Livin' It Up... What I'm Loving This Week

ONE: Bacon and Bear Toast that I made Little Man for breakfast before school... Squee!!!

TWO: Washing my face with my Clarisonic Mia 2 in Sea Breeze. Absolutely recommend buying one! I use eye makeup remover with a cotton pad, wipe my face with a makeup remover wipe, and then wash with the Clarisonic. It is amazing how dirty the brush head will be. It makes for a deep clean and different brush heads are available depending on your skin type. 

THREE: My absolute favorite cocktail is a mojito. A traditional mojito is made with rum but over the weekend I was invited out to dinner at Maggiano's Little Italy and tried their Moscato Mojito, and by try, I had quite a few.

FOUR: I would love to add these Jeweled Flat Sandals from J. Crew to my shoe collection.

FIVE: Sending random text messages, giving the best hugs, showing appreciation, and giving with no strings attached... and that's the reason why.

SIX: Being gifted a $10 Starbucks gift card and Houston Rockets Tickets at work on our month end. My current Starbucks obsession is their Tall Skinny Hazelnut Cappuccino. So delicious with cinnamon sprinkled on top. 

SEVEN: Rarely have to mail anything thru the USPS but when I made a trip with a coworker I just had to have their Batman stamps. I would also love to get this Flying Paper Airplane Rubber Address Stamp from Brittany Lauren Design. 

EIGHT: Started watching, The Bachelor, season 19 episode 10 week 9. I love the beginning stages of developing a relationship and the whole getting to know you bit. I love LOVE. I'm a hopeless romantic and when I'm yours you have all of me. My two cents on this week's episode: I cannot stand Whitney. She seems so fake to me and her voice is obnoxious with her over eagerness to quit her job in Chicago to make babies for a living in a rural town. *eyeroll and gag me with a dirty spoon* I'm rooting for Becca.

NINE: This quote:

TEN: Would love to add this Clare V. Supreme Fold-Over Clutch from Piperlime to my handbag collection.

Doin' Some Cookin'... Chicken Roasted with White Wine

Nothing beats the aroma of chicken roasting in the oven. Best part, you probably already have chicken, wine, and spices on hand to put this together tonight to make a quick meal. Serve with a bowl of tomato basil bisque and garlic bread to sop up the pan juices. 

Chicken Roasted with White Wine

Adapted From: Webicurean

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 4 chicken cutlets
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 cup white wine, whatever you prefer

And Action:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Arrange chicken in a single layer, skin side up (unless skinless, obviously).

Sprinkle with half of the seasoning, then flip the chicken.

Pour the wine over the chicken.

Sprinkle with the remaining seasoning. 

Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Enjoy!

Livin' It Up... What I'm Loving This Week

ONE: Got invited on a lunch date with one of my favorite sales reps and a coworker to join them at Union Kitchen and had their tomato basil bisque with a ground chicken burger. Friday night I swung over and picked up a salmon fillet with veggies and parmesan risotto for dinner. Their food is so darn good.

TWO: Nothing but rain in the forecast for the upcoming week and it started at the beginning of my weekend making it the perfect conditions for napping!!

THREE: New favorite way to enjoy oatmeal is this Triple Berry Oatmeal Smoothie Bowls with Almonds and Chia Seeds.

FOUR: Still planning and saving for that trip to Fairbanks, Alaska to see the Northern Lights. 

FIVE: Sweaters!!!

SIX: Throw pillows from Society6. Oh em gee!!!

SEVEN: Finding a new love for vanilla scents thanks to Bath & Body Works Wild Madagascar Vanilla Bean Body Scrub which has a sandalwood undertone. Love it! Smells like the perfect Summer time romance. 

EIGHT: 25 Delicious Coffee Recipes - Lattes, Frappes, + MORE! Hit the jackpot!!! I love coffee and we all know a yawn is a silent scream for coffee. 

NINE: I've been drinking more green tea and water.

TEN: Adding this Light Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken & Rice Bowls recipe to our menu for the upcoming week. This looks amazing!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Corn Dog Muffins

When I was pregnant my diet consisted mostly of corn dogs because I craved mustard and it's the first thing I think of to go with mustard. Probably why it's not surprising that Little Man loves corn dogs, but he prefers his with ketchup. Maybe too much mustard in his system already. Ha!

These corn dog muffins are as close to homemade corn dogs as I can get. They are baked and not fried making them a healthier alternative. Rather than using hot dogs I used uncured beef cocktail franks.

When it comes to cornbread I prefer mine to be sweet. WARNING! The cornbread recipe used in this recipe is not sweet but it works for these, especially if you're dipping your muffins in mustard like me.

This is a kid friendly treat and would make the perfect football game day option too. Little Man ate the entire serving without making one single gripe. That alone is a dinner success. Time being the other success since these came together in under 30 minutes. If you are short on time you could save time by using a boxed cornbread mix instead.

Really these muffins could be adapted for a yummy breakfast too... I was thinking about swapping the hotdogs for sausage and cheese, or ham. Yum.

Corn Dog Muffins

Adapted From: The Pioneer Woman

Makes 12 Muffins, 1 Serving is 2 Muffins

Stars of the Show:

• 1/4 cup shortening, melted
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 package uncured beef cocktail franks

And Action:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Combine cornmeal, flour, and salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, milk, and egg. Add baking powder and baking soda to the wet ingredients. Stir in the dry ingredients. Add the shortening, slightly cooled, stirring constantly. 

Grease a muffin pan and fill them a little more than half full with batter. Lay 2 beef cocktail franks on top. 

Bake until cornbread is done, about 12-14 minutes. Remove from the pan and serve with condiments of choice. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Pineapple, Apple, Mint, and Lime Juice

After watching numerous food documentaries, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead in particular I always think I'd be able to stick with a juice cleanse, "rebooters" attempt 30+ days, but I have never made it past day 2. This Italian loves her carbs and can't give up food, especially the act of chewing. These juice cleanses boast that you could potentially lose a pound a day when exercise is incorporated.

While that seems like an easy fix it's not a lifestyle I could continue. I'm okay with counting calories and fitting in working out with juicing on occasion as a meal substitute.

During my weekly grocery trip to Whole Foods I will grab one bottle each of whatever fresh pressed veggie based juice they have available and substitute one or two meals a day with juice. I have a Breville Juice Fountain but like the convenience of grabbing premade bottles. Who likes doing dishes anyway?

The only time I bust out the juicer is when I come across a new recipe that I have to try.

From the 21 Day Flat Belly Challenge comes this recipe, P.A.M. Juice, for use in a mojito. Mojitos! My happy hour weakness. I never buy liquor for home and didn't have white rum on hand so I left it out. It's just not the same but still tasty in it's own right. It's refreshing, light, and fruity.

While the addition of alcohol would have made this for a tasty cocktail it's not worth the bloat. This juice is a natural de-bloater due to the natural properties of pineapple helping with water retention. All women suffering from PMS symptoms could benefit from this one. AND! If you are PMSing do your loved ones a favor and add that shot of white rum.

Pineapple, Apple, Mint, and Lime Juice

Adapted From: Popsugar Fitness

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 2 granny smith apples, cored and seeded
• 1/3 pineapple, chunks
• mint, to taste
• 1 lime, peel removed

And Action:

Run all ingredients through the juicer making sure to add the mint with the pineapple chunks. Feel free to add the white rum if you please. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Triple Berry Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl with Almonds and Chia Seeds

I think I may have found my new favorite way to eat oatmeal. Maybe it has something to do with the raspberries (my favorite fruit at the moment) and almonds I toasted myself (crave worthy!!!). With the weather as cold as it's been a hot breakfast is just what I needed.

This oatmeal will keep you full until well after lunchtime and is the perfect way to start your day with protein, fiber, and antioxidants. An oatmeal smoothie bowl is the love child of two breakfast classics.

You can adapt this recipe to suit your tastes switching it up with different fruit, nuts, and yogurt flavors.

Triple Berry Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl with Almonds and Chia Seeds

Adapted From: Jeanette's Healthy Living

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/4 cup uncooked regular oats
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 1/4 cup blackberries
• 1 tbsp toasted slivered almonds
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1 container nonfat vanilla yogurt

And Action:

Combine the oats, almonds, and chia seeds in a bowl adding 1/2 cup of water. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Top with the berries and a couple dollops of yogurt, stirring to combine. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Chili Skirt Steak Sandwiches with Peppers

Skirt steak is traditionally for fajitas. You could follow the Chili Skirt Steak recipe below for that purpose or you can do something different and use it for sandwiches, recipe also below. I know we just wrapped up another season of football but these sandwiches would be perfect for Game Days to liven up your tailgate party. 

Skirt steak's beefy flavor easily holds up to excessive seasonings and marinades and it likes to be cooked quick. You don't want to cook it too long or else it will dry out and become tough losing a lot of it's flavor. 

Once cooked you want to make sure to let it rest before you cut against the grain to ensure the shortest muscle fibers helping to create a tender bite, otherwise, it will taste chewy.

I'm looking forward to the temperatures raising outside so I can fire up the grill rather than smoking out the house with the cast iron grill. Although I was prepared by turning on the exhaust fan, overhead fan in the living room, and opened the patio door the house still filled with smoke. Little Man came out of his room pretend coughing and asking if he needed to "tuck and roll". Laughing, I told him no. He sarcastically did it anyway. 

Chili Skirt Steak Sandwiches

From: EveryDay with Rachael Ray and Adapted From: Martha Stewart

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show for the Chili Skirt Steak:

• 2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/4 lb skirt steak
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

And Action:

In a small bowl, combine all of the seasonings with salt and pepper to taste. Rub the steak with olive oil then coat with seasoning. In a grill pan, cook over high until medium rare, about 3 minutes per side. Let rest 10 minutes. Slice into bite size pieces and squeeze the lime over the meat, lightly tossing. 

Stars of the Show for the Sandwiches:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp onion powder 
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced with seeds removed
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced with seeds removed
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• chili lime steak slices
• 4 pretzel buns, cut in half horizontally
• 8 slices thinly sliced pepper jack cheese

And Action:

Preheat broiler. 

In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the bell peppers and onion powder, stirring often, until softened and charred, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar and steak.

Place bottom halves of rolls on a baking sheet. Divide the meat mixture evenly between the buns and top with 2 slices of pepper jack for each bun. Broil until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven, put the top bun on, and cut in half. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Chicken Linguine Carbonara

A holiday dinner the night before a Sunday morning weigh in is a tough one for me. Especially when the dish I have in mind is carb and fat heavy. But not this time. I healthified this dish as best able.  

Pasta carbonara is a rich Italian pasta that is made with bacon, eggs, and loads of cheese. To help clean up this dish's act while not compromising on flavor I made a few subtle substitutions. Swapping bacon for Canadian bacon, using one egg, and only a smallish mound of cheese. To make this even healthier I used whole wheat pasta but you could also use zucchini noodles too if that's your thing. The best part, aside from the healthier version is this takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. 

If you are like me and you love a themed dinner... light some candles at the coffee table for ambiance, set Netflix to the movie Heartburn, cozy up with a bowl of this pasta and watch as (spoiler alert!) the couple enjoy pasta carbonara on their first date. 

And for dessert... You can feel better about following up a bowl of pasta with root beer floats for your little Valentine by substituting diet root beer and fat free vanilla ice cream... Be sure to keep it full fat for the little ones, they deserve the treat.

Chicken Linguine Carbonara

Adapted From: MyRecipes.com

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 4 oz uncooked whole wheat linguine
• 1/2 cup lowfat milk
• 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• dried parsley, to taste
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• cooking spray
• 1/3 cup Canadian bacon, chopped
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 6 oz cooked chicken breast
• 1 broccoli crown, stems removed and cut into bite size pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil

And Action:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lay broccoli on a baking sheet and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes while the pasta is cooking. Stir to turn the broccoli and bake 10 more minutes.

Cook pasta according to package to directions, omitting the salt and fat. Drain pasta in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid.

Combine milk, parmesan cheese, parsley, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk, set aside.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium- high heat coated with the cooking spray. Add the Canadian bacon and saute until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken and heat until warmed through. Add the garlic and reduce the heat to medium low. Add the milk mixture and pasta to the pan. Toss gently to coat. 

Place egg in a small bowl and whisk. Add the frozen peas to the pasta. Gradually add the 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Tempering the egg will keep the sauce creamy and prevent it from curdling. Gradually add the egg mixture to the pan stirring constantly, cook for 4 minutes or until the sauce is thick and creamy. 

Livin' It Up... What I'm Loving This Week

ONE: Nonfat greek yogurt with Coconut Chia Granola from Nature's Path. This granola is low in sodium, high in fiber, and packs 5 grams of protein per serving.

TWO: A lazy day at home planned for Valentine's Day watching Rom-Coms. An all time favorite is, You've Got Mail. I might even go out of my way to go to Brio Tuscan Grille and pick up an order to go. I LOVE!! their Grilled Lamb Chops with Pistachio Mint Pesto served with roasted red potatoes, red bell peppers, asparagus, and caramelized onions. 

THREE: XOXO!!! Loving unconditionally and being happy to see them happy. 

FOUR: Winning a $20 movie theater gift card at work by guessing how many Hershey kisses were in a glass vase. I was off by 2. "Rochelle wins everything!!!" Might use it to take Little Man to see The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water or save it for a rainy day. 

FIVE: Giving a thoughtful gift for Valentine's Day. While I think my idea was unique I came across a romantic idea of gifting a book called, Our Q&A A Day: 3-Year Journal for 2 People. It's a 3 year time capsule asking a question a day for both people to answer. I would love to get to know him better. 

SIX: Planning a weekend getaway to Fairbanks, Alaska to view the Northern Lights. 

SEVEN: With a few Spring-time temps sprinkled in the forecast it's nice to trade in closed-toed shoes for sandals. I would love to add these Schutz Darussa Imitation Pearl Sandals from ShopBop to my shoe collection. 

EIGHT: This 'New Q - Natasha' Crossbody Bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs from Nordstrom.

NINE: A sales manager buying our department pizza for lunch as a thank you. It was greatly appreciated... so were the Cinnabon cinnamon rolls for breakfast from our company's morale team. 

TEN: Downloading 150+ songs to my iTunes account. I look forward to driving with the windows down and the music loud. 

Livin' It Up... Hair Envy, Tame Your Mane with Tresemme 7 Day Keratin Smooth

My hair is the only thing high maintenance about me. By the book every 8 weeks for color and cut. I splurge and go to an Aveda salon, The Conservatory. For two hours I get to play rich housewifey (assuming this is where rich housewives would go to get their hair done) gossiping with my stylist, reading trashy magazines, scalp massages, perfect blow outs, and the oohs and aahs when I get to reveal my hair to my friends and coworkers.

I highly recommend this salon. I've been going here religiously for the last two years after a coworker recommended it after finding out I was going to the Ulta salon... Love their beauty supplies but the staff sucks and I actually cried after most of my hair appointments.

Since going to The Conservatory I have never received so many compliments on my hair AND! I've never once walked out of there crying.

I have very long, thick, and naturally wavy hair that is a bitch to manage. I barely turn my head wrong and it knots, doesn't dry completely overnight, and takes about an hour every day to do. My go to styles are: flat ironed straight, flat ironed curls, curling wand, and up in a bun or pulled back in a ponytail... my hair style depends on how tired I am in the morning.

I'm always looking for new hair products and was gifted the Tresemme 7 Day Keratin Smooth collection for Christmas which includes: shampoo, conditioner, and a heat activated treatment. The line promotes 7 full days of salon-gorgeous hair that will hold it's smooth frizz-free shine all week even through 3 washes.

To use:

1) First you shampoo and condition hair.

2) Then towel dry hair.

3) Divide hair into equal sections, dispense 2 pumps of the heat activated treatment into your palms and rub together evenly applying through each section.

4) Comb hair, distributing from root to tip.

5) Blow dry hair using a brush with boar and nylon bristles.

6) Flatiron in small sections, passing through 3 times.

Does it work?

Seven days worth of hair photos...

Before Photo with Products I've Been Using: Flatiron curled my hair, no product, washed and conditioned with Pantene Pro-V's Damage Detox line. Photo was taken right when I arrived at work. Absolutely love the current products I've been using so it'll be interesting using something else for the next week. 

After Treatment Photo Day 1: Really don't notice a difference from my go to routine.

Day 2: Woke up with a lot of frizz. Smoothed it down with a nylon and boar bristle brush. Not impressed with this collection as I don't notice a difference.

Day 3: Woke up late with no time for hair or makeup. Ugh! Just pinned my hair back with bobby pins. You can see how un-smooth the top half of my hair is. I've already said it, not impressed, but for the sake of the experiment I'm going to see this through to Day 7.

Day 4: Washed my hair last night and while in the shower I noticed something was different than normal... my hair didn't get knotted and when I woke up in the morning my hair was tangle free. I was able to brush my fingers through it. I even wore my hair's natural texture and didn't fuss with doing much more with it than this. I do love that I have beachy waves... my hair is still not "smooth" but I'll take tangle free any day.

Day 5: Another day of wearing my hair's natural texture. Again I could rake my fingers through my hair without getting snagged on any tangles.

Day 6: Pulled off a day of great hair and lashes thanks to my Little Man waking me up at 4:30. Curled my hair with a curling wand and no products were used.

Day 7: Washed hair last night. Created loose waves with the curling wand.

So would I buy the Tresemme 7 Day Keratin Smooth line again?

Unfortunately not. I didn't notice much of a difference outside of tangle free hair and don't want to have to fuss with towel drying, blow drying, and passing a flatiron over a section of hair more than 3 times again.

The results may be different for you so put on some music and treat yourself to an at home spa day and look forward to creating hair envy for others.

My "Pamper Your Sweet Ass" Playlist:

* Ellie Goulding: Anything Could Happen
* Ida Maria: I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked
* Lady Gaga: Bad Romance
* Marina and The Diamonds: How To Be A Heartbreaker
* Ashanti: Rock Wit U
* Junglepussy: Satisfaction Guaranteed
* The Dream: Purple Kisses
* Khia: My Neck, My Back
* 5 Seconds of Summer: She Looks So Perfect
* The 1975: Sex
* All Time Low: If These Sheets Were States
* The Goo Goo Dolls: Iris
* David Lambert: Outlaws
* Fall Out Boy: Alone Together
* The Kooks: Do You Wanna
* Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
* My Chemical Romance: Welcome to the Black Parade
* All Time Low: Me Without You
* Chvrches: Broken Bones
* Kevin Devine: Not Over You Yet
* Death Cab for Cutie: Steadier Footing
* Prince Royce: Stand By Me
* Landon Pigg: Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop
* Staind: Tangled Up In You

Livin' It Up... What I'm Loving This Week

ONE: Lacy bras, white tees, and sweatpants for lounging around the house. Who am I kidding? If it was work appropriate that would be my everyday outfit.

TWO: Purchased a Starbucks Love Traveller mug. I cannot pass up a specialty item from them. Glad I impulse shopped because I got one of the last at the location nearest to me and don't believe they restock. If you like it, buy it!

THREE: Great hair and lashes day and it definitely not going unnoticed. Might have scored lunch because of it. 

FOUR: The book I ordered finally arrived. Plan to curl up on the couch with a giant cup of coffee and do some reading this weekend.

FIVE: My guilty pleasure... COFFEE! I ran out of my supply last weekend and had to settle for the coffee at work this week, ick! Because I like variety I'll wait for a Groupon for a sampler pack of K-Cups. I get bored with the same flavor every day and these samplers keep it exciting. Ordered Two Rivers Single-Serve Flavored Coffee Pods 40 Ct. Sampler (still available as of 02/06/15) and so happy that it arrived before I left work. Happy Weekend for this girl!

SIX: Zumba classes!!!

SEVEN: Feeling giddy about doing something thoughtful for Valentine's Day and looking forward to Happy Hour on Tuesday. 

EIGHT: Wishing I had the funds to buy these Manolo Blahnik Chaos Patent High-Heels and a reason to wear them.

NINE: Taking an Old Hollywood Personality Quiz and finding out I'm charming, quick witted, immensely likable, don't fear showing up solo, and always have a ball like Audrey Hepburn. 

TEN: Winning $250 on SuperBowl Sunday!!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Simple Chicken Gyros

I've lost all motivation lately... that is, outside of my day job. I've let working out and meal planning go by the wayside. Instead, I've raced home every night this week to throw on cozy clothes and found myself in bed as soon as I laid Little Man down for the night and hitting snooze on the alarm until the last possible minute.

Although I haven't been following my meal plan or calorie counting I have continued watching what I eat making the healthiest choices possible. I just wish my motivation would spark again.

It's nights like these I'm grateful that I picked up a few convenience type foods during my weekly grocery trip. I picked up a spiced rotisserie chicken, tzatziki sauce, and whole wheat naan to make these simple and quick chicken gyros. All I had to do was chop up a handful of veggies and dinner was put together in under 20 minutes.

These are completely family friendly because you can adapt them to every one's taste. Little Man had his with chicken and cucumbers. This is such a fuss free dinner and any leftovers can be thrown together to make a salad or just dip some carrot sticks in the tzatziki sauce.

Simple Chicken Gyros

From: Jam Hands

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• warmed rotisserie chicken, pull the meat off the bone into bite size chunks
• Greek or Mediterranean spice blend, to taste
• 1 tbsp premade tzatziki sauce
• cucumber, sliced
• red onion, sliced
• Roma tomato, sliced
• 1 whole wheat naan

And Action:

Warm the naan in the microwave for 20 seconds. Spread the tzatziki sauce, sprinkle with the Mediterranean seasoning, and top with the chicken and veggies. Enjoy!