Products I Love:Keurig, Gatorade G2, and Breakfast Sandwiches

     As I was thinking about some blog ideas, I wanted to share some of my favorite things.  That is, of course, the purpose of a personal blog ;)  In these "Products I Love" posts, I will show off some of the things that I can't live without.  For today, I absolutely looove my Keurig coffee maker, Gatorade G2, and any type of breakfast sandwich.

The first thing I must have every day is a delicious cup of coffee (of course, I say that during a 3-day detox!!!  If you need to refresh your body, click here for the 3-day meal plan.  We use this once every couple of months.  It's great for getting back on track and losing that bloated water weight quickly.).  A few years ago, Tory bought me a single cup Keurig for Christmas and I have used it every single day since then.  I love that I can make one super fast cup of coffee in whatever flavor I want.  Of course, the machine makes teas, cocoas, and just hot water in a jiffy.  Ya girl loves some coffee!!!!

The next product that I have become crazy about is Gatorade G2.  This "sports drink" is very refreshing and
delicious!  The low calorie option is a great pick me up after a hard workout or a great re-hydrating drink for the morning after a long night out.  My favorite flavor is the raspberry lemonade.  It's perfectly sweet and tart!  The larger containers are usually on sale and easy to find and store in the pantry.  ***Psst, Gatorade is also a great (hydrating) mixer for vodka!***

Now, I may have saved the best for last!  My mouth is watering just thinking about typing about these (or maybe that's the 3-day detox!).  Can you tell that I'm hungry???  I'm talking about breakfast sandwiches...oh YEA!!!  I don't mean the freezer selection...I mean the homemade, runny egg, melty cheese in a tortilla or between two pieces of toast or English muffin.  That sounds good!  My favorite days of the week are Saturday and Sunday.  This is not because I have the weekends off work, but because I can enjoy breakfast the way it was intended.  It's a fact that all breakfast foods are delicious, but the breakfast sandwich is special.  It can be made every single day in completely different ways.  I love experimenting with these and throwing in anything that tastes good.  Of course, the classic egg and cheese is the best!

3-Day Detox Meal Plan

     Even though I try very hard to eat right and exercise every day, I (just like everybody) have my slip ups.  I love beer and pizza and ice cream and watching TV and napping and ...lol you get the point!  I definitely know the benefits of being healthy, but I am not one to give everything else up just because it has some fat in it or because I'll gain a pound.  My motto is "know your body and everything is great in moderation!"
     Every couple of months, Tory and I complete a 3-day detox plan.  It mainly consists of fresh veggies and fruits with an addition of oatmeal, fish, and spaghetti.  Below is our meal plan adapted from peaceloveandskinnyy.tumblr.com; sticking to the theme of fresh fresh fresh.  No processed or fatty/sugary foods!  It's difficult and you will most likely have a headache or stomach ache but it's worth it!  It's only three days!  You can do it!

**The only drink you can have is water!!!!  Very important!!!!
DAY 1: 
Breakfast - Fresh fruit (1/2 cup of strawberries, 1 apple, and 1 orange)
Snack - Green Tea and Lemon (NO SUGAR)
Lunch - Fresh salad with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice
Snack - Fruit smoothie (1/2 cup of strawberries, 1/2 banana, a couple tablespoons of natural/no sugar added OJ, and ice)
Dinner - 3 oz. whole grain pasta (measured dry) with 1/2 cup traditional marinara sauce and minced garlic

DAY 2: 
Breakfast - Fresh fruit (1/2 cup of strawberries, 1/2 cup of blueberries, and a drizzle of natural honey)
Snack - Green Tea and Lemon (NO SUGAR)
Lunch - 1 cup of any flavor LOW-SODIUM soup and 1 cup of mixed fruit
Snack - Fruit smoothie (1/2 cup of strawberries, 1/2 banana, a couple tablespoons of natural/no sugar added OJ, and ice)
Dinner - 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice, 3 oz. of baked fish, and 1 cup of any steamed veggie

DAY 3: 
Breakfast - 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1 cup of skim milk, dash of ground flax seed, and a tablespoon of light brown sugar
Snack - Green Tea and Lemon (NO SUGAR)
Lunch - Fresh salad with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice
Snack - Fruit smoothie (1/2 cup of strawberries, 1/2 banana, a couple tablespoons of natural/no sugar added OJ, and ice)
Dinner - 3 oz. whole grain pasta (measured dry) with 1/2 cup traditional marinara sauce and minced garlic

The first go around will be tough!  From experience, it does get easier and the days will fly by!  The secret is fresh foods only and no extra drinks, sauces/dressings, or sugar.

Whiskey Grilled Pineapple and Pound Cake

     One thing that I haven't made much of in a while is desserts.  I had a cupcake kick a couple years ago but since then I honestly lost my sweet tooth.  I was watching an episode of The Kitchen on Food Network and chef Marcela shared a grilled pineapple dessert.  She soaked the fruit in tequila and grilled it with pound cake.  Tory's favorite fruit is pineapple so, of course I had to replicate it.  The original recipe can be found by following this link: Grilled Pound Cake.  We are not big fans of tequila so I replaced that ingredient with whiskey (since we usually already have this in the house).  We also have a small electric grill...this worked like a charm!

Whiskey Grilled Pineapple and Pound Cake
Ingredients:
1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar
1/8 cup of whiskey
8 pineapple chunks or slices (I used chunks and cut them smaller so I really had 16 pieces)
2 tablespoon of softened butter
4 slices of pound cake (homemade or store bought)
Fat free cool whip, to garnish
Fresh chopped mint, to garnish

Directions:
Preheat your grill to medium-high.

Combine whiskey, brown sugar, and a splash of water in a small sauce pan.  Heat on medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar is completely dissolved.  The mixture should come to a boil to but not stay at a boil.  Set aside to cool.

Put the pineapple pieces in a baking dish (with a thick lip around the side).  Pour the syrup over the fruit and toss to coat.  Let marinade for 5-30 minutes.  The longer it sits the more flavor you'll infused into the pineapple!

Spread butter on both sides of each pound cake slice.  Grill about one minute per side.  You should only flip once.  The cake should turn a light golden brown.

Drain pineapple slices and save the marinading syrup.  Grill about one minute per side, flipping once.  The pineapple should have grill marks.

To plate, place two slices of pound cake on a dessert dish.  Top with several pieces of pineapple.  Drizzle the leftover syrup and finish with a dollop of cool whip.  Then, flurry with fresh chopped mint.  Enjoy!

Easy and Delicious Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

     One vegetable that has always eluded me is the Brussels sprout.  I have ordered them from restaurants and most times it's hit or miss.  I have found that sprouts have a weird consistency and, if not cooked and seasoned properly, they are very bland.  I have always seen them at the grocery store but never had the courage to buy them.  I finally took the plunge!  I found this recipe on Mom's Test Kitchen and decided to give it a shot.  It turned out pretty good!  I'm still not completely sold on the vegetable but I have made the effort to buy and cook these more often.  Enjoy!

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients:
2-3 tablespoons sugar free maple syrup
4 slices of turkey bacon, diced
2 cups of fresh Brussels sprouts, cut in half
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 tablespoon of canola oil
1/2 medium shallot, small diced

Directions:
In  a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat.  Add bacon and shallots and cook until shallots are soft and translucent.  The bacon will continue to cook throughout the rest of this process so do not worry! 
Add the halved sprouts to the pan.  Spread them out so that they are in one layer.  Add the butter and maple syrup.  Cover the skillet with a lid and continue to simmer for about 10 minutes.  The bacon will crisp up and the sprouts will soften.

*** Picture Update!!!

Strength Training:"Sexxyback" Upper Body

     I seem to have been on a Blogger hiatus the past couple of weeks!  But I'm back and ready to share some great recipes, outfits, products, and workout routines.  Today's post is all about the upper body (shoulders, triceps, biceps, and back).  Since my wedding is quickly approaching in June....I have realized that I need to kick it in gear.  I want to show of a "Sexxyback" and arms in my wedding dress!
     Every day, I am doing the All About Abs routine along with some cardio and this upper body routine.  Very simple and on days that I have a little extra gusto, I push myself harder and workout longer.  Even on the days when I want to go home and watch TV instead of the gym....this routine is really [NO EXCUSES].  Enjoy!

"Sexxyback" Upper Body

Go all the way through the exercises.  For a more intense workout,

repeat the entire thing up to three times.  Use dumbbells that push but 

not strain your muscles!

10 standing shoulder presses

10 tricep kickbacks (each arm)

5 lateral raises

15 single-arm rows (each arm)

5 front raises

10 reverse flies

10 upright rows

10 hammer curls (each arm)

10 bicep curls (each arm)

15 arm circles

Full Body Blitz:"Eye of the Tiger"

     One of my typical excuses for NOT working out is that I don't have enough time...well that's a bunch of bull!!!!  Just look at my Candy Crush levels lol.  I call this workout routine a blitz because it can be very quick when you're in a time crunch.  If you have enough time, you can always repeat this routine for a more intense workout.  You also don't really need weights...just use some big cans of tomatoes :)  This one is all about quick, simple, and effective.  No excuses!  Enjoy!

Full Body Blitz: "Eye of the Tiger"

(Complete each exercise for the given reps or, 

for a more intense workout, complete maximum reps)

***Run in place - 50 seconds

***High knees - 25 seconds

***Prone squat with cross-body punch - 25 total punches

Sumo squats with lateral raises - 25 reps

Static lunge with front raises - 15 each leg

Side bends - 10 each side

***Repeat***

Squat with curls and leg lifts - 15 each leg

Squat with overhead press and twists - 20 reps

***Repeat***

One leg up crunches - 20 reps

Glute bridge with chest press - 20 reps