The Best Brussels Sprout Recipe Around

I have to admit I HATED brussels sprouts growing up. Honestly I hated most green veggies when I was younger. But in keeping up with the Sculpted by Summer Challenge, I have to come up with new and exciting ways to eats my greens.

I based this recipe on a menu item I had at one of my favorite Miami spots, The Sugarcane. Their sprouts were so wonderful, I almost ate the entire side for my dinner!

Ingredients:

6 oz. brussel sprouts (cleaned and quartered)
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tbsp. balsamic
2 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. sugar (I use agave nectar)
salt and pepper to taste

The recipe calls for frying the sprouts in a pan to allow them to crisp.  This is ok, but I stay away from frying.  Place all ingredients in a baking pan and stir, evenly coating the veggies.  Bake in the oven at 365 for 16 to 18 minutes. And enjoy!

 

Back In The Groove

Most days lately, I would rather be a successful blogger than an attorney. The long hours, substantial reading and trial preparation, have been consuming all of my time and energy. So I apologize for neglecting you, my good readers! The good news is, all of the work was not for naught, as lead counsel and I won a jury verdict for our client. It was my first trial since becoming an attorney, and I was thrilled for the opportunity.

In other news, I have also joined Bayview Bootcamp's 28 day "Sculpted by Summer" Challenge.  28 days of clean eating and healthier living, including 3 days of detox (no caffeine, no alcohol, and plenty of water) and heavy-duty workouts.  Laura has been great in tailoring this plan with recipes, meal plans, travel workouts, grocery lists, and food swap items. I am loving it so far, although I had massive headaches for the first 3 days due to caffeine withdrawal!

 

Laura's helpful manual and some charts that I personally use to track meals, groceries and calories. You can buy these forms on Etsy.

 

 

Lunch today - baked salmon 1/2 cup quinoa and baked veggies.

 

 

My pick me up drink, Kombucha. A preservative and gluten free tea with beneficial enzymes, vitamins and probiotics. This one was very good!

 

I'll be sure to check in with my progress soon! Already down 2 pounds! 

Fo' Yo Mama

Is Mother's Day really next Sunday? I am finding it so hard to believe that May is moving so fast! It's already time for moms, dads and grads. But what to get that woman who told you while you were balling your eyes out, that you would be laughing someday over your break up with your first boyfriend. (You didn't want to believe her, but at 30, you're like "What was I so sad about!?!") Or the woman who embarassed you in front of your friends by posting "Rules" at your 16th birthday party. (Sorry, Mom! Had to reminisce.) Or the woman who flat out made you who you are!

Here are a couple of last minute gift ideas for that special woman in your life, your mom!

 

Something personal....I got this cute Cape Cod printed tote for my mom on Etsy ($20.00). Can't wait to see her use it on our trip this summer!

For jewelry or makeup while travelling, this Stella and Dot pouf is perfect! ($22.00)

Also from Stella and Dot, I am loving the Eden jewelry. Eden Bangle ($39.00)

My mom and I love chatting over tea. This Kumsi Tea tea set would be perfect for her. ($31.95)

 

She would look so cute wearing this. Spring Garden Infinity Scarf from Anthropologie ($48.00)

 

Send her a thoughtful note to show her how much she means to you! Rosey Blooms Mother's Day card from Rifle Paper Company ($4.50)

Bits of My Weekend

It was a lazy weekend around here. Hope you all enjoyed the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo (a weekend of mint juleps AND margaritas!) As I was scheduled for trial starting Monday morning, I did not schedule anything for the weekend.  When it was decided that the case would not go forward, I decided to do nothing but relax and get some things done around the house.  And it was AMAZING! Highly recommended! Here are some bits and pieces.

 

Addie just waiting for her dad to come home....

 

A nice view of The Pier from The Vinoy pool. I will be so sad to see this go in a few weeks.

Some motivation on my refrigerator to get back in shape!

 

 

 

Frame gallery DIY...check it out later this week

You Might Feel Like *#$%, But You Look Good!

It's the kick off to triathlon season and one of the greatest races in the Tampa Bay area is the St. Anthony's Triathlon.  This is an olympic distance (164 yard swim, 24.85 mile bike, 6.21 mile run) race down through the downtown and waterfront areas of St. Petersburg.

There are many big names out there who use this race a practice race, including my hero, Miranda Carfrae. Damn she's fast. Hines Ward, former Steeler for the NFL, also made his triathlon debut at this event!

For the first time, I was a spectator for this race on the run portion of the route, at a Cheer Station formed by Running for Brews! This was, hands down, the best way to watch the race. Thank you so much, RFB, for setting this up!

 

Early morning start

 

 

 

The first of the runners!

 

 

This year's winner, Frodeno!

 

 

Miranda....you rule

 

 

Hines Ward on the run!

 

 

 



 

Happy to support my friends, Jordan, Jaye and Brady

 

And then, there were these guys.....

 

 

 

 

Reminding us to just have a laugh!

 

 

 

Did you race this year? How did you do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bits of My Weekend

This past Saturday, I took a short trip up to Orlando to hear the music of Andrew McMahon. And as one show reviewer put it, as much as you wanted to hear Andrew, he was overpowered by the voices of dedicated fans (like me) who knew every single word and had to sing along. (Thank you for singing, "No Man Is an Island"!) Despite a battle with laryngitis, Andrew performed one of his best sets I have seen, yet. I was loving the oldies but goodies from both Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate, but I loved his newer music, which I believe is a great reflection of where Andrew is right now in his career as a performer, producer and song writer.




I was so happy to see my friend, Chris (a/k/a Fisher on 102.5 The Bone) and his family and friends. Missed him!

 

Loving my hipster glasses

 

 

 

The marquee....GWAR???

 

I love when he jumps up on his piano!

 

It makes such beautiful music.

 

Be sure to also check out "Erlan" who Andrew works with and produces . They have a fresh and unique sound and they were a nice group of guys after the show.

 

I hope that you had a great weekend as well!

Runner's Unite

I said it the other day, and I'll say it again. Runners create a strong community, and I am proud to be a part of it. In the days following the Boston Marathon tragedy, there are still unanswered questions, but runners around the country have banded together to run in memory of those that were lost in this horrible tragedy, and to raise money for those that were severally injured.

I had the opportunity to run for the first time at the Tuesday running group with the American Running Company, where everyone wore bibs in honor of Boston. What a great showing!

 

 

Unfortunately, the Last Five memoral run/walk as organized by Boston College students for this afternoon was postponed, due to officials' concerns over overcrowding and the overwhelming of Boston police. I think this was for the best, expecially with today's safety concerns.  Be safe and stay strong, Boston! (If you participate in one of these memorial runs, please let me know about it!)

Also, please check out this article from the Boston Globe regarding newlyweds, Patrick and Jess, who both lost their left legs during the explosion.  These fellow runners need our help and support in coming back from such a life-changing ordeal, and their friends and families are already starting efforts to raise money for their large medical bills on Facebook! Some are simply sending messages of hope through this forum. Runners unite!

Pray for Boston

I had been prepared to post yesterday about Marathon Monday and the coming together of a community for a day of racing, personal achievement and support in and for the Boston Marathon. Instead, I have a heavy heart, as that same community is coming together today for different reasons - comfort, prayer and aid.

Although details are uncertain as to how or why this occurred, we are hearing the stories from the people/witnesses involved, and those who have put those focus towards hope. One NBC correspondent posted on Twitter that, those racers who finished the race, ran to Mass General Hospital in an effort to donate blood.  Former Patriots linebacker, Joe Andruzzi, who was at the finish line, did his best to assist in getting the injured to help. I hope more stories like these shine through this tragedy.  I think this online article sums up some of these heroic efforts. This article was also great.

In the last 12 hours or so, I have also received countless emails and notifications from the local running communities.  Runners are a tough bunch. We run tirelessly for long distances. We celebrate the love of the sport and the events that allow us to come together to demonstrate this passion. Despite it being a sport of the runner and the road, we support each other, and I think we will begin to see that strength in the days, weeks and years to come. 

Today, I will be joining runners at the American Racing Company in Clearwater for a memorial 5k. Today I will run in honor of those we lost. Because today we are all Bostonians. Check out this link for a downloadable "Runner's Unite" Race Bib for your future runs!

Scalloping

The warm weather is here and all I can think about these days is my planned trip to Cape Cod for July 4th! It seems so far away, though!

Of course, thinking about Cape Cod reminds me of my favorite seafood meals, including Maine lobster, steamers and SCALLOPS! In honor of these delicious morsels, I am searching for new spring/summer clothes with a scallop design.

 

This gold-edged scallop clutch from Etsy Shop, Matine, is perfect for summer! $129.00

 

 

Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere makes this J.Crew scallop dress look flirty and edgy. $168.00

 

 



 Of course I love the mint color of these Club Monaco scalloped shorts. $70.00

 

 

And a new iPhone case for summer from Anthropologie. $28.00

 

Now that I'm hungry, all I can think about is making a healthy scallop dish. Check out this great recipe from SkinnyTaste.com for seared scallops over wilted spinach and risotto!

 



Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Take me out to the ballgame....but don't let my waist line pay for it! I am so excited that baseball season is in full swing. I love going to the stadium, and it's pretty exciting that this is the view from my new apartment! (Insert debatable comments about how ghastly the Trop is and how the Rays need to move!)

If the hefty prices of ballpark franks, sodas and popcorn don't deter you from enjoying these unhealthy snacks, maybe the nutritional facts will!

1. Ballpark Frank/Hot Dog

Serving Size: 1 frank
Total Fat: 16 grams (6 grams saturated fat)
Calories: 180 (144 calories from fat)
Cholesterol: 40 mg
Sodium: 560 mg
Protein: 6 grams

2. Roasted Peanuts

Serving Size: 1 ounce
Total Fat: 14 grams (2 grams saturated)
Calories: 166
Protein: 6 grams

3. Dippin Dots (Cookies n' Cream Flavor)

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Total Fat: 11 grams (7 grams saturated)
Calories: 203
Cholesterol: 28 mg
Sodium: 79 mg
Protein: 3 grams
Sugars: 17 grams

4. Nachos with Cheese - STAY AWAY!!!

Serving Size: 1 meal
Total Fat: 59 grams (19 grams saturated)
Calories: 1101
Cholesterol: 58 mg
Sodium: 1580 grams
Protein: 24 grams
Sugars: 1 gram