Friday Favorites: Holiday Gift edition

Can you believe it's already that time where we are considered  "late on on Christmas shopping?" It seems like I just yesterday I was  planning out my meal plan for Thanksgiving. And don't even mention that I will soon have to get used to writing the date 2014, just as "2013" was starting to register. But one thing I'm not quite sick of hearing are "corny" Christmas jokes, so my apologies if you are...

But in all seriousness, I have selected 12 of the best gifts around. They are easy to pick up at stores such as Target and CVS or very easy to make at home. From your dad to your bestie, I have definitely covered something for everyone on your list. So follow my guide  below and you'll avoid having to spend your  whole weekend completely dedicated to waiting in long lines. I don't know about you all, but I plan on spending my Saturday seeing Anchorman 2 rather than trying to find a parking space at the mall.

Links to: Pictures #1, #2, #3

Links to: Pictures #1, #2, #3

Links to Pictures: #1, #2, #3

Links to: Pictures #1, #2, #3

I hope that these gift ideas provided inspiration for your holiday shopping list. All and all, I truly believe that the best gifts come from the heart.

Still need a gift for a teacher or your hairdresser? How about my homemade Sweet & Salty granola recipe. Looking for something a little more creative to bring to a holiday party? How about my Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, stored in mason jars?

Whatever you do, make sure you don't let the happiness intended during the holiday season pass by you. Take time out to spend with your loved ones, that is truly the best gift you can give them. Create a great Friday everyone. Below is your daily dose of inspiration, inspired by my new little loved ones...

Cousins: Remi & Stella
Photo Courtesy of: Kristin Haus

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Take Out Tuesdays: 4 Essential, Health Tips for Ordering Anywhere

Photos courtesy of : Google

I worked as a waitress for five years and I definitely made the most tips during the holiday season. People don't have the time to cook and are far too exhausted to worry about doing the dishes. So they find themselves going out to eat and ordering take out more and more in the winter time.

While this is great for a waitress's pocket, it is often not so great for waistlines. That is why I have decided to make Tuesday's in December "Take Out Tuesdays." So far I have covered posts on Chinese and Pizza. But today I am doing things a little different and covering the basics for ordering any type of take out food.

From Fast Food to Pub, there are 4 essential, healthy tips that can be used everywhere, whether dining in or ordering out.

When dining out, it is quite possible to consume well over your daily, recommended caloric intake within minutes of being seated, But, I'm here to tell you that you don't have to get the salad with bland dressing and nothing on it in order to "survive" a meal out. 

Tip#1. Don't eat the whole chip basket before your meal comes. 

Photo Courtesy of: Google

When any sort of "munchies" are placed in front of you, it is a typical behavior to start grabbing handful after handful. . Whether it is a free basket of chips/fries/Chinese noodles/rolls that is set on your table, we often begin  robotic-ally, shoveling the food into our mouths. But if you are aware of this habit, you can start to eat  more mindfully. 

Set rules. For example, know that after you eat 12 chips or 1/2 roll, that you are going to stop. And  if you don't think you can control yourself quite yet, don't allow any of the "freebies" around you.

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Tip #2. The most important tip to remember when  dining in or ordering any kind of take-out is to be aware of your surroundings. 

For Mexican food, this means knowing that those chips will be set down in front of you prior to walking into the restaurant. By placing awareness on the situation at hand, you can be better prepared and  have a plan in mind prior to ordering. 

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You know that the last time you had Mexican, those chips were so salty that they made you crave a margarita, and then another, leaving you with a feeling of being so full that you were unable to touch the meal you paid for. 

Knowing what happened last time, you can ask the waitress to remove the basket from the table prior to getting "wild"; and when ordering take-out, make a point to not have  the free chips included with your meal.There are far better things ahead at meal time anyway...

Tip #3: Call out the "voice villain" in your head.

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It is so very important not to beat yourself up  for the last time you went wild on the chips, or whatever "poor" food choice you made in the past. Being aware of this "voice villain" will help you to understand that this is merely just a feeling and not a representation of what you look like.

I once read a powerful magazine article about a girl who took a picture in the same shorts and sports bra every morning for 30 days. Each morning she recorded how she felt, such as "felt really good about myself today" or "feeling really heavy and uncomfortable today." In the magazine article, they showed all 30 pictures she took and you know what, she looked EXACTLY the same on each and everyday. She was finally able to see physical proof that her "feelings" were simply thoughts she had about her body and not what everyone actually saw. 

Like the girl in thr magazine, you too are not physically changing drastically each day, despite any negative thoughts that you tell so. If you are living a healthy lifestyle and occasionally indulge, then there’s no need to think twice about that “voice villain.”

 I tell you the girl’s 30-day, picture story so that you understand the importance of  living healthy lifestyle, not a diet, not a week-plan, not a fad. but a positive life for yourself. 

Tip #4: Know the Ordering Basics: Always order dressing on the side, ask for the  "Lighter" version, & at the start of your meal, place half of the entree in a to-go box. 

Photo Courtesy of: Google

• Always order sauces/dressings "On the Side": When eating salad, dip your fork in the dressing before each bite rather than dousing it on top. You will be amazed by how much flavor you get out of every bite. Do the same with all sauces. 
• Use the word "light" when ordering: Always go "light" on the cheese and choose the healthier cooking option such as baking/broiled/grilled.  


• Take it to Go:  At the start if your meal, ask for a to-go box, and put one half aside for tomorrow. Most leftovers make great omelets the next day.  For example, take leftover chicken fajitas, throw the fajita mixture in an skillet and load it up with  extra veggies and salsa as a great omelet filling. You can do the same with pizza toppings, as well.  Make it a habit, that half your meal goes home with you so have better control of your eating habits at dinner.  

Thank you all for taking the time out of your day for committing to a healthier lifestyle for yourself. I hope that you enjoyed the break from the specifically themed, take-out Tuesdays to bring it back to the basics. 

I encourage you to come back to this articlr as a reminder for setting good eating habits wherever you go. Feel free to favorite this post, pin the tips on Pinterest as a visual reminder, or jot them down on the memo pad in your phone. Taking out those few extra moments in your day to learn the basics will make a heck of a difference. In fact, for me it is worth a lifetime of silencing that "food villain" voice. 

Create a great Tuesday everyone! Below is your daily dose of inspiration dedicated to anyone who has felt for even just a moment not worthy enough..,

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Sofia

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Take Out Tuesdays: Pizza Edition

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On the second day of takeout, my true love gave to me....Pizza!

Since the time in which the Dominos commercial came on the radio  during your morning commute, pizza has been on your mind. Around lunch time, you hear the Dominos announcer's words re-play in your head..”Try our new hot, pan pizza made with hand-pressed golden crust, sprinkled with not one…but two layers of cheese.” As you stare down at your painstakingly bland lunch, you grow angry at your yogurt…furious that is not pizza.

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And so your day revolves around keeping your “eye on the prize”… with your prize being a big ol’ pizza pie after work. The next two hours on the clock tick by painstakingly slow, until finally, its 5pm and you can go home for the day! And so you stroll out the doors with a feeling of sheer glee, much like this.. 

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Your fingers begin dialing instinctively as you reach your car, and you hurriedly recite your take-out order to the teenager on the phone.  Driving home, you instinctively you automatically reach your hand into the piping hot bag of cinnamon breadsticks and pull off bite-sized pieces to snack on during your 5-minute ride home.

When you enter your house, the rest becomes a blur. Your keys and wallet are thrown in some place in which they will be difficult to find tomorrow, while you leave your coat on and lazily sink into the couch cushions. You flip on the TV, place the pizza box in your lap, and for lack of better phrasing, "stuff yo dam face."Suddenly, after watching a 2 hour episode of the Voice, you wake up from your transfixed food coma; looking down at the left over crumbs as a reminder of the work you did.

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And so you make a silent promise to yourself that you will cook a healthy dinner tomorrow and wake up early to workout. But, I’m here to tell you tips for not living in fear of the “takeout monster”. Takeouts gonna happen, and you know what I think it should happen.

I think a huge part of living a healthy life, is the “living life” part. I don’t like to spend time beating myself up for what I “coulda shoulda woulda” done. I just don’t have the time to make a healthy green juice for breakfast, pack the perfect lunch, and steam salmon served alongside perfectly  portioned brown rice and freshly picked vegetables for dinner. What I find is that when I become fixated on meal planning, I become completely fearful of living life. For instance, if my friend calls to go get dinner and we haven’t caught up in awhile, I’m not going to be scared of going out to eat. I’d much rather follow my rules (without announcing them to the world…besides on the blog ofcourse) and enjoy a fun filled night. I sure as heck, am not going to waste the valued time for conversation by spending time complaining “I can’t believe I just ate that.” If I did, I wouldn’t be surprised that I was no longer on their rolodex. In fact, I have taken a few people out of mine for those exact reasons.

Your free time is your free time so it should be spent enjoying a night off from cooking every once in awhile. You guys voted for Pizza and so here are your 5 tips for ordering healthy Pizza takeout, along with my 3 go-to takeout orders.   

Soup pic: Carabas, Salad pic: Olive Branch, Veggie Pizza: Ktuu.pickem.net, Wrap pic: Reluctant Entertainer

*For more take out tips, see last week's Take Out Tuesday: Chinese food edition. 

Below is your daily dose of inspiration inspired by my best friend Kim. She is a “go-to” phone call I make each day. Often we make last minute plans to hangout on a Weekday night we both have free, and very often these nights include take-out pizza. She recently had engagement photos taken with her fiancé EJ, and I love how they came out! 

Courtesy of Brittany Taylor, Borderland State Park 2013

Make it Mondays: Sea Salt Caramel Stuffed Snickerdoodles

Printer Friendly Recipe

The moment for me when in which it starts to feel like Christmas has nothing to do with the time in which Christmas commercials begin debuting on TV,or when the lights go up on the neighboring houses, or  even when the Santa pictures begin  at the mall. But rather it finally feels like Christmas to me when my family takes out the boxes of ornaments and decorates our tree. 

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As a child, I remember placing a significant meaning behind going to pick out our tree. It meant that I was the brink of a couple of exciting weeks ahead. Picking up the tree felt like finally cutting the ribbon for a store opening. I could now "head on in" to the holiday season. When the tree was decorated, I knew I would soon start school vacation, which meant flying to Indiana to spend Christmas with my mom's whole side of the family.

Each year, someone is chosen as the person responsible for handing out our gifts. My mom is wearing the Santa hat in the right corner , because that happened to be her year in which she was chosen. The couples along the far left are the married "kids" of the family.

I remember one year in particular in which we set out to get our tree.  I was roughly 8 years old and I was sitting in the back seat of my mom's car on a drizzly and particularly cold December night. We had just picked out our tree at a local tree farm, and I had insisted on getting the more "mangled" tree in the back of the lot because I was worried that no one would want to buy it. On the way home, we pulled up to the gas station and my mom ran into the mini-mart, as my dad pumped our gas. As she got back in the car, I could tell by the smack of her lips that she was chewing on a candy.  She placed her seatbelt on and leaned over the back of her seat to hand me a Rolo. I wondered what this unfamiliar candy was and if I would like the taste of it. Well, it turns out... I did. And from then on, each year I would make sure to get a roll of Rolos for our car ride home to get our tree. Rolos became a snack, in which I only consumed during the holidays. 

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For my mom, her holiday snack of choice was Snickerdoodles. My grandmother knew this and so when we would fly there for Christmas, she would have a fresh batch of Snickerdoodles laid out upon our arrival. 

Grocery shopping with my Mamaw and cousin Kristin

 This is the first year I will not be going to Indiana along with my mom and so I decided to try and bake the Snickerdoodles at home in Boston. As I searched for a Snickerdoodle recipe, it occurred to me that I could combine the two holiday traditions..why not combine the Boston holiday tradition of Rolos with the Indiana holiday tradition of Snickerdoodles? And so I did...and believe me, you're welcome! 

This year, I encourage you to create a tradition that makes you feel like the holiday season is upon you. And if you choose to make these cookies as part of your holiday traditions, I would be more than honored to have my recipe included in your kitchens. Below is the Sea Salt Caramel Stuffed Snickerdoodle recipe.

 

Create not only a great Monday, but a wonderful holiday season! Below is Monday's dose of inspiration. 

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Weekend Adventures: Unwind Edition

Weekends during December  are often reserved for stressful holiday shopping, but it is even more  important during all this chaos to reserve a little "me" time. 

Sometimes unwinding can mean reserving a Sunday night to do nothing. Finding the time to slowly relish your mug of hot cocoa by sipping it slowly and lazily flipping through a magazine, enjoying your favorite novel, or maybe even just "pinning" on Pinterest like a BOSS.

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By "reserving" a spot in your house, or even at the local coffee shop or yoga class, where you know you can go to relax, you can consciously make an effort to take time out for you. Recently, I have begun taking baths for my me-time. And by lighting a special candle reserved for bath time, putting 10 drops of lavendar into the tub, and having a "go to" Pandora playlist, I can consciously create a little nest specific to relaxing.

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So find an hour or so out of your weekend to do something that is relaxing for you, create your little relaxing nest, and get on with doing nothing. I have aso made you a Spotify "Unwind" playlist that you can access by "following" it on my Spotify account Lindsay Opper (1244030766).

Candle picture: courtesy of the Wellness Warrior. 

. Below is your weekend dose of inspiration. Create a great weekend everyone!

Photo Courtesy of the beautiful Tory Stone

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Wordless Wednesdays: The Magic of Christmas Time

"Magic is Something that you make"
Photo Courtesy of: Liz McDonald

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And now for Wednesday's daily dose of inspiration....

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Takeout Tuesdays: Chinese edition

Today is the first Tuesday of December, which means that the Takeout Tuesday series has begun! With the stress of the holidays, we tend to go overboard. Overboard with our emotions, spending, stress, drinking, and eating. With long days spent at work or even just the many stressful hours stuck in the mall parking lot, we find ourselves running out of time and energy to cook.

1. Start with a broth-based soup or a light appetizer: Soups like hot & sour or egg-drop soup can help to fill you up before your meal. They are some of the lowest calorie items on the menu and help you to avoid loading up on the heavier entrees. If you are looking for a lighter appetizer, try steamed dumplings or edamame (hold the salt and put it on yourself).

1. Avoid the fried food options: Make sure to avoid anything with the word "fried" in the description like egg rolls or Peking ravioli. Also, avoid any foods described as  "breaded," such as Sesame chicken or Chicken wings. Instead, order foods that have been cooked in healthier ways. Look for key words such as "steamed." (If the name of the dish is in Chinese, look for healthy dishes that start with words like "jum" (poached), "kow" (roasted),  or "chu" (broiled).

1. Beware of the sauces: Sauces such as sweet & sour or Genral Tso's chicken pack lots of SUGAR and calories! Order the sauce on the side and dip your fork in the sauce between bites.Oyster, hoisin, black bean and mustard sauce are all good sauces to order.  Also, avoid dousing on the soy sauce, which has lots of sodium and will leave you feeling bloated. Buy a low sodium soy sauce from your local grocery store to keep on hand and when at restaurants, ask the server for the low sodium version if it's not already on the table. 

1. Portion, Portion, Portion: Even with a healthy meal in front of you, it is still possible to exceed your daily caloric intake due to the amount of servings in one dish. When you get home, make sure to spoon out your meal onto a small plate, rather than just directly eat it from the take out box. When out to eat,  take at least half of your meal to go. If your willpower is not so great, ask for a "to go" box at the start of the meal.  

1. Treat your sides RIGHT: Order a side order of veggies and load up your plate. Avoid noodle dishes and rice dishes as sides when possible. (A cup of fried rice has approximately 363 calories and 14 grams of fat*). If you really want a side of rice, load it with veggies or look for entrees with veggies in the name, such as steamed chicken & broccoli. And you know that little tea cup found on the table at the restaurant? That's equivalent to the correct portion size of rice.

 It is just so tempting to have the food ready at our beckon call, with no mess to clean up afterwards. And so takeout happens. But I'm here to tell you to forget any of the guilt you feel when ordering out. There's no reason to fear that suddenly  you will go on some major downward binge spiral.

I don't blame you for wanting a night off from cooking, I order takeout often. And guess what, I don't instantly balloon up when I do. There are plenty of healthy takeout options available. If you read the 5 tips for the next 3 Tuesdays,  you'll do just fine and be ready to order anywhere like a pro. So use that extra hour or so you would of cooking spent elsewhere and enjoy the takeout dinners every once in awhile.

Today's first post covers Chinese. Chinese is one of the most comforting, crave-worthy meals out there and I definitely have a few Chinese takeout places permanently installed in my phone. Below are the essential tips to remember when ordering Chinese food, along with my regular Takeout order from Alice's Mandarain Taste. 

...and go ahead and eat that fortune cookie if you really want it. Its only 35 calories and 3g of sugar. I  was always told that you have to eat your fortune cookie in order for it to come true, and so I always take a bite out of mine. 

Please take the Take Out Survey to let me know what kind of Take Out you'd like me to cover next. Would you like to learn tips for ordering pizza, breakfast Drive thru in the morning.. its up to you guys!

 Below is your daily dose of inspiration. See you all tomorrow! 

*Calories from livestrong.com

Make It Mondays: Crockpot Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Subs

Recently, my friend Lauren went to Philadelphia for the weekend. When she returned, she described to me in detail the ooey-gooey, deliciousness of the Philly Cheesesteak that she enjoyed while visiting there. And so I found myself with a serious case of food envy. And unfortunately, I'm not headed to Philly any time soon.

  I knew that there was only one way to kill this food craving. I would have to re-create that classic Philly Cheesesteak for myself... in my Boston kitchen. I wanted to pack this thing with the same major flavor as the original, while "healthifying" it a bit. That's when I came up with the idea to substitute the steak for chicken and throw in a can of beer. By cooking the chicken in the crockpot, the flavors could really set in.

I am a firm believer that little touches really do make a major difference between enjoying just an ordinary ol' dinner and experiencing a very special meal. The "extra touches" for this dish included finding a block of white cheddar cheese from the specialty cheese section of the grocery store and toasting the bread in the oven prior to serving. However, these final touches don't need to cost a lot of extra money. In fact, the white cheddar cheese was priced only $1 dollar than a grocery-store brand bag of shredded cheddar cheese.

Chicken Philly Cheese Steak, Makes 6 large subs

*Printer-Friendly Version 

Ingredients:

•  1 diced ,large yellow onion
• 1 diced, yellow pepper
• 1  diced, green pepper
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 4 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts 
• 2 t. paprika
• 1 t. sea salt 
• 1 t. pepper
• 8 oz of your favorite beer 
• 8 oz of freshly grated cheddar cheese 
• 6 soft sub rolls
• 1 T. melted butter
• Sliced provolone cheese

Directions:

1.  Mix together the paprika, sea salt, and pepper. Rub onto the chicken breasts and set aside.
2. In the bottom of the crockpot, layer the onions and peppers. Add garlic evenly on top. Place chicken on top and pour a can of beer over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. 
3. Prior to 15 minutes before serving, shred the chicken in the crockpot using a fork or tongs. Mix and toss the chicken together with the onions, peppers, and garlic. Cook for the additional 15 more minutes.
4. Turn the crockpot to the warm or off setting. Stir in the grated white cheddar cheese and let sit for 5 minutes.
5. To toast bread: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush each sub roll with butter and layer with slices of provolone cheese. Place open sub rolls on a baking sheet and toast for 12 minutes (or until the cheese is browned and bubbly). 
6. Place your Chicken mixture onto each toasted sub and add whatever condiments you like. (I like mine with banana peppers.)

I am really glad that I experimented with this recipe.The chicken was very flavorful, left the whole house smelling delicious, and was certainly a lot cheaper way of fulfilling my craving than the cost for a plane ticket to Philly. 

If there's a   food dish that you are longing for, let me help you re-create it! Leave a comment below or email me at creativelylu@yahoo.com and you can be a part of the Make it Monday series!

 As always, make it a great Monday everyone! Below is your  daily dose of inspiration. 

Photo Courtesy of: Liz McDonald

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