Coffee & Catch Up aka C & C

Gooooood Morning loves!!

So Wednesday is going to be our new official Coffee Date day. 

In the past I did Coffee Talk, but just like the rest of my life that too is getting 

refreshed with a new look. 

So without further delay here are my updates on this past week:

• All the new balcony furniture came in and I am in LOVE. We decided to get a high bar top table & chairs because our views are AMAZING and if you are sitting low you don't get to enjoy them as much.  I added the outdoor moroccan gray rug. It's reversible and will definitely hold up in the rain because it's a vinyl type material which makes it really easy to clean. SCORE!  The last piece I added was the super cute white "rattan" chair. I put that in quotes because it's not really rattan material. It looks like it but it is also a vinyl type of material which should hold up to our hot summers and monsoon season, but I will definitely keep you posted on how it does this first summer.  (I'm working on adding the links to each of the pieces in case you are interested in checking them out for your space, but for some reason they aren't working. 😕 Ugh. It's probably a user issue....imagine, but as soon as I get them working I will update this post with them)

• While we are all living the Quarantine Life, I figured this is a good time for me to start crafting for the wedding and do some trial and error projects. ;)  I ordered some greenery, vases and spray paint so I'm super excited for those to get delivered. I have been removing labels from all my empty wine bottles in preparation. I know, I know, you are SHOCKED that I would have A LOT of wine bottles, but hellooooooooo quarantine life is helping my projects get complete even faster! I'll post what projects I work on as I start them. Fingers crossed they turn out good. 

• Speaking of the wedding....this WIND has been a MAJOR issue. So we can't nail down a definite date yet because we are watching what the evenings look like this whole month. Wind up here at our house is a serious thing. Um, no bride or anyone who likes their hair to look good will enjoy a super windy wedding day. Now obvs I can't predict what it will be like next year on any certain day, but we have been watching the patterns. It typically is windy during the late mornings into the afternoon and then by evening it dies down. Now if that's the case, we would be GOLDEN because we are planning an outdoor sunset wedding. We initially wanted March and I guess we could do the very end of March and just hope for the best but now we are thinking possibly April or June. May is out because High School life in May is pure CRAZY MADNESS. Anyone who has lived in Southern AZ for a long period of time and has any advice and/or insight to this windy weather, I would LOVE to hear from you!

• Brooke Burke Body Update:  2 Weeks In! Unless I'm delusional I think I am seeing results!!! ;)  I have NEVER owned a scale because honestly my clothes tell me anything and EVERYTHING I need to know. Last weekend I had a couple outfit choices out and the one in particular I hadn't worn in a while because it just wasn't fitting quite "right". 😏 I put that baby on last weekend and it fit PERFECTLY!!!! I was so excited! I'm definitely trimming up and toning which is all that I wanted so I'm over the moon happy with this new workout program that I decided on a whim to do!

• I'm working on a SUPER cute and FUN date night this weekend!!! It's top secret right now, but I'll definitely let you know all about it next week. I'm in the planning stages as we speak, so hopefully it turns out how I envision. 

I think that about covers all my hot topics for this last week.

 I do need to share 

the LEGIT super creative Easter Brunch my love did for us. 

Maybe that will pop up on here tomorrow. 💖

Stay Healthy and stay home my loves. 

Broiled Lemon Parmesan Chicken with Ricotta & Honey Roasted Beets

Happy Hump Day lovelies!!!
I mentioned before that I have been testing out some new recipes now that I am getting my little booty back in gear health & fitness wise. It was probably within this last year I started experimenting with eating beets. LOL Yeah, I know that's a WEIRD statement, but I was never really drawn to them. Then I matured and well there you have it!!! 😊 Here are some AWESOME benefits to eating these guys:

• Detoxifies
• Improved blood pressure (Sign me up....if you know me, you know this is my struggle)
• Rich in anti-oxidants
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-aging (Hell YEAH to that!)
• Helps fight constipation
• Boost sex drive (💋...you're welcome, LOL)
• Improved brain functions

Last night I made a pretty BOMB meal if I must say so myself! It's super simple and EVERYONE gave it rave reviews. (everyone being the 2 guys who share the house with me....hello quarantine time, no extra peeps over here) I'll start with the chicken and end with the 'how to' on the beets.

CHICKEN

Ingredients:

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp - plain greek yogurt
2 Tbsp - fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I always use the thin ones)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.

2. In a bowl, mix together the cheese, greek yogurt, lemon juice & spices. Mix well and set aside. (feel free to double the recipe, I tend to do that because I LOVE the topping)

3. Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer on baking pan. Lightly season each side of chicken with a dash of salt and pepper. Broil a few inches from the broiler for 4 -5  minutes. Flip the chicken over and broil for about 4 minutes more (these times will vary depending on thickness of your chicken).

4. Remove baking sheet from the oven and spread the parmesan mixture evenly on each breast. Broil for another 2 - 3 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden brown (the bubblier and browner, the better) and chicken is completely cooked through.
(Last night's could have been BROWNER and BUBBLIER, but there is always next time and it was still super good!)

RICOTTA & HONEY BEETS

Ingredients:

1 lb beets (peeled and cut into cubes)
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup ricotta cheese (I try to buy a good brand to really have it be creamy, no generic here like I typically would buy)
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp chopped rosemary (you can use fresh or dry, I only had dry on hand and it worked perfectly)

BEET HACK - found this on pinterest and it was a HUGE help.

~ Preheat oven to 400 degrees
~ Slice the beet stems and greens off
~ Peel the beets with a vegetable peeler
~ Brush with olive oil and a little bit of sea salt, wrap each one individually in aluminum foil
~ Roast for 45- 60 minutes

While Beets are roasting prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
1. In a medium bowl combine the ricotta, the salt, honey, and the rosemary.
2. Whisk all together until combined well.
3. Refrigerate until ready to use
(Next time I would double the ricotta topping....it was THAT good!)


Back to our previously scheduled directions (after you finish with the above beet hack):

1. After the beets are finished roasting, take them out and cut into cubes

2. Plate them up and top with spoonfuls of the ricotta mix and a sprinkle more of the chopped rosemary.

Here is a pic of how it turned out:
(I also threw together Lemon Butter rice so that's what the other item is on the plate, just in case you are wondering. LOL)

Sooo YUMMY! Give it a try and let me know how you like it. I'll be trying out some more new recipes and sharing them with you soon! Stay healthy my lovelies.

Find What Works For You!

So first off, thank you for welcoming me back with open arms!!! 

I missed everyone so much! As I said in my previous post my fitness/health/well being definitely went to the back burner for a bit so I'm really focused on getting back on track. Especially

during this time of unknowns and uncertainty with the current COVID-19 situation.

It's easy to use this time of anxiety and stress to 

sit on our phones, computers, and other technology and just snack away on things
that are probably not the best, but ya know....quarantine life!!! ;)

I have always been fortunate to be naturally thin, but

I will say, the older that I am getting my body is definitely changing. 

NOOOOOO I am not FAT 

(so before the eye rolls start, STOP! LOL)
However, I have ALWAYS said that everyone's situation is relative to THEM. My clothes tell me
all I ever need to know so I have never owned a scale. I try not to judge
anyone on ANYTHING (especially after the last 2 years...more to come on that in a later post) but
especially NOT on weight. Everyone is different. That is the bottom line.

I can't just sit around drink wine all day, eat a bunch of garbage and expect to be a string bean.

(wouldn't that just be glorious if I could) ;)

I also am a FIRM believer that working out and taking care of yourself

not only helps physically, but helps your mental well being as well.

I know for me it is definitely needed to help me stay mentally balanced.
I tend to be pretty positive but we ALL have our days or a period of time when the
whole universe is against us (or at least that's how we perceive it).

It's just a good stress reliever/therapy for me. I didn't ever really stop working out at all, but
my consistency wasn't there. It would be sporadic and my heart wasn't in it.
I knew I needed to get back on track to better myself INSIDE and OUT.
I also knew I was ready for a change. I have been a die hard Beach Body fan for the last
5 years and I still am a believer in all of those programs but I was still looking for more.
(This story is going somewhere, so stick with me!)

I think with social media today it's sooooo EASY to play the comparison game.
You know how it goes.
You start following someone.
They look AMAZING,
they are so INSPIRING
and that workout they are doing is working for them!
Your mind game goes like this:
"I don't look like that."
"That workout didn't do that for me."
Guess what!?
You may have some years on them.
They may be getting some extra cardio in chasing a toddler or two around.
(We all know that in itself is a workout!! Been there, done that! LOL)
Moral of the story:
So where they are in their life and what they are doing is relative to THEM not you.
We need to start embracing who WE are and what WE have, but we are ALL guilty, whether we admit it or not, of the COMPARISON GAME.

And yep, I was guilty too! So enter Brooke Burke. I kept seeing her fitness workouts advertised.
I started reading up on her and I really felt connected to what she was doing.
I tried a couple of her quick workouts that were on YouTube and the next day
I was in some PAIN!
Good Pain. I needed that in a seriously bad way. It kicked my butt into gear.
I started her fitness program yesterday and I am in LOVE.
She is so easy to follow. She motivates me.
 I am moving this body in ways it has never been moved before but I am loving it. I don't
even bother comparing myself to that beauty, but can she be any more GORGEOUS!!??

I will keep you posted on how I like it as it progresses. I purchased her trial app, but come on now..... I'm not going to cancel! No quitter over here! The app is so user friendly and
you have access to all of her workouts anytime, anywhere.
Of course like anything, her workouts won't be for someone who maybe likes crossfit, or heavy lifting, but
that's what it's about, finding what works for YOU. If you want to check her out,
go to brookeburke.com and browse around.

Ummmm this was way longer than I anticipated it to be. Sorry loves! I was super excited to
tell you all about it.
And now because I NEVER deprive myself of things I love,
It's THIRSTY THURSDAY!
There is a glass of wine with my name on it. Stay home and stay safe!