Being healthy, fit and SAFE

Wow, this summer has flown by. Forget summer, this WEEK has flown by. I've been a little MIA. Oh, I've been around and reading everyone else's amazing blogs. I just needed a rest from my own.

You know, summers aren't the same as when you're a kid. Everyone has to work and even though I'm not working, I'm still doing lots of work around the house. Sigh. I have this expectation that summer is supposed to be filled with so much fun that every day I'm "missing out". Then I get out in the heat and decide to retreat back in to the cool, air conditioned house. And I know I won't get any sympathy, because it's not even humid here.

I'm trying to more actively count my blessings and be happy where I'm at. For example, I was reading Elle the other day and saw a swimsuit for $500 and thought "Holy cow! People actually spend that much on a swim suit?!?" Often in our society, we are encouraged to keep up with the Joneses. It can be so easy to think, I wish that I could justify spending money on those designer shoes or that bigger house or nicer car. Then I think how I'm already in the small percentage of the world to live in a 1st world country. Then I think about being a homeowner, having a husband who works really, really, REALLY hard so I can go back to school and so we can be financially set have kids. At the end of the day, stuff is just stuff. It's the people you surround yourself that make you happy.

Yikes. Ok, this was a little random, but it cracked me up! :D

So I have to say that not working is enough to say summer's been good thus far. After all, I took a trip to Oregon, this week I helped a friend paint a house, went to Roaring Springs with a friend, and Jeremy and I are taking a trip to Moab, UT in August.

I'm still trying to pull out of my lack of motivation funk, but I'll get there. Jeremy and I made an agreement: no TV until I've worked out. Sure, I find other things to do such as reading, napping, cooking and cleaning (I completely cleaned our bedroom, bath room and closet one day) to procrastinate. After a while though, I've been thinking about everything I can do to NOT workout that I just do it so I don't have to think about putting it off any longer. Make sense?

Today, I did a circuit training DVD with Jackie Warner. I can feel the soreness already.

Jackie does not mess around. Jackie. kicks. my. butt every. single. time. This is one of the best strength training/work up a sweat that soaks the carpet beneath you home DVD's out there. So on days when driving to the gym isn't going to happen, this is a perfect solution.

For the first time in my life, I've been on a strength training kick more than cardio. I think I just haven't had the attention span for it. And it's hot outside. Hot driving to the gym. Hot in the gym. Running when you're already hot is not fun. I could get up early before it got hot. Yeah, but don't hold your breath.

My eating habits have been in a great place. That's half the battle, right? I think summer brings out those cravings for fresh, whole food. I've become serious best friends with Green Monsters.

I've gotten a little more adventurous and added watermelon to one and blueberry (pictured) to another. In fact, I even convinced Jeremy (who does NOT do vegetables, much less any green ones) to try them for a week. And you won't miss out, I will be documenting it! ;)

Another common breakfast has been Fiber One.

With a banana sliced up into it. I just can't get into hot breakfasts in the summer.

One thing I always eat if presented to me but don't seek it out is sprouts. I weirdly had a craving for them the other day. So I bought some for the first time in my life.

Mmm... I've been in a sandwich mania. Sprouts went perfectly with my egg salad and avocado sandwich.

Apparently, there are different types of sprouts. There were three kinds when I was choosing mine at the store. I picked the one labeled "deli". Some health benefits of sprouts are:

1. Rich in antioxidants.

2. Rich in vitamins A, C and selenium.

3. Contain calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B.

4. Low in sodium but high in potassium.

Sometimes I actually feel like cooking. Like a healthier Cheeseburger Pasta. You never let me down, Can You Stay For Dinner?

It wouldn't be summer without a little ice cream, right? I decided to give Haagen Dazs Five a try. Surely, by now you've seen this sweet little treat with only 5 ingredients.

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I chose the lemon flavor. In one word this tastes very pure. You can literally taste each ingredient (well, maybe not the eggs). The serving size is 1/2 cup and since it is so satisfying it's easy to only eat that much!

Especially when paired with a ripe nectarine. SO good. The tart of the nectarine and the lemon ice cream compliment each other very well.

One last thing for today. The other night I was driving home after dark and I saw a girl running in the dark. Please, please, PLEASE no matter how safe you think your neighborhood is, don't do this. Just. don't. do it.

Here's a couple of other safety tips I think every woman should read again and again.

1. Don't sit in your car in a parking lot. Get in your car and drive away. You are a sitting duck to predators because generally, you are not paying attention to your surroundings.

2. When driving, especially at night, lock your car doors. It's very easy for a stranger to approach you at a red light, get into your car and put a gun to your head.

3. Make eye contact. Generally, predators look for easy, passive targets. When you make eye contact, it says "I see you, I've seen your face, and I can identify you". Attackers will likely avoid anyone who might be able to identify them.

4. Look around you. Pay attention to your surroundings. When you are aware of who is around you, you can also notice anything or anyone suspicious.

5. Be mean. By all means, be a bitch. I don't use that word often but I mean it. Predators will play on the sympathies of women, asking for the time, directions, help with their car, lost puppy whatever. This also goes for if a stranger is approaching you or you've been attacked.

6. Be aggressive. You can shout "stay away!" if you feel they are advancing toward you. If you're attacked, go for soft spots, such as groin, stomach, throat, and eyes. Be as forceful as you possibly can.

7. Run. Even if he has a gun. Chances are, a predator will only hit a moving target 4 out of 100 shots.

8. Trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable, or get a bad feeling about a stranger, you have a reason for feeling so. Move quickly and confidently.

And last but not least, to quote my dad: "You're not paranoid if they're really out to get you. Better paranoid than dead."

Be a tough girl, like Michelle Rodriguez.

Kind of a serious note but things can happen anywhere, anytime. Don't think that it won't happen to you. Turn on the news. Things happen to people everyday that they thought would never happen to them. We women needs to stick together!!

Not sure what the plans are for the weekend. Probably planting some flowers and perhaps a trip to the farmer's market. Happy weekend everyone! :)

Do you like sprouts?

What's your favorite ice cream?

What's your best safety tip?

Lovely Lemons

I am so, so excited about today's post. Little lemon kick? Yep. Better than boring lemonade? Absolutely.

Let's start with the dessert I made the night before, shall we?

This, I am in love with. LOVE.

(Disclaimer: This dessert is in no way low fat, low sugar or low guilt! It is excellent for sharing with company, because you could easily devour it alone!)

Lemon Ripple Cheesecake Bars

For the crust:

1 c. all purpose flour

1/4 c. sugar

1 tsp finely grated lemon zest

1/16 tsp salt

1 stick (1/2 c.) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces, chilled

For the lemon part:

1 tbs. plus 2 tsp. cornstarch

1/2 c. cold water

2 large egg yolks

3/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. fresh lemon juice, about the juice from one ripe lemon

(I added a little extra for a more tangy flavor)

1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

For the cream cheese part:

20 oz. (2 and a half bricks) 1/3 fat (or fat free) cream cheese

1 c. sugar

2 tbs. all purpose flour

3 large eggs at room temperature

1/4 c. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and position a rack in the center. Butter a 9-inch-square nonstick baking pan. I used an 8 x 11 and that turned out fine too.

Step 2: Make the Crust

In a food processor, or with a pastry cutter mix the flour, sugar, lemon zest, salt and butter until a soft, crumbly dough forms. Press the dough evenly over the bottom and a scant 1/2 inch up the side of the pan. Bake the crust for 20 minutes, or until golden and firm.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Part

In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the water. In a medium sauce-pan, whisk the egg yolks with 3/4 cup of the sugar and the lemon juice. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture and cook over moderate heat, whisking gently, until the sugar is dissolved and the lemon mixture is hot, about 4 minutes. Boil over moderately high heat for 1 minute, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thick and glossy. Strain the lemon mixture into a heatproof bowl. Stir in the lemon zest and let cool.

Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Part

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the remaining 1 cup of sugar until smooth. Beat in the flour until blended. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well between additions. Add the sour cream and the vanilla and beat until the batter is smooth. Pour the cream cheese batter over the crust and smooth the surface with a spatula.

Step 5: Put it all Together!

Dollop the lemon mixture on the cheesecake batter and carefully swirl it into the batter; take care not to cut into the crust. (Here it is, just going into the oven!) Bake the cheesecake for about 40 minutes, or until golden around the edge and just set. Run the tip of a knife around the edge to loosen the cheesecake from the side of the pan. Let cool on a wire rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate the cheesecake until thoroughly chilled. Cut into 16 bars and serve.

There was a little bit of spatula licking here and there... so I knew this was going to be fantastic!

Rewind to the meal.

I don't eat much pork, but this recipe for Southwest Pork Cutlets from Women's Health Magazine piqued my interest.

I seasoned the pork with this seasoning called Dillo Dust (randomly sent to us with an order from LaRue tactical in TX) which is basically celery salt, sugar, paprika, chili powder and garlic powder. I browned both sides, and then added the carrots and some minced garlic on highish heat so they slightly caramelized. I put the lid on and cooked on low to finish cooking the pork Served this with some rice pilaf on the side.

We also had a colorful green salad made from Romain lettuce, spinach, halved grape tomatoes, diced avocado, sliced mushrooms, clamata olives and cucumber topped with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese and fresh ground pepper. Served with Galeo's miso sesame dressing or a homemade lemon salad dressing.

Lemon Salad Dressing

3/4 c. olive oil

Juice from two ripe lemons

4 tbs grated Parmesan cheese (I just used the stuff from the bottle for this)

1/4 tsp salt (I skipped this)

freshly ground black pepper

1/4 tsp sugar

dash or two of paprika

1 garlic clove, peeled (I halved mine for more garlic flavor)

Place all ingredients in a jar. Shake it up and store in the fridge for about 24 hours before serving.

I was a little unsure about how this would be, but it was citrusy and light. Lovely!