All salads Were Not Created Equal

One of my favorite foods is salads.  No kidding, I love 'em!  Perhaps it is the fact that there are so many types and ways one could make a salad.....I don't know.  All I know is, I love variety and salads do it for me.  


And so this week I set out to find three salads that I have never tried before.  Salads that earned off the charts reviews.....and are not too difficult to make.   I like to keep it simple.  So here are the 3 nominees for scrumptious salads of  the week:  drum roll please.........


These first two by  www.thefoodiediaries.com will hit the spot for sure. So yummy!

Ingredients: baby spinach, mozzarella, roasted cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper,   onion, celery, cucumber and the dried cherry + pom concoction. 

Ingredients: fresh spinach, roasted butternut squash, cauliflower, grilled onion and sun-dried tomatoes, dressed in Newman’s Own Asian Sesame dressing. You have to try this!

Now this one had me at custard, not to mention the recipe is by miss Paula Deen.  Oh my goodness....this looks so pretty I almost didn't want to eat it. ALMOST. Am so happy right now...so happy.

Find the recipe here.

And there you have it, 3 delicious recipes that will bring you lots of happiness and mad satisfaction.  I guarantee it!

Cherio!

Just Do It!

8 weeks ago, I set out on a journey along with three other inspired ladies to achieve our ultimate health and fitness goals by starting a support group.  And we did.  Every Saturday we email a report to each other on how the week transpired.  Whether we succeeded or failed during the week, we tell it all.

 If someone had a bad day and did succumb to junk food instead of a healthier choice, there is never condemnation.  The focus is always, "Learn from this and keep moving."  The love and support shared by the the ladies in this group never fails to touch my heart.   It really has been a tremendous blessing. 

In the sixth week after joining the group I began to notice a very unexpected dynamic happening within my own life.  I realized that I was naturally applying principals learned in my health and fitness journey to my everyday life............principals like, learn from your mistakes and move on, never give up and "challenge yourself " have become my daily mantras.  And it's not that I didn't know this before or hadn't tried to do this in the past.  Somehow now though, it's much easier to do, very effortless, like breathing.

I am learning that real power is not about feelings too.  Pressing on in spite of those feelings is where the real victory is.  And yes, I know there will be days ahead when I want to throw in the towel but I also know that "wanting to do something is not the same as doing it".  Sometimes  I want pie instead of whole wheat bread, ..........and sometimes, I really don't feel like exercising for 45 minutes .......but I do anyway.  It's all about staying focused and never giving up.  We all have the power to change our own lives.  Whether the goal is big or small, it is all achievable if you believe in yourself and keep working towards your goals.  So, let's just do it!

Cherio!

All Of The Pleasure.....None Of The Guilt

So, I was browsing the net for recipes and found one of the most amazing food blogs that I've seen in a while. I am so excited to share skinnytaste with you.  This site has excellent recipes that is not only tasty but low in calories and great for your health.  The food is so delicious, your family wouldn't be able to tell that its low fat at all.  Not unless you tell them. sssssssshhhhhhhhhh.

I saw the recipe below for Asian glazed drumsticks and I just had to try it. So d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!!!!  Skinnytaste rocks!  Check the site out and let me know what you think.  

Asian Glazed Drumsticks

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes 

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 2 drumsticks • Points: 5 ww pts

Calories: 213 • Fat: 4.7 g • Protein: 27.5 g • Carb: 12.7 g • Fiber: 0.4 g  

• 8 medium chicken drumsticks, skin removed
• Pam spray oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce (more or less to taste)
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 4 tsp agave nectar (or sugar)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp chives or scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

In a heavy large saucepan, brown chicken on high for 3-4 minutes with a little spray oil. Add water, balsamic, soy sauce, agave, garlic, ginger, hot sauce and cook on high until liquid comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for about 20 minutes. Remove cover and bring heat to high, allowing sauce to reduce down, about 8-10 minutes, until it becomes a thick glaze, turning chicken occasionally. (Keep an eye on glaze, you don't want it to burn when it start becoming thick) Transferchicken to a platter and pour glaze on top. Top with chives and sesame seeds and serve.

In Pursuit of Happiness And Good health

Though I am usually a pretty calm and laid back person, there is one thing that can causes me to become unglued, and that is a health scare.  I literally go from zero to panic mode in two seconds flat.  Since I am a very strong person spiritually and emotionally, this is very perplexing and out of character for me. What is this weird gravitation to self diagnose on the web for every blister, bump or pain I get.  Am I the only one doing this? 

A few years ago I had developed a very bad case of carpal tunnel syndrome, at the time I had no idea what it was so of course I googled the symptoms. Big mistake.  Google basically informed me that I had Parkinson's disease and I was convinced that this was true.  I was inconsolable.  Thank God I was alright after a few days but since that episode there has been other occasions where yet again I did the same thing.  Am I not a woman of faith? This is one habit that needs to be permanently kicked to the curb! 

Yesterday I had an epiphany or what Oprah refers to as an "Aha moment".  I had a pain and was googling it as usual.  This time though, in the midst of my search it occurred to me that I could either choose to believe that I was in good health or look for reasons to prove I wasn't.  It was only then that I truly got it.  If Life is what I make it then I choose to be happy and in good health.  I am going to laugh more, sing more, and dance more.  And, instead of promising to start exercising tomorrow, I will do it today.  Now where did I put those dumbbells....