Fitness Friday: Protein Shakes

  As you should know by now I am not a nutritionist or a personal trainer.  I do like to share the things I enjoy for maintaining a "fit life" on my Fitness Fridays.  Trust me, I know not everything works for everybody that is why I try to give a variety of posts to (hopefully) reach everyone.  My main objective is to help motivate and give an "everyday person's" perspective on working out and becoming fit.  These Friday posts are not about getting skinny, they are about being fit and feeling good about yourself.  Please remember that this is just my opinion, my outlook and what I enjoy doing to stay motivated.  I have consulted my own physician and I always suggest you do the same before you make a change in what you are eating and doing for a work out routine.  I want everyone to enjoy the same feeling I do when I workout and eat better.  So, please be responsible for your own wellness and actions after reading my posts.  Thank you.
  One wonderful thing that my husband and I have been doing for quite some time is making protein shakes.  The sound of them use to make me cringe and to be honest I thought that I would never try one.  However, we were visiting friends of ours this past Spring and he made us a shake and I couldn't believe how good it was.  He used different ingredients than what I will be using today but, it was still a protein shake.  No cardboard taste or chalky texture.  Just a great drink to have in the morning.  Today, I am sharing my favorite shake and it's pretty simple.  So, lets get started.

What you need:
1/2 Cup frozen blueberries
1/2 Cup milk (or soy, almond milk)
1/4 Cup spinach leaves
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/2 a banana
5-6 ice cubes

How to:
  1.  Add your frozen items to the blender.  You always want your frozen items to be the first things to touch the blade so they get blended well.
  2.  Add your banana and milk
  3.  Add your protein powder and spinach
  4.  Give your blender a whirl (with the lid on).  Make sure everything gets blended well.
  5.  Pour yourself a glass and enjoy.

  Obviously you can do all sorts of combinations.  There are several great lines of protein powder as well.  Shop around and find which one you like best and trust me when I tell you they will taste different from one another.  Happy shake making!

Sunday in the Kitchen: Pasta Salad

  Pasta salad is a good side dish to have in your fridge for the week.  It is easy to make ahead of time and you can make a lot at an inexpensive price.  When I make this, it doesn't last the entire week but it's pretty healthy and great to grab for on the go.  So, let me share my recipe with you.

Ingredients:
14.5 box of wheat Rotini or Pene pasta
10 small or 5 medium to large peppers.  These can be any kind you like.
8 oz. cheddar cheese-cubed
Good Seasonings Italian Dressing mix- the mix requires oil and water

How to:
1.  Cook your pasta according to the directions on the box.  Once it reaches desired al dente drain and rinse with cold water for about 30 seconds.  Put pasta in large mixing bowl.
2.  Mix your Italian dressing according to the directions on the package, add it to the pasta.  Toss the pasta with the dressing.  Set aside.
3.  Chop your peppers into bite size pieces and mix into salad.
4.  Add cheese.  Toss all the ingredients together.  Cover and place in fridge to chill for about an hour before serving.

  I hope you guys like this recipe.  You can make a lot of variations of this just by changing the dressing and the cheese.  Happy cooking!

Product Review: Neutrogena Face Scrub & Post Shave Lotion

  My husband has always had an issue with razor bumps after shaving.  He has never really suffered from acne or anything like that but he does have his typical "T zone" problems.  He decided to try Neutrogena's Face Scrub and Post Shave Lotion after a trip to the mall when a lady in one of the kiosk's tried to sell him $100 products.  Thank goodness he married me because he knew there was a product out there that will work for you for less.
  So, let's get down to the nitty gritty.  Does he like it?  YES!  He loves it and so do I (it smells AMAZING).
  His routine:
    1.  Face Scrub every day over the entire face
    2.  Post Shave Lotion every day on the area where he shaves
    3.  Face lotion with SPF 15 every day over entire face
  Benefits my husband has had from using these products:
    1. Extremely soft skin
    2. Razor bumps are nearly vanished
    3. Smells INCREDIBLE!
    4. Black heads have reduced
    5. Skin feels clean all day
 

  Both of these products would make great stocking stuffers!  I know shame on me that I mentioned something Christmasy before Halloween but hey, at least you are prepared right?  Happy face washing!

Bargin Buy Earrings

My husband and I were out shopping recently and we went into Shopko.  We ended up in the jewelry section and they were having and AMAZING clearance sale.  I found a pair of earrings for $1.60!  I know what you're thinking, "uh, so what."  Well I made that one pair of earrings into THREE.

  Here's the sticker so you know I am not full of beans

  First reason why I am so excited about this purchase is because if you notice the original price they were $16.00!  Second reason why I am so excited is that I wasn't completely sold on the "style" but I knew I could make them however I wanted.

  Here is what they looked like before

 
  Here are them after my simple re-vamp.  All I had to do was separate each piece from one another, keep the jump rings and add earring hooks (which you can buy a pack at Michaels for cheap).  There you have it!  Three pairs of earrings.

  Happy jewelry making!

Sunday in the Kitchen: Homemade Apple Sauce in the Crock Pot

  Now that Autumn is here and it's getting colder the aroma of apples and cinnamon always fill my house from candles and what not.  Today rather than lighting a candle I made homemade applesauce in the crock pot!  It's amazing.  I am actually going to make mini apple pies with biscuits and a serving of vanilla ice cream!  
  Before we get started I just want to say please use caution while cooking in the kitchen.  Don't miss use your equipment and be very careful.  Please do not leave anything that is cooking unattended.  Make sure you take all of the necessary precautions when prepping and cooking.  I am not a professional chef, and cooking temperatures may vary so keep an eye on what is cooking.  Oh, and I am not responsible for anything that you do.  Okay, now that's out of the way here we go...

Ingredients:
4 large Honey Crisp apples- you can use any kind you like these are my favorite
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1/4 Cup White sugar
1/4 Cup Brown sugar

How to make it:
  1.  Peel, core and cut your apples into pieces however you like.  I cut them into chunks. (remember to BE CAREFUL)
  2.  Put your apples into a cold (NOT preheated) crock pot.
  3.  Cover your apples with the cinnamon and sugars.
  4.  Cover your crock pot with its own lid and turn it on the low setting.  Let it cook for 4-5 hours.  Stir and then serve.

  BOOM!  The finished product......

  Enjoy!  This has been calling my name all day and I have been dying to gobble it down.  Happy crock potting!

Halloween Cards

  For my Halloween cards this year I was a little stumped.  I didn't know what I wanted to do and I almost just went out and bought some.  Target always has some really cute ones but I managed to use a lot of what I already had and I think they came out pretty cute.  Stickers were my basis of the project.  Every year I buy Halloween stickers and that adds up after a few years.  I used a plain white card stock card and added different kinds of scrap paper, stickers and bits and bobs.  Here is how they turned out.

  Simple and unique I think.  Happy Halloween card making!

Nail of the Day: OPI's Manicurist of Seville

  Fall brings so many colors that inspire my wardrobe, make up and decorating.  I have found a great color that can be worn for any season but reminds me of when the leaves start to turn that bright reddish pink color.  Behold OPI's Manicurist of Seville.

  Happy manicure!

Sunday In The Kitchen: Chocolate Reese's Pieces Cookies

  I am all about easy recipe's lately.  With as busy as I have been I don't want to spend my time in the kitchen.  Don't get me wrong I love cooking and baking, but it's nice to make it a little easier on myself.  Pretty soon though I will be getting a little more adventurous.  Don't you worry.
  With this recipe I used a chocolate cake mix.  Now, I must say these are very good but I think one extra step might be necessary to cut the package taste.  I would add 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder or 1/2 tsp. of pure vanilla extract.

Ingredients:
1 box of chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 C. oil
2 tbsp. water
8 0z. Reese's Pieces (I used the movie box candy size-2 of them)

Instructions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.  Mix all ingredients except for the Reese's Pieces.
3.  In a separate bowl add Reese's Pieces and a 1/2 tsp of flour and toss together (cocoa powder or cake mix would be good too).  Then add to the cookie dough.
4.  Drop dough in tablespoon sizes.  Bake for 8-10 minutes
   Makes approximately 3 dozen

  Now you have some Fall festive cookies!  Chocolate and peanut butter combination is my weakness so I need to get these out of my house as quick as possible.  Happy baking!

Fitness Friday: Warm Weather Gear

  For those of you that are runners or workout outside of a gym you know that the weather plays a huge role in our motivation to get out that door.  So, why not have a couple of things that will keep us comfortable and knock out any negative factor?  There are three MAJOR items of "clothing" I must have for the colder months to workout in.  


1.  Headphone earmuffs!  
        I LOVE these!  My ears stay nice and toasty and on  my head when I run.

2.  Gloves with touch sensitive finger tips
      These are everywhere and thank goodness!  My husband has a couple pair as well and they look like men's gloves.  You can wash them and they will still work just as well.

3.  Duo dry-fit beanie or headband
     Duo dry or dry-fit anything is a workout essential in my book.  Unlike fleece these keep you nice and dry (duh) and not overly warm.  However, my husband has been known to take this off after a workout and be "steaming" from his head.  Still, this is a very comfortable wear.  I don't have the headband but I have worn the beanie and love it.

  I hope this helps you with the cold weather approaching.  Keep an eye out on Target's web site for coupons for their C9 brand for a couple (or more) dollars off.  There's nothing like scoring a great deal on workout gear.  Happy workout!

September Favorites

  September was a crazy month.  I ended the month with a last minute trip to Seattle which was a blast.  Sorry for the disappearing act but I am getting back into the swing of things.  What a great way to do so by sharing some of the things I was LOVING in September.  I hope you enjoy.

  My first favorite is the Febreze car air freshener.  If you have ever seen the commercial you were probably like me thinking, "oh yeah right like it is really that strong."  Uh, nope it is, they are not lying.

  I didn't use mine in my car though.  I put mine in my hamper and my closet.  Now, when I open my hamper that has had damp towels in there for a few days it doesn't stink!  Yes!  Score one for the part time house wife!  In my closet I don't have to worry about changing out the automatic sprayer and paying $5 or $6 every month.  I have had the one in my hamper for a couple months now.

  Next up is my nail polish.  Sally Hansen has won me over this month.  First of all the Fall line is AMAZING and the Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat is THE BOMB!

  These are seriously great staple colors and the color payoff is worth the money ($7).  The top coat is a true anti-chip formula.  This is my must have for top coat now.

  Now that we are getting into the cold/flu season I think this favorite is great timing to share with you.  Tea!  Not just any kind though.  I have been drinking three different ones.  Culinary Circle's (Albertson's brand) Acai, Pomegranate, Blueberry green tea, Traditional Medicinals' Organic Echinacea Plus and Yogi's Ginger teas.  Hands down these are really wonderful.  I don't like taking pills so anything that is drinkable to me is great and settles better on my stomach.

  Last but not least is a huge adjustment for me and I am so happy to be able to share it with you as a favorite.  Neutrogena's Oil-free Moisture facial lotion with SPF 15.  If you know me you know that I am a huge fan of Proactive.  My Proactive face lotion ran out and I used my husbands and was totally BLOWN AWAY.  I didn't break out, it made my skin even toned, soft and feeling great!

  I hope you enjoyed my favorites!  October will probably bring even more favorites for me to share.  Happy...sharing?!