Gusenoff - Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-to-Be

Copyright 2008 by Alyssa D. Gusenoff All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Mocktails and Mocktails for Moms-to-BeTM are trademarks of Alyssa Gusenoff Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Number: 2007938202
eBook ISBN: 978-1-59474-837-0
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-59474-215-6 Designed by Bryn Ashburn
Illustrations by Lisa Henderling
Edited by Melissa Wagner Quirk Books
215 Church Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
quirkbooks.com The recipes and claims made about specific recipes, vitamins, and other information in this book have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. The information in this book is for entertainment puposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or health-care professional.

Consult with a health-care professional before starting any diet or exercise program or if you suspect you might have a health problem. v3.1

Ill never forget that wonderful moment when the concept of the Margarita Mama was born. I was newly pregnant. (Translation: No alcohol allowed!) It was a hot summer day. I was visiting my in-laws at their beach house, and all my summer-trained instincts called out for a real margarita. Everyone else was indulging in a chilly, sprightly, refreshing cocktail.

Sure, none of them were pregnantbut what about meeeeee? The bottled ice water I held in my hand just didnt cut it! I walked inside. I looked up. And there it was: a blender, staring down at me tauntingly from the kitchen shelf. With sudden resolve, I tugged open the refrigerator and began pulling out ingredients. I started with some limeade. I added a dash of orange juice.

I took a sip. I added some ginger ale and peach juice. I turned the blender on high. And there it wasperfect! The Margarita Mama was born. I happily rimmed a glass with salt, poured in my creation, and headed outside to join the fun. The Margarita Mama got me hooked.

After that, I was determined to create nonalcoholic drinks that would quench the thirst of pregnant women like me during the long months ahead. I immediately went to the local grocery store and bought every type of juice, soda, frozen fruit, and mixer I could find. As I stared at the kitchen table covered with ingredients, I began to get creative. Trial and error seemed to be the best strategy. At first many of the drinks were too sweet or too sour, but I soon began to find good nonalcoholic substitutes. Pineapple juice turned out to be a tasty stand-in for rum, and ginger ale makes an excellent tequila replacement.

When morning sickness set in, my husband assumed the role of the official taster. After dinner, we would line up the ingredients, and I would start mixing. When a drink received his seal of approval, I sampled the finished product. My initial idea was to have just a few thirst-quenchers that I could easily mix for any occasion. But soon I began to think long-term. A new drink for every week of pregnancy, and then some! Creating these new drinks was something to look forward to besides stretch marks and fatigue.

After finalizing the recipes, I decided it was time to venture out of my kitchen. A good friend invited me over for a dinner party, so I packed up the ingredients for the Nothing Fits Fizz and was on my way. At the party I made myself a drink and offered it to another pregnant friend, and then others wanted a taste. Before I knew it, everyone was drinking the Nothing Fits Fizz while the bottle of pinot noir sat unopened on the counter. If these drinks hit the spot for some of my non-pregnant girlfriends, I knew they would be a hit with pregnant women as well. As my pregnancy progressed, I read pregnancy books that opined about the benefits of a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables.

Yet as my cravings set in, I was more likely to reach for a bag of potato chips than a handful of fruit. My mocktails became my main source of fruit. I could sip a healthy, fruity beverage while I ate my chips. It was the best of both worlds! I admit that the idea of a glass of wine was a nice light at the end of the tunnel when I entered my final trimester. However, I didnt long for a cocktail the way I longed for a margarita that summer day on the porch with my friends and family. 2 scoops coffee ice cream cup chocolate milk 1 cup ice 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, divided Whipped cream, for garnish Place the coffee ice cream, chocolate milk, ice, and 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup in a blender and blend on medium speed until creamy. 2 scoops coffee ice cream cup chocolate milk 1 cup ice 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, divided Whipped cream, for garnish Place the coffee ice cream, chocolate milk, ice, and 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup in a blender and blend on medium speed until creamy.

As an extra treat, garnish with whipped cream and the rest of the chocolate syrup. Serve immediately.

When every part of your body feels swollen, its time to sit back with a Watermelon Margarita. The watermelon will relieve water retention, and the sweet taste will help you forget that your rings dont fit anymore. 1 cup frozen watermelon chunks 5 ounces ginger ale 1 tablespoon lime juice Watermelon slice, for garnish Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend on medium speed until the watermelon is pureed and smooth. A Toast to your Health! Water retention, or bloat, is a common pregnancy problem. A Toast to your Health! Water retention, or bloat, is a common pregnancy problem.

If youre looking to remedy the discomfort but want to avoid taking pills or chemical supplements, be aware that certain foods, including watermelons, act as natural diuretics. In addition to its bloat-reducing properties, watermelon is an excellent source of lycopene, vitamin C, beta carotene, and folic acid.

Fight the frustrations of travel restrictions with a White Russian, a world of yummy flavors that will take your mind to distant destinations. 1 cup vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt cup ginger ale 1 tablespoon coffee-flavored syrup 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, divided cup ice Place the vanilla ice cream/frozen yogurt, ginger ale, coffee-flavored syrup, 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup, and ice in a blender and blend on medium-high speed until smooth. Garnish with the remaining tablespoon of chocolate syrup and serve immediately.