Green Pizza

Last night I tried out a quick new recipe that I absolutely loved! After hitting the gym and the grocery store after work it was already 7:52 (exactly) when I started cooking.  It was a "30 minute meal" that I got from Eating Well and it was super tasty. It was healthier than regular pizza, not my healthiest dinner of all time, but there were a bunch of veggies and minimal cheese.  I suggest trying it out.  I wish I had remembered to bring it for lunch today :-/

Adapted from Green Pizza -6 Servings (4 servings if you aren't eating with a salad)

What you need



Premade Thin Pizza Crust (I used pilsbury, thats all they had in the dairy aisle at Giant)

2-3 cups chopped broccoli florets

1/2 cup water

5 ounces arugula ,any tough stems removed, chopped (about 1 Pre-packaged Bag)

Pinch of salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1/2 cup prepared pesto

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Prebake dough on greesed cookie sheet for 5 minutes.
3. Steam broccoli with the 1/2 cup of water in a large nonstick frying pan (top on) for about 5 minutes. Add arugula and steam for 3-5 minutes more.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Spread pesto over crust. Top with green vegetable and 1 cup of part-skin mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes and then let sit for 5 minutes before cutting (so that all the toppings stay in place)!
6. Enjoy :-)

A new 100 Workout

Yesterday I got an email stating that I had to try this new "100 Workout".  When I asked where my friend had found it she told me she made it up with moves she learned at bootcamp class. It sparked my interest so last night I tried it out. Holy Sweat! It was hard and I hurt in places I didn't know muscles existed today! So, thank you Christine for a workout that truely kicked my butt last night. It is always nice to find something new to thow in the workout routine to combat the boredom that sets in from just running or biking all the time. Send me new ones as you make them up!

Try out this workout if you are short on time. It should take about 30 minutes (I rested 30 seconds or less between each move)! Make sure you have some good music to listen to while doing it to motivate you.  I was watching E!news which was slightly distracting. Brittany Spears, Justin Timberlake, Drew Barrymore...All these engagements I have to be informed of!

STINE's 100 WORKOUT

100 - Jumping Jacks

95 - Jacks w/ small medicine ball (or 5 lbs. weight)

90 - Crunch Heel Touches (side to side)

85 - Jacks w/ med ball

80 - Punches w/ 5 lb weights

75 - Jacks w/ med ball

70 - Ab Flutter kicks

65 - Jacks w/ med ball

60 - 30 side kicks/30 front kicks

55 - Jacks w/ med ball

50 - Full body squats w/ arm raises (5 lb weights)

45 - Jacks w/ med ball

40 - Triceps in Skiing position

35 - Jacks w/ med ball

30 - Pushup position - Touch knee to elbow

25 - Jacks w/ med ball

20 - Burpees

15 - Jacks w/ med ball

10 - PUSHUPS

5 - Jacks w/ med ball
 
Let me know what you think! TGIF :-)

7 Things You May Not Know About Me

I am a pretty open book. I don't have a lot of deep dark secrets.  At the same time, I also don't spill other peoples secrets.  Anyway, here are 7 things you may already not know about me.

1. In high school I was on the softball team, I swam on the swim team (and came pretty close to drowning my first meet, completely different story) and was on Poms.  I know none of those things really go together. I liked trying everything, still do!

2.  I like every single vegetable. I have honestly never had one that I don't like.  Fruit on the other hand I am pretty picky about. My absolute favorite is broccoli.
3. I had never been on a plane until last year.  I just never went anywhere that I needed to fly. Now, I don't like them, they terrify me.  I am trying to get over it....because I want to travel everywhere.  Nothing a few blooy mary's at an airport Green Turtle can't fix.

4. I can fall asleep anytime...anywhere. In a car, on the couch, on the floor, 3 seconds before my head hits the pillow. ANYWHERE. Put a movie in after 8 pm and I am passed out.
5. My mom is my best friend, my confidant, my favorite. I tell her everything. I get her advice about everything.  We are very alike which is good. Our fights are minimal :-)

6.  I believe in childhood friends (high school, college) and adult friends.  I have made some great adult friends over the past few years. And I am also lucky enough to have brought a few childhood friends to the adult world as well. I feel pretty lucky with the friends I have had for a long time and the newer ones that I have made! There is no better thing than a night of drinking wine and hanging out with your favorite girls.(Can't wait to take more fun pictures too)
   
7. I RARELY get stressed. Like as in, hardly ever.  When I do, I don't really know what has come over me. I am cool as a cucumber most of the time. I think that stresses people out ;-)  

Happy Friday Eve!

A case of the sleepies

I don't know if it is because it is so cold out, or just because I am not used to getting up at the crack of dawn anymore, but OMG I am so sleepy today. Not the tired, lazy feeling but the can hardly keep my eyes open feeling. Hope it passes...or that I find more caffine...stat.

The simple highlight of my day is that although it feels like Tuesday it is actually already wednesday! The simple things in life that can make you so happy :-)

***

Last night Brent and I met with a DJ. He was easy to talk to, nice, local, normal, unobtrusive. Easy sell. Check one more thing off the list of wedding planning.  To date we now have:

• Venue
• Church
• Photographer
• DJ
• Dress
• BM Dresses
• GM Tuxes

List looks good to me!

Now we need to get on sending out save the dates, confirming cake and finding flowers (I have been putting this one off)...along with lots of little things.

262 days to get the rest done ;-) (The you to The Knot for having a wedding countdown whenever I want to be cheesy and look it up).

My friend Nici sent me this cute app last night, I will share hers, because it is adorable...I may just have to make one for myself as well!

***

Last totally random thought. I know everyone (most people) are hating on Ben F. as the bachelor. But I really like him! How can you not love a bachelor who loves Grandma's and brunettes?! Stay away from the crazies and find yourself a good one Ben! While also kissing multiple women the first night, skinny dipping, having an ex come on the show and going to all the most beautiful places on earth.  Just the normal dating world if you ask me ;-)



100th Post and Resolutions

Today is my 100th Blog Post...not too shabby. I haven't been consistent lately but I am going to try to get better in the new year.  January 1 is the day to start resolutions right??

This year I am taking a practical/open apprach to resolutions. I want to resolve to do things that are obtainable. Nothing drastic or crazy.  So here is my list, feel free to weigh in with suggestions:

1. Attend yoga once a week.  I think it is good for the soul and peace of mind as well as good for the body.

2. Attend church atleast once a month.  I havent been as good as I would like about it lately. No better time than the present to start anew. 

3. Have a better skin regimine. I am not 16 anymore. I need to remember that the skin is the biggest organ of the body and it needs some TLC. Daily lotion, sunscreen, etc. 

4. Make time for those that matter. Have it be family, friends, fiance (the 3 F's), make sure that they have your free time. Those that don't matter quite as much come second fiddle.

5. Continue cooking and eating healthy...and working out 3-4 times a week. It has become a lifestyle and I want to stick with it. BUT if there is a week that I mess up, I won't beat myself up. I just won't link too many weeks together and I will jump back on full force.

6. BLOG REGULARLY....it is also good for the mind. A fun outlet! I want to share again.

Happy New Year (a few days late)!

What are your resolutions?

Friday Blogger

I have turned into a friday blogger.  Better something than nothing, right?

This past week has FLOWN by. I can't believe it is already the weekend. This one is jam packed.  We have two christmas parties, a family christmas gathering, baking, wrapping, last minute shopping (just two things)
and a friend coming into town. Phew. I am already tired just thinking about it.  I plan on sleeping in on saturday so that I am refreshed for the crazy fun filled weekend. 

I saw this survery (I haven't done one since college) on one of my favorite blogs and decided to do one of my own. Without futher ado:

25 Questions: Holiday Style








•Eggnog or hot chocolate?



Hot Chocolate (newly Hot Dark Chocolate Almond Milk, so delicious)



•Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?



Wraps them...in a different paper than anything else!



•Colored lights on tree/house or white?



My favorite are white everywhere, that is what I grew up with. But colored lights on trees are growing on me.



•Do you hang mistletoe?



No, but my grandparents do, so it holds a special place in my heart.



•When do you hang your decorations up?



Varies, usually within a week of Thanksgiving



•What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?



Lasagna, I eat it both at my Mom's and my Grandparents.



•Favorite holiday memory as a child?



Going to midnight mass. I have been going with my mom since I was 10.



•What is on your Christmas wish list?



The number one thing was definitely a new winter coat.



•Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?



Always get a new pair of PJs



•How do you decorate your Christmas tree?



With lights and ornaments. Lots of random ones. I like when the tree has personality much better than when it looks like it should be in a department store.



•Snow? Love it or dread it?



Both. Love it but I can wait until January to have it!



•Real tree or fake tree?



Fake, I'm allergic to pine. It's ok, you can laugh. ;-)



•Do you remember your favorite gift?



I don't know that I necessarily had one favorite over all the years. I am sure I had a favorite each year. I usually like the thoughtful gifts that you don't expect.



•What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?



Spending time with LOTS of family and now all of my and Brent's traditions starting to combine into our traditions.



•What is your favorite holiday dessert?



Cookies :-) Just traditional Chocolate Cuip will always be my favorite. I also love Thumbprint cookie with raspberry jam.



•What is your favorite tradition?



Christmas morning. We take our time opening presents, eating danishes or cinnamon rolls and just hanging out.



•What tops your tree?



At my mom's an angel. At my house a star. But I would like to find a new angel tree topper for next year.



•Do you prefer giving or receiving?



I love giving gifts and seeing the looks on peoples faces. It's always nice when you get a really thoughtful gift as well.



•What is your favorite Christmas song?



That's hard...I love Silent Night at church, The Chipmunk Christmas Song in the car.



•Candy canes, yuck or yum?



Eh...I like the baby ones. But I usually eat about one a year.



•Favorite Christmas movie/show?



I love Charlie Brown Christmas.



•What do you leave for Santa?



Mile and Cookies



•Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?



Stockings first, then gifts one at a time per person, then breakfast and looking through everything 1000 more times.



•Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?



Both, I just love to shop.



•Christmas letter or Christmas card?



Card. And I love getting ones with pictures on them.

Close to a month

It has been close to a month since I last blogged. Work has been busier, I have been addicted to pinterest and save the date creating and I just haven't been super inspired to wrtie. 

But, I am really excited for the upcoming weekend. I feel like the christmas season is starting to get in full swing.  Tomorrow night we are going to see some good friends, and an even better band.  It's our Christmas celebration of sorts with them since after this we probably won't see them until after the holidays!

Saturday is Brent's work christmas party! I am excited to attend our first christmas party of the year. It will be fun to get all dressed up (even though it will be in the 20's that night). 

After this weekend I feel like we will blink and christmas will be here. I only have one more christmas present to buy and I am officially done!

One more thing...

Happy Birthday to Michelle :-) Have a great day! Let's celebrate with some skinny girl sangria soon! <3 you