Sunday, January 25, 2015

Livin' It Up... Nailed It! O.P.I. Tickle My France-y Mani/Pedi


From O.P.I.'s 2008 La Collection De France, Tickle My France-y, is an opaque nude shade with a cool lavender tone, kind of a mauve shade. The application is so easy, goes on smoothly without streaking, two coats is all you need... three for a stronger color, dries in about ten minutes, and removes easily with 100% acetone. 


Why try it for yourself? Because Tickle My France-y is rated as one of O.P.I.'s top ten colors, nude shades help give the illusion of longer fingers, and if you're a sucker for cheeky names O.P.I. takes the cake. C'mon, You Don't Know Jacques! and Bastille My Heart. Squee!!!

(Orly's Bonder Basecoat, O.P.I.'s Tickle My France-y, Essie's 3-Way Glaze)

I think I'll just use my fresh manicure as an excuse to stay in cozy clothes and curl up on the couch with a cup of green tea and a stack of magazines to avoid doing the dishes at least for a couple hours. Nothing chips my nails like doing the dishes. Ugh!




Saturday, January 24, 2015

Doin' Some Cookin'... Cranberry Cleanse

I'm trying to do things that help with the functionality of my body. I've been eating healthier and making workouts a priority. Outside of seeing some weight loss I'm not noticing any other results yet.  Sometimes I think about how it would be nice to have a view into my body so I can see that eating all of these kale salads is really helping to detoxify my body and that it's not just a placebo effect.


Speaking of detoxing my body, as part of the 21 Day Flat Belly Challenge it was suggested to start the day with a Cranberry Cleanse. Supposedly it provides an energy boost while nourishing the liver, intestines, and kidneys while working to flush the body of accumulated waste.

I can't vouch for the above but I can tell you this concoction isn't too bad to throw back. Just be sure to have that water chaser handy.

Cranberry Cleanse
Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:
  • 4 oz cranberry juice
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • a glass of water as a chaser
And Action:

Combine the cranberry juice, vinegar, and lemon juice together in a glass. Drink the concoction and chase with the glass of water. 

Friday, January 23, 2015

Doin' Some Cookin'... Sesame Ginger Kale, Quinoa and Blueberry Superfood Salad

This is a recipe that reminds me how un-inventive I am in the kitchen. I would have never thought to mix together carrots, blueberries, seaweed and put that together with kale and quinoa. Thank you to the genius minds who create recipes for those like me who can't figure out how to top a salad with something other than cucumbers and tomatoes.

Kale and quinoa team up to make a powerhouse duo packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C and K, healthy fats, protein and fiber making this a healthy and filling lunch option. Kale is a superfood known for lowering your cholesterol and detoxifying your system.

No need to worry about making a big batch of this because the kale is so thick and hearty that it doesn't wilt during the week making it the perfect take to work lunch.

Or, if you live in the San Francisco, California area you can head over to Urban Picnic Eatery and pick up their version of this salad which this recipe was inspired from.

This recipe is also "flat belly challenge" approved, that is how I was introduced to this one.

Flat Belly Challenge Day 3:

My workout today consists of an abdominal circuit and an hour of walking.


Sesame Ginger Kale, Quinoa and Blueberry Superfood Salad
Adapted From: Popsugar Fitness
Makes 3 Servings and 10 Tbsp Dressing

Stars of the Show for the Salad:
  • 1 cup cooked red quinoa
  • 1 container baby kale
  • 1 bag shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 5 sheets toasted sesame seaweed (such as Annie Chun's)
Stars of the Show for the Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 glove minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp water
And Action:

Whisk all dressing ingredients together and put into a small jar with lid, set aside.

Combine all of the salad ingredients, lightly tossing to combine well. 

When ready to serve drizzle individual portions with dressing. Enjoy!

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Doin' Some Cookin'... BLT Lettuce Wraps

This is an unbelievable truth... I stopped liking bacon for the last couple years. It may have been caused by the ultimate BLT that I made turning my tongue raw from a sandwich that was like a salt lick.

Here's another unbelievable truth... After watching the movie, Supersize Me, I went out and ate McDonald's. Almost too much. My excuse was wanting to win a million dollars playing their Monopoly game.


And another unbelievable truth... After watching the movie, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, the sequel, I craved bacon after one of the rebooters (term for a person going on a juice cleanse) ordered a baconator from Wendy's.

My take away is that I need to stop watching food documentaries. I clearly do not get scared straight.

Scared enough, however, to not order a baconator and instead make these BLT Lettuce Wraps.

And yes... my love affair with bacon is back. Everything in moderation.

BLT Lettuce Wraps
Adapted From: Jackie's Happy Plate
Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:
  • 4 slices cooked applewood smoked bacon
  • handful of grape tomatoes, cut in half
  • 2 whole romaine leaves
  • 1 tbsp mayonaise
  • black pepper, to taste
And Action:

Spread each lettuce leaf with a 1/2 tbsp mayo. 

Sprinkle with pepper.

Top each lettuce leaf with 2 slices of bacon and half of the tomatoes. Enjoy!