TGIF!

After excessive festivities in recent weeks due to various birthdays, anniversaries, housewarming parties and other milestones in friends lives, I was looking forward to a nice, low-key evening tonight. I had hoped to curl up on the sofa with a glass of wine and maybe a good book or movie. Oh but no! Turns out there are more birthdays on the calendar this weekend. Will it never stop? * Sigh *
Sooo, I'm now heading immediately from work to a Mexican restaurant to help a friend celebrate her 30th birthday. On the flip side, the weather seems to be improving - so what better way to enjoy a nice night than with a cool margarita? For those of you who love Mexican restaurants but DON'T want to waste more money (or calories) on food and booze this weekend, here are a few options. Thanks to Hungry Girl for the cocktail recipes.

Magical Low-Calorie Margarita
Ingredients:
6 oz. Sierra Mist Free (or Diet Sprite Zero, or your other fave no-cal lemon-lime soda)
*1.5 oz. tequila
1/2 tsp. Crystal Light powdered drink mix, Lemonade
1 oz. lime juice
Optional: lime slice for garnish and salt or no-calorie sweetener for rim of glass
Directions:
If desired, run some lime juice along the rim of the glass and dip into a dish of salt or sweetener. Mix all ingredients together. Pour over 1 cup of crushed ice. Garnish with lime slice.

Tropical Mango-rita Slushie
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Diet V8 Splash in Tropical Blend
1/4 cup frozen unsweetened mango chunks
1 shot (1 1/2 oz.) blanco or silver tequila
1/4 tsp. Crystal Light Lemonade powdered drink mix (1/4th of an On The Go packet or 1/16th of a tub)
1 cup crushed ice OR 5 - 8 ice cubes
Directions:
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Tomato Raspberry Salsa

Corn Tomalito

Almond Coconut Flan

Okay, so I know I wrote a long, rambling post just last week about how much I love bacon - and I still totally stand by that - but I have to share this video of the most precious piglet ever!! I so want this little guy as my house pet. Oh and P.S. If Kingsford doesn't put a smile on your face this Friday, then you clearly have a cold, dark heart.