August 2010

Beauteous Baked Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce With Asparagus

16 Comments / Food & Recipes /

I was craving salmon all day long but didn’t want the usual boring grilled I usually go for in the summer. Hence I made up my own recipe using some ingredients in the fridge plus a few other additions I picked up at the grocery store. When my roommate came home from the gym and said “WOW, what smells so good?” I knew I did something right. Let’s just say, it turned out absolutely delicious, soooo delicious that after the last bite I wished I had more. YUM.


-4 oz. salmon fillet
-2 TB plain greek yogurt
-1 tsp. yellow mustard
-1 tsp. dijon mustard (or another fancy variety of your choice)
-approximately 2 TB fresh dill
-a small bundle of asparagus (enough for one serving plus some leftovers)
-1 TB freshly grated parmesan cheese
-1 TB olive oil
-1 clove garlic, crushed
-juice of 1/2 lemon
-s & p

1. Preheat oven to 375. In the meantime, line a baking sheet with large sheet of tin foil. Prepare asparagus by removing the “stems” and keeping the tips (the yummy part).

2. Place salmon in the middle of the tray and add asparagus to each side of the fish. Drizzle … Read More!

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Cleaning Up after a Weekend of Too Much Fun

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I’m the girl who in college would be teased by my roommates because my idea of “drunk food” was peanut butter and an apple or fruit and nuts. As my roommates munched on large, extra-cheese pizzas and overflowing chicken finger orders with colossal fries, I’d join in on the fun with a plate of what they called “bird food.” One thing’s for sure, however. While my drunk eats were a tad abnormal and definitely not as fun, I’d wake up feeling somewhat better (minus the pounding headache).

You can image then why I feel so blah today after a weekend of “fun” eating. I have to say while it’s good to eat loudly and proudly most of the time, too much fun sometimes isn’t good…especially considering how I feel now. I always say it’s OK to treat yourself–every day even–but scarfing down chicken fingers, cheesy Reubens leftover from my roommates post-bar “snack” and french fries took things a little too far for me. Not to mention my sister was visiting all weekend, so what can I say? We wined and dined…hard core.

So while I am ecstatic I had a fun, event-packed weekend, I am now paying the consequences on … Read More!

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SoWa Open Market: The Perfect End to My Weekend

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Today my sister and I ventured into South Boston for SoWa Open Market: Boston’s Original Art and Indie Design Market. While at first we complained on our never-ending, mile (plus some) walk from Arlington Station, I think it’s safe to say it was totally worth it! And also safe to say that we probably needed that walk anyway considering the amount of food we consumed this weekend. Hey, walking is the perfect detox.

Anyway, back to the point. I don’t know how I’ve lived in Boston for nearly a year and have yet to visit this lovely Sunday tradition.
The two of us casually walked around the market, browsing a variety of artwork, homemade gadgets, local produce, and clothing lines. I felt like I was in creative heaven. It absolutely blew my mind to see all the unique, inspiring homemade creations, from personalized dog collars and signature greeting cards to beautiful jewelry and recycled beer bottles turned into artwork. “SO COOL!” I thought. “We really need more creative people in this world.”

As if these homemade gadgets weren’t; enough to make me fall in love with SoWa, then came the food! There were a variety of breads and … Read More!

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Sticky Notes Just Got So Much More Fun!

2 Comments / Health & Wellness /

In a world where rude comments are tossed around daily, it’s definitely a breath of fresh air to hear something nice once in a while. An old coworker and I once discussed that if it was someone’s job to simply go around and compliment people, the world would be a much brighter place. It’s amazing how the simplest compliments can completely turn someone’s day around. And if that’s the case, why aren’t we tossing out these compliments more often? I’ve always been one to follow the motto: be careful of what you say and do because you never know what kind of day someone is having. That’s why (for the most part) I choose to be bright, happy and well…nice. There have been times where I’ve been told I’m even “too happy” or “too nice,” but I don’t think there is such a thing, and well…that’s just who I am.

That’s why I am 100% absolutely obsessed with these “Happy Notes” my sister got me for my birthday: “101 sticky note surprises to make you smile.” Now doesn’t that just sound lovely? Not only are sticky notes cool as is, but these little colorful gems actually have inspirational, “feel good” … Read More!

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Oh-So Amazing Open Faced Turkey Burg

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This classic BBQ burger makeover pairs wonderfully with my sinless sweet potato fries, or a small side salad! While everyone else is downing multiple double decker beef patties, enjoy your healthy remake with a smirk . . .

-1 container lean ground turkey
-1/2 c. red onion, minced
-1 egg
-2 TB olive oil
-2 TB oregano
-2 TB basil
-1 TB garlic powder
-1 TB Old Bay seasoning
-1 tsp. salt
-1 TB pepper
-2 whole wheat buns*, separated into 4 slices

*Use brown rice wraps or gluten free bread if you follow a gluten free diet, or just skip the bun completely!

1. Mash up turkey with your hands as if you were making meatballs, and combine all other ingredients. Mix well.

2. Separate into 4 generous burger shaped patties.

3. Heat your BBQ grill or George Foreman, and grill for 6 to 7 minutes on each side!

*Hot Tip: If you’d like, top your burger with a thin slice of mozzarella cheese and a sauce made up of plain low fat yogurt, dill and lemon as a substitute for fatty mayo!… Read More!

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Embrace Your Inner Chef & Win Some Mullah While You’re at It!

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Do you pride yourself on making tasty apps and one-bite desserts? Are you looking for a way to let our your inner Rachael Ray? Don’t lie…we know you pretend you’re on your own celebrity chef television show when no one is watching (well, other than your dog Spot).

Well, maybe Whole Foods’ last chance contest is exactly what you need to embrace that inner chef! Today, Wednesday August 11th is the last day to enter into the exclusive “Contest for Small Bites,” hosted by Whole Foods Market. The challenge is to craft up a delectable “small bites” holiday recipe that costs no more than 50 cents per piece.

Yes, we know what you’re thinking. “A holiday recipe? But it’s only just August…” Well, guess what? If your bite size goodies are selected, you’ll receive a $50 gift card and be featured in the December issue of The Whole Deal.

So put on that snowman apron, whip out those oven mitts, and start cookin’! But hurry up, today is the LAST day to enter. Click here for more details on the contest and to post your recipe…and good luck!… Read More!

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Quit Taking Life So Seriously: A Lesson from My Yoga Class

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This morning during my Vinyasa yoga class the instructor said something that really caught my attention. In the midst of our downward dogs, chair and tree poses, he shouted, “Go ahead, have fun with it! I promise you if you let loose and don’t take yoga so seriously you’ll enjoy it a lot more.” It was true: the entire class was wayyyy to serious, as that’s the “normal” way to practice yoga. When I looked in the mirror and saw my fierce, intense, semi-scary looking expression, I decided I needed to relax and put a smile on. After all, that’s what yoga’s all about anyway, right? Relaxation, enjoyment, restoration. Why the need to be so serious all the time?

I have to say while it was a little odd at first to break my usual yogi mindset, I had one of the most enjoyable classes of all time. The instructor was upbeat, the room was buzzing with positive energy and instead of the usual music (you know the serene sounds of waterfalls and other instrumental tunes that make you want to fall asleep), he played an energizing mix of jazz and light rock. I was diggin’ it. I was able … Read More!

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Bold Moves

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I suppose I’ve always been one to make bold, spontaneous moves. When I was a sophomore in college and wanted to hop on a plane to visit a guy I’d been “seeing,” my dad told me I needed to stop following my hormones, and follow my heart. Then when I moved to Boston three months after graduation (without a job) because I was bored , many people thought I was absolutely crazy. But you know what, I didn’t care a bit about what others thought of my decision. After all, it’s my life after all, and I knew I’d figure it out. I always have. When I want something, I waaaantttt something, and go and get it.

That’s why I’ve decided to make the boldest decision of all, a decision that at first shocked/stunned/surprised and maybe even frightened many (especially my mother). I’ve decided to leave my full time job (yes, even in this terrible economy) to pursue my dreams of publishing a book and becoming a writer. I guess I finally took my dad’s advice of following my heart; it definitely isn’t my hormones speaking this time.

As I sit in a cafe writing and eating a fresh, delectable … Read More!

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Seven Simple Stress Tamers for the Working Woman

1 Comment / Health & Wellness /

When you work 9 to 5 (or 8 to 4 or all freakin’ day long) every day, it’s inevitable that you’re going to get stressed out from time to time. With deadlines, nonstop buzzing phones, grueling assignments, and noisy coworkers, you’d have to be non-human not to let the stress monster get to you every once in a while. I know for me, I don’t let stress affect me very often, but when it hits me, it hits me reallllll hard. So what are we to do? The only places you want to be right now are your bed, the beach or on a massage table, but you’re stuck in the office for at least five more hours. Doomed? Not just yet. Use these seven simple de-stressing tips and you’ll be back to your perky, happy, stress-free self in no time!

1. Remember to Breathe: Sometimes it’s just as simple as taking a few deep breaths once in a while. Breathe in, breathe out. There you go! Feel better? If you work in a small office, where people won’t judge you, take a few moments to lay down on your back and close your eyes (think: final relaxation phase … Read More!

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If Ya Can’t Read it, Don’t Eat it!

1 Comment / Health & Wellness /

Like many others, I used to be one of those people who immediately went to the back on the box, wrapper, bag, etc. to check calories and fat content. If it wasn’t in the ultra low calorie range, I’d chuck it back like a little kid grossed out by broccoli. Now that I’m a little older and a little wiser about what healthy actually is, I still go straight to the back of the package…but for something else: ingredients.

Yes, many “healthy” eaters are unaware of the importance of knowing exactly what you’re putting in your mouth. Forget calories, fat, sugar, and sodium for a second and take a good, hard look at the actual substance. For instance, many people would think that fat free flavored rice chips would be a semi-healthy choice, but when you read the ingredients on some of these “diet-friendly” choices it’s absolutely frightening. In fact, more often than not these diet foods have more than 20 ingredients, half of which you can’t even pronounce. If you wouldn’t dare try a diet you’ve never heard of before or date a guy without knowing his background, then why the heck would you put unknown, foreign ingredients in … Read More!

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