Thirsty Thursday - Peanut Butter Cup Shake

Happy Thursday!  Today I am featuring my absolute favorite shake - a peanut butter cup shake.  Super easy to make and great for you!


1 cup Water
1 Cup Ice
1 scoop shakeology (or your favorite chocolate protein powder)
2 Tbsp. PB2

Blend & Enjoy!

Kitchen Tools - Is There Really a Difference in Quality??

I have always been the kind of person that bought whatever pots & pans were on sale, were in the color I liked, were the brand of someone I liked, etc.  I don't believe I ever paid more than $100 for a set and although they routinely wore out fairly quickly, I continued this process until a few months ago.

After watching numerous shows, reading articles, checking out what my favorite Chef's used, I became very curious if there was actually a difference in the tools/appliances made and the quality of the food created with them.  Enter my new KitchenAid range.  That is what got all of this started.   I never imagined there could be such a  difference in the meals created in/on that range. I was speechless.  Anyone I prepared a meal for noticed the difference.  The meats cooked in the oven were juicy and more flavorful.  It was literally unbelievable.

This led to my next thought, maybe there was something to this high end cookware and knives.  Still not convinced, I started with one pan and 2 knives and some high end olive oil.  (Allclad and Wusthof and olive oil from Williams Sonoma.)  Although I have always loved omelettes I have NEVER been able to cook one that was presentable or really edible.  The first thing I made was an omelette.  Not only was it perfectly pleasing to the eye, it tasted delicious.  I could not believe it!  I thought possibly it was a fluke.  It was not.  I have made them over and over again all with the same result.

My new knives were razor sharp.  Also something I had never experienced before.  My tomatoes were perfectly sliced, not smashed to death after attempting to cut.  Yes, in all honesty, I did cut myself several times but I can say it was absolutely worth it.  Suddenly cooking became an experience.  Not a chore.  I love every minute I spend preparing meals for my family now. This is not to say I did not enjoy it before, but just like anything else, when you do not have the proper tools, the task is much less enjoyable.   I feel like a gourmet chef now and that is an amazing feeling.

In summary, YES, having the proper tools does make all the difference in the world.  If you spend a large amount of your time in the kitchen as I do, get yourself some high quality tools and create a true VIP experience in your kitchen!

Cheers!

What's In My Gym Bag Monday - Fit Book Exercise Log

Happy Monday!  Today from my gym bag I am featuring my exercise log, Fitbook!  I used the notes section in my phone to electronically keep up with my workouts for a long time.  I found it difficult to keep track of them long term which lead me to search for a better way.  I came across the Fitbook and absolutely love it.  I can plan out my workouts daily, set weekly goals, record food, nutrients, cardio, you name it.  It is definitely all inclusive!

I got mine from amazon.  You can check out the link below:

Happy & Healthy Monday everyone!

Saturday Secrets - Coconut Sugar Syrup

Happy Saturday! Today my secret is coconut sugar syrup. It's super easy to make and I love it in place of maple syrup. I try to always use the sweetener with the lowest glycemic index and coconut sugar is lower than maple syrup or honey.

My first preference is always stevia but it does have a bit of an aftertaste so my second choice is coconut sugar. It tastes amazing and does not have that little "bite" at the end.  One note however, it does change the color of food somewhat. I use it in cole slaw for instance and it gives it a brown tint. 

Here is a super simple recipe to make syrup:

½ cup of coconut sugar

½ cup of water

½ cup of butter

1.Put the sugar & water into a saucepan and melt over medium heat, stirring & watching constantly so it does not burn.
2.Once the sugar has melted, add the butter and mix until melted.
3.Bring to a boil & allow to boil for just a minute or two until it starts to thicken.  You do not need to boil it too long because it will get even thicker as it cools.  The longer you let it simmer, the more intense the flavor.
4.Pour into a glass jar or bottle & let cool.

Friday Faves - Drybar Tools

Happy Friday! Today my Friday Faves are two of my favorite hair care tools - DryBar blow dryer and flat iron. I was having a problem with my hair getting burned and damaged. I decided to switch my hair tools to see if a higher end set of tools would stop the damage from happening.

After researching, I decided to give this brand of products a try. I started out with the blow dryer and absolutely loved it. It dries my hair very quickly yet does but burn it. My next purchase was the flat iron. Again, works great on my hair and zero damage. A huge relief for me as my hair is colored so I have to be very careful with the tools I use. 

One note: my flat iron suddenly quit working at about about 6 months old. I filled out the return form and returned it and was sent a brand new flat iron, only it was an upgraded model! Two thumps up to Drybar customer support. I purchased the tools from QVC but they also have them at my favorite shopping site amazon.  Definitely worth the money.  Cheers!

Routine Will Save You Every Time

I am big on routine and being as organized as possible. To the point most would probably think I'm totally boring. But let's face it. Life doesn't always cooperate with us or our plans or our schedules. Things come up. Family gets sick. Dogs get hurt. Things break. You get my point here.

That happens to everyone including me. I fall short on my work outs. My house gets dirtier than usual. The laundry stacks up. But one thing I cling to, sometimes with dear life, is my clean eating plan. 

How do I do that you ask? Meal prep. Every Sunday like clock work. At the minimum all of my protein is cooked for the week and at the maximum, food weighed, measured, packaged, veggies cut and cleaned and snack drawer prepared. Why is this the one thing I cling to when I will let everything else go? Because it makes the biggest difference: in the way I feel, in how much energy I have, in how well I sleep. 

Clean eating is the biggest part of living a healthy lifestyle. Even if I don't work out all week, I can maintain as long as my diet is spot on. Yes it takes a little time but is so beyond worth it. When life gets crazy, I don't go crazy. I just adjust and keep right on going. If I was grabbing McDonalds every day I feel certain that would not be the case.  I don't believe I would have the energy to take care of all the things and those I love which is most important to me.

When things get crazy, cling to one thing that gives you the biggest return on investment. Not sure what that is? Start with your diet. I promise you won't regret it!  Cheers! 

Thirsty Thursday - Sassy Cosmo

Here is a yummy skinny version of a cosmopolitan!  Cheers!

Ingredients:

5 cucumber slices
2 Tbsp. fresh mint leaves
1 oz. vodka
1 cup ice
1 cup sparkling water
2 tsp. St. Germain Liquor

Directions:

1. Place 5 cucumber slices, mint & vodka in the bottle of a serving glass & muddle until mixed.
2. Top with ice & sparkling water, stir to mix.
3. Add a splash of St. Germain; garnish with fruit of your choice. Enjoy!

Two For Tuesday - My Favorite Books

The older I get the more I absolutely love to read. Especially things that help me grow, evolve & feel empowered. These are two of my favorite books: "GirlCode" by Cara Alwill Leyba (one of her 3 masterpieces) and "Get Rich Lucky Bitch" by Denise Duffield Thomas (one of 2 masterpieces.)

GirlCode as I mentioned is one of Cara's three books which I absolutely devoured! I could not put them down once I started reading. I love them all my GirlCode is my absolute favorite. I can feel her evolving into the powerhouse she is now through the three books which I find incredibly motivating. GirlCode is motivating, empowering and a must read. There are fantastic interviews in the book as well. 

Get Rich Lucky Bitch helped me realize and clear blocks I had that I was not even remotely aware I had. In fact u really didn't know anything about blocks. Denise has a very straightforward style that I completely  love. She brought up so many topics that had never entered my mind.  I could not put this book down once I started reading it. Both of these amazing ladies feel like long lost family members to me! ❤️

If you are looking to do some soul searching and personal growth, these two books are an absolute MUST on your reading list. Both are available at Amazon. Cheers to happy reading!

What's In My Gym Bag -Lululemon Socks

Happy Monday Fitness Peeps!  Today from my gym bag are my favorite socks.  Socks seem like such a small thing but when you have a pair that slips or bunches up at the toe it is very distracting.  Especially for me and I need all of my attention focused on my workouts!

The best socks I have found are Lululemon Speed Sock.  I love them because they are made out of an awesome mesh that breathes and keeps my feet feeling dry; they have seamless toes (so no fidgeting trying to get the seam in the right place); the profile is low, (it sits on the edge of my shoe) and they have arch support and cushioning in the heal and the toe.  Added bonus is they are very long lasting.  I wear these every day and highly recommend them to my fellow fitness lovers.  You can check them out here:

www.lululemon.com

Cheers to a fantastic Monday!

Friday Faves - The Body Shop Olive Body Butter

Happy Friday Everyone!  Today my Friday Fave is about my absolute favorite body butter - olive body butter from The Body Shop. I have a tendency as the seasons change, to get VERY dry skin.  I have tried many lotions and butters and this is by far the best I have found.  It absorbs very easily into my skin and does not leave me feeling greasy as some body butters are known to do.

It has a very light scent which I also love as it does not interfere with whatever fragrance I am wearing for the day.  I put it on the morning and it lasts a full day.  One other feature I love is that it is made with Community Trade organic olive oil from Italy.

You can purchase it online or at your local store or from my favorite place, Amazon.  Check it out here:  .com

Have a fantastic day & weekend!

Fish Friday - Cioppino

Happy Friday!  Here is our last Fish Friday for those of you observing Lent.  This is an awesome seafood soup.   You could substitute in any fish you prefer over those listed.  Cheers!

Ingredients:

2 tsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced (chop fronds and put aside for garnish)
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. ground white pepper
3 bay leaves
1 cup dry white wine
1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, crushed, no salt added
8 cups seafood stock or broth
1 lb. raw clams in shells
1 lb. raw blue mussels in shells
1 lb. raw shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 lb. raw tilapia filets, cut into 1"chunks
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium high heat.
2. Add onion & fennel bulb, cook, stirring occasionally for 5-6 minutes until onion is translucent.
3. Add garlic, cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute.
4. Add peppers, bay leaves & wine. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat & gently boil, stirring occasionally for 10-11 minutes until liquid is almost completely gone.
5. Add tomatoes, bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Reduce heat & gently boil, stirring occasionally for 10-12 minutes, or until about 2/3 of the liquid is left.
6. Add broth & bring to a boil. Reduce heat & gently boil, stirring occasionally 25-30 minutes.
7. Add clams & mussels, cook covered for 5-10 minutes, until clams & mussels begin to open.
8. Add shrimp & tilapia, cook covered 2-3 minutes until clams & mussels are open, shrimp is opaque and tilapia flakes easily when tested with a fork.  Discard any unopened clams or mussels.  Discard bay leaves & remove from heat.
9.  Evenly divide between 6 bowls, top with basil & fennel fronds (if desired.)

Thirsty Thursday - Preventing Green Beer Hangover!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  If you plan on having a few green beers tonight or other spirits, use this simple tip to help you not only drink less but avoid that possible hangover.  For every spirit you have, order a glass of water and drink it before getting another spirited drink.  Simple and works like a charm!  Cheers everyone!

One of My Favorite Brands - Applegate Farms

I absolutely love it when I find a brand with consistency in the ingredients. I don't know how many times I have started buying a brand only to discover later they have added sugar to the ingredients for instance. Totally frustrating!

Applegate Farms is one of my favorite brands for several reasons, one of them bring the consistency of of the ingredients. I purchase their turkey bacon, deli sliced meat, cheese & hot dogs. They are anti biotic free, no nitrates and no sugar which is s huge deal for me personally. The animals are also humanely treated which I love. 

You can find the brand a couple of places but I personally shop for it at Target. Same selection at a much lower price. Definitely worth a try!  Cheers everyone! 

What's In My Gym Bag - Her Aminos

Happy Monday everyone! Featured today from my gym bag is NLA for Her "Her Aminos." I drink these during workout and also other times throughout the day of if I feel I need a little boost!

Her Aminos contain a comprehensive amino acid blend which helps increase endurance and helps with muscle fatigue and recovery time. 

My favorite flavor is pink lemonade. It is very refreshing while working out. It's gluten free & sugar free. If you feel you need an extra boost during workout, I highly recommend Her Aminos. 

Have a great day everyone!

Saturday Secrets - Quinoa Flakes

Happy Saturday!  My Saturday secret today is quinoa flakes!  I found these a while back and they are such an amazing addition to my clean eating plan.  Anything that calls for breadcrumbs, I sub these flakes in.  They are also great as a topping for muffins or a pie.

Quinoa flakes remind me a lot of rolled oats.  They are also gluten free.  Quinoa is such an amazing grain because it contains all 9 essential amino acids, so it is considered a "complete protein."  This is rarely found in anything other than meat.  Try them out and let me know what you think!  Happy, healthy Saturday everyone.

Friday Faves - Pouty Lip Liner

Happy Friday!!! Featured today is my absolute favorite lip liner - Younique moodstruck liner in pouty. The amazing neutral color goes with absolutely every lip color I wear. (I'm definitely a neutral girl! 😉)

It is smudge proof, kiss proof and lasts all day. No exaggeration! There are 4 other long wearing shades to choose from. You can check them out here: 

www.ineedyourlashes.com

Fish Friday - Chili Lime Shrimp

Happy Fish Friday everyone! Todays recipe is an awesome shrimp with chili lime sauce (serves 4).

Ingredients:

2 Serrano chilis, seeded & chopped
1 chopped garlic clove
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp coconut sugar
1 tsp salt
1lb shrimp
8 oz arugula
3 tbsp. grated Parmesan

Directions:

1. Add chills & garlic to blender with lime juice, coconut sugar & salt.  Blend until smooth.
2. Preheat grill pan.
3. Rub chili mixture onto shrimp and place on heated grill pan.  Cook until pink (about 3 minutes per side.)
4. Place arugula on plates & put cooked shrimp on top.  Drizzle with extra chili mixture and top with Parmesan cheese.  Enjoy!

Thirsty Thursday - Sassy Mint Cucumber Cocktail

Happy Thursday!  Here is a refreshing, skinny mint cucumber cocktail -

5 cucumber slices
2 Tbsp. fresh mint leaves
1 oz. vodka
1 cup ice
1 cup sparkling water ( I use La Croix)
2 tsp. St. Germain liquor
Extra cucumber slices & mint leaves for garnish.

Directions:

1. Place cucumber slices, vodka & mint in a glass & muddle until well mixed.
2. Top with sparkling water & ice.  Stir until mixed.
3. Add a splash of St. Germain; garnish with extra cucumber & mint leaves.

Cheers!

Summer Road Trips & Clean Eating

It is that time of year again to start thinking about summer road trips & summer vacations.  I think traveling in the car is a challenging time for everyone to stay on their plan and eat clean.   I have found that taking the time to pack snacks/foods that travel well is the key to maintaining your clean eating lifestyle.

There are 2 ways to look at a vacation.  Some people take it as a vacation from everything (no clean eating or exercise) and some people, like myself, may have some off-plan meals but try to stay somewhat on my routine the remainder of the time.

If you will be traveling somewhere to stay in a hotel, you may have plenty of healthy options upon arrival, but I highly recommend you take the time to do your research and make sure.  Most hotel rooms are now equipped with a refrigerator and coffee pot.  Some even have microwaves.  If your room has all 3 you have hit the trifecta for sure!  This will improve your chances of staying on plan tremendously.

These are some foods I normally take with me (I carry a 6 pack bag) that seems to travel well (car or in a plane):

Fruits (grapes, apples, oranges, blueberries)
Nuts (almonds & walnuts)
Protein powder (I portion mine out in snack size zip locks)
Sliced veggies (carrots, peppers, celery)
Snack size individual guacamole, peanut butter & hummus
Baked chicken breast (I shred mine)
Boiled eggs
Ezekiel tortillas
Protein bars
Brown rice crackers
lunch mean (applegate farms)

Carrying these items always makes a huge difference for me.  When I get the munchies, I have clean options, which is important. This keeps me from running in a convenience store and grabbing something.  As I said, I use a 6 pack bag which has ice packs and keeps everything chilled for the entire day.  There are several brands of meal management bags out there and I highly recommend these over carrying  small cooler.

Happy traveling my friends!

Two for Tuesday- Peanut Butter & PB2

One of my favorite go to snacks is peanut butter (natural no sugar added.) I switch back and forth between my 2 favorite brands, Adams crunchy peanut butter (and boy is it crunchy!) and PB2 powdered peanut butter.

Each has its advantages. I love Adams on a piece of toast because it is so crunchy and reminds me of a pb&j as a kid. I do not however love the calories and fat. 

For a shake or an on the go snack, I love PB2. It's easy to carry and mixes perfectly in my shakes.  Here is a quick comparison: 

2Tbsp. Adams: 

200 calories (140 from fat)

Fat 16 g

Sat Fat 2.5 g

Protein 8 g

2 Tbsp. PB2:

45 calories (13 from fat)

Fat 1.5 g

Sat Fat  0 g

Protein 5 g

As you can see PB2 is the healthier option for sure, but I still eat Adams in moderation because I love that crunchiness!

Cheers everyone!

What's In My Gym Bag - Protein Cookie Company

One of my absolute favorite go to snacks that I keep in my gym bag is The Protein Cookie Company protein cookies. Not only are the delicious, I love the ingredients as well. 

There are 4 flavors to choose from: chocolate chip, dark chocolate chip, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin. 

The key ingredients are: Whey Protein, Unbleached Unbromated whole wheat flour, stevia, and 72% Cocoa powder. They contain anywhere from 17-20 grams of protein in each one. 

One note: these must be refrigerated. If you are looking for a clean, yummy snack, I highly recommend these. You can check them out here:  http://theproteincookiecompany.com

Cheers! 

Saturday Secrets - Purely Elizabeth Cereal

I have always loved cereal! As a kid it was fruity pebbles & captain crunch. Obviously I don't eat those anymore but have always missed having a bowl of cereal. I have search all over for a sugar free low glycemic version "clean" to no avail.

Then in sprouts recently I came across "Purely Elizabeth" brand cereals. They were exactly what I was looking for and sweetened with coconut sugar. The variety I close reminded me somewhat of rice crispies. 

They also have granola sweetened with coconut sugar and it's amazing on top of green yogurt. I have only seen these at Sprouts but I'm sure they have them other places. 

If you were a cereal lover as a kid, or now, these are for you! Cheers!

Friday Faves - Shakeology

Happy Friday!  This week my Friday Fave is my favorite meal replacement - Shakeology!   One of my favorite tools in my “master tool kit.”  I have tried countless protein shakes and meal replacements through the years, all with side effects I did not like.  I stumbled upon Shakeology and it was a game changer for me. It is very satisfying and helps with my cravings so much.  It also simplifies my nutrition. 

Shakeology contains over 70 ultra high-quality, globally sourced ingredients that deliver nearly all the nutrients you need to maintain a healthy diet.  It's good for everyone, because everyone's diet is deficient in some of the key nutrient groups packed into just one Shakeology shake.

It is an effective way to help you lose weight, increase your energy and be the healthiest version of yourself.  Shakeology can help you reduce cravings and promote healthy digestion and regularity.  You can read more about it or order a sample on my site:  www.platinumsass.com

I love the taste and all the amazing combinations you can make.  Here is my favorite recipe:  Enjoy!

Fish Friday - Baked Trout

Just a few more Fridays and Fish Friday recipes left in Lent.  Today I am featuring Baked Trout.

Ingredients:

12 oz. raw, cleaned, cut open lengthwise trout

sea salt to taste

black pepper to taste

1 chopped medium tomato

1/2 chopped medium onion

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

6 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

1 tsp. olive oil

1 sliced medium onion

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Season inside of trout with salt & pepper & set aside.

3. Combine tomato, onion, garlic & basil in a bowl & mix well.

4. Place trout on a large piece of foil & fill the inside of the trout with the tomato mixture.

5. Drizzle with oil & top with lemon slices.  Seal foil tightly & place on baking sheet.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cooked through.  Increase temperature to broil.

7. Open foil & expose fish & broil for 2-3 minutes until skin is crisp.

8. Discard lemon slices & enjoy.

My Review - Level Thrive DFT Patches

Cheers ladies!

This week I wanted to share my review of Level Thrive DFT Patches.  In case you are not familiar with the patches, they contain garcinia cambogia (among other things.) Garcinia Cambogia is a tool I have used in my "master toolkit" for several years.  Carcinia Cambogia (you will also see referred to as HCA) is known to suppress appetite (naturally, not like in a diet pill).  Basically, it increases the level of satisfaction you feel from a meal.  It is also known to slow down your fat production.  How does it do that?  It blocks a portion of the enzyme "citrate lyase" which helps turn sugars and starches into fats.  So, when you block a potion of that enzyme, carbs get converted into energy rather than body fat. Great deal, right? I mean seriously who would not want that?

In plain English, it helps you feel full.  I have taken the supplements for years and I feel a real difference  I recommend the patches because they are so convenient.  They last 24 hours and no pills to swallow! For someone like me that takes several supplements, that is a blessing! Trust me!

If you are currently taking the supps, give the patches a try.  I feel certain you will LOVE the patch more than the pills.  If you have never tried these, I highly recommend them.  You can check them out from my beautiful friend Taffy below.  She can give you all the info and scoop you need on the whole product line:

https://TaffyC.Le-Vel.com

Thirsty Thursday - Sassy Pina Colada

Love pina coladas but hate all the sugar and calories?  Try this skinny version:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut water
1/2 cup cubed fresh pineapple
1 oz. Malibu rum
1 cup crushed ice
Fresh pineapple to garnish

Directions:

1. Place coconut water, pineapple, rum and ice in blender; cover.  Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into serving glasses; garnish with pineapple and enjoy!

Tip:  I use La Croix coconut flavored water and it is awesome!

Clean Eating & Reading Labels

Reading labels is one of the most important things, in my opinion, to get in the habit of doing on your clean eating journey.  We look at certain items, like lunch meat or spices, and assume there is no hidden sugar for instance only to discover we are very wrong.  Reading labels will help you discover these ingredients and make healthier choices.

When looking for "clean" foods, some people look at the number of ingredients.  Although at times this may be a good indication of whether or not something is "clean" it could in theory be incorrect if all of the ingredients are clean and unprocessed.  Unlikely I agree.

There are other theories to only buy things that have ingredients in them that you would purchase separately.  Salsa for instance - tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, etc.  That is a great practice but I fear if you are just beginning on your journey this may totally overwhelm you.

What I do and I believe is a good starting point, is to search for hidden sugar.  If the salsa had sugar as an ingredient for instance, I would have passed on it and looked for a brand that did not have sugar.  In sugar I mean anything sweet other than stevia, coconut sugar or honey.  Those are the only options I allow in my ingredients and I prefer stevia and coconut sugar over honey as they are both lower on the glycemic index.

Looking for sugar will become a part time job for you.  It has taken me years and I still make mistakes as the manufacturers change ingredients.  For example I have bought the same pasta sauce for years.  I noticed this month that it now contains sugar.  I have since opted to make my own.  I do the same with salsa, dressings and anything else I can.  I recommend the same to you whenever possible.

Remember one thing:  this is a journey.  It is a marathon, not a sprint.  As you run out of things, replace them with healthier versions.  This will keep implanting clean eating from being so overwhelming to you.

Need help getting started?  Check my website for some downloadables and nutrition coaching:  www.platinumsass.com

Cheers to clean eating!

Two For Tuesday - Green Tea

I started drinking green tea every morning years ago when I discovered it was a natural fat burner!  I have since truly fallen in love with it, when it is prepared properly.  If you are one of those people who do not care for green tea because it tastes bitter, then I have the solution for you!  When green tea is bitter, the tea is actually burned.  I take the water off the burner just prior to the tea kettle whistling.  This prevents the burn of the tea and the bitterness.

Today I have featured my 2 favorite brands of tea:  Teavanna and Harney & Sons Fine Tea.  If you love "Emperor's Cloud" green tea from Starbucks, this is actually a Teavanna tea.  That is my first choice although quite pricey!  My second choice of Harney & Sons is a Target brand and I enjoy it in both "blueberry" flavor as well as "coconut."

Both are excellent and I highly recommend them.  Cheers & Happy Tuesday!