All About Eyes

One of my FAVORITE products!!! I honestly can tell a difference when using All About Eyes! It is a lotion/gel that you use under your eye and on your lid as well. This moisturizer is AWESOME!

I ran out for about 2 weeks..I was waiting for the clinique bonus! I could tell a huge difference. My dark circles were much more pronounced without the moisturizer!! I am in my mid-twenties but would recommend this product to ANYONE who is concerned with dark circles!

Keep it up Clinique :)

Pleasantly Surprised!

I tried one of the new Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers today and I was pleasantly surprised!! It was REALLY good!! I had the cajun style chicken and shrimp. These are found in the frozen food section and I got them on sale 2 for $5 which is much cheaper than going out for lunch!! When I first fixed this meal all I could think was there is no way this will be enough food! But I just finished eating and I am FULL! The particular meal I tried was 260 calories..not bad!

These are great for people on the go or to take to work..or for me who just wants something quick and easy to fix at home!!!

I <3 Philosophy!

I have always wanted to try philosophy products. I have heard a lot of good things about philosophy!!! I have been using the Clinique 3-step system for a long time and was really wanting to switch it up! The first philosophy product that I tried was Purity made Simple. This is a one-step facial cleanser! This one cleanser removes make-up, cleanses, tones and hydrates all in one-step! Great for women on the go!!! This cleanser has a very light scent to it. I plan on sticking with this cleanser for a long time!!!!

Basil Parmesan Chicken Panini

After eating an AWESOME panini at McAlister's Deli I decided to recreate it at home! Gregory and I both ordered it and really liked it..so why not give it a shot! For this recipe you will need a food processor and a panini press. If you do not have a panini press you can just place a heavy pot or pan on top of the panini to create the same effect. Another side note..I am HORRIBLE at measuring! So a lot of this is really to taste as well as how many you are cooking for!

Ingredients
1 loaf of bread (I bought a 9-grain Italian loaf from the bakery..you can use any type of bread you like)
3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (I cut each in half). This is enough for approximately 8 sandwhiches..depending on type of bread, etc...
2 handfuls bay leaves
1 jar roasted red peppers
provolone cheese
Parmesean Cheese
Italian seasonings
salt and pepper
Montreal Chicken seasoning
Olive Oil

Directions
* Cut 3 chicken breasts in half
* Season them up with montreal chicken seasoning (again..you can use whatever seasonings you prefer..this is just what I used)
* Place in ziploc bag or bowl and cover with olive oil
* Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes
* Bake in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or until done (cooking time depends on thickness of chicken breasts)
* In a food processor combine bay leaves, approximately half a cup parmesan cheese, 2-3 turns olive oil, italian seasonings and salt and pepper
* Process together..I added more oil/cheese in order to get the consistency that I liked!
* Cut chicken into chunks and mix the basil parmesan sauce together with the chicken
* Heat up panini press
* Make paninis by layering the basil parmesan chicken, roasted red pepper and provolone cheese on italian bread

We ate these paninis with baked cheetos! YUM!!!!!!!!

New Treadmill Workout!

Now that I have a treadmill (I got one for Christmas!!) I had to look up some great new workouts. I get bored just running along everyday. For me, there has to be variety!! I found a great website for runners
Running Planet! This link goes to the fat trimmer workout. Running Planet is great because there are programs designed for beginners all the way up to people who are training to run a marathon!

The Fat Trimmer workout is excellent! I will break it down here, but for more info..check out the link!! There are 3 different workouts for this fat trimmer plan. They consist of the big easy, strength circuit and fat buster. The big easy is a simple workout. You really can do what you want, whether it is walking, jogging, etc. I have actually done the big easy outside just by walking my dog!

The strength circuit will work you out!! Make sure you always warm up before exercising. During the strength circuit you run/walk 1/2 a mile and then do some sort of strength training exercise. I like to vary these exercises but some good ones include, push-ups, squats, tricep dips, crunches, bicep curls and shoulder presses. I don't have any weights yet..so right now I have been using my resistance band! I did 3 miles running , plus a warm up and cool down.

The fat buster is another fun variation. Basically, you can do what you are comfortable with. You run at an easy pace for 5 minutes and then for 1 minute you increase your speed.

Running Planet offers a 14-day program alternating between these 3 different workouts. I did the strength circuit yesterday and I am SORE! It says to rest today..but I will prob still take my dog for a walk!

I really am at the point now where I don't want to lose anymore weight..I just want to tone and get rid of more fat and gain muscle! I am going to stick with this program and see how it helps! I know one thing..I feel it today!

Great Healthy Recipe!!

I really love to cook and love finding new recipes!!! Last year, Gregory and I were on the road for his job..so we had to eat out ALL the time! This is a recipe that I have "borrowed" from Olive Garden! If you order it there it is called Shrimp Primavera. Mine is a little different..but I got the base for my recipe from eating this at Olive Garden.

Ingredients
2 Cans fire roasted tomatoes (you really can use whatever tomato product you choose whether it is diced tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, etc..I just like the fire roasted taste and I feel like it goes great with this recipe!!)
Half a bag of shrimp (depends on how many you are cooking for!)
Half a box of penne pasta (make it healthier..buy whole wheat penne!)
I large red pepper
I package of sliced portabello mushrooms (they usually have these packaged pre-sliced. You can also purchase a large handful of baby portobellos!)
Half of an Onion
3 Cloves Garlic
Italian Seasoning (to taste)
Crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Olive Oil
Cajun Seasoning (optional)
Parmesean Cheese (optional)

Pasta
Bring water to a boil and cook pasta as indicated on the box

Sauce
Drizzle pan (with lid) with olive oil
Put the 2 cans of fire roasted tomatoes in the food processor until desired consistency (you don't have to do this step but it speeds up the process! If you don't have a food processor just pour the tomatoes in the pan. It should take about 40 minutes for the tomatoes to reach a smooth consistency)
Add 3 cloves garlic
Season the sauce with salt and pepper, italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes
Let the sauce simmer while you prepare the rest of the meal!

Shrimp and Vegetables
Add olive oil to large pan
Cut up the bell pepper and onion and add to pan
Add mushrooms
Add Salt and Pepper
Cook for about 10 mins
Add shrimp and cook until Pink ( I add cajun seasoning to my shrimp before adding to the pan)
Continue cooking until peppers are tender

Finally!
Place the pasta in a large bowl and cover with your tomato sauce
Add in vegetables and shrimp and stir everything together

This "healthy" meal is amazing! My husband even loves it!!! It cooks very quickly..less than 30 minutes!! The only downside is having to use 3 different pots ;)

Argan Oil

I am in love with this product!! I had my hair highlighted before Christmas and my hairdresser used a product called Moroccan Oil. I noticed how shiny and silky smooth my hair was and decided I had to have that oil!! After checking prices online..Moroccan Oil is VERY EXPENSIVE (about $30-$40 a bottle!). A little does go a long way, so if you are willing to spend the money..by all means!! I decided to check out Sally's Beauty Supply and see if they had a similiar product! And of course..they did!!! Argan Oil eliminates frizz, adds shine and provides color protection.

I really do like the Argan Oil and can't tell a difference between the Argan and Moroccan Oil. My mom and I went to Sally's looking for this oil and they were sold out of the big bottles ($8)..so we both purchased the samples! Let me tell you..a little goes a very long way! My hair is several inches below my shoulders and I use smaller than a dime size of this oil.

If you want silky smooth, shiny hair then you really need to try either Argan Oil or Moroccan Oil!!