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Strawberries provide a nutritious way to enjoy sweet treats this summer. If you’re looking for healthy desserts to make this season, consider making the following recipes.
Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
This strawberry recipe only requires a few ingredients and a short amount of time to make. You’ll need frozen strawberries, honey or agave nectar, plain non-fat yogurt, and fresh lemon juice. To make it, mix all of these ingredients in the food processor for about 5 minutes or until you have a creamy mixture. You can either enjoy your strawberry frozen yogurt right away, or store it in an airtight container for later.
Strawberry Banana Muffins
This recipe gives you even more nutrients thanks to the combination of strawberries and bananas. To make this recipe, you’ll need mashed bananas, strawberry chunks, old-fashioned oats, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder. Start this recipe by greasing or lining a muffin pan. Put all of the ingredients in a blender, then mix until they're smooth. Fill up to 3/4 or 2/3 of each muffin cup with the muffin mix. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes. Wait for the muffins to cool before taking them out of the muffin pan.
Strawberry Granola Bark
This sweet dessert offers plenty of protein. To make it, you’ll need low-fat vanilla Greek yogurt, honey, sliced strawberries, and granola. Mix the honey and yogurt together in a small bowl. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil, then spread this mixture into it. Lightly cover the mixture with pieces of granola and sliced strawberries, then gently press these ingredients into it. Place the pan in the freezer for about one hour, then cut into a dozen slices.
Try one or more of these strawberry dessert recipes in one of our comfortable apartments in Flagstaff, AZ! Contact us to learn more about our apartment amenities and floor plans.
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Flagstaff has a well-earned reputation as a winter wonderland, but what's a beautiful winter day without hot chocolate? If you're like many people, however, the same old beverage wears thin after a while. Even though it's hard to imagine getting tired of chocolate, it can't hurt to give your taste buds a treat by mixing it up a little now and then. One of the easiest ways to change up any cup of hot chocolate is by adding your choice of flavored extract. The following are just four easy hot chocolate recipes that residents of apartments in Flagstaff need to know about.
Butterscotch Hot Chocolate
All you need to do to create this delectable delight is to stir in a little butterscotch extract into your favorite hot chocolate and top it off with some freshly whipped cream. Sprinkle on some butterscotch shavings if you want to further play up the butterscotch accents.
Raspberry Hot Chocolate
You may have heard of raspberry-chocolate cake, and maybe you've been lucky enough to have enjoyed a slice or two yourself. Imagine it in liquid form, and you've got raspberry hot chocolate. Stir in raspberry extract to taste, top with freshly whipped cream, and garnish with fresh or frozen raspberries.
Banana Hot Chocolate
Add banana extract to your hot chocolate and garnish it with a skewer of banana slices. This one is good with or without whipped cream, but if you want to mimic the flavor experience of certain Mexican desserts, top with whipped cream and sprinkle liberally with cinnamon.
Maple Hot Chocolate
Maple and chocolate may be an off-the-beaten-track flavor combination, but that doesn't make it any less delicious. This one's best sans whipped cream or anything else that may distract from the intriguing play of flavors.
Whether you want to live by yourself or with a group of other NAU students, we've got something to suit your lifestyle at our Flagstaff apartments. Please contact us today to find out more.
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When summer hits Flagstaff, Arizona, it’s important to keep one thing in mind — it’s all about keeping cool. The key to enjoying that Arizona heat is to have the right drinks on hand. A spritzer is a perfect tool for residents in need of a cool-down.
Refreshing Spritzers for Summer
Fruity Alcoholic Spritzers
Nothing says the good life in Flagstaff apartments like watermelon spritzers. Cut and cube about 2 cups of fresh watermelon; then puree the cubes in the blender or food processor.
Pour the watermelon into four glasses and add equal parts white wine and club soda to fill each. Garnish with a little watermelon slice to make it pretty, and enjoy.
If you are more of a berry person, try muddling fresh berries with a splash of lime juice and mint leaves. Put the muddled mess in the bottom of a glass and top it with white wine and carbonated water.
Nonalcoholic Spritzers Are Just as Fun
Typically, a spritzer contains alcohol, usually white wine, but that’s more of a guideline than a rule. The Asian Pear Sparkler introduces something a little different for those looking to stay cool. Start by pureeing or juicing an Asian pear.
Combine the pear puree or juice with a teaspoon of lemon juice, ¾ cup of honey, ¼ cup of sugar along with a sprig of fresh rosemary, a 1-inch piece of fresh, peeled, and a dash of nutmeg. Place the mix in a saucepan and simmer for five minutes. Heating it allows the sugars to fully dissolve.
Let the heated mix cool for 30 minutes and then strain it. Let it finish cooling; then pour it over ice and add soda water. Add simple syrup to taste.
The best thing about spritzers is the chance to experiment and find your signature drink. If you are new to Flagstaff, give our office a call to schedule a tour of our apartment community.
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Spanish cuisine has been developed over many centuries and offers an exciting array of unique dishes. One of the best dining traditions in Spain is tapas. In this article, we’ll learn how to make a few simple Spanish tapas. Let's get started!
3 Simple Spanish Tapas to Try
What are tapas?
Tapas are a traditional type of bar appetizer in Spain, and they include a wide variety of delectable culinary combinations. Because dinner is such a small meal in Spain, tapas are also small — sometimes as tiny as one bite.
"La hora del aperitivo," which means “the tapas hour” in Spanish, is from around 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. That’s when all the bars open up and serve their best tapas and drinks. Traditionally, friends will meet at one bar, have a few tapas and a beer, then head to another nearby bar and do the same thing, and so on!
Try these simple tapas at home!
1. Baked Feta
This one’s simple: Take a block of fresh feta cheese, put it in a gratin dish, drizzle 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil over it, and surround the cheese with about 1 cup of olives, red pepper flakes, a few dashes of dried rosemary and some black pepper.
Bake for 20 minutes, and serve with warm bread.
2. Champiñones al Ajillo (Garlic Mushrooms)
Cook several button mushrooms in olive oil for two minutes. Add some finely chopped garlic, a few spritzes of lemon juice, salt and pepper, and serve with freshly chopped parsley.
3. Tostada con Tomate (Toast With Tomato)
Take a 6-inch baguette sliced lengthwise and toast it. Drag a clove of fresh garlic across the toasted surface, grate a tomato to create a pulp, and spoon it on top. Add some salt and pepper, and you’re done.
Are you on the hunt for Flagstaff apartments to rent? We may have just what you’re looking for. Call our office today to find out what we have available for you.
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As colder weather begins to settle into much of the country, more people are seeking the comfort of something warm to sip. Instead of resorting to everyday beverages like tea or coffee, why not try something special this winter? Hot mulled apple cider is much more satisfying than tea or coffee, and it doesn’t contain any caffeine, making it the perfect evening drink. You may not be able to find hot mulled apple cider at your favorite cafe, but luckily it is easy to make at home.
How to Make Hot Mulled Apple Cider at Home
In less than twenty minutes, you can be wrapping your hands around a mug of steaming mulled cider, but first you need to get a few things. Of course, you are going to need apple cider. If you are unable to get freshly pressed cider direct from the orchard, your next best option is to look for unpasteurized and unfiltered apple cider in your local grocery store’s refrigerated section. The good stuff may be more expensive, but it is definitely worth the small indulgence.
Besides premium apple cider, you will need mulling spices. Many stores sell pre-packaged mulling spices, but for the best flavor, you should mix up a batch yourself. There are lots of different recipes for mulling spices available online, but a good basic one to start with is:
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 whole allspice berries
- the washed peel of one organic orange
To make the hot mulled apple cider, pour two quarts of apple cider in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add the mulling spice mixture. Cover and simmer for 20 – 30 minutes. Strain and serve.
Are you looking for apartments in Flagstaff, AZ close to the NAU campus? Pine View Village Apartments offers residents private studios and shared apartment living options. Call 844-807-1412 for a tour of units.
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If you're like many busy people, you love the idea of coming home after a long day to the aroma of a lovely meal waiting for you. If you've got a slow cooker, there are plenty of ways to make this happen. Following are just three of the many slow cooker meals that residents of apartments in Flagstaff can put together in the morning and come home to at the end of the day.
Slow Cooker Meals
Chicken and Dumplings
You'll need chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, chopped onions, minced garlic, small red potatoes, baby carrots, chunks of chicken and baking mix. Combine all of the ingredients except the baking mix and let them cook in the slow cooker for eight hours. Make dumplings from the baking mix, drop them into the mixture and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the dumplings are done.
Potato and Bacon Soup
Combine chicken broth, cream of celery soup, minced garlic, chopped green onions and chunks of Yukon Gold potatoes in your slow cooker. Stir in bacon bits and sour cream and cook for another 20 minutes. Some people like to add an 8-ounce package of cream cheese for extra texture. Top the soup with chopped chives right before serving.
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Just like regular lasagna, slow cooker lasagna can be made in a variety of ways. The important thing to remember is that when you make it in a slow cooker, you don't have to boil the noodles prior to putting the lasagna together. However, you should still brown any meat that you choose to include. After browning the meat, simply layer your favorite lasagna ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low heat for seven or eight hours.
We've got studios as well as four-bedroom apartments that are rented by the room. Please call us at your convenience to find out more about life at Pine View Village.
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Feeling pressed for time? Turn up the heat with one-pot recipes, and let your kitchen do dinner for you! Our Flagstaff apartments are full of busy people who are doing a million things a day, but, hey—everybody needs to eat, right? Before you take your next excursion on your favorite food delivery app, make sure you check out these six one-pot recipes!
1. Chicken Balsamic & Veggies
Who said single-pot dishes have to be bland?
Powered with protein and reinforced with wholesome veggies, this dish checks all the boxes when it comes to easy eats, delectable bites, and flavors that will tempt your taste buds without filling your sink with dirty dishes. The balsamic speaks for itself!
2. Shakshuka
Take your flavor palate on a trip around the world with this one-pot dish that's popular in North Africa and the Middle East. This vegetarian dish is healthy, gluten-free and incredibly tasty. The eggs help make it perfect for breakfast, dinner or anything in between.
3. White Bean Stew with Winter Squash and Kale
The beauty of this recipe is that you have lots of options. Want to make your stew from scratch? Soak a bag of beans overnight. No time to soak? Reach for a ready-to-go can. Need to put your pressure cooker to use? This is the perfect recipe! Prefer to pot a pot on the stovetop? Go for it!
4. Beef and Butternut Squash Stew
Butternut squash is filled with fall and winter flavors, and if you want to make this stew a little heartier, pile on a plateful of rice before you scoop your soup.
5. Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork
We can't promise your face and hands won't get a little gooey, but at least your kitchen won't suffer the consequences of a tasty meal. Not a fan of pork? Sub out chicken or beef brisket.
Are you yearning for a kitchen that's capable of making these one-pot recipes become a reality? Reach out to our Pine View Village team today to learn about pricing and upcoming availability!
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Coffee fans are always looking for the best-tasting cup, something that's rare — but not impossible — to find coming from ubiquitous automatic drip-brew machines. These three coffee-brewing alternatives are favorites of connoisseurs.
Keep in mind that each of these methods work best with freshly ground coffee. Consider investing in a coffee grinder for your apartment or be sure to use store-ground beans ASAP after purchase.
French Press
Probably the easiest way of brewing coffee, you'll need to start with coarse grounds, a kettle and — of course — a French press. To brew, just place the grounds into the bottom of the press and pour in boiling water. After letting it steep for a few minutes, press down with the plunger and pour yourself a cup.
Cold Brew
An especially popular choice for busy people during the warm summer months, cold brew produces a concentrate that can last for up to a week in the refrigerator. Place coarse grounds into a French press or covered bowl and refrigerate overnight before straining out the used grounds.
Pour Over
At heart, pour-over coffee brewing is a very similar process to average coffee makers, only everything is handled manually. However, according to aficionados, the greater level of control produces a much better-tasting cup. Simply bring water to a boil using a swan-neck kettle, let it cool slightly and then pour through a specialty dripper and carafe device.
Of course, having a private kitchen makes brewing your own coffee much easier — and you won't have to worry about others using your equipment without permission. With kitchens in limited supply at Northern Arizona University residents halls, many students are opting for off-campus living. If you're looking for a new place, consider visiting our offices at Pine View Village apartments in Flagstaff, AZ, to find out more about our community.
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When you’re looking for an easy way to add more vegetables to your daily diet, smoothies are a great choice. These drinks are filling, highly nutritious, easy to make and convenient for drinking on the go. Use the following recipes to make yourself some delicious green smoothies.
Tropical Kale Energy Smoothie
This smoothie provides you with a ton of nutrients thanks to its main ingredients. Kale, for example, has vitamin K, fiber, vitamin A and several other important nutrients that your body needs. To make it, you’ll need to blend 3/4 cup almond milk, frozen banana slices, two cups of fresh pineapple chunks and 2 cups of kale. You can add more milk to make your smoothie thinner if needed. Keep in mind that you can mix in other ingredients for added flavor, such as strawberries or mango chunks.
Vanilla Lime Green Smoothie
This smoothie is packed with nutrients and delicious flavors, including vanilla and lime. The spinach in it gives you vitamin A, magnesium, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and more. To make this smoothie, you’ll need to blend a half cup of vanilla yogurt, one cup of spinach leaves, two teaspoons of honey, half of a frozen banana, two tablespoons of fresh lime juice, a half teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, a half cup of milk and a half cup of ice.
Chocolate Mint Green Smoothie
This smoothie might sound decadent, but it’s filled with nutrients from spinach and avocados. To make it, blend half of an avocado, a half cup fresh baby spinach leaves, a quarter cup fresh mint leaves, a half cup unsweetened soy milk, a half scoop vanilla-flavored whey protein and a quarter cup egg whites. Add two tablespoons of extra dark cocoa powder and a half tablespoon of flaxseed meal.
The 24-hour fitness center in our Flagstaff, AZ community gives you another way to stay healthy. Please call us for more details on our apartments in Flagstaff.
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Smoothies are super easy for quick morning fuel. Use a handful of ice cubes, a carton of plain low-fat yogurt, and a handful of frozen strawberries to blend up a healthy and easy breakfast.
Peanut Butter Banana Toast
Start with a slice of whole grain toast, then add a tablespoon of nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter, or anything you like.) Slice half a banana and arrange on the toast and enjoy!
Avocado Toast
Toast a slice of whole grain bread and add a sliced avocado for a delicious and nutritious breakfast treat. For an extra kick of flavor, some people enjoy adding a dollop of salsa or hot sauce to the top of the avocado.
Dressed Up Oatmeal
Oatmeal is easy to make, but some people find it boring after a while. Dress up oatmeal with healthy additions like nuts, berries or a drizzle of honey for a healthy and filling breakfast.
Yogurt Parfait
This breakfast treat is easy to make, and as a bonus it can be made in multiples and placed in the refrigerator a few days ahead of time. Using a small mason jar, layer low-fat yogurt, blueberries, strawberries and granola. Refrigerate to allow the flavors to integrate, then grab a jar and enjoy.
Looking for a beautiful new apartment home? Pine View Village has apartments ranging from studios to four bedrooms in size. Call us to find out which options are still available now!
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