Healthy Smoothies!

I started making myself healthy smoothies this week. We got a blender to make margaritas for card club, and I have been taking full advantage of it. I first got inspiration for making smoothies from Iowa Girl Eats. If you're not familiar with her blog, you should be. It's very popular and she posts SO many healthy and delicious looking recipes. I can't cook so I don't attempt any of them, but they sure do look yummy. I even saw her on the news last week! Did I mention she lives in Des Moines? Even better!

Anyway, she made this Green Monster Smoothie and insisted it didn't taste terrible. It included lots of spinach, so I was skeptical. 

All this week I've been trying different concoctions and I've been thoroughly enjoying my smoothies. I make them each morning and sometimes after my workouts. I have actually lost weight eating these smoothies! I think it kick starts my metabolism in the morning. My fitness says "The second most important meal of the day is the meal you eat after your workout," because your body is a sponge. I think the post-workout smoothie is also doing my body good.

I don't have a real "recipe" with measurements (of course), but I will tell you the kinds of things I throw together. 

Frozen strawberries (about a handful)

Frozen banana (half a banana--I would suggest cutting it up and freezing it first)

Frozen blueberries (about 1/4 cup)

Pineapple (about 1/4 cup)

Skim milk (about 1/2 cup)

Orange juice (about 1/4 cup

Greek yogurt (2 tbsp)

Peanut butter (1tbsp)

Spinach (1 large handful)

I make this about 10 minutes before heading to school, and then I put it in the freezer to get it extra cold. Sometimes my blender makes it a little too frothy, but I think that's because I keep it in there for too long. I also bought kiwis and oranges that I'm going to try out. I use Greek yogurt because it's high in protein. I haven't been brave enough to try the Green Monster yet, I wanted to make sure I could commit before I spent extra money on Almond Milk and Chobani Greek Yogurt. For now I'm using A&E Skim and Yoplait Greek and it's doing just fine.

I really can't say enough good things about this smoothie thing! It saves me time in the morning because I can eat breakfast on the go, and it re-energizes me after boot camp. Go make yourself some healthy smoothies! 

Life Lately

I had myself a nice and relaxing spring break. It felt rather unproductive until this weekend, but I was able to relax and read and get some things done around the house. Here is a glimpse into my last few weeks. [Warning: photo overload coming your way.]

I've been spending a lot of time on the patio reading as of late! (I finished The Help! Read my review here.)

I have been WAITING and WAITING for grapes to come into the grocery stores around here. This week I finally found some good ones and I will admit I'm onto my 2nd bag :).

I also bought a whole pineapple for the first time and I will never go back! It was sooo much better than the canned stuff. I know, I don't know why I sound so surprised. Yum yum yum.

The spiders are starting to creep in on my territory! Bleh!

Seriously, how does every wedding magazine/advertisement guide/photographer/venue find me?! I get so much damn wedding mail!

Went on a road trip to Webster City with Brian and Kevin over St. Patty's Day!

It was sooo nice out! We played ladder golf and drank a few. This was Brian winning and Kevin losing.

Any excuse to wear green shoes!

Came home and enjoyed some nice weather "laying out" (sans swimsuit) on the patio reading my book.

And then it was my spring break! Unfortunately, it rained. A lot.

 And stormed. I enjoy a good thunderstorm.

 So I read inside.

 I made breakfast for supper a few times this week. I just love breakfast for supper!

I got my ring cleaned at the jeweler! I looove when I ring is sparkly!

Kevin and I had a weekend long date and it was glorious! Friday night we went to a local wine bar for some live music.

I went shopping! But didn't buy anything. Kevin won a gift card to the mall at work and he is giving it to me :) but it won't come till next week. I was just scoping out my assault on Forever 21! Here are some of the dresses I tried on but painfully didn't buy. I also thought I'd photograph them to see if I still want them when I go back next week!

This is what I wore shopping :)

 We grilled out all weekend and had a nice dinner out on the patio. It was so nice out!

It was actually hot enough and I had enough outdoor time that I had to go buy SUNSCREEN! So exciting. I got a little color this weekend :)

I made a delicious veggie stir fry! I pretty much don't really like vegetables (except peas and raw carrots, and potatoes, everyone loves potatoes) so I went outside of my comfort zone and I must say I loved this! I would have added chicken but I was of course too impatient and too hungry to be bothered with that.

There you have it! It's been a wonderful few weeks but it was good to head back to the classroom today. I didn't realize how much I missed the kiddos! It was great to interact with them again and hear about their breaks.

This week I'll be subbing by day and working out by night. Hoping to get 8 miles in this week on top of boot camp! The extra running seemed to pay off last week so I'm hoping to keep it up again this week! I'm feeling great!

Hope you all have a great week!

DIY Menu Planner

This may be one of my favorite crafts to date. I have been wanting to make one for awhile, and Kevin and I have started a little health initiative, so I figured this was as good a time as any! I also always have a hard time remembering meals I know how to make, so this will help with that as well. I present to you, my menu planner!

I bought a frame from Goodwill for $1 as well binder clips from Target for $2. Everything else I had on hand. I used spray paint, acrylic paint, a fabric quarter, fabric paint, bottle (ok, beer) caps, and sharpies. 

First, I spray painted my binder clips.

Next, I painted my frame. I let the clips and frame dry while I did the rest.

I measured out my fabric and with a 1/2 in allowance along the sides.

I used fabric glue to glue the fabric to the cardboard back of the picture frame. I discovered hot glue does not work well with fabric.

Once the clips were dry, I used a sharpie to write the days of the week.

I decided half-way through to use bottle caps as well. I just spray painted the tops and wrote "menu" with a sharpie.

I cut up some strips of paper to write the meals on. Rather than turning this into a dry-erase menu using the frame's glass like many I've seen, I wanted to be able to remember the meals I've made since I am such a terrible cook and have no imagination :). I made a little pouch out of fabric to put extra paper to write new meals on, as well as store old meals. I also thought it'd be a good idea to write recipes (when needed) on the back so I don't have to search through a cookbook.

Using fabric glue again, I cut out circles using the same fabric I used on the pouch and glued them on the frame, then I glued the binder clips on top.

I'm looking forward to planning my meals in advance which will hopefully lead to healthier choices! :)

Frozen Yogurt Bites

I saw this idea on Pinterest and decided to give it a try! I have been on a bit of a health kick as of late, but I also have been craving frozen yummies. Rather than ruin all my hard work in boot camp, I thought I'd try a healthier option. And booooy, was it good!

All you need is yogurt, wax paper, and a freezer. I decided to try out the light and regular versions. I used Strawberry Kiwi Original and Strawberry Orange Sunrise in Light.

Just scoop some out with your spoon and plop it on the wax paper.

Put it in the freezer for a few hours...


And then enjoy! They were good to go after about 3 hours in the freezer. I preferred the Strawberry Kiwi, it was a little more flavorful. They were also waaaay too cold to eat when I pulled them out of the freezer, so I'd recommend waiting a bit to bite into them.

I will definitely be making these again. I also think this batch of 2 containers of yogurt will last me awhile. About 3 at a time is a good serving.

Here's to kicking the ice cream cravings with a healthier option!

P.S. My blog is currently under a little bit of construction... I'm going for a cleaner, less cluttered look. My links don't work at the moment but I'll work out all the kinks this weekend!

Crescent Pepperoni Roll Ups

I was at the grocery store tonight and walked passed a packet of pepperoni and had an epiphany of what I would make for supper. I have seen these floating around Pinterest and I thought they looked easy enough for this domestically challenged fiancé.

You need a package of crescent rolls, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese. I have also seen versions where you cut a piece of string cheese and half. I opted out of that version, I feel like the cheese would be too chunky when it's done. I also added basil. Ever since living in Italy I have been adding basil to everything I cook. The Italians always put one basal leaf on every pizza. It has a soft spot in my heart :) Aaaaanyway, here's what you do.

1. Preheat the oven to 375.

2. Spread the crescent rolls out on your greased cookie sheet.

3. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on the crescent roll.

4. Add some pepperonis. I used 4-5 per roll, but think I could have added 1 or 2 more to fill it out.

5. Sprinkle on that delicious basil.

6. Roll up the crescent roll and try to keep the cheese and pepperoni tucked in side.

7. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

8. Enjoy!

Let me tell you these were ridiculously delicious. I have been trying to step up my domestic goddess game as of late. Kevin is well into his busy season as a CPA and works from about 7am to 9pm and doesn't get home until after 9 most nights. I am not one to dote on my significant other (he can fend for himself) but I know he appreciates it when I have some supper ready for him when he gets home. It also encourages me to eat more than a bowl of cereal for supper. I might have to mix these little guys into the rotation.

Cinnamon Snails

Hey guys! Hope you had a great weekend. What did you do? Anything exciting? We had our monthly card club this weekend and it was a lot of fun as usual. When we left I was thinking once a month isn't enough! I wanted to share quickly what I made to share. I got the recipe from Sada Lewis. I thought they looked delicious (and easy for this domestically challenged lady). They were a hit! Give 'em a try.