside to be dipped into the soup.
   

The Pioneer Woman is my favorite cook, and she came out with this delicious chocolate mug cake that you warm up in the microwave! So today I decided to whip up this delight in less than 10 minutes! Below are some pictures of how it went. It was simply scrumptious! I would definitely recommend making this on a cold winter day with a ollop of whipped cream!! By the way, DO NOT eat vanilla extract. It tastes like play dough! What was I thinking? I mean like it smells good, so it should taste good too, right? Let me know in the comments below!

So you have breakfast and lunch recipes, but what about dinner? For a healthy, easy, whip-up-in-no-time salad, then look below! Great for crazy weeknights, or it could even be a side for a big celebration!

Throw-Everything-On Salad
You will be making this about 7 nights a week!

Ingredients: lettuce, carrots, peppers, cucumbers, egg, croutons.
Substitutions: You could substitute the vegetables out for any others that you like!
Time: About 10 minutes.
Directions: Start off with your lettuce base in a bowl. Then just plop your vegetables on! It is as easy as that. Please comment with other ways you like to jazz up your salad!

I got you all started with a delicious, easy, healthy sandwich that you can whip in less than 5 minutes. You next recipe is going to be a breakfast favorite that I absolutely love! This recipe is for a Very-Berry Good Smoothie! There are so many substitutions for this recipe so if you don't really care for one of the items, then check below under substitutions. I really hope this becomes a household favorite because I am always gulping one of these smoothies down!

Very-Berry Good Smoothie
This delicious breakfast drink will become an instant morning booster!

Ingredients: 1 cup of strawberries, 1 cup of raspberries, 1 cup of orange juice, 3 large ice cubes, 1 cup of yogurt.
Substitutions: You can use other types of berries instead of raspberries and strawberries. Some substitutions are blueberries or blackberries. Instead of orange juice, you could use grapefruit or pineapple juice!
Time: 5 minutes
Directions: First, place the berries, yogurt, ice cubes, and juice in the blender. Next blend until thick and well-blended. Then, enjoy your healthy drink on those blah mornings! Smiles guaranteed!

To start of the new year, Carpe Diem is going to be posting healthier recipes and tips to be clean in 2016! Starting off the New Year eating healthy is hard because starting once you eat one healthy item, let's say a banana, then you will get used to eating a banana at 3:00 or at any other time. So if you haven't gotten started already, then please do. When you start, please keep checking for new articles or recipes for your Healthy Eating Plan! Enjoy!

Bacon, Lettuce, and Avocado Sandwich on Sourdough Bread
This scrumptious healthy sandwich will always keep you wanting more of its crunchy delight!

 Ingredients: 3 leaves of lettuce, 1 ripe avocado, 3+ strips of bacon, and 2 pieces of sourdough bread.
Substitutions: You can use sprouts or nothing instead of the bacon. Instead of sourdough bread, you could do wheat, white, or rye bread.
Time: Approximately 5 minutes
Directions: First, get your sourdough bread slices and spread the avocado on the bread. Next, place your lettuce and bacon on top. Put in a frilly toothpick for your desire and enjoy your scrumptious, healthy, sandwich! I enjoy eating this sandwich for lunch anyday or even for a light dinner. If you would want to eat this for breakfast, you could add egg or cream cheese!