I'm in love with Pinterest: Onesies Cupcakes

I'm totally addicted to Pinterest.  Always finding new ideas, even if I don't do the same exact thing.  The pin's on DIY crafts and recipes, etc. are always exciting and gives you an idea to work off of.
 
My niece turns 1 today "Happy Birthday Adriana Jade".  This coming Saturday is her Birthday Party and I'm always so excited to get crafty ideas into play when it comes to gifts, etc.
 
So she's a little princess, so of course I'm gonna buy her clothes, etc. The gifts will be in a few hat boxes, the last little box on top will have a cupcake made from a rolled up onesies with a sock in the middle.  The idea was fitting, given that her theme is a "Sweet Shop".
 
Look how cute and simple it is to make.....

• Cupcake liners I used a round box I found at Michael's (I painted it in pink) or you can use a cupcake gift box, you can find this at Michaels or AC Moore and make 4 "cupcakes".  I used tissue paper, because my cupcake liners were too small
• Cupcake sleeves (optional)
• Onesies
• Baby socks
• Scotch Tape I used rubber bands - couldn't find tape

 


Onesies, One Sock (I could not find red for cherry, but this worked just fine) and one rubber band, I used a silly band, that's the only thing I found, couldn't find tape anywhere.  Oh well! it worked!



So cute and simple...roll it up and use tape or a rubber band to secure

 


I tried using a cupcake liner, but it was too small for this size onesies.
but, this is fit for a Princess nonetheless

 

Salad in a Jar: Cilantro Heaven ( I made that up, cute right! )

Oh my Wow!! This salad is awesome...little zing to it! By far the best recipe for dressing I've found on Pinterest, love the creamy flavor of the Greek yogurt combined with cilantro..to die for!!  Top this salad with New York Brand Chili Lime Flavored Tortilla Strips and you get your zing to the zangy flavor of the dressing. 

Ok let's go............

Salad in a Jar: Cilantro Heaven

I've been using mason jars for my salads for a while now.  I love that I can prep ahead and refrigerate and salad stays crispy for up to 4-5 days.  If this is the way you plan on prepping this salad the ingredients go in order from bottom to top.  When ready to eat just open jar, turn upside down and shake into salad bowl (I keep one at work).  Or just make the salad as a side for dinner by mixing all ingredients below:

1. 1/4 cup Cilantro Lime Dressing (find recipe here: http://mrandmrsperez.blogspot.com/2013/05/cilantro-lime-dressing.html)
2. 1/4 - 1/3 cup Black Beans
3. 1/4 - 1/3 cup Shoepeg Corn
4. 1/4 cup Cherry Tomatoes (sliced - optional)
5. 2 Scallions
6. 2 Handfuls of Mixed Greens & Baby Spinach
7. New York Brand Chili Lime Flavored Tortilla Strips

Enjoy!

Cilantro Lime Dressing

Thank you Pinterest!!!  I'm using this in one of my Salad in a Jar recipes....I'll post that in a bit!

 

 

Cilantro Lime Dressing

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup chobani 0% plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp sea salt

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
2. Continue to add olive oil 1 tbsp at a time as necessary to create a smooth finish.

Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls

Proverbs 31 Woman making it happen!  Pinterest'd another recipe courtesy of "Picture the Recipe"

According to my husband this was absolutely delicious!!!  Unfortunately, my sinuses are getting the best of me and I could not taste a thing, except the texture was perfect!!

Want the recipe?  Here it goes..........

Ingredients: (makes 8-10 rolls)
* 1 1/2 – 2 lb skirt steak/ 8-10 thin sliced sirloin
* Salt & Pepper (according to taste)
* 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* Any steak seasoning you like
* 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Veggie filling -
* 1 carrot
* 1 bell pepper
* 1/2 a zucchini (depending on size)
* 5-6 green onions
* 2 cloves of garlic
* 1 tsp italian herb seasoning

For the Balsamic glaze sauce-
* 2 tsp butter
* 2 tbsp finely chopped shallots
* 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
* 2 tbsp brown sugar
* 1/4 cup beef broth

FIRST:  Cut the steak into 3" wide strips and season with salt, pepper and Worcestershire Sauce, place in zip lock and let marinade in fridge while getting the other ingredients together....Let's get started.......



Cut Carrot, Bell Pepper & Zucchini into match-stick size pieces.  Place in a bowl.  Cut Green Onions the same, but DO NOT mix together with other veggies, place on the side for now.

Finely chop the shallots and set aside, then peel and crush the garlic



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Now for the Sauce:  Melt the butter in a small sauce pan on medium heat.
 Add the finely chopped shallot and sautee it for a minute or 2 until they turn soft and transluscent.
 
Add the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and beef stock and stir to mix everything well.
 
Allow the sauce to come to a boil and reduce to almost half its volume. You’ll notice it starts becoming thicker and have the consistency of syrup. The butter also starts separating and comes to the top. Turn the heat off and transfer the sauce to a bowl.



 

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In the same pan (no need to wash it) add a touch of olive oil and toss in the garlic cloves to allow them to flavor the oil for a few minutes.

- Turn the heat up to high and toss in the carrots, bell pepper and zucchini (there’s no need to cook the green onion) and stir fry the veggies for no longer than 2-3 minutes.

- Season them with the the itlalian herb seasoning and salt and transfer the veggies to a bowl

  

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To assemble the steak rolls, simply take a strip of the marinated steak and lay it with the short side towards you. Place the veggies (dont forget the green onion!) in the middle and roll the beef up over the filling, securing it with toothpick. Repeat the same with the other rolls.

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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a touch of oil swirling to coat bottom. When hot, add beef rolls, seam side down, not touching and pan fry for a couple minutes. Then turn roll and cook it on all sides in the same way. Cook until you’re desired done-ness I cooked mine for a total of 9 min. turning when brown seared on one side. I cooked mine medium-rare and seasoned it with some Adobo for a touch of Latin flavor :)

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Serve with the balsamic glaze sauce spooned over the top of each roll

  

ENJOY!! 

 

Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites

I've been eating clean, working out hard and bringing sexy back one day at a time.  I'm feeling great to say the least and lets face it ladies, we should always feel fabulous, regardless of how we look or how we aim to look.  My daily workouts combined with my clean eating is making me feel great, and so I share what I can along the way. 

So I Pinterest'ed my ass-off once again and found this pin "Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites" and so of course I tried it, loved it and now I'm sharing it.  I was a bit upset this morning after making them last night, I packed two up in a zip-lock snack bag to have with my coffee this morning, only to look into my bag and realize I forgot to pack it.  UGH!  My husband on the other hand took his and called me this morning to rave about how good they were.  So, I'll try mine a bit later today.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. (about 1 packed cup) chopped dates
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds (optional)
• 1 Tbsp. ground flax seeds or wheat germ
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (dry, not cooked)
• 1 cup shelled pistachio nuts
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

Method

 

Combine the dates, honey, chia seeds, flax seeds and salt in a food processor, and pulse until smooth and combined. You should be able to stir the mixture -- if it is too thick, add in another tablespoon or two of honey. This was very sticky!

 

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, and stir in the oats, pistachios, dried cranberries, and white chocolate chips until evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
 

Once the mixture is cool (and easier to work with), use a spoon or cookie scoop to shape it into your desired size of energy balls. I wet my hands each time I rolled, as it was a bit sticky!

 

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. (Storing them in the refrigerator especially helps the energy bites hold their shape.)

Enjoy!!!

Salad in a Jar ~ Butter Bean Bliss

Loving Pinterest......tonight I prepped a couple salads for my upcoming lunches.  I love this salad and the mason jar keeps ingredients fresh for 4-5.  Grab n'Go in the morning and pour into a salad bowl when ready.  I always keep a salad bowl in my office desk.

Want the recipe? Here it is:

The ingredients should go in the same order I list......

Dressing...I love Balsamic Vinagrette
1/4 cup diced cucumbers
1/4 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup sweet onion (optional)
1/2 cup butter beans
1 1/2 cup Super Greens
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup Quinoa (cook according to directions) - cool completely before putting into jar
4 dried apricots (diced)

Proverbs 31 Woman on a roll.......Rainbow Chicken

Finding exciting new recipes and cooking healthy for the family......today I went home for lunch and prepared "Rainbow Chicken".

Ready for the recipe? Here you go.....

1 1/4 lbs. Chicken Thighs

Spice Rub:

• 2 teaspoons sweet or smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (I used red)
• 2 garlic cloves (Minced)
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil

Veggies:

1 sweet potato, peeled, diced small

1 potato, skin on or off, diced small

1 medium onion, cut into lengths

1 bell pepper, cut into lengths

1 zucchini, cut into chunks

2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

1 lemon, sliced thin

 

Preheat your oven to 425F.

Mix the spice rub ingredients in a large bowl

 

Rinse the chicken pieces under running water, pat dry with paper towels, then drop into the Spice

Rub and turn to coat.

 

Arrange the chicken in a single layer in an oven-safe skillet or casserole dish

 

Drop the vegetable into the remaining spice rub (there won't be a lot, but it will be just enough!), give it all a stir and then scatter over the top of the chicken. Top with lemon slices.

 

Cover and bake for 45 minutes (add up to 20 minutes longer if using a baking dish covered with foil) or until no pink remains in the chicken pieces. Let rest for 5 minutes...Enjoy!

Proverbs 31 Woman in the Making part II - Baked Oatmeal Casserole

Health - A VIRTUOUS WOMAN CARES FOR HER BODY

Proverbs 31: 14-15:   She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

Last night I prepared "Baked Oatmeal Casserole" for this morning and boy was it delicious......Next time I'll add some flax or chia seeds, until then...here is the recipe :)

Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnut pieces
1 cup raspberries {any berries work} (slice or dice)
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
2 cups milk
1 large egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

Ready? 

Preheat oven to 375°F and generously spray the inside of a 10-1/2 by 7 inch baking dish with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, half the walnuts, half the strawberries and half the chocolate chips. (Save the other half of raspberries or strawberries, walnuts and chocolate for the top of the oatmeal).
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In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract.

 

Add the oat mixture to prepared baking dish. Arrange the remaining fruit of your choice, walnuts and chocolate chips on top.  Add the banana slices to the top

Pour the milk mixture over everything. Gently shake the baking dish to help the milk mixture go throughout the oats

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown and the milk mixture has set. For an extra tasty top, sprinkle a tablespoon or so of extra brown sugar.

Let Cool Completely

ENJOY!!!  

 

 

What's With The Roller Coaster Ride People?

Thought of the day:  Why do men/women continue in relationships that are blah? I don't get it...don't get me wrong, we've all been in relationships that have gone sour at one point or another; but to stay in a relationship where nothing is acknowledged, love is not returned and always a one sided deal....Nah! I'm sorry, that's just not for me!

Women/Men stay in the same relationships they talk so much crap about.  What's the point?  Is it because you put so much energy in detesting the loser that you might as well love him/her?

Is it a pity kinda love?  I hate you so much, I love you......

What happened to good'ol fashion love?  That love that is irresistible, the love that makes you turn your girl/guy around in the kitchen while s/he makes dinner and start speaking the language of love.....I'm talking about kissing here!  Let's get real here for a minute.......   Kissing is passionate...makes you all crazy on the inside.  What is a relationship without it?  I like the dizzy feeling I get after my husband and I passionately kiss.  So I can't imagine a relationship without it.

So here's the thing....you're in a relationship where your feelings are not acknowledged, no love is returned unconditionally and the tables are constantly turned on you.....to top it .... the loser doesn't love you like you should be loved, doesn't shower you with kisses and doesn't even tell you how beautiful/handsome you are.......I'm sorry.  Why are you in this?

and......Don't you dare blame yourself!  Women/Men fall in love all the time, you can't blame yourself for his/her broken promises.  After all, isn't it through promises that love is made?  S/he showered you with love in the beginning, showered you with promises for your "future together".  Then s/he shoots you down when the future becomes the here and now. 

Bringing Sexy Back.................

My weekly workout routine (one week I follow one, the next the other) Oh! and Abs 3x a week (4 different exercises)...working great for me right now, along side a daily 1,200 calorie intake. If you click on the links, it will open up a YouTube page demonstrating exercise, if you are not familiar.

I lost 8.9 lbs....booty looking fine, legs looking way better than before.....BRING IT ON!!!

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
5:30p: Strength Training Class 6:30p Cardio (1/2 hr)	30 min. Cardio Chest/Shoulders Decline Bench Press 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Barbell Front Raise 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Dumbbell Bench Press 4 sets, 12-15 reps each. Cable Side Raise 4 sets, 12-15 reps each. Standing Cable Fly 4 sets, 12-15 reps each.	30 min. Cardio Biceps/Tricep Overhead Dumbbell Extension 3 sets, 10-12 reps each. Standing Cable Curl 3 sets, 10-12 reps each. Tricep Kickback 3 sets, 12-15 reps each. Dumbbell Hammer Curl 3 sets, 12-15 reps each. Rope Cable Pressdown 3 sets, 12-15 reps each. Reverse Barbell Curl 3 sets, 12-15 reps each.	5:30p: Back/Calves Lat Pull Down 4 sets, 12-15 reps each.               Seated Cable Row 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Seated Calf Raise 4 sets, 12-15 reps each. Straight Arm Cable Pressdown 4 sets, 12-15 reps each. Standing Calf Raise 4 sets, 12-15 reps each. 6:30p: Cardio Kickboxing Class	30 min. Cardio Legs Leg Press 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Dumbbell Squat 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Step Back Lunge 4 sets, 10-12 reps each leg. Stiff Leg Deadlift 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Step Up To Balance 4 sets, 12-15 reps each.

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
5:30p: Strength Training Class 6:30p Cardio (1/2 hr)	30 min. Cardio Back Wide Grip Pull Up 4 sets, 12-15 reps each. Single Arm Row 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Incline Pull Up 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Lat Pull Down 4 sets, 12-15 reps each.	30 min. Cardio  Chest/Shoulders Barbell Bench Press 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Dumbbell Fly 4 sets, 15-20 reps each. Plyometric Push Up 4 sets, 15-20 reps each Arnold Press 3 sets, 10-12 reps each. Upright Row 3 sets, 10-12 reps each. Dumbbell Side Raise 3 sets, 10-12 reps each. Bent Over Reverse Fly 3 sets, 12-15 reps each	5:30p: Biceps/Triceps Overhead Barbell Extension 3 sets, 10-12 reps each. Standing Dumbbell Curl 3 sets, 10-12 reps each. Close Grip Bench Press 3 sets, 10-12 reps each. Barbell 21 3 sets, 21 reps each. Dumbbell Skull Crusher 3 sets, 12-15 reps each. Rope Cable Curl 3 sets, 10-12 reps each. 6:30p: Cardio Kickboxing Class	30 min. Cardio Legs Hack Squat 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Lying Hamstring Curl 4 sets, 10-12 reps each. Split Squat 4 sets, 12-15 reps each leg. Reverse Lunge 4 sets, 12-15 reps each. Leg Press Calf Raise 4 sets, 12-15 reps each.