Thursday, November 26, 2009

Oh it's my 2nd favorite day of the year!!!

So obviously you now know that today (Thanksgiving) is my 2nd favorite day of the year, November 1 being the first.... and even though both of my siblings decided to NOT come to Thanksgiving dinner with my parents, I still had a good day and a great meal.... Here is the meal I ate (plus a bit more on a second plate!! Oh and... I did eat a lot more when I was putting the left overs away! ha ha)





(On this dish: Breast Meat Turkey, Roasted Onions, Stewed Onion in Turkey Drippings, Roasted Butternut Squash with Cinnamon, Brussels Sprouts & Leek Sautee, Roasted Chestnuts & A Large Salad dressed with Flax Seed Oil Dressing underneath the entire mound! Oh right and I ate the turkey's heart too - mm mm good!)



Hope you all stuffed your face good just like me!! ha ha! Have a good rest of your day.... NEXT UP: CHRISTMAS!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Inevitable Holiday Lbs...



Well I am on DAY 2 of my fall/Thanksgiving break... and let's just say... I think I have already packed on about 5 lbs!!! ha ha!


Typically this ALWAYS happens when I go home though because my dad is a MASTER cook and loves to LOAD UP on the olive oil!!!


So yea, I thought I'd share the wealth... and tell you all a recipe that I am OBSESSED WITH... but you must know, I am not the BRAINS behind this recipe... Kalyn's Kitchen is... so thank you Kalyn for contributing to my new found ass... ha ha!


Warm or Cold Salad with Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Red Pepper, Capers, and Basil Dressing
(Makes 4-6 servings)


16 oz. frozen or canned artichoke hearts (I prefer frozen artichoke hearts, but canned artichokes are often cheaper)
1 T extra virgin olive oil
salt and fresh ground black pepper
12 oz jar roasted red pepper (or use one red bell pepper roasted on a barbecue grill)
3 T capers (drained but not rinsed, next time I might use even more)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
freshly chopped parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Basil Dressing:
2 minced shallots (or use about 2 T finely minced red onion)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (or use 3-4 tablespoons purchased basil pesto, frozen basil, or Pistou sauce)
3 T fresh lemon juice
1 T white wine vinegar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (I'd use a bit less if using pesto, frozen basil, or pistou sauce)
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste




Directions:
1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350F / 175C. Pour roasted red bell pepper into a colander placed in the sink, and let drain well.)


2. Thaw frozen artichokes in the microwave, or drain well if using canned artichokes. Put artichokes in large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and fresh ground black pepper. (Use a bowl that's big enough for finished salad, so you don't have to dirty two bowls.) Spray small baking sheet with non-stick spray or olive oil, then arrange artichokes in a single layer and roast for 20 minutes.


3. While artichokes roast, fit food processor with steel blade and process minced shallot (or red onion) and chopped basil (or basil pesto, frozen basil, or pistou sauce.) When shallots and basil are fairly well chopped, add lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and Dijon and process 30 seconds. Then measure 1/2 cup olive oil (or a little less) and with food processor running, add it slowly through the feed tube and process 1-2 minutes, until dressing mixture is well-blended.


4. Put roasted artichoke hearts back into the bowl and toss with 1/2 cup basil dressing, then let it marinate for a few minutes if you're not rushed for time. While artichoke hearts marinate, cut roasted red pepper into same-size pieces (I cut them into small strips about 1 inch long.) Chop red onion into very small pieces and drain capers. Add roasted red pepper, chopped red onion, and drained caper to marinating artichoke hearts, and enough dressing so that all ingredients are moistened. (You will not need all the dressing, but save it to re-moisten any leftover salad.) Season salad with salt and fresh ground black pepper, sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil if desired, and serve.


***While this recipe doesn't call for too much olive oil: my dad DEFINITELY used about 5x more than what's recommended! ha ha! Oh and I ate like the ENTIRE 6 servings!!***


PERHAPS this could be a Thanksgiving side dish?! Turkey and this concoction sounds like a dream come true to me!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Food Review + Coupon!

Just ate some lunch... after an intense cardio and weight training session... wanna know what I ate? OF COURSE YOU DO!! ha ha.


It's by far the best combo of food ever - and ALL PROTEIN: that's right, need to build up my muscles after pumping that iron!


My Combination: Yellowfin Tuna jarred in Olive Oil + 2 Whole Omega-3 Enriched Eggs!


(mmmm, over easy!)


BOO YA - Definitely HEAVEN in my mouth... and in my stomach right now!


So you might be wondering, "where's the food review"... well I am here to review:


TONNINO TUNA


According to their web site: this yellowfin tuna is carefully selected and hand picked in glass jars to create a product of exceptional appearance, taste and texture!


AND I COULDN'T AGREE MORE!


Boasting 6 different varieties of tuna... this stuff doesn't disappoint ONE BIT!!






Popping open the jar, you see these tube shaped tuna fillets of deliciousness covered in olive oil waiting to be eaten... and depending on what flavor you buy... the armoas of oregano, garlic or hot peppers aren't far behind after twisting the lid!


And while some of you may just think that this stuff tastes like canned tuna in olive oil, you're wrong! I don't know if it's the jar, or the type of tuna, but the taste is just magical, definitely not what you would find in a can!


Oh and certainly DON'T miss out on the Ventresca, which is the fattiest most delicious part of the yellowfin tuna as it is it's belly! And as the website calls it: "the creme de la creme"...


Are you worried about the mercury that might be lurking within these succulent fillets?? I mean we have ALL heard that tuna is pretty high up on the list when it comes to being contaminated with mercury... right?


Well listen to this: Tonnino tuna fillets are manufactured from small, juvenile Yellowfin tuna, which are low in mercury...
It has been proven that Yellowfin, or light tuna, have mercury levels that are three times lower than canned Albacore tuna (also called white tuna), according to a Department of Health study . (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2004_news/04-012.htm).


Straight from the web sites mouth... and into mine! ha ha!


Oh and now that you don't have to feel like your poisoning yourself when you eat this stuff... you can simply sit back and enjoy the numerous benefits it has to offer from high quality protein to an amazing amount of omega-3 fatty acids!


So how would I grade this stuff?? Well I think you can already tell... I give it an A!


Not an A + though because it's a bit hard to find... but if you have a Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage or a store similar... you will more than likely find these products tucked away in one of the aisles!


PS: Just to give you even MORE motivation: here is a $1 off coupon! But hurry it expires at the end of next month!!!


***Do you remember this post awhile ago... about my FAVORITE salad ever: well, eggs & tuna come together in that bad boy too so if you're looking for a more rounded meal: try it out!!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Jaw Dropping Benefits!



It's odd for me to not have a piece of gum in my mouth... or a pack (or 5) in my purse on any given day... I won't lie to you: I am Wrigley's FAVORITE CUSTOMER (if only they knew I existed)... because I chew upwards of 5 packs of gum a day! YES FIVE!!! (At least it's sugar free right?!)




So in order to make myself feel better about this habit... I need to remind myself of the benefits of chewing gum... And to all you out there who chew a lot too... Don't feel so badly!



- Chewing burns 11 calories an hour (and sugar free gum, one piece, has less than 5 calories!)

- Many athletes & coaches chew gum to "stay in the game"

- Some schools have encouraged students to chew gum to increase mental focus (alertness & concentration)

- Stress reliever & Frustration tamer

- Relieves boredom

- Improves ability to learn, retain & retrieve information

- Increases blood flow to the brain

- Reduces plaque, cavities & stains (sugarless)

- Remineralizes enamel to strengthen teeth (sugarless)

- Good way to tell yourself the MEAL is over




So there you have it! Currently I am chewing ORBIT SPEARMINT... what are you chewing?


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Cosiest Place On Earth... For You... And Other Intruders!

(nope, not me, wish it were though!)


So this past week I had the option of cleaning my bed sheets but instead of doing so... I reminded myself that I was going to have to make my bed with new sheets... and well I just got plain lazy!


(ha, yea, wish that were my bed room - HARDLY!)


Well I exhaustively dragged myself back to my apartment after class today and snuggled up in my comforter and sheets (haven't been washed in... two weeks!)... When I woke up from my half asleep/ half awake nap... I thought to myself,



'what in the world am I cuddling with... was it a BAD MOVE not to clean my sheets?'


According to science, everyone sheds skin cells... including when we're sleeping... and to dust mites, these skin cells look like huge cheese burgers or glazed donuts (whatever your vice may be)... so basically more mites are attracted...




While dust mites aren't really dangerous, many people are allergic to these little miscreants which leads to sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throats, you know the symptoms...




And as for your throw pillows and stuffed animals (yes, you do have at least a cuddly bear on your bed, don't lie)... you should show case them far from your bed if you suffer from dust mite allergies.


Oh and did I mention... we all SWEAT when we sleep too... sleeping is a work out... too bad people can't lose weight by sleeping alone, well unless you have some EXTREME sleep dreams! ha ha!


In any case, so what's the recommended amount in a month people should wash their sheets?


Some say at least once a month, while others say once a week... So if I go with the latter, I am in good shape and don't need to even think about what I might be going to sleep with tonight... but I won't lie to you, I am a sleep sweater and well, my feet get DIRTY when I wear flip flops... so yeah, I probably should have washed em' but oh well, if I don't get sick... then I am good! ha ha!


Yeah, I just jinxed myself: KNOCK ON WOOD!!


(I don't think this little guy gives a rat's booty about dust mites!)

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Put Em' Up!

Man... if anyone crosses my path and gives me lip I could certainly TAKE EM' OUT.... especially now that I have "perfected" my jabbing skills! So watch yourself... you never know when an upper-cut is coming your way!


(Watch out - This is my attack face!)


Seriously though, if you're bored with your work outs.... (I'm talking to you: chick/dude on the elliptical - Oh wait, that's ME!)... totally sign up for a boxing class, or sign up with a trainer and ask him/her to focus on boxing with you!


You hit two birds with one stone: cardio exercise & weight bearing exercise! What more could you want?


(TAKE THAT 1993 FORD TAURUS)


So I intrigued you huh? Well... since I am no expert, I figured I'd link you all to a web page that details the WHAT TO DOs and the WHAT NOT TO DOs of boxing!




What I can tell you though... is that I am already feeling pretty sore... and I finished my work out... about 5 hours ago! Gotta load up on the protein or perhaps sit in a ice cold bath tub! ha ha!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Just in case you care about CU-Boulder

For my newscasts at CU-Boulder, they have to relate some what shape or form to our school or the Boulder community... So I was RIGHT on the MONEY when I came up with this story idea!



ENJOY!



Tuesday, November 3, 2009

HAPPY FOOD!



Around this time of year people start getting stressed out because the holidays are around the corner and depressed because day light savings make the sun set earlier... and oh right: the weather pretty much "always" stinks and it's cold!



Well I just came across a list of some of the happiest foods in the world... and if you eat happy foods, you become happy because after all, you are what you eat, RIGHT?!



Ready... Set... Happy Foods!

(And yes the rainbow is completely necessary! ha ha)

- Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel, Tuna, Sable Fish(Black Cod), Anchovies & Eel
(AKA: Fatty-Fish or Free Ranged Red Meat full of omega-3 fatty acids & Vitamin D!)




- Spinach, Romaine, Kale, Arugula, Swiss Chard & Mustard Greens
(AKA: Leafy Green Vegetables)




- Flaxseeds, Hempseeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds & Sesame Seeds
(AKA: High in Healthy Fat Seeds)




- Omega-3 &/or Vitamin D Enriched Foods
(AKA: Eggs & Mushrooms)



- Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Broccoli, Asparagus & Artichokes
(AKA: Foods with Folic Acid & Soluble Fiber - to keep things regular... and we all know how happy we can be when we are! ha ha)




- Leeks, Onions, Garlic, Scallions, Shallots & Garlic
(AKA: Any vegetable in the Allium family)




- Seaweed
(AKA: Basically everything that comes from the sea/ocean is HAPPY! Expect in Nemo's case when he couldn't find home... but he eventually did, just remember that! ha ha)












Sunday, November 1, 2009

MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR!



Yea, the title of this post says it all! I love November 1st because...



1. When I wake up everyone is still sleeping off their hangovers from a rough night before
2. It's typically sunny and a tiny bit brisk in the morning when I walk outside
3. The leaves crinkle under my feet
4. Autumn is in the air




BONUSES FOR THIS YEAR:


1. Day Light Savings - That extra hour of sleep was AMAZING last night!
2. Sunday - One of my favorite days of the week - No one stresses!



(Can you believe - the above is where I live!!!)