$1 Burger Night

Yesterday, we headed to Dexter's in Winter Park for dollar burger night!  That's right...$1.00 for a delicious burger off the grill every Tuesday!

The deal is that every burger comes with lettuce, the bun and burger for $1.00.  Every additional topping is $0.50. 

Looks good, right?!  When I got home I showed JJ the pictures and told him I was so excited to share with you all the pictures. :)  He was surprised I'd put burgers on a health blog, because aren't burgers bad for you?  Well, I was ready to do some research.

After reading this article:  http://articles.cnn.com/2008-01-02/health/healthmag.bad.foods_1_red-meat-ice-cream-aid-weight-loss?_s=PM:HEALTH

Basically the overview of this is that "lean-red meat/protein" (i.e. hamburger) will help you stay full longer and takes more time to digest.  However, lean and in moderation (size of a deck of cards) is key!

Will I be eating lean red meat everyday?  No.  I just don't have taste buds that would support that...but every once in a while...absolutely. :)

florida rain

This is Florida rain.  It just comes out of no where...and it's three days away from October!  What?!  My co-worker and friend, Jessica and I were going to get ourselves a Starbuck's treat to rid ourselves of the 2:00 blues when we looked out the window and BAM! 

I was going to try the seasonal "Pumpkin Spice Latte" which I hear so many things about, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. :) 

i love the today show!

One of my favorite things about the morning is being able to turn on my favorite morning show, the "Today Show."  My love for the news started when I was in middle school and dreamed of being a news anchor.  Not only does the "Today Show" update me on many important world events, but also gives me a good overview on what's new in fashion, food and health. 

Today, I was looking through their website and found an article on "Nutrition by the decade."  Basically the article overviews certain foods you should be eating according to your age.  Here's the link:  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35934966/ns/today-today_health/  This article gave great tips of healthy food swaps and foods that are delicious, not just nutritious!

P.S.  Last fall, JJ and I took a trip to NYC to celebrate a late honeymoon.  We loved every minute of it!  Here we are visiting the "Today Show." 

jamee's banana bread

This is my good friend, Jamee.  (Hi Jamee! :) We were college room-mates, bridesmaids in one each others weddings and now live miles a part.  However, whenever I get the chance to catch up with her, we are able to pick up right where we left off.  I love that! :)

Yesterday, I made the best banana bread in the world--courtesy of a receipe from Jamee.  It's so good, even the pickiest eater I know is begging for me to make it. 

Here are the ingredients:
3/4 C. butter
1 1/2 C. sugar
3-4 bananas (You can even freeze them and de-thaw them in the microwave)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C. buttermilk

Cream the butter and sugar together.  Add the bananas, eggs and vanilla to the butter mixture.  Add the flour, salt and baking soda to the mixture.  Once that is thoroughly mixed, add 1/2 C. of buttermilk.  You can add a cinnamon/brown sugar mixture to the top of the muffins or loaves before baking.  You can put this batter into muffin cups (makes about 35 small muffins) or 2 loaf pans.  Bake at 350 degrees. 
Muffins:  Bake about 15 minutes.
Loaves:  Bake about 45-50 minutes.

To be honest, this probably isn't the healthiest breakfast, but it sure is good!  Everything in moderation, right?! :)

bbq chicken pizza

What was for dinner at my house last night?  BBQ Chicken Pizza!  This was my first attempt making this delicious dinner and it was a hit.  My lovely co-worker, Julia actually gave me the idea and receipe.  Thanks, Julia! :)

So, here I am with the pizza before the oven.  Here are the ingredients and what I did.

-Pre-made pizza dough
-Dash of Olive Oil and Garlic Salt
-1/2 Red Onion (sliced)
-1 C. sliced Mushrooms
-2 Chicken Breasts (cooked)
-BBQ Sauce (enough to cover the dough)
-Cheese

Roll out your dough, spread a dash of olive oil and garlic salt over the dough, add your bbq sauce, red onion and mushrooms.  Add your cooked chicken and sprinkle with cheese!  Because JJ is sensitive to dairy, we only did half of the pizza in cheese. :)  Bake at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.

As you can see, mine was a little darker than golden brown--but still yummy!

Enjoy! :)

our fitness endeavor

I would like to introduce you to my friend, Pam. :)  She is pictured here with her husband, Jeff.  Not only is Pam one of my good friends, a fitness guru, but also my sweet mother-in-law.  :) 

Pam and I first met before JJ and I were ever an official couple.  She and JJ's sister, Kaylie, came to visit us in Minnesota for a Newsboys concert that was hosted at our college.  We hit it off right from the start.  As we got to know one another better, we discovered our shared passion for health and fitness.  It's so funny how you can live miles a part, yet encourage one another through small conversations to keep on working toward a healthy lifestyle.  That's what we do!  It's so great having someone who can keep pushing you through...thanks, Pam! :)

Throughout the years, we've trained for seperate half-marathons, ran in races together, and continued to grow in our exercise passion. 

Therefore, we recently decided to become certified personal trainers! We have been studying our books and are getting ready to head to our seminar and take our test!  Wish us luck!! :)
 

our trip to the market

One of JJ and my favorite things to do together is grocery shop.  When we lived in Minnesota, we'd visit this "high-end" grocery store called "Byerly's."  Sometimes if we couldn't think of anything else to do, we'd walk around Byerly's carpeted store listening to the smooth tunes coming out of the store speakers.  When we'd leave, we would feel refreshed and relaxed.  It was like a free spa!

Now that we live in Florida, we head over to our local produce only market.  As seen from the pictures, it's far from "high-end," but it's so much fun.  I love going into the market and seeing the store owner chat with happy customers and watching kids run in with their parents excited to eat the fresh organic fruits and veggies.  The last time we went, we were leaving the store and saw a dad and his sweet son sharing a bag of peanuts they just bought as they sat under the shade of the store front.  I told JJ that someone should take their picture and have it be an advertisement for the store. :) 

I never realized how awesome it is to support these local businesses and in return receive such excellent customer service, awesome prices, and feel so confident about feeding their products to my family. :)

new sofa!

This is our new couch!  This past week, I found it on Craigslist of all places, but originally from Ikea.  JJ and I love the Potterybarn couches...but are way too pricey for us.  So, we settled on this comfy one that happens to look very similar to the expensive style we would like to have. :)  We even had it delivered to our front door. 

JJ and I are excited to enjoy many movies and naps on this new addition to our home. :)

last night's dinner

Last night, I made a delicious pasta dish from my "Cooking Light" cookbook...a gift we actually got for our wedding. :)

It seems as though whenever I make a receipe, I always put my own twist on things depending on which ingredients I have, which ones I modify so JJ and I will both enjoy the meal, and how expensive my grocery list has added up to be.

So, here's what was in our dinner last night:
1 3/4 c. Penne Pasta
1 c. Tomatoes
1 small Red Pepper
1/2 c. Red Onion
1/4 c. Basil
Parmesan to taste!
2 Garlic Cloves
2 tsp. Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 can of chick peas (drained and rinsed)

It's super easy...you just boil your pasta...and heat your olive oil. Add your tomatoes to the oil and cook on medium-medium/high heat for 3 minutes, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, toss in the red pepper, chick peas and onion and cook for 3 minutes.  Once the pasta is done, toss in everything else!  Heat thoroughly and enjoy!

It was a hit!  Although, I will say, next time I won't add as many chickpeas...a lot of them ended up in the garbage. :) 

brooke peterson photography

Today was a very exciting day for my sis-in-law, Brooke (see picture above--this is Brooke and her husband, Roy last Christmas!)  Her photography website is up and running!  www.brookepetersonphotography.com  Check it out!!

Brooke is a fantastically professional and creative photographer who captures images you will be proud to hang on your walls for life. :) 

I'm so excited for you, Brooke!  I love your work and I can guarantee that all your clients will be supremely satisfied. :)

here's to you, carrie and dru!

This past week, JJ and I went to bed at 9 p.m. and I missed a very important call from our dear friend, Carrie.  I had a feeling it had to do with a proposal from her sweet boyfriend, Dru....and it was!!!!!!

JJ and I met Carrie and Dru through our church and it has been one of the biggest blessings in our lives.  We are so glad to have such fun friends!  It has made our move to Florida so much easier. :)  (Although now that we've been living here for more than a year, perhaps we're not so new to FL anymore...)  In any case, they're the best.  :)

To celebrate, we went to dinner with Carrie's parents and the happy couple at "Anthony's Pizzeria."  http://www.anthonyspizza.com/  We shared a greek salad and had the Mediterranean pizza.  Delicious!  If you like your veggies, this is your pizza.  Plus, it doesn't have a greasy crust--it's thin and light--just how you'd like to feel after eating a piece of pizza!  Anthony's is located in a wonderful part of Orlando, Thorton Park...and is a definite foodie goodie. :)

So, all in all--CONGRATULATIONS CARRIE AND DRU!  Absolutely thrilled for you! :)

bikes, beans and bordeaux

Today, my good friend Jessica and I headed to a neighborhood cafe called, "Bikes Beans & Bordeaux."  The whole theme of the restaraunt is cycling.  From its decor, menu and even how the employees are dressed. :)

Jessica had the "Lance-wich sandwich" which affectionally is named after Lance Armstrong.  I had the a half tuna fish sandwich and side salad.  It was delicious.  Absolutely delicious. :)  We both left with our complimentary jelly bellies in hand and  full tummies.  Because "Bikes Beans and Bordeaux" uses fresh, healthy and ripe ingredients, it was a pleasantly full tummy.

We headed back to work in refreshed, replinished and ready to forge through the 2 p.m. slump. :)

Check out their website at:  http://www.bikesbeansandbordeaux.com/index.html

labor day brunch and shopping

Today, we had our sweet friends, Megan and Carrie over for a Labor day brunch.  We had a delicious spread of Krusteaz Cranberry-Orange Muffins, scrambled eggs with green pepper, red onion, basil, garlic, cheese and tomato (thanks Carrie for the eggs--and Megan for making them!), fruit and some turkey bacon.  It was the perfect meal before a trip to the mall. :)

JJ headed to Urban Outfitters (as he's seen with these sweet headphones... :)  while the girls and I roamed the mall.  What a fun morning!