Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!

2013 was a fun, emotional, and exciting year for me.  I learned a ton by going through some huge life changes- losing loved ones, moving to a new state, starting a new job, moving in with the boyfriend.  While I always get nostalgic at every year's end, I'm ready to make the absolute best of 2014. (I'm smiling just typing about a fresh start!!)  So Cheers to a healthy, happy, and productive 2014!!

With just one day left of this year, of course, like a lot of us, I'm thinking of ways to better myself in 2014. Here is my list so far-

1) Read at least 1 book per month
    - I really slacked on the book reading in 2013, but I've already started this goal by stocking up on books I'm interested in for the next 4 months:-)  

2) Join a new Yoga studio
    - There is a studio in the next town over that I've been dying to try.  There is no better time than now!  I'm keeping my eyes open for a good Groupon deal.

3) Plan a trip to Europe
    - This one is already in the works for a possible half marathon! 

4) Stop Worrying
    - I feel like my first 2 goals will help me with this goal.  I am a worrier!  And most of the time for no reason at all.  Since I started working in NJ, I have a lot more time on my hands because I'm not commuting to the city anymore.  I need to fill that extra time with activities that are good for me!

5) 10 Day Alcohol Detox starting January 1
   - I have definitely splurged this holiday season...ok the entire month of December... + Thanksgiving.  A short 10-day vacation from wine will definitely help me feel healthier and back on track.

6) Try 2 new recipes per month
   - This goal shouldn't be too hard for me.  I was going to say every WEEK but I need to stay practical.  I have some great new cookbooks and other books on Power Foods to help me experiment!

7) Plan more Girl Time
   - Planning more time with my girlfriends is a must for me this year! I want to share my NJ life with them and keep up with what they are experiencing in different cities.

Those are my 7 goals for now.  Although, I'm sure more will pop into my head today and tomorrow:-)  I hope everyone has something fun planned with the person or people you love!  

Have a Happy & Safe night!! 

Christmas Happiness in CT

Christmas came and went very quickly this year which makes me kind of sad in some ways because time is flying, but happy that I got to spend a happy holiday with my family.  I have to say, my family is amazing at making the Christmas holiday just PERFECT.

I decided to attempt to keep up a semi-healthy Christmas and made a Honey Baked Ham from the Holiday Edition of the Tone it up! plan.  It may have been one of the best hams I've ever eaten.  The ingredients were fresh and wholesome.  And my family could never tell it was from a nutrition plan.  You know those foods that just TASTE like Christmas- this was one of those foods.  I poked whole cloves all through the ham and then the glaze was made up of red wine, honey, lemon, brown sugar, and all-spice.  It was delicious.  Although we had a few more unhealthy choices as sides, I also made the Holiday Edition's Santa's Salad which had greens, raspberries, walnuts, and red onion.  Another crowd pleaser to get in our greens.  All of the foods, healthy or not, paired perfectly with a light red wine of Pinot Noir which there definitely was no shortage of!

For Christmas Day brunch, mimosas and a bold coffee with Bailey's are staples in my house.  It just helps everyone perk up a bit after a late night of laughing and conversation on Christmas Eve.  I ended up putting together an Egg Casserole from Peanut Butter Fingers, a favorite healthy food blog of mine. The casserole had eggs, whole wheat bread, greek yogurt, spinach, low fat cheese, turkey bacon, and then I added some green onion.  This bake was great because we needed to have enough to feed 10 people.  This was filling and we had plenty leftover.  We also had more turkey sausage and cranberry muffins on the side.  Needless to say, day #2 of being completely stuffed started bright and early!

After opening gifts, although it was about 25 degrees outside, my boyfriend and I decided to go for a walk down by the beach.  My parents are lucky enough to live very close to the beach and even in the Winter, a New England beach is beautiful.  We lasted about a half an hour on a walk along the shore and the rocks, then we headed back in for hot spiced cider with rum.  Another one of those foods that just TASTES like Christmas to me.

We finished off Christmas day trying to complete a 1000 piece puzzle.  Now, Harris and I have done a puzzle together every Christmas.  And we ALWAYS finish it.  One year we did Central Park.  Another year it was the Las Vegas strip.  This year we chose a puzzle full of wine bottles stacked on shelves.  BAD CHOICE!  We couldn't finish it that night.  We ended up taping together the parts we had completed with scotch tape and bringing it back to Jersey with us.  It's now on our kitchen table and we've been working on it a little bit each night.  I'll post a picture of the finished product!! This one is so tricky!

All in all, Christmas was amazing in CT, as always.  I love all of the traditions we have and it warms my heart that everyone is together, safe and sound, under one roof...with plenty of amazing food and wine:-)  Although I'm ready for a re-set with my eating and working out on January 1st, I'm still pumped for a fun night out on New Year's Eve with friends!

POP!

My favorite snack, BY FAR, is popcorn.  Nothing beats sitting on the couch with my love, a good movie on TV, a bowl of popcorn...and maybe a glass of wine.

I'm not talking about the microwave popcorn stuff that we've been hearing horror stories about in the news.  I'm talking about freshly air-popped "homemade" popcorn that you can season or sweeten as you wish.

My old roommate in New York City introduced me to her air popper when we moved in together years ago.  She would pop kernels in her air popper, spray the popcorn with cooking spray and add her toppings.  Her favorite was parmesan cheese and salt.  It just tasted so much more fresh than microwaved popcorn.  I started doing cinnamon and a dusting of brown sugar (before my Tone It up days- now I use Stevia).  That became my favorite.

When I started dating my boyfriend, I introduced him to air popped popcorn and he got hooked too!  His favorite is parmesan and garlic sea salt.  We also use Smart Balance, Olive Oil, Sunflower, or Coconut Oil cooking sprays to make the toppings stick and to remain on the healthy side.  Some of our other concoctions are below.  We don't mess around!

• Rosemary & Garlic Salt
• Dill, Cracked Pepper, & Garlic Salt
• Parmesan, Chili Powder, & Hot Sauce
• Drizzle of melted PB and Cocoa Powder
• Cocoa Powder & Stevia
• Crumbled Turkey Bacon & Stevia or Brown Sugar 
• Crushed Oreos, Sea Salt, & Melted White Chocolate (WARNING: This is dangerous!  We made it for a Superbowl party and it didn't last long)

The possibilities are pretty much endless and you can definitely go more INDULGENT or more healthy- depending on the day or occasion.

What makes air popping popcorn even more enticing is that it's a lot more economical!  An air popper can cost anywhere from $20 to $50 but kernels and toppings are super affordable and last through several batches of popcorn.  It has taken place of microwave popcorn bags, bags of chips, crackers, etc.  And I always have kernels in my pantry to satisfy my crunch craving.

Since I do a lot of distance running about 10 months out of the year, popcorn also is a healthy and light way to carb up and get the necessary salt that your body needs without going overboard.

I'm craving it now!!!

I know there HAS to be more topping ideas that I'm not thinking of.  Let me know how fancy you get with your popcorn! I must not be the only one;-)