curried fig chicken salad

I bet you didn’t think that I was going to be coming back eh? Well I did and with my chicken salad recipe! Your going to LOVE this one and let me tell you, it is good on a salad, on bread or even as a soup topper. It’s the bomb! I made this with ingredients that I had lying around the house. Nothing special (except maybe the turmeric but you don’t have to use it!). I almost always have baked chicken on hand and that is just what I used!

I took three boneless skinless chicken breast and baked it for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. After I placed it in my cooking dish (before cooking) I sprinkled the chicken with curry and tumeric. Don’t be afraid of the curry powder, I like a lot! After I baked the chicken I let it cool and then I chopped it up into bite size pieces.

Then I got a bowl and in went the chopped chicken, one large tomato, ½ red onion, 2 garlic cloves minced, 2 stalks of celery, 1 red bell pepper. Then I mashed a avocado with ½ a lime in a small bowl. This was thinned out with a little almond milk and added to the ingredients to make a mock mayo of sorts. After that I took 10 Turkish figs and chopped them up and added it to the mixture. I mixed and mixed then added some freshly ground pepper and sea salt. This my friends is what I like to call. Heaven!

See, it is the perfect salad toper or sandwich stuffer. Try it out and let me know what you think!




-Heather

Food of the Gods

If you know me, then you know I adore dark chocolate. I have said it many times, the way to a women's heart is through chocolate. I wish more men would trust me on this one. Ok, ok, maybe I should be more specific and just admit, it's the way to MY heart. :)

Chocolate has been described as being more than a food, less than a drug. This description points to the singular position this wildly popular confection plays in our lives. Popular to the tune of $74 billion annually, chocolate begins as a tiny blossom on a small tropical tree. Only three out of a thousand of these will produce the cacao pods that after a labor intensive and lengthy journey, with several chemically and technically complex steps along the way, will end up in your hand as a candy bar.

The products of this tropical tree have played many roles through the centuries. In 1753, Linnaeus designated the tree Theobroma cacao, which translates to “cacao, food of the gods.” Several hundred years later, chocolate lovers would agree with this appellation although for the Maya, who honored a cacao god, the term had a more literal and spiritual meaning. The Aztecs used cacao beans as currency and as food and drink for the privileged. Spaniards introduced the drinking of chocolate to Europe where, in the medical system of the time, those who could afford it used chocolate as a tonic and remedy. The purported health benefits of chocolate are once again creating a buzz as industry sponsored research suggests that dark chocolate might possibly lower blood pressure and provide antioxidant benefits.

Five hundred years after its adoption in liquid form by the Spanish court and nearly two hundred years after a Dutch chemist’s invention paved the way for its creamy solid form, chocolate continues to expand its role. A recent market for premium chocolate has created connoisseurs who seek out rarified confections in the form of single origin bars with a 72% cacao content infused with such back-to-the-future flavors as the aboriginal Mexican combination of ground chilies and vanilla. Today’s consumers of chocolate can have an effect on how it is grown and harvested by buying a bar with a “Fair Trade” label, insuring that the growers and workers that produced it earn a living wage under humane conditions. Those aware of the loss of biodiversity in tropical forests caused by cacao plantations can buy organically grown chocolate, which supports the more time consuming practices of ecological agriculture.

And remember, the food of the gods might, just might, be good for you.

I am really trying y'all to get back on the blog train. Bare with me, I have a lot of things going on and even though I am not writing as much I can promise you, I think about it almost every day.

-Heather

Carrot Dog

I know that we all have had hot dogs growing up. I paired a couple of my favorite things and came up with a awesome alternative. This tastes nothing like a hot dog BUT it is a great lunch and tastes great. Trust me on this one. This kid friendly option is something I wish I saw more often. This is a raw version but if I were to make it for a kid I would steam it a little so that it was softer. Something about this chewy but crunchy combo just rocks! All it is is a sprouted bun, spinach, two carrots and two table spoons of almond butter. Carrots and almond butter is one of my favorite combos and I have to say, almond butter and peanut butter tastes great on just about anything. Try this out and tell me what you think. If you dont want to go for the whole carrot dog right off the bat, then at very least dip a carrot into peanut butter or almond butter. I promise you will be surprised and will be making one of these in no time. This meal has two veggies, good fat and lots of protein. A perfect meal after your workout if I do say so myself!

Enjoy!
-Heather

Dudes...

I am slacking, I admit it! I havent been posting as much as I would like BUT I do have a good reason! I've be BUSY!!! With Spring on the verge (well, if you live in the South it's already here) then now is the perfect time to get-your-stuff- together. That's about as nice as I can say it, I think. Anyway, today I thought I would post about how to get in gear for Spring BEFORE it's time for tank tops and bikini's. You dont want to be that persona that is scrambling around trying to get in shape when it's already too late. Right? Well, come on then. Hope on this wagon. I've made it so easy that in three weeks, you can be welcoming mid April with open (and bare) arms!














Week 1
Mantra: “Pain is temporary. Pride is forever.”

Sunday: day off, but make it a goal to do something that makes you break a sweat at least once

Monday: 30 minutes cardio
- Arm exercises: 3 sets of 12 with 3-5 lb. weights.

• Tricep Extension: With a weight in both hands, lift the hands above the head and then, keeping the elbows in close to the ears, bend at the elbow and lower the weight down behind your head.
• 3 sets of 12 bicep curls (using the “slow burn” technique explained below)
• Pushups
• Shoulder presses (explained throughout the article)

- Ab exercises:

• Plank—Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat 2 more times.
• Crunches: 12 center crunches, 12 to the left, 12 to the right. Repeat 2 more times. (Try doing them on a stability ball for a more intense ab workout)

- Leg exercises:

• Forward lunges: 12 forward lunges on your right leg. 12 forward lunges on your left leg. 10 squats.
• Wall sits: “Sit” for 30 seconds on the wall, making sure that your legs are at a 90-degree angle.
• Repeat all three exercises (lunges, squats, and wall sits) 2 more times.

Tuesday: 45 minutes cardio

Wednesday: 30 minutes cardio
- Arm exercises: 3 sets of 12 with 3-5 lb weights.

• “Slow burn” Bicep curls. With 3-5 lb weights in each hand, let your arms hang by your side. Bending at the elbow, lift your hands to your shoulders, and then lower very slowly back down (it should take you 10 seconds to lower the weight). Do 3 sets of 12. Repeat with your left hand
• 3 sets of 12 pushups
• Tricep extensions (3 sets of 12)
• Shoulder presses (3 sets of 12)

- Ab exercises:

• Plank—Hold for 35 seconds. Repeat 2 more times.
• Leg raises: Lie on your back and put both feet up in the air, creating a 90-degree angle with the body. Keeping the legs straight, lower both feet back to the ground (don’t let them touch) and then raise them back up. Do three sets of 12, alternating with the plank exercises.

- Leg exercises:

• Forward lunges: 12 forward lunges on your right leg. 12 forward lunges on your left leg. 10 squats.
• Wall sits: “Sit” for 30 seconds on the wall, making sure that your legs are at a 90-degree angle.
• Toe raises: Stand flat on your feet. Push yourself up onto the balls of your feet, hold for 3 seconds, and lower your heels. Do 3 sets of 12 (To up the intensity, try doing one foot at a time. For example, stand on your right foot. Push yourself up onto the ball of your foot, hold for 3 seconds, and lower your heel. Do 3 sets of 12, then do your left leg).
• Repeat all four exercises (lunges, squats, wall sits, and toe raises) 2 more times.

Thursday: 45 minutes cardio

Friday: 30 minutes cardio; repeat Monday’s arm, ab, and leg exercises. (Shoulder press: With dumbbells in both hands and hands down at your sides, lift your arms to make a “T” with your body, keeping your arms straight and bringing the weights to the level of your shoulder).

Saturday: 45 minutes cardio


Take this 3 week challenge and tell me what results you get. I can promise you will not be sorry!

Enjoy your day and get out there!
-Heather

curry paste!

Curry makes me HAPPY!

Curry paste:

1 onion chopped

3-4 cloves garlic

1/2 inch piece ginger

1small stick cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon chilli powder

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

2 cloves

1 cardamom

5-6 cashew nuts

4 tablespoons of oil

1 cup tomato puree

Vegetables:

300g purple sweet potato, peeled and diced5 Chinese long beans, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces1 large carrot, peeled and diced

I didnt want to go too in depth about this curry paste because I want YOU to make up your own mind as to what you use it for! It really is the perfect filler for almost anything. Use your imagination!

Happy Friday everyone!

See you soon! Enjoy this weekend!

-Heather

Fava's oh my...

GOOD MORNING!!!

Have you ever seen a Fava bean? Well, let me tell you. These babies take some work. I mean WORK. It almost took me a hour to get them prepared. You better believe every bite was not taken for granted.

They come in huge pods...once you take the bean out of the pod, THEN you have to take the casing off the bean. When done...you have yourself one of the most amazing beans, in my opinion. Fava beans should be shelled and peeled before eating. The outer peel on the beans, while technically edible, is very woody in texture and detracts from the buttery feel of the inner bean. This is the bean all ready to be blanched. They are very large so you only get a few beans per pod.

I rinsed the beans and sat them aside. The hard part was over! Wait...what am I making???

Sorry, I forgot to tell you!

Fava beans with mint, prosciutto, tomme & brown butter vinaigrette

Now you know. Back to Fava's...They have high concentrations of L-dopa (dopamine), an amino acid that is a neurotransmitter in the brain. Dopamine plays a role in the brain in such activities as memory, energy and sex drive. Dopamine levels decline in brain cells as we age, so who knows what role Fava Beans might play in keeping those levels up. We do know for sure that Fava Beans are low in calories and in fat, with no cholesterol. They’re also high in protein, iron, and fiber, and are good sources of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium.When the fava's were shelled and ready I started making the brown butter vinaigrette.

Thanks to my magic bullet (a single girls best friend) I was able to make a perfect amount (2 servings) for me and another. I decided that I would invite another person to try out this dish and get some input. He will be commenting on this post with his thoughts and I will publish it. (You better Pete!). Anyway, the vinaigrette had mint and olive oil and shallots (and other unnamed ingredients, just to make you wonder...ha!)

I went with red shallots as I like the taste better than the yellow variety. I saved just a tad to toss with my fava's as I blanched them. Once the favas and the vinaigrette was ready it was pretty much time for me to plate the food. I used arugula, prosciutto, tomme, mint and parsley. Together...they became one.

OMG...this was one of the best salad's I have ever had. I haven't had prosciutto in forever so that is why I went with it instead of the country ham. I rolled the prosciutto and they seriously looked like roses on the plate!

This recipe is the perfect start to a meal, lunch, or all by it's self. You know that I can eat...so the salad needed some friends to go along with. I was starving so prepare your self...I really added some weight to this meal!
I made some asparagus, corn and baked sweet potato's to go along with the wonderful salad. Here is the final product.

A meal like this wouldn't be a meal without the perfect wine pairing (in my book ) so this was the wine of the evening that I chose.

I went with one of my favorites! New Age. If you haven't had this wine. Get. It.

I am a red wine lover. I very rarely drink white wine. I do however have a slight obsession with anything fizzy (soda streamer ring a bell?). With that being said, sparkling wines such as prosecco is the perfect adult beverage in my mind. I love a light sparkling wine. This was the perfect wine for this meal. I was going back and forth with going with a red vs a white but I am happy with my decision.

All in all, this meal was fantastic. It was easy and I really enjoyed making it.

Lastly, get ready to hear a lot about this other gadget that came into my life recently....The Gruve! I am playing around with it as we speak and should know the in's and out's in a day or two. I will be back with a full review!

See you soon!

-Heather

Technology like none other! CW-X

Good morning yall! What a week it has been and boy am I glad to of had the weekend to relax. I also used the weekend to do something else... To try out a new product! I was running with my group just the other week and a friend of mine was raving about a new pair of running pants that her husband had bought her for Christmas. She said "these things are amazing!!! They literally keep my hips and knees in place, I feel great when I am wearing them." I immediately thought "I have to have a pair." So the next day I got on-line and set out to see what these CW-X fancy pants were all about. Boy was I glad! When I first got on the site (which is nicely done btw) I was pretty much sold at first glance. The more I read, the more I wanted a pair to try myself. With that being said, I contacted Sarah over at CW-X and BAM! She sent a pair my way to review.

Here's a little bit about CW-X and the story behind the amazing technology! Wacoal Sports Science dedicates CW-X® to people everywhere in the world who love the exhilaration and challenge of sports. Because to celebrate sports is to celebrate what's best in human beings. Japan's Wacoal Corp, the world's largest manufacturer of intimate apparel, has spent half a century creating clothing born of a deep understanding of the body. Combining its scientific knowledge of the human anatomy with its experience in complex fabrications and apparel design, the company first entered the performance sports apparel market in Japan in 1991 with CW-X® Performance Conditioning Wear.

Recently the company launched the CW-X® brand in the US market through the newly formed Wacoal Sports Science Corp. Wacoal Sports Science Corporation, headquartered in New York City, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wacoal International. The company's mission is to meet the sports performance needs of the active US consumer through the CW-X brand, the world's first truly anatomically-engineered high performance sports apparel. In a study in Kyoto, Japan, electrical pulse activity of the muscles (muscles firing into motion) was measured electromyographically. Unsupported and partly supported legs both show frequency decrease during exercise, indications of fatigue. Legs supported by CW-X® showed negligible frequency decrease.ENGINEERED TO MAKE YOUR BODY A MORE EFFICIENT MACHINE. By harnessing your muscles with Targeted Support, CW-X tights help prevent injury, at the same time that Xcelerated Recovery ensures your body feels better faster.

TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW: For forty years, scientists at Wacoal Human Science Research Center in Kyoto, Japan have studied kinesiology, the science of human movement. They have tested over 35,000 people and analyzed injuries relative to warm-up and cool-down periods. They have come to understand the mechanics of joints and muscles in minute detail. This exhaustive study of body movement has culminated in over 50 patents worldwide.

Wanna see what they look like? Well, here ya go!

I have to say. I swear to you, I have never worn anything like it!

The stabilyx tights are the only tights I will wear when going out for a cold weather run. I feel a huge difference in comfort, fatigue, stability & support feel like I can run forever!!! I am totally sold and will be buying another pair for sure. I doubt that I will ever look at running gear the same way!

Thank you Sarah and CW-X for truly amazing products! I promise you if you get a pair, you wont be sorry!

Hope you enjoyed my review and found it helpful. I have tried so many products from all over and I can tell you, hearing a review from someone that knows can save you some major time and money!

Have a wonderful rest of your week!

Until next time!

-Heather