Nature’s Viagra - Five Foods That Will Raise Your Spirits

Valentine’s Day is typically all about women...20 ways you can enjoy Valentine’s Day with your girlfriends...10 Valentine’s Day dates...Top 15 Movies to watch with your man...Well not this year!  I’m writing today for the guys.  I’m writing for the guys that have to go see a double chick flick feature...I’m writing for the guys that seem to never be able to please their girlfriend...I’m writing for the guys that just want to get a little something, something...

Love, Wine and The In-Between

Photo from Cork Popper

It’s the Month of Love and I think it’s only fitting to tell a love story, maybe one of many for this month.  I am lucky enough to have a plethora of stories stored in the memory bank...especially in regard to love.  While brainstorming which story I would share here, I had to think very long and hard on the matter.  I wanted the love story to be happy and reminiscent of good times.  Also, since people seem to enjoy reading about BigRed, I thought I would write about him...Seems only fitting for a number of other reasons I won’t disclose here and now.  So, I sat down to my Mac and began to type...There were so many loving moments between him and I...

Wine Rack

Do you hate drinking wine from a water bottle while you're at the gym?  Do you find yourself always knocking over your wine while you're on the treadmill?  Do people look at you funny while you're in dance class because you hold onto your wine while exercising?  Is it hard for you to drink your wine and participate in spin class? Not any more...With the Wine Rack you may hydrate hands-free!  No more mess or fuss!  Thank you Wine Rack!

Purchase here...I know I will.

*Wine Rack is great for parties, bike rides, stair-master sessions, Zumba, Concerts, Tailgating, back-yard BBQs, road trips and much much more.

Christmas Cheer = Drinking Something Merry

I don’t know about you but nothing puts me more in the Christmas Spirit than drinking and singing.  Grabbing a tasty drink certainly puts me in the mood to start belting from the top of my lungs, “It’s the hap-happiest season of all!”  While I dance around my house.  My sister Dewey and I made these...actually she made the drinks and I sang, “All I want for Christmas is you”  followed by singing “Last Christmas”  After our dancing, singing and just all around being merry, we sat by the fire while sipping on this tasty treat.  This is also dubbed “Momma’s Little Helper.”

White Mocha Hot Chocolate with Baileys Irish Cream

Milk of Choice
A Touch of 1/2 & 1/2
White Chocolate Bakers (Cubed White Chocolate)
Ghirardelli  White Mocha
Irish Cream (Baileys)
Whipped Cream
Cinnamon


Put milk and 1/2 & 1/2 in sauce pan.  Bring to boil.  Add white chocolate cubes. One cube per person.  Sprinkle one teaspoon of white mocha per person.  Mix well.  Pour a shot of Irish Cream into mug.  Combine hot chocolate to Irish Cream.  Top with whip cream and a sprinkle cinnamon. Here is the recipe for home made whipped cream, which is what we do.  Making your own whip cream is super easy and tastes so much better than store bought. 

December Naughty/Nice Rules

Holy Holiday Parties Batman!  Ugly Sweaters, Santa Pub Crawl, Naughty or Nice Festival, Office Parties, Christmas, Hanukkah and Festivas for the rest of us...December is chock full of events.  If your social calender isn’t packed yet, give it time, it will be!

December is the perfect excuse to put off working out and eating right...But lets not.  Let us stay amazingly healthy this month while, still enjoying ourselves to the fullest.  How to do this and maybe even lose a few pounds?  Follow my December Naughty/Nice Rules.  It will allow you to indulge, stay fit and maybe prevent your from wearing a Santa Suit instead of your favorite catsuit to this year’s New Year’s Bash. 


Rule 1: Before the party drink an 8 oz glass of water and eat a salad with olive oil.  Add pepper, garlic powder, basil and fresh squeeze lemon for added flavor.  The water, salad and olive oil will help to curb your cravings.  The water also helps to avoid those pesky hangovers.  Plus veggies, olive oil and water will help keep your skin looking luminescent.

Rule 2: Stick to clean, unprocessed foods.  If it's packaged or came from a package stay away.  Only indulge at the party.  No cheating in-between parties.  Substitute your craving for something healthy.  If you can help it, know your favorite holiday treats and enjoy them in moderation.

Sub-rule: What are you craving?  Here are some substitutes. 

Sweet?  Grab a piece of fruit like an orange or apple (Maybe even drizzle a bit of honey over the slices.)  Fruit not your thing?  3 oz of Dark Chocolate (At least 70% Cacao)

Savory?  Grab a hand-full of nuts, not salted.  Best for you are Walnuts and Almonds

Try to avoid salt.  Not consuming salt will help to prevent becoming bloated and you’ll fit better into that dress that hugs you in all the right places.

Rule 3: Keep moving...Even if you’re standing still, talking with that hot co-worker, keep your stomach tight and your legs moving.  This still burns calories.  Don’t forget to laugh!  And My favorite...Get on the dance floor!  Burn calories, tone your body and help your skin glow.  You know that dance move that girls do with their hands waving above them?  Well, this move will help to tone your arms.  Want to tone your booty and legs?  Drop it like it’s hot!  Think squats for the dance floor.  Want a tighter stomach?  While on the dance floor focus on pulling your belly button into your spine.  And added dance move is rocking side to side while moving your hips in the opposite direction.  Want glowing skin, sweat it out!  The moisture from sweat will help to keep wrinkles away and give you some added moisture through the winter months.

What to drink:  Stay away from anything pre-mixed like Margaritas.  Remember to alternate between alcoholic beverage and water.  Not only will this help fight the bulge but you won't have a hangover the next day.

Wine
    In one 5oz glass of White Wine there are 120 calories and Red Wine there are 127 calories...Be aware, restaurants and parties tend to pour a much larger portion than 5oz (Thank goodness right?)

Champagne
    In one 4.1 oz glass of Champagne or Sparkling Wine there are 78 Calories.

Spirits

    Vodka: One ounce has 78 calories.  Best to have this with soda water and fresh lime juice.
    Tequila: One ounce has 64 calories.  Best to have this with soda water and fresh lime juice.
    Gin: One ounce has 64 calories.  Best to have this with soda water and fresh lime juice.
    Whiskey: One once has 73 calories.  Depending on your preference, serve over ice.  It’s a crime to drink Whiskey or Scotch anything but straight or over rocks. (Ice)

Beers - I love beer!  Unfortunately, It can make you look and feel bloated.  There’s a reason they call it beer belly.  If you can drink something else, do.  If not, here are some choices.

    Amstel Light: 95 calories
    Bud Light: 95 calories
    Michelob Ultra: 95 calories
    Guiness: 125 calories


I was going list what to eat at the parties but I don’t want to discourage you from enjoying yourself.  What’s the point of having taste buds if you can’t enjoy them.  Enjoy the Season!

Save on Purchase of Amazing Love Diet

Christmas and Hanukkah is right around the corner!  Save 25% off of your purchase of Amazing Love Diet with this code: BUYMYBOOK305.  This offer is good until Midnight December 14, 2011. May only be used on Lulu.com.  Happy Holidays!

Wildest Dreams - Amazing Love Diet

www.sugarandshinyobjects.com

When I was younger I used to swing on my swing set, look up to the sky and think of the wonderful life I was going to have once I grew breasts and got my very own driver’s license.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would come true.  My first book is out and I’m so excited about the wonderful things people have been saying.  I feel truly blessed and supported...(Kinda like my breasts when they visit Victoria's Secret.)

I am having a contest where you may win a free copy of Amazing Love Diet.  The first way to win is go to Amazing Love Diet’s Fan Page Here.  “Like” the page and you will be entered to win a free book.  The people that “Like” the page between now and the 150th person will be entered to win the book.  The second way to win is to share the post that is on Amazing Love Diet’s wall, “Share the Love” .  Once you have shared, write in the comments below the post, “Share the Love”, this is your entry.  There will be one winner chosen at random from each category.  In total, two ‘fans’ that will win a copy of Amazing Love Diet.  The contest will end when the page reaches 150 fans.  Best of luck and as always Much Love!


Here is the link to Amazing Love Diet's Fan Page!

Available Now Amazing Love Diet

Well I knew this day would come...Amazing Love Diet is on shelves!  Best way to purchase is by clicking HERE.  This will bring you to my Lulu's Author Spotlight.  Much Love to you Always!

Épernay's "The Wine Director": So, what are your thoughts on BURGUNDY?!?

Épernay's "The Wine Director": So, what are your thoughts on BURGUNDY?!?: Back in 2008, I wrote the article below about the phenomenal 2005 vintage from Burgundy. It is likely that most wines from that vintage hav...

If you want to learn more about wine, there is no better wine enthusiast to learn from than this blogger and my friend. Enjoy!

New Website

I have been working on this for awhile now.  I wasn't sure which direction I was going to go in.  I  decided to stay within the Blogger family.  I will use my new blog/website as platform for my new books and other exciting ventures.  I will, or course, still continue to do the Lazy Girl posts but I will also be posting on my other site as well.  So, check it out!  Find My New Site Here. I am so excited about it.  It's still a work in progress but I couldn't be more thrilled.  Much Love.

Juice/Smoothie Creations

For the past week, I have been eating my meals through a straw and my verbal abilities have been at an all time low.  It’s been torture to not speak.  Even sneezing was so very painful.  But...Now my mouth is starting to feel like it’s old chipper self again!  I started a post on conscious eating, that I will post at a later date.  Today I just want to share with you some of the juices/smoothies that I have come up with.  Try them out for yourself.  These were my favorites.  Some of the smoothies were big misses but don't be afraid to try different combinations for yourself.  I lost three pounds in the past week.  I would start my day with a scramble of eggs, garlic, cream cheese and avocado.  I would have a smoothie or juice for other meals or when I was hungry.  For a snack I had greek yogurt with chia seeds and fresh fig jam.  On good days for dinner I would make very soft pasta dishes.

I did have one friend that was able to try one of my smoothies, “I don’t know what to think of this?  There are so many layers to it.  What is in it?”  I didn’t want to tell him, since he usually looks at me like I have five heads when he tries my typical smoothies.  But I did anyway, “Apple juice, banana, blueberries, tofu, avocado, spouts and spinach”

Friend: “Yeah, that’s a lot of layers lady.”

The Health Drink
Beet
Celery
Apple
Carrots
Lemon
Water


Green Drink
Spinach
Celery
Broccoli
Apple
Spouts
Water

The Smoothie
Apple Juice
Blueberries
Apple
Banana
Tofu
Greens of any kind
Avocado

What's Your Favorite Thing?

When life gets you down, you need to stop and think, “What will pick my spirits up?”

So, I want you to have a go to list of the things in your life or something that makes you smile, laugh or just makes you happy.  It’s your Favorite Things List.  This list will help change your mood from negative to positive.

Here are some examples from my list:

-My Family
-My Nieces Laughing
-My babe Jack
-Red Lipstick
-Flirty Dresses
-Thigh High Boots...ok any style of boot will put a smile on my face.
-Paris
-London
-Tapas
-Brunch
-Thanksgiving
-The Bahamas
-The Beach with the sun warming my skin
-Snow Angels
-A fire, A book and a glass of red wine
-Laughing with friends
-Live Music/Concerts
-Christmas Breakfast (My family goes all out...sooo good!)
-And above everything Love

Make your list and see how your day will turn around.  Keep it close to you for those moments when you need a quick pick-me-up.  Your mood will change faster than you think.

Smoothie of the Day & Homemade Apple Sauce

So, per the doctor's orders in regards to my mouth, I have to stick to soft foods for the next few weeks.  This would have been a bummer but I know how to get around it.  Here is my smoothie of the day and how to make homemade applesauce.  I am going apple picking with my friends from college in a few weeks and I can't wait!  I haven't seen some of these girls in 90 forevers.  It is always a crazy time...surprisingly enough, it won't prove to be any different with apple picking.  I remember once, when we all went, lets just say we're not allowed back on the farm ever again.  I do plan on gathering as many apples as I can for pies, crisps, sauces...etc.

BaB Tofu Smoothie

Frozen Blueberries
Banana
Apple Juice
Spouts
Baby Spinach
Tofu

Mix together and enjoy!

Homemade Applesauce

12 medium apples (about 5 pounds)
2/3 cup fresh orange juice (from 2 oranges)
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Peel and quarter apples. Boil apples until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain apples, and return to pot. Mash apples until chunky or smooth, depending on your preference. Stir in orange juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Sweeten with more sugar or season with more cinnamon if desired. Enjoy warm or cold!

Save the ta-tas - Guest Blogger

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Save the ta-tas, is having a special event where each day a guest blogger joins them on their blog to help spread breasts cancer awareness.  I was asked to join in this special event.  My day will be Friday October 28th.  Please tune in to other guest bloggers and visit the Save the ta-tas website.  I look forward to sharing my post with you in October!

Save the ta-tas Blog
Save the ta-tas Website

The Smoothie + Salem Mass.

This past weekend my cousin/best friend, The White Queen (I haven’t come up with a better name for her yet.) and I drove up to Salem Ma.  Salem has a history of being a sort of mecca for witches and folklore.  We wanted to walk around this cute little town since it was such a beautiful day.  We checked out some of the shops and stoped in to see a psychic.  I was totally surprised at some of what this woman told me.  She was on the money for sure. It was shocking.  If you’re in the area you should stop in yourself.

My cousin also wanted me to try a smoothie at a bistro that she loved.  I wasn’t exactly in the mood for a smoothie, so we shared one.  From my first sip of this smoothie my world changed completely.  It was smooth and thick like ice cream.  And since I'm crazy for ice cream and always have some in my fridge, I was hooked!

Lazy Girl: “Oh my goodness what is in this?!?”

The White Queen: “Tofu...that’s what gives it it's texture.”

Over the years, I have been consuming less and less of tofu since it is so processed.  When I was a vegetarian and vegan, tofu was certainly an important part of my diet.  Now, when I am looking for a vegetarian meal, I stick to clean proteins such as beans.  I may have to make an exception for this smoothie.  I could be adding tofu to every smoothie I make from now on.  It’s delicious!

Berry Tofu Smoothie

Tofu
Blackberries
Raspberries
Cranberry Juice/water (I adjusted the amount of cranberry juice since it contains so much sugar)
Ice

Mix together in blender and enjoy!


Chocolate Peanut Butter Tofu Smoothie - One of my favorite flavors for ice cream is peanut butter cup. So I thought I would try this on for size.   A healthier version when you need an ice cream fix.
Tofu
Peanut Butter
Chocolate Almond Milk
Ice

Blend in blender and enjoy!

If you are ever in Salem Ma stop in for a smoothie and a reading:

Kuscho Bistro - This is where we got our smoothies
128 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970-3507 (978) 745-6996 ‎

Omen - Ask for Leanne, she is only there on Mondays.
184 Essex Street, Salem, MA
(978) 744-2900

My New Favorite Band - The Civil Wars

On my mini road trip this weekend my friend, The Energizer Bunny, was playing a cd.  It was about two in the morning and their voices blended together so smooth, sexy and ghost like, it was absolutely perfect timing.   I have heard their music before but it wasn't until this moment that their melodies made an impact on me.

The next day I asked him what was the name of that band.  "The Civil Wars...Such a cool story.  They were two separate artists trying to make it in Nashville.  They had the same producer whom suggested that they meet."

I have been hooked these past few days.  Here are a few of their videos.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I...

Coming Soon: Photos and videos from The Life is good Festival...Interview with a Married Man...Stress and Meditation...The Smoothie that changed my me...Amazing Love Diet...War on Love...And I have an exciting announcement!

Holy Amazing!

Here is a photo of my Father and I.  I'm in ass-less leather chaps...my Dad was in leather from head to toe.  A family that wears leather together, stays together!

I having been having the best weekend!  I had an interview with a married man and was able to get some pretty amazing love, relationship and marriage advice.  (I will post the interview soon!)  I was up at the crack of dawn for a motorcycle ride down south for my cousin's engagement party.  (I'm sipping on a bloody mary right now...my aunt makes the best!)  Tonight I will be dancing up a storm with me family.  Someone just walked in with a karaoke machine, so you know something weird is about to happen. Then, tomorrow off to the festival!  Let the craziness begin...oh wait, it already has.  I hope everyone is enjoying themselves...Stay tuned for my Interview with a Married Man.  So far, it could be my favorite blog post ever!

The Booty Diet

This photo was taken on the fly with an iPhone...Sorry, if it's not professional or polished.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again...I will marry a “butt guy” not a “boob guy”.  I have found that men tend to be one or the other.  I have always loved my backside...I tattooed it after all, so I better like it.  Now that I’m 30, I decided I need to pay closer attention to my booty. (Make sure my tat doesn’t start to whimper.)  So over the summer, I started doing more exercises that focused on lifting and toning my derriere.  Here are two of my favorite exercises that will help you to achieve the booty that you desire.  Also, a mini diet plan and foods that will help your backside become even more fabulous!

Eating for Your Booty: Help fight cellulite with food

H2O - Not only does water help to eliminate toxins and fat from the body but it also helps to plump up your skin. 

Green or White Tea: Energize you body, eliminate toxins and fat from your body.  Also helps to keep teeth healthy.  Try to drink five cups a day.

Water Rich Foods: Grapes, Oranges, Lettuce, Broccoli, Spinach, etc. 

Vitamin C: Helps to break down fat cells and keeps the skin glowing.  Think bright colored fruits and veggies like oranges and spinach.
________________________________________

Booty Meal Plan: An example of what your meal plan should look like.  Try to avoid salt whenever possible.

Breakfast: Omelet with spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, red peppers, basil, garlic and feta cheese, a cup of green tea and a half an orange.

Morning Snack: The other half of the orange and a small handful of green peppers dipped in homemade humus  and a cup of green tea.

Lunch: Spinach Salad with crushed walnuts, sliced grapes, radishes, peppers, avocado and carrots with olive oil, lemon and freshly ground pepper.

Midday Snack: 1/2 grapefruit with a handful of almonds and a cup of green tea.

Dinner: Steamed salmon and kale with favorite spices (No salt) and quinoa.

Dessert: 1/2 grapefruit and 3oz of at least 60% dark chocolate.

______________________________________________

Booty Exercises:   Two exercises that I love!  I left out lunges because this move has the tendency to be easily fumbled.  One could hurt their back and their knees if not performed properly.

1st week: 20 reps two sets 2x 
2nd week: 20 reps two sets 3x 
3rd week: 15 reps two sets 3x
4th week: 15 reps three sets 3x 
 
Sitting Squats: May do this exercise with a balance ball behind your back, up against a wall.

Stand in front of a chair/bench/stability ball reach back with buttocks as if you are about to sit down. Hands should be at chest level to keep balance while you are sitting. The moment your butt touches the chair get back up again. Arms should move to your side while standing.

Plie:  May do this exercise with a balance ball behind your back, up against a wall.

Stand with feet wider than your shoulders.  Toes pointed out.  Arms straight in front of you and squat.  Knees should never pass your toes.  Tuck your tailbone under.  Keep spine straight.  Think a piece of string being pulled out of from the top of your head.  Return to standing with feet out.



Cheers to your amazing booty!

Just Do It Already

Don't let the sound of the ticking clock speed or slow you down.

I never know where my daily feel good moment is going to come from. Recently, I got a message from BigRed, “A good laugh. How about a 50lb weight limit and my gear bag weighing 53lb. I just ate all my cliff bars and am now wearing 3 coats.”  I couldn’t help but laugh picturing BigRed stressing out at the check in counter at the airport and then having to move to the side, put on all his coats and eat 20 cliff bars.  (I know it’s around 20 bars because I’ve helped him pack for trips like this.)  BigRed, it could be time for your company to start making your own bars.  This way you won’t have to buy these tasty treats from someone else.  We chatted for a bit on his next mountain climbing adventure, six different countries over the course of a few weeks. 

Lazy Girl: “You’re a lucky guy. I want to go to there!” 

BigRed: “No luck. We all put ourselves exactly where we want to be.  Blog that.  You can come if you like.”

Lazy Girl: “I'll get over there soon.  You read my blog?”

BigRed: “Of course.  I think it’s great.”  (This made me feel special that an ex likes to read my blog.)

BigRed is right about the fact that we are all exactly where we put ourselves. When we were dating he was constantly saying to me, "Just do it already.  Don't think about it, just do it!"  For me, I have always made calculated risks.  It may seem I'm spontaneous and I change my mind often but really when I make my mind up I stick with it and when I take a risk I need the time to think about it and be 100% in.  BigRed does have a point, we are where we are today because our actions put us here, just do it already.  The only person in charge of your thinking is you!  The most powerful thing in this world is a thought.  Thoughts can grow and change who we are and who we will become.  Just because yesterday you were living in your car or you are dealing with a heartache doesn’t mean things will not change for you.  I believe in positive thinking and positive actions.  If you keep moving towards a positive focus, you will always be on the right path.  When my Father was teaching me to drive he had a few words of wisdom.

PappaBear: “Keep your eye on the road.  Whatever you are looking at you will drive towards.  So if you’re staring at that tree, you’re going to drive towards that tree.”

I think about what my Father said to me and I connect it to my life as well.  Whatever I am focusing on, good or bad I am driving myself towards it.  Another word of wisdom my Father instilled in me, “Driving is a privilege, not a right.” and “Speed will come with time.”  This too, I connect to my life.  It’s a privilege to be alive, so use your time wisely.  And it’s ok to move slowly in life.  Enjoy the ride...Do everything you want to do...Leave nothing out.

Bubbles...Oysters...Fenway

I ended August on a high note for sure, Sox vs. Yankees game on our home turf...Fenway Park.  Not only was I fortunate enough to go to Fenway and see this game but I did it in style with my friends, Adventure Girl, Guitar Hero and The Wine Girl.  It was a great day.  The weather was perfect, the company was of course amazing and we smoked the Yankees 9 to 5!  I couldn't ask for a better day.  (Maybe minus the hangover I acquired from my playing the night before...I saw G.Love at the Chicken Box.)  Ohhh, Summer how I love thee.  Here are some of my photos from our day in Boston.  The highlight quote of the day:
Security Man: "What do you think you're doing?  Let me see your ticket."
Show man EMC Club ticket.
Security Man: "Oh you have a ticket.  You can do whatever you like."
Adventure Girl: "I always do, now I have a ticket that says I can."

This was a sculpture of a body.  We weren't supposed to take a photo of it, but I thought it would be hilarious to add my head to the top of the body...Maybe it doesn't transfer how much fun we were having with all of these body sculptures.

The back wall at the Island Creek Oyster Bar is a cage of oyster shells.  I kinda want to do this in my house.

Oysters and Bubbles...Yes Please!

This was a massive oyster.  Maybe the largest I have ever seen.

View from EMC Club seats right at home plate.  Yes, I know how lucky I was to be in these seats :-)

I only eat ice cream sundaes now from a Red Sox plastic ball cap bowl.

Adventure Girl River Dancing in the middle of the game. 

Adventure Girl wanted KFC...So we made our way through the drive-thru in our limo. I almost got out of the limo to snap a photo of her ordering.  I stopped laughing when I wanted some of her Mac & Cheese.  She shared 'cause we're friends.