Valentine's Special Message of Love. Stand Out, and Reach Out to the Singled Out

Valentine’s Day, just another lovely day.  Cupid shoots another arrow, another day to eat more chocolate,  another day to give  another card, another teddy bear holding another heart. Oh wait can't forget the single  rose. Some ladies are thinking WHAT a Cheap Skate... Is this all I'm get?!....then you see little petals leading to your bedroom to only find more flowers.. Yelp A dozen more roses by your bed. What more could anyone in love ask for. But those who are single you may hear these  words from the couple across the room. He says to her…” Hunny, I love you” then she says “Awww I love you More” Blahhhhhhh please spare us single people LOL. JK What makes Valentine’s day more special then any other day out of the year? We all want to find a reason to simply love a little more. So today I challenge you be a little more compassionate to those who we miss or over look. Show sum love and give back to the community. 

Big business get all the credit. Chain restaurants are packed with couples standing in hour long lines. National flower shops banking on flowers by the pot. But the local farmers and Ma and Pa shops are singled out.

You don’t have to stand in line with everyone else. Be different Stand out. Reach out to the singled out. Reserve a seat next door and Become a Locovore. What is a Locovore? It’s a person who is compassionate and support local sources. They encourage vendors to supply foods without harmful chemicals, with sustainable food practices and procedures. Most of these products are sold at the farmer’s markets.  Make a meal together and hand feed your love with chocolate strawberries, instead of going out to eat process garbage. Use local/ organic foods and wines to make a perfect dish. Remember love starts in the kitchen then the bedroom.  So jazz it up the meal with  a touch of Barry Manilow and Marvin Gaye softly playing in the background.

Now if that doesn’t light a match try these new techniques.

Don’t buy Same old bundle of flowers: We get tired of flowers especially because they are already dead…

Do:  Buy your lady a flesh pot for flowers or plant her a rose bush. Then say to her… Hunny, these flowers represent my love.  My love for you grows everyday. But if she is the type that forgets to put water in the dog bowl don’t then this is not a good idea.

Don’t: Just buy any card:

Do: Write her a love letter and frame it

Don’t: Buy the milk chocolate candy pieces

Do: Buy exotic chocolates: Ginger Chocolate, Cinnamon Chocolate, Pear Chocolate and etc… Mmm

Those who are dodging cupid’s arrows, the Single and loving it people.and saying G-d is single why can’t I proud and loud. Kudos to you!!!

But those who are searching for love and can’t seem to find “The One”  My advice is to… STOP LOOKING!!! Why, because it’s already there. You are that love that everyone needs. Stop trying to find out what’s wrong with you, and stop searching for it in someone else.  Start showing it. Let your love shine to those who around you. Start with yourself appreciate you for you.. You don’t need a women or men to feel complete. You’re only complete when you are totally happy being with you.

Does and don’t for the single

Don’t mope around this year because no one bought you flowers or chocolate

Do: BUY your own darn box of chocolates. As a matter of fact send flowers to yourself from yourself and make up a name so no one knows who it came from. Heck yeah do it!! Trust me this will get everyone in the office off your back!!

Happy Valentines Day

Xoxo

De Anna

New York Giant Size Pizza Omelet

Turn on your TV’s And Get Ready… Here comes the Super Bowl!!! I don’t know about you guys but I know what I’m thinking. New York :)  Yeah baby!!! No no no I’m not picking sides (I’ll let you do the picking) I’m talking about Pizza here. I know many of you dread this day of mindless eating but don’t worry I have you guys covered.  I have created the perfect diet friendly pizza. I am confident this will WIN your heart. The crust is not thin as New York Style. Actually there’s no crust involved. This delicious pizza pie will leave you satisfied.

New York Giant Size Pizza Omelet

Ingredients

3 whole eggs

3 egg whites

2tbs all purpose flour

1tsp Italian herb season

1/4 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Pepper

1 cup Fat Free Half and Half or Soy milk

1 tbs olive oil

1  Peel and shredded Russet potato

1-1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

1 roman tomato, sliced

1/2 cup shredded 2% mozzarella or vegan cheese

**Optional your favorite pizza toppings

Examples Olives, and or Smart Deli Pepperoni (save a pig because your watch it fly on the screen)

Directions

Preheat Broiler 425

In a large bowl, mix eggs, flour, oregano, salt and pepper and milk

Melt butter in a nonstick stainless steel skillet (do not use a plastic handles) over medium high heat.

Sauté potatoes, mushrooms, and peppers until potatoes are tender and mushrooms are brown.

Once tender Reduce heat and pour egg mixture in skillet. Stir until eggs start to cook. Then without stirring allow eggs to cook for about 5 minutes or until edges are firm and half set.

Place skillet in broiler for about 3mins until browned. (watch carefully this pie cooks fast!) Once browned take out of oven immediately. Top omelet with tomatoes, cheese and olives and pepperoni

Place back in broiler until cheese melts. Only takes a quick second so Watch That PIE!!!

Take pizza out of the oven and let cool

Enjoy!!!

2012 Stay in the Game

 Happy New Year everyone!!! I hope you all had a fun and safe Holiday.

Today marks the first full week on the the year. Most of us have forgotten or broken our New Years Resolution. Studies show that 20% of people who have made a New Year’s Resolution would have broken it today. So if you haven’t broken or even forgotten that you made a resolution than Congratulations!!!

So how can you continue to stay on track even if you've gotten off track?  These simple secrets will help you Stay in the Game.

Winter Survival Gude

December 22, 2011 today was the first day of winter!!

 Dallas Fort Worth Texas Area reached a chilling 65 freakin’ degrees today. “Burr” : /

 Those of you who are experiencing winter weather I’ve created a survival guide for ya.

The Key to a Fit TurKey Day

Besides Weddings and Birthdays,  Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays that's SURROUNDED by Family CENTERED by Food. Growing up I dreaded this day. I was so focus on myself, and how I look that I never really got to enjoy my time with the people I loved. After years and years of feeling left out,  I came up with a solution... EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT!! Even if we slip this holiday it's going to be okay. The world is not going to end. The KEY is MODERATION. Common sense don't over stuff yourself to the point of feeling sick. If you have to eat from a smaller plate. Instead a 12"or 10" plate use a 6" saucer. Remember from past post using a smaller dish will make you think your eating more but not really. Below are some more keys to happy, FIT, and family friendly Thanksgiving

1. Don't eat the crust either or the bottom of the pie. It will save you the extra calories
2. Serve and eat more veggies!! (Bring a veggie dish to the party)
3. Sugar free is good
4. Food and TV should not be the focus of the holiday. Have fun by challenging the "Outlaws" I mean In-laws to some games. Get active (charades, pictionary, cranium, or go outside and play in the snow.) I remember last year we played mini golf in the back yard. I know come give me a break... This is TEXAS We don't get a lot of snow.
5. Replace the fat where it doesn't matter.Use low fat milk or soy milk in desserts. Don't stack so much butter on those rolls and green beans. Use low fat spreads and flavorful oils.
6. Choose Whole wheat and whole grain rolls and breads
7.   Stock shelves with healthy snacks. So before after the Thanksgiving meal you can go back to your normal routine.

Black Friday:
1. Eat before you shop
2. Pack a snack....  Or should I say some snacks for you who like to shop until you drop
 (stay away from fast food and eating out)  Too busy to cook. That's how so many people those extra Holiday pounds

Tricks and Treats Diet Friendly Goodies to Eats

Diet Freindly Trick or Treat Tips for all ages


1. Get to know your neighbors- Host a Party centered around games and bite size snacks.
2. Attend local festivals
3. Instead of handing out candy, swap out for stickers, toys, or crayons. Even better pass out individually wrapped nutritious snacks like trail mix, fruit snacks and chocolate pretzels.

At home tips:
Eat Before you treat
Sort through the candy. Portion out  candy in smalls bags. Serve with after school snacks
Pair candy with healthy snacks. Ex. Caramel and Apples. Chocolate candy with cereal, nuts or pretzels.
Eat candy after Dinner
Give some away- take to work leave it in the break room

Caramel Apple Granola 

6-8 apples stems removed

1 cup granulated sugar 

1/2 cup water 

1 cup Lite whipping cream or lite half and half, or soy milk

1/3 cup of unsalted butter or soy butter

1 cup of crushed favorite granola or gram crackers. (I use “a snack pack to keep my portion under control)

To make the caramel: Using a food processor, pulverize the sugar into a fine powder. In a pot, heat the water over medium heat until it begins boil carefully pour the sugar into the center of the pot (creating a mound or sugar) Do not touch or mix the sugar into the water.  Let it dissolve on its own. Once the sugar-water begins to boil then the sugar will begin to boil right away. Watch closely, the second the molten sugar begins to turn a light brown it off the heat and add the milk and butter. Place a skewer into the apple. Dip each apple into the caramel until all sides are cover. Sprinkle granola on top. Place apples on parchment paper. Refrigerate apples until Carmel is firm. Enjoy  An easier even lighter option is to use sugar free caramel

Meatless Challenge

This Week I challenge you all to replace at least one meal per day with out meat. I don't mean a little little fruit salad, or a chocolate chip trail mix here and there. I mean an ACTUAL MEAL. Add some of these meat alternatives to your grocery list tonight.

Seitan- made from wheat.  perfect for people with soy allergies. Can grill it, fry it, or bake it. Mmm use this in stews, pilafs, even better Fajitas nights!!


Tofu-   Soy Protein Soy proteins are beneficial to bone health during the first few years after menopause
Silken (soft)- Use in sauces, dressings and desserts
Soft Medium,  Firm, and Extra Firm- great for stir fries. Instead of scramble eggs, scramble tofu for breakfast.

Tempeh- natural culturing soy. Makes it more digestible because of fermentation process. Salute, BBQ, or fake bake or  "fry it"

Quinoa- Pronounced KinWa Just one half cup dry serving of this grain has approximately 11grams of protein. Rice for rice

Beans Beans Beans--- The magical fruit... LOL JK  Beans have been giving a bad rap for years but they are loaded with antioxidants and fiber.  Use in chili, soups, breads, hummus, etcs..


BBQ Tofu Recipe
Ingredients
1 pound extra firm tofu drained pressed 
    3/4 cup favorite barbecue sauce
    3/4 cup brown sugar
     1 tsp chili powder
   1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  3/4 cup orange juice concentrate
   salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
1. Cut tofu into 3/4 inch slices

2. Mix togetherbarbecue sauce, sugar, chili powder, pepper and orange juice over medium low heat.

3. Place tofu in the sauce. Allow to marinate 

4. Grill for 4 or 5 minutes on each side, brushing with additional sauce.

5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper  to taste. 

Enjoy!!!