Downton.Abbey.Suspense.

I recently, or FINALLY for a better word, got into Downton Abbey after everyone was talking about how great the show is, and now I am HOOKED! I spent a few long evenings and a couple of weekends having Downton Abbey marathons watching episode after episode. Of course season 1 was only available on Netflix and season 2 was on Hulu, making it slightly difficult to catch up but luckily my mom had free trials with each and so generously gave me her login info. So, my crisis of "how do I watch this show?!" was averted!

I was so relieved when Matthew and Lady Mary finally realized their love for each other and got married. It had been such a rocky road getting them together and I just always knew it was meant to be.

 Now that I am finally caught up with all three seasons and have to wait for season 4, I am wishing I had just one more episode to watch. Season 3's dramatic finale with Matthew dying in a car crash after welcoming his first born baby into the world left me with so much curiosity and I must find out what happens next!! 

Oh, how I wish I had another season to watch...

Avocado.Deviled.Eggs.

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I love deviled eggs, but I would have never thought to try using avocados instead of so much mayo or mustard. What a fabulously, healthy alternative. This is a must try!

Note: Prepare right before serving, as avocados may become dark.

Ingredients:

• 6 hard boiled eggs
• 1 medium avocado, diced small
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Cut boiled eggs in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out yolks. Mash yolks with a fork.

2. Stir in diced avocados, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.

3. Fill egg whites with yolk mixture and place on a serving plate. Sprinkle with cayenne or fresh, chopped parsley. Makes 12 servings.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving: 90 calories, 4g Protein, 6g Fat, 1g Carbs, 0g Sugar, 75mg Sodium

Layered.Fruit.Gazpacho.

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How delightfully refreshing does this layered fruit gazpacho look?!?!

Here's the simple recipe for this beautiful, mouth-watering treat:

Ingredients:

• 10 ounces frozen raspberries, thawed
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 12 ounces unsweetened lemon-lime sparkling water
• 5 kiwis, peeled
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 cup roughly chopped cantaloupe
• 4 kiwi slices, for garnish

Directions:

1. In the basin of a food processor or blender, combine raspberries and honey. Pulse or blend until pureed. Strain raspberry puree through a fine mesh sleeve and discard the seeds. Min in lemon-lime sparkling water and set aside. 

2. Combine the peeled kiwi and lime juice in a clean basin of a food processor or blender. Pulse or blend until pureed and set aside. 

3. Add the cantaloupe in a clean basin of a food processor or blender. Pulse or blend until pureed. Set aside. 

4. To layer gazpacho, gently spoon equal amounts of kiwi puree into each of four bowls or glasses. Repeat with cantaloupe puree and raspberry puree. Garnish with kiwi slices. Serve and enjoy! 

The.Crayon.Box.of.Life.

I absolutely love this saying. I've heard it once before and it caught my attention back then, and I stumbled across it again and was still touched by it. 

Life is exciting.

Life is messy.

Life is full of so many opportunities.

Life is what you make it.

Color your life with a lot of color and don't be afraid to color outside of the lines. Life is your own personal masterpiece and however you color it, it's beautiful.

Braided.Waves.

Love this hairstyle! It's so simple, yet looks amazing. I will have to try this one out for sure.

Enchanting.Reading,Room.

I wish I could spend a day in an enchanted setting like this doing nothing but getting lost in a book. I wouldn't want this to be my room all the time, but for a little while, it would be comfortable escape.

Grilled.Chicken.Pita.

MMM... how good does that look?!? I love pita bread and I really love yogurt dressing. This recipe makes about four pitas and sounds delicious. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Marinade -

• 2 organic, free range chicken breasts
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

Cucumber Yogurt Dressing -

• 1 cup organic plain low-fat yogurt
• ½ cup chopped organic cucumber
• 1 tbsp finely chopped red onion
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ½ tbsp fresh or dried dill

Other -

• Organic romaine lettuce
• Chopped organic tomatoes
• Whole wheat pita bread

Directions:

1. Add chicken breasts, olive oil and balsamic vinegar to a large plastic ziplock bag and shake well. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

 

2. Add yogurt, dill, chopped cucumber, chopped red onion, lemon juice and pepper to a bowl and mix well. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

 

3. Heat up the pitas in an oven (350 degrees F for 5 minutes).

 

5. Grill the chicken breasts (indoor or outdoor) and slice into strips or small pieces.

 

6. Add pre-washed romaine lettuce to a bowl and toss with yogurt dressing.

 

7. Stuff pitas with the salad and add chopped tomatoes and chicken on top (or mix in with the dressing and salad first before stuffing the pitas if you prefer).

 

Recipe is courtesy of mysanfranciscokitchen.com

Perfectly.Pink.

How adorable is this jacket?!?! So feminine and absolutely perfect!

Be.A.Boss.

Love this motivation!

After injuring my knee in March, it's been a long road to recovery. I spent three months in physical therapy, had to give up teaching for a while as well as my regular workouts. During that time, I gained a few pounds and really lost my workout mojo.

I'm back to working out now, but now that I have to wear a knee brace, I favor my good leg and I just don't get the same out of my workouts.  So, I decided I needed to take charge of my health and fitness and get help. I hired a personal trainer and started my first training session today.

Holy moly, I am SORE! I haven't felt this way in months and it's an incredible feeling. I learned new exercises today and received tips on how to correct my form and technique with exercises I was doing on my own but no longer seeing results from.

I am so excited to have weekly scheduled appointments now so I can get back on track and feel my best. I am determined to acheive my goals and find joy in working out again. I'm going to be a boss!

Autumn.Brings.Change.

 

I can hardly believe it's been five months since my last post. Where did the time go?!?!

Autumn has arrived and I love the changes this season brings. Crisp cool air, beautiful colored leaves, rainfall, cuddly nights and scents of apple, cinnamon and pumpkin. It's absolutely perfect!

This year, Autumn has brought wonderful changes into my life and I am feeling extremely grateful and very blessed. I am welcoming this beautiful season with open arms and can hardly wait to see what this new chapter in my life has in store for me.

Fail.

Tell me... I'm curious!

Now, what if I tell you that you need to go and attempt this "thing" you have been holding back? Would you be scared? Would you tell me I'm crazy?

Good. Go do it. And fail along the way. It will make you stronger.

No.Problems.

Well doesn't this just seem like a great way to spend a Sunday?!?!

Waves.

This hairstyle is soooo pretty! Long beautiful waves - I am in love!

Magic.Pill.

There is no other solution besides hard work! I'll give you one more tip - calories in vs. calories out. Make the calories out more than the calories in and you'll see results!

Worry.Free.

Making.Wishes.

You've gotta dream, you've gotta make wishes, but you've also gotta work your butt off to see those things come true. Keep going and don't stop for anything. Make your wishes and then go get them!

Gemelli.Salad.

I love Gemelli pasta. I don't know if it's the shape or what, but I think it's one of my favorites. This recipe for Gemelli Salad is complements of the May 2011 issue of Cooking Light. Enjoy! :)

Ingredients -

• 8 ounces uncooked gemelli (short twisted tube pasta)
• 1 cup (1 1/2-inch) cut haricots verts (about 4 ounces)
• 1/2 cup chopped shelled pistachios
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon rind, divided
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons Champagne or white wine vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 ounce shaved fresh Parmesan cheese (about 1/3 cup)

Directions -
1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Add haricots verts during the final 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse pasta mixture under cold water; drain well.

2. Place the pasta mixture, pistachios, 1 tablespoon thyme, and 1 tablespoon lemon rind in a large bowl; toss gently to combine.

3. Combine remaining 1 tablespoon thyme, remaining 1 tablespoon lemon rind, shallots, Champagne or white wine vinegar, and garlic in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add olive oil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add salt and black pepper; stir with a whisk. Drizzle over pasta mixture, and toss gently to coat. Top each serving with Parmesan cheese.

One.

Happy.Mother's.Day.

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mother.

You've been there for me every single moment of every single day and you've given me nothing but unconditional love. I feel so blessed to not only have you as my mother, but also as a true friend who I can turn to anytime and tell anything to. I truly cherish our relationship and feel so blessed.

I love you more than you can ever imagine and I hope your day is filled with everything you deserve!

XOXO

Stunning.

One word: Stunning.

Kate Middleton is absolutely stunning. She's so classy and elegant and I just love her. What a gorgeous color, a gorgeous gown, and a gorgeous woman.