Garmin 405 Heart Rate Monitor

My girlfriend just posted a deal on her fb page about a Garmin 405, on sale for $139.99. which is a great deal considering they are normally $200+.  It includes a USB stick and a heart rate monitor.  Should be here to me tomorrow!


Get the deal here.  Hurry because earlier today it went back up to $199!

Whole Wheat Penne tossed with left over turkey, broccoli rabe, spinach and red bell peppers

I try to eat as healthy as I can and I'm always trying to create new recipes.  Anyhow, I didn't want any more turkey, gravy etc and decided something quick and simple would do.  Came up with this:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chopped left over turkey breast
• 2 cups broccoli rabe chopped
• 1 cup spinach
• 2 bell peppers chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 pinches of kosher salt
• fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 box whole wheat penne pasta

Bring water to a boil, add a few dashes of olive oil and a pinch of salt to the water.  Once water boils, add the penne pasta and cook until al dente. 

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic, turkey, broccoli and stir for a few minutes, until broccoli starts to turn a darker green.  Add bell peppers, spinach, salt and pepper.  Add a half cup of chicken stock (I made turkey stock this morning, so I used that).  Once all the veggies are cooked,  turn off heat.  

By this time, pasta should be cooked.  Measure out 2/3 cup of pasta, toss with one cup of the turkey and veggies.  I like spicy foods so I also added crushed red peppers.  Serve.  NOM NOM NOM.

Fast, easy and healthy to boot.  

Vegas

Finally in vegas for Dennis and Natalie's wedding.  I have worked so much in the past week and now that I am here, I'm beat!! 

I really just want to pass out but we are in Vegas!

Honey mustard salad dressing recipe

1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pinch of salt
Fresh ground pepper

In a bowl combine all ingredients except olive oil. Whisk while pouring in olive oil.

Friends that love you for being you.

I'm blessed.  Truly blessed to have not only the best family in the world, but to have 2 sisters whom I consider the best friends in the world!  On top of my sisters, I have a small group of girlfriends who I can tell anything to and who I know would love me just the same no matter what.  They don't talk about me behind my back but instead encourage, chastise with love, laugh with me until my insides hurt, cry with me when I'm sad and most importantly are just there no matter what.  I can't even express how much I love these girls.

Family time

Picture is from this past weekend. I love that my sisters and I are so close. I hope to pass the love and relationship down to my kids.  We have dinner and hang out at least once a week and I could not be happier than when I get to see them :)

Awesome day, my wedding anniversary

So sleep deprived

I am not sleeping well. Too much stress at work. :/

Sauteed Kale

This is one of my favorite recipes and I love it year around.  It's super fast, easy and if you substitute with turkey bacon can also be healthy.  I just love real bacon and prefer it.

Sauteed Kale
5 cloves of minced garlic
2 batches of kale, chopped
1/2 package of package of bacon, chopped up
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 pinches of sea salt
1/4 cup of red wine
1/4 cup of chicken stock
handful of dried cranberries

In a dutch oven or large skillet, heat up the olive oil in medium high heat and add in the minced garlic until golden.Add the chopped bacon, and cook until bacon is crispy.  Once bacon is nice and crispy, drain out half of the oil.  Add in the chopped kale, and 2 pinches of sea salt and stir until it turns a nice dark green color, about 5 minutes or so.  Add in the red wine, stir and then add in the chicken stock.  Turn the heat down to low and keep on the stove for another 10 minutes.  Before serving toss the dried cranberries in.

OH EM GEE

I made this recipe for  Peach Whiskey Barbeque Chicken from Pioneer Woman (www.thepioneerwoman.com) and it is TO DIE FOR.  Literally to DIE FOR.  YUMMMY.  I left out the butter because Bella is allergic to milk products and it came out so yummy.  Also served with mashed potatoes and greek salad.


Ingredients for the Chicken 

• 12 whole Chicken Thighs, Bone-in, Skin-on
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter (optional in my mind)
• 1 whole Yellow Onion, Diced
• 1-1/2 cup Whiskey
• 12 ounces, fluid Barbecue Sauce
• 1 jar Peach Preserves
• 1/2 cup Water
• 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
• 4 cloves Garlic, Peeled
• 3 whole Green Onions, Sliced Thin

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Heat oil and butter in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs, four at a time, in the pot, skin side down. Brown both sides, then remove to a plate and repeat until all chicken is browned.

Pour off half the grease, then return pan to stove. Add onions to pan and stir, cooking for 2 minutes. Pour whiskey into the pot, being very careful if you're using an open flame. Stir and scrape the bottom of the pan, allowing whiskey to reduce for a minute or two. Pour in barbecue sauce, peach preserves, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Throw in garlic cloves. Stir until combined, then return chicken to the pot, skin side up. Cover and put pot in oven.

Cook for 1 1/2 hours, then remove from oven.

Serve pieces of chicken over a big pile of smashed potatoes. Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top.

Ingredients for greek salad vinagrette

• 1 1/2 quarts olive oil
• 1/3 cup garlic powder
• 1/3 cup dried oregano
• 1/3 cup dried basil
• 1/4 cup pepper
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup onion powder
• 1/4 cup Dijon-style mustard
• 2 quarts red wine vinegar

Directions

1. In a very large container, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, basil, pepper, salt, onion powder, and Dijon-style mustard. Pour in the vinegar, and mix vigorously until well blended. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

I pour this over chopped romaine lettuce, chopped olives, tomatoes, feta cheese and cucumbers.  

Pictures to follow. YUMMY. Comatose from so much good food.

My favorite running gear

I love to run and through the years have gone through countless shoes and gadgets.  So, I thought I'd share what I'm loving now :)

  1. Asics Gel Kayano $139.99 (approx price) - I cannot tell you the importance of getting properly fitted for running shoes.  From 1999-2001, I ran in Nike Shox and whilethought I was the shit, they gave meshin splints, made my hips not feel balanced and I just ached everywhere after I ran.  "Self, you have to keep them cause they're so CUTE!" I said to myself.  Finally, at the urging of a friend, I got fitted and was given a pair of the Gel Kayanos and I've never looked back.  I have very high arches and also slightly over pronate which means shin splints, IT band issues and hip issues so finding the proper shoes was critical.  These babies offer support and I have had very little issues.  

2.  Inserts ($70).  I had mine custom fitted for me at Road Runners.  They are a bit spendy but they have helped with the above problems.  I will probably get actual orthotics but am just a bit lazy about making appointments.  

3.  My ipod.  No explanation there =) 

4.  Fanny pack.  LMAO now don't laugh.  I seriously hate hate hate them. BUT.  I found one from Runner's World that I used in the Rock n Roll Half Marathon that did not bounce or budge.  That shit was AWESOME!!  I got mine at REI for $15.  

5.  Body Glide.  I swear, how I didn't know about this baffles me.  I literally chafed in the area between my butt and my thigh from my underwear rubbing the entire 13.1 miles this weekend.  Finally found some at sports authority for $9.99 and used it today and tad NO EFFING CHAFFING.  HOLY GRAIL. MUST HAVE.  There's a "woman's formula" but honestly I think it's a waste of money because it's $7.99 and half the size of the regular "manly formula".    

6.  Nike Dri Fit Running Socks.  $25 for 2 pairs.  They are cushiony and they do not bunch up as I run. 

I'm really bad at blogging...

Life gets so busy sometimes with 3 kids, a career, a husband and throw in social obligations and there is literally no time left.  I'm going to try to be better and blog more.  Try.

Anyhow, on my list of to dos this Memorial Day Weekend:

1. Purge and organize for a garage sale in June
2. Measure back yard for our new patio plans
3. Weed our garden and buy plants.
4. Finally, clean and organize the stupid office. again.

Baby Back Ribs in Sweet Chili Sauce

This is my new favorite way to make ribs :)  I made some for my niece's birthday party and they were a huge hit!

Recipe:
5lbs of baby back ribs
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
paprika
1 cup of Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce

In an oven save baking dish, add season ribs on both sides with salt, pepper and paprika.  Cover baking dish with tin foil securely and bake for 4.5 hours at 275 degrees.  

Remove baking dish from oven and take off foil.  Brush the sweet chili sauce on with a brush.  Broil on high for about 5-10 minutes.  Make sure you watch the ribs because you don't want to burn it but a nice carmelized glaze.

Serve!