Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Great Gift: Mittens

Everyone needs a great pair of mittens! Give the gift of cozy mittens this holiday with our budget mitten suggestions.

Cheap Monday Zovak Mittens - $30, click here.

GAP Cozy Striped Mittens - $14.95, click here.
Zara Knitted Mittens - $14.95, click here.
Target Fliptop Spacedye Gloves - $10.99, click here.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Detox you Thanksgiving indulgences

Overindulged this Thanksgiving? We feel you...

Instead of getting frustrated or continuing down the overindulging path, get back on track and detox out some of those indulgences. Detox doesn't mean you have to fast, drink only juice or cut out most things that keep you sane. Helping your body detox can be as simple as incorporating some detoxing foods into your diet.

We recommend:
Watercress - throw some into your lunch salad (helps keep free radicals away from your cells, energizing cleansing enzymes in the liver and is a natural diuretic)
Fresh fruit - full of vitamins, fiber and much more
Artichokes - promote healthy liver and gallbladder function
Beets - fiber increases the production of antioxidant enzymes in the liver
Ginger and garlic - add this to your stir fry

Don't forget to drink plenty of fluids and get your rest. Sleep and hydration can make a world of difference!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Go-to Thanksgiving Dessert

Don't forget about our go-to Thanksgiving dessert - Pumpkin chocolate chip bars!

3 ingredients, 2 minutes of prep time - What could be easier!

Click here
for the recipe and cooking instructions.

Turkey day is almost here...

Thanksgiving eve is already here and with busy work schedules and errands it is hard to find a lot of time for cooking. If your job for Thanksgiving is to bring a side dish or you are invited somewhere last minute and need a quick and easy side dish, we recommend the following:

Buttermilk and Herb Stuffing Muffins
* Cooking spray
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 2 medium red onions, chopped (4 cups)
* 3 thinly sliced celery stalks
* 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
* 1/2 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1 (8-ounce) package mushrooms, coarsely chopped (about 3 1/2 cups)
* 1 cup lower-sodium chicken broth
* 1 (12- to 14-ounce) package country-style cubed with white and whole-wheat bread) stuffing (such as Pepperidge Farm)
* 1 cup low-fat buttermilk (1%)
* 2 large eggs

Click here for the entire recipe.

Cranberry Pear Sauce
*12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
*2 ripe pears, peeled and cored, cubed small
*1/2 cup agave (or sugar to taste)
*1 cup water

Bring all ingredients to boil on high heat in a medium saucepan. When boiling, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool before refrigerating. Serve chilled or room temperature. Makes 3 1/4 cups.

Click here for the recipe.

Citrus Green Beans with Pine Nuts
*1 pound green beans, trimmed
*2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
*3/4 cup sliced shallots
*1 teaspoon grated orange rind
*1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
*1/4 teaspoon black pepper
*1/8 teaspoon coarse sea salt
*1 tablespoon pine nuts toasted

Click here for the recipe

Thursday, November 17, 2011

5 minutes is all you need

Short on time, but looking to burn some calories? No gym and no time?

Give one of Health Magazine's 5-minute fat burners a try!

- Jump rope as fast you can can (68 calories)
- Do walking lunges down the hallway (45 calories)
- Shovel snow (34 calories)
- Pick up the pace while grocery shopping (22 calories)
- Vacuum the biggest room in your house (20 calories)
- Walk up and down the stairs (36 calories)
- Do as many push-ups as you can (45 calories)

Get creative with your 5-minutes! Do you have any 5-minute quick calories burning tips? Let us know under "comments"

Monday, November 14, 2011

Great Gift Great Price

Looking for a holiday gift for a friend or co-worker? Need a fun hostess gift?

Candles with a personal touch or holiday theme make a great gift at a great price.

Our favorites include:
Modern Alchemy Zodiac Candle Book - $22 (www.shopbop.com)

minedesign Chalkboard Candle - $25 (www.saks.com)
Henri Bendel Holiday Candle - $15 (www.henribendel.com)
Henri Bendel Holiday Candle Trio - $20 (www.henribendel.com)

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Music that will inspire you to work out... or laugh

Need a song to give you that pick up to hit the gym or the pavement? LMFAO has the answer with their "Sexy and I know it" song.

Whether your walking, running or lifting weights, this song is sure to give you that extra push during your workout. Or just a great song to listen to while sitting in traffic on the way to work...


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Bethenny's Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes

We just discovered Bethenny Frankel's recipe for Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes in Health magazine and wow!

If you are looking for a warm seasonal breakfast, this is your go to. If you have guests staying for Thanksgiving this would also be a perfect morning after breakfast. It is also super easy, which we love!
Whole-wheat pancake mix +
canned pumpkin +
ground cinnamon +
ground ginger +
maple syrup =
Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes

In a medium bowl, lightly whisk together 1 cup whole-wheat pancake mix, 1 cup cold water, 1/3 cup canned pumpkin, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.

Mix until batter is combined but still lumpy. Spray a griddle with nonstick spray, and heat on medium.

For each pancake, spoon 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle, and cook for about 2 minutes or until bubbles appear. Then flip, cook for another 2 minutes, and transfer to a plate.

Drizzle each with 2 teaspoons warm maple syrup and...dig in!

Makes 8 pancakes.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Kardashian Wedding Drama

Since the Kardashian divorce drama started, rumors have been swirling about why the couple split and if the wedding was a sham.

What do YOU think? Sham or real? Never planned to work or was she in over her head? Let us know your thoughts under "comments".

Oh, and we couldn't resist posting the SNL Kardashian skit...

Friday, November 4, 2011

The Holiday Season is here!

Well, according to Starbucks it is. Starbucks has already changed over their infamous cups and updated the menu to holiday. This means red cups and our favorite gingerbread lattes. We aren't complaining!
It does seem that the year has flown by and the holiday season is rapidly approaching.

Keep checking in with us this holiday season as we pick our favorite gifts and holiday things.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Kim Kardashian Files for Divorce

We can't say we didn't see this one coming... but after 72 days of marriage, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from NBA player Kris Humphries.


E! mogul Ryan Seacrest confirmed the news of the split through Twitter and the following statements were released:

Kim Kardashian - "After careful consideration, I have decided to end my marriage," she said. "I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. I had hoped this marriage was forever, but sometimes things don't work out as planned. We remain friends and wish each other the best."

Kris Humphries - "I love my wife and am devastated to learn she filed for divorce ... I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it work."

We are not fans of Kris Humphries. We will just have to wait to see how the rest of this drama plays out. But the question that we want to know... What are you going to do with that 20.5 carat diamond ring?!

Do you think Kim will keep the ring, give it to Humphries or sell it? Let us know under "comments".