Monday, October 31, 2011

::tuna:nicoise::

This next recipe looks super delicious - although I would probably tweak it a bit and add some different stuff or take some stuff out {don't like olives for example}.
I LOVE tuna fish though and this sandwich just sounds absolutely amazing. Would make a great lunch.

Bon Appetit!


Tuna Nicoise Sandwich
This sandwich, our take on the French pan bagnat, is perfect for outdoor eating. Its flavor improves when you make it ahead. 
Everyday Food, July/August 2009

Yield: Makes 4

Ingredients
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 cans oil-packed tuna {6 ounces each}, drained
1/4 English cucumber
1/2 small red onion
8 inch country style round bread loaf
3 tablespoons jarred olive tapenade
1 cup fresh basil leaves
2 hard-cooked large eggs

Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, white-wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Transfer 2 tablespoons dressing to another bowl; toss with tuna. To remaining dressing, add cucumber and red onion; toss to combine. 
Cut an 8-inch country-style round bread loaf in half horizontally; remove most of soft interior bread. Spread 3 tablespoons jarred olive tapenade on bottom half. Top with 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, then 2 hard-cooked large eggs sliced; season with salt and pepper. Top with tuna, then cucumber mixture, and close sandwich. 
Wrap sandwich tightly in plastic and place between two baking sheets. Weight with a heavy skillet. Let stand 1 hour {or refrigerate, up to overnight}. To serve, cut into quarters. 


Sounds suuuper delicious. :) 


-S.*

::super:quick:recipe::

I haven't posted a recipe in quite a while...been going crazy with editorials lately haven't I. 
The weekend was a good one - I hope everyone had a splendid time as well. It was a really fast one where I woke up this morning and just didn't know where it went...it was a bit lazy as well. Especially yesterday where I refused to leave the bedroom. Watched some movies and read my book. It was good. Although I did fall asleep seriously early {before 8pm} because I woke up at 5am...missed the Leaf game and I am sure my boyfriend wasn't too pleased with this. He didn't really say much to me this morning and I think he's a bit pissed with me. I will totally make it up to him tonight though...since he doesn't read this blog anyways I am going to say that I will get him a little gift {the new Battlefield PS3 game} as well as make a delicious dinner...since again, I didn't make anything last night. 
I will probably make the most delicious dindin of life - sunny side up eggs, potatoes, cauliflower, yellow wax beans and toasted bread crumbs. It's the best combination ever. It's seriously a delicious dinner. I have mentioned it in the past here. You guys totally have to try it. :) 
It is also Halloween so HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone! 
Make sure the kidlets are dressed warm as it's a little chilly! Well, in Canada it is anyways. 
Anyways, away we go with this super quick recipe that's on the Everyday Food site. There are rave reviews about this - you'd think it would be pretty standard but apparently it's amazing! Lol. I will be posting more recipes throughout the day. :) 

Bon Appetit!


Sauteed Corn, Bacon, and Scallions
Raw or cooked kernels can be frozen in resealable plastic bags for up to six months. Be sure to write the date on the bag with a marker for future reference. 
Everyday Food, September 2003

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minute
Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients
4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch strips
4 cups corn kernals
Coarse salt and ground black pepper
Pinch of red-pepper flakes
2 to 3 scallions, sliced

Directions
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until browned, 4 to 6 minutes. 
Add corn kernals; season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring often, until corn is tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in scallions. Serve immediately.


-S.*

Friday, October 28, 2011

::tubby:office:worker::

Okay yea, maybe the title of this post is a little harsh but come on...a lot of people that work in offices and sit on their asses all day; aren't in the best of shape physically. 
I, for one, am one of them. 
This is why if I eat a really craptastic lunch {or think I did} I feel helpless and feel like I can't do anything to burn those calories off. That is, until I found some tips and tricks on lifehack.org that have some nifty little inconspicuous exercises that I tried and actually felt the burn! It's such a great idea. :D 
So I am going to share these tips with all you fellow office workers and see what you think of them as well. 


29 Exercises You Can Do At {Or Near} Your Desk
Putting in a full day at the office can make it hard to find the time to exercise. But most of us have a bit of a lag between tasks as we sit in front of our computers, and we can take advantage of a few minutes here and a few minutes there to get some physical activity in. You won't get an extensive workout this way, but you can get enough exercise that missing a day or two of a more strenuous activity won't make a difference. You can also avoid some of the ills that come from sitting at a desk for too long: sore wrists, stiffness, even repetitive motion injuries. 
No one wants to do a mile run or anything else that will get their work clothes sweaty, but these simple exercises can keep your clothes neat and still get your heart rate up. 

Feet and Legs

Toe Raises.
Lift your toes while keeping your heels firmly on the ground. While you can do this exercises standing, it works very well while seated. 

Football Foot Drill.
At practice, football players practise rapidly tapping their feet in place, simulating a run. Do the same thing while seated, for 30 seconds at a go.
Take the stairs. 
If you need a harder workout, try taking them two at a time - you'll get a chance to stretch your legs more than you would otherwise.
Calf raises.
Stand in front of a desk or other piece of furniture you can hold on to for balance. Raise your heels off of the floor and slowly lower them. 

Lunge.
While walking, take the widest step you can and lunge forward.

Hip flexions.
While sitting in your chair, lift your right food a few inches off of the floor. Keep your knee bent at a 90 degree angle and hold the position as long as you are comfortable.
Walk the hallway.
Walk down the hallway as fast as you can without actually running.
Plie squats.
Point your toes outwards and take a wide stance. Slowly bend your knees in the direction of your toes. Once you can no longer see your toes, slowly stand up. While plie squats are more graceful than regular squats, give them a pass if your work attire includes a skirt.
Leg extensions.
While sitting in your chair, extend your right leg until it is level with your hip. Hold as long as you are comfortable and then relax it. Alternate sides. 

Hands and Arms

Shadow box. 
Stand up and take a couple of jabs at the air. 

Arm pump.
Pump both of your arms over your head for 30 seconds.

Shoulder raises. 
Raise your shoulder to your ear, hold and then relax. Repeat, alternating shoulders. 

Wrist stretch. 
Stretch your arm out in front of you with the palm up. With your other hand, grab your fingers and lightly pull them down to stretch your forearm. 

Tricep Dips.
Put your arms behind your back, resting on your chair and slowly raise and lower yourself. 

Elevated pushups.
Lean on a sturdy piece of furniture and slowly push your body off of it in a sort of standing push up. 

Hand stretches. 
Tense and relax the muscles in your hands. Make fists, spread your fingers and bend your fingers.

Flapping wings. 
Stretch both of your arms up and back, as far as you can. Bring them forward until they meet and stretch your arms out in front of you. Repeat.

Water bottle weights. 
Use a full water bottle as weight to increase the difficulty of your work out. You can do front raises, overhead presses and bicep curls with a water bottle. 


Torso

Back twist. 
Sit up straight in your chair and place your right arm behind your right hip. Twist to the right and hold. Alternate sides. 

Wall sits. 
Rest your back against a wall and move your feet away from the wall. The wall should be supporting the weight of your back and your knees should be bent. Hold the position as long as possible. 

Gluteal Squeeze.
Tense up the muscles of your rear end and hold for a count of 10. 

Curls.
Cross your arms over your chest and sit up straight. Tense your abdominal muscles and curl your shoulders towards your hips. Hold for a few seconds. 

Abdominal Stretch.
Sit on the edge of your chair and stretch your arms out in front of you. While keeping your back straight, contract your abdominal muscles. Relax and repeat. 

Neck rotations. 
Drop your chin and roll your neck. Raise your chin up and bend your neck to each side. 


Full Body

Low-impact jumping jacks.
Raise your right arm and tap your left toe to the side at the same time. Keep your right foot on the floor. Alternate sides for a full minute. 

Pretend jump rope. 
Hop either on both feet at once or alternating feet. 

Pretend jump rope, version 2. 
Move your arms as if you are turning a jump rope while tapping one foot in front of you. Alternate feet. 

Chair dips. 
Place the palms of your hands on your chair and your feet on the floor. Move your rear end off of the edge of your seat. Bend your elbows and lower your body. Straighten your arms to return to the starting position. 

Chair squats. 
Life your rear end off of your seat and hold for a few seconds. 



And there you have it! I tried some of these and let me tell you - you can definitely feel a burn. I am quite glad I found this! Now I can keep on going with these exercises and hope to burn at least a few extra calories. :) 


-S.*




Thursday, October 27, 2011

::God's:Own:Country::

Another very moody and eerie editorial. Love the setting, styling, make-up...everything. 
Ominous and foreboding.

Mila Krasnoiarova by Stevie & Mada for Tank Magazine Fall 2011.








-S.*

::gumbo::


Half-Hour Chicken Gumbo
Rely on rotisserie chicken, smoked spicy sausage, and frozen okra from the store to stack up flavors in our quick rendition of a classic Cajun stew. 
Everyday Food, April 2008

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 red bell peppers {ribs and seeds removed}, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 package {10 ounces} frozen, cut okra
8 ounces smoked {precooked} andouille sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1 inch thick
1 rotisserie chicken {about 2-1/2 pounds}, skin and bones removed, meat shredded {about 4 cups}
Store-bought or homemade cornbread, for serving {optional}


Directions
In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil over medium. Add flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until pale golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in bell peppers, onion, garlic, and oregano; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender, 10 to 12 minutes. 
Add 4 cups water; stir in okra and sausage. Bring to a boil. Stir in shredded chicken, and warm through, 1 to 2 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper; if desired, serve with cornbread.

Cook's Note
Rotisserie chicken shaves many minutes from the total cooking time, and it's slow-roasted goodness brings just as much to the mix as if you'd cooked your own. 

Variations
Two of the 4 cups water can be replaced with 2 cups low-sodium store-bought chicken broth.



-S.*

::stuffed:shells::

I found this amazing blog that has amazing food photography and amazing recipes!
The site is called: "SkinnyTaste".
I stumbled across a recipe that is just begging for me to try it and if I wasn't doing so damn well on my diet this week I would make it RIGHT NOW. TONIGHT! Alas, I can plan this as a cheat meal and obviously portion control the crap out of it. 
Either way, this is an awesome recipe for a family get together or something you could freeze and eat as leftovers. 
I'm pretty sure you guys are going to find this as mouth-watering as I do. 

Bon Appetit!


Spinach Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce
From Skinnytaste.com / Julie Hamilton

Servings: 9 • Serving size: 3 stuffed shells • Old Points: 7 pts • Points+: 9 pts
Calories: 360.9 • Fat: 12.8 g • Protein: 28.4 g • Carb: 34.3 g • Fiber: 3.3 g 


Ingredients
27 {9 oz} Barilla Jumbo Shells
1 cup onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1 lb 99% lean ground turkey
32 oz crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper
2 cups part skim ricotta cheese
8 oz reduced fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 egg
16 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed well
1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano


Directions
Boil water and cook shells according to package directions, make sure to make them al dente.


Meanwhile, saute onions and garlic in oil. Add turkey and salt and brown until cooked, breaking up in small pieces. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and basil, then simmer on low, covered, about 15 minutes. 
Preheat oven to 375°.
In a large bowl, mix together ricotta, egg, spinach, mozzarella, and parmesan. 


Once shells are cooked and cool, fill each shell with {about 2 heaping tbsp} cheese mixture and place on a large baking dish, or two small dishes, covering the bottom of the dish with a little sauce.
Top shells with half of the sauce, cover with foil and bake 40 minutes; uncover foil and bake 5 more minutes. 

Serve with additional sauce on top. 



My mouth is seriously watering...even reading this recipe...ahh! 
I desperately need to make this very soon. 


-S.*

::five:ways:to:lose:fat::

Since I'm on this fitness kick I am going to try and read up as much as possible about different fitness/exercise move and just how to get the maximum results possible from my work-outs and clean eating. 
This is an article from Oxygen mags website that I thought you guys would find interesting. 


Five Ways to Lost Fat

1. Climb Two Steps At A Time
Whether on the stepmill at the gym or scaling the floors in your office building, taking steps two at a time will provide greater muscular benefits and a greater overall caloric burn. 
A study published in The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research found that skipping a step when climbing burns up to 90 additional calories per house and also engages hip and leg extensors at a greater rate. 
Quick Tip: You'll burn more calories if you pump your arms at your sides, but if you find it difficult to keep your balance while stepping two stairs at a time, place one hand lightly on the railing for support. 






2. Map Out Your Plate
Taking a moment to mentally separate your dinner plate into sections can help you visualize how acceptable serving sizes look.
"Break" your plate in half; fill one of these sides with vegetables and whole grains. Split the other half into two once again; one of these sections will hold your lean protein serving while the other is the perfect size for a serving of healthy fats.
Quick Tip: Use your side salad plate - not the gigantic large size that you may have grown up using - and be sure not to fill your plate to the brim.

3. Add Five Minutes To Your Time
If you generally go for 30 minutes during your cardio workout, try boosting your time to 35, tacking on another five minutes every second workout until you reach 45 minutes. 
Increasing your workout time gradually will make the jump from a half hour to three-quarters of an hour seem like a breeze!
Quick Tip: Even though you are exercising longer, don't let your intensity drop. Keep your speed, incline and other workout settings at the same rates you would have during your shorter, original workout length. 

4. Try A New, Exotic Food Each Week
You don't have to be making squid and lemongrass stir-fry for every meal, but taking your taste buds on a culinary adventure every now and again can help relieve the mediocrity of dieting.
Never tried okra? Hit the search engines and research a new dish. Interested in papaya but haven't taken the jump? Pack one for tomorrow's lunch and share it with a work pal.
Quick Tip: Check your local grocery store to see what's in season; if you don't like what you purchase, you'll throw away less money than if you had purchased something that isn't at its peak.
Bonus: Your foodie finds will also be fresher. 
5. Do An Exercise - Backward
We don't mean that you should do an about-face when squatting or pressing. Instead, try focusing on the eccentric motion of each rep - basically, the portion of the exercise wherein your target muscle lengthens.
For example, as you are doing a biceps curl, slowly return the weight to the starting position, fighting against gravity, instead of letting your arms swing to the bottom. During a squat, use control and clench your glutes as you sink to the lowest part of the move.
Why? Your muscles are actually able to move more weight during the eccentric portion of a life - up to 40 percent more, in fact - than during the concentric portion {when your muscle shortens to move a load}. More resistance equal a higher caloric burn and greater strength gains for you.
Quick Tip: Try doing your reps at a two-counts-up, four-counts-down pace to keep the emphasis on your eccentric contraction.


-S.*

::quote:of:the:day::



"In this life, to earn your place you have to fight for it." - Shakira


-S.*

{Source: Google}

::turkey:leftovers::


Oh dear...I have been putting off making turkey for forever...and I really need to make it sometime soon because I am craving it like a kookoonut. You know how people think of sex like, fifty billion times a day...yea, I'm thinking of turkey. Sad, eh? I cannot help it. During Thanksgiving I did NOT have my fill of turkey I just wanted more and more and more...but sadly, my belly could only hold so much {well, not sadly...I don't want to have a turkey gut, ha ha}. 
I just caaaaaan't stop thinking of turkey and crispy skin, stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, crescents, roasted carrots, peas and creamed corn, gravy, cranberries {even though I don't eat it for some reason this keeps popping into my head, maybe I'll finally try it}, bacony brussels sprouts, wax beans and just...EVERYTHING! Everything amazingly Thanksgiving-ish. 
Alas, that $hit can be expensive so I gotta wait until we have a bit of extra cash, especially since my boyfriend has been watching too much "Till Debt Do Us Part" and he's becoming the penny pinching master. 
I might have to just stick with turkey chili...ho hum...
No. I am definitely going to make it. I will probably plan it around the same time as the US Thanksgiving and do it then. I guess turkey's never go out of style so I shouldn't worry. Lol. 
Anyways...there are a tun of recipes out there as well on how to use some of your Thanksgiving leftovers {although I am sure most of you have gobble-gobbled it all up by now} but I am going to share this recipe with you all anyways. It sounds sooo yummy. Omg...for some reason when I think of the bread the turkey sits on with gravy I think of the toast that KFC used to have just completely smothered in butter...fifty billion calories and you'd gain an extra olsen twin, I know, but worth it none the less. Ha ha. :)

Bon Appetit!


Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich with Mushroom Gravy
This satisfying sandwich can be made with the recipe for Roast Turkey Breast and Gravy or with your own turkey and gravy leftovers.

Yield: Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, leaves
1 pound mixed domestic and wild mushrooms, such as shiitake, oyster, or cremini, trimmed and quartered
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup Madeira wine
1-1/2 cups gravy
4 thick-cut slices white sandwich bread, such as pain di mie {Pullman}
3 pounds roast turkey breast
1 small bunch watercress

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and thyme; cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms; saute until they release liquid and are soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add Madeira, raise heat to high, and saute until liquid is cooked away, 3 to 5 minutes. Add gravy; cook until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. 

Meanwhile, slice turkey into about 1/4-inch-thick slices, and add to the gravy. Heat until turkey is hot, about 1 minute. 
Toast bread under the broiler on both sides until golden but still soft.
Place toast on serving plates, spoon 1 or 2 tablespoons gravy over toast, and scatter watercress on top. Arrange turkey over toast, and spoon mushrooms and gravy over meat. Serve Warm.


Omg. This sounds sooo amazing! I am TOTALLY going to make this once I have some turkey leftovers. :) 


-S.*

{Source: Everyday Food - Martha Stewart}

::photo{s}:of:the:day::


Of course I am going to choose the gorgeous Lara Stone -- again. Lol.





-S.*

{Source: Unknown}

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

::dinner:party:app::


This next recipe would make an awesome dinner party appetizer. Or even great for breakfast on a bagel {parents usually have this for breakfast}. It is jampacked full of flavor. I never thought I would enjoy smoked salmon or capers to say the least but I do love them both...and together over cream cheese is even better. There are a few more add-ons with this recipe. I highly recommend it, it's light, airy and healthy. So I wouldn't regret it if I scooped up more then 2...IF they're small. ;)

Bon Appetit!


Rye Toasts with Smoke Salmon, Cucumber, and Red Onion

Courtesy of: Martha Stewart Living, December 2004
Per serving: 278 calories
Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients
8 thin slices rye bread
5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon low-fat cream cheese
1/2 English {hothouse} cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced diagonally
4 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon
1/2 medium red onion, very thinly sliced
1 teaspoon drained capers, rinsed and patted dry
Freshly ground pepper
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Toast bread slices in oven on a baking sheet, turning once, until golden, about 10 minutes. 
Spread 2 teaspoons cream cheese on each toast. Divide cucumber, salmon, onions, and capers among toasts; season with pepper. Squeeze lemon juice on top. 


See how simple that was?! You can totally make a whole bunch for a dinner party and I am sure everyone will eat them up within minutes!


-S.*

::excuses:excuses::

Since I am going to start going back to the gym and exercising I decided to share a post with you from the Shape website about making excuses to not exercise. 
It's so much easier to not stick to a fitness routine, but that just leads to an unhealthy body and low self-esteem. Exercising also helps depression and anxiety. 
It's obviously not something that is out to destroy you...it's there to help you and be the best you can possibly be. 
So let's go through some "lame excuses" shall we? I am sure many of us told ourselves the following. Lol. 




5 Lame Excuses That Shouldn't Keep You From Exercising
Say goodbye to workout excuses for good!
By FitSugar


Have a regular fitness routine? Do you always stick to it? If the answer is no, you've probably made one of these excuses before. Before you convince yourself to ditch your gym bag for another day, here are five common excuses and the reasons why they shouldn't keep you from sweating it out. 

I'm too tired:
No matter how many times people tell you that exercise will help give you an energy boost, it won't matter if the thought of actually putting on your sports bra has you spent. But consistency is key to keeping energy levels up. The more regularly you exercise, the more energy you'll have, meaning you won't nod off on the couch while trying to catch your favorite primetime shows at night; so, use that as motivation to just do it. 

I'm too busy:
Who hasn't looked at their schedule and wondered how they are going to fit it all in? Juggling workouts with work, kids, and social engagements can be a feat in itself. But an effective workout can be had in just 20 minutes or less as long as you're prepared. Find a few quick workouts to have on hand the next time you have a busy day. Squeen in a few of these quick five-minute exercises the next time you have a few minutes to spare, or make like perpetually busy working Mom Bethenny Frankel and pop in an exercises DVD when you get home. "A long time ago I used to go to a gym or a yoga class, but that involves getting there {and} getting back. I don't really have that extra time, so I really believe in at-home workouts," she recently told us.


I don't want to ruin my makeup/hair/outfit:
Has a good hair day ever stopped you from sweating it out and ruining your locks? You're not alone. Even the surgeon general recently spoke out against using your beauty routine as an excuse for not working out. Before you skip a workout just because you don't have time for a hairdo or makeup redo, read our quick tips for making the most of your post-workout locker room beauty routine. 

I don't know what to do:
Don't be intimidated by those determined-looking fitness fanatics at your gym. Everyone has been a fitness newbie at one point in their life, and chances are whether they're whizzing by you on the trail or grunting on a gym machine, they're not paying attention to what you look like. If you lack knowledge to do an exercise correctly or don't want to go it alone, ask a fit friend to show you the ropes, show up early to class to talk to the instructor, or seek out a trainer at your gym {set up a free consultation if you're not a member of one}. "Trainers are there to help and will passionately do so," says Crunch personal trainer manager Tim Rich.

I'm not in the mood:
PMS, fights with the boyfriend, being sick, and other annoyances can make exercising the last thought on your mind. But before you ditch your workout, try these tips {http://www.fitsugar.com/Exercising-When-Youre-Sick-Hungover-Injured-Sore-18314120?} for working out when you're not feeling it. You may find that you feel better, thanks to all those endorphin's, after you finish exercising. 


There you go! The excuses we make and the reasons we shouldn't be making 'em. 
Now get your bottom to the gym! :)


-S.*

{Source: Shape Magazine Website}

::update:&:chunky:knits::


So I think I have been doing pretty good on my diet so far...other then the wine consumption. Tonight I don't plan on having any and just subbing it with some pumpkin chai tea from David's Tea. 
I have yet to try any of them - remember a little while ago I posted about the Fall collection? Once I do try some of them I will definitely fill you in on what I think. 
Tonight I will be going to the gym the first time in like...a year! It's craziness...I will go right after work {brought my trusty gym bag and clothes} and will probably hit up the elliptical first. 
Of course I can't find my sports bra's anywhere after renovating the apartment and I will have to be a teensy bit more careful with my workouts. Lol. 
I'll probably just have to go and buy another one if I can't find them anywhere...which is quite possible. I threw out so many clothes I don't even remember what I kept or did throw out. Whoops!
So I am a bit excited but nervous at the same time. I always used to go to the gym with my boyfriend so I got that extra support from him when I wasn't feelin' it. I just hope he's proud of the work that I am going to put into myself getting healthier. 
I have already lost 2 pounds since Sunday so that is a bonus! I just gotta remember that it is 70% nutrition and 30% exercise. So I can't eat $hite and work out - it doesn't work that way. 
I will probably end up doing the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels on Thursday so that my bf and I don't miss the Leaf game. :P So this is my update on my fitness/health/weight loss goals. I'll keep posting from time to time with more information. 
Hope everyone is having a lovely Tuesday so far - new magazine day! And here we have another editorial for you. :)

Terese Pagh by Eric Guillemain for L’Officiel Paris November 2011.




-S.*

Monday, October 24, 2011

::omega:love::

Ouch. 
We are watching the Leaf game and Chris Pronger of the Philidelphia Flyers just got hit in the face with a hockey stick by Mikhail Grabovski {one of my favorite Leafs}. Now no one wants to get hit in the face with a hockey stick...especially when it's one of the best players on the opposing team {do you see how fast those pucks go, btw??} BUT...Chris Pronger was SCREAMING as he got off the ice. This was disconcerting...it was worrying...it was just plain scary. The arena was so quiet...no one knew what was going on. Especially since you have to figure it out by watching the replay. 
I just hope Pronger is okay. I know Grabovski didn't do it on purpose {obviously} but it was just a tad heart-wrenching...

I am sitting here with my kittycat, boyfriend, glass of wine and Leaf game...window open, cold air coming in, brand new bedroom set just calling my name. 
Which I should probably post a picture of...to show you all how gorgeous our place is having cleaning all the crap out from it. Lol. 
I had a great weekend, it just went by so fast...it was hilarious too...lots of laughing. I love laughter-filled days...there was a boyfriend's fambam get together where I did an amazing impression of Drita from Mob Wives that had everyone in completely stitches...or so I thought, there were ample amounts of alcohol involved.
Saturday was super freakin' lazy. In bed for most of the day, watching Mob Wives and other shows, boyfriend & chichi napped, then there was some PS3 and Leaf game...where we won...against the Habs. ;) Sister won't like that one. Lol.
Sunday was even more laziness...lots of PS3...lots of eating...lots of cat and boyfriend cuddling together {even though he won't admit it, lol!}. 

I just want to keep you all posted that the kitty is doing so much better. I stopped his medicine and he is eating on his own which is amazing! He is still super skinny but he seems to be so much better. 

Anyways - I shall post a recipe right now. 
Soon I shall be going to bed. ;) 

Bon Appetit!


Roasted Salmon with White-Wine Sauce
Salmon is versatile, ultra heart-healthy superfood, and its preparation possibilities are endless. Here, a skinless roasted fillet creates a simple but swanky dinner when paired with steamed potatoes with thyme and sauteed mixed mushrooms. 
Everyday Food, January/February 2008


Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients
1 large skinless salmon fillet {1-1/2 pounds}
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Directions
Preheat over to 450 degrees. Place salmon on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Roast until opaque throughout, about 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add flour, and cook, whisking, 1 minute. Add wine, and bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook until liquid is reduced by half, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in chives; season with salt and pepper. With a form, gently break salmon into large chunks, and serve topped with white-wine sauce. 


Simple and delicious. 
Not to mention healthy. 
Hope everyone is having a great Monday night. I am ready to hit the hay and forget about this nauseous filled Monday too and have a fabulous Tuesday. :) 


-S.*