Tag: healthy

Daycation: Miami

Miami is the party capital of Florida and last weekend we explored it just a little bit more. I’ve never been big on birthdays but this weekend I wanted to celebrate a little extra for my birthday. Instead of completely going away for the weekend, which can get expensive, we decided to get a day pass to a resort in Miami Beach. I had never done this before but let me tell you it was amazing!

What is a day pass?

Pretty much you can do exactly what you would if you rented a room, but you’re only there until a certain time. You have access to the pool, hot tub, spa, etc. You can rent the cabanas, go in the pool, visit the bar, and at the end of the day you get to go home. The best is that you can get a day pass at a hotel you other wise wouldn’t be able to afford. I’m talking luxury hotels and beaches. It definitely a win in my book.

The Confidante

We stayed in Miami Beach for the day because we wanted something local. Personally I had never heard of the hotel but man is it beautiful. The service was amazing, the drinks were great, and the pool was awesome. It definitely isn’t a “party hotel” but if you wanna lay back and relax this is the place for you. It’snot huge, but definitely big enough. Anther thing I loved about it was the beach access. They offered complimentary towels, beach chairs, and umbrellas. They had a private beach access so it felt more exclusive and luxurious. Another plus for me was definitely the Adult Pool and Family Pool separation. There was no splashing, kids running around, etc. on the adult side and it made for a more relaxed experience. I love kids but when you’re trying to relax it helps a lot!DSC_1114

Food

DSC_1119The food was amazing! It was a little pricey and we did have to pay for that it wasn’t included of course. I had the shrimp tacos  (pictured here) and my boyfriend had a hot dog. One thing that is definitely a must have is the waffle fries! In my opinion, they’re better than Chick-Fil-A (which says a lot lol). We didn’t have to wait too long for our food which was great. Overall, even with the price, the food was pretty good and it looked appealing which is a major plus!

Drinks

The first drink we had was a Painkiller (on the right) and boy was it strong. A painkiller consists of 95d111c1-bb47-4665-a7ba-886afeff18f1dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cinnamon. It wasn’t bad if you like strong drinks, but if not stay clear of this one. They garnished it with a whole cinnamon stick which added a lot of cinnamon which I love! It almost made up for the intense alcohol taste.

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The next drink we both had was your standard Pina Colada . It was really good! Not too strong but I could still taste the alcohol. It was pretty refreshing for a day at the pool. That was pretty much all I drank for the rest of the day but I was loving them!

Our experience at the bar was lovely. The bartender was so nice and all the waitresses were helpful and kept coming by to check up on us!

If you’re looking for a hotel in Miami Beach, I definitely recommend this place. Whether it be for a day pass or a whole weekend they will definitely accommodate all your needs! Next time I definitely want to check out that spa! I heard such great things about it from the employees and also from other guests staying on the property. We had a great time and will definitely be coming back!

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Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Hi guys! I thought I’d share with you a new recipe I tried out this week. Now trust me I definitely don’t go home and spend hours in the kitchen every night but occasionally I like to make something quick and easy for dinner. This is the kind of recipe for a mom or someone who just wants to whip something up and put it on the table. It’s not a boring dinner and it’s packed full of flavor.

I also show you my cheat cheat for buttery mashed potatoes. Trust me 100% easy and quick.

Ingredients

  • 4 Chicken Breasts (I buy the Purdue Brand)f7be7977-722c-4ce2-a489-a2b19f58bcff
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
  • 2 Lemons
  • Coconut Oil

Yup that’s it! Just 6 ingredients for the chicken. I also use a little cheat and buy the mashed potatoes already made, you pop it in the microwave, and boom you’re done. I add half a spoon of butter on top, sprinkle a little parsley, and use an ice cream scoop to get the perfect “restaurant style” shape.

Steps

  1. Slice up two lemons into about 8 slices.
  2. In a bowl, mix the all purpose flour, lemon pepper seasoning, and sea salt. Begin37861d23-ff3e-4a66-986b-886c686ca40c rolling the chicken breasts in the mix and set them to the side.
  3. In a pan, put a scoop of coconut oil and turn the stove on to medium.
  4. Place your chicken breasts in the pan.
  5. Place lemon slices all over your chicken for added flavor.
  6. Cover the pan and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
  7. When done, sprinkle with parsley, serve and enjoy!

Summer Sunburn Remedies

It’s finally that time of year again! Summer and sunshine is back in town and skin care becomes EXTRA important. I am absolutely obsessed with skincare as you guys already know, but sun care is usually lacking a bit for me. I know, I know, sunscreen is super important but with how carefree we are its easy to forget. So, if you’re like me or you just have very sensitive skin, you’ll get a few sunburns here and there. They suck, that’s the truth. They hurt, you’re hot, uncomfortable, and some times this feeling could last for days. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make this a lot less painful and get rid of that burn in half the time. If you have any other tricks please let me know in the comments. DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor this is only what works for ME. If allergic to any of these please do not use them.

Apple Cider Vinegar & Coconut Oil

This is always my go to when I get a sunburn. Usually I always have these two on hand img_9045which makes it easier. I even bring them on vacation, they’re that good. What happens with the apple cider vinegar is it cools down the skin. So, it removes the heat of the sunburn. Still leaves it a little red but it begins immediately taking away the burn. The coconut oil heals the skin and prevents peeling. My LEAST favorite thing in the world is peeling away my tan. Its gross and makes my tan disappear.

What you need:

Apple Cider Vinegar

Cotton Pads

Coconut oil

Here are the steps I follow:

  1.        Grab a few cotton pads and soak them in apple cider vinegar. (The smell wont           be pleasant but the results will.
  2.        Rub the cotton pads all over your sunburn.
  3.        Let it sit for a least 5 minutes.
  4.        Hop in the shower. COLD water only. Let it rinse off the smell and then lightly           exfoliate your skin.
  5.        When you’re done pat the towel over the sunburn. DO NOT RUB. I promise it             will  hurt.
  6.        Warm up the coconut oil between your fingers and spread over the sunburn.             Try to rub it in as much as you can.
  7.        Let the oil dry and soak up into your skin before you put on clothes.
  8.        Do this for the next couple days until the sunburn is gone for best results and             little to no peeling.

Drink Water!

Drinking water is extremely important but especially when you have a sunburn! It rehydrates your skin and trust me you need it. You need to rehydrate from the inside out, if not it won’t matter what ointments or treatments you use because you won’t be hydrated enough. Water keeps your skin supple and reduces the inflammation and irritation of your skin.

Wear Loose Clothing

Obviously this won’t make your sunburn completely go away but tight clothing can increase the irritation. It will hurt and burn to even wear tight clothing so it’s better to just stay away from it for a few day. It lets your skin heal itself without further irritating it.

Cold Milk Compress

Trust me when I say that I didn’t think this would work at all, until I tried it. The same way that milk helps when you eat something spicy, it helps your skin when it’s red and burning. Any milk will do just make sure it is chilled. Not only will it feel amazing but the redness will begin to calm down. Soak the compress in cold milk and apply to the sunburn.

What you need:

Milk

Cotton Pads

Aloe Vera

This by no means is anything new and I’m sure you have used this before. Aloe calms and soothes the skin but personally instead of the bottled product I like to use it straight from the leaf. You can buy the whole aloe vera leaf at Publix or Winn Dixie. You can cut it along the side and open up the leaf to get to the product. Applying it straight from there will intensify the healing of our skin.

How To: No Bake Energy Bites

Yes, you read that correctly. These recipes require absolutely NO BAKING. They harden in the fridge and boom ready to eat! As a society we’re always looking for ways to be just a little bit healthier. These protein bites are perfect for an afternoon snack, after the gym, or in the morning. They’re packed with fiber and lots of protein. I am going to show you guys two recipes for these Energy Bites. DISCLAIMER: I am by no means a dietitian I just enjoy finding relatively healthy snacks and sharing my recipes.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites

I absolutely love Reese’s Peanut Butter cups but those are definitely not healthy. As an alternative chocolate craving these are definitely a go to. These don’t break me out like chocolate but satisfy that craving. This one is so easy to make and you only need 5 ingredients!

This recipe makes about 21-23 Bites.img_8918

2/3 cups creamy peanut butter

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup ground flax seeds

2 tablespoons honey

 

Blueberry Almond Bites

This one is my favorite bites for morning/ breakfast time. They have so many good and whole some ingredients and taste amazing. These might make you use the bathroom, because they’re packed with so much fiber. I don’t think of that as a bad thing and usually I’ll double up and drink some lemon water with them as an extra detox. Definitely must-try these easy to make snacks!

img_8921Makes about 25 bites.

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup dried bluberries

1/2 cup ground flax seeds

1/2 cup sliced almonds

4 tablespoons chia seeds

2 tablespoons coconut oil

2/3 cups almond butter

1/2 cup honey

 

 

 

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until they are even spread out.
  2. Use an ice cream scoop tool to make ball shape and then continue to roll with your hands.
  3. Lay out on a cookie sheet or any flat pan and place in the fridge.
  4. Enjoy!

NOTE: 

If you want them to stay fresh longer you may put in the freezer and move over to fridge a few hours before eating.

My Matcha Latte Recipe

Matcha has become the latest addition to my day. Typically coffee and I have a great bond, but since I’ve been trying to cut back on it, I’ve started switching over to matcha. At first, I thought it was just a fad or just “another green juice”, then after reading about so many health benefits I wanted to try it out. Who knows, maybe it is just another fad, but it’s definitely one I stand with!

Let’s start with the basics. What is matcha & why should you drink it? Matcha is a powder that comes from a whole green tea leaf. Usually, when you make green tea, you only use part of it. The whole leaf doubles the nutrients, caffeine, and overall health benefits. It gives the caffeine benefit without the “crash” hours later. It keeps you balanced and energized longer without letting you feel gross or tired. It also has high levels of L-theanine which help you avoid the crash, and gives the calm feeling of peace throughout your body.

I am fairly new to the fad but I really want to start making other drinks and treats out of matcha. If you have any recommendations please leave them in the comments below. Here’s my recipe;

Ingredients:

1 tsp Matcha Powderimg_8737

1 tbs Water

3/4 Cup of Coconut/ Almond Milk

1 tsp Honey (to taste)

You start by putting the matcha powder into any cup or mug you would like. Add 1 tsp of hot water and begin to whisk in a “W” or “M” motion. Personally I bought the kit which included the bamboo whisk and the spoon. This kinda of whisk makes the matcha more frothy, which is typically what you would want in a latte. Keep whisking until it becomes a green paste with no lumps.

Of course, if you’re just beginning to drink matcha you do not need to go out and buy the kit. Any whisk & teaspoon will do. Please remember if not using bamboo whisk, it will be less frothy.

Next, I warm up 3/4 cup of Coconut milk on the stove. It doesn’t need to boil, just make sure it’s hot. Pour the milk into your cup of matcha & mix.

Finally, you can add any sweetener you choose. I like to add a little bit of honey and mix that in. Enjoy!