Foodie Friday

Happy Friday folks!

Today’s foodie Friday post has a Thai twist. For Christmas I was given Rocco Disprito’s cookbook Eat This, Now! Each recipe in this book breaks down comfort foods and creative ways to make them healthier!

This delicious shrimp pad Thai recipe is under 300 calories, incredibly flavorful and oh so comforting after a long day!

The recipe is a bit long, so I’ll be adding it soon, but I was so surprised by how well it turned out, I has to share!

Who needs to order out and wonder what you’re eating?!? Roll up your sleeves, get in the kitchen and see what you can create!

Enjoy!

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It starts with a dream

Nobody ever achieved anything without first dreaming it! I don’t know about any of you but I envision success beyond my wildest dreams, and believe me, I’ve got quite an imagination.

Whether it is success in business, success in relationships, success in your wellness goals, etc..it begins with a dream. You can’t achieve your ideal without first picturing it.

Dream big, dream often, and watch your success unfold!

Hump Day Reminder

I have been struggling to do the things I enjoy: blogging, reading, daily workouts, experimenting in the kitchen, etc.. but I will not let that get me down!

Life throws us challenges but as long as we smile through them, we will always overcome!

This is your hump day reminder to smile through it – no matter what!

Snow day wishes and paradise dreams

While we are getting pelted with snow here in Philadelphia….

I am daydreaming of somewhere more like this…

While I do wish the weather outside was a bit less frosty, it is nice to admire the beauty of snow. There is something very peaceful and pure about the evening after a good snow fall: The city is quiet and covered in a blanket of white sprinkled with sparkles from the city lights. I absolutely love evening strolls when the weather is like this…I just have to remember to bundle up!

That being said, there is nothing like looking forward to a good tropical vacation. I am in the throws of craziness with work, coaching and school but the moitvation of a potential getaway is keeping me going. While there are no official plans on the books, my brother and his girlfriend just returned from a costa rican vacation and its given me the itch.

I have been browsing potential long weekend getaways on a budget and today’s weather has inspired the planning process more than ever! While I bundle up and brainstorm, I would love some suggestions!

Happy Snow Day!

Week III & Weekend Wiggle Room

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! To those of you who have off, I’m jealous! To those of you working like me, I feel ya!

It’s been three weeks since the start of the new year and my return to a healthy life. While I haven’t been hitting the gym as hard as I would like, I have been committed to making smarter healthier choices ALL the time, and it’s working!That being said, my weekend was certainly not without it’s wiggle room!

I spent most of the weekend working – both coaching at the 2014 MA Elite Meet and giving lessons/holding diving practice – but did find time both Sunday morning and evening to indulge in some sweets & treats!My goal is to try and spend more time working out and doing yoga over the next couple weeks! I’m feeling the energy, I’m enjoying the endorphin boosts and am looking forward to more noticeable results in weeks to come!

 

HAPPY MONDAY!

Foodie Friday

It’s the freakin’ weekend…woohoo! I’m so excited for this weekend because it’s one of the first ‘big meets’ for my swimmers! MLK weekend is perfect for a three day event and I know the kids are ready to swim fast! They work sooo hard & are a constant source of inspiration!

This Foodie Friday recipe is not only healthy and delicious BUT it’s incredibly easy to make, great for leftovers, and will always leave you satisfied!Zucchini Lasagna

• 1 Fennel Bulb (Roasted)
• 1 Red Bell Pepper (Roasted)
• 1 Sm. Eggplant (Roasted)
• 1 Sm. Sweet Onion (Roasted)
• 1 c. Mushrooms (Sauteed)
• 1 shallot (Sauteed)
• 3 cloves Garlic (Sauteed)
• 3 Sm. Zucchini (Sliced in strips and grilled)
• 1 c. Non-fat Ricotta cheese
• 1 c. Reduced fat Mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 c. Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1-1 1/2 c. Marinara Sauce
• 3 tbsp. fresh (or dry) Italian herbs

ROAST veggies @ 400 for about 30 minutes. After veggies roast and cool, roughly chop.

SAUTE shallots and garlic in EVOO on medium until translucent/aromatic and add mushrooms to cook for 5-7 minutes. Mix in roasted veggies and cook together on medium for 3 minutes. Allow to cool on kitchen towel or paper towels to absorb some of the excess moisture.

GRILL zucchini strips (grill pan or outdoor grill) making sure to season strips with salt/pepper, brush the grill/grill pan with EVOO and cook on med-high for 2 minutes a side. Similar to the veggie mixture, allow strips to briefly cool on a kitchen towel or paper towels to absorb excess moisture.Layer sauce, zucchini strips (instead of pasta sheets), cheeses and filling just like you would a regular lasagna, sprinkling with herbs each layer. Top with a little extra grated Parmesan and bake @350 for 30minutes (broil in high for extra 4minutes turning half way through).

This is total comfort food and it’s totally delicious! While my swimmers indulge in pastas before their big meet, I’m going to indulge in this gluten free, InSaNeLy delicious zucchini lasagna.

Happy Friday…enjoy!

Short Bursts to Success

Happy Hump Day!

A migraine completely took me out of the game yesterday but I am back and feeling great! I don’t know if anyone else suffers from intense migraines but they’re quite a pain (no pun intended) and I just can’t seem to shake them! I know things like gluten, soy, dairy, sugar etc.. can all effect headaches; so, I spent several weeks on an elimination diet to see if my migraines were related to what I eat…no such luck! I am thinking they’re due to lack of sleep, stress and hormones – I am not sure there is too much I can do about those (even though I’m trying!)BUT aNyWaY, I have been having a hard time getting in the quality workouts I would like with my busy schedule! I have always been a big fan of cardio in the morning and yoga in the evening but lately with work, my evenings have been late and my mornings reserved for an extra hour or so of precious sleep! SO, since I have been having a hard time, I am trying something new. Studies have shown that short bursts of cardio (2 minutes) or so, a few times a day, can help keep your metabolism moving along and burn fat throughout the day. The idea is that your heart rate spikes and your body continues to burn calories after you’ve stopped exercising….the ‘afterburn.’ Every time I get up from my desk to use the bathroom I do 10 push ups, 30 mountain climbers, 10 squats and 10 dips. It helps that I can close my office door and people don’t actually see me doing this…but I definitely feel like its worth it! Not only do these ‘mini work-outs’ keep my metabolism going, they keep me working efficiently by increasing blood flow to the brain, releasing adrenaline/endorphins, improving mood, and focus!

Here’s to finding ways to stay fit…no matter what!

 

Weekend Wiggle Room

Happy Monday! Though the weather outside was frightful, this weekend was still quite delightful!

Since my parents went on a well deserved overnight to Atlantic City, my sister and I took care of their problem child! As I told my mother, its the blondes you’ve got to look out for…

We made some dinner, had some red wine and relived her September wedding (since it looks like my mother’s latest project is putting together a massive wedding album!).

Saturday night Phil and I went to one of our favorite restaurants in the city – Porcini. This 32 seat Italian BYOB has the best ravioli I’ve have ever had – there isn’t a single plate of ANY kind of pasta I’ve had in my life that even compares!

I was only able to get one workout in over the weekend, and my evening eats weren’t exactly the healthiest, but I am still feeling great about the way my first full week/weekend of getting back into the swing of things went. While I am definitely maintaining healthy habits most days, a little wiggle room on the weekend never hurt anyone. In fact, there are studies that show allowing yourself an indulgence day or a few indulgent meals can go a long way to cut craving and reduce the desire to binge on unhealthy foods!

Here’s to a little weekend wiggle room and the start of another healthy week!

Foodie Friday (seafood mastered!!)

It might be raining, sleeting and gloomy out today but I wont let it spoil the fact its FRIDAY!!! WOOHOOOO!! This Foodie Friday recipe comes from last night’s Mastering Seafood class at Sur La Table! We had an amazing time! The instructor was wonderfully energetic, the recipes were easy to follow, the food tasted amazing and the aromas coming from that kitchen were nothing short of heaven!

We started with some basics about knife skills, seafood purchasing/storing and then moved right into grilling! We made grilled shrimp with a citrus marinade, Mediterranean seafood stew, Citrus steamed mussels with herbs, and seared scallops with tarragon butter. I will admit I didn’t learn a ton of new information nor techniques, but I get the inside scoop on the best pans to achieve a good sear and picked up some pretty awesome kitchen gear!

I am sharing the Mediterranean Seafood Stew recipe. Frankly I think the weather is perfect for some hearty stew!

Mediterranian Seafood Stew

• 2 tbsp EVOO
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 small fennel bulbs (quartered, cored and sliced)
• 1 medium red pepper (cubed)
• 1 medium garlic clove minced
• 14 oz crushed tomatoes
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 pinches of saffron
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 3 cups seafood stock
• 8 oz white fish (cubed)
• 1 lb. mussels (soaked and scrubbed)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp parlsey
• salt and pepper to taste

*Start with some EVOO, cook down the onions and fennel, add the red peppers and cook until soft. Toss in the garlic and cook for about one minute before adding tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Allow mixture to cook together for a few minutes before adding wine, saffron and stock then continue to cook for about 10 minutes until it thickens a bit. Stir in your fish, then your mussels and cover the pot. Cook until all the mussels begin to open, stir in the lemon juice and add salt/pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley and serve!

Like I said, we had a great time, and the recipes were super yummy! The only problem was were were still hungry when we left, so even though we just spent 3 hours cooking/eating, we still stopped for a glass of wine and bite to eat on the way home..

Here’s to good wine, great food and a wonderful weekend…CHEERS!

 

Mastering Seafood!

The weather is warming, the sun is shining and I am so excited for my mastering seafood cooking class tonight! That’s right, in keeping with his general awesomeness, my wonderful boyfriend signed us up for a cooking class as one of my Christmas presents!

Since I don’t eat meat, fish is one of my main sources of protein and I couldn’t be more excited to learn some new techniques! I will hopefully be able to take lots of pictures and share some new yummy recipes!

Class is in just a few hours, so tomorrow’s Foodie Friday will certainly be a recap of the experience and recipes I picked up!

Wish me luck!