Healthy Chicks

You know how restaurants always present their food oh so pretty? Perfect little plates with perfect little – or ginormous – portions and perfect little garnishes on the side. Well, today I felt like eating pretty as well, and I wasn’t going to blow $100 at a restaurant to do so. Instead, I whipped up a tasty turkey sandwich, but instead of putting it on a napkin and munching on it as I blogged, I decided to make it beautiful and actually enjoy it.

Here, my pretty little honey roasted turkey sandwich:

What I Used:

-1 piece original Ezekiel bread, toasted with cheese and turkey

-1 slice American cheese

-1 tsp. pesto

-3 thin slices honey roasted turkey breast, all natural

-1 bag cheddar popchips & a clementine on the side

-pretty napkins

-thin white dessert plate

And there we have it. A prettier lunch in just a few seconds. If you’re interested in more fun, simple recipes I’d love you to check out my cookbook “Healthy Chicks in the Kitchen,” for sale now!

Do you like to make your food pretty every once in a while? What do you do to jazz it up?

XoXo,

… Read More!

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No matter how old I get, I still love presents just as much as I did when I was a little kid. Seriously, what is better than getting an unexpected surprise gift “just because?” No, I don’t need diamonds or expensive clothes to be happy. It’s the little things that count for me, and yesterday was FILLED with them. Let’s just say I felt like a little kid on Christmas. C’mon, who doesn’t love presents?

My day of fun gifts started off in the morning when I met with Catherine and Kathy of Boston Sports Woman for coffee, chit-chat, work and snacks. Let’s just say it never feels like work when I’m with these ladies; we always have so much fun together! Anyway, Catherine is notorious for cooking up fun appetizers for us at her beautiful apartment, and this time she really impressed. She surprised us with a super expensive (hence super delicious) triple creme cheese from Cowgirl Creamery served aside a sliced baguette. If you know me, cheese is the way to my heart. I was one happy camper.

After our glorious meeting, I headed over to The Boy’s for another surprise. Well, this one was … Read More!

I saw this video on Rachel Wilkerson’s Facebook Page yesterday – it’s originally from College Humor – and just had to include it in my weekly Hump Day Post. Seriously, too funny – and a lesson to remember too. Thanks Rachel # 2!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCmwkIFJ_xw

Also, a Healthy post-workout snack for you. I’ll call it the “Mandarin Madness Munchie”

What Ya Need:

-1/2 c. cottage cheese

-1 mandarin orange, broken into segments

-5 raw almonds

-dash of cinnamon

Layer together in a small bowl and enjoy! … Read More!

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This morning, someone tweeted that it’s National Margarita Day. Nah, couldn’t be I thought to myself. Then I googled “National Margarita Day” and sure enough tons of results came up. According to The Food Channel, February 22 i.e. National Margarita Day is named after a lady whose name was indeed Margarita. Legend goes that this absolutely FABULOUS woman whipped up the drink on a hot afternoon, and there you have one of the most popular cocktails in the U.S. Mmm, I can already taste the tequila and salt in my mouth. Glorious. Oh so glorious. If only I was on a beach in 85 degree weather. Wishful thinking, I know.

Anyway, in honor of this incredible “holiday” I am posting my absolute favorite Margarita recipe – that is, my fabulous, quirky, hilarious cousin Sara’s homemade margarita concoction. I’ll call it the Crazy Cousin Margarita (hehehe) in her honor. Enjoy! Oh, and P.S. this recipe is much better for you than restaurant varieties because it doesn’t have loads of sugary margarita mix added in, is fresh and of course made with love. <3

Whatchya Need:

-clear tequila of choice (make sure it’s 100% tequila de agave … Read More!

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Whether you spent the night lovin’ ‘n’ touchin’ and squeezin’, watching the comedy Valentine’s Day or drinking your feelings away with the ladies, it’s likely you are hungry come morning. After all that wine and chocolate, you are looking for something light, yet tasty and filling at the same time. Luckily I’ve got the perfect morning breakfast for you. This recipe makes two servings, so you can share it with your sweetie, make it for your roomie, or devour it again tonight for din din.

Super Easy Post Valentine’s Day Veggie Omelet

-2 large whole eggs, 2 egg whites (mixed)

-1/4 c.  mushrooms

-handful broccoli, chopped

-1/2 c. fresh spinach, chopped

-salt and pepper

-hot sauce

The Steps:

1. Pour the eggs in a large coated skillet. Let sit for a few minutes on medium heat.

2. Add in the chopped veggies, covering the entire omelet base.

3. Cover with a lid and let sit on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, or until eggs are firm and veggies are cooked through.

4. Flip your omelet and enjoy! Cut in half to share ; ) Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and hot sauce to … Read More!

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Usually, I cook for just one in my tiny 2×2 single lady’s kitchen, but ever since the Sig-O came along – ha, I saw that word the other day and just had to use it – we’ve been attempting to cook together and let me tell you it’s quite a good time. Who knew team work in the kitchen could be such a fun bonding experience?

Maybe it’s just because I love that I can do my thing without him nagging at me for “doing it wrong.” I wouldn’t dare step inside my Grandma Mary’s kitchen while she is on a roll; the kitchen expert would rip me into pieces when she saw the way I held the knife or sliced the meat the “wrong way.” Then I’d probably get slapped with the wooden spoon…I kid…sorta.

But when you’re cooking with your boyfriend (or best friend/sister/brother/mother/lover) the two of you can do your own thing, then combine your talents to create something amazing. Take Tuesday night, for example. We were snowed in together so we bought ingredients to make salmon and roasted cauliflower. I made the salmon – marinated in orange juice, tequila, garlic, pepper, lime juice … Read More!

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Ever since I started training for my half marathon, it seems Mother Nature is not on my side. Blizzards and wintery mixes make running outside more like an obstacle course gone wrong than an enjoyable exercise. Since I hate the treadmill so damn much, I even ran outside last weekend when I knew I shouldn’t have. I was dodging three-feet piles of snow, jumping over icy paths and slipping my way along the sidewalk. Not exactly safe, to say the least.

The fact of the matter is I hate the treadmill that much. I hate it so much that I texted my dad after my awful workout complaining to him just how much I hated it. He said, “Yup, the treadmill is hard. No adrenaline.” Exactly, I thought to myself. He also told me to check out “the gym dudes” for a distraction (hehe). However, as much as I hate it, I am making it a goal for myself to let go of all that hatred and attempt to embrace the evil little machine. So yesterday I went to the gym with a positive attitude ready to tackle my three-mile treadmill run. While it still was … Read More!

There’s lots of thing I dislike about the cold: the fact that my nose doesn’t stop running, I need to wear my ugly “sleeping bag” coat to get around, layers are a must, and people just seem altogether crankier than usual are just some of them.

However, there is one thing I love more than anything; and that my friends is chili season. Yes, once the weather gets chilly, I whip out my chili and all is OK in the world.

I’ve tried many-a-chilis in my lifetime from extra-spicy and five bean to shredded chicken and meat lover’s beef. But the one recipe I go back to over and over again is my healthified Turkey Chili. It’s lean and delish with the perfect amount of hotness. Enjoy!

-1 package organic ground turkey

-2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

-1 14 oz. can crushed tomatoes

-1 large yellow onion, chopped

-1 red pepper, chopped

-1 clove garlic, crushed

-1 can black beans

-1 can corn

-1 jalapeno pepper, diced finely

-2 TB olive oil

-2 TB chili powder

-1 TB cumin

1. Coat large soup pot with olive oil, and cook onion and red peppers on medium heat, stirring frequently. … Read More!