Upping My Game

The beginning of this year started with me focused. I was ready to shed some weight and be physically fit for my 29th birthday. Well, I lost the weight and made huge progress with my yoga poses. Then came birthday cake. Chocolate, orange zest, vanilla, caramel... Who knew how many people would bring me cake!?! Obviously I had to taste test them all... So one month later I'm up 8 lbs. I am not committing to a diet. I am committing to a lifestyle. First goal is to drink more water. I currently have diet coke running through my blood. Water is my nemesis. So good and refreshing, but it sadly is not diet coke. My goal is to drink a gallon of water a day. I will be posting with my god and updates on my progress. Wish me luck !

Chocolate Cake For Two With A Hint Of Baileys

Chocolate Cake For Two With A Hint Of Baileys

What is better then chocolate cake? How about a chocolate cake with 2 servings and a hint of baileys? I went on a quest to find a bottle of Baileys on Saint Patrick's Day... I don't know why I thought that was a good idea. I managed to find a beverage store that had just received a shipment of Baileys. I had no idea that coffee liquor came in different flavors! I could not pass up the salted caramel. This cake is super moist and filled with gooey chocolate. My favorite part of this cake is you can make the entire recipe within 30 minutes! 

What you need:

1 egg 

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of cocoa powder 

1/2 cup of AP flour

2 tbsp canola oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 buttermilk 

1/8 cup baileys or other coffee liquor

Directions: 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, oil, vanilla and baileys. Add in the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. If the batter looks too thick just add a tsp of water. 

I used a cooking spray and prepped a 6" Wilton pan.  Cook for 15 - 20 minutes. I like to slightly under bake my cakes. I test after 15 minutes and slightly tap the top. If it slowly bounces back it is ready. 

Flip onto a plate and stick in the freezer for 5 minutes.

What you need for the frosting:

1/2 stick of softened butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup of cocoa powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp of baileys 

Directions:

You can use a hand mixer, but it is such a small amount I usually just whip all the ingredients together with a fork. Mix until everything is creamy and there are not any sugar lumps.

Pull the cake from the freezer and frost. Top with sprinkles of your choice. Everything tastes better with sprinkles :)

Holiday Updates

This holiday season seemed to appear so much faster this year! A few months back I posted about how I was nervous to celebrate my favorite time of year as a single woman. So far I think I have been able to handle myself just fine :). We just found out we have to work Thanksgiving day so I am actually relieved I did not make big plans. 

I have been overwhelmed with the amount of love I have received from all my friends. It is hard to feel alone with this amazing support system. This post will eventually be about surviving retail during the holidays so feel free to skip this sappy portion. Shits about to get real. 

The greatest gift I have received this season is hope that there is someone out there for everyone. Sometimes you go through painful trying experiences so you will be open to the people God brings into your life. He is rarely early, never late, but always right on time. 

Maybe my life plan strayed. I wasn't married by 23 and didn't have my first child by 25. Would I have an amazing career and find my calling as a foodie if I did follow that plan? Probably not. Would I have met the man that makes me believe fairy tales are fact? Definitely not. Keep an open heart. You never know who will find you. 

Onto the post!

Surviving retail 101

1. Have a plan. Who are you buying for? Write it down with a budget of what you can spend on each person. Once to hit that number stop! You wouldn't believe how many times I find things in packaging that were forgotten gifts. No reason to over spend. 

2. Black Friday is a scam. Every business including my own will freak, but it is true. You are going to get the same deals the week before and the week after. Maybe you can score one good thing, but did you really need that $75 RCA tv when there is a $200 LG as every day price?? Nah

3. Save your coupons. Every year I make an email and sign up for every store newsletter. The best coupons you will get this week will be kohls, express, bath and body works, loft, limited, macys, gap and  jcpenney. Sign up now!

4. Shop online. Cyber Monday is December 1st. Only hold out for that if you are buying electronics. Otherwise just buy everything in Black Friday. I have been in retail management for almost 10 years and every Black Friday I have bought 75% of my gifts online during my lunch break. Almost everywhere will be free shipping. Ship to my home for free and I don't have to wait in line? Yes please. 

5. Stock up on your favorite drinks! Publix has keurig Starbucks Christmas blend for $6.99! That's a steal for sure! 

Happy shopping!

Single Girl Dinner

I have always been under the impression that single girls are lonely and depressed living in the bottom of cartons of ice cream. Clearly the is not the case! This has been my first opportunity to experiment and try things that I probably would not serve my guests unless they were intoxicated. I snapped chatted my meal last night to a few friends and I could not believe the feedback I received! Unfortunately the only picture I have is a screen shot of the snap since I really did not think it looked very appealing. 

Last night when I got off work I was tired and grumpy from such a long shift. All I wanted was some comfort food and a beer. In moderation of course. Still need to maintain this yoga body ;) this is what I came up with after a dragged myself to the kitchen in search of a fast comforting meal. 

To start. Crack open your favorite drink. Something ice cold. My current favorite is this eye patch ale. So cold and bitter yet refreshing. 

I used fresh grated cheddars. White, extra sharp and mild. 

Off the vine tomato sliced. 

1/2 fried chicken breast 

1 egg 

Louisiana hot sauce

100 calorie wheat English muffin 

1/2 tbsp butter 

Salt and pepper 

In a skillet heat up the butter. Once the skillet is covered put your English muffin insides down and add in the egg to fry. Salt and pepper as desired. 

I microwaved the chicken for 30 seconds. I made from scratch the day before. I will include those directions below. 

Flip your English muffin over add the cooked egg carefully and cover with cheese. Top with chicken, hot sauce  and tomatoes. Enjoy!!!!!!

For the chicken. I have a deep fryer. If you don't just heat oil in a skillet on medium high. You need the oil to be around 350 degrees for a nice crispy batter.  For the dry ingredients. I fill a freezer ziplock with flour, 1 tsp baking powder, salt, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, 2 full tbsp paprika. For the wet. 2 cups of buttermilk and hot sauce to preference. Dip boneless skinless chicken breast into the wet then the dry before repeating. This double battering with ensure a great texture. Fry about 7 minutes on each side until brown and crispy. Salt again while hot if desired. 

Channeling Lauren Conrad

True to herself Lauren Conrad sported her signature winged liner on her wedding day. 

There is something so elegant about simple makeup and a matte black wing. Lauren's wing always has the perfect cat eye flick at the end. Very different then the traditional wing which goes straight out. 

So today I used my revlon nearly naked foundation with my too faced bronzer on my cheeks and lid. Then topped it off with a classic wing and my benefit mascara. 

Happy winging :)

Tips and tricks to tone

This month is the anniversary of the start of my weight loss journey. I say weight loss but really my ultimate goal is to be healthy and happy with my body. One year ago I committed to myself that I would do just that. Now I want to share a few tips I've picked up over the year that have kept me going even if I am feeling lazy. 

1. The commercial plank

Tuesdays are really long days for me at work and I do not always get a chance to go to the gym. When I settle in to watch new girl and the mindy project (hilarious btw) I hold a plank for the duration of each commercial break. This will keep your core engaged and metabolism going while you sleep.

2. Eat more kale

Kale is such a great green to incorporate into your diet. I could eat it raw, but for those of you who cannot just chop some up to add into your soups or steamed veggies. I eat kale in almost every meal. It is filling and packed with nutrients.

3. Drink more water

I hear this all the time. I always think yeah I drink plenty. In order for you to lose weight you need to drink half your body weight in ounces. Try counting out your water for the day. You will be surprised how much more you need to drink.

More tips to come, but these are my all time favorite and the ones that definitely work.

Be Someone's Hero

With all the changes in my life lately I have really been struggling to find a balance with my emotions. 

I have really been trying to put forth an effort to helping others. The problem with being emotional while reaching out to others is you may start doing nice things to get attention. This is a losing battle. 

I recommend trying to do something anonymously such as buying a coffee for the person behind you or trying to be a prayer warrior for 5 people of your choosing. 

When you do things for the right reason your heart will start to heal.