How To Make The Perfect Tropical Drink

Known as La Piña Preparada, this concoction gives you a taste of the beach when you aren’t able to make it to the coast. 

I first encountered La Piña Preparada while visiting the Pacific Ocean down in Nayarit, Mexico. Hence why the name is in Spanish. 

Here is what you will need:



 

-Pineapple
-Large Metal Spoon
-Cutting Board
-Sharp Knife
-Grenadine
-Salt
-Lemon/Lime
-Mango
-Cucumber
-Jicama
-Watermelon   

       

On to the process of putting it all together.

Step 1: Cut the top or crown of the pineapple off.

Step 2: With the same knife, remove the core of the pineapple, leaving behind a circular void.

Step 3: With the large metal spoon, hollow out the pineapple by scraping out what you can. Then with the opposite side of the spoon, mush what is left on the sides and bottom to make it liquefy. Be careful not to push too hard, you don’t want to push through the side of the pineapple.

Step 4: Pour in 2 tablespoons of grenadine with a pinch of salt. Mix.

 

Step 5: Now for the sticky part. Per the image, the ingredients need to fit into the pineapple, so slice accordingly. Make sure that your slices aren't too large. 

After you have sliced them up, you can start putting them in.

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Step 6: Squeeze lemon/lime and orange over the fruits and a good bit into the juice.

Step 7: Put in a straw and a spoon. You are all set! 

All that is left is for you to sit down, feet up, and put some relaxing music on. You’ve earned it. Enjoy! 

Written by Jonathon Benedict, Marketing Major at Grand Valley State University.

The Party Host's Guide To Holiday Entertaining

If you decide to host a 4th of July party this year, make sure your guests are entertained with these great games for all ages.

 

Frozen T-Shirt Contest

 

This is a great game for a hot day!

• Take large t-shirts and soak them in water the night before your event. Roll them up really tight and stick them in the freezer. The next day hand them out to the participants. The first one who is able to successfully get the shirt on wins the game.

 

Giant Jenga 

 

If you or a member of your family have the tools to cut wood, this can be a fun and inexpensive game.

• Purchase two-by-fours and cut them in equal lengths according to how large you want the game to be. After that, sand them down and you are good to play!
• For extra fun, write activities on certain blocks (i.e. you cannot use your right hand or must stand on one leg). When a participant pulls that block they have to follow the rule for their next turn.

 

Aim Games 

 

• Take a tarp or old sheet and cut out shapes. You and your guests can throw footballs, baseballs, or even try and shoot a water gun through the holes. Make sure to tape up the edges so that they do not fray or rip.
• Hang up the sheet between two trees, two ladders or anything that is tall and sturdy.

*Bonus challenge: Make the holes different sizes and add points depending on how hard it is.

 

Backyard Bowling 

 

• Set up empty water bottles or soda cans in the same formation as bowling pins on your driveway. Fill them up with water to make sure that they do not fall down with the wind. Draw the lanes in chalk and use a basketball or baseball for the bowling ball.

*To make it extra festive, dye some of the water blue and red.

Flour Finder

 

Hide three items in a bowl/ plate of flour (or pudding). Each contestant will get a bowl filled with the three items which they can only find using their face. The first contestant to find all three items wins!
Make sure the items are large enough that no one could accidentally swallow them.


Happy Independence Day! Did we miss any of your favorite party games? Let us know in the comments!