Kettle Bell Class

     For the past few weeks I've been taking a kettle bell workout class at the local park district with my mom. I've been intrigued by kettle bell workouts for a while because I keep reading about how fabulous they are for you. Though whenever I was in the free-weights area of the gym I was too intimidated to actually pick one up and use it, because well I had no freaking clue what to do. So, a class where I could learn some technique and exercises twice a week sounded fabulous. Now I consider myself to be in relatively good shape, lifting weights twice a week, running 5 miles three times a week, and other cardio exercises 3 times a week as well as doing the Brazilian Butt Workout (by BeachBody) - let me tell you that kettle bell class kicks my ass. We do a different routine each week, and some are thankfully easier than others, but besides doing BeachBody's Insanity program I've never done anything more challenging in my life. But after a month of going to the class, both my mom and I are seeing results so it's worth the effort.
     Bottom line: if you are plateauing with your workouts, add kettle bells. I know that different companies make DVDs and you can buy a kettle bell at Walmart or Target. So get "kettle-belling" people!

xoxo

Think ahead

Today I went to breakfast with my good friend here in town, I love friend dates that involve food because well I love friends and I love food. Before heading to meet her I ran through the usual restaurant breakfast items trying to discern what healthy options I have so that way I would have a “plan of attack” to avoid getting biscuits and gravy. I knew I should have eggs because they have protein and are healthy, but to avoid egg options with tons of cheese. When I got there I was scanning the egg area of the menu (avoiding the pancakes and waffles topped with all sorts of sugar, lest I be tempted) and voila! A spinach and veggie skillet was spotted. It did have potatoes and come with toast but I overcame these obstacles. I stayed very conscious of eating slowly, and not stuffing it all in my mouth in 5 minutes. So I was able to stop eating after eating just one piece of toast, and 3/4s of the skillet. When I got home and calculated the two eggs (140 calories), veggies (about 25-35 calories) and potatoes (100ish calories), plus cheese (100ish calories) and then figured out that eating only 3/4s of it was about 275 calories; leaving me very please with myself. I often have trouble eating out and not being a member of “the clean plate club”, so this was a success for me. Thinking ahead about what I was going to order, adding veggies to my meal, and eating slowly helped me conquer the seeming impossible mountain.

Side note: I love meat as much as the next person, but breakfast meat is notorious for being greasy and overly fatty. So unless the restaurant serves chicken or turkey sausage, stay away from it. It’ll only add unnecessary fat and calories.

xoxo 

Don't be afraid to Substitute!

I've been cooking a lot, like a lot a lot, since my husband came back from Hawaii in last May. Before I didn't have much motivation to cook just for myself, but since he'd rather have a home-cooked meal than go out I've been cooking out the wazoo. The biggest lesson I've learned so far is to not be afraid to substitute ingredients for lower fat/calorie options. While there are of course some recipes that should be kept sacred (the amazing from-scratch cookies you only make a couple times a year, great-grandma's famous pie), most everyday recipes can and SHOULD have low-fat ingredients in them. It's a simple and easy way to make food healthier. 


Examples anyone?
~ dip call for cream cheese or sour cream? use fat-free! still creamy and delicious
~ casserole need ground beef? use ground turkey! it's cheaper in most cases and low-fat
~ baked good use oil and/or butter? use applesauce! it's sweet and still yummy
~ using milk in your recipe? use skim! even if you don't drink skim, you won't be able to tell in a recipe that it's fat-free
~ making taco meat? add a can of black beans after cooking the meat and before adding the seasoning. it won't change the taste, secretly add a vegetable serving (plus fiber!), and stretch the taco filling further for only a dollar. 


My husband was raised and still is a "meat and potatoes" man, and generally called my "diet food" that he recognizes "tasteless". But the substitutions I listed above, well he can never tell that it's low-fat/fat-free and that I added a vegetable serving.  Voila ~ healthy hubby ;-)


xoxo  

Danielle's (now famous) Low-fat Taco Soup

Us military wives have a knack for swapping great recipes. To save money we often host themed potluck parties at our houses to have some fun on a budget. This is Danielle's yummy low-fat crock-pot taco soup!

2 lbs ground turkey
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups water
1 can mild chili beans
1 can whole kernel corn (drained)
1 can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
2 can diced tomatoes with green chili
1 envelope ranch salad dressing seasoning
1 jar salsa
2 T taco sauce
1/2 diced onion

Brown turkey and add taco seasoning mix. Then add in crock-pot to all other ingredients. Stir well. Heat through. I usually put mine on low heat for 8 hours or so. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it is! I usually serve with cornbread as well :-)

xoxo

Birthday Eve

Today I went with my hubby, parents, and sister to Woodfield mall for some shopping and lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. A special request for my 23rd! I don't know what it is about that restaurant....the rain noise, the decor, or the food but I can't get enough if that place - I turn into an 8 year old every time. Even if it means getting run over by strollers and angry suburb wives. I also got to visit a few favorite stores - Nordstrom, Victoria's Secret, Gilly Hicks, and Sephora! Found some good deals and some super fabulous finds. Sephora even gave me a free birthday gift!

Xoxo

Birthday nails

Did my own manicure last night (to save some money!) and I must say it is quite fitting for my birthday weekend.

Sugar Plum Fairies Gone Wild by Sephoria OPI

Healthy Taco Salad

Fat-free, vegetarian taco salad for lunch today! I adore salads and Mexican food, so I make this quick salad for lunch often when the hubs is at work.

2 cups lettuce
2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
2 tablespoons chunky salsa
1 tablespoon fat-free cheddar cheese
1 handful crushed baked tortilla chips
1/2 chopped tomato

Enjoy!
xoxo

The Begining

Today is the day I decided to start blogging...I've heard its the hip, new thing to do..."everyone has a blog these days!" So why not me? This way I can share my cooking adventures, workout ideas, and love to be small-town fabulous with the world. 


My husband (Thomas) and I recently moved back to my childhood home town in Byron. He recently got out of active duty in the United States Marine Corps, and I quit my ICU job in Peoria. We are renting a cute little white house in town that is almost three times as big as our apartment in Peoria. I'm currently looking for a new job while the hubs works for my family and figures out what to do without the Marines in his (our) life. 


I cook a ton since we are desperately trying to save money and home-cooking is way cheaper than eating out. I get bored very easily, so I'm constantly trying new recipes. In fact, I think I've only ever made the same thing one time...other than that its a new recipe everyday. 


I love exercising and trying to be as healthy as possible while living a fabulous life to look back on when I'm 85. I've always enjoyed trying to live healthily, but being a nurse has given me new inspiration and determination. My lovely husband gets the "brunt" of my health-nut side, bless his heart. He's always getting my speeches about being heart healthy and adding antioxidants! 


However, I do love obnoxiously fabulous things...dark chocolate, exotic travel, expensive hair accessories (preferably Juicy Couture), aged cheese, and of course tequila! The realization that a lifestyle like that does not exactly line up with my need to have a healthy, money-smart life has given me more reason to find ways to be fit, fabulous, and frugal!


xoxo