Saturday, April 30, 2011

Hats.Gone.Wild.


The talk of the week was the Royal Wedding - not only about Kate's stunning dress and how adorable the Royal Couple is, but also about what the guests were wearing. There were HATS everywhere! I must admit, this is the most interesting hat I have ever seen...in case you're wondering which one I'm referring to, it's the one on the right.

Friday, April 29, 2011

100.Pushups.Challenge.

I used to HATE push ups - that is until I learned how to do them correctly. I had to start on my knees and do "girl" push-ups but every time I did them I would gradually try doing at least one on my toes. Slowly I worked up to two on my toes, then three, and so-on. Now that I can do them with proper form, they are one of my favorite exercises to do. They work every muscle and I feel such a strong sense of accomplishment after completing a good set of 'em. I love switching up the types too - I do some traditional, some Pilates style with my arms close to my body to work my triceps, wide arm push-ups and even "X" style with my legs and arms out wide.


The reason I'm bringing up push ups today is I stumbled upon this site today:
http://www.hundredpushups.com

Now, I know a lot of people on Facebook and Twitter who talk about doing their 100 pushups, so I am curious if this is where they got their inspiration or if they just started their own thing. Anyone know that answer?? Either way, I'm pretty interested in this challenge and plan on giving it a whirl.

Here's to getting stronger and completing 100 pushups. :)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

31.Flavors.


Today I am sending my thanks to Baskin Robbins for last night's 31 cent scoop event! I may have waited in a very long line outside around the store, but 3 scoops and 93 cents later, I was one HAPPY girl! My flavors of choice - Mint Chip (of course!), Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Firehouse #31. MMM MMM MMM :)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Happy.Birthday.Wishes.


On this wishful Wednesday, I am sending early Happy Birthday wishes to my baby brother. When I say baby brother, I mean 14... but to me, he'll always be my "BABY" brother. We are 12 years apart in age, but you'd never know it judging by how close we are. He's one of the most special things I've ever been given and I will ALWAYS cherish being his big Sissy! Happy Birthday Connor!!! May your birthday be a fun one and your year ahead be filled with exciting and special memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. XOXO

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Beets.With.Orange.Vinaigrette.


I LOVE beets. If you have never been fond of them, I recommend you give them another try. Seriously. I never really ate them when I was little but really got into them last summer. They are so refreshing and are a perfect addition to salads, and are even just yummy on their own.

Ingredients-
  • 3 (15-ounce) cans baby beets, drained
  • 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 3 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)
  • 2 large seedless oranges, zested
  • Segments 2 large seedless oranges
Directions-

Drain the beets and dice into 1/2-inch cubes. Place the beets in a mixing bowl and add the raspberry vinegar, orange juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and red onions. Zest the oranges and then segment over a bowl to catch the juices. Add the orange zest, orange segments, and any juices and mix well. Taste for seasoning and serve cold or at room temperature.

Monday, April 25, 2011

New.Beginnings.


"Spend eighty percent of your time focusing on the opportunities of tomorrow rather than the problems of yesterday." - Brian Tracy

Spring is here and as I mentioned in yesterday's post, it's the season of new beginnings. Are you holding onto things from the past that are preventing you from enjoying today and tomorrow? If you are, let the past go! Seriously, just let it go. What happened then can't be changed, so stop worrying about it and focus on the bright days ahead.

Are you blaming people for things they did way back when? Why? Does it make you feel better? Probably not. Holding grudges just brings you down and prevents you from enjoying true happiness. People change. Circumstances change. Forgive. Forget. And move forward.

Believe me, it's very liberating when you realize that what I am saying is the truth. There are so many opportunities and fun adventures waiting for you ahead. Go get them!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy.Easter.


Happy Easter my friends and followers! Enjoy this day with your families and loved ones. Spring is here and it's a season of new beginnings. May your days ahead be filled with love, hope and bountiful blessings.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Hoops.


Recently spotted on actress Elizabeth Banks, these super cute Lia Sophia "rough hoop" earrings are a must-have fashion accessory. They are a perfect complement to dressy attire, or they can be paired with something more comfy and casual and still look hot!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Five.Fitness.Favorites.

Here are a list of my five fitness favorites that encourage me to DO MORE when it comes to working out and achieving my goals:



1) My adorable pink and silver Nike Shox. A cute pair of shoes just makes me want to put them on and move!



2) My iPod Nano, "Junior Mint." He is loaded with the hottest tunes that inspire me to push further and keep going.


3) My BodyBugg. And of course it's bedazzled! It's a calorie-management system that is so accurate and the best tool for reaching my goals. It tracks how many calories I burn while wearing it as well as how many steps I take in a day. In addition to calorie burn, it also provides me with access to an online tracking system for recording my caloric intake. By logging EVERYTHING I eat (nothing is skipped - condiments, snacks, little bites of this and that) are all entered into the system for recording. At the end of the day I can see if I am in a calorie deficit or surplus. A deficit is the goal for weight-loss so it's a great tool to keep me accountable and see where my downfalls are.



4) Fun workout videos that I can do without leaving my house. Of course, Beachbody produces my all-time favorites. When I'm in a "groovy" mood, I choose Turbo or Brazil Butt Lift. When I want a good butt kickin', it's ChaLEAN Extreme, Power 90, P90X or Insanity. And when I'm feeling like working every muscle, but just not quite to the extreme, it's Slim in 6. All of these fun programs make me feel so great and like I can take on the world after completing.



5) Shakeology. It's my FAVORITE meal replacement shake. With only 140 calories, it's satisfying, full of all my essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and probiotics. And because it's only 140 calories, there is room for me to add favorite mix-ins such as fruit, juice and delicious extracts. If you are not drinking a meal-replacement, I highly encourage you to change that habit. Shakeology packets are convenient to keep on hand at all times, and all you need is a bottle of water or juice to add it to. It makes reaching fitness and weight-loss goals much easier.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Secret.Reward.Revealed.


Happy Shopping Day to me!

I NEVER win anything, nor do I ever get special deals like some of my friends, but today, my luck changed. During my hour lunch break, I stopped in Victoria's Secret to redeem three Secret Reward cards I received a month ago and have been carrying around in my wallet ever since. I filled my arms with as much adorable Pink lounge wear and VS Beauty products I could carry and proceeded to checkout. I knew I was far over my limit of what m cards would be worth, because let's face it, in the past they have always only been worth $10, so I was counting on getting $30 off my total. Well much to my surprise, my first reward was $50! Followed by two more $10 rewards, I saved $70!!!!

Thank you Victoria's Secret for (1) making my day, (2) producing some of the cutest lounge wear ever and (3) having such a fabulous summer makeup and tanning line. This is one HAPPY girl! :)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sweet.Tooth.

Today I am really wishing I didn't have such a crazy sweet tooth! I get cravings for sweets way too often and I don't know how to exercise any form of self-control. Why is it that some people hardly ever crave anything and others crave things and have to have them NOW?!


Repeat after me:
Step away from the cookies and the chocolate...step away from the cookies and the chocolate!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Lime.And.Basil.Fruit.Salad.

This recipe sounds SO refreshing and it's just in time for the warm months!

Ingredients -

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup packed basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon grated lime rind
• 4 cups fresh cubed pineapple
• 3 cups quartered strawberries
• 2 cups cubed peeled mango
• 4 kiwifruit, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced

Directions -

Combine sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; stir in basil and rind. Cool. Strain sugar mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl; discard solids.

Combine pineapple and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with sugar mixture; toss gently.

This 104-calorie, low-fat recipe is compliments of lowfatlifestyle.com

Monday, April 18, 2011

Lighting.The.Fire.

“Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.”- Stephen R. Covey


How many times have you done something becau
se someone else wanted you to? Chances are you dreaded it or complained about it all the while you were doing it. I'm not talking about a small task, but rather something big and meaningful. You dragged your feet, right?! Maybe you even rebelled completely.

To do something of great importance, one can't be forced. There has to be a drive and a passion inside of that individual in order for there to be lasting success.

What is one big thing you are motivated to accomplish this week?

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Messy.Goodness.


Today I am craving a big, drippy, yummy ice cream cone. My flavor of choice: Mint Chocolate Chip, of course!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Do.More.

If you don't know me personally, or are still learning about me, I am a HUGE fan of Chalene Johnson. Have you heard of Turbo Jam, Turbo Kick (TKB), Turbo Sport, Turbo Fire, ChaLEAN Extreme, PiYo or Hip Hop Hustle? She is the creator and choreographer for ALL of those fabulous fitness programs. And most recently she has developed a "Drive Time University" program, as I like to call it, called CarSmart.

Chalene has inspired me in so many ways in terms of improving my health, fitness, relationships and personal growth. I also happen to be one of the personally hand-picked members of her Elite Video Talent Team and I support and share her brand with everyone I know.

Why am I raving about Chalene on Stylish Saturday you may ask? Well, aside from the fact that Chalene has AMAZING style, she also has designed a super cute workout clothing line that she sells at her office, Powder Blue Productions. You can order from her website, www.turbokick.com or stop by the Powder Blue boutique in Irvine, CA. My favorite item happens to be this hat in multi-color lettering, which was sold out for months. But it's back in stock and I made sure I ordered mine! This time it even comes in red and gold lettering. The multi-colored version is so fun and this hat just makes me want to get up and DO MORE!

Friday, April 15, 2011

INSANITY.THE.ASYLUM.

It's here - INSANITY: THE ASYLUM!

If you've heard of or tried INSANITY with Shaun T, he has taken his program to a whole new level of INSANE! In this workout, you will work harder, dig deeper and see AMAZING results!

It's a 30-day program and the workouts have been inspired by pro-athletes. By following this program, you will build speed, coordination, agility, and power. Are you up to the challenge?!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Gas.Guzzlers.


I am SO thankful gas prices have not yet reached highs like the ones seen above. Every time I fill my little car up with gas, I have to pick my jaw up off the ground when I see the receipt after filling my 11 gallon tank. We're at the $4 something mark in California, but after seeing that station's prices, I have to be grateful we aren't seeing those same insane numbers yet.

I used to fill my car for $17 - I'd pay $20 and have to go inside for change. Now, my receipts average $44 and there is no change. Just a straight debit from my bank account. Thankfully I don't drive a gas guzzling SUV in times like these!

And to think gas used to cost around $0.75 way back when...

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

School.Hours.


My wish this week is that work days had the same hours as school days. 8am-3pm. I'd even take 7:30am-2:30pm.

It makes so much sense - parents would be able to be home with their families more, dinners could be cooked and enjoyed around the table, and so much more could be accomplished in a day.

OK, as an unmarried young woman with no children of my own, maybe I'm using those things as "justifying" my wish because really I just want work days to be shorter, but certainly you agree with me, do you not?

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Orange.Chicken.


This delicious recipe serves 4 and is only 120 calories per serving. And to top, it only takes about 20 minutes (10 to prep, 10 to cook). Can't beat that!

Ingredients -
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 Tbsp. honey
  • 1 Tbsp. orange juice
  • 1 Tbsp. ground cumin
  • 1 Tbsp. garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper

Directions -

Preheat oven to broil.

Mix honey, orange juice, cumin, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.

Dip chicken breasts in cumin mixture.

Broil chicken for 4 minutes. Turn chicken over and brush on more of the cumin mixture. Broil until done, approximately 4 more minutes.

Remove from heat and serve. And of course, enjoy!


Special thanks to Beachbody for this tasty recipe. For more low-calorie recipes, please visit www.FitCoachTaryn.com

Monday, April 11, 2011

Circumstances.


"When you’re tempted to think that circumstances have made you their victim, stop and reframe that thought. See the reality that those circumstances have given you immense opportunity." -Ralph Marston

Everything happens for a reason. We've all heard this and yet often times we forget this. Rather than feeling sorry for ourselves or thinking circumstances are working against us, we need to change our mindset and realize circumstances are actually working FOR us. They are there to push us harder and to force us to believe in ourselves more. Learn to embrace all circumstances and you will come out on top.

What circumstances are you viewing as set-backs in your life right now? Change your view and decide how you will use these circumstances to your advantage and remember, while the reason these things are happening to you right now may not be obvious, look at them in a more positive light and tell yourself you can get through this and you will be a better and stronger person in the end.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Lazy.Sunday.


Today I feel like putting up my feet and watching old movies...all day...without interruptions! And I think I'll start with Some Like It Hot.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Big.Comfy.Couch.


Since my roomie, Shannon, and I have been making plans to paint our apartment and change up the decor, I've been browsing quite a few sites for inspiration. I came across this couch and was just in awe. How comfy does this look?!? I have a sectional couch and have to admit, I am the corner hog. No one can sit in my spot unless I am feeling very nice! It's just the rule. Well with a couch like this, no one would have to worry about being a hog. There's plenty of room to sprawl out all over!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Hula.Hoop.


Do you remember how fun it was as a little kid to hula hoop? I used to LOVE spinning that plastic ring around during recess at school. It was one of those activities I could just do for hours.

Hula hoops aren't just for kids. They actually make weighted sport hula hoops for adults for fitness reasons that are heavier than the plastic toy versions. They aren't that expensive and by twirling one around your waist, you can torch many calories.

So why not do something fun outside that doesn't FEEL like exercise? Take one to the beach or the park or even just to the backyard with your kids. It's great fun, and hey, it'll keep you young!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Big-Hearted.Helpers.


This week my thankful Thursday is dedicated to everyone who is so kindly helping me get through each day on crutches. I didn't realize how many things I carry in a day or how many times I get up and down from my desk at work and walk around until I was given crutches. Now everything takes twice as long and I have to ask everyone to carry things for me, bring things to me, etc. I am fortunate to be surrounded by such loving and caring people who are making this situation much easier. When I've wanted to chuck the crutches across the room, they have kept me calm and reminded me to be patient during the healing process. To them, I say "Thank you!"

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Green.Thumb.


I really admire my roommate Shannon because she has something I've always wished for - a green thumb. She can take a clipping of any plant and bring a new one to life. I on the other hand clip a plant and kill it! Our back patio is slowly filling up with more and more plants and I love it! I'm hoping by living together her passion for gardening and her ability to keep plants alive and thriving will rub off on me.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Pesto.Goodness.

Grilled.Chicken.with.Spinach.and.Pine.Nut.Pesto.


Ingredients -
  • 2 boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves (about 2 ounces)
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
  • 1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Directions -

Heat a grill pan on medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse. With the machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup of the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Put half of the pesto into ice cube trays and store in the freezer for future use.

Transfer the rest of the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper, to taste.

Spread the pesto over each piece of chicken and serve.

Thank you Giada De Laurentiis for this recipe. I am going to have to try this one for sure! I absolutely love watching Giada cook on the Food Network - everything she makes always looks so mouth-watering and I love how she enjoys the food with her loved ones at the end of every episode. She's simply adorable!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Time.


"You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time, you must make it." - Charles Bruxton

We all have the same 24 hours in a day and the same 7 days in a week. What we choose to do with that time differs however.

You don't hear successful people complain about wanting more time. They use their time wisely. They plan their days out according to their priorities. And their goals and tasks are always in-line with their priorities.

If you don't keep a daily to-do list, I recommend you start. Think about your long-term and your short-term goals. Make sure each day you include one small step that ultimately pushes you closer to your long-term goals. You'll be surprised about how much you really can fit into a day and a week when you write out your to-do list rather than storing it up in your head. You will accomplish so much more, and you may even find that you actually have free time left over!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Wounded.Warrior.


Well, on this fun Sunday, my fellow JGA office WARRIORS and I ventured down to Lake Elsinore for what is known as The Warrior Dash.

As the website describes it: Warrior Dash is a mud-crawling, fire-leaping, extreme run from Hell. This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe. Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits, and celebrate with kick-ass music, beer and warrior helmets.

I have to say that description is absolutely correct. I couldn't have explained it better myself.

Our crew had matching shirts that four of us girls spent all Friday night decorating with puffy paint, glitter and bling (of course!) and we were so excited for this crazy event. Especially me! Well, the race started out great - we had good laughs at some of the costumes people were in and sailed through the first three obstacles. And then this warrior ended up wounded at the half-way mark!

After rolling my ankle and hearing a scary "pop" and being knocked down to the mud/mini lake in excruciating pain, I was swept up out of the mud by a knight in shining armor whose face I never saw and then was rescued by a clown-car/golf cart "ambulance" decked out with lights and sirens! We blazed to the first-aid tent where I spent the next couple of hours surrounded by paramedics who paid me a great deal of attention. I even got a super cool make-shift splint to hold me over until I made it to the ER back in Orange County.

My x-rays showed no signs of broken bones, but rather a grade 2 sprain and I was sent home with a real splint and crutches. Not exactly the way I thought the Warrior Dash would have ended, but have no fear, I will conquer the insane course next year!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Quite.Cute.


MAC Cosmetics has done it again - they are launching an adorable, or as they have so perfectly named it, Quite Cute, collection this week and I'm already in love just from the pictures.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Plan.It.Out.

My fitness tip of the week is simple:


Schedule your workouts and write them down in your daily planner. You need to treat your workout as if it is a very important appointment such as a business meeting or a doctor's appointment. Let's face it - your workout time IS a very important appointment. When you get your workout in each day you will be giving yourself more energy, you'll feel happier, your clothes will fit better, you will make better choices when it comes to eating, and you will be nicer to people throughout your day.

You schedule time to meet with others all day long, so why not make time for improving yourself a high priority too?! Trust me, when you see that workout appointment written down, you're going to feel bad when it stares at you all day long and you didn't do it!