Re-use!

Having oatmeal every morning can get quite monotonous so why not spice it up and re-use (reduce, recycle!) while we're at it!?

Oh yeah guys, that's my usual morning oats in an almond butter jar! I had SOME almond butter left in the jar but it was too tedious of a task to scrape out [ and it's too good to throw out] so why not let it MELT into my morning oats, right? and then of course, your re-using the jar one last time!

In the jar:

1/3 cup oats
Splash of H2O and skim

Sliced strawberries and blueberries

Sprinkle of flaxseed

Drizzle of agave

Remnants of Justin's maple almond butter

...mmhmm is your mouth watering, yet?!

Complex carbohydrates, satisfying fiber, sweet berries and stick to your ribs-delicious almond butter filled with healthy fats!

National Culinary Day!

What a better way to celebrate today's, National Culinary Day but to get in the kitchen and start cookin'!? What chef inspired dish will have you baking, broiling, sauteeing or steaming?

Having trouble finding a recipe to start with? Real Simple is my usual "go-to" source for recipes! They are healthy, quick and have all different difficulties from the at-home chef to the top chef in all of us.

Well, get in the kitchen already and let's get cookin'!

Free Fitness

Hey guys! So as promised...but a little late (better than never), I must share my State Park adventures. It was an eventful trip I had, over the 4th of July weekend. I ventured out to the park stretching out into the chesapeake bay with one thing in mind...time to explore! I am all a new adventure, especially one that may incorporate some exercise. In all of my excitement, I failed to plan!

I set out to the state park in flip flops, no bug spray, snacks or H2O. Big mistake but seeing views like this made up for it...

I even made the two mile hike to the lighthouse...

We heard there was a beach on the otherside so we took the challenge.
After walking a combined total of 5 miles we found it...

Needless to say, I was exhausted, famished and my ankles hurt by the time we made it back to the car.

Noteworthy: Although I was anything but prepared for my 5 mile hike it was a great way to get in some unexpected physical activity, connect with nature and the best part, enjoy some Free Fitness.

I am not going to lie, I have always been a gym rat! I am totally guilty...but I tell you what! I felt just as good if not better leaving that park with 5 miles behind me as oppose to walking out of a gym. I may not have been sweating as much as I would in my usual spin class, but it was a change in routine and fun Free Fitness. On your next vacation scope out the local parks and walking trails, and get out there! Just be sure to plan!

What's your favorite way to stay in shape on vacation?

My Take on Toast

Hey guys! Hope you had a wonderful week and are gearing up for a fun-filled weekend! I don't have much planned but it sounds just about as good as it gets, after the week I had!

So, I wanted to share my new, go-to breakfast. I got into a slump with my oats; I was feeling bored and unsatisfied. I decided to try My [new] Take on Toast.
It's a well-rounded meal; complete with a little taste from every macronutrient group (a little carbohydrate, fat and protein) for complete satiety, satisfaction and ultimately, it's something that holds me 'til lunch!

My Take on Toast is a spin-off your always faithful [open-faced] PB&J and PB&Banana Sandwiches. This is SO simple and can be made in 5 minutes flat!

My Take on Toast:
- Your favorite bread...toasted (I use a whole wheat or sprouted grain toast, depending on what I bought that week)
- Your favorite nut butter (I am using Justin's Maple Almond Butter)
- Fresh Strawberries

Toast your bread. Smear your nut butter. Strategically place your strawberries. Well, what are you waiting for? ENJOY!

I like this combination of flavors. It's like PB&J but the fresh strawberries reap the nutritional benefits (vitamins and minerals) that the sugar-loaded jelly doesn't. It's sweet and salty while offering energy filled complex carbohydrates and fiber from your toast, heart healthy fats and protein from your nut butter and additional flavor and nutrients from the fresh fruit! Great start to a summer morning!

Try it tomorrow morning : ) Let me know what you think?!...

Holiday Destination

Happy 4th o'July to all my SS bloggies! This is where I am spending my 4th...beautiful, isn't it?!

Where is your holiday destination?

"The best you'll ever get..."

Hello, Hello! How's all the weekend splurging, hanging with friends/family and kickin' back relaxing going? It's going good over here, no need to worry about me ;)
Today I spent the whole morning at the local State Park (more on that later), needless to say, it was a looong, interesting morning; filled with tons of exercise and sunburnt skin!

After my long morning I met Mom and Dad at a local crab shack for a great MD Crab Cake sandwich...it sure was a treat! It was dubbed "The best you'll ever get..." so obviously, I could NOT turn that down!

We planned on a home cooked meal on the grill tonight for dinner, so we needed to stop on the way home for a couple of extra ingredients...you know we wouldn't go anywhere else but the local market...

"The best you'll ever get..." served as a great saying for the day...we found some awesome things at the Farmer's Market. From fresh baked oatmeal bread and local blueberries to homemade sweets and other delicious treats!

Aside from all the great treats, we found these local peaches. I was SO excited when I found the sweet smelling ripe peaches, I thought they would totally be "The best you'll ever get..." I was WAY OFF! Soft and juicy but lacking ALL flavor. We are going to try grilling them later; hoping it will bring the flavor out...otherwise it's an ultimate flop!

Peaches have been a real challenge this year, anyone else found this to be the case as well? The only peaches that are chomp and ahhh are the peaches from a local orchard, O'Keefe's, up the street from my childhood home in MD.
I'll have to have Mom ship them down?...I have some serious issues to figure out... ;)


Happy 4th to all! Stay tuned for the Local Park adventures...you won't want to miss this one!

Quick Tips to Take to your July 4th Cookout:

Hey guys, the 4th of July is right around the corner and if your like me, you traveled for the holiday!? Holiday cookouts are always a fun time to splurge, hang with friends and family and kick back! I love holiday parties like this; especially the kicking back and relaxing part..man, am I good at that ;)

Well, just before your weekend of mayhem, I wanted to make sure I gave you some
Quick Tips to Take to your July 4th Cookout:

Grill lean meats: Grilling meat is one of the healthiest ways to cook, it's low fat and gives great flavor with minimal work involved. Some lean meats to enjoy this summer: chicken, flank steak and ground meats (leanest are round and sirloin).

Veggies: vegetables can make a great side dish but often get a bad rap or get pushed aside. Skewer some summer quash, bell peppers, onions and mushrooms and throw them on the grill! Simple and flavorful low fat cooking! Don't be surprised if people oogle over this, tons o' kudos!!

Creamy Salads: scream CAUTION! Either steer clear of the potato salads and coleslaw to resist the temptation or just give yourself a taste. These are LOADED with calories and fat. Maybe offer to make a healthier version for your party...the crowd will thank you!

Make something: offer to bring something (like potato salad), and find a "healthier" way to make it; Using low fat mayo versus full fat. This way you know it's a "safe bet"

Mocktails: I know your going to want to throw back some cold beers so make sure their light however, for those who just don't feel like drinking anymore try a mocktail! A sparkling flavored water with a splash of fresh lime juice is refreshing and won't bust the belly. My favorite brand of sparkling water is by target, it's wallet friendly and definitely waist friendly at 0 calories per serving!

Dessert: grilled pineapple for dessert with a sprinkle of cinnamon or go fresh with watermelon, either way it's the lowest calorie choice of all 4th of July treats, I can guarantee that!


Most importantly, be safe, healthy and have fun!