Cocktails to Ring in the New Year (or Any Old Weekend)

30 Dec By

The new year is here (yes, I am Captain Obvious). In one day it will be 2012. For me, this brings excitement for the things to come, but also disbelief that another year is gone. I can distinctly remember people telling me as I grew up that time would fly, “cherish every moment” they’d say. How cliché right? And yet, so freakin’ true.

I’m a lucky, lucky lady to be welcoming 2012 with not only some of the people I love most, but also some of my favorite cocktails. Just like my mother has given me a foundation for great healthy cooking, my father has given me a foundation of great bartending skills. Thanks Dad for these awesome recipes!

Rum-In the New Year

4 Parts Spiced Rum (Sailor Jerry is my favorite)

3 Parts Sweetened Lime Juice

2 Parts Triple Sec

Splash of Amaretto

1 Packet Splenda

The goods

The finished product!

Razzi Twinkle-Tini

4 Parts Raspberry Vodka (Chambord infused vodka is my favorite)

1 Part Peach Schnapps

2 1/2 Parts Cranberry Juice (Diet or Light Cranberry Juice make this a waistline friendly drink)

The ingredients

The end result!

Have a very happy new year and enjoy!

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Workout Wednesday: Running Stairs

28 Dec By

I’ll be honest here, I have a serious love-hate relationship with running stairs and doing the stair master. I know what an intense workout it is and how great I feel after, but let’s be real: it sucks.

I get it. It’s easy to sit on the elliptical and work just hard enough. It’s easy to set the treadmill at 5 and do a leisurely run. BUT like workout myth number 5, from one of my previous posts, slow and steady cardio is NOT the answer. Folks, it’s time to amp it up.

A great way to do this is to hit the stairs at your local high school’s stadium. Pop on your iTunes to some upbeat jams and get going. Pace yourself, no one said you have to sprint the whole time. In between every few sets of stairs stop and do a set of lunges (20), pushups (10) and crunches (20-30). Go for at least 30 minutes.

If you live in a place that’s currently way too cold and gloomy to walk a block outside, let alone run stairs, then turn to your friendly stair master. Available at most gyms, this cardio machine is often the one you see not being used. Hop on there and up the speed until it’s difficult for you to talk. Be sure not to prop yourself up with your arms. If necessary, gently hold the hand rails. Avoid hunching over and keep your back straight. Do 15 minutes mixed in with other cardio or at least 30 minutes by itself.

I try to add in a session on the stairs at least once a week to mix up my cardio and make sure I continue to push myself.

Have a happy workout!

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Easy and Healthy Turkey and Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers

27 Dec By

When it comes to healthy food and cooking I learned everything I know from my mother (see mom, I was listening!). She gave me an amazing foundation of nutrition and cooking that I have been able to build on. Growing up, my mom always made time to cook my sisters, and I, a well-balanced dinner despite being a busy business owner. A lot of the recipes I will share here will be directly from my mom or at least inspired by her (see my turkey, black bean, and corn chili recipe).

If your eating habits the last few days have been anything like mine, you are craving something with even a smidge of nutritional value. Mom’s recipe to the rescue…

Easy and Healthy Turkey and Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers

This is surprisingly simple and amazingly delicious. Combining vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein all in one, this dish checks all the boxes of a well-balanced meal.

What you’ll need:

6 large green peppers (at least one per person)

2 hot peppers

3 cloves of garlic

1 yellow onion

1 1/2 cups of short grain brown rice

2 tablespoons fresh or dried basil

salt

pepper

1 pound of ground turkey

tomato sauce (I like Newman’s Own Marinara)

Preheat the oven to 350. Start off with at least one raw green pepper per person. Slice them in half and cut out the core and seeds. Lay open side up on a baking sheet. Cook the rice (bring 3 cups of water to a boil, add the rice and turn to low, stir occasionaly until all water is absorbed).

Brown rice cooking (takes longer than white rice, so be patient)

Peppers ready to go!

Place the ground turkey, and cooked rice, into a large mixing bowl. Finely chop the garlic, hot peppers, basil, and onion. Add  all to the turkey. Add salt and pepper (depending on your personal preference). Using you (clean) hands mix all the ingredients into the turkey until evenly distributed.

Adding spices to the turkey

Fill each half pepper with the turkey mixture and poor tomato sauce on top.

Just the tomato sauce left to go

Cute dog optional

Cover with foil and place in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour or until meat is cooked through and peppers are tender. These are also great with a little parmesan cheese on top.

Enjoy!

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Current Obsession: Seche Vite Top Coat

26 Dec By

Ladies, if you like to paint your nails, or get them done, you NEED this product. Hop in the car and run out to the store right now (you can find it at Ulta).

Seche Vite top coat is a super shiny, amazingly fast drying miracle worker. Its thicker formula almost acts like a gel over your nails, turning a less than perfect manicure into a professional looking one. Apply two coats of any color polish and top it off with Seche Vite. BAM! In minutes you have a dry, shiny manicure that will look better for longer.

My favorite new nail look is Deborah Lippman’s Good Girl Gone Bad finished off with a coat of Seche Vite. It’s a glittery, dark maroon-purple that is fun, yet sophisticated. Perfect for New Year’s!

personal photo

Deborah Lippmann Good Girl Gone Bad

Seche Vite Top Coat

Do you have any manicure secrets?

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It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

26 Dec By

I spent my Christmas like I have pretty much every year I can remember: at my parents house with my mom, dad and sisters (and now the hubs). Somethings change, new people come into the family and traditions get altered as kids grow older. Most of it, however, stays exactly the same – baking, wrapping, the Christmas music in the background, cooking, opening presents, and being together. It’s not always idyllic or perfect, like you may remember as a kid, but it truly is wonderful.

My Christmas through Instagram (all personal photos)

What was the best part of your holiday?

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May Your Days Be Merry And Bright

23 Dec By

Spend time with family and friends, enjoy time off, sip some egg nog, stay up late, sleep in till noon, kiss under the mistletoe, sit by the fire, be thankful for it all…

 

All photos from MarthaStewart.com

 

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What Should I Wear? Christmas Dinner Edition

22 Dec By

Holy moly, Christmas is in 3 days. I finally finished my shopping and got a good jump on the wrapping. Now it’s time to figure out what to wear (I hear showing up naked to Christmas dinner is ill-advised). My family keeps it relatively casual, so I’m not going to break out the sequins or black tie. That doesn’t mean, however, that I’m showing up in sweats (even though they conveniently allow for comfortable over-eating).

Here are some festive items I’m considering…

Lots of options to mix and match!

1. Remain Sweater Poncho

I love the look of this poncho. It’s ever so slightly sheer, so it won’t weigh you down as you try to stuff your face, and it has a flattering silhouette.

2. J Brand Lovestory Jeans

I have been crushing on these jeans for a while. Between the dark wash, flattering flare cute and stretch denim, I’m in love(story). They look great on lots of shapes.

3. J. Crew Cambridge Cable Chunky Turtleneck Sweater

A classic winter look. A little preppy, a little snuggly, this sweater comes in lots of colors to suit any mood!

4. Kate Spade Karen Pump

Gorgeous patent pumps with just enough platform.

5. Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings

These beauties are a great statement piece, but not too big to be overdone. Available in a lot of colors they can match any outfit.

6. Michael Kors Runway Rose Gold Watch

 This watch has been seen everywhere this season (blogs, celebs, TV). Another great statement piece that will go with everything.

7. Stuart Weitzman Kilgore Suede Booties

Part pump and part bootie, these will look great with jeans or a skirt and black tights. The hidden platform, and slightly cushioned leather footbed, means they will be easy on your feet while still giving you inches.

8. J. Crew Heartherstone Snood

This infinity scarf works under coats or jackets or simply over a sweater. Keeps you warm and stylish. I like this one because it’s not too big and not too small.

9. Guinevere Owl Earrings

Owls are so in right now! These cute little, stud earrings add some character to a basic outfit.

10. J. Crew Bubble Necklace

This is the real deal; a piece that will instantly add style to any outfit. The hand-set resin cabachons and 18K gold plate make it a quality piece that you will wear for years.

What are you going to wear??

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Something Fun to Motivate your Workout Wednesday

21 Dec By

Just a little something I whipped up to help motivate my your workout…

Try some of the plank exercises and do your cardio of choice for at least 30 minutes!

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Workout Wednesday: Plank Position Exercises

21 Dec By

Oh man, I just love the plank position. I’m half joking and half serious. These exercises can be a real pain in the ass arms, abs, shoulders, legs…you get the idea, but they also make you feel strong and give you a killer workout.

Plank Position: hands and feet on the ground, with arms fully extended like you are going to do a pushup. Your hands should be right under your shoulders. Shoulders, back, butt and legs form a straight line.

via Los Angeles Times

1. The Pushup with Tummy Tucks

Start in the plank position and bend your arms as you lower your chest to the ground to do a pushup. Push yourself back up and bring your right knee into your chest. Return right foot to the ground. Now bring your left knee into your chest and return to ground. Repeat the whole sequence. Try to do 8-10 in a row. You can be on your knees in a female pushup position if needed.

2. The Scared Black Cat

Start in the plank position. Using your abs, lift your tailbone up into the air so your body is in a V-shape (you’ll need to go up on your tip toes). Slowly lower back down and repeat. Do 15 -20.

3. The Walk-out

Start standing up with a dumbbell, sitting upright, about 6 feet in front of you. Bend down and put hand on the flor. Use your hands to walk your body away from your feet until you are in the plank position. Lift your right hand, reach arm out and touch the top of the dumbbell. Put right hand back down. Now repeat with your left hand. Back in the plank position, use your hands to walk your body back toward your feet. Slowly stand back up. That’s one rep. Do 10-15.

4. The Tummy Tuck with Glute Kick back

Start in the plank position. Slowly bring your right knee into your chest, towards your right elbow, and press all the way back out behind you. Repeat 10 times to the same elbow, then repeat 10 times going across chest to the opposite elbow. Switch legs.

Have a happy workout!

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Five Fitness Myths that Can Lead Your Workout Astray

20 Dec By

There are a lot of fitness myths out there that still get passed off as legitimate info. Many of these myths seem to be ingrained in our heads from years of mis-information and others get perpetuated by the weight loss industry. It can be difficult to come to the realization that something you were told or believed is wrong (don’t even get me started on finding out Pluto wasn’t a planet), but being well-informed when it comes to exercise will help you workout better and reach your fitness goals.

1. Doing crunches and ab exercises will get rid of belly fat…

Unfortunately, the body doesn’t work that way. As much as commercials and infomercials for the Ab Buster 3000 would like you to believe it, you cannot spot train or choose where you are going to lose fat. Don’t ditch your crunches just yet though, building lean muscle is an important step to fitness. It helps you burn calories more efficiently, increase metabolism, build bone density and reduce body fat. If you want to be able to see those lean, mean muscles, you have to throw in some cardio (shoot for at least 3 days a week). More information on the myth of spot reduction from the American Council on Exercise.

2. If I do weight training I will bulk up…

One of the biggest fitness mistakes women make is not doing any weight training. You don’t want to bulk up (and you won’t, CrossFit Pittsburgh summarizes the reasons why here), but you do want to look fit and toned. A good fitness routine mixes weight training with cardio/aerobic activities. Again, building lean muscle helps you burn calories more efficiently increase metabolism, build bone density and reduce body fat. Start off with low weights (no shame in using 2 or 3 pound weights!) and do as many reps as you can and build from there (if you can do more than 15 without too much effort you need heavier weights). Here are some other great reasons to do strength training from the Mayo Clinic.

3. Skinny = fit…

There is a big difference between skinny and fit. Just because someone is slender does not mean that they are fit or strong. Technically being fit has to do with how quickly your heart rate can return to resting; the quicker the heart can return to normal, the better shape it’s in.  Focus on improving fitness levels and strength rather than losing weight or being skinny. You will see and feel results faster and are more likely to stick with your workouts.

4. The latest, high-tech equipment is the most effective…

As Pubic Enemy would say “don’t believe the hype!” Just because something is the new fad in fitness doesn’t make it the best or most effective. Often it’s the simple treadmill, elliptical (or pavement) and free weights that can deliver the best results when you use them correctly and consistently. In fact, it is quite possible to get a great workout in, without any equipment at all. Doing calisthenics, using your own body weight for resistance, is one of the simplest ways to exercise…think lunges, squats, pushups, tricep dips and crunches (no gym, weights, or Ab Buster 3000 required). Read about the benefits of calisthenics, and get workout ideas, from former Navy SEAL turned personal trainer Stew Smith.

5. The best way to do cardio, for weight loss, is slow and steady…

This is one that I believed for a while and still have push myself to get away from (it’s so easy to go on cruise control on the elliptical). These days it’s all about the intervals (see the Workout Wednesday on them). As one guy from Gym Junkies put it, ”the reality is that long slow cardio training of any kind – whether pounding the pavement or watching the wheels go ’round on the elliptical is inefficient to put it nicely and a waste of time to put it bluntly.” There you have it folks, time to kick it up a notch (or two or three).

Have a happy workout!

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