Berry Smoothie Recipe

This year I am focused on becoming healthy and am constantly on the quest for healthy easy recipes I can make. Breakfast is always tough for me because I typically don't get hungry until about 10am, yet I know that breakfast can be the most important part of your diet as well as a boost to your metabolism. This is a recipe for a quick, easy and healthy smoothie that I LOVE and could drink everyday for breakfast...

 

 

 

{Ingredients}

 

1 c. of frozen mixed berries

1/2 of a banana

1/2 c. baby spinach leaves

1 tsp. flax seeds

1 scoop of protein powder (not pictured - I use vanilla flavored)

1/2 c. Silk Pure Almond Milk

 

Blend together until smooth in blender or smoothie maker. I use {this} guy to make single serve smoothies in the morning. It's the best!

 

*This recipe yields 1 smoothie. Double recipe to make enough for 2.

 

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This week I am busy crafting and preparing for a very special bridal shower I will be co-hosting this weekend. I will share some of the DIY crafts later this week!

 

Tomato Mozzarella Grilled Cheese

I have been longing after {this pin} for a while now. I am a big fan of Panera's Tomato Mozzarella Panini, and this is a pretty close copy cat!

 

 

{Ingredients}

 

2 slices of Italian wheat or panini bread

 

a few thin slices of fresh mozzarella cheese

 

2 or 3 slices of fresh tomato

 

3 or 4 basil leaves

 

1 tsp. EVOO {extra virgin olive oil}

 

 

 

{Directions}

 

Heat skillet or Panini press on medium and drizzle with oil. Allow oil to simmer and place 1 slice of bread, cheese, basil, tomato and top with last slice of bread. Cook for about 5 minutes, depending upon how brown you want your sandwich, then flip and cook additional 3 to 5 mins. Enjoy!

 

So quick, easy, healthy and delicious!

 

I used some fresh basil form my mini herb garden...

 

 

 

This was an easy DIY with small clay pots that I painted with chalk board paint. I got the herb plants at Trader Joe's. They are getting so big, I may have to condense them into one big pot!

 

I'm linking up with Katie for Saw it, Pinned it, Did it. Hop on over and check out some more Pinterest inspired projects!

 

Check back tomorrow for my new Summer Cocktail series! :)

 

Spring Salad Recipes!

I have been on the hunt for new salad recipes to keep up the Operation Healthy 2013 kick I've been on. I really do love salads, but sometimes the same old lettuce and dressing just gets bland, so I like to mix it up a little to keep things interesting. I found a couple that I really like and that are fairly easy to make so I wanted to share!

 

The first is a salad I saw on Giada at Home on the Food Network channel. I had purchased some brussels sprouts to make {this} recipe (which turned out great, but ::WARNING:: stinks up your whole house when roasted in the oven!). I had about a pound of brussels sprouts left which was the perfect amount.

 

Brussels Sprout-Leaf Salad

(courtesy of Giana De Laurentiis via foodnetwork.com - link here)

 

{Sorry, I am obviously not a food photographer...NEED to work on the camera skills!}

 

Ingredients

 

Dressing:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup freshly lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

Salad:

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts

2 cups baby arugula

1 head Belgian endive, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted* see Cook's Note

1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano

 

 

Directions

 Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

 

Salad: Using a small paring knife, remove the outer leaves from the Brussels sprouts. Reserve the cores for another use. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the Brussels sprout leaves and cook for 1 minute. Drain and put in a bowl of iced water, then transfer to a colander to drain. Put the Brussels sprout leaves, arugula, endive, and almonds into a large salad bowl. Add the dressing and toss together. Sprinkle with the cheese and serve.

 

Cook's Note:

*To toast the almonds, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven until lightly toasted, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before using.

The unused core of the Brussels sprouts can be used in soups and stir-fries.

Another note - I highly suggest snacking on the toasted almonds and cheese while enjoying a glass of wine while you are cooking :)
 

 

I have a bad habit of snacking and drinking wine while I cook! 

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I made yet another salad this week! This one is more of a pasta salad and is great to make in large quantity at the beginning of the week so you can keep in the fridge and continue to snack and lunch on through out the week.

 

 

This recipe is a combination of {this} recipe from Eat Yourself Skinny (one of my favorite healthy food blogs) and Bill's Mom's broccoli, cauliflower salad. This salad is SOOO good! I made a batch Monday night and between Bill, his brother and myself, it was gone the next day! The boys loved it!

 

 

 {Again, the food photography is a work in progress...}

 

Kelly's version is the healthier version and she uses grapes instead of raisins. The version I made has cauliflower in it as well as broccoli. She also uses 1/2 cup light mayo and 1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt which helps reduce the calories in the dish.

 

Here is the recipe for my version:

 

Broccoli Pasta Salad

 

Ingredients:

 

1/2 (16 oz) box whole wheat farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
1/2 lb. fresh broccoli
1/2 lb. fresh cauliflower

1 cup light mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp. salt
6 cooked turkey bacon slices, crumbled
1/4 cup chopped pecans


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan for about 6 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.  Then prepare pasta according to package directions.


Meanwhile, cut broccoli and cauliflower florets from stems and separate into small pieces using a paring knife.  In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, sugar, red onion, vinegar and salt and toss with broccoli, cauliflower, hot cooked pasta and raisins.  Stir to coat.  Cover and chill for up to 3 hours.  Stir in bacon and toasted pecans just before serving, enjoy!

 

Recently...

It's been a busy couple of weeks and it doesn't seem to be slowing down around these parts. I have some exciting things to share with you all in the near future (ie engagement photos, some DIY projects. etc) but, for now I will tide you over with a few snapshots of the recent haps.

 

Bill and I had a date night a few weeks ago at a new restaurant here in Columbus called the Pearl. It was delish! Their signature drink is the Moscow Mule and they are known for their oysters. Bill and I passed on the oysters, but had a delicious plate of lump crab and shared a few apps including fried cheese curds (better than they sound) and "Devils on Horseback" which are bacon wrapped Gruyere stuffed dates! SO GOOD!! I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!

 

 

I had a very successful trip to Trader Joes recently. I decided that I want to branch out and try a few different kinds of wine and didn't want to break the bank. TJ's has some great deal on wine! I also picked up this beautiful bouquet of yellow Ranunculus!

 

 

Those sunny yellow Ranunculus found their home in my mason jar vase on my desk! They make me so happy when they greet me every morning! Move over Peony...there may be a new favorite flower!

 

 

Bill and I attended a rehearsal dinner for one of my friend's wedding this past weekend! I actually played guitar and sang for her ceremony with my friend that plays violin!

 

 

Had a fantastic time at the Wright Mann wedding...That's right, my friend's last name was Wright and her fiance's (now husband) last name is Mann...That joke was referenced through out the night! I love all the details of the navy and coral theme!

 

 

I found some fantastic fabrics on sale at JoAnn's yesterday! Pink and white pretties that I will be using for an upcoming bridal shower! Just wait and see what I have in store!

 

 

Bill and I have been trying to eat better and cook from home most nights. Last night I made this delish teriaky salmon with garlic mashed taters and green beans. The potatoes and green beans were canned from his parent's garden...so good!!

 

Not pictured:: I've been running outside! It's my favorite running season! It makes me so happy!

 

Today I am meeting with our photographer to get my engagement photo proofs! I'm so excited to see how they turned out.

 

Tomorrow evening my parents, Bill and I have a cake testing then we will be going out to dinner. Dessert then dinner, that's the way it should be, no?!

 

What have you been up to?

Follow all my instagrams {here}

 

 

Operation Healthy 2013...

 {images:: 1 // 2}

 

I have always struggled with diets. I was never a big fan of trying to eat the same thing everyday or cut out everything that tastes good. I am a foodie at heart and I love a good savory meal at the end of a long day, a diet coke in the afternoon to wake me up and a glass of wine at night to wind down. I am a complete freak about cheese! I love cheese! And not just your run of the mill Kraft singles...I mean fancy, smelly, expensive cheese! The kind that costs $8 for an oz block. New York Sharp White Cheddar, Gruyere, Asiago and Parmesan Reggiano to name a few...I love baking brie on top of a crostini with some strawberry or raspberry sauce! Yum!

 

Alas, these loves of my life do not in turn love my waistline...So, it's time to cut down on the guilty pleasures of life and get healthy for 2013! There are so many reasons why it is important for me to shed pounds this year.

 

1 // We have a destination wedding for one of Bill's friends in Key West in March - That's right, I have less than 2 months to get my body bikini worthy...I know, don't feel too sorry for me...

 

2 // Wedding! Hello! Trying on big white dresses...white, especially shiny white, is not very forgiving...I know, I know, there are girdles and lace up dresses that can suck me in. But, I want to feel like I could wear the dress and look perfect in it with out all the "suck in the gut" gadgets out there...

 

3 // Because healthy + strong is the new skinny! I'm starting to realize that I have way more of a girl crush on ladies with toned muscles and curves than stick figures with nothing more than skin and bone...Does anyone else feel this way? I would much rather keep my curves, flatten out the stomach area and tone my arms, than loose them all together...I have learned over the years that starving yourself (by itself) does not produce results...You have to include some sort of physical activity and (in my experience) has to include strength training.

 

So, I give you my daily diet and work out routine...I'm not posting this to recommend you do the same...I think everybody is different and every BODY is different, so you should consult your doctor or a professional if you are seeking to loose weight.

 

I'm also writing this down and posting it to the public to make myself feel more accountable. Now everybody knows and I've got to stick to it!

 

// Diet Plan //

 

What I hate most about diets, is the restriction. Instead I am going to focus on what I can eat in moderation and ideas for each meal and snacks...

  

Cut WAY down on:

 

-Starchy carbs:: white bread, pasta, potato products, etc.

-Any fried food

-Sweets/Sugar:: I'm not a big sweets person, so this one is not difficult for me.

-Processed food:: this one is tough because I rely on easy to cook food because I rarely have the time to...

 

Have in Moderation:

 

-Cheese:: stick to low fat hard cheeses , low fat cottage cheese is good.

-Alcohol:: I typically will have a glass of wine at night to wind down from the day. White wine is my favorite which is loaded with sugar. If I can limit myself to 3 glasses a week, that should cut out a good 400 calories from my weekly diet. A bottle is typically 700 calories.

-Whole Wheat products:: I have learned that sometimes wheat products are not as healthy as they are made out to be. Yes, whole wheat is better than white bread, but it contains gluten. Gluten, (Latin word that literally means"Glue") is a substance that sticks to your intestines and makes you feel bloated.
-Diet Soda:: I am addicted to Diet Coke...Like, I have a problem...I am limiting myself to one a day only if I work out as a reward...

-Eating out:: I love to go to a restaurant with Bill or friends for dinner and drinks to relax and catch up. However, food from a restaurant is always higher in calories than if you would make it at home. The portions are larger, you don't know what type of oil or other fatty ingredients were used to make it. It's just better to eat at home as much as possible.

 

PORTION CONTROL! A portion should be the size of your fist, no larger...And for me that's really small because I have baby sized hands...

 

Load on the (low fat) protein and veggies!! As much as you can eat!

 

Examples:

Breakfast: whole wheat toast w/ low fat peanut butter // Low fat cottage cheese with fruit // Eggs (mostly egg whites) with sautéed veggies, ketchup/salsa/hot sauce // low fat instant oatmeal w/ berries or nuts // low fat cereal w/ skim milk and sliced bananas.

Lunch: tuna salad made with low fat mayo, onion, celery, relish w/ whole wheat crackers // cup of low fat chili loaded with protein // salad with meat, protein and low fat dressing // soup , non-creamy loaded with veggies and some protein // deli meat sandwich on whole wheat deli thins w/ low fat mayo/mustard/pickle.

Snacks: hand full of wheat thins // nuts // fruit // pop chips // low fat cheese and crackers

Dinner: large portion of protein and veggies, small portion of carbs (brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc)

Drink 8 glasses of water / day

 

// Work It Out 2013 //

Bill and I have started a work out challenge together. It's easy and simple...Who can work out more times / week. The workout has to be at least 30 mins and has to include some weight training and some cardio.

I typically like to run or bike for about 10 mins and then go straight to weights and machines. My main goal is to tone up, so I need to focus on my core muscle areas. I work on abs for about 10 minutes / session as well.

If I can't make it to the gym, I will sit in front of the TV at the end of the night and do push ups, sit ups and lunges for an hour (Taking small breaks here and there). I will also work on stretching my muscles and incorporate some yoga positions.

I am also starting Zumba with some friends this Sunday! I've heard some great things about the class and I'm excited to dance, sweat and have fun while I work out!

It always helps to include friends or significant others in your workout routines so they can hold you accountable.

 

Well, that's it. Doesn't seem to tough, right? Totally do-able! I am going to record my weight and body shape today and see where I end up by mid-March...

Wish me luck!

How are you staying fit and healthy in 2013?