Eating Sunshine!!

As I was looking over my pictures of the food I've eaten recently there seems to be somewhat of a them...COLOR!!

Apparently I really like orange/yellow/redish foods :)...hence Sunshine!

It all started with breakfast on WednesdayThat plate would be:

• 1 slice GH nine grain bread, toasted, with Barney Butter, banana, and raspberry fruit spread
• extra banana
• cantaloupe chunks

• Delish! The melon was super juicy.

Lunch followed the theme thoroughlyHere we have:

• the last piece (heel) of the nine grain bread, toasted with American cheese
• TJ's Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup (with spinach mixed in...hey its GREEN!)
• pieces of a Joseph's low carb pita to go with...

...more orangeSabra Roasted Red Pepper hummus and carrots!! Orange Orange and more Orange!

Apparently I couldn't even escape the color scheme with dinnerI was feeling a little better so I hit the gym...did about 33 min on the step mill (sweaty!!) and a few strength training exercises.

For dinner I had a little over half of my salmon from my dinner salad at the Cheesecake Factory from the other night.

I broke it up and added:

• light mayo
• dijon mustard
• capers
• red onion
• celery salt

Then formed a patty and cooked in a pan with a little canola oil spray. This was quite delicious!!Didn't stay together too well, but I ate it with a knife and fork on a half of a Sandwich Thin topped with sliced pickles!! Served with steamed summer squash and half of a sweet potato.

I guess it was Orange Wednesday because I finally broke the trend this morning!!A Classic:

• 1 container of Chobani 0% Plain
• Strawberries and BLUE berries!
• about 1/4 of the Almond Country Square
• 1 Kashi Heart to Heart waffle
• REAL maple syrup drizzzzzzzle
  

I love how frozen waffles smell like the real thing...I mean they taste great but they really have that waffley smell...mmmm...makes me want a real Belgium waffle!!

I swear, Emergen-C is my SAVIOR!! I am kicking this cold A$$! I felt the sickness coming on and so far have kept it at bay (just a minor sore throat, which isn't even bothering me right now). Doesn't help that EVERYONE else is sick.

Do you have any personal remedies that you SWEAR works for cold and other ailments?? Once I feel a cold coming on I start pounding the Emergen-C and Echinacea tea!! Many of my aunts and cousins swear by this Mushroom extract stuff...but it was like $35 a bottle and I was not about to spend that on something that MIGHT work haha, but they think its a miracle drug!

Tomorrow is Giveaway Time!!! I am very excited for my first giveaway...AND I already have another one set up for second giveaway next week!

MIA!

So sorry I haven't been a good blogger the past couple days. Monday was super busy, didn't get home til late and just really wanted to go to bed. Then yesterday I woke up with a sore throat and feeling blah!! (NOOO!!!!)...plus only worked a half day because Brian and I had to head up to NH for a wedding of his friend from high school. Therefore no Internet for me once I left work :(

Ok, but I am back now with a mini re-cap.

A Few Things I've Tried Recently

FINALLY, saw these at WF's and had to pick up this flavor! I have been breaking little pieces off here and there (still have some left). WOW...I am LOVING this flavor. You can immediately taste the Almond flavor (extract!)...which just makes me think of delicious cookies and Almond macaroons. These are a new Favorite Fo Sho!!

I received a coupon for a free pack of these babies (plus some other fun stuff to give away...stay tuned!!).

I haven't had regular flavored yogurt in a LONG time (Greek all the way normally)...so this was a tad sweeter than I'm used to, but its sweetened with sugar not fake crap so that's good! I'd like these after lunch like a dessert! Or with a less sweet granola topping perhaps?? I don't really understand the added digestive properties...

Yo-Plus for Digestive Health
"With just one cup of Yo-Plus™ yogurt, you'll treat your body to our unique Optibalance™ blend of both probiotics and prebiotics — including three grams of fiber — to help your digestive system keep the balance nature intended."

Perhaps I eat a healthy enough diet with fiber already that this didn't make too much of a difference, but I want to give it a couple more tries first. The extra fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics can't hurt though!

Monday I used some leftover Steel Cut Oats that I had made on Saturday!
Reheated with a little extra water, and added:

• strawberries and blueberries
• coconut
• Zoe's Honey Almond Granola
• Little piece of Almond Country Square
• small drop of German Chocolate PB Spread
• small spoon of White Choc. PB!
  

As I said Monday was BUSY! After work, Brian and I went to meet with a Loan Officer and got Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage!!! Now we can start looking for houses!!! So scary and exciting at the same time!

Well that meeting went looooonger than expected, then we quickly picked up a wedding gift at Crate and Barrel and then it was 8pm!! I hate eating late but what are you gonna do?

Cheesecake Factory was right there.

I got a chopped veggies salad with a piece of salmon on top!And, while he is usually a very healthy eater...the boy needs a good burger once in a while and I had to take its pic!

The Tons of Fun Burger - Yes, It's True! Double Patties, Double Cheese, Triple Sesame-Seed Bun with Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Pickles and Secret Sauce. Served with FriesI SO had to take a bite :)

Left work early for a wedding...pretty low key but fun! One of Brian's high school friends. They are Mormon (not super strict though...so I've heard). I don't know much about that religion, but it was definitely different than any wedding reception I've been to, but it was really nice!
Brian, his high school friends...and me :) Leave it to me to wear the brightest outfit of the evening haha!

Well my throat is still not great...but I don't feel crappy so that's good! I really hope to get to the gym tonight!!!

Girl Time!

Well I've been lazily hanging out on the couch for the past couple hours...and it's been fantastic! I hardly EVER have a Sunday afternoon without anything to do. I almost didn't know what to do with myself, but its great.

This weekend started after Yoga yesterday when our friend Jenny arrived. We hung out, and then decided we were hungry for lunch so we hit up Snappy Sushi in Davis Sq (in Somerville).
Left: Rainbow Box Roll
Middle: Philadelphia Roll
Right (top): Spicy Tuna
Right (front) California

Now I am still not fully into the Raw fish, but I love the Cali roll and Philly roll (smoked salmon). I did try that closest bite of the Rainbow box with the tuna, avocado, and shrimp and it was quite delish! All the sushi is made with brown rice. They also have bottles of regular AND low sodium soy sauce on the tables. You can check out the cool decor from the last time I was here.

Later we headed out for some dinner then meeting up with friends for a bday. We are the type of girls who love trying out lots of different foods...so we went with Tapas! We hit up Bar Lola in Boston's Back Bay.

It was a really cool ambiance (sorry for the blurry pic...and yes it got a lot busier while we were there)To start: Sangria!
What to order??Maybe you could just read it better online

We shared 6 Tapas...here are a fewThis may not look amazing but it WAS! Grilled Beef Tenderloin with "Cabrales" goat-blue cheese sauce. Oh.My.God. that goat-blue cheese sauce was INCREDIBLE!! We used bread to get every last ounce of sauce off that plate :)
Maine crab meat, sofrito, and cheese crustini's with a piquillo-shrimp sauce. YUM, like delicious crab cakes!!Classic Manchego cheese and Serrano ham with toast points.
Chicken Croquettes with Lola's savory Tomato sauce...MMMmmm.

Everything was delicious!! Plus whats better than tasting 6 different foods in one meal.

We then hung out with friends at The Foundation Lounge. This was a pretty swanky bar, and was just great to see so many friends.









Sunday was more fun girl weekend activities. Me and all my 7 bridesmaids along with my mom and aunt were meeting to try on the dresses and get all the styles and colors finalized. We had brunch reservations at 1:30 afterwards, but I obviously needed some fuel before we left
Chobani 0% Plain, Strawberries, Blueberries and a drizzle of REAL maple syrup. I also had a banana :)Then is was Dress time. I decided I wanted my bridesmaids in dresses from Aria. They have a studio in Boston so it was great to just go there...you have an appointment in the boutique and you have the place all to yourself while your group is there.

(like my sweet red tights and rain boots!)

I really loved Aria because I have a vision in my head and their dresses would fit it well...I wanted different shades of pink and each girl to be able to pick their own style...all knee length.

These are NOT the dresses...but these ARE the colors!Raspberry, Amaranth, and Fuchsia

There were many dresses tried on...(someone is wearing this, but not here, and it will be in Amaranth)
She is wearing that dress in Fuchsia!She is wearing that style in Raspberry (looks a little weird because that was a full length clipped up to show as a knee length..and she's really short :)

So then I was fluctuating on colors...originally it was my Maid of Honor in Fuchsia with the other 6 splitting the other two colors. This didn't sit well with the image in my head...I wanted the colors more evenly distributed. So to see what it looks like everyone grabbed their color and held it up to them
So something like that...although I don't think thats the right picture. Its 2 Raspberry, 2 Fuschia, and 3 Amaranth...and I don't think any two girls are in the same style! I'm so excited to see how this all pans out.

We then hit up brunch at Stephanie's on Newbury. It was DELISH! No pics (not everyone knows about the blog)...but I had some kick ass grapefruit juice; it literally tasted like a fresh grapefruit in a wine glass. Then I went with the: crab cake Benedict - sautéed crab cakes with poached eggs topped with jalapeño hollandaise.

This kept me full all afternoon...we only just had a few snacks because we knew we'd wake up starving if not.

Ending with mini hot chocolates...That would be half of a choc. covered marshmallow floating in there :)

Well the weekend is over :( Work Tomorrow :( :( :( Boo!!! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Relaxing Weekend Workouts

Good Morning Bloggers!

I am feeling great today...the sun is shining (though its still in the 30's...might reach 40!), but its still nice for February in New England. Plus I had a super sweat HOT Yoga class this morning. Hot Yoga has got to be the ONLY thing that can pry me out of a warm Saturday sleep at 7:00AM. I am always so happy I do though.

I love weekend workouts because I never feel rushed, I can take my time, no ones waiting for me and I don't need to be anywhere. Last night after work I treated my self to a little manicureA beautiful bright raspberry pink!! (matches my scarf). Then there was plenty of drying time in the car before I hit the gym.

I tried to get in some running, and managed to run a 5k distance in 30:54 (hey its good for me!...I am SO a beginner). Then I did some fast walking on inclines then some more relaxed walking and a little arm work. Don't remember all my stats but it was over an hour and around 550 calories burned (45% fat!).

I need more long workouts like that...need to push myself more.

Didn't get home til about 8, but that was ok. Then I made a quick salad with some leftover roasted veggies (reheated in the micro) over baby spinach with red wine vinegar and olive oil.
Also the rest of my leftover Annie's! Annie's mac and cheese is one of those things I LOVE cold, just as much as I like it hot.

Mr. Pear

I'm sure there were a few pieces of chocolate after that but they didn't make the photos.

So up and at 'em early this morning for my 7:30AM Hot Yoga class. Then I came back excited to make steel cut oats because I haven't had them in a long time...plus I broke out the French press for some cafe!

I made a 4 serving batch of steel cut oats using:

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 1 cup Vanilla Soy Milk
• 2 cups water
• salt
• banana added mid way

These take about 30min to cook, during the process I took a shower so I shut off the burner and just left the cover on. Then afterwards turned it back on to

Added:

• Apricot preserves (to the whole pot)
• Then to my serving I added
• strawberries and blueberries (some mixed in, some on top)
• coconut
• Zoe's Honey Almond Granola
• 3 choc. chips, 2 PB chips
• 1 spoon of Blonde PB "Spread"

So delicious...I think I like the fruit better with steel cuts! The steel cut oats have more of a texture to go with the texture of the fruit.

Well I suppose I should finish getting dressed (I'm still in my super fluffy robe!).

Plans:

• One of our college friends, Jenny, is coming to visit soon because...
• Tomorrow all my bridesmaids have their dress appointment to choose and order the dresses
• Tonight we are going to dinner then out for another friends Birthday!
• Also fun Brunch with all the girls tomorrow after the dress appointment

FUN GIRLS WEEKEND!!!

Wedding Rings and Friday Things

Yes I tried to come up with a title that rhymed :)

Wedding Rings (well ring)

Last weekend Brian and I went to get my engagement ring it's 6-month check up inspection. Then we decided to peruse the wedding rings while we were there. Because of the intricate setting of my ring, I am going to have a band custom made...I don't want to cover up any diamonds!!

We also checked out the men's rings and were writing down the ones he liked. Well, one of them was actually being discontinued and this last one was like 50% off. It was too small but not so much that they couldn't size it...plus it was Platinum and had little diamonds in it. It was really unique and we both really liked it, so he went for it!

Picked it up this week :)Cool right? There are little baguette diamonds going down the middle, but they are not a sparkly cut so you almost don't realize they are there!

Ok back to FOOD!

So this may have been my first bite of Okra...I think. Brian made a chicken gumbo in his crock pot the other night and I had some leftovers.
Quite delicious! Maybe I have had okra, but I don't remember it. Who knows, now I like it.

On to some oats...
more fruity oats that is, but this time I brought a different "Spread" with me.This reminds me more of PB&Co's White Chocolate Wonderful that I usually love on my oats, except this is a smidge more decadent considering there are peanut butter cups in the mixture!

The oatmeal and its star players:Similar Mix as the other day:

• 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup skim milk, 1/4 cup water, salt
• 1/2 banana
• 1 tsp Apricot preserves mixed in while hot
• chopped strawberry and blueberries mixed into hot oats

Toppings:

• 4 Reeses Pieces!
• more chopped straw and blue
• unsweetened coconut
• Zoe's Granola
• Blonde PB spoon

Perfection...again

Snuck a pic of my lunch salad...(baby spin, lettuce, tomato, carrot, cuke, red onion, strawberries, candied pecans, Annie's lite Raspberry Vinaigrette)

Also had a Flat out...1/4 with Sabra Roast Red Pepper Hummus (I'm obsessed now), and 1/2 with Honey Maple Turkey...I wanted each flavor separate!

Worked late...but at least being super busy makes the time go by, plus overtime!

Came home hungry...wanted some roasted veggies and Annie's (have been craving Annie's mac and cheese for like a year haha) Clearly not going to be done at the same time...so I got these into the oven:
Then ate this!

• Annie's organic white cheddar and shells.
• Added baby spinach when I added the cheese pack!
• 1 carrot
• Sabra RR Pepper Hummus!

Later on the veggies were done...but dessert had come and gone as well :)
The roomie brought home a treat from the North EndWe split half of a cannoli!
You don't even understand how good these are!!! The filling alone is worth a HOLY YUM!!

TGIF

No big plans tonight...GYM!! And hopefully a manicure :)