Kale Chips: I'm in love

The other day I was surfing you tube for some healthy food/snack ideas and I came across kale chips. I initially thought "ew" but I was also intrigued. Then I went out and bought some kale and tried it. And I'm here to tell you...they are DELICIOUS. Who knew???
Rough Recipe: (From Kath Eats)

• Preheat oven to about 375*
• Use about 1 salad spinner’s worth of kale (which was a stuffed grocery store veggie bag). Tear the leaves off the thick stems into bite size pieces. Spread out on cookie sheets.
• Drizzle with about 2 tsp of olive oil
• Sprinkle with Parmesan, Asiago or your seasonings of choice. Plus a sprinkle of kosher salt.
• Bake for about 15 minutes, until edges are brown and kale is crispy when moved in pan.

Picture below was one I took after they were done. Brown on the edges, and nice and crispy! (Actually I think mine could have stayed in the oven an extra minute, maybe two but the first time I made them I burnt them so I was a little overcautious this time.)

















Here's the video from Kath Eats' website about how to make Kale Chips.



According to Wikipedia, "kale is considered to be a highly nutritious vegetable with powerful antioxidant properties and is considered to be anti-inflammatory. Kale is also very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and reasonably rich in calcium."

If you try it or have tried it before, let me know! Enjoy! :)

My Christmas 2010 Collage

Some of my decor...baking...fur kids...and yes... SNOW! :) Hope yours was Merry!

"Girl I CUT my hair, girl yes I did!"

(If you don't know who Bon Qui Qui is, you need to do some googling! Hilarious!)

I went to get my hair cut and colored the other day, and while I was there my hair dresser talked me into chopping several inches off. I trust her with my hair completely and I did ok, but at one point she was going all Edward Scissorhands on my hair and I got a little nervous. However, I do love the end result and I can get some serious poof in my hair now if I want! I mean, I AM southern. You know we love big hair down here.















By the way, my boss always calls me Estrada whenever I wear these glasses. All I need is a motorcycle!



















Merry Christmas to all of you!!! Stay safe and healthy. xoxo!

Back to Basics: Fitness & Food

My eating has been pretty crappy the past few weeks, I cannot tell a lie. Recently, I started cooking. A lot! And not low fat foods either. And while I have had fun experimenting with different recipes, it was no bueno for the waist line. (Although I still plan on sharing some of those recipes with y'all!) And now, several weeks later, I just feel....mushy. haha

So yesterday I recommitted to healthier eating. I don't want to wait until the first of the year. I have probably recommitted to healthier eating about a million times on this blog. Sometimes I have done great. Other times, like recently, not so great. But that's how life is. Sometimes we fall down, and we just have to get right back up.

The key to success is to have a plan. I believe this is where I fail sometimes. I don't have a game plan for success.

Fitness Plan:

1. Continue to run 3-5 times a week
2. Pilates - twice a week
3. Yoga - 3 times a week
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Just want to mention here that I started doing Yoga Sculpt last week on Exercise TV. I am in LOVE. I am alternating those workouts with Pilates too. I seriously look forward to doing these workouts every night, and that is a strong key in sticking with something. Enjoying what you do.

Food Plan: Nutrient-dense foods

1. Whole Grains
2. Proteins
3. Vegetables
4. Fruits
5. Milk - yogurts and soy
6. Lots of water
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

I went shopping yesterday, and bought all fresh, whole foods. I threw away all the pre-packaged crap in my pantry. That stuff is so terrible for your skin. Not to mention, it's not good for weight-loss. I don't need the additional sodium either.

For breakfast this morning, I had whole grain oatmeal with egg. It sounds disgusting but it really was delicious and SO FILLING. I don't always make breakfast at home in the mornings because I usually stay in the bed too long. But I'm always glad when I do! I am definitely in a better mood at work on those days.

So there it is. Wish me luck on this healthy adventure. Again... ;)

Sorry I lied!

This week is kicking my but! I will update more soon! Over the holidays I plan to visit and comment on so many blogs I've neglected the past few months. I have 385 unread posts right now in my reader. But I'm making it a priority to get on top of that!

I'm looking forward to Christmas with my family and New Year's Eve with some fab girlfriends! My Golden Girls, if you will. hehe I have some amazing girlfriends!























Also I have a story about another happy ending dog rescue! =) If you follow me on twitter, you know all about this. (and if you don't follow me on twitter, you really should! I tweet...way too much.) Stay tuned...

xoxo!

A new post tomorrow, I promise...

in the meantime, has anyone seen my cat???

















This feaux plant is on TOP of my kitchen cabinets. Le Sigh. (and yes, that plant is hideous.)

Cheering myself up

Well, clearly that didn't go well (regarding the post below) but still love my Gamecocks!!! SO PROUD of the amazing season we have had. And bonus! We get to play one last time and redeem ourselves at the Chick Fila Bowl in Atlanta on New Year's Eve. Me and Chick Fila have a love affair, so clearly it was meant to be. :)

Decided to cheer myself up a little and finally put my tree up. Not done, but getting there!
























My grandmother always had a white tree growing up, and it reminds me so much of her.

















My Gamecocks are always in my heart....and on my tree! haha
























I got this at Hobby Lobby the other day. Thought it was super cute! It reminds me of something you might see in Whoville.

Hope you are all having a great Christmas season, or whatever it is you celebrate. xoxo!

Here we go. I'm so nervous I can't STAND it.

4:00 PM EST on CBS (Thanks Emily for the correction! Yikes!)
SEC Championship Game
USC Gamecocks vs. Auburn Tigers

If we win, I will cry. If we lose, I will cry. Either way, I'm crying!!!

Go GAMECOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!