Friday Favs_2.28.14

Good news: My sink is fixed and it's Friday!
Aren't we all just so sick of the weather? I've been positive for so long, but, I've just had it. I'm even sick of comfort food... which could be a good thing because I've been EXTRA healthy lately.  I think all this coldness is making me focus in on things I can control... like my health. I've been paying extra careful attention to what I eat and my beauty routine. (Are you thinking... um, you're a health blogger... don't you always do that?) Well yes, but, there's always room for improvement. I'm testing out some new skin care techniques that I'll give you the results on in a few weeks. Also, my smoothie kick is still in full swing and I've been eating less gluten and some raw foods. I'll always be the 80/20 girl (be as healthy as possible 80% of the time), but, switching it up every once in a while and going 85-90% can create some long lasting habits with a lifetime of benefits. I'll keep you posted on my findings. Instagram will include a more detailed view. Stay tuned!

Have you heard about the Nutrition Label makeover? What do you think of it? I think there are some vast improvements such as increasing the serving size to reveal a TRUE serving and the addition of showing added sugars. That being said, the below image would be even better. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Click through the image to view the entire article.

Last Friday night, we stayed in for the first time in a while. I made one of my absolute favorite recipes: Chicken, Broccoli & Ziti (or penne). It is deeeelishhhh. I should really do a post on it, but, if you're interested in whipping it up this weekend, here's the down and dirty:
- Parboil Broccoli in salted water (ALWAYS SALT WATER BEFORE COOKING PASTA)
- Keep the water and add the pasta to it (so much flavor)
- In a saute pan: 3 garlic cloves, crushed red pepper, juice of one whole lemon, salt/pepper to taste
- Chop organic chicken breasts into chunks about the size of the penne, lightly flour them, and add both the broccoli and the chicken to the pan, add a little pasta water to the pan
- Finish cooking the pasta and add it to the saute pan with a little more of the pasta water  - stir it all around, add Parmesan and serve! 

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This article on photo-shopping is very telling. I can't emphasize enough how you should NEVER compare yourself to someone in a magazine. They aren't just photo-shopped, they have professional hair and makeup artists and THEN get photo-shopped. The women in this article are not models. (Click through image to view)

Roasting garlic makes me so happy. And it's SO HEALTHY. It's an excellent source of manganese and vitamin B6, a very good source of vitamin C, and a good source of selenium. Plus, it's anti-inflammatory, an anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial. We ate this entire thing last night - partially in bread and mostly in pasta with crushed red pepper and evoo.

Natalie Morales has always been my favorite anchor on the Today Show. This is a great article. Can we all just stop comparing ourselves to other women? Just stop.

Have an awesome weekend - keep shining! xo

Fresh Foam Kicks

So you've probably noticed by now that I've been testing out the new Fresh Foam 980's by New Balance. They launched on February 12th and I've been wearing them for a few weeks so that I could provide you all with a solid review.

I fell in love with these sneakers at first glance... they are just SO ATTRACTIVE. Super fly. 

There was a fair amount of jealousy when these arrived... Rob, a couple of the trainers at Peter Welch's Gym, friends etc. So, I started testing them out... first to a couple classes at Peter Welch's and then for a couple outdoor runs. (Weather has been stupid cold and snowy so it's been hard to sneak in a couple runs)

I was a little hesitant to switch from my other running shoes because I am SO loyal to them. Plus, I have this chronic issue where my ultra-high arches collapse and it's been irritating me lately.

BUT....

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Holy Smokes - they are SO comfy and SO springy! It took me about 2-3 times to get used to the fit with my weird, narrow, high-arched feet, but, the last week and a half I've been wearing them to boxing and I love them. 

So what do I like best about these fly kicks? Brian, one of the trainers at Peter Welch's, is CONVINCED I am a faster sprinter since I started wearing them. He has said it to me about 3-5 times. I have to be honest - I feel like I'm flying in these things. The foam is just so springy so I do feel like a gazelle... not that I can prove I'm any faster, but, I would say that these are GREAT training shoes for sprints. I think they are more meant for long distance running, but, coming from someone who used to be a sprinter - these would be great to train in. I also liked them on my longer runs - so cushiony and comfortable - what's not to like?

Speaking of Peter Welch's Gym... I haven't provided a workout post in a while so let me just tell you what these sneakers go through and how they feel. In Brian's class today we...

...warmed up with jump rope for 4 minutes
...ran around the room doing alternating sprints and calisthenics for 6 mins
...shadow boxing for 6 minutes
...partner up on the bag then hit all jabs then all crosses then free style, repeat, 12 minutes
...switch off with your partner from floor to bag (where I took these photos) squats then squat thrusts, shadow boxing, flutter kicks, etc on the floor and then free style, combinations, etc. on the bag, 12 minutes
...end with side shuffles and suicide sprints, 6 minutes
(I might be a little off with the minutes - just picture a bunch of boxing rounds - long and short ones)

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Brian was nice enough to take a photo of my sprints - haha he really is convinced the Fresh Foam makes me fast - I'm laughing and about to take a turn in this photo so it's a little awkward.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... this workout is the absolute best and the sneakers - they hold up just perfectly! I'm going to make it a point to start adding more PWG posts on here - it's been an ongoing request and I just need to get better at taking some photos during class. Feel like checking one out? First class is FREE. Mention you saw it on funfitflavor.

Interested in the sneaks? They are available at New Balance Boston (583 Boylston Street, Boston, MA) for $110.00. They come in a lot of other really cool colors, too.

More info HERE and a FUNNY VIDEO with Pedroia HERE.

Have an awesome week, guys! It's almost Thursday! Yippee! xo

Disclaimer: New Balance did not compensate me to write this or any post. They did, however, provide me with the pair of Fresh Foam 980's seen in this blog. Opinions are honest and all my own - that's why I tested them for almost a month. :)

Garlicky Grilled Chicken, Spicy Parsnip Fries, & Tasty Brussel Sprouts

This meal better be good... it nearly broke my sink. Or... well... I might have. Not sure if I threw a brussel sprout or a half a parsnip down the drain by mistake, but, my sink is no longer draining. Trying every method in the book... oye... Luckily the plumber is coming tomorrow. <insert thumbs up emoji>

Anywhooosiee.... in my current stage of experimenting with brussel sprouts... I've discovered that roasting them with balsamic drizzle, walnut or extra virgin o/o, a little honey drizzle, and salt is my favorite way to enjoy them. That being said, I must admit that the standout in this dinner was the parsnips and the dipping sauce for the sprouts- super tasty.

You all know I'm horrible at measuring when I cook... especially when I'm testing something new (and this was new)... but it went a little something like this:

- Tsp Organic Mayo
- Tbs Organic Shredded Coconut
- Tbs Walnut Oil (can use evoo)
- Tbs Organic Dijon Mustard
- Tbs Organic Honey
- Salt to taste

Mix it all up and taste it... then adjust ingredients, as needed. (Ah, and I'm aware the color is ugly - it tasted delish though!)

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For the sink killers.... I mean... parsnips and brussel sprouts.  Preheat oven to 375F.

Two separate recipes:

Parsnips:
- Chop up parsnips into french-fry-like pieces
- Toss with evoo, cayenne pepper, salt, crushed red pepper, and turmeric (super spice! I take a turmeric capsule on the daily for brain health - fact.)

Brussels:
- Cut into halves and quarters
- Toss with walnut or evvo, salt, drizzle of honey, generous drizzle of balsamic

Bake both for about 15 minutes or so then toss them around to brown the other sides for another 10-15 give or take

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For the grilled chicken... my usual marinade recipe that my mom taught me a million years ago... in case you need a refresher (it goes on EVERYTHING):

- EVOO
- 1-2 cloves of Garlic chopped small
- Crushed red pepper
- Lemon juice
- Salt/Pepper
all to taste....

Throw on a grill or grill pan until cooked through on both sides. Try not to cut into it! Let it rest for another 3-5 minutes before cutting into it. Keeps it juicy.

Plate and serve. This meal packs a MASSIVE amount of health. Here's the breakdown:

Parsnips: Folate, Potassium, Vitamins C & E
Organic Chicken: Protein, B3, B6, Selenium
Brussell Sprouts: (pretty much high in everything good) buttt especially K, C, A, folate, manganese
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Monounsaturated fats, Vitamin E
Turmeric: Manganese, Iron, B6 (antioxidant & anti-inflammatory)
Cayenne: Vitamins A, E, & B6

Seriously when I say that parsnips taste like french fries. For real, they do.
Have an awesome week, friends! xo