Sunday, September 11, 2011

God Bless America. Never Forget 9/11





Its been 10 years. It feels like just yesterday I was in the sixth grade, sitting in a portable watching the second tour fall. I didn't know exactly what was going on. I just sat there in shock as my math teacher frantically called her relatives in New York City. They let the entire middle school go home early. As I got off the bus, both of my parents were home early, crying and staring straight into the television screen. Our generation got to experience firsthand how strong our country is. We didn't just read about it in a history book, we lived it. Its our job to continue the remembrance of those we have loved and lost and honor this day for the rest of our lives. Never forget 9/11/01.


Sunday, June 26, 2011

Moving

Moving can be exciting and scary at the same time. It teaches you to appreciate all the good times and memories you made. But it also makes you feel really bad about leaving a place you love so much. Its kind of like you are cheating on your childhood house for another young, good looking, bigger house far far away.

Florida to Texas means...

flip flops to cowboy boots

grouper to bison

rain to snow

ocean to lake

flat to hills

dolphin rides to bull rides

I am going to miss Florida but I am very excited to see and taste what Texas has to offer. They say everything is bigger in Texas.

Florida will always be my home. Its time to try and experience new and exciting things. We have lived in our house for 18 years. We are nervous and anxious but ready to head out to the Honkey Tonk West :)

Last night we had an amazing Going Away Party. All of our family friends came out to celebrate 18 amazing years. We eat like Kings and danced to the oldies. Told stories and appreciated everything Tampa has given us.

We will miss you Tampa! Off to Big Ole Texas!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Freezer Meals

I don't have any photos for this dish but it is FANTASTIC. Shrimp, whole wheat pasta, marinara cream sauce, and garlic? Uh yes please! And did I mention its SUPER easy and takes about 10 minutes to make?

I got the recipe from one of my favorite blogs Eat Live Run. You won't regret making this dish! Its so easy and so delicious!

Since we are moving pretty soon, we are trying to use EVERYTHING in our pantry, fridge, and freezer. It is kind of like I'm on the show Chopped, mixing and matching ingredients!

I will keep you updated with more recipes from the freezer! But go enjoy the beach and make that shrimp pasta!!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Take Out at Home

I'm so hungry.

There is nothing in this house to eat.

I don't want to cook.

There are always days when nothing sounds better than take out. Who can beat sitting on your couch, in your pajamas, eating Chinese food from your favorite take out restaurant?

Well, this is the meal you want to make when you don't want to cook. Its super easy and takes about 30 minutes to make!

We are moving out of our house at the end of the month so its operation "freezer meals". Which means we are trying to use everything out of our pantry, fridge, and freezer to make delicious meals.

This is recreating one of my favorite Chinese take out meals without all of the extra calories and sodium that you would get at your favorite chinese restaurant.


First, marinate chicken tenderlions in soy sauce, garlic, hoisin sauce, honey, and ground ginger. Marinate in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Chop into bite sized pieces and add to a pre-heated wok with 1 Tbsp of oil. Cook chicken pieces until no longer pink.

For the sauce: 2 Tbsp of hoisin sauce, 1 Tbsp of chili sauce, 2 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup of chicken stock. Add 1 Tbsp of cornstarch if the sauce needs to be thicker. Reserve sauce in a separate bowl.

When chicken is cooked through, add sauce and broccoli to the wok.

If using frozen broccoli, pre-cook in a saucepan for about 5 minutes or until bright green. Drain and then add to the wok with the sauce.

Cook for about 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to coat the broccoli and chicken. Serve over brown rice and enjoy a nice take out dinner without changing out of your pajamas!

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
adapted from allrecipes.com
Serves about 4

Ingredients:
6-8 chicken tenderloins
1 bag frozen broccoli
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp of hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp of chili sauce
2 Tbsp of soy sauce
1 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup of chicken stock
1 Tbsp of cornstarch

Directions:
1. Marinate chicken in soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ground ginger. Marinate for about 30 minutes.
2. Pre-Cook frozen broccoli for about 3-4 minutes or until bright green in a sauce pan. Drain and reserve on the side.
3. Mix in a small bowl: soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, chicken stock, ground ginger, pepper, red pepper flakes, honey, garlic, and corn starch. Reserve on the side.
4. Cut marinated chicken into bite sized pieces. Add 1 Tbsp of olive oil and chicken pieces to a pre heated wok. Cook about 7-9 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink.
5. Once chicken is cooked through, add sauce and broccoli to the wok. Cook for about 3-4 minutes.
6. Serve over brown rice.

Enjoy :)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp

Thai food is something that I have never attempted before. The variety of sauces and spices can overwhelm me in the kitchen but I decided to give it a try. Who knew it would actually be easy and low fat!!

Juicy shrimp, light coconut milk, red curry paste and scallions. Its as simple as pie...or should I say cake.
Food is a way to express your feelings, emotions, and ambitions all in one dish. You can travel to Thailand and still be able to have dinner on the table before the Bachelorette comes on.

Feel free to throw those shrimp tails at Bentely. I hope he has many bad hair days.

Coconut milk may be my new favorite ingredient. Not only is it light and creamy but you feel as if you were on a deserted island drinking pina coladas in every dish you put it in.

Who doesn't want to get caught in the rain?

Anyway this dish is so delicious and so simple. You will have dinner on the table in under 15 minutes. Did I mention this is healthy? Did I mention that you will go back for seconds? Did I mention that this will be one of your favorite go to meals on those days you just don't want to cook?

Get excited. Make this tonight. Your taste buds will thank me!

Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp
adapted from Skinny Taste

(143 calories per cup!)

Ingredients:
1 lb shrimp, peeled and divined
1 tsp oil
4 scallions, separate whites and greens
1 Tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp fish sauce
6 oz light coconut milk
1 Tbsp of Thai Red Curry Paste (you can find this in the Asian food isle)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Directions:
1. Heat oil in large non stick skillet on medium high heat. Saute scallion whites and red curry paste for about one minute.
2. Add shrimp and garlic to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper and saute for about 2-4 minutes.
3. Add coconut milk and fish sauce and mix well. Simmer about 2-4 minutes until the shrimp is cooked.
4. Remove from heat and add cilantro and scallion greens.

Serve over white rice.

Enjoy :)


Monday, June 6, 2011

Wake up and smell the baked brie

Happy Monday Morning! Are Mondays ever truly happy?

Happy is sleeping in on the weekends. Happy is all you can eat Champagne Brunch Buffets. Happy is spending the day in crystal clear water at Sand Key Beach.

Mondays are a reminder that all those happy things happened on the weekend and its time to start your week all over again.

But if you want to relax and indulge like its the weekend...make this.


Imagine gooey, creamy, decadent cheese oozing out of crispy flakey puff pastry. That screams weekend to me. This will help wake you up and get you ready to ride out that long week!

Wake up and smell the brie bakin'!

That also screams an intense workouts afterwards. But, who is counting points anyways...its the weekend right?

You will die happy and stuffed after eating this baked brie. There is no reason to think about the fact that its Monday while eating this stuffed masterpiece.

Now, get back to your weekend with this delicious easy recipe!

Baked Brie with Apples, Dried Cranberries, and Apricot Preserves
adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:
1/2 Package Puff Pastry Sheets
1 egg
1 Tbsp water
1/2 cup apricot preserves
1/2 red apple, chopped
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup orange juice
1 (13.2 oz) round Brie cheese

Directions:
1. Thaw pastry at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. While thawing, pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F and make an egg wash by mixing the egg and water together in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Put orange juice in a small bowl and heat in the microwave for 45 seconds. Add the dried cranberries to the heated juice until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain and set cranberries aside.
3. Unfold puff pastry and roll out on a floured surface. Place brie round in the middle of the puff pastry. Top brie cheese with apricot preserves, apples, and dried cranberries. Fold puff pastry over the toppings. Press edges to seal and brush the egg wash over the puff pastry.
4. Bake 20 minutes until golden brown. Let stand 1 hour before serving.

Enjoy :)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Oh Twenty First Birthdays


Twenty First Birthdays. Enough said. My best friend Rima turned 21 and I knew I had to make an amazing cake to celebrate. I am not a very big baker but when I saw this BEAUTIFUL cake I knew I had to recreate it.

Mission: low fat strawberries and cream birthday cake.

chocolate
strawberries
whipped cream
custard
pirouette cookies
angel food cake

YUM!

When you think of 21rst birthdays you probably thing of tequila shots not chocolate covered strawberries. But, this cake is the best chaser for that tequila shot. Trust me.

The cake is really simple to make. So you have no excuse not to completely impress the person you make it for. I used boxed Angel food cake mix, cool whip, fresh stawberries, Pirouette cookies, and low fat strawberry jam! The only thing I actually made was the custard! The assembling of the cake is the best part!

The trick is to spray whipped cream in between the layers to make sure they stick! You layer strawberry jam, custard, and fresh stawberries between the layers. You should have 2 round cakes cut in half.
You should have 3 layers of filling in your scrumptious cake.

Frosting can be high in calories and sugar...so I used cool whip (a low calorie whipped cream). Genius. I spread a 16oz container all over the cake and put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes to harden.


Once the frosting is harded, assemble the pirouette cookies around the cake. I used hazelnut and dark chocolate pirouette cookies but you can use whatever flavor you want!

After the cookies are placed on the side of the cake, begin filling the inside with your chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate decorations.

For the happy birthday sign: just spread a thin layer of white chocolate on wax paper and place in freezer to harden for about 10 minutes. Once the white chocolate is hard, take the semi sweet chocolate and write Happy Birthday. Then place back into the freezer to harden.



Happy Birthday Rima!

Low Fat Strawberry and Cream Birthday Cake
adapted from The Baked Bean

Cake:
follow the instructions on the Angel Food Cake box or purchase a pre-made angel food cake.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries:
6 oz of semisweet chocolate chips
3 ounces of white chocolate chips
15-16 large strawberries
Put the chocolates in seperate microwave safe bowls.
One at a time, melt the chocolate in the microwave in intervals of 30 seconds, stirring each time. Heat and stir until smooth.

Pirouette Wafers:
store bought hazelnut or dark chocolate

Cool Whip:
16oz container

Custard:
Ingredients:
2 cups of half and half
1\2 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
5 large egg yolks (you'll need the whites for the cake!)
3 Tbs Cornstarch
4 Tbs of unsalted butter, cold and cubed.
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
Heat the half and half, vanilla extract, 6 Tbs sugar and salt in a medium pot over medium heat until it starts to simmer.

In the meantime, whisk the egg yolks, in a medium bowl, with the remaining sugar and cornstarch for about a minute.

When the half and half mixture reaches a full simmer, pour have of if into the egg mixture bowl and whisking constantly.

Return the mixture to the pot and whisk the cream over medium heat. Let the cream thicken for about 1-2 minutes. Once the cream has thickened, turn of the heat and mix in the butter until melted.

Strain the cream through a sieve over a medium bowl. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and press the wrap directly over the cream so that a skin will not form. Refridgerate until cold and set.

Use right away of refridgerate until ready to use.


Enjoy :)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The BEST marinara EVER.

Jar Smar. DON'T DO IT. I know you are stressed, tired, poor and don't want to cook. I know you want to go to the store and buy pre-made marinara sauce thats BOGO.

I am telling you -this is not a short cut you want to take. I am all about staying in the merge lane until the last moment, ordering Net Flicks instead of driving to Blockbuster, and even making break apart cookies. I used to be a jar sauce girl. I tried once to make my own marinara sauce...lets just say lesson learned. It wasn't sweet and kinda tasted like rotten tomatoes. Not this one. This marinara sauce had my taste buds singing and asking for more!

The secret is...Tuttorosso Imported Canned Tomatoes. They are $1.87 at the grocery store. They are sweet and delicious. Trust me. You will never buy no name crushed tomatoes again.

Use this sauce to make this the next time you want to take a short cut.

Freeze it. Share it. Bathe in it? Make it!


Marinara Sauce
Makes about 8 cups of sauce

Ingredients
2 cans Tuttorosso Imported Canned Tomatoes
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup carrots, chopped
1/2 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup fat free chicken stock
fresh basil

Directions
1. In a large pot, add olive oil, garlic, onion, and carrot. Saute until translucent, about 2-3 minutes on medium high heat.

2. Add tomatoes and chicken broth and simmer for about 45 minutes.

3. Add basil in the last couple minutes to avoid bitterness.

4. Make sure you taste your sauce. Sometimes it needs just a spoonful of sugar :)

Enjoy :)

Diet Food? Yeah Right!

Who said when you diet you have to eat cardboard? I say you should eat the best you ever have on a diet. Eat cheese. Lots of it. Its good for you. They don't teach it to you in diet school...but it's true. My motto is eat that cookie now and you will die happy.

Well if you don't believe me that you can eat cheesy stuffed goodness and still be healthy then you haven't met this Chicken Rollatini. Chicken stuffed with spinach, mozzerella, and ricotta cheese oozing out of the middle. Then covered with the most delicious marinara sauce (super easy and cheap!) as well as a big whopping piece of mozzarella cheese?

I have died and gone to diet heaven.

This amazing moist, saucy, cheesy concoction is only 194 calories and 5 Points+! It is almost sinful when eating it. I felt guilty for all those other dieters eating horse food.


Put down the bran flakes and make this. You will not be disappointed.


Chicken Rollatini with Spinach and Ricotta
makes about 8 servings.

Ingredients
4 chicken breasts butterflied and halved (or use 8 chicken cutlets)
1/2 cup whole wheat Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 eggs, whites only
5 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
6 Tbsp part skim ricotta cheese
10 oz part skim mozzarella cheese
olive oil non stick spray
1 cup marinara sauce
salt
pepper

Directions
1. Wash and dry chicken breast halves. Pound chicken breast halves thinly. Spray a casserole dish with olive oil spray. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Combine bread crumbs and 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese together in a shallow dish and 2 egg whites in another shallow dish. (used for breading)

3. Shred 1/4 of the mozzarella cheese and combine the remaining parmesan cheese, spinach, 1 egg white and ricotta cheese. Mix together.

4. Lay pounded chicken breast half down and spread 2 Tbsp of spinach mixture on top of the chicken. Loosely roll the chicken breast up and place seem down in the casserole dish.

5. Dip in egg whites then in bread crumb mixture. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts. Then spray the top of the chicken rolls with olive oil spray.

6. Bake for 25 minutes uncovered. Remove and add marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Put back in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and melted.

Enjoy :)

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Goat Cheese?

Goat Cheese has never been something I was dying to try. I found it odd to be honest. But last night the goat cheese gods were calling out to me because almost every cooking show I watched yesterday included it in their recipe. I used to think goat cheese tasted like old socks, but when it is melty and creamy over grilled chicken breast...its amazing.


My mom decided to recreate Carrabba's Chicken Bryan. It is one of the most popular entrees in my family at this local Italian hub. So after my mom had a nice 90 minute walk we decided to take a spin at a recreation of Chicken Bryan. How could I resist butter, garlic, white wine, and roasted red peppers all in one sauce? Truth is - you can't. It's like when my grandma would take me into an all glass figurine store. She would tell me not to touch anything and to put my hands behind my back. Oh boy did that make you want to touch those little glass dolls more than ever. That is how I felt about this lemon butter sauce simmering away on the stove.


If you get a chance to make this for dinner this week do it! Its really easy and not THAT bad for you. Lets just say as the chicken grilled my mom and I played every Queen song recorded and posted on You Tube. Chicken, cheese, and sauce. YUM. I hope you enjoy :)

Carrabba's Chicken Bryan
adapted from Food.com

Ingredients:
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • salt
  • pepper
  • olive oil
  • 4 ounces goat cheese
  • 6 sundried tomatoes chopped
  • handful of fresh basil, chopped
  • 4 teaspoons minced onion
  • 4 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • 6 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup white wine

Directions:

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

  1. 1. Brush chicken breast with olive oil to coat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. 2. Grill or broil chicken until done (about 10 minutes on each side) and prepare lemon butter sauce while chicken is cooking.
  3. 3. Sautee onion and garlic in 2 Tbps butter until soft and translucent.
  4. 4. Add white wine and lemon juice, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes to reduce.
  5. 5. Add remaining 6 Tbsp butter, little by little, until it melts and mixture is emulsified.
  6. 6. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and basil, heat until hot (but do not overheat or sauce may break).
  7. 7. Top chicken breasts with 2 oz each of the goat cheese. You can leave in medallions or spread on chicken breast.
  8. 8. To serve, spoon lemon butter sauce over chicken breasts.
  9. 9. Enjoy!

Summer is here!

Summer means beach bodies, lots of fresh veggies and fruits, sunscreen, sand, and for my family packing and selling our house.

I have a very busy summer ahead of me BUT this is the first summer since freshman year in college that I will be home. YES, I will be relaxing but I will also be a busy bee in applying to Pharmacy school, packing, getting healthy, and organizing my crazy 21 year old life.

In getting healthy, my mom and I decided to start walking twice a day and trying Weight Watchers Online. I know what you guys are thinking...your 21 and NOT overweight, why are you going on a diet? Well its not really a diet...its a way to portion control and watch what I eat. Its also a way to have consistency with my eating and exercising habits. Having my mom as my buddy will really help both of us complete our goals. Beware...the freshman 15 came late for me...I call it the Junior 15. EEK.

I am also going to my old high school trainer this summer 5 days a week. He really knows my work ethic and will make sure I have a good sweat every time. He knows the perfect level to push me. But, I am pretty nervous about going back to my high school gym. Last time I came in I was at my prime and now...not so much. Lets just say you may look skinny and in shape, but when you can't walk up a hill or a flight of stairs without gasping for air...then you know its time. Time to get HEALTHY!

I will be recording my adventures this summer and really try and stay on top of this blog. Sometimes its hard because you don't know who is out there reading, but at the same time its a blank canvas for expression.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Happy Founders Day Phi Mu!

Happy Founders Day Phi Mu!! Thank you Mary Ann Dupont Lines, Mary Myrick Daniel, and Martha Hardaway Redding for creating such an amazing tradition 159 years ago. Phi Mu was founded at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia in 1851. These women created something that would change women's lives around the country. Mary, Mary, and Martha created a sisterhood with the values Love, Honor, and Truth. These values are lived by Phi Mu women everyday. I am so thankful for Phi Mu and those three amazing women. They truly have changed my life and I will always be thankful for the amazing sisterhood they have created! LIOB!

This is my lovely Phi Mu family! Dirty South :) We just had Big Sister Reveal on Wednesday! I have an amazing Little Lura, GLittle Anne, and now another new GLittle Rachel!

This picture is from when I was a phi. It was my formal pledging ceremony. My big is my rock. She is my biggest role model and is such a strong woman. I think about her everyday and wish her the best luck in California! Love you biggle :)

This is my pledge class! PC' 08! These girls are amazing and have really made a huge difference in our chapter. I am so lucky to have 178 amazing sisters!

This picture is my favorite. Last year during our Big Sister Reveal we made a trip to Macon, Georgia. We visited Wesleyan College, the Cannon Ball House, and Martha Hardaway Redding's grave. We all circled around the grave stone and sang "Sisters". It was so touching and meaningful. The best thing though, was when we were all linked together singing, a ladybug landed on my shoulder (Our national symbol is the Lion "Sir Fidel" but on our campus our symbol is the Lady Bug). It was like Martha was there with us while we were singing! It was the coolest thing I have ever experienced.


Phi Mu has been an amazing part of my life and I will always carry on the traditions and history with me forever!

LIOB

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Home Sweet Home


Being home makes me so happy.

Its the instant feeling of being safe, not worrying about the real world, work, school, or any other commitment.

Its the only time you can feel like you are 6 years old again. Where the only worry you have is missing the school bus.

I love being home. I love my family. And I love SPRING BREAK.


photo credit: Amanda Bell

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Hall Pass

Yesterday was a very busy day! I worked in the morning, had class all day, then went and saw Hall Pass with the boyfriend.

I did a lot of walking yesterday! Here is the breakdown:
- 7 minutes to work
- 2 hour walking tour of campus
- 7 minutes back to the house
- 15 minutes walk to classes
- 7 minutes to stadium
- 30 minutes of stadiums (8 = 360 steps)
- 7 minutes to house
Total = 193 minutes of walking!

Hall pass was a pretty good movie! It was really funny but not plot I thought it was going to take. But I would definitely go see it if you were considering it! You won't be disappointed!

Today I get a another G-Little! I am so excited! It is the first time in 4 generations of the dirty south family to take twins! The last person to do that was our matriarch Paige! I am so excited to extend the baby kitty family :) Tonight is the reveal!

Hope everyone has a good Wednesday! Spring break is only 2 days away!

-Amanda

Monday, February 28, 2011

Tired Puppy

Just got back from running stadium steps! I did more than Thursday! 10 times totally 440 steps! Now I am as tired as Bluto was after the farmers market.

Going to rest up before lab today at 4! So proud of myself for working out...and boy did it feel good! Can't wait for tomorrow :)

Stadiums = Hard Work!


So the healthy lifestyle movement continues....with stadium steps. Oh boy were they tough! Rima, her little Jessa, and I took on the Doak Campbell Challenge. 80 steps high we ran up 4 times! I know 4 doesn't sound like a high number, but oh did we feel the burn! We ran a total of 369 steps! Now, 3 days later...I feel the burn. But, the funny thing is...I am taking on the challenge again today! Goal is to do 5 stadiums!
I also have kept up with the walking goal. Walked to work today instead of driving! I also skipped the coffee this morning so we will see how that goes.
This week is surprisingly pretty simple compared to my normal weeks! Only one exam! Woohoo!
I also updated my blog background! Do you like :)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Food Logging

So I decided that I was going to log everything I eat in a day for a week (starting yesterday). I have been having a problem where I have been noticing I am not getting a balanced diet. Tuesday we had a speaker from Thargard Health Center came and talked to my sorority about healthy eating habits. Healthy Lifestyles are so important to me, I read food blogs all day and my major is Exercise Science, so I knew that I needed to change how I was eating.

Wednesday 2/23:

Breakfast - Coffee (2 creamer and a sweeten low), Honey Nut Cheerio's with 2% milk
Lunch - small side salad, 1/2 grilled cheese, and 1/2 baked potato
Dinner - Chicken pot pie


When I wrote down what I ate on Wednesday I noticed I was missing greens and dairy from my diet. I really want to incorporate whole grains, fruits, veggies, and dairy into my diet but it is really difficult living in a sorority house. Meals are not necessarily the healthiest and usually are centered around carbs (not the healthy kind). So my mission is to sort through my meals and find a balanced diet.

I also am starting a workout plan...well walking plan that is. Baby steps. Baby steps. Today I am going to do stadium steps with my friend Rima at Doak Campbell Stadium after classes. Goal is to walk up and down 180 steps at least 10 times.

Well, just off work! I will keep you updated on today!

-Amanda

Saturday, February 19, 2011

St. George Island :)



St. George Island is about 90 minutes from Tallahassee and provides the perfect getaway from a terribly stressful week. Last week I had: 4 homework assignments, 2 lab reports, 3 exams, and worked everyday at 7:45 am. On a normal week I would be able to handle a load like this...except....this week was much different, I was sleep deprived from Dance Marathon that occurred over Valentine's Day weekend. It was one of the best experiences of my life but super exhausting.

The weather in Tallahassee is different every day of the week but this week we have been graciously given the best weather ever. Highs of 75 with cooling winds. Perfect beach weather. So Amanda, Kelsey, Ben, and I packed up the car and headed to the gulf coast.
It was beautiful weather and an amazing drive. When we finally reached the beach we were all so hungry so we decided to eat at the Blue Parrot. My friend Carrie recommended we eat there and I am so glad she did! We sat outside on the patio with all the other beach-goers. The menu was filled with fresh fish and seafood. I couldn't resist ordering the Grouper Sandwich. I was lightly fried and the fish fell apart when you bit into the sandwich.

It was a perfect day out on the water! We got to relax and soak up some much needed rays.

This week is going to be jam packed just like last week.

Tomorrow's agenda: Study, Study, Study! I have a huge Exercise Physiology exam on Thursday!

I am so happy to be blogging again! Happy Weekend :)

A Beach Day Getaway leads to a blogging return!

I must apologize for being away for a long period of time. Living in my sorority house doesn't allow me to fully take advantage of my passion for cooking....which leaves my blog recipe-less and lonely.

I still haven't changed too much since summer though. I probably have over 1,000 recipes saved on my computer and that list keeps growing everyday. Tastespotting is my weakness at work because EVERYTHING looks amazing and I save every recipe that looks appealing to me! It makes me want to run to my "imaginary" kitchen and cook up a storm. I cannot wait until the summer, I will be living with my friend Jen and Rima! We all share a crazy obsession and passion for good food and wine. Can you say dinner parties galore? Yes.

So I have decided that I would alter the purpose of this blog until I can turn up the heat in the kitchen. Now don't get me wrong, this blog will still be FILLED with food, wine, and recipes but in a much different fashion than I originally intended. There will be personal posts, restaurant critiques, food pictures, and many more. Get excited :)

Well the reason for the return to blogging is probably from inspiration from a couple of blogs I follow and check at least 3 times a day: Eat, Live, Run , Kath Eats Real Food, and Healthy Tipping Point. These woman truly inspire me to express myself and follow my passion for food and health. Right now in particular I am going through a slump. This is my second year living in my sorority house and the "freshman fifteen" has now turned into the "junior twenty"... not fun. I have always been an active person but this year I can count on my hand how many times I've hit the gym. That is not a good sign. I am looking for motivation but I get discouraged when my sorority house feeds us preservative carbohydrate packed meals everyday. I know excuses will not make me healthier...and it didn't really hit me till today when I was at the beach with a couple of girlfriends that I needed to start getting healthy NOW. I need to do it for my health: mentally and physically. I can feel my stress level reaching its maximum with classes, work, sorority, family and the boyfriend. My plate is completely full and in order to be able to handle my load I need to be healthy.

My goal is not to lose weight as fast as I can or go on a strict diet. My goal is start a path of a healthy lifestyle. I need to find time to relieve stress while giving my body the much needed physical attention it needs and deserves. I really believe with this attitude I will be a much happier and healthier person.

I love blogging and can't wait to get back to it :)