Asian Coleslaw

     Coleslaw is a simple and easy side dish for most meals.  It's great to barbecues, game days, and parties.  It is also pretty cheap; which always wins a place on my menu!  For my traditional creamy coleslaw, click this link ---> Baked Wings and Coleslaw.
     This coleslaw recipe is a little different.  It's an Asian twist on the simple mayo based coleslaw.  Therefore, it is actually better for you and is great paired with a main dish that carries similar flavors.   This recipe is better made the day before you eat it so that the flavors marry.  If you don't have that time, make it at least 30 minutes before hand and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.  Enjoy!

Asian Coleslaw
Ingredients:
One package of coleslaw (broccoli slaw works great here for some extra crunch)
One package of chicken flavored Ramen noodles
1/2 cup of slivered almonds (you can leave this out if you have nut allergies)
2 Tablespoons of canola oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon of lemon juice

Directions:
      Using a sauce pan or mallet, crunch up the noodles into bite size bits.  Do this before actually opening the package; this way they don't fly everywhere!  Spread the pieces onto a baking sheet in a single layer.  Save the seasoning packet for the sauce.  Add the almonds to the baking sheet.  You want everything spread out evenly.  Toast these in the oven...I do 250 degrees for about 5-7 minutes.  This process happens quickly, so make sure you can grab them before the burn!
     In a medium sized bowl (big enough to fit everything in), whisk the Ramen seasoning, oil, and lemon juice.  Add the bag of coleslaw and stir.  Taste it mix here and add salt and pepper if needed.
     Once the noodles and almonds have toasted to a nice golden color, take them out of the oven and let cool.  Add them to your bowl and stir.  Taste again and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal

     Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day!  I know that it's the most important, but I'm obsessed with "breakfast" foods.  I'm pretty sure that I could live off of eggs, bacon, oatmeal, and hash browns (probably not the healthiest menu).  This recipe was inspired by the instant oatmeal packets you find in the grocery store that have all the fancy flavors; fruit and cream, maple and brown sugar, etc.  While those packets taste delicious, there's something processed and super sweet about them that I wanted to change.  My homemade recipe is still just as quick and can be altered to fit whatever fruit you have/like or no fruit at all.  Enjoy!

Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal
Ingredients:
1/3 sup old fashioned oats
2/3 cup water
Splash of half and half (you could also use fat free milk here)
1/2 teaspoon flax seed
1 sweetener packet like Splenda or Truvia (you could also use plain sugar here)
Pinch of cinnamon
1 cup of fresh fruit (I used strawberries)

Directions:
Mix oatmeal and water in a microwave safe.  Microwave for 1 minute.  Carefully (it will be super hot) take the bowl out and stir.  Add the remaining ingredients and heat again for 1 minute.  You can substitute the strawberries for any fruit that you like or have on hand.  You could also leave this out all together and add some maple syrup.  As always, play with the flavors and make it your own!

Meatless Monday:Spicy Cayenne Pasta

     This week for Meatless Monday, I had absolutely no idea what to make.  I had a plan for a BBQ bean chili but then wasn't feelin' it when dinner time rolled around.  So I completely switched gears and prepared this spicy delicious pasta.  I got the inspiration from a recipe I saw on Pinterest but I didn't have several of the "called for" ingredients.  This is a chef's dream!  I took the idea and made it work as I went.  And it came out beautifully!!!!  This is fiance approved and will definitely be making future appearances on my menu.  Since it is Meatless Monday, this pasta only has veggies and a creamy cayenne sauce, but for other days of the week, feel free to throw in a protein.  I'm thinkin' diced chicken or shrimp would be amazing!  Enjoy!

Spicy Cayenne Pasta
Ingredients:
1/4 cup of half and half
Tablespoon of AP flour
1 cup total of diced bell pepper (any color) and sweet onion
Half of a large diced tomato
1/2 box of thin spaghetti (or any type of pasta)
1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
Tablespoon of canola oil
Tablespoon of minced garlic
1/2 cup of chicken stock (or veggie stock if you want a pure meatless meal)
3/4 tablespoon of cayenne pepper

Direction:
Start boiling water to cook pasta.  Make sure to add plenty of salt before dropping your noodles.  Give it a good stir so that they don't lump together.  Don't drain the pasta water.  You can use this starchy goodness to help thicken and bring together the sauce.

In a large skillet, heat oil and add cayenne pepper, onions, and bell peppers.  Let these cook until soft, about 5 minutes.  You can add a tiny pinch of salt to help them move along.  Add the garlic and let cook until fragrant, just a couple of minutes.  Add flour and brown for a few seconds.

Add chicken stock and half and half.  Bring the mix to a simmer and stir constantly for 1 minute. Add the Parmesan cheese and continue stirring.  It should start thickening up. Once your sauce is creamy, add the cooked pasta.  If you need to loosen the sauce, add a little of the pasta cooking liquid.

Serve warm and with a garnish of parsley and more Parmesan.

Every Day Casual...updated 5/16/2014

     I am by no means a "fashionista," I have struggled with feeling beautiful and sexy as a woman.  I feel like the older I get (by the day), I am more tired and less motivated to put on make up and brush my hair.  This post will open my section titled in the closet....  Since I am getting married in a few months and hopefully I will be lucky enough to be a mommy in a few years, I want to learn and grow in my fashion sense and self esteem.  I really want to be a super mom that makes it all look easy!
     Even when stress and fatigue are overwhelming it is important to treat yourself first.  Whether it's lighting a vanilla candle while you shower in the morning or getting a fancy latte from the drive thru instead of the regular home brewed blend.  It's amazing to me how little things really make a huge difference in mood and energy!  With each post, I plan to show off an outfit that I feel comfortable and HOT in while also giving some tips I've found for keeping women healthy and beautiful.  So here goes nothing :)
     My first outfit is a simple everyday ensemble perfect for shopping, lunch dates, and casual dinners.  I have come to love the sheer quarter sleeve blouse!  It's perfect for laid back, out on the town outfits like today's post.  It's also perfect in other looks [more coming :) ...as I wear them and photograph].  These shirts are very versatile.  I have a solid white and solid burgundy.  Today, I paired this sexy and comfy blouse with midi-jean shorts.  These are very comfortable...mid-length stretch jean shorts that can be worn rolled up or completely down.  I'm wearing strapping brown sandals, but this could be dressed up a little with a chunky brown wedge.

***UPDATE***  I decided to add where I purchased my items.  I can't guarantee that the exact article will be there but this will give an item of where I typically shop and the things you can find!

Chunky necklace = Target

Blouse = Old Navy (fairly recently)

Midi Jean Shorts = American Eagle (fairly recently...I've also seen these at Target)

Strappy sandals = American Eagle

     To bring the look together, I through on my everyday face.  I have used Clinique  for years now and absolutely love it!  I highly recommend going to a counter for a free consultation.  This is my daily routine for makeup.  It's super simple and easy to do.  I start with liquid foundation then acne treatment concealer.  I then apply "day to date" eye shadow and black mascara.  I finish up with powder foundation.   It takes about 5 minutes and is perfect for any outfit.  This routine is also my base for fancier, more dressed looks.

     In my self esteem struggle, my face as been my arch-nemesis.  I still have acne outbreaks into my twenties and my skin is sensitive to certain brands.  Once I found Clinique, I stuck to it.  I use the 3-step cleanse method every day and the Even Better foundation to cover and treat blemishes.  

     Something I've learned is to wear make up that compliments your natural assets.  You don't have to wear a lot if you wear it correctly.  For eye shadow, you need to match the color to your eyes.  Who'd a thunk!  According to Elle magazine, there are compliments for each eye color.  I've listed them below:

Blue eyes - gold, bronze, copper, champagne, yellow-beige, peach

Brown eyes - bronze, peach, purple, navy, teal, green

Green eyes - Sepia, rust, purple, pink

Hazel eyes (that's me!!!) - Dusty pink, gray, burgundy, deep purple, yellow-brown

                                   

     Here's the complete face!  You can't really tell I have on make up but my skin is even and the dusty pink shadow brings out my natural eyes.  

Circuit Training:"Some Kind of Wonderful" Full-Body

     Some days I reeaallly don't feel like going to the gym, but I know that I can't get into that easy excuse habit.  I've found that no equipment circuits are perfect for these days.  I have a plan and get started, but if I don't finish I still fill like I did something active that day.  The best thing about circuits is that you can alter the workout to your mood, energy level, and strength.  As always, begin with stretching and a light cardio warm-up.  The goal for each circuit workout is to repeat each set of three exercises twice.  Start with one and build up!
     This workout is inspired by Grand Funk Railroad's "Some Kind of Wonderful"  because as I strengthen my body I feel more and more wonderful (hokey I know!).  So here ya go!  Start slow and small and build it up.  The goal is to be better and stronger.  Make sure you drink plenty of water!

"Some Kind of Wonderful" Full-Body Circuit

[Complete each circuit twice.  Rest for 60 seconds between each.]

Circuit #1=

20 Jumping Jacks

10 Push-ups

20 Walking Lunges

Circuit #2=

10 Squat Jumps

10 Tricep Dips

Plank Position with 20 Alternating Leg Lifts

Circuit #3=

30s Wall Sit

15 Bicycle Crunches

30s Side Plank (per side)

Strength Training:"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Legs

     As a female, one of the hardest muscle groups for me to tone up is my legs.  For some reason, it seems to take months for me to feel like I have lean and sexy legs.  With bikini season quickly approaching (and my Jamaica honeymoon!!!), I have started to really focus on my legs.  For me, these muscles also get the sorest the quickest for the longest!  Here's a butt-burning leg routine that won't immobilize you for the rest of your gym week.  By no means am I saying that it's easy or sore-muscle free!  As always, make sure you stretch and warm up at the beginning....then stretch at the end.
     I've also decided to start including a song-of-the-workout with each "...in the gym" post.  This is merely meant as a suggestion and a motivation.  Music definitely motivates me to move and exercise!  My hope is that these songs will do the same for you :)  Today's song is inspired by the (somewhat annoying) fact that the sexiest legs are found on dancers (I shoulda just been a dancer...then no thunder thigh issues).  So here ya go!  Press play and get to work!

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Legs:

[Repeat each exercise with 3 sets of 12 repetitions]

Dumbbell squats

Dumbbell lunges (each leg)

Goblet squats

Side lunges (each side)

Dumbbell swing-throughs

Single Leg Deadlifts (each leg)

Standing calf raises

Glute kickbacks (each leg)

Glute bridges 

Side leg lifts (each side)

**song by Whitney Houston**

Strength Training:All About Abs

    These past couple of weeks, I've stuck to a workout schedule of two to three running days and three strength days.  On the strength days, I work a muscle group and abs.  Over three weeks, I have lost about 5 pounds.  I'm not necessarily looking to lose weight but I want to tone all over and feel better in my skin.  Below is the abs routine I've been doing.  I have definitely noticed that I'm losing the unwanted pooch and jiggle in the mid-section.  It is difficult for sure!  But as I go, each day, the exercises get easier and I feel the muscles building.  Enjoy!

All About Abs:

:30 plank

:20 side plank (each side)

30 oblique crunches

20 scissors

20 mountain climbers

5 V sit-ups

***rest and stretch it out***

:30 plank

10 vertical leg crunches

10 Russian twists

15 mountain climbers

10 scissors

***stretch it out***

Tomato and Spinach Chicken

     As you've noticed, chicken is one of my favorite proteins.  It's cheap and easy to prepare in many different ways.  It's also a lean meat; perfect for active lifestyles.  This recipe (found on menumusings.blogspot.com) is very easy and can be used to use veggies that may be going bad.  I used tomato and spinach.  You could use any fresh vegetables you have laying around (mushrooms, broccoli, peppers, onions, etc.).  Enjoy!

Tomato and Spinach Chicken

Create a nice sear on your chicken breast
first.  This will also add flavor
to your sauce!

Ingredients 

• 2 chicken breasts 
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 Tbsp canola oil
• 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
• 2 tsp minced fresh garlic
• 4 Tbsp cold butter
• 1/2 cup fresh baby spinach, chopped
• freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Directions

     Season chicken breasts with kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper.  Add a couple of tablespoons of oil to your skillet. This may seem like quite a bit, but it will form the base for the sauce. When the oil is HOT, add the chicken breasts. After about 4-5 minutes, the chicken breasts should be ready to turn.  You'll want to cook them on the second side another 4-5 minutes,or until the juices run clear when you pierce them with a small sharp knife.  You could pound the chicken out thinner; then they will cook faster than this.

When you take the chicken out to slice,
the sauce will thicken and create a
beautiful, tasty topping.

     After the second side has been cooking for about 4 minutes, go ahead and add in the fresh tomatoes that you have chopped up.
     Next, add the fresh spinach that you have chopped into ribbons, the cold butter, the minced garlic, and you will probably want to add some more kosher salt and black pepper to season the sauce. Now give it all a good stir so all those flavors will marry together. 

     When your chicken is "done," turn the sauce down on the lowest setting to keep it all warm while you prepare your sides.  You could serve this over pasta as a complete meal.  I made brown rice and sweet peas.  

     At this point, you can remove the cooked chicken to a cutting board, and after resting just a couple of minutes, cut the chicken into slices. Create your plate of sliced chicken and tomato and spinach sauce.  Top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

 

Corn and Sausage Chowder

     With the cold weather we've been having, I have been testing out some soup recipes.  I love hot soup when it's crazy cold outside.  Being a Florida girl, cold is not my friend!  Here's a very easy and delicious corn and sausage chowder recipe.  The recipe originally comes from sweetpenniesfromheaven.com.  Try it out the next time you need to stay warm and cozy!

Corn and Sausage Chowder
Ingredients

• 2 cups potatoes, cubed
• 1 lb. smoked sausage (we used turkey)
• ½ cup diced onion
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 4 cups fat free milk
• 12 oz. corn (thawed if frozen)

Directions

1. Boil potatoes in water and cook until tender, 15-20 minutes.
2. Drain and set aside.
3. Slice sausage into bite size pieces.
4. In skillet, saute onion in butter.
5. Add flour, salt and pepper.
6. Stir constantly for 1 minute.
7. Add milk and bring to a boil.
8. After 1 minute add corn and sausage.
9. Return to a boil.
10. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
11. Stir in potatoes and heat through.