Pages

Monday, October 31, 2011

Motivate Me Monday!! Link Up #2

Let's Link Up for Motivate Me Monday!
I am co-hosting with Ashley and Whitney!

Thanks to everyone who joined last week! It was really fun to get to know you!
For Love of a Cupcake
Today's Challenge/Topic is : 
Try a healthy new recipe and share it with us!
Also let us know how your week went and how your fitness journey is going so far!
Did you kick some booty in the gym OR find it hard to go?

Let's get started!
First of all...I have to say I only made it to the gym once last week (super sad face). We were so busy every day last week I was seriously exhausted. I WILL go 3 to 4 times this week.

So...E and I actually eat pretty healthy during the week anyway so this wasn't too much of a hard challenge for me.We seriously eat NO SODIUM. I love finding new healthy recipes that are still FULL OF FLAVOR! You can always lower your sodium in recipes. Any time I need something canned...I always buy salt free! Plus there are plenty of other spices you can use in place of salt!

Mrs. Dash makes a ton of SALT FREE seasonings.




Some of my favorite websites to find great tasting healthy meals are Eating Well and Spark Recipes.

I also eat about 5 small meals per day (about every 3 hours)!
I actually cook dinner each night and it lasts for all of our meals the next day. I even weigh out our meals lol. I eat about 4 ounces of lean meat per meal plus some veggies or rice. I've actually been a little bad about not eating breakfast and I need to change that. I just get so busy in the mornings sometimes.

Let me give you one of my new recipes that is now a FAVORITE!! and SO SO easy!!!

Honey Lime Chicken

INGREDIENTS:
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
 Juice from about 3 limes (plus the zest of limes if you want)
2 Tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
2 pounds of chicken (I used boneless skinless breasts)
DIRECTIONS:
In a large zip lock plastic bag combine all of the ingredients except the chicken. Seal bag completely and mix well. Add chicken to bag, turn to coat and reseal.

Dump into a skillet at medium-high heat and cook each side for about 8 miniutes or until they are done (depends on how thick the breasts are).

AND THAT'S IT!! SO EASY!!
Pair it with some rice or green veggies!
I like to use the extra sauce from the chicken and mix it into my rice!!

Visit HERE to view other healthy recipes I have posted!


Do you know there are even ways to rev up or speed up your metabolism??
I DEFINITELY do 3 out of 4 of these listed below!! 

*Drink COLD water
*Eat breakfast
*Drink coffee or tea
*Eat hot/spicy foods such as jalopenos, chili peppers or red pepper flakes.

Visit HERE for other ways to speed up your metabolism.

I want to finish off with...that I love eating healthy. I have a major sweet tooth so of course I eat sweets. But I guess what I mean is...that I don't eat fast food. Only on a rare occassion or the weekend.


NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE/TOPIC:
What is your favorite muscle (area of your body) to work out...
What work outs do you use for that muscle...
Do you see results??
If you are not sure how to work out a particular muscle group...please email me and I would be happy to help you! Then you can tell me next week how it worked for you! forloveofacupcake@gmail.com

Now let's link up and share healthy recipes!!



Friday, October 28, 2011

Fit Food Friday! Chicken Salpicon

I cannot even tell you how happy I am that it's Friday!!!!
I am completely worn out...only 8 hours of work then weekend...I think I can...I think I can!

Funny story...I was told I was talking in my sleep last night. I guess right before my own alarm was to go off this morn...I started yelling..."get up! get up!". Maybe that was my subconcious telling me to get up and go to the gym lol! WIERD! But I didnt...I was too tired to go (sad face).

The receipe I have for you today is SO yummy!!! I've made it several times and it is from the book by Jillian Michaels..."Making the Cut".

I have to say this is so easy and I'm usually done in about 20 minutes.
A 20 minute meal?!
What could be better than that!!
You could pair this with rice or any veggie.

Chicken Salpicon Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:
about 2 pounds of chicken breasts
2 cups chopped, seeded tomato
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 jalopeno peppers, sliced (with or without seedds)
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 or 2 avocados, diced
6 large lettuce leaves

1. Add water to a large skillet, filling it to about 1 inch deep and bring to a boil. Add chicken and simmer for about 8 minutes or until done. Let it cool and cut into thin strips. Whiile chicken is cooking; start chopping!

2. Combine chicken, tomoato, onion, cilantro and jalopeno in a large bowl. in a nother small bowl, combine vinegar, oil and black pepper. Add vinegar mixture to the cicken mixture and toss to coat. Add avocado just before serving; toss gently to coat. Serve chicken mixture over lettuce leaves!!

And that's it! Pretty easy huh!!

Hang out with us on Monday...for Motivate Me Monday!
The challenge for the week was to try a new healthy recipe and share it. So if you are looking for some yummy healthy recipes...join us!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!! 
Oh Yeah...I'm going wedding dress shopping on Saturday!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!
Wish me luck!!

Kisses!
Manda

Thursday, October 27, 2011

It's Ok Thursday!

Lets Link up today with It's OK Thursday!



Its Ok Thursdays


It's OK...

...to completely brag about your photographer! We had an awesome engagement photo shoot yesterday and can't wait to see the pictures! Both E and I hate taking photos and he was awesome to work with! If you live in the Houston area...def check out Allure Photography!

...that I absolutely love this watch! But will hold off on getting it (or something like it...maybe an all rose color or white??!!!) My birthday is coming up in a few weeks. I will be 30!!!!! eek!!!


...to have only worked out once this week. BUT I cannot even tell you how busy I was!! LOTS of orders to complete along with engagement photos!

...that I didn't get a chance to reply back to all the awesome comments on yesterday's post. I will today!! I adore all of you ladies!!

...that I actually plan out meals for the week and put the calendar on the fridge!!! it seriously helps me out! I've only been doing it for a month...but wow! You should try it lol!



Now on to some other things!!

I made these candy corn cupcakes...too cute huh!!


If you order by midnight today...you get free shipping and in time for the weekend! I love that I get tons of emails from tons of different shops lol! I think these are SO cute!!


I can be a tom boy at times! a jeans and tshirt kinda gal. maybe because I just don't have much style lol but I am trying to expand my wardrobe with some new items this year that I may have never worn before...for example my new riding boots! I saw this photo on Pinterest and thought it was cute. It's actually a tutorial on making boot socks.


Anyways! Hope I didnt leave anything out today!
Have a wonderful day! Tomorrow is FRIDAY!! yippee!!
Manda


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Oh How Pinteresting!!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!

So linking up today with The Vintage Apple for

google

I am just so excited. Today we have our first meeting the the wedding venue...Lindsay Lakes...to go over wedding stuff of course! AND we take our engagement pics!!! I couldn't be more excited. (as if you couldn't tell lol)

We are havng an outdoor ceremony. And our colors will be Blush Pink and Gray!!



Here are a few outdoor ceremonies I found on pinterest that were pretty!
The first is actually Lindsay Lakes...where we are getting married!!!










So my original theme for today was going to be S'mores and Hot Chocolate! It is still warm in Texas and we normally get our first cold front around or after Halloween! I am anxiously awaiting so E and I can start drinking hot chocolate with TONS of marshmallows and eating s'mores!! That is our FAVORITE during the winter. I would say we drink hot chocolate almost every night...kinda like our dessert after dinner lol!





Source: tumblr.com via Amanda on Pinterest



And just in case you needed a refresher on how to make a s'more...



A regular s'more...





The ULTIMATE S'MORE!!! I'm in LOVE!


These S'mores in a Jar would be cute favors!

Source: etsy.com via Amanda on Pinterest


OK...now I'm ready for some cool weather!

Have a wonderful day!!!
Manda

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

On my mind Tuesday!

Is it seriously only Tuesday?!?! I feel like I've done a weeks worth of work already!!

I have quite a bit on my mind today!

Let's start with a little from my weekend. As I mentioned last week... Eric and I were going to a Halloween party Saturday. We dressed up as Lady Thor and the Incredible Hulk! It was fun getting E ready! We... I mean... I airbrushed green body paint onto Eric! It was actually pretty easy. Then we cut his wig and airbrushed that as well! And then we frayed and cut his jeans and shirt. 
Can You pick out the Real Hulk and E? We did a good job huh!




What's new in my closet????!!!! My new riding boots!! Love these!!! They will probably make an appearance in our engagement photos we take tomorrow!


Speaking of engagement photos! We wanted a "save the date" sign and I found one at Our Hobby to Your Home. WOW! I loved the photos on the website but in person it really is very nice!!


I also want to say THANK YOU to all the ladies that participated and linked up with us yesterday for "Motivate Me Monday"!! Don't forget to try a new healthy recipe this week so you can share it with next weeks link up! And share anything else you want...like what you accomplished for that week or what was challenging! Keep us up to date with your progress!


Oh yeah!!!!!!! We are getting a new bullmastiff puppy!!! He is not even in the mommy's belly yet but soon to be! The pups will be born in January so the new addition to the fam will arrive in march! That seems so far away tho lol! But super exciting!

Last but not least! Don't forget about Simply Posh by Mel! Her cake pops are SO UNBELIEVABLY delicious! She is now catering to weddings! Take a look at this set up for a wedding she recently did! Amazing! We are actually using her cake pops as our wedding favors! Send to a special someone or just buy for a late night snack or treat for yourself!! These would make perfect favors or desserts for baby/bridal showers too!




Oh yeah... I wanted to link up with Tail Wagging Tuesdays but i dont think she did the link up today! You share a cute pic of your own pup! For some reason Chloe likes to sit like a human! She was not liking the fact of me taking pics of her lol.



I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Motivate Me Monday!

Our First Link Up for Motivate Me Monday!
I am co-hosting with Ashley and Whitney!
For Love of a Cupcake
Today's Challenge/Topic is : 
(as stated in last weeks post HERE)
Let's get to know you.
Why fitness is important to you. 
Are you just getting started on your quest to be motivated?
Goals you want to reach.. short or long term.
What areas you struggle with vs. your strengths
Anything you want to share about your fitness journey.
just have fun with it! 

SO A LITTLE ABOUT ME AND FITNESS...


I just want to be healthy and fit! I've been a pretty active person my whole life. I honestly believe that fitness and being healthy is a LIFESTYLE. When people ask me questions...I'm honest...It's not a fad or something that happens over night. It is a lifestyle with daily choices...and your diet is a big part of that.

Some Strengths:
- I normally eat a pretty healthy diet throughout the week. Meaning no sodium, lean meats and plenty of veggies. I ACTUALLY EAT 5 TIMES A DAY!!
UMMMMM...is that my only strength? yikes!

Some Challenges/Weaknesses:
- I have a HUMONGOUS sweet tooth. I try to save my sweets for the weekends but that doesn't always happen!

- I DON'T drink enough water! I know this is huge and a big NO NO. This is definitely something I need to work on. How do you guys get enough water in through out the day? I just get so busy and forget!

- Getting up at 4:30 in the morning DOES NOT agree with me lol. Half the time I am barely awake so I feel like I didn't get anything out of my workout. But at least I went right?!?!



MY GOALS FOR NOW:
- To make it to the gym at least 3 to 4 times per week!
- Drink at least 8 oz of water every day!







I don't want to be super skinny or anything like that.
I just want to be healthy and toned!!


NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE/TOPIC:
Try a healthy new recipe this week and share it with us next Monday! Let us know how your week went!

Now Link up and tell us about yourself!
Grab the button and follow along with Ashley and Whitney!
Our goal is to help motivate each other! So let's have fun and get motivated!
Share anything you want! Or ask us questions and we'll help find an answer!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Fit Food Friday! zero fat microwave coffee cake?!

Happy Friday!!!!!

I adapted the following recipe from Prudent Baby. You can view her version of the recipe HERE.
I actually posted a photo of her creation on my "Oh How Pinteresting" post on Wednesday and decided to try it out in a healthier version!

Here is what I came up with! You can make this fat free or with only 5 grams of fat. I'll explain in a bit!


MICROWAVE COFFEE CAKE
1/2 Tablespoon of Butter
1/2 Tablespoon Natural Unsweeted Applesauce
(if you want it completely fat free...use no butter and 1 Tblsp applesauce)
1 Tablespoon of Splenda Blend
1/4 cup of Egg Whites (like Egg Beaters)
2 Tablespoons Fat Free Sour Cream
A couple drops of Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup Flour
1/8 Teaspoon Baking Powder (NOT baking soda!)

For the Cinnamon Crumble on Top
1 Tablespoon Applesauce
2 Tablespoons Flour
1 Tablespoon Splenda Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

It seems like a lot of ingredients but you can have this yummy treat within 10 minutes!!
Also note that if you want this fat free...replace the 1/2 Tblsp butter with 1/2 Tblsp of applesauce.
I made it both ways. BUT BEWARE...using only applesauce will make it kind of rubbery. To be honest...I will prob only use applesauce next time. It's edible ;-) I have to say though...using butter did make it a little better.

OK! select a coffee cup! (mixing everything in your coffee mug!) Put your butter and applesauce in it. Make sure your butter is pretty soft (microwave a little if need be). Then add your splenda blend sugar and mix well. Add egg and sour cream and vanilla. Mix a little bit more.  Now add you flour and baking powder. Mix it until everything is combined.




Now in a separate bowl (i used a disposable plastic bowl!). mix together your "Cinnamon Crumble Topping" and place on top of the main mix in your coffe cup.



Place in the microwave for a bout 1 minute and 15 seconds!
Now enjoy! E thought is was pretty good too!

Next time I might add a little cinnamon into the main mixture but the topping DEFINITELY makes this dish.
It's quick and simple and that's exactly what I like about it! Plus low in fat (or fat free). What could be better?!

Chloe enjoyed it! When she was little I taught her a few tricks. One trick was to "Gimme a Five". So she kept giving me fives this morning with out me having to ask her lol!

She'll give you a high five standing up
Or a high five sitting down!

My Starbucks and coffee cake '-) YUMMO!



HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND LADIES!!
Manda


 

Thursday, October 20, 2011

It's OK Thursday!

Lets Link up today with It's OK Thursday!





Its Ok Thursdays


It's OK...

...that I have been completely stressing about taking our engagement photos next week...ah...I hate taking pictures!

...that I actually love watching XFactor lol. Except I'm not sure about some of the judges picks on Tuesday...Seriously?

...that Eric and I eat Genghis Grill EVERY Friday! I pick it up on my way home from work and they know me by name now! I call it in and they say "is this amanda!". yikes!

...that I keep promoting MMM! Link up on Monday. Monday's post: tell us a little about yourself. Are you just getting into being healthy, have you been working out for a while. Do you have any goals? what are your strengths/weaknesses? Write about anything you want us to know! I BETTER SEE YOU LADIES THERE!

...to say YAY...I made it to the gym three times so far this week and plan on making it four as of tomorrow!



It's NOT OK...

...to not drink enough water (sad face). I need to step it up and drink more water...PERIOD.

WHAT ARE YOU OK WITH TODAY??


I'm not finished yet!

Soooooo....I believe we are gonna get a Bullmastiff puppy! E wants it from this particular breeder in Austin so we need to find out when their next litter is!! And by the way...yesterday...E emails me a list of names he likes hahahaha. Probably like 10 names. for example...Brutus, Thor, Tank, Hercules, and so on! i think we like Tank the best. (just FYI...when i met E...he had a bullmastiff named "Animal"!...he was the sweetest EVER!)

This is "Animal".




An these are just photos I found on Pinterest!
Source: None via Cheryl on Pinterest





Source: None via becca on Pinterest


I know yall are sick of all these puppy/dog photos! SORRY!

Have a great Thursday!!
Manda