I have a confession.

I am a magazine thief.

Over the weekend, I snagged a copy of People from the magazine rack and stuffed it into my gym bag for Sunday afternoon reading.

People recently crowned Beyonce the “world’s most beautiful woman.” Apparently this is the female version of “sexiest man alive?” (I am not ga-ga over last year’s selection, by the way. Bradley Cooper is nowhere near as attractive as their 2010 pick, whom I gushed about here.)

In the interview, Beyonce discusses her new life as a mom and discloses that she’s obtained her svelte postpartum figure by adhering to a strict diet and exercise regimen. The magazine provides a sample “menu” from her day, which includes ample amounts of lean protein and some vegetables.

I love Beyonce, and think that she is a healthy role model who celebrates a beautifully curvaceous body in a far-too-skinny Hollywood. However, her indirect assertion that the key to weight loss lies in limiting carbohydrates not only wrongly vilifies an essential nutrient, but promotes and perpetuates unhealthy relationships with food.

The truth is that our bodies NEED carbohydrates. And if you’re an avid exerciser or athlete, your body really needs carbohydrates! The topic of the 50-page research paper I completed two weeks ago (thank goodness that’s over with!) was post-workout nutrition, which meant that I spent many hours thumbing through research studies. The 20+articles I read arrived at more or less the same conclusion: carbohydrates combined with protein provide far superior physiological benefits than  protein alone.

Writing that paper reaffirmed what I’d been told, but had chosen not to believe for a long time. For years, I’d eat next to nothing after working out, believing that depriving myself of food was a ticket to a lean body. As I grew older, I learned about the importance of post-workout protein supplements, and began downing protein shakes, as if no other food existed.

[source]

I was doing the hard work in the gym and I was drinking “bodybuilding shakes,” but I wasn’t seeing results.

Or at least not the results I wanted. Instead of building sexy muscle, I was losing it.

Well, duh, Sara!

It was so hard for me to accept that my body truly needed carbohydrates. I’d latch onto any article or piece of advice that vilified them, and would let those words control my decisions.

Learning the truth, and writing about it, has helped me say “no” to those thoughts, and as a result, I’m finally gaining the muscle that I’ve always wanted. I feel strong both inside and out.

However, I’d be lying if I pretended that I now eat carbs with a completely carefree attitude, because that’s simply not true. There are days when I questions whether a half cup of oats is too much, or whether my sweet potato is a few ounces too large. The constant stream of media encouraging us to cut back on carbs wherever we can sure isn’t helpful.

But the truth is, the advice shelled out in many magazines is there to sensationalize and generate profit.

Here are the hard facts: when you’re working out, carbohydrates (in the form of glycogen) spare protein by serving as your body’s principal source of fuel. Carbs provide the most efficient source of energy for both cardiovascular and strength training workouts.

Restricting carbohydrates before and after periods of intense exercise will likely cause your body to use protein as an energy source. This results in the breakdown of hard-earned muscle proteins to be used as fuel during workouts, or to replenish muscle glycogen after training.

That means that along with the fat Beyonce is losing, she’s very likely losing lean muscle mass as well.

In a fitness world where the importance of protein is placed on a pedestal, it’s easy to “forget” to consume enough carbohydrates, just as I did. However, even though sugars and starches are frowned upon, these carbohydrates are your body’s MOST important workout fuel source.

And let’s not forget another equally important factor: carbs are pretty gosh darn delicious!

In other words, eating a pint of gelato isn’t exactly the same as eating healthy sweet potato fries.

However I truly believe that there’s a time and place for both. While I do my best to fill up on natural and unprocessed carbohydrates, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy refined sugars from time to time. I try to live by a 90/10 rule. In other words, about 90% of my carbohydrates are complex, and the remaining 10% are refined.

A few of the complex carbohydrates I enjoy incorporating into my diet on a regular basis include:

• Sweet potatoes (preferably drizzled with peanut butter)
• Fiber and Flax tortillas
• Overnight oats
• Oatmeal crackers (check out Carrie’s recipe here)
• Popcorn (a new study shows that its packed with more cancer-fighting polyphenols than most fruits and vegetables!)
• Bananas

My favorite sources of simple carbohydrates include:

• Pretty much anything sweet and delicious. When I’m treating myself, nothing is off limits.

There’s no question that fueling our bodies with the right energy, most of the time, will enable us to rock it in the gym, on the field or in the yoga studio.

overnight oats are great pre-workout fuel

But let’s also not forget the simple pleasures-—those fun treats that have the ability to bring a smile to our faces.

Carbohydrates don’t make us fat. Too many carbohydrates make us fat. But so does too much protein. Our bodies were designed to metabolize all three macronutrients (carbs, protein, fat), which means there’s nothing to fear.

If we trust our bodies, our bodies will trust us.

As my dear friend Meg said in this post, there’s simply no room for deprivation in a strong, healthy, and happy lifestyle!

Nourish. Sweat. Live. Love. Enjoy.

Do you watch the amount of carbs you consume? Have you ever tried a low carb diet?

What are your favorite “healthy carbs?” Favorite “treat carbs?”

Who is your “sexiest man alive?”

Are there any other gym magazine thieves out there?

Happy Sunday! And to all the mom’s out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Last night I attended an amazing dinner hosted by Chobani (recap coming soon!), and woke up this morning craving—you guessed it—more Chobani. However, when I opened the refrigerator, I realized that I only had 1/4 carton left. I decided to use the last few dollops of yogurt on top of my latest food obsession: a healthy banana split.

I can’t get enough of  these! I usually enjoy one post-workout, but it makes a wonderful breakfast too. To make my splits, I drizzle protein frosting and PB2 on top of a sliced banana and then top it with yogurt and granola.

Cookies or Ice Cream?

I’ve seen this “This or That” survey on many blogs, and can’t help but join the fun. But before I get started , I want to share a quick recap from Friday evening.

Cookies or Ice Cream? Is that even a question?

I met my friend, Whitney, after dinner for a mani/pedi at Mimosa. This salon stays open till 11:00 each evening, making it a perfect girls’ night destination spot. Upon walking in the door, we were greeted with a glass of champagne, and invited to soak our feet in the massage chairs.

While we were getting pampered, Whit and I caught up on each others’ lives and made predictions about the upcoming premiere of The Bachelorette (it begins Monday night!).

My roommate Chris says that the color reminds him of the fluorescent vests people wear to avoid being hit by cars at nighttime. Ha! I say that if that’s the case, then those vests are now fashion statements. Tangerine orange is the color of the season, no? 

After our nails were dry, we stopped at Dolcezza, the place where I enjoyed my whole milk cappuccino a few days ago. This time, however, I traded the cup of coffee for a pint of gelato.

I couldn’t decide on a flavor because honestly, they all sounded good! After standing at the counter for five minutes sampling, I ordered Vahrona chocolate, nocciola del piemonte (hazelnut) and lemon ricotta cardamom.

It was even better than it looks.

*******

Okay, now it’s time for that survey. Enjoy!

Coke or Pepsi?

I honestly cannot tell a difference between the two! However I always buy Coke products when given the choice because they seem more “classic.” (Yep, I’ve totally bought into their marketing tagline). Rootbeer is my favorite soft drink though!

Lemonade or fruit punch?

Lemonade! You can always find Crystal Light in my pantry, however nothing beats fresh squeezed lemonade, especially when it’s bought from kids selling it at stands in the summer. (I used to be one of them!)

Caramel apple or cotton candy?

Neither. If we’re talking indulgent fair food, I’m going with funnel cake!

Butterfinger or Snickers?

Snickers, because they contain real peanuts, but Reece’s peanut butter cups are my all time favorite candy.

Pudding or Jello?

If I’m choosing based on the amount I’ve eaten in my lifetime, Jello. If I’m choosing based on what I truly love more, definitely pudding! (from scratch, please!). I used to eat a pack of sugar free jello every day. No joke. Those years were not a shining point in my life. 

Turkey or chicken?

Chicken. I think it has better flavor than turkey.

American or Provolone cheese?

American cheese in grilled cheese sandwiches! I rarely buy Provolone, but I always have goat cheese in my house. I also love feta, gorgonzola and gruyere (yep, I like my cheese strong and stinky!).

Crackers or cookies?

Is this a trick question? Cookies, of course! These are my all-time family favorite, but I make these peanut butter cookies when I need to satisfy a craving quickly.

Pretzels or chips?

Chips. I love Food Should Taste Good White Cheddar corn chips,  but on special occasions I’ll indulge in the not-so-good for you brands. Check out this plate of Doritos nachos my friend, Tom made for my small group a few weeks ago!

Mexican food or Japanese food?

I refuse to answer this question. I LOVE both! However, Japanese restaurants offer the healthiest options.

Tuna sashimi is one of my favorite foods!

Chinese food or Italian food?

Italian. Not a huge fan of Chinese. The sauces are too thick!

Ice cream or cookies?

Definitely ice cream. I love the real thing most, but frozen yogurt is near and dear to my heart too.

Pasta or pizza?

Pizza! Crispy crust and gooey cheese. Need I say more? Even rice cake pizzas are delicious.

Soda or juice?

It’s been hard to break my soda habit because I love fizzy beverages. The bloat I get after drinking them? Not so much. So, I’ll shamefully answer the question: soda.

Chocolate bars or chocolate truffles?

If it’s chocolate, it doesn’t matter the form. Love it all!

Apples or bananas?

See the first picture in this post. There are many ways I like to incorporate bananas into my meals!

Salad or soup?

Salad in the summer, soup in the winter. Both are great ways to sneak in several serving of antioxidant-rich veggies!

Cauliflower or broccoli?

I love both roasted, but never raw! Pureed cauliflower covered with cheese is one of my favorite veggie dishes to serve friends and family!

Onion rings or french fries?

French fries. Especially sweet potato fries and truffle fries.

Blizzard or McFlurry?

McFlurries when I’m in Europe (they have better add-ins, like peanut M&Ms!); Blizzards in the US. Although I rarely have them because there aren’t any DQ’s in DC!

Fried or poached eggs?

Poached. However this is my latest egg obsession.

Crepes or pancakes?

Crepes! Preferably with Nutella and bananas.

Hashbrowns or roasted potatoes?

Roasted potatoes.

Oatmeal or cereal?

Cereal! I’m slowly but surely learning to like oatmeal though.

***************

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Questions for you:

Cookies or ice cream?

Favorite carnival/fair food?

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

Gosh, I’ve missed you all!

It feels SO good to have free time to write again! No more 50-page research papers for this girl.   The past week was one of the busiest of my life; it was filled with ups (completing that crazy long paper), downs (a few too many missed workouts) , triumphs (I moved!) and tribulations (three  hissing squirrels were loose in my house–seriously), but I made it through, and now I have a free week to take a deep breath, catch up with you, and enjoy a few indulgent pleasures before I start summer session next week.

Instead of writing a long-winded “I did this, then I did that” essay, I’m going to do my best to recap with a “What I’m Loving Wednesday” post.

Enjoy!

1. Cappuccinos.

Yesterday was my first “free” day, so I took my computer to Dolcezza, a gelato shop located one block from my new house for some much needed “me time.” I relaxed, people watched, caught up on emails, uploaded photos and gave the blog a little TLC.

Dolcezza isn’t just known for it’s gelato; the coffee is supposed to be some of the best in the city, according to my trusty critic-friend, Yelp, so I was excited to give it a try.

Drip coffee at Dolcezza

I usually roll with decaf in the afternoon, but Dolcezza doesn’t stray from traditional preparation, so I had no choice other than to go “full caff.”

Another option I didn’t have? Lowfat milk. When I ordered a skim cappuccino, the barista looked at me, a twinkle in his eye, and said, “Oh you don’t want that. Whole milk is so much better.”

This almond milk-loving girl was skeptical.

But he was right.

I don’t think I’ll ever order a skim cappuccino again.

2. The return of rooftop happy hours.

On Saturday, I met friends at Policy to celebrate Jen’s birthday.

Okay, let’s not ignore the obvious here: someone got a little color happy.

On the way over, I told my friend, Elaina, that I felt like a walking rainbow. I’m so in love with oranges, pinks and corals this season, so I couldn’t resist pairing the two together. People were either staring because I looked like stylista or because I’d taken the bright color-block trend a little too far.

Later that evening, my friend James confirmed my fears when he exclaimed, “Sara, what happened?!”

Color block gone wrong.

Whatever. I had fun rocking those orange pants and pink sweater. I’m going to own it.

Fashion faux pas or not, the rooftop happy hour was a blast. Policy was holding a Kentucky Derby party on Cinco de Mayo, which meant free mint juleps (didn’t catch a picture) and sombrero-donning bartenders pouring free champagne.

So classy.

We also split several orders of truffle fries.

These were possibly the best French fries I’ve had in…well, years. And that creamy truffle dipping sauce on the side? To. Die. For.

3. New roommates who love moscato champagne as much as I do.

Meet Jared.

And Chris.

I’m now living in a house with four men, so you’ll be seeing a lot of these guys. On Sunday night, Jared brought a bottle of my favorite champagne to our in-house Mad Men-viewing party.

I think I’m going to like this living arrangement. In exchange for dating advice, I get free glasses of my favorite bubbly beverage!

The part I’m not so hot about? Cleaning up their mess! Why can’t men boys get their dishes to the dish washer? They say they’ll do it, but it never happens. Oh vey.

I spent three hours organizing, scrubbing, washing and stacking pots, pans and plates in our kitchen yesterday morning, and snapped a photo so that I wouldn’t forget how it sparkled pretty for one hot minute.

4. Pink post it notes.

See the photo above. They’ve become essential reminder tools in our house. No more “forgetting” that the blender doesn’t belong in the spice cabinet. :-p

5. Pink camera.

[source]

Speaking of pink (my favorite color—and it always has been!) check out the newest addition to my photography family! I use a DSLR to take pictures of food at home, but it’s a pain in the caboose to carry around during the day, especially because  it takes up half the space in my purse. So I usually resort to iPhone photos when I’m on the go. However, a few days ago I realized that I’d never used an Amazon gift card I’d received at Christmas, and decided to put the money towards a compact point-and-shoot that I’ll be able to use more discreetly at restaurants and bars. The sneakier, the better.

6. Pastel nails.

Fun colors aren’t just for cameras and  clothes. Oh no. Bring on the pastel polish! I’ve been wearing these two shades all week: Essie in Art Deco and Revlon Quick Dry in Jade.

7. Liquid hummus.

Pretty much crack in a bottle. This has been dumped on top of nearly every salad I’ve eaten this week. If a Trader Joe’s is near your home—or even if there’s not and you have to drive two hours to reach one—I highly recommend you try this salad dressing.

8. Starbucks Frappuccino happy hour.

The Bucks has brought it back! From now until May 13th, Frappuccinos are half price between 3:00 and 5:00pm. Have you heard about the two new flavors, Mocha Cookie Crumble and Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme? (!) Sounds like indulgence in a cup. Albeit delicious indulgence in a cup.

I’m getting my Frapp fix today. Are you?

I’ll be back in a few days with another post. Until then, humongous HUGS!!

**********

Questions for you:

What’s your milk type? Coffee type? Frappuccino type?

1) I love unsweetened almond milk (Silk brand is the best!), but think I’m on my way to becoming a whole milk-in-my-cappuccino-convert. 2) I almost always order Americanos or espressos at café’s. 3) I love mocha light frapps!

Do you live with guys? Any tips on getting them to clean up?

]]> http://nourish-and-flourish.net/2012/05/creamy-coffee-and-color-crazed/feed/ 53 http://nourish-and-flourish.net/2012/04/bringing-back-ice-cream/ http://nourish-and-flourish.net/2012/04/bringing-back-ice-cream/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:30:03 +0000 Sara http://nourish-and-flourish.net/?p=2051

It’s moving day!

I was up at 5:00am this morning so that I could sneak in a leg workout before I finish packing frantically stuffing the last few items into boxes. I filled six huge bags of trash yesterday, and four of them contained hard-to-part-with essentials.

these were the ones that didn't go in the trash!

Magazines!   I have a pretty serious magazine addiction. They pile up in my room and I just keep stacking them in different places. It’s especially hard for me to get rid of issues of Oxygen and Cooking Light; they’re my bibles for everything fitness and cooking.

Anywhooo, the movers are coming soon and I still need to shower, but I want to talk quickly about something that happened Sunday that was pretty big deal.

Last week I told you about three foods I want to bring back into my life. Well, yesterday I started tackling that list.

I can’t remember the last time I had full fat ice cream! Frozen yogurt? Of course. Coconut milk ice cream? Almost every day. Arctic Zero? Always stocked in the fridge. However, when I started my new meal plan a few weeks ago, Tara suggested that I treat myself to real ice cream once each week instead of eating fake fluff every day. I thought it was a brilliant idea.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love my Pinkberry and Edy’s Slow Churned, but let’s not kid ourselves: nothing beats the real thing.

So, after spending most of the day packing, Alec, Stephen and I walked to Pitango, a locally-sourced gelato shop.

We stood at the counter sampling flavors for nearly 10 minutes. I tried hazelnut, pistachio, chocolate noir, almond and crema before deciding on cardamom and vanilla.

God bless patient ice-cream scoopers.

Both flavors were smooth, creamy and prefectly sweet. I’d never tried cardamom ice cream, and became an instant fan; it tasted like  spiced chai tea!

I’d be lying to you if I said that I wasn’t a bit apprehensive about bringing real ice cream back into my life. Ice cream—and I’m talking the kind from a shop that doesn’t display nutrition information—has been a “no-no” food for a long time. My old logic was this: too much sugar + too much fat +no nutritional benefits = no reason for eating, especially when lighter versions are available.

However that logic was depriving me of something I enjoyed. Something I’ve loved for as long as I can remember. And that deprivation led me to consume a myriad of foods that were worse for my body than real ice cream (hello sugar-free pudding and fat free Cool Whip!) made from nothing more than milk, cream and sugar.

The portion was perfect—-just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth, but not too much to make me uncomfortable.

After finishing our ice cream, we ducked into Whole Foods and stole a few soup samples (who says you can’t have savory after sweet?), and headed home to watch Mad Men.

Halfway through the show, I realized that I was hungry again, so I made a batch of egg white clouds to munch on. Since making an Egg in Cloud a few weeks ago, I haven’t been able to get enough of these babies!

they may look funky, but they're crispy, crunchy and oh-so addicting

Egg white clouds are a fun, healthy snack you can make in minutes. Just beat as many egg whites as you want until stiff peaks form (I usually use three or four), add a tablespoon of Parmesan cheese, and bake for 5-7 minutes at 450.

I also munched on a small piece of pumpkin spice chocolate chip bread, which was sent to me by Alley!

So Sunday may not have been the cleanest eating day, but I’m hopping back on board with healthy food today! I sure did enjoy my weekend treats!

That delicious pumpkin spice chocolate chip bread (SO good!) is a perfect segue to discuss Foodie Pen Pals!

My Foodie Pen Pal for the month of April pulled out the stops! Alley, from At Home with Alley, treated me to an incredible package filled with homebaked treats.

She also included the SWEETEST note. <3

Not only does Alley have a HUGE heart, but this girl sure knows her way around the kitchen! Inside my package I also found buckeyes (chocolate-covered peanut butter balls <–omg!), caramel popcorn dark chocolate trail snack mix (made with mini popcorn!), white chocolate caramillicans, chocolate-raspberry hot chocolate, a chocolate bunny, and recipe cards for everything included.

Everything was delicious! THANK YOU, ALLEY!

If you’re interested in becoming a Foodie Pen Pal, check out the details here. Lindsay has put together an amazing program that now has 600+ participants. You don’t have to be a blogger to enter!

Okay, time to wrap this up! The movers will be here any minute. Guess what that means? No shower for this girl!

But really, who smells good on moving day?

Are you a magazine junkie like me? Which magazines do you subscribe to/buy on a regular basis?

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Have you ever tried any “strange” flavors like cardamom?

I’m a big believer that vanilla is NOT boring! But it’s best when studded with peanut butter cups.

I’ve been waiting a long time for this.

say wha? waiting for...oats?

Since I began reading food blogs two years ago, I’ve seen 543782 beautifully photographed and prepared bowls of overnight oats. Yet it wasn’t until this morning that I made a bowl for myself.

I blame my Dad. His specialty—a very different version of overnight oats—was probably the only breakfast I dreaded when I was young. (Sorry Dad; I loved your cornbread though!). My father would prepare oatmeal per the directions on the box, with the addition of a mound of raisins, and let it sit on the stove all night long. In the morning it would be a gelatinous bowl of thick goo.

Who wants to start their day eating gelatinous goo? Not me!

Thank goodness my venture into the world of delicious overnight oats was quite different than the overnight oats I remember from my childhood. I savored every creamy bite, and I’m looking forward to a breakfast repeat this morning.

I can’t say I’m an oats girl yet, but maybe an almost oats girl. These will definitely be appearing at breakfast again soon, because my new meal plan (designed by Tara, to coincide with my 6-week weight lifting regime—-more to come about that soon), calls for oats every single morning.

Uh oh. This is going be a steep oats-loving learning curve.

I promise not to bore you with images of the bowls of oats I’ll be devouring in the coming weeks, but today marked a milestone in my corner of the foodie world, so I had to tell you about it.

Just one more look.

1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup almond milk, stevia and lots of cinnamon

Pheww. I have sufficiently gotten oats- sharing out of my system. For now.

Alongside my oats, I enjoyed an egg scramble, which included one whole egg + four eggs whites, spinach, red onion and garlic.

It was a filling meal that powered me through a tough leg workout that included 90 lunges, back squats, deadlifts, incline leg presses, calf raises, leg curls and step-ups. Ooomph.

*3 Things*

A few days ago, I saw a fun post of Stefanie’s blog, which was inspired by a post she’d seen on Katie’s blog. I absolutely  loved both posts (it’s always fun to learn new factoids about friends!), so I thought I’d pass on the love and do my own rendition. I shortened Stef’s version a bit and came up with a few new categories of my own. Enjoy! 

3 Things that always make me laugh…

1. The “Dear Baby Jesus” scene from Talladega Nights. It leaves me in stitches every time. You need to watch this if you haven’t already.

[click image to watch on YouTube]

2. Any episode from Friends. Especially the Thanksgiving episodes.

3. Making a fool of myself in front of hundreds of people by singing karaoke renditions of “Red Neck Woman” with the ladies.

3 beauty products I’m in love with right now…

1. Stila cream blush in petunia and fuscia.

2. Victoria’s Secret Coconut Passion Lotion. I slather it on when I want to believe I’m back in Maui.

3. Moroccan Argan Oil by Organix. A budget-friendly way to get sleek, shiny hair without the Brazilian Blowout.

3 places I’ve traveled to and hope to visit again…

1. South Africa—-one of the most culturally rich and geographically gorgeous countries I’ve ever been to.

2. Swiss Alps—-literally breathtaking!

3. Riviera Maya, Mexico—-the water is so warm and crystal clear.

tanning my toes

3 Things I plan on doing over the summer…

1. Go to Vegas for the first time. I’m hoping that this Diva will join me!

2. Obtain my CPT (personal training) certification and begin working on my  CNS (certified nutrition specialist) certification.

3. Learn to sew. I’ll be home for four weeks this summer, and at age 26, I plan on finally learning how to thread a needle. Homegirl needs to be able to alter dresses that don’t fit in the right places.  IfyaknowwhatImean. 

3 foods I want to add back into my diet…

1. Coconut Butter. I use coconut oil liberally now, but haven’t had this butter in years! I think it’s time for a little Whole Foods splurge.

[source]

2.Real ice cream. Yep, I’m talking the full-fat kind. It’s been years. Instead of filling up on the fake stuff every day, I plan on treating myself to the real deal once each week.

3. Oatmeal. I’ve checked overnight oats off the list, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had cooked oatmeal.

3 (random) things that take me back to my childhood…

1. Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese. This was my absolute favorite meal. I requested it for my birthday dinner every year until I was 13.

2. Skip-It. (Could anyone else keep themselves entertained for hours with this thing?)

3. Polly Pocket.

3 4 Quotes I live by…

[source]

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
–2 Corinthians 4:18

“I admit it’s tempting to wish for the perfect boss – the perfect parent – or the perfect outfit. But maybe the best any of us can do is not quit, play the hand we’ve been dealt, and accessorize what we’ve got.”

–Carrie Bradshaw

**YOUR TURN!**

Tell me three things about YOU! You can pick from the categories above or create your own category.

AND…

Are  there any overnight oats/oats in a jar/oatmeal virgins out there like me?

If you’re an oatmeal lover, pleeease share your favorite oatmeal recipe with me!  Help me learn to love it!

1. EGG-SPERIMENT

The “egg in a cloud” I ate for lunch yesterday was the most fun I’ve had with food in a loooong time! I eat eggs nearly every day, but I’ve been growing bored with the traditional scrambled, hard-boiled and over-easy thang.

Well, I refuse to be bored by my food, so after discovering that eggs were the only protein source hanging out in my fridge yesterday,  I tapped into  the best of my inner cave girl and the best of my inner domestic diva.

a runny yolk is where it's at

Oh gosh it was good.

Your eyes aren’t fooling you. That’s real bacon on the side. (Sidenote: I’m happy that bacon is back in my life because it compliments egg dishes so well. Don’t fear the bacon, friends!)

This was such an EASY, yet fun and elegant lunch. It literally took me 15 minutes to prepare, and the flavor was out of this world.

Basically, all I did was whipped up an egg white until stiff peaks formed and folded in a tablespoon of finely grated Parmesan and a tablespoon of chopped chives. Then I mounded it into a “cloud” on a greased baking sheet, made a well in the middle (for the egg yolk), and baked it for 3 minutes at 450 degrees (until slightly brown).  I then took it out of the oven, added the yolk and baked it another 3 minutes.

The Parmesan cheese created a savory and slightly crunchy “meringue cloud” nest for the soft yolk. It was a prefect contrast of textures and flavors!

After finishing my meal, I returned to the kitchen and baked a few more egg white clouds for snacks. There are so many fun variations that could be created with this recipe; I can’t wait to egg-speriment more. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

2. CORAL KATE SPADE WATCH.

Via Pinterest, of course.

[source]

Aaaaand it’s sold out. Of course.

What a tease! It seems like more than half the style items I spot on Pinterest lead me to old links or “no longer available” messages. Whaaah. Oh well, I guess it’s built in budget control.

3. CUTE CORAL SANDALS FOR $25.

[source]

4. CUTE CORAL SANDALS FOR $650.

[source]

I think it’s also time to install a price filter on Pinterest.

5. NOM NOM PALEO.

I discovered this blog last week and have already bookmarked 20-something recipes to try. She’s a bacon-lover too!

(But there are plenty of meat-free recipes for my veg friends!)

6. SANGRIA

Apparently I’ve been living under a rock, and somehow missed the launch of Bethenny Frankel’s Skinnygirl Sangria last August. This is a must-try! I’ve never been a huge fan of tequila, so the original Skinnygirl cocktail didn’t excite me too much, but sangria? Yes please! A discovery made just in time for summer.

And get this: a Skinnygirl version of my favorite cocktailwill be hitting stores soon!

6. MANTRA:

[source]

In other words: Go get ‘em! Stop dreaming, and DO! Live your life, NOW.

That’s all for today! I have to keep things short and sweet until I’m finished with finals. Thank you all again for reading! Your comments, thoughts, suggestions, advice and love make my day, every day. <3

Hugs!!

P.S. I just found out that my last post, Chocolate Chip Coconut Banana Protein Bars, was selected as Foodista’s blog post of the day! Make sure to check out Foodista—-a fantastic resource for breaking  food and nutrition news!

Questions for you:

1. Egg yolks: runny, soft or hard?

2. Does anyone else have my Pinterest problem (“falling” for things that are either too expensive or sold out?)

3. What’s your favorite cocktail and/or summer drink?

I’m not a huge drinker, but I love sweet and refreshing cocktails. Pina coladas are number one in my book, which isn’t surprising, considering my love for both pineapple and coconut.

4. Bacon: Yay or nay?

]]> http://nourish-and-flourish.net/2012/04/what-im-loving-wednesday-418/feed/ 47 http://nourish-and-flourish.net/2012/04/chocolate-chip-coconut-banana-protein-bars/ http://nourish-and-flourish.net/2012/04/chocolate-chip-coconut-banana-protein-bars/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:00:38 +0000 Sara http://nourish-and-flourish.net/?p=1964

Hello! Thanks for all your sweet words of encouragement about my decision to go cardio-free! Your support means more than you know. Truly. Whenever I feel doubtful, I re-read your inspiring comments.

I know my posts have been sporadic lately, but there are only a few more weeks left before my 50-page research proposal is due, so I’ve been working nonstop! Whelp. Putting together a blog post after spending six hours writing a research paper doesn’t have quite the same appeal as it usually does, if ya know what I mean.

But reading your blogs most certainly does! In fact, blog reading is how I unwind and de-stress at the end of the day.

And baking most definitely does too.

I woke up yesterday morning feeling refreshed, revitalized and ready to kickstart the day!

Then I glanced at my alarm clock and realized why. I’d slept two hours later than I’d planned.

Whoopsies!

I literally bolted out of bed, eager to make up for lost time.

My first thought: How in the world do I sleep through three alarms?

My second thought: Breakfast time!

My third thought: My legs are saaoooore.

When I hired Tara to be my personal trainer, I knew she wouldn’t mess around. But I’m still feeling the effects of Monday’s lower body workout two days later.  I guess when you spend an hour squatting, curling and lunging around a weight room that’s bound to happen.

I actually enjoy being sore because I know it means that the time and effort I’m putting into my workouts is making a difference. Tired legs also greatly decrease my desire to do run, which is very helpful as I transition from seven days of cardio to one.

My sore muscles need good fuel to assist with growth and recovery, so I’ve been diligent about drinking protein shakes after every strength workout.

1 scoop MRM protein powder, 1 T. PB2, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 banana, 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, stevia, ice

I’m continuing to love my MRM Whey. If you’re looking for a new protein powder, definitely give this one a try!

I’ve also been eating mini meals like this…

Dr. Praegar's spinach cake, pan "fried" tofu, 1 hard cooked egg, 1 egg white, asparagus, ketchup, avocado, Laughing Cow blue cheese

(I Iove “snacky” lunches with lots of condiments for dipping and spreading!)

and this…

sea scallops seared in coconut oil, spinach sauteed in coconut oil, steamed sweet potato

….every 2-3 hours, 6-7 times each day.

It feels like I’m always munching on something. (Because I am).

These nuts are life changing, by the way. Maybe a little more candy-like than health nut-like, but absolutely delicious.

I’m giving my body what it needs, and that’s a bit more food than I’m used to. Even though I’ve loved adding more healthy fats to my meals (avocado, peanut butter and almonds are my best friends, yo), I’d be lying if I told you that increasing calories is easy peasy all the time. It’s a challenge. But it’s a challenge that I’m 100% committed to.

Less cardio+ more lifting + lots of great food is the prescription for feeling my best ever.

My focus has been on enjoying whole Paleo-esque mini meals, which are relatively easy to prepare  when I have time to cook. However, when I’m on-the-go, the temptation to grab a packaged bar is high.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Luna bars, however I’ve discovered that I can bake something that is far more nourishing and delicious than a bar that’s been sitting on a grocery store shelf for a few months.

These Chocolate Chip Coconut Banana Protein Bars combine an irresistible trifecta of flavors into one delicious bite.

Coconut, banana, and chocolate? Yes please and thank you.

Chocolate Chip Coconut Banana Protein Bars

Inspired by this recipe. Makes 16 small bars or 8 large bars

1/3 cup coconut flour

1/3 cup almond meal/flour

2 scoops vanilla protein powder (I used MRM, but any protein powder will work)

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

6 packets stevia (I used NuNaturals)

1 ripe banana, mashed

1 t. vanilla extract

4 eggs

1/2 cup coconut milk (from a can, not light)

2-3 T. mini chocolate chips

Optional: shredded coconut and extra chocolate chips for topping

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×8 pan with cooking spray or coconut oil. Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl, then add wet ingredients. Once everything is incorporated into a batter, stir in the chocolate chips. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.

***After the bars are finished baking, you can top with shredded coconut and more chocolate chips and toast in the toaster oven for a minute. Or, you can add the coconut towards the end of baking.

Nutrition per small bar: Calories: 88; Fat: 4.9 grams; Carbs: 6.1 grams; Fiber: 2.3 grams; Protein: 5.3 grams

ENJOY!

*THREE THINGS THURSDAY*

I want to share a few newsworthy items before I go.

1. Did you hear Mr. Quaker Oats had a makeover?

Plastic surgery can become addictive. Just warning ya, Larry.

[source]

Apparently the new “Larry” is younger, leaner and trimmer (haircut!) than his old self. 

2. Coconut wraps!

[source]

This is a new product discovery that I’m really excited about! Pure Wraps are a grain-free, gluten-free, raw alternative to tortillas, and they’re made with just three ingredients: coconut, coconut water and Himalayan salt. I ordered a few packages to try, and will be reporting back with a review soon!

3. I’m moving to a new house! I’ll have five roommates (including one of my best friends, Elaina), all whom I’m beyond excited to live with. But the best part may be gaining access to stove burners that light on their own without the assistance of a lighter. (!!)

HUGS!!

How many alarms do you set? How do you de-stress at the end of the day?

Do you enjoy or dread muscle soreness after a strength workout?

Are you a “condiment queen” like me? What are your favorite condiments?

What do you think of Larry’s makeover? Do you want him his oats more, now that he’s looking younger and leaner?

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a sandwich for breakfast.

As in, like, 15 years long time.

I know. But I have my reasons.

Yet, if you’d asked what my favorite breakfast was when I was little, I would have told you, without hesitation, that it was an Egg McMuffin.

And I would have added that the smiley face chocolate chip pancakes at IHop came in a close second.

Who else used to love ordering these?

[source]

But we’ll talk about those when I make chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. This post is about egg sandwiches.

Granted, I was rarely given the opportunity to enjoy an Egg McMuffin. My mom made it clear that McDonald’s pit stops were for long car trips only.

My brother always ordered the Sausage Biscuit. This was before McDonald’s started selling 20 other things for breakfast. Back then you really had two options: Egg McMuffin or Sausage Biscuit. Oh, and hash browns on the side. Gosh, I loved them.

When I began experimenting  with a modified Paleo-style diet, I started giving myself permission to truly enjoy the foods I once loved, but had convinced myself I no longer loved because they didn’t fit nicely into my “healthy lifestyle.”

Foods like avocado, whole eggs and…bacon. (Yep, I ended up adding bacon to that sandwich!)

It’s not that I hadn’t been eating these foods; I had. It’s that I hadn’t been eating these foods without feeling a twinge of guilt afterwards.

But over the past few weeks I’ve began embracing all real foods. It’s the man-made stuff that’s not healthy. Natural fats, proteins and carbohydrates are healthy.

There are many scarier things for sale in the grocery store than organic bacon.  (Like fake bacon. Read the ingredient list!)

Anyways, I’ve come across a lot of fun Paleo-style recipes lately! I have an ever-growing list of “must-makes.” And an expanding list of “make-agains.”

Creamy Zucchini Pasta (seen in my last post) is one such recipe.

Click here to make some for yourself!

When I stumbled across Paleo-style biscuits on Pinterest the other day, I knew had to make them.

I baked two batches in one day. The first time around, I followed this recipe, halving it, to be sure I liked them (almond flour is way too expensive to waste!).

They were good, but a tad bit dry. And the muffin shape just wasn’t biscuity enough.

The second time, I tinkered around with the flour ratios a bit, baked the biscuits on a baking sheet, and got a result that was much better.

If you’re looking for a grain-free, high fiber biscuit, meet your new best friend. I ate three in one day (be careful of fiber overload! ) and my third batch is in the oven as I type this. They’re wonderful slathered in honey butter or coconut oil. Click here for the recipe!

**UPDATE: Going Cardio-less**

It’s been a long time since I updated you on my progress with LiveFit! Last Sunday, I finished Phase  2, and on Monday, listened to the introduction to Phase 3. However I quickly realized that I wasn’t ready for Phase 3. Jamie Eason explains that Phase 3 is the “leaning out” phase, which is definitely not something I’m trying to do! I’m still working on gaining muscle mass. Five to ten pounds of  muscle mass, more specifically.

I didn’t get the results I wanted with LiveFit. And it’s not because the program is flawed; it’s a great fitness regimen, and I’d recommend it to almost anyone. The reason I didn’t get the results I wanted was because I didn’t completely follow the program. I did cardio all the way through—almost every day—which definitely compromised my efforts. When you’re trying to gain muscle, your body needs extra energy to build that muscle. Doing cardio burns off that energy, leaving the body with nothing to work with.

I knew this. But I didn’t want to believe it.

I LOVE cardio. It makes me feel good. I love sweating. I love the feeling of accomplishment after running eight miles.

But I had to ask myself, How badly do I want to be my best? Am I willing to give up something I love in order to get something I need?

The answer is YES.

[source]

Cutting back on cardio is going to be one of the hardest things I’ve done in years. Cardio is my clutch. Cardio is my escape.

But I’m doing it because I know my body will function best with more muscle.

The lovely Tara is in the process of designing a custom program for me that will be heavy on lifting and very light on cardio. I’m kind of scared, cuz this girl doesn’t mess around.

I’ll provide more details soon!

I hope your day is beautiful!! xoxo

Questions for you:

What was your favorite breakfast when you were little? Any Egg McMuffin lovers, like me?

Are there any foods you know you shouldn’t feel guilty about eating but you  feel guilty about eating anyways?

Nut butters were a big one for me for a long time! Now I don’t think twice about them. Same goes for avocado.

Tell me what you had for breakfast today! And, if you worked out, what did you work?

While I’m waiting for Tara’s program, I’m repeating Phase 1 of Live Fit. Today’s workout will be shoulders!

**Today I’m talking about a semi-controversial topic. Even though I’m studying to become a nutritionist, I am not yet certified, and therefore my opinions shouldn’t be considered a prescription to follow a particular diet or way of eating.**

Hi there! This is a pretty lengthy post, so no hard feelings if you skip to the end to see the awesome goodies my foodie pen pal sent and then scadaddle away.

If you’re a healthy living blogger, or enjoy reading healthy living blogs, you’ve probably stumbled upon references to the Paleo Diet. Initially, I thought “going Paleo” was a crazy fad, but the more I read, the more I was intrigued.

[source]

Could eating a diet similar to what our ancestors ate—primarily meat, vegetables, fruits and nuts—really be the optimal diet?

Roasted salmon and warm kale salad

I wanted to find out what all the hype was about, so I chose to write a paper on the topic for my Sports Nutrition class. To make  my research more interesting, I embarked on a semi-Paleo eating plan myself.

Paleo Chocolate Coconut Cake Brownie In a bowl combine: 1/4 cup pumpkin, 2 T. coconut flour, 2 packets stevia, 2 egg whites and 1/2 t. baking soda. Microwave for 2 minutes. This is the best mug brownie I've tried!

 Before I go into the details of what I ate, I want to provide a little background information about the diet for those of you who are unfamiliar with it.

The Paleo Diet, as its name suggests, is a eating regimen based on the presumed diet consumed during the Paleolithic era, a 2.5 million year period that ended around 10,000 years ago. As the theory goes, humans once ate exclusively wild plants and animals; however with the development of agriculture, they began turning to farmed foods, such as grains (particularly wheat, rice and corn). As eating patterns shifted and became more grain-heavy, human health worsened.

The modern Paleo Diet is an eating style that’s comprised of up meat (organic and wild, as much as possible) vegetables, fruits, and nuts, but excludes grains, legumes, dairy, salt, sugar, and any processed foods.

Support for the Paleo Diet

The argument for the Paleo diet stems from the theory that humans began experiencing “diseases of civilization,” such as heart disease and cancer, when we began producing food of their own. Supporters of the diet propose that humans aren’t adapted to handle the food that was introduced in the agricultural era, namely grains, processed food and starchy foods.

Avoiding these diseases is a primary justification for the diet, but Paleo-style eating is also very popular in the body building and weight loss communities because of the emphasis on high protein consumption, low glycemic foods and relatively low carb consumption.

Controversy Surrounding the Paleo Diet

The theory behind the contemporary Paleo diet is not bullet-proof. There is debate about the diet of Paleolithic humans since skeletal remains from that era have been found with grains in their teeth. Furthermore, even if the non-grain diet theory is accurate, Paleolithic humans only lived to 25-30 years on average, so they weren’t likely to live long enough to contract diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

My Take

I think there is a lot of merit behind the Paleo Diet, however I would advise most people to steer clear of an exclusively strict eating regimen.

That said, there are a million good reasons to avoid processed foods, and by eliminating grains, there’s more room on the plate for nutrient-dense, low-glycemic fruits and vegetables.

Paleo Zucchini Alfredo (recipe coming soon)

Furthermore, grains are a problem for people who have gluten sensitivity and those susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome, so removing them from the diet is beneficial. Grains and legumes also contain lectins, phylates and phytates, which may inhibit the absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and manganese. Pyridoxine glucosides, which may prevent vitamin B6 absorption, are also found in grains.

However, eliminating grains and legumes from the diet could be detrimental to those who require higher amounts of carbohydrates—-especially endurance athletes. The Paleo Diet does allow for sweet potatoes, which are a fantastic source of slow-digesting carbs.

Baked sweet potato fries--my favorite!

However a person can only eat so many. (Actually, I could them all day, but I think I’m the exception, not the rule!)

For vegans and vegetarians, removing grains and legumes would be somewhat problematic because it would reduce the opportunity to mix foods to attain complete protein consumption requirements. Vegetarians could get around this by eating Paleo-friendly eggs…and more eggs…and more eggs!

As far as meat goes: We are certainly omnivores in that we are capable of consuming animal and plant based foods, and in my personal opinion, we should be. I’ve found that my body functions best when I’m eating meat, poultry, fish and eggs, as well as an abundance of vegetables and fruits. However, those who follow the Paleo diet and choose to consume primarily high fat cuts of meat (read: lots of saturated fat) the majority of the time, may be putting themselves at risk for heart and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, if a person can’t afford to buy organic, and grass-fed, and instead choose commercially raised meat, they will be exposing their bodies to antibiotics, steroids, chemicals and other toxins.

My “Paleo” Plan

As I mentioned above, I decided to eat “Paleo-esque” while I researched, to see if made a difference in the way I felt.

Strawberry, avocado, almond and spinach salad

So how did it go?

Gambas de Ajillo: Shrimp in olive oil from Jaleo

I loved it.  :-D In fact, I’ve felt better these past few weeks than I have in years! My digestion has “harmonized,” and I feel more satisfied and satiated after eating.

However I’m not sure that I would have loved it had I not made a number of modifications.

What I changed:

•  Even though I don’t eat a lot of beans, I could NEVER EVER give up my beloved peanut butter!
• 
• The inclusion of some dairy. I love cheese, so I continued adding small amounts to my meals for flavor. However I chose to cut back on my consumption of yogurt and cottage cheese (not eliminate it), as these have been problematic for my digestion in the past.
• The inclusion of whey protein after strength workouts. Cutting into a huge steak after a sweaty workout is not appealing, in my opinion!
• The inclusion of stevia, which is not technically Paleo, but still used by a lot of Paleo followers.

Eating “Paleo” has  forced me to confront some of my fears about fat, and I’ve realized that consuming full fat coconut milk, some full fat meat, and increased amounts of avocado and olive oil has reduced my cravings for sugar and processed foods.

There’s SO much more I could say, but this post has become a novel. I’m planning on continuing this experiment, and I’ll definitely let you know how it goes!

Plan on seeing many Paleo-style recipes in future posts!

One more thing before I go:

**FOODIE PEN PALS**

I just realized that I was supposed to post this yesterday! Ooopsies. Better late than never, right?

I’d like to share the amazing treats I received from my foodie pen pal, Lisa! This was my first time participating in Foodie Pen Pals, and I’m so glad that I did! Lisa sure treated me well.

The package she sent contained:

• Raw clover honey (yum!)
• Bragg’s Organic cider vinegar
• Box of dates
• Raspberries in Dark Chocolate bar
• Homemade cinnamon roast almonds
• Chia seeds

The chia seeds aren’t pictured because, well, when I opened the package, this is what I found:

Chia explosion!

Of course, this is what the box looked like after I’d removed all the goodies. Fortunately I was able to salvage most of the chia seeds. I’ve already used them to make another batch of Chocolate Chia Protein Pudding.

Thank you so much, Lisa!!

And thanks to Lindsay, for organizing Foodie Pen Pals! If you’d like to join the fun (and I highly recommend that you do), click here.

Have a FANTASTIC weekend!!

xoxo

What are your thoughts about the Paleo diet? 

Do you think eliminating grains, processed foods and dairy from the diet is a good idea/beneficial to our health?

How would you feel about consuming more full fat products like coconut milk, meat and oil?

If you’re a foodie pen pal, what was the best thing you received this month?

]]> http://nourish-and-flourish.net/2012/03/penpals-and-the-paleo-diet/feed/ 37 http://nourish-and-flourish.net/2012/03/what-im-loving-wednesday-coconut-milk-and/ http://nourish-and-flourish.net/2012/03/what-im-loving-wednesday-coconut-milk-and/#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000 Sara http://nourish-and-flourish.net/?p=1879

Hey hey, happy Wednesday!

I hope you’re all having a fantastic week! The past few days have been pretty wonderful over here because my mom and her manfriend, Dave, are visiting me and my brother in Washington, DC.

Monday night dinner at Agora with Dave, my mom, my brother and two of my best friends, Neal and Elaina

Our time together has been spent doing what we do best: eating, shopping,  cafeinating, cooking, shopping, eating and eating some more.

We’ve been on-the-go nonstop, but I wanted to pop in and let you all know that you haven’t been forgotten! Whenever I have a free moment, I try to read blogs, but please don’t take it personally if I haven’t said hi lately; I’ll be playing catch-up tonight and through the weekend!

School is absolutely crazy right now as well, but I refuse to let it keep me from enjoying the simple pleasures in life.

Because it’s all about enjoying the simple pleasures, right?

So, without further adieu, this is what I’m loving, drinking, wearing, searching for, wondering and reading right now.

Enjoy!

1. What I’m Drinking: Coconut Milk (from a can)

On Sunday night, my family gathered around the TV for the season premiere of Mad Men!

You can’t watch smooth-talking men knock back cocktails without enjoying one or two of your own.

Even though I’m not a big drinker, I do love a good Pina Colada. The only problem with this sweet creamy cocktail is that it’s usually loaded with not-so-good for you ingredients.

I made Skinny Pina Coladas for everyone by blending equal parts light coconut milk, coconut rum and pineapple juice with ice.

The next day, after a tough workout, I found the leftover coconut milk in the fridge and decided to throw it into a smoothie.

I had no patience to make it look pretty

My Coconut Cream Protein Smoothie contained 1/2 frozen banana, 1/4 cup light coconut milk, 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk, 1 scoop MRM vanilla protein powder, and a handful of ice.

Bliss.

If you haven’t tried coconut milk (from a can–not the carton stuff!) in your smoothies, do it RIGHT NOW. It makes them SO creamy and satisfying.

What I’m Wearing: Tangerine Orange

I can’t get enough of this color!

Not only am I wearing it on my nails, but I’m also now the proud owner of tangerine pants, sweaters, shoes and dresses.

You can’t have too much of a good thing, right?

What I’m On The Lookout For: Almond Plus and Luna Fiber Bars

I can’t remember why I was perusing the So Delicious website the other night (oh yeah, maybe because I’m on a coconut milk jag?), but I came across a new product:

 So Delicious Unsweetened Almond Plus

Even though I’m  a loyal Silk drinker, I’ll definitely be grabbing a carton of  this once I find it in the grocery store. Almond Plus contains five times more protein than other almond milks. I’ll take it.

If you’ve tried Almond Plus, please let me know what you think!

And get this: apparently Luna will soon be debuting fiber bars!

They’ll be available in three flavors: Vanilla Blueberry, Peanut Butter Strawberry and Chocolate Raspberry.

I love Luna’s, but one qualm I have is that they don’t keep me full very long. The new fiber bars supposedly contain 7 grams of fiber, compared to three in the classic bar.

What I’m Wondering: How long is the floral pant trend going to last?

[source]

Hot trend or old lady tapestry?

I think they’re cute, but whenever I try on a pair, they just don’t look right.

What I’m Reading: The Paleo Diet for Athletes

[source]

I picked up a copy of this book because I’ve been working on a research paper about the Paleo Diet, and particularly how it pertains to fitness.  Like floral pants, “going Paleo” seems to be all the rage, especially amongst healthy-living bloggers. It’s quite an intriguing read! I’ll tell you my thoughts next time.

HUGS!! xoxo

Questions for you:

Are there any other Mad Men/pina colada lovers out there? What’s your favorite cocktail?

What colors/trends are you loving right now?

Have you heard of the Paleo Diet?

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