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!