30 (More) "Happy Things"

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I received so much positive, cheerful feedback from the post 2 weeks ago-“The Simple Things”-that I decided to post an additional 30 things that make me smile. Enjoy! : ) And please, add your own at the end!

1. English accents (or any accent for that matter)
2. Sitting by the TV on a rainy day and watching episode after episode of your favorite sitcom
3. S’mores by the campfire
4. Christmas CARDS
5. Colorful scarves
6. The smell of bacon upon waking
7. The first snowfall
8. Family vacations
9. Thanksgiving dinner
10. Summer BBQ’s
11. Dressing up
12. Carving pumpkins+then roasting the seeds afterward
13. Couple’s first dance at weddings
14. Sentimental toasts
15. Fancy hats on fancy ladies
16. Tea parties
17. Sleepover parties
18. Family dinners
19. Awkward people who aren’t afraid to laugh at themselves
20. The color purple
21. Looking for beach glass and coming across that perfect shade of blue or purple
22. Listening to waves crashing at the beach
23. Decorating the Christmas tree…in PJ’s…with Christmas music in the background
24. Little kids saying blunt things (ya just gotta laugh!)
25. Walking in the city for hours
26. Fresh flower bouquets
27. … Read More!

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Healthy Low fat Fall Recipes

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So, I was perusing through the web, when I came across these Top 10 Low fat Fall Recipes by About.com, and knowing me, I just HAD to click on the link. 
While browsing through some of the “top 10,” all of the recipes looked absolutely delicious but I was especially compelled to test out the Stuffed Acorn Squash, Pumpkin Pancakes (though I’ll have to substitute brown rice flour and soy milk to make them gluten/dairy free), and Baked Apples. 
Those three in particular were screaming “fall,” and envisioning the scents and comfort while cooking these foods put me in a cozy, put-on-some-PJ’s and hit the kitchen mindset.
I can’t wait to try these recipes out throughout the next week, and other fall favorites I come across.
Please, I urge you to share your own healthy fall dishes for others to try in their own kitchen! 
Ok, time to hit the kitchen and whoop up some breakfast-all this food talk is making me hungryyy.… Read More!

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Question of the Week: Food On the Go!

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Q: “First of all, I LOVE your blog… you have so many great ideas and I love reading about them. I have a problem that you might be able to help me out with…I just moved into my first apartment a few months ago after living in dorms the past few years and i’m loving it, but my one issue is making food for myself. I like cooking my own meals (so much cheaper and healthier than eating out) but with my crazy class schedule I just dont have the time to cook during the week. Do you have any suggestions/recipes that are good to make over the weekend then freeze to eat later in the week?”-Kristen, 20


A: Kristen, I feel your pain. Transitioning from the dorm life to an apartment for the first time can be difficult when it comes to eating healthy in the kitchen. But, good news you aren’t doomed and there are plenty of quick meals you can make ahead of time or even the day of (yes, even on those extra hectic days!) 
For breakfast:
>whip up a quick smoothie with soy or skim milk, a slightly mushy banana, and frozen berries of … Read More!

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The Simple Things in Life

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Today was one of those days where my morning started off so well that I just knew it was going to be a good day. I woke up at 7 a.m., got some cleaning done and then trekked off to Shaw’s to buy some waffles ‘n’ turkey bacon for breakfast-which was so delish, by the way. Anyway, while at Shaw’s, as I walked by the deli, an older man and middle-aged woman began humming and singing to “What a Night,” with huge smiles on their faces. Then, the older man looked at the woman and said, “Ya gotta be happy in the morning. . . sometimes, ya just gotta smile.” That made my day, as odd as that is. Really, it’s the little, simple things in life that get me.

So, it got me thinking of some of the little things in life that always make me smile, no matter what I’m dealing with. I put together a list of 30 of my personal “happy” things…
1. Breakfast buffets, especially at nice hotels or on vacation
2. Reading a book by the fireplace on a cold, cold night
3. Used Bookstores, or any bookstore for that matter
4. Beatles music… Read More!

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Instead of That, Try This. . .

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There are plenty times in life when we have the utter urge to do something bad, wrong, regretful, etc. but catch ourselves with a better, healthier alternative. Here, 7 simple BETTER choices for those tricky times…

When you feel like you could punch something/one——–>go for a long run ‘n’ sweat it out.

Instead of going overboard and binging on brownie batter—–>eat a piece of dark chocolate or order a small soy latte.
Instead of sobbing over a bad day—–>phone a great friend and talk it out!
Instead of stressing over your overly hectic life—–>sip on a cup of chamomile or peppermint tea.
Instead of settling for the vending machine during your midday munchies—>bring an apple with peanut butter to work!
Instead of bitching someone out in an argument—->listen and try to understand their side of the story for once.
Instead of spending a zillion bucks on take out yet again—>make a healthy din at home. Go here for some ideas! 

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Spaghetti Squash With Turkey Meatballs

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This healthy dish is a wonderful substitute for your traditional spaghetti ‘n’ meatballs. Eat one of the all-time favorite comfort foods for absolutely no guilt at all.


*serves 4
For squash:
-1 spaghetti squash
-2 TB extra virgin olive oil
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-1 TB ground pepper
-1 TB red pepper flakes
-1 TB oregano
-1 TB parsley
For meatballs/sauce:
-1 package lean ground turkey
-1 cup of your favorite marinara sauce
-1 clove garlic, crushed
-1 tsp. salt
-1 TB red pepper flakes
-1/4 cup red onion, chopped into small pieces
-1 tsp. pepper
-1 TB basil
-extra virgin olive oil
1. Preheat oven to 375. Cut the squash in half (lengthwise) with a large, sharp knife. Scoop out the insides, and set on a large baking sheet. Coat the squash with the olive oil, along with the dry ingredients “for squash” listed above. Pop in the oven and set timer for 45 minutes.
2. In the meantime, mix the ground turkey in a large bowl with 2 TB olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped onion. Once evenly mixed, formulate small to medium sized meatballs with hands. Place them on a large skillet coated with olive oil on medium-high … Read More!

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5 Simple Yet Satisfying Things to Do Right Now

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1. Watch a feel good holiday-esque movie, such as Love Actually, The Holiday or even Elf. Hey, it is actually November now, so it’s kinda OK to get into holiday spirit, right?

2. Make a delish, comforting warm fall dessert like hot apple cider with pumpkin pie or apple crisp. (Try Maiann’s low-sugar healthy apple crisp recipe!) 
3. Go to your local grocery store and buy some butternut squash-it’s the perfect time of year to get it on sale! Carve out the seeds, then chop it up into small pieces and drizzle with cinnamon and a few TB of agave syrup or light  maple syrup. Bake on 350 for 45 minutes to an hour. 
4. Clean out your closet. Get all those summer tanks ‘n’ dresses out of there and make way for fall fashion!
5. Walk around your city and take snapshots of anything and everything: the pretty leaves, a cute older couple or an antique building. Find the beauty in everything.… Read More!

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Maiann’s Healthy Apple Crisp*

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A coworker sent this recipe to me, and though I haven’t yet tried it myself, I just HAD to post it: it looks delicious and is much, much healthier than the usual fattening, sugary apple crisp recipes at this time of year. Make this for the perfect, sensible fall treat! 

*no added sugar

Crisp:
* 5-6 apples peeled and chunked. (Option: try mixed type like a few Fuji, a Gala, maybe even a pear or raisins or dried cherries to mix it up).
* 1/2 of a lemon, fresh squeezed
* 1T cinnamon
* 1T nutmeg
* 1T Allspice
* 1T maple syrup
* 1T whole wheat flour
Crisp topping:
* 1T cinnamon
* 1/4 C. maple syrup
* 1/2 to 2/3 C. rolled oats
* 2T flax seeds
* 1/2 cup nuts..chopped..recommend almonds and hazelnuts
* (option: can do this quickly by quick pulsing in a Cuisinart or quick pulse in a blender)
* 3T softened butter

1.Pre heat oven to 400.

2. Toss all crisp ingredients in a bowl. Grease baking dish. Pour crisp mix into dish and bake for 20 min. 

3. In another bowl mix together all crisp topping ingredients. When the 20 min. baking time
… Read More!

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EEEK! WHAT DID I JUST EAT??!: Detoxifying After a Rough Night

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Ok, I have to admit-between me and my best friend together, we utterly, completely let ourselves go the other night. It all started when we went out to a Halloween party and the first thing we saw (unfortunately) was the snack table, filled with loads of candy, donuts, cookies and anything ‘n’ everything sweet. 

 

Grazing over the snacks, we both acted as though we were never going to get the chance to eat again. I frantically shoved everything in my mouth as if I were in a race-1/2 a gingersnap cookie, a chocolate chip cookie, the top part (aka the good part) of two chocolate Funfetti cupcakes, a chunk of a Reese’s cup that was on top of the cupcake. I think it’s safe to say that I went crazy and lost sight of all senses. 
As my friend smuggled a handful of Reese’s and butterfingers into her purse, struggling to zip it shut, I knew we had gone a bit over the top. Five minutes later, I felt a stomachache coming on as I glanced over at my friend who was hunched over by a bench, saying she felt nauseous and had to sit down for a bit. 

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