An Important Year and CalNaturale Svelte Shakes

23 May
I am headed towards a milestone.  I just had a birthday and turned 39, which means that 40 is coming up in May 2015.   I told my husband that I want to be in the best shape of my life next May and I need to start now, not 3 months before my birthday or January 1st, but now.   I am working on getting fit, exercising more frequently, lifting some weights and the most important part – eating better.   Although I am pretty healthy today and am at a good weight, I want to focus on toning up and getting some sort of booty.  I suffer from “white girl booty syndrome” aka I don’t have much of an ass.   In any event, a lot of posts will likely be centered around being healthier, healthier recipes, age defying products and things like that.
Sooooo….I am on the lookout for fabulous foods that will help me glow and feel amazing when this caught my eye while going through Whole Foods:
In my world a compliment can go far,  just ask my boys.  These little protein shakes made by CalNaturale had me at “Hello Beautiful” and “Looking Good”.  Seriously though – how flipping cute is the packaging?  Anyways, I bought a vanilla and chocolate flavor and parked them in my pantry for a couple of days before putting them in the frig.  I think I will keep the packages when I am done just so I can have a positive affirmation when I enter the pantry.   Anyways, back to the shakes – here is the skinny on them.  They have a soy base and are packed with vitamins and have a healthy amount of protein.  Each package holds about 16 oz.  Here is the nutrition information from the back:
These shakes are also tasty.  Now I am not one to sugarcoat the taste and say, “these taste just like a milkshake!”  No, that this not the case.  I do enjoy drinking mine over ice or putting the shake in the blender with ice for a refreshing treat.   These also make a great addition to my coffee.  I especially like adding the chocolate to my morning coffee for a mocha.  Another fab part of this product is that they have a cap where you can drink a little bit now and a save it for later if you don’t want to down the whole thing in one sitting.   I didn’t think these were cheap though.  They were on special at Whole Foods for 2/$7.00.
The verdict on these is go get some.  The packaging is awesome, they make me smile whenever I see them (I love anything that makes me feel happy), they taste yummy, are healthy and they are somewhat economical since they have a screw top.
Does anyone have any yummy shakes they like that are worth trying?

Asian Chopped Salad with Low-Fat Spicy Thai Vinaigrette

17 May

I have been hearing about Wendy’s Asian Chicken Salad with Spicy Thai Vinaigrette and how yummy it is.  Although I have never tried this salad, after hearing so much about this delicious concoction I developed an undeniable craving and decided to make my own version.  

 I dice fresh greens, green cabbage, red peppers, edamame, scallions, carrots, cashews and mix them with my own version of a low-fat spicy thai vinaigrette.  I think the next time I will add some chicken and turn this into a meal.
This is the perfect salad to take to potlucks since there is no mayo.  Give this a try and let me know what you think….
Asian Chopped Salad with Low-Fat Spicy Thai Vinaigrette
Salad Ingredients (Wendy’s Salad Dupe)
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, washed and cut into bite size pieces
  • 1/2 head cabbage, shredded in food processor
  • 2 large carrots, shredded in food processor
  • 1 red pepper, cut into small dice
  • 4 scallions, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup edamame, shelled (I buy these at Trader Joe’s)
  • 1/3 cup whole cashews (I measure these out and then give them a rough chop)
Dressing Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Ramen flavor packet (take this from a pack of Ramen noodles)
  • 1/3 cup thai chili sauce
  • 2 T. Sriracha
Directions

Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.  In a jar, combine all of the salad dressing ingredients and shake well.  Pour dressing over salad and enjoy, it is soooo good!!!

 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer Dupe

09 May

I love the Benefit Hoola Bronzer.  For well over a year I have used this magical bronzer almost daily and loved the beautiful effect it gave my normally sallow skin.  I was skeptical that I would ever like another bronzer as much, but I have found one AND it is a drug store dupe!!!  OK, I won’t keep you waiting….it is the Milani finishing powder in 06 Medium Tan.

Each of these bronzers have an exceptional color that gives gorgeous depth without being orange or muddy.  They both go on smooth and give a natural glow and provide depth when you need to contour.  As for the packaging, I could go either way.  The Milani compact comes with a mirror which can be helpful but the brush on the Milani powder is awful.   I do like the sturdiness of the box that houses the Hoola bronzer and I have really been liking the brush that comes with it as well.  All in all with a $20 price difference, I am going to stick with the Milani powder for now.  Here are some swatches so you can compare:

HERE THEY ARE OPEN…

SWATCH (NO BLENDING)…

 SWATCH (BLENDED)…

Rainbow Banana Chocolate Muffins

16 March
I have a go to banana muffin recipe that my boys adore.  I have it down to a science and can have a batch of these whipped up in about five minutes.  I often add chocolate to make these even yummier, however I was recently out of chocolate chips and only had some mini M&M’s.  I added those and with the colors bleeding, the batter became whimsical and colorful.

Try these out – you won’t be disappointed.


Rainbow Banana Chocolate Muffins
(makes 18 muffins)
Ingedients
1/2 c. canola oil
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
3 very ripe bananas, medium size
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 c. flour
3/4 c. mini M&M chocolate candies

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a food processor bowl add the oil, sugar, vanilla and bananas.  Pulse until smooth.   Next add the baking soda and salt.  Pulse 2-3 times.  Add the flour and pulse 2-3 times, just until combined and then add the chocolate candies.  Again, pulse just 1-2 times to distribute them evenly.

Scoop the batter into muffin tins and bake for about 20-25 minutes depending on your oven.

My Current Crushes

15 March

Here they are, my five crushes at the moment.  These are either new discoveries or re-discovered favorites.

1.  Camera Ready Cosmetics Sample Sizes: I have long heard about makeup such as Cinema Secrets however I was reluctant to purchase a large size of this makeup without ever seeing any of the color swatches online.  Well…I stumbled upon sample sizes on their website and couldn’t be happier.  For only $3 each you can try out numerous different colors and brands on this website.  Shipping is not included.

2. Julep Box: This is the first time I have subscribed to a box service and I am loving it!!!  For $19,95/month you receive two full size nail polishes and other goodies such as hand lotion, top coats, cuticle creams and lip gloss.  Boxes come with four items every month and I have yet to get a box I don’t love!  Another added benefit is that once you become a member you receive 20% off all purchases and free shipping.  If you enter the code FREEBOX at checkout your first box is free!

3. Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing Lip Gloss: I am a huge fan of everything Naked and this is no exception.  I got the color Love Child which is a glossy, nude-pink color that would look good on anyone.  The color is opaque and has good staying power for a moisturizing gloss.

4. Qrunch Quinoa Burgers: These are gluten free, vegan and super delicious!  I can’t stand mushrooms so I haven’t ate many veggie burgers, but was thrilled to see that these don’t contain mushrooms.  There is only 200 calories in each patty and are a  filling and healthy new addition in my home.

5. Soda water with a little fresh fruit:  OK, so this is nothing groundbreaking but for some reason I have forgotten about this treat.  Being a person that hates drinking water this helps me get my 8 glasses in and it tastes great!  My favorites are using fresh orange juice or pomegranate juice.