Hey Friends! I can’t remember the last time I posted – WHOOPS! But I have a tasty recipe that I can’t wait to share! It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, I love crab cakes – they are amazing!
I whipped these suckers up as a little something special before Phil took off for Vegas. ‘Oh, your husband has business over the weekend’?? NOO! He and a few buddies are going to Vegas just for the hell of it & since I am SUCH a good wife, I decided to send him off with a homemade dinner that happens to be the first thing Phil ever made for me. My recipe is obviously better than his and I’m sharing it below.
Crab Cake 
- 1 lb lump crab
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup panko
- 1/4 cup green onion
- 1/4 cup parsley
- 1 teaspoon Worschestershire
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 lemon zested
- 1/4 cup light mayo
- 1 teaspoon old bay
- salt & pepper
Remoulade
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 lemon juiced / zested
- 1 teaspoon pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon minced capers
- 1 minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
- salt & pepper
Sear the cakes for a few minutes on each side & top with some remoulade to enjoy!
’til next time, keep smiling! 😉
So back to the salad…I am mildly obsessed with feta cheese – it goes on nearly every salad I make, & this one is no exception.
I am pretty confident most of you know how to put together a salad but it’s all about the little things. For example, I buy raw nuts & toast them myself – TRUST, it makes a difference. Also, I don’t buy bottled dressing – get yourself some good EVOO and balsamic and just mixed them half & half. Last, add herbs to your salads to bump up the flavor profile – I always keep cilantro, parsley, and dill in my fridge but you can do whatever you want. Last, last, thing…just because its a salad doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add salt (salt literally brings out flavor in food). Generously salt and pepper your greens before you dress them. Now that you’re in the know, you’re ready to go!
Phil and I had such an amazing close to our first official ski season in Tahoe – perfect weather, great snow, and even better friends to share the fun. Doubly exciting is the official wrap up of the 16wks of 2016 Motivational Mondays! Phil and I have loved and are going to continue to work on making healthier choices, taking better care of ourselves, and nourishing our bodies. I’ve personally been able to maintain my goal weight & lose 5% body fat, while Phil lost 15 lbs and gained more noticeable muscular definition. We’re continuing with our healthy eating & regular exercise routine…if we make any major changes or decide to experiment with something new, I’ll be sure to share, but for now, Monday’s will sift – I’m calling this 16 wk series Meditation Monday…I’ll be getting started May 2 & am really looking forward to the opportunity to dive a little deeper.
This week I have 4 private client sessions, 14 studio classes, a social media challenge to prep, and quarterly goals/projections to complete – no one ever said going after your dreams was easy but when you love what you do I guess you can’t exactly call it hard either. I constantly catch myself in moments of self doubt, fear, etc… regarding the career/life choices I’ve made & in the blink of an eye something or someone snaps things back in perspective. As long as I keep walking my talk & offering up the truest version of myself, I can’t go wrong.
I’m in shock we’re 15 weeks into this year and one week out from the completion of our 2016 motivation challenge. I feel strongly that if you’re trying to make a serious lifestyle change, it takes about 16 weeks for it to become part of your routine…the proof is in the pudding, as they say, because not only do Phil & I make healthier choices but our bodies crave healthier behaviors. As mentioned before, we’re keeping things going even after next week and kicking it up with a leaner diet & lots of greens powder to boost our  vitamin & mineral intake. The body is an incredible machine and I really enjoy playing around with my diet/exercise to see what happens.
I’ve found a new pool of inspiration and a resignation of my passion after this weekend’s event. Teaching for 
We’re officially into the month of April and I can’t believe how fast this year is flying by! Almost as fast as Phil and I barreling down the slopes in Tahoe this weekend, haha! The weather was perfect and it was a lot of fun to spend the weekend working out and taking in the most beautiful views around. I also had the chance to share some yoga with my housemates which was fun – I relish any opportunity to spread the yogi love.
This week I’m working on myofasical techniques nightly to release muscular tension as well as adding some fresh juice for added hydration & nutrients. Phil is kicking up his cat/cow and spinal strength work & trying to cut back on snacks. We’re gearing up to make April the best month of the year, whose with us!
I can’t remember the last time it was a true 1st Friday and April Fools, so my lame attempt at a prank was posting now! I  wish Phil and I were in the city so we could see the opening of the different art exhibitions. I used to love the Old City 1st Friday art openings while Phil and I were in Philadelphia but it all got very crowded and crazy so we couldn’t enjoy it. Even though we’ve been here a year we still haven’t done a 1st Friday in SF…I think May might have to be the month. We’re in Tahoe for some spring skiing and a break from the city. The ski season is coming to a close for us, only a few weeks left, and we’re both looking towards bikini season, haha!
Since it is officially the first Friday of this month, its a plated Foodie Friday and this week its fish, veggies, and a delicious range of flavors: on the menu is a thai curry tilapia, cheesy vegetable linguine, and gruyere grilled cheese. 
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Are we all making it over the hump? This week started busy and will end just the same…story of life I guess, right?!? Anyway, since today is the last Wednesday in March this will be the last installment of my sleep series. Since I have covered most of the basics, I thought I would hit one more – the morning routine – waking up in the healthiest way to start your day. 
We’re all guilty of hitting the snooze button a few too many times in a desperate attempt to get more sleep, only to end up rushing out the door and jolting your body into a panicked start to the day – no bueno! Below are the five things, no matter what, I do every morning to ensure I have a healthy, happy start to the day.
What a beautiful weekend! We had such a lovely time enjoying the sunshine, taking things slow, and celebrating the culmination of Easter Week. Friday night was quiet and low key (in observance of Good Friday). We had some fish po’ boys for dinner and hit the hay early. Our weekend kicked off with a trip to guitar center to buy Phil his long overdo electronic drum set. We spent the afternoon enjoying delicious wine at our winery’s spring release event, and afterwards some shopping & pizza night! Yesterday was mass, an eggs benedict & mimosa brunch by yours truly,  and rooftop yoga/ an evening of grilling & enjoying the sunset. 
We’re almost finished the month of March and even though Phil and I have been making healthier choices we still don’t feel like we’re kicking it up enough. So with three weeks left in our 2016 challenge we’re thinking we might extend things a few extra weeks and try something a little different. Starting next week, so with two weeks left in our original challenge, we’re going to start simplifying our diets & kicking up the healing treatments – epsom salt baths, heat/ice, evening and morning stretching, and myofascial  release. We’ll be doing this through the month of May but will still report our results 16 weeks in. 
Keep working along with us or put your own spin on what we’re doing!! Let me know how it all works out…I would love to hear from anyone whose taking steps week by week to make healthier choices! We’re heading into OUR month with energy and enthusiasm….who else wants to make April their best month yet!
Livingleen 