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.

Reformer.

I started my next round of Physical Therapy for my  knee this past week and I am loving my new therapist!

I worked out on the Pilates Reformer (which is one of my favorite things!) and today I also rode the recumbent bike. I am already starting to feel my leg regaining strength and the pain is really subsiding.

I will be enjoying a few sweat sessions this weekend now that I've been given the OK by my Ortho doc and my Physical Therapist and I can't even tell you how excited that makes me! I've missed my 6-days a week training sessions and am anxious to get back to where I was before my injury.

What are you doing to get your sweat on this weekend?

Cookie.Butter.

I'm not sure whether to say "Thank you" or "I hate you" to Trader Joe's for my newest addiction. Maybe both?! :)

O-M-G this is just to-die-for! I'm sure it would taste amazing on anything, seriously, but I just love it on a spoon straight outta the jar with a glass of milk.

Soooo delish!

Bacon.On.Demand.

If only Apple really did have an app or an idevice for this... iBacon perhaps?!

Skinny.Taco.Dip.

I love anything with the word "taco" in it. Cheese...olives...that was all I needed to see in this picture to be tempted to try it. Let's give it a go:

Ingredients -

• 8 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia cream cheese
• 8 oz reduced fat sour cream
• 16 oz jar mild salsa
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 2.25 oz black olives

Directions -

In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, salsa and taco seasoning and mix well with an electric mixer. Spread on the bottom of a large shallow glass dish. Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese and black olives. Serve with baked tortilla chips.

For more skinny recipes, check out http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/07/skinny-taco-dip.html

The.Voice.

I love Shel Silverstein's books. I have the whole collection.

This is a great reminder for us to be ourselves and follow our hearts. When you do right by you, that's what matters. If people judge your actions and decisions, let 'em. Just don't let them stop you from being you and doing what you do.

You, and only you, know what is right for you and when you listen to the voice inside of you, that's when you are being true.