Citrus Kale Salad: must try!

With an overabundance of kale this last week during Passover, I found this recipe with a fun, healthy twist. It has a lemon, olive oil and honey dressing, topped with avocado and grapefruit. I didn't follow the recipe exactly for measurements and I didn't use soy sauce because it was Passover. Anyway, my rule of thumb with cooking is that you can change things up as long as it comes out edible-- whereas with baking, you really need to follow measurements closely. Therefore, you can make this creation to-taste, with more lemon if you'd like, more avocado if you'd like, and so on.

Additionally, I strongly suggest that you use a grapefruit knife to prep the citrus because otherwise it is hard to get good clean cubes of grapefruit without the pithy white stuff. 

It was a light and fresh recipe for spring. Prep time was only about 10 minutes, and then done except for serving it to friends and family! I got the recipe on pinterest, but follow through to this link if you want to take a peek and try it! 

Happy kale creations,
-ADR

Happier Feet: TRY Asics GEL Sneakers

While on hiatus for Passover, I encountered a new sneaker for my pained feet. As a fitness instructor, I am always looking for a new answer to tired feet -- Zumba Fitness involves jumping, moving side to side, low-impact dancing (like salsa), toning (squats!), and more. I had been wearing all different sneakers for years, but I have finally found the ultimate foot-friendly cure: ASICS GEL sneakers! They will make your toes and heels feel like they're bouncing in a cloud. See those grey spots on the bottom of the shoe? Those are gel pockets. Each Asics Gel sneaker has these gel pockets in a different place in the shoe for different types of cushioning. I prefer the Nimbus model (I tried a few different models on before coming to this conclusion) because they had less tread, and are aimed to give extra cushion support--making it easier for me to slide side to side.

I found that the tread blocks are large/wide and relatively flat-- not a lot of stuff sticking out for ground-grasping purposes...good for sliding on a carpet, for instance.

They were on sale at Foot Locker & Finish Line to $110 and $105 respectively  Full-price on the website comes out to $140. I know that is expensive, but if you're someone who REALLY wears your sneakers religiously, you deserve to give your feet the comfort they need.  You'll be more likely to stay away from injuries if you give your feet a comfy shoe.

PS - Asics used to be the "uglier" sneaker growing up, but now they are NEON and hot to trot. Sold everywhere sneakers are sold. Try them on in the store at least, even if you don't decide to buy. I am saving up for a 2nd pair!

Keep moving--

-ADR

KIND Plus Chocolate Cherry Cashew Bars

 

Yum! Fun on-the-go snack

Hi! I decided to contribute to my amazing cousin's blog because it's fun and I like trying new things, sooooo here we go.. 

Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew Kind Plus bars are the best because they are delicious, full of antioxidants, gluten-free, rich in vitamins and protein, and only 180 calories! I happen to love chocolate chip cookies with craisins and these taste really similar. They are kosher, low in sodium and contain no trans fats or really anything bad (however, if you are concerned about the fat content, they do contain 9g of fat). I originally tried them on a road trip and had a tough time finding this particular flavor in my neighborhood grocery stores, but I finally tracked them down in Stop and Shop in Long Island. Just as delicious as I remembered. Try it! 

-DCG

Target Capri Tights: Try them!

I have always been obsessed with Target brand stuff, but these capri tights take the cake! As many females know, tights and leggings aren't always cheap. However, if you're looking for a cheap fix to add some style or flare to your outfit, try these xhilaration brand capri tights, which come in great colors from your basic grey and black, to the funky pink, purple, blue, aqua, and white. They're only $5 (on sale now for $4) and they're reusable -- not quite disposable. You'll get at least a few wears out of a pair, if not more. Of course they can catch a run like any pair of tights, so it's up to you to keep them in good shape! But for $5, what's the sin in buying some extras to keep in your drawer?

In store, I even saw they had them in 1x size-- so if the Med/Large is too tight, try that next size up. The are technically "juniors," but if my size-10 butt and hips fit into them, I'm sure many of you will be able to, also!

They look great with a pair of flats in the nice weather, or wear a boot and make people think you've got foot-length tights on! 

Fun side note: they come in little rolled up packages- also great if you're traveling and need to run to Target for last minute toiletries or something...grab these and throw them in your bag!

Keep your legs lookin' fab,

-ADR

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bran Muffins: TRY THIS RECIPE!

My awesome roommate Allison made these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bran Muffins for us, from the recipe off of this website: www.emilybites.com (this link goes to the recipe). Not only are they delicious, but the perfect consistency of moist and sweet. Not TOO sweet, but just enough that you're thinking, "wow, this bran muffin is tastier than I thought it would be!"

These muffins are filling because of the bran component. They're a great snack that keeps you full for a while. Sidenote: if you're a weight watchers person, this is 5 points per serving on the points plus program. Allison actually cut out the walnuts (because we do not like walnuts in our baked goods) and made the serving size smaller-- we got 16 in the batch, not 12. FYI- she believes this equates with 3 WW points instead of 5 each. 

If you love to bake, you've got to try this recipe. I would love to make them for you, but I'm lazy, and that is why I pay to live in a house with roommates like Allison! (But don't count on Julia to whip something like this together, because I am pretty sure she doesn't know how to use our oven...or where to find the baking ingredients.)

-ADR

Burt's Bees Throat Drops: try them!

I recommend trying the Honey & Pomegranate Burt's Bees throat drops. They have menthol (great for suppressing the cough) and eucalyptus oil (nice soothing smell.) There are no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. They are really yummy and not too overwhelming to have a few, like many other kinds such as Hall's.

I like supporting Burt's because the bees are a pretty cool species! They pollinate about 1/3 of the fruits and vegetables we eat. You wouldn't have many of your everyday foods without bees (check it out by clicking here). 

If you're still trying to kick a cold from this last winter's flu season, pick up some Burt's cough drops at your local drug store or supermarket.

-ADR

Pure Organic Bar: Try it! Now!

There's nothing better than seeing a new product on the shelf and knowing that if I try it and LOVE it, I get to blog about it! This was NOT the case about the farm-tasting Sheep's Milk Yogurt I ate this week. However, you have GOT to try these Pure organic snack bars! I tried the apple cinnamon this week, and it changed my life! I cannot wait to go back and get more flavors (dark chocolate berry? cherry cashew? wild blueberry? chocolate brownie? cranberry orange? YES PLEASE!) 

From their website: "Certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan , Pure Bars provide completely clean and balanced nutrition in an enticing and entirely delicious bar. Made with only simple, real ingredients, Pure Bar will nurture your body, mind, and spirit."

Apple Cinn flavor reminded me of apple cake. My boss said it was like a chewy bar of Charoset (Jews? Passover? Hear Ye Hear Ye!) It had the perfect amount of apples, cinnamon, and walnuts. All said ingredients were organic (listed: dates, apples, agave nectar, walnuts, cashew butter, almonds, rice protein (?), and cinnamon.) I like when I know all (but 1) of my ingredients. Chemicals SUCK!

Find them in Trader Joes, Wegman's, Giant, Genaurdi, select Whole Foods, Essene Natural Foods (near South Street) etc. The coolest place to buy? REI! Going on a camping trip? Get some snax in the store while you gear up.

The one I ate had a wholesome 200 calories. I am on a low(er)-calorie diet, though my brother pointed out to me recently that I could try shifting from eating "lots of low cal snacks" to "less food with higher calories". My point is that once I eat this, I am full for quite a while, as opposed to eating lower calorie snacks and feeling like I need another every 45 minutes!

Let me know if you try it...you won't regret it!

-ADR