Monday, June 29, 2009

Spaghetti? NOPE but close!



So let me just tell you a bit about my diet before I start this post... I do not eat wheat, dairy, gluten, sugar, fruits, soy, nuts.... Wait, maybe I should just tell you what I do eat - that list would be a lot shorter! ha ha.


With such restrictions in my life sometimes it's hard to find substitutes for those "staple" pantry items that everyone seems to have (pasta, rice, bread, etc)...


I have found one substitution that I think works remarkably well and if I could would eat it every single day in mass quantities.


Curious yet on what it is?




Spaghetti Squash!


The stringy strands remind me so much of pasta it's crazy and the way it's tastes is like joy in my mouth (you can obviously tell I haven't eaten sugar in a really long time).


This type of squash is so versatile: top it with tomato sauce, clam sauce, olive tapenade, olive oil and garlic, or just a big slab of salmon - spaghetti squash adopts any flavor you put on it but also gives the added a little some extra too!



What do you want to know first, how to cook it or its health benefits? Health Benefits it is!


Spaghetti Squash has 42 calories in an ENTIRE cup along with 2 grams of fiber! This makes it the lowest calorie winter squash out there so if any of you are on a low carb diet and a bit skeptical when it comes to winter squash, spaghetti squash is completely suitable for all stages!


Within those measly 42 calories there is an abundance of nutrients that only makes me want to buy every grocery store out of their stock! This squash is full of:
  • Potassium
  • Beta-Carotene
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin E
  • Folate
  • Fiber
Woah Woah Woah, now that's a good looking nutritonal profile if I say so myself!


Now since I am all sure you're dying to know how to cook this type of squash so you too can reap it's benefits... Here's what to do:

  • Bake It -- Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer and place in baking dish. Cook squash in preheated 375F oven approximately 1 hour or until flesh is tender.

  • Boil It -- Heat a pot of water large enough to hold the whole squash. When the water is boiling, drop in the squash and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on its size. When a fork goes easily into the flesh, the squash is done.

  • Microwave It -- Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place squash cut sides up in a microwave dish with 1/4 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and cook on high for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size of squash. Add more cooking time if necessary. Let stand covered, for 5 minutes. With fork "comb" out the strands.

  • Slow Cooker or Crock-Pot - Choose a smaller spaghetti squash (unless you have an extra large slow cooker) so that it will fit. Add 2 cups of water to slow cooker. Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer, add to Crock Pot, cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours.

Once the squash is cooked, let it cool for 10 to 20 minutes so it will be easier to handle, before cutting in half (if it wasn't already) and removing the seeds. Pull a fork lengthwise through the flesh to separate it into long strands. You can do these steps ahead of time, then prepare spaghetti squash recipes whenever you're hankering for some delicious vitamin A, E and C (among other things too of course!)!


Here's a really good link with even more helpful information regarding the health benefits of spaghetti squash and its cousins such as butternut, acorn and pumpkin!


Now that I've let you in on one of my favorite foods, I am going to go eat some right now! I hope you all do the same in the near future! Let me know what you end up doing with it too - I love trying out new recipes!


Saturday, June 27, 2009

Yawn!




You know what... I'm tired. I need to pep myself up... Luckily I have a couple of techniques on how to do exactly that. If any of you are feeling lethargic, just try a couple of these tricks!


1. Splash cold water over your face and sip ice cold water



2. Take a Walk, Jump on the Treadmill (if it's too hot outside), Go Swimming, Bike, Really do Anything Active to Get Your Blood Flowing!



3. Bust Out a Comedy or Hang Out With a Funny Friend - Getting a Good Laugh Totally Peps Me Up!


4. Perhaps You Should Eat Something - Sometimes When All Else Fails I Know it's Because I'm Hungry! Be Sure to Make Your Meal a Nice Balance of Protein to Carbohydrates to Fats (ex: hard boiled egg with sauteed spinach in olive oil sprinkled with flax seeds)



5. Do Some Stretching! No One Stretches Enough (including myself!)


6. Take Some Vitamin C - or Eat it For That Matter (Bell Peppers, Kiwis, Lemons, etc)



7. Be Sure to Consume Enough Vitamin B (Chicken, Trout, Spinach, Tomatoes, Oatmeal, Tuna, Salmon, Avocado, etc)


8. Turn On Some Music (I can almost guarantee eventually you will want to get up and dance!)




9. Try to Chill Out (Cut the stress!)



10. Um, Have Sex?!?! (Who doesn't get more energy from doing this?)



11. Don't Load Up on The Beers & Hard Alcohol (1 to 2 drinks is FINE)



12. Call A Friend or Invite One Over
13. And H
ow About You Just Take a Nap! (Getting just 10 to 30 minutes really peps me up - any longer and I feel rather groggy!)

Friday, June 26, 2009

SORRY NO POST TODAY!



TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY SO I AM TAKING THE DAY OFF! Ha Ha!

If you're wondering I am 22 years old!!!



Thursday, June 25, 2009

BREAKING NEWS!

Farrah Fawcett has died after a long battle
with cancer!

&

Michael Jackson - the king of pop - has died
from cardiac arrest!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Heavyweight Humpday!




SO I REFUSE TO TALK ABOUT JOHN & KATE (+ 8) because well I find the "hoopla" over them to be quite extravagant! They need to sort out their own problems in PRIVATE! I hardly consider them celebrities at all...


With that being said, I think today's blog posting will be more of a "did you hear" over view of what has gone on in the celebrity world in the past week... So here goes:


- Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick have twin girls!
*I am warning you, the daughter's names are NOT PRETTY - well that's my opinion



- Nick Lachey & Vanessa Minnillo have gone Ka-Put!
*Who honestly thought this relationship was going to result in marriage?


- Audrina Patridge may do her own "reality" TV show
*Yea, anything that has to do with the Hills, I won't be watching!


- Johnathan Rhys arrested at airport
*Two Words: Anger Management


- Jennifer Aniston & Bradley Cooper Dating?
*What a cute match, if I can't have him - I am allowing Jen to have him!


- Ed McMahon dies at 86
*Wonderful addition to TV - Sad to see him go!


- Chris Brown finally gets punished
*Bout time!


- Elisabeth Hasselbeck under scrutiny about her Gluten Free Book
*Are there such things are original views anymore?


- Lindsey Lohan's own reality show?
*Who in their right mind is going to watch this show - she's desperate for some cash!


- Gisele Bundchun pregnant?
*What a beautiful baby that will be!


- Rachel Hunter's wedding called off via e-mail!
*Wow, and I thought my relationships were sad! ha ha.


Wonder what will happen in the next week! Regardless, I will keep you up to date: every Wednesday!


Oh and I must make a note... I have another new favorite website:
http://gawker.com/stalker/


*Please help me decide on what I should call Wednesday Posts: Well-Known Wednesdays or VIP Wednesdays or Heavyweight Humpday... any input would be great!

Monday, June 22, 2009

I am reminded of my youth!!!



Gah! So this might be a ridiculous post but at the same time I think it's pretty appropriate since it is that time of year where EVERYONE is grilling (and a lot of people are trying to maintain their bikini/bathing suit bodies!)....



So first I must give some background information... Ever since I was little I have adored ketchup! Ketchup sandwiches were ranked very high on my favorite food combination list! (Mayo sandwiches being a close second)...


But ever since I realized what high-fructose corn syrup was (which was a VERY LONG TIME AGO - thanks to my health conscious mother)... I stopped eating the stuff!


The other day I was ambling around the grocery store, sort of wasting time but also trying to keep myself busy until a check-out line wasn't about 10 people long... when I came across an interesting product in the condiment aisle...


I didn't really think anything of it until I remembered the days of when I was nine years old and younger, eating my juicy corn-fed hamburgers (yea, that's another topic to be discussed) on my very mushy white bun (how I invented the ketchup sandwich)...



Instead of continuing on to the check out line, I picked up a Heinz Reduced Sugar Ketchup bottle JUST TO SEE what filled the sugar void... and TO MY SURPRISE it was only sweetened with some Splenda (which I allow in my diet)!!!!! Not to mention, instead of the typical 15 calories per tbsp there is ONLY 5 and there is even 20 less milligrams of salt in the low sugar variety!

Ingredients as stated on the bottle:
Tomato Concentrate from Red Ripe Tomatoes, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Natural Flavoring, Onion Powder, *Sucralose, Spice. *NOT IN REGULAR KETCHUP

**Not really sure what "natural flavoring & spice" mean but at this moment in time I am too excited to care!

So of course, out of impulse and because it's that time of the year where I miss having ketchup with my burgers... I bought it!


When I finally got back to my place that afternoon I dropped all of my groceries on the floor because my curiosity was brewing intensely and BOY WAS I PLEASANTLY SURPRISE! WHAT A GREAT BUY! (Typically I have no luck with trying new things... I tried a mock ketchup by Walden Farms once and it was REPULSIVE)


This ketchup tasted EXACTLY like the real stuff! It cannot be beat! It's consistency was spot on and the flavor was tangy yet sweet, just the way ketchup is suppose to be!


When I tried my new LOVE on a burger I cooked that evening... even more in love than before... oh and my love grew EVEN FONDER (if it is at all possible) when... I PUT IT ON SPAGHETTI SQUASH!!!
My taste buds are officially ecstatic all thanks to a 15 ounce bottle of Heinz Reduced Sugar Ketchup!


So if any of you out there are trying to avoid high-fructose corn syrup - this product is definitely a WONDERFUL replacement (after all, I wouldn't have an ENTIRE blog post dedicated to it if I didn't think so! ha ha!)



PS: Ketchup (the non/low sugar types) are extremely healthy for you because tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that is known for warding off all sorts of cancers. This antioxidant is also known to be a low dose SPF! Who would have thought that quote "food as thy medicine" could be true! More reasons to love this awesome staple!! **Might as well just swirt the bottle into your mouth, no?**
PSS: This is a Low Carb & GLUTEN-FREE food!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW!!!



So what else is there to do on an overcast and rainy day other than go see a movie... NOTHING! So that's what I did - I went to the movies!


Can you guess what I saw?


It was a comedy...


The F-Bomb was shot off 200 + times during the movie....



There was lots of male nudity (and some female)...



There were chickens...



A baby...


A creepy Asian dude named Mr. Chow...



Bright Lights....



Mike Tyson and his tiger...


Alright, so if you haven't figured it out yet... I went to go see The Hangover!



It was hysterical! I loved every minute of it! This movie does have incredibly sick humor so if you're not that type of person, I would advice you NOT see this movie!


"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" - this quote was most definitely lived up to during this movie! Unlike in the movie starring Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher - they shamed that quote with their movie: "What Happens in Vegas"!!!

Luckily there boys were here to remind us what goes down in Vegas because everything and anything you have ever heard about Vegas happene
d in this movie.



I was slightly reminded of OLD SCHOOL when I saw this movie, although the cast was almost funnier because two out of the four were fresh faces to me! (It's always good to know that there are more comedians out there)...



Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianaki were all equally hysterical in their own ways all relaying off of each others ridiculousness!


Now I can't really write a synopsis to this movie because I don't want to give anything away... but I do want to say is that there are some funny cameo appearances, incredibly raunchy language (and actions) and well... over-all it was a PERFECT GIGI FILM (a perfect GIGI film is defined as one that you laugh your ass off almost the entire way through - I happen to find crude & disgusting humor funny... so if you're like me, you'll adore this movie)....


Oh and to all you ladies out there - yea, Brad Cooper is quite the stud muffin!


Now who doesn't want to go to Vegas?!?!



Viewer Guidelines:
*Don't see this movie with parents

*Don't see this movie with children under the age of 16 (or maybe even 18)
*Don't see this movie with uptight people

*Don't see this movie with grandparents

*Don't see this movie if you or the people you want to see it with will end up doing the exact same things as the characters in this movie... after all it is a MOVIE! ha ha

Friday, June 19, 2009

Ugh, what do I get dad this time?



I am pretty sure a lot of you are scrambling (last minute) to get a gift for your fathers... for father's day which is this Sunday (for all of you who forget, your welcome!)...


I completely agree with all of you when you think to yourself, "What in the world should I get him this year!"



My father is so incredibly hard to shop for because he has very few interests (he is mostly focused solely on
WORK - which is odd because he is retired?!)... and the things that he does like, well I have already given them to him (or he has gone out and gotten them for himself!)


Gah! It's so hard! A card is just not enough... A hug... no, not en
ough either! After all this is your father we're talking about! (I am hoping you all have great relationships with your parents, but if not, then you just don't have to stress out about gifts like the rest of us! ha ha - consider yourself lucky?)


So anyways... Here are some thoughts on what we should all give our dads this Sunday... I will try really hard to make sure they are not CHEESY!



* If your father likes baseball or other sports(A LOT): An electronic baseball score cast (these also come in football, basketball, hockey, etc - so if your father likes any or all of those sports, go for it), Jerseys, Baseball hats (one even comes with a can opener on it - hmmm...) or Season Tickets


* If your father loves wine: A wine of the month membership (just make sure you know what brand of wine your father loves most & you can also do a Beer of the month club too)


* If your father is a businessman: Cuff links, a Tie (yea, that's cheesy but I had to put it in there) or a money clip




* If your father is obsessed with food &/or cooking: Spatulas, Food of the month club (there are many types such as meat, fish, salsa, hot sauce, etc), Oven Mitts, Grill Covers, Beer or Wine Cozies, Cocktail Glasses or Shakers, Cocktail Mixes, Unique Wine Stoppers (corks), Pizza Making Kit, Meat Thermometer or Kitchen Utensil Holister (your dad will feel like a cowboy - but it's really useful!)

* If your father loves all things technology: Video Camera, USB-drive, New Computer Software, Digital Camera, iPhone (since they are OH SO CHEAP NOW!!), Digital Picture Frame, anything Apple, or an App for his iPhone (if he already has one)


* If your father travels a lot: Laptop Case, Toilletries bag, Swiss Army Knife (hm, maybe not on the plane), GPS system (for all those times he THINKS he knows where he's going), a suitcase or briefcase or the Kindle


* If your father loves the great outdoors: Binoculars, Camelback waterbottle/backpack, Hiking Boots, Tennis Shoes, Jacket, Fleece, Sleeping bag, Portable Grill, Fishing Poles or Flies, Tent, Tennis Racket, Football, Baseball Glove


Well honestly, that took me about an hour to conjure up! I really do hope it helps you find the right path to a perfect gift for your father...



But if all else fails... you can ALWAYS create COUPONS for you to help him out for free in anything that he loves! AH HA HA! I definitely did that once and my dad definitely whipped out one of my coupons at Christmas time so I HAD TO HELP!! So if you do decide to do this... don't forget you did!!



(And for any of you who are FRIENDS - the TV show - watchers... you may be thinking about the "Joey Love" coupon... and that just makes me laugh!)

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Speil-ague

(This will make them go away!!)


You're probably curious about the heading on this blog post. Well if you haven't figured it out already (which I am pretty sure you haven't...) it's a splice between Speidi (Heidi & Spencer Pratt) and the Plague...



It seems as if everyone hates this couple so much that they are trying to avoid them as they would the plague.


Now I'm not saying I like these two but do you think that all the "bashing" from multiple media outlets is really necessary?


I just logged on to E! Online and one of their stories is "Should E! Be a Speidi-Free Zone?"... And this isn't the first time I have come across such headlines.


The other day on the Today Show, Heidi and Spencer dropped by for a quick chat about their "escapades" on "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here"... and well let's just say, Heidi and Spencer weren't the least bit pleased when they left the show.


(Please don't tell me you're thinking about GOING UP another size Heidi!)

According to Reality TV Magazine Online, Heidi, told Ryan Seacrest (on his radio show) after the interview: “I was shocked at how rude he [Al Roker] was. I was crying afterward because I couldn’t believe I felt personally attacked. I wanted to say to him, do you feel proud of how you’re talking to me right now? I’m just a young woman and you’re coming at me so aggressively and meanly and mean-spirited.”


I have to agree with her, Al really should have kept his personal feelings about his dislike for the Pratts to himself but at the same time this "IN YOUR FACE" couple sort of asks for it... I mean just check out clips from "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here"... They are incredibly ridiculous!

(What ON EARTH is going on in this photo!! They both look like they're dropping a load... ha ha ha!)

One other thing I have to note that is slightly off topic is how Heidi "preaches" how religious she is... well that seems like complete nonsense to me because if she did practice what she preaches she certainly would have stayed a virgin until she was married (which I know for a fact that she did not) and no one as RELIGIOUS as HEIDI says she is would POSE FOR PLAYBOY!


(Haven't we seen ENOUGH of those girls?)


That's right, if you haven't heard it already Heidi will be showing off her fake assets in I think it's the September Issue of
Playboy Magazine! I wonder if it says anywhere in the Bible that in order to become a prophet, you have to pose nude... Maybe in her version... (I bet Spencer reprinted her version to make it say something like that because he seems to manipulate her ways 100%)...


What do you all think of the Pratts?

Monday, June 15, 2009

The Other Red Meat...


Ever heard the saying: "The other white meat"? When you do hear that, it typically refers to PORK... as apposed to white meats such as Chicken and Turkey.... Well what if I wanted to talk about the other red meat... what do you think I would be talking about?


....



Alright, give up? I'm talking about OSTRICH! That's right, this bird is full of delicious and nutritious red meat!



So if you're looking for an alternative this summer to your typical beef hamburger... look no further than ostrich! It's lean and delicateness don't detract one bit from it's amazing flavor! It's so hard to describe it's flavor, you just have to see for yourself.


What isn't hard to tell though is how healthy this red meat is for us! With only 97 calories in 3 ounces... Ostrich has 2/3rds less fat than grain-fed beef or pork and 1/2 the fat of chicken! This meat also has more iron than beef, chicken, turkey or lamb and it even DOESN'T contract harmful bacteria like E-coli and salmanila because all Ostrich has very high pH levels (the body's balance between acid & basicity - having high pH means they have a bit more acid to kill off bacteria). Oh and did I mention that ostrich is extremely high in protein, very low in fat (and the fat it does have is the healthy kinds - omega 3s) and also very low in cholesterol!


Now I know you are curious and want to try it out! Well in case you were also wondering... ostrich meat comes in cuts similar to beef and lamb (with sirloins, steaks, ground meat, etc)...


Doesn't this meat sound like an extremely healthy investment?! No
w the only trouble is finding where to buy it. If you have a Vitamin Cottage near by... that would be the first place to look (freezer section)... but if you don't have one close by (or they don't offer any there) I have a few on-line sources where you will be able to get your monies worth: So I do hope you all take advantage of this meat! If only fast-food joints were serving up this good stuff - maybe I would actually go to one!!


(WOW THAT IS ONE MAD OSTRICH!)

***Oh and by the way... here is a little TRIVIA for you: Ostriches (obviously) lay eggs.... and one of their eggs can feed 12 people!!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Some Things Just Don't Work Out








Ever made plans that just sort of fell through leaving you wondering: "Now what am I going to do with myself?"... Well most Saturdays and Sundays I am left with that question... When the weather just doesn't pan out, or a friend is all of a sudden unavailable - I'm left to figure out how to occupy myself for the rest of the day...


To all of you who are on the same boat as me... I have come up with some ideas on how to keep your days filled with activities that make the time pass:


1. Outdoor Sports (Soccer, Basket Ball, Frisbee, Golf, Biking, Skate Boarding, Hiking, Tennis, Swimming, Roller Blading, Kayaking, Tubing, etc)

2. Sun-Tanning (now, do this safely!)

3. Scrap Booking (It's time to get rid of the magazines you've had since last June!)

4. Puzzles

5. Baking (and if you really want to have fun, film yourself doing it and pretend like you're on a cooking show! ha ha)

6. Cleaning (because it has to get done SOME TIME!)

7. Catching Up on Odds & Ends (Grocery Shopping, Target, Dry Cleaning, Car Wash, things like that)

8. See a Movie

9. Get a Pedicure/Manicure (Yes, gentlemen you can get them too! ha ha)

10. Get a Massage

11. Card Games/Board Games

12. Surfing, Wind Surfing, Jet Skiing, Sailing, etc (if you live near water)

13. Voluenteering

14. Sleeping (ah yes, who wouldn't want to?)

15. Site-See (yes, sounds odd, especially if you've lived in your town for a while, but it's amazing what you haven't seen!)

16. Sample Food at Different Restaurants

17. Go to the Museum or Art Galleries (yes, you know you want to)

18. Spend the afternoon at the bookstore (definitely have done that before!)

19. Have a Picnic or a Cookout (You can do this in a healthy fashion too)

20. Walk Your Dog or Borrow Your Neighbors

21. Jump on a Trampoline

22. Run Through The Sprinklers

23. Do a Crossword Puzzle (These take me a very long time! ha ha)

24. Play Wii

25. Just Relish in the Moment of Not Having a THING TO DO!


So yea, those might be some LAME ways to fill in your afternoon but sometimes doing at least SOMETHING is better than NOTHING at all! And even if you do decide to do absolutely NOTHING - Don't feel too guilty, after all the weekend is your time off so why not really USE IT THAT WAY!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Is There Such A Thing As Healthy BBQ?



Who doesn't have a memory filled with BBQs, family, friends, sunshine and outdoor activities? Oh the memories of helping dad at the grill flip the burgers and dogs while mom prepares the condiments. Of course it could have been the other way around or who knows, maybe you were the one cooking, well whatever your memories may be, I am pretty sure every one's included things such as hamburgers, cheese burgers, hot dogs, ribs, corn, potato salad, etc... This is where BBQing gets a bad wrap because all the foods listed are known for their extreme calorie and saturated fat content!


Foods such as...

  • Hot Dogs (Pork or Grain-Fed Beef)
  • Grain Fed Hamburgers
  • Ribs
  • White Buns (PLEASE USE WHOLE GRAIN BUNS!!)
  • Ketchup (full of sugar)
  • Coleslaw
  • Potato Salad
  • Corn rubbed with Butter
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Chicken Wings

... should either be eliminated completely or eaten sparingly...


Luckily though, healthy BBQ isn't an oxymoron; it certainly can be done! Here is a list of wonderful foods on the grill, that are healthy and won't do damage to your waistline/figure:


Some wonderful marinades (chimmichuri sauce being one) can be made for all of the above listed along with crazy combinations of different yet healthy foods... anyone ever try a turkey burger stuffed with olives, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes & hot sauce? What about a beef burger with artichoke hearts, olives, capers, garlic & minced onions?


In order to retain the FLAVOR (that you might think is LOST from not eating the fatty cuts of meat typically seen at a BBQ) you simply have to be creative! (Oh and I am sure I will post some intense combinations sooner or later...) Just to suppress your intense desire for my creations... here is a list of wonderful herbs, spices, seasonings, and other condiments to use on your new and improved BBQ foods:

  • Thyme
  • Basil
  • Oregano
  • Sage
  • Chili Powder
  • Mustard Powder
  • Curry Powder
  • Paprika
  • Parsley
  • Rosemary
  • Pepper
  • Cumin
  • Olive Oil
  • Tomato Paste
  • Olive Tapenade
  • Sun-Dried Tomato
  • Olives & Capers
  • Pickles (no sugar added)
  • Sauerkraut
  • Mustard (no sugar added)
  • Citrus Juices

And yes, you knew this part was coming... condiments to avoid:
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Jarred Relish
  • Bread & Butter Pickles
  • Butter
  • Mayonnaise
  • Honey Mustard
  • Cheese

I'm sorry if this ruined BBQing for you because it really shouldn't... You just have to give the "It Is What It Is" Approved Food List a chance! I promise you will be impressed with the results and your stomach will also be thanking you and asking for more at your next family gathering! So why not break out the grass-fed beef and the halibut steaks and get grilling!!







*Things to remember: marinating all meat before cooking helps reduce the formation of chemicals that are formed when foods are cooked at high heat. Also remember to clean your grill before and after use! Pot Holders may be useful and also consider having a fire extinguisher near by if your new to the whole grilling thing!

*I don't know if you caught on... but the foods in green = GO FOR IT... while the foods in red = STOP! Ha Ha!
*Sorry Jack Daniels... but you are full of sugar!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Play Baby?




So I guess that stripper pole is going sooner than she expected....


For any of you who have caught the first two episodes of Kendra Wilkinson's new show on E!... She specifically said that if she were to have kids, the stripper pole she installed into her new home [before getting ANY furniture], would be taken down.


Well I guess it's time to take it out of the house [or at least in 9 months] because she's PREGNANT! That's right, one of the Girls Next Door has a bun in the oven, and it's NOT HUGH HEFNER'S! (Well at least lets hope not... that would make pretty good TV though).


So obviously you all caught me, I have watched Kendra's new show and... I used to watch the Girls Next Door on a regular basis! Guilty as charged! But I am a slave to all things "E!" so I guess I am OK with being caught!




Speaking of being "caught"... Her fiance (and baby's daddy?) Hank Baskett is a football player for the Philadelphia Eagles (football - catching, yeah, I know good one! ha ha)... Let's just hope he's ready to take on the role as daddy!


As for being a mommy, good luck to you Kendra. Apparently your "kinky sex" worked in terms of getting your pregnant! (She has stated numerous times how she and Hank have the best sex and a lot of it... I wonder how Hef feels about that?) While I know you have said that you have calmed down quite a bit and want a family now that you're out of the Playboy Mansion... The first episode of your new show didn't show any signs of you slowing down!


But you know,
Nicole Richie was a WILD CHILD before her first daughter, Harlow and now she is a really great mother (or so I can see from pictures) and has matured beyond her years... So perhaps pregnancy will do that you you too Kendra!


One thing that Kendra is going to have to stop doing right off the bat which might make her go "nuts"... is stop drinking! She was known (and still is) as the biggest party girl. In the episode of her new show in which Hank meets Hefner... Hef says that Kendra is the BEST PARTY GIRL! ha ha.




Speaking of parties though, Kendra and Hank will still be getting married June 27 (a day after my birthday) and I am sure the bash will be out of this world! (Plus it's at the Playboy Mansion - can't beat that!)


Once again, good luck Kendra!

Monday, June 8, 2009

MUNCHIE MOMENTS!


(SNACK ATTACK!!)

So you just got home from work... feeling exhausted... ready for a pick-me-up in the form of... well FOOD... you get to your cupboard and think... "well what do I want"... you know you should be healthy but with all those crackers, cereal, cookies, etc in there you know you can't be... and at a certain point (like right then and there) you just don't care. You know though, you will care later but for that moment in time all thoughts about the future are put on pause. You grab for the stash of Keebler Fudge Shoppee cookies. Ripping the sealed bag open emits a powerful aroma of chocolate and deliciousness. You grab two cookies, put the packaged back in the cupboard and before closing it, sink your teeth into the first cookie. "heaven" is the only thought going through your head... although you should be thinking, oh no, what have I done... this cookie is nutritonally void of ALL nutrients and won't satisfy me until dinner! After you polish off the second cookie, you look at your hands and see little chocolate bits on them so you start licking. When your hands look spotless... you think, now what. Instead of walking away to unwind in another fashion (reading a book, magazine, exercising, etc) you grab the box of cookies from the cabinet again and trek on over to the TV. You think to yourself... "today was a long day, I deserve this"... plop down on the couch and munch away mindlessly until the box is pretty much empty.....

While not EVERYONE follows this scenerio a lot of people do find it difficult to figure out a healthy snack option for when they get home from work, school, etc. I too come back to my apartment with a gnawing feeling in my stomach every so often and turn to the pantry for support. But what differs from me and most people is that my pantries are stoked with extremely healthy foods (as is my refridgerator) so I know my snack will be nutritious and will give my body the boost it needs. Everyone can do the same just as long as they purchase the right things...

Here is a list of some great snack foods to keep on hand for those "munchie" moments!


1. Cherry Tomatoes
2. Bell Peppers
3. Cucumbers

4. Pickels
5. Canned Fish
6. Canned Breast Chicken in Water


7. Pureed Pumpkin with Cinnamon & Stevia (no-calorie sweetener)
8. Kale/Eggplant/Zucchini "Chips" (bake any of these vegetables after seasoning with garlic, salt, pepper & olive oil spray, until crispy)
9. Iced-Black Coffee (Decaf, sweetened with Stevia - for the moments when you know you really aren't all that hungry)
10. Cabbage (Green or Red) with Olive Tapenade, Sun Dried Tomatoes or Mustard
11. Anti-Pasti (Aritchoke Hearts, Turkey Slices,
Olives, Gerkins, etc)
12. Seaweed (Nori Sheets, Kelp, Laver, Dulse, etc)

13. Canned Tomato Paste (Yes, it sounds VERY odd, but it's astonishingly delicious and so very healthy for you!)
14. Cruditee (Raw Zucchini/Summer Squash, Asparagus, Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Celery, etc) with Olive Tapenade (which comes in MANY varieties)
15. Cup of Tomato Sauce
16. Sliced Turkey or Chicken Breast
17. Hard Boiled Omega-3 Enriched Eggs
18. Hemp Seeds/ Flax Seeds
19. Egg White Omelete
20. Baked Low Sugar Fruit (Apples or Pears) sprinkled with Stevia & Cinnamon



*Combine any of the above ingredients*


I know some people are thinking that the foods listed above don't even come close to the Keebler Fudge Shop Cookies... which is true, but think about your health. Think about your body. How does your body respond to eating an entire box of cookies? How does your body respond to eating Hard Boiled Eggs with Olive Tapenade? I am pretty sure the latter makes you feel a lot better physically AND mentally! So do yourself a favor and the next time you're at the grocery store, pick yourself up some raw vegetables that can easily be cut for emergecy snacks when you arrive home famished and exhausted. After a while, you won't even desire the pint of ice cream or mac and cheese you would have orignally gone after!

*The Snack Selections above are extremely healthy and follow a gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, soy-free & sugar-free lifestyle - if you need "carbs" etc... by "googling" for healthy snacks you will be able to find numerous ideas!