August Favorites.

by 27 Comments

It’s that time again! With August coming to a close in a few days, here are some of my favorite things from this last full month of summer.

food.

Three words: Frozen. Nut. Butter!

8.9.10.9

HEAB introduced me to this life changing snack, and I’m never turning back.

Another favorite snack/dessert is also of the nut-butter-category: almond butter mousse.

8.9.10.8

And lastly, the batter bowl.

8.11.10.6

Kind of like overnight oats, but kind of not!

exercise move.

Jumping jacks! No surprise there. Combine with a some full-body strength moves, and you’ve got a pretty decent workout on your hands.

8.24.10.1

To add intensity to your basic jumping jack, when bringing your legs together and arms down, pause for 2 seconds in a squatting position.

beauty product.

Sometimes people ask me if I’m wearing false eyelashes. Nope – just Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara. True story.

8.27.10.3

I swear there are magical lengthening properties in this mascara. Go get it!

fashion.

Denim button-down boyfriend shirts. Yes, I said denim.

8.27.10.2 8.27.10.4

Since everyone and their mom adopted the flannel trend (which, I haven’t given up on just yet), I decided to move on to denim. The best part? My version was bought at WalMart. Keep sulking, Urban Outfitters model. It’s not my fault you spent $60 when I only spent $7.

band.

Arcade Fire has been a favorite band of mine for a while, and their new album The Suburbs pushes all the right buttons.

Col.Sheet5_frame11 8.27.10.6

workout song.

Moving on to a completely different genre of music, Taio Cruz’ Dynamite has all the fixin’s for a great workout song.

And when I say workout song, I really mean dance all night song.

television show.

Oh, 30 Rock, where have you been all my life?

NUP_111244_0154

I don’t think I’ve ever literally LOL’ed at a television show until I finally started watching 30 Rock. Better late than never, right? Kenneth is quite possibly my favorite sitcom character ever.

movie.

8.27.10.1

I hadn’t even heard of Repo Men while it was in theaters. It was a risk paying to watch this On Demand – especially because I’m not usually a fan of action films. But Repo Men was definitely worth the $4.99…and no, not just because Jude Law is in it.

current event.

The Ground Zero Mosque controversy is one that I find incredibly fascinating.

8.27.10.7

Without going into my political views (which I most likely will never do on GMH), I find it very interesting to witness how this issue has caused Americans (myself included) to wrestle with the relationship between their morals, politics, and concept of democracy.

blogs.

Health for the Whole Self. I love visiting Katie’s blog because I know that I’ll come away feeling like I learned something or was challenged in some way. What more can I ask for in a blog?

Rhodey Girl Tests. After Sabrina’s session about healthy entertaining at the Healthy Living Summit, I can’t wait to host dinner parties of my own. Her recipes and ideas make entertaining seem a lot less intimidating than I once thought.

quotes/verses.

“I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.” – Psalm 119:176

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.” – I Corinthians 9: 24-27

“If you’re feeling frightened about what comes next, don’t be. Embrace the uncertainty. Allow it to lead you places. Be brave as it challenges you to exercise both your heart and your mind as you create your own path towards happiness, don’t waste time with regret. Spin wildly into your next action. Enjoy the present, each moment, as it comes; because you’ll never get another one quite like it. And if you should ever look up and find yourself lost, simply take a breath and start over. Retrace your steps and go back to the purest place in your heart… where your hope lives. You’ll find your way again.”

  • What were your August favorites?

blogger breakfast.

by 20 Comments

Confession: I woke up today feeling like a little kid on Christmas morning. I just love waking up knowing I’m in a completely new and different city! I have a feeling this 23-year-old is well on her way to becoming a travel-aholic. She’s also going to stop herself from speaking in third person right now 😛

Roombud and I woke up this morning from a much-needed night’s sleep and headed to get breakfast at Panera Bread. I ordered the Breakfast Power Sandwich, which was egg, ham, and Vermont cheddar cheese on whole grain bread.

Picture 042

Picture 044

It was actually only half a sandwich, but it was filling enough.

We also tried a sample of Panera’s new Strawberry Granola Parfait (made with Stonyfield yogurt). So SO good!

Picture 047

Iced coffee was involved…

Picture 041

…and obviously we got our blogging on 😉

Picture 045

Picture 046

We have a full day planned ahead…including the arrival of roombuds three and four 😀 Ta-ta, loves! xoxo G

  • What’s your favorite thing about visiting a new town?
  • Want to keep up with me today? Follow me @GirlMeetsHealth!

Trendy Tuesday: Quinoa

by 52 Comments

If you pay attention to the health community, you’ve probably noticed that brown rice is out, and quinoa is in. So, what’s with all the buzz around this supposed “superfood?” Is quinoa a trend that *you* should be following?

what is quinoa?

Although it is most commonly considered a grain, quinoa is actually a relative of leafy green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard.

Cooked quinoa seeds are fluffy and creamy, yet slightly crunchy. They have a delicate, somewhat nutty flavor. While the most popular type of quinoa is a transparent yellow color, other varieties feature colors such as orange, pink, red, purple or black.

health benefits:

Not only is quinoa high in protein, but the protein it supplies is complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. This makes quinoa a good choice for vegetarians and vegans who are concerned about getting adequate protein intake.

Quinoa is especially well-endowed with the amino acid lysine, which is essential for tissue growth and repair. In addition to protein, quinoa features a host of other health-building nutrients. Because quinoa is a very good source of manganese as well as a good source of magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus, this “grain” may be especially valuable for persons with migraine headaches, diabetes and atherosclerosis. (source)

Quinoa is also naturally gluten free, which makes it a great grain option for those with celiac disease or gluten free diets.

nutritional stats.

Per 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa:

7.13.10.4

how to prepare quinoa.

7.13.10.2

Before cooking quinoa, it’s a good idea to thoroughly wash the seeds to remove any remaining saponin residue (a coating that could be mildly toxic and taste bitter). To do this, place quinoa in a fine-meshed strainer and run cold water over it, while gently rubbing the seeds together with your hands.

Quinoa cooks similarly as rice – combine one part quinoa to two parts liquid in a saucepan (use chicken or vegetable stock for added flavor). Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat to simmer and cover. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. When the quinoa is cooked it will look soft and translucent. If you desire the quinoa to have a nuttier flavor, you can dry roast it before cooking; to dry roast, place it in a skillet over medium-low heat and stir constantly for five minutes.

where to find quinoa.

Quinoa can be found at most natural health food stores, including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. As it becomes more popular, though, you may start finding it in your local grocery store as well.

quinoa recipes.

5.25.10.6

why I love quinoa.

In additional to its health benefits, quinoa is incredibly tasty and versatile. It’s nutty flavor is unlike any other grain, and you can add pretty much anything to it that you’d like – making an either sweet or savory dish.

I love that you can add pretty much any mix-ins - vegetables, cheese, beans, meat, nuts – and make a delicious and healthy meal out of it. I find that quinoa is also more filling than most other grains.

  • What say you? Have you tried quinoa? Do you like it?
  • What’s your favorite way to eat quinoa?

Favorite Things: Summer Edition

by 33 Comments

Hey loves. Happy Memorial Day! I can honestly say that I’ve been waiting for this weekend for quite a while now. Why? Because it’s the unofficial start of summer! To me, Summer is the perfect time to relax, spend time with friends, and take a few days off from work here and there 😉 I also can’t help but love Summer fashion trends (which, Ali did a fab post on the other day). So with the summer season on my mind, I let me share with you some of my Favorite Things: Summer Edition.

French Braids

When I was a kid, I was strangely obsessed with braids. In fact, I would only color the Barbies in my Barbie coloring book that had braids! And as I’ve gotten older, that obsession hasn’t faded (although, I’ll color just about anything now :P). That’s why I’m glad to see that french braids have come back with a vengeance. I’m a huge fan of the classic, long french braid, but I’m also loving all of these side braids going on. Now there’s no excuse for you short-haired ladies to miss out on the french braid lovin’!

favesum1 favesum4
favesum2 favesum3

Not only is braiding a super cute look, but it’s gets the hair out of your face and is much quicker to do than a full blow dry. And if you have long hair, taking out the braid will leave you with a fun wavy look!

Coral Nailpolish

favesum5
You’re looking at the queen of dark nailpolish. But during the summer I like to take the opportunity to tuck those away and bring out the bright, summery colors. Pastel nailpolish is all the rage right now (which I love) but my favorite is still a gorgeous coral shade.

Gladiator/Strappy Sandals

Glad-Sans were introduced to us a few seasons ago, but this is a trend that I can’t give up on yet.

4.3.10.5 4.3.10.7

favesum8

The perfect sandal can bring shorts + t-shirt from eh to sass-attack.

Sunglasses

I’m an accessory girl, plain and simple. And sunglasses? They’re in my top 5.

3.29.10.12

I recently broke my favorite pair of fake Ray-Bans (RIP), but it gave me the opportunity to snag my new faves.

favesum7

While I’m not hating on the big, Nicole Richie style shades, I suggest switching it up a bit this Summer by trying out some new shapes and styles!

Cut-Off Shorts

We’ve all got a pair of jeans that we haven’t worn in years, so why not do some snipping and put those denims to use?

favesum10 favesum11

I got 2 years out of those jeans, and about 3 out of the cut-off version. Why bother spending $60 at Abercrombie & Fitch when you can get the real deal for nada? Trust me…the Daisy Duke isn’t going away anytime soon.

Salad

I don’t know about you, but my appetite changes quite drastically during the warm, Summer months. I want cold, light, and refreshing food…so what’s better than a monster-sized salad?

Cantaloupe

…Same thing goes for fruit, but specifically cantaloupe. I tend to associate cantaloupe with Summer because growing up, that’s when my mom would always have fresh-cut cantaloupe in the fridge. It’s just so juicy and fresh. YUM!

4.28.10.3

Ice Cream

Do I really have to explain this one? :) Sometimes I think that ice cream should be a food group of its own…especially during the Summer. I have absolutely no problem eating ice cream multiple times a week, and I most likely will. While I love a good sundae from time to time, my favorite treat is a simple vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles.

icecreamsprinkles 5.29.10.10

No Make-Up

…I mean, you’re probably going to sweat or swim it off anyway! Trust me, going sans-make-up is such a refreshing and freeing feeling. There’s just something so real about looking at yourself and others with your natural (and in my case, freckley) face.

favesum12 favesum13

If this is something that’s tough for you, that’s all the more reason to do it. Going a few days without make-up is a great way to force yourself to embrace your natural beauty and boost your self-confidence.

Sunless Tanner

I’ve made it no secret that I’m a huge fan of sunless tans. While I’m not entirely against spending time in the natural sun (with sunscreen, of course) roasting your skin is sooo 2005. There’s no shame in getting a little help from sunless tanner, kay? Kay. St. Tropez and Jergens are hands down my top picks.

2.5.10.7 2.5.10.12

Romp It!

In my mind, the romper is the trend of all trends this season.

favesum9

Word to the wise: a good fit is a must when it comes to rompers, so take your time finding the perfect one. And you don’t have to spend your whole paycheck for a good romper; I found both of mine at Marshall’s for less than 15 dollars each!

The BEACH!

Woooo!! Just thinking about the beach puts me a better mood. I can’t think of anything more relaxing than sitting by the ocean and listening to the sound of the waves rolling in. And I may be 23, but homegirl is still all about playing in the ocean…boogie boarding included.

Look, even though we’re all celebrating by barbecuing or going to the beach, let’s not forget the real reason for this holiday. Let’s remember those who have and are serving in the armed forces, and especially those who have died doing so. If it were not for those brave men and women, we would not have the freedoms we have today that we so often take for granted. So in the midst of today’s celebrations, take a second to just be thankful for those who have fought for our nation.

  • What are your favorite Summer foods, trends, and places to visit?
  • What are your plans for this Memorial Day?

downtown date.

by 34 Comments

Hi dolls! Is it seriously already Monday…?! The weekend flew by, but that’s probably because I had such a great one :) Yesterday I spent the day downtown visiting my friend Sara (who just so happens to be my supervisor at work too, haha). Isn’t she lovely?

You know, I’ve lived outside of Philadelphia all of my life, but the amount of time I spend in the actual city is seriously lacking. I live right near one of the greatest cities in the county, and I really want to start taking advantage of that. Not to mention that with amazing restaurants and specialty food markets on every corner, it’s pretty much foodie-heaven.

We met at her place (which, is in thee most fun/adorable neighborhood) where I also met these little rascals.

First Sara and I headed to her favorite local cafe where we got coffee and caught up for a bit. I ordered an iced coffee.

And then…we were off! Sara showed me around her neighborhood…aka where all of the best shopping is 😉 We went in a few amazing thrift stores and walked away with some great finds. I also picked up these fun feather earrings from a store on South Street.

We also stopped at Phileo Yogurt for my very first pimped-out-fro-yo experience.

I must admit that I’ve envied other bloggers for the longest time because these fro-yo joints just don’t seem to exist around me. My exact words to Sara: “Wow, I feel like a real food blogger now!” haha 😛 My bowl contained peanut butter and cupcake batter yogurts, topped with fresh fruit, cookie dough, and coconut.

This might not seem like the best of flavor combinations, but it was. Trust me.

After some more shopping and meeting up with Sara’s roommate Elya, we headed to an early dinner. We went to Alma de Cuba, which is arguably one of the best restaurants in the city. Elya is actually a server there, so we didn’t need much help deciding what to order. We ended up getting a hodge-podge of appetizers, each of which were to die.

Truffled Guacamole - Guacamole with red onions, chives, black truffles and plantain chips:

plaintain chips - Alma de Cuba

Lobster Ceviche - Pickled coconut and kaffir lime-coconut puree:

Lobster Ceviche - Alma de Cuba

Smoked Marlin Tacos - Iceberg, pickled jalepeno and malanga:

Empanada de Verde - Red kale, manchego cheese and artichoke escabeche:

Empenada's - Alma de Cuba

Yellowtail Kingfish - Yuzu, Thai basil, sweet soy glaze and sichimi togarashi:

Royal Palm Dates - Almond-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon with cabrales blue cheese (my favorite!):

Rainbow Ceviche - Tuna, salmon and black bass marinated in lime juice and jalapeno with roasted sweet potato slices:

We also munched on this killer bread. It was crumbly and sweet, and also happens to be gluten free.

This was hands down some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. If you’re ever in the Philly area, you must go to Alma de Cuba!

We rounded out the day with some even more shopping, and then I headed home. All in all it was a really great day :) I’m definitely going to make it a point to go downtown more often!

  • Have you ever been to Philadelphia?
  • What city(s) do you live near?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tan-Free Tuesday: reader stories and tips.

by 14 Comments

Hello, my little tan-free beauties! 😀 It’s now week two of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. I’ve got quite a loaded post for today’s Tan-Free Tuesday, including two readers’ stories, so let’s get started!

Melanie’s Story

I recently just canceled my tanning membership for various reasons. I’ve been tanning since the age of 19. I’m a Hispanic American and as you may obviously know, many Hispanic people are naturally tanned. I was an exception and am pale as a ghost…or I was. My entire family has the “natural” glow so I was always made fun of for being “white” by my family, my friends, and just random people. I felt the need to keep up or try to live up to them. I wanted to fit in because being “white” was not cool. After I started tanning, some of my family members would tell me that they didn’t like my tanned skin and that they loved my “porcelain” skin. WHAT?! You call me names and then say you miss my “white” skin??? I’m 22 years old now and I’ve quit tanning FOR GOOD. Why? Because I don’t feel the need to live up to my family and friends. My health is far more important than to please them. I quit because I don’t want that risk of getting skin cancer (I KNOW IT CAN HAPPEN TO ME OR TO YOU…SCARY), I don’t want to wrinkle/age faster than what I should, and I never really know if those tanning beds are really clean. Not only that, I have freckles and when I tan they come out even more… I just want people to know that there REALLY are light skinned Hispanics and I’m one of them. I’ve learned to embrace my skin now because it’s beautiful and clean and taken care of. Now, I’m the “white” family member or friend and I’m totally okay with it.

(source)

Michelle’s Story

I started tanning when I was 17 and worked at a hair salon that had a bed and a hex (stand-up tanning booth). I first went for my senior homecoming dance because all the other girls were and it was free since I worked there. I’ve always been freckled and very pale, and even though I didn’t get very dark from the tanning it gave me a burst of color that made me much more confident. I got so many compliments and felt so much cuter that somehow a few months turned into 9 years.

My first year of college I got a job at a tanning salon and went to tanning seminars and learned a lot about different lotions and different products to better enhance tanning. I never even thought about my skin being damaged really I wasn’t worried about it. But in the back of my mind the fact that I couldn’t be honest about my tanning to my mom or my little sisters that looked up to me I knew it wasn’t a good choice. Yet that still didn’t stop me. Even as a very poor college student I still continued paying a monthly fee to keep up my tan.

Then last year I got a random text message from my mom saying “do you still tan” and the fact that it was just an something that was never talked about it really startled me. She then sent me an article on new facts about tanning and skin cancer and how it was just as bad as smoking for your health. For some reason that one article helped me to completely stop I went that day and canceled my package. I haven’t tanned in over a year. Several times in the last year I’ve thought about going again and honestly its been hard. But my skin is much more soft and healthy and I’m actually starting to like my true skin color. I know that my future self will always thank me for quitting when I did.

- MKG from MoveLoveCook

Reader Tips: Self Tanning

Some of you left comments with great self-tanning tips last week, so I wanted to take the opportunity to share them!

  • Tracey @ I’m Not Super Human - I pick Jergen’s Natural Glow, since it builds over time. Here’s a tip, though: If you’re fair-skinned, stick with medium. The pigments in it are better so you don’t turn orange. It’s much more natural than the light version.

  • Alison - I used to use Coppertone Endless Summer self-tanner and loved it. However, it’s super hard to find nowadays! I haven’t used self-tanner at all this year and am learning to embrace my pale skin. It’s easier said than done!

(source)

(source)

  • Lily @ Lily’s Health Pad - I am naturally fair skinned and freckly. I used to apply self tanner all the time. But A couple years ago, I gave it up. I’ve come to appreciate my natural color, and I don’t mind rocking the white- even in the summer!
  • Nicole @ Making Good Choices - I love Jergens for everyday use..I usually just use that on my arms though and it leaves a nice amount of color all year round (I like to think anyways!)
  • Michelle @ Give Me The Almond Butter - I like Nivea sun-kissed products. They dry really fast and don’t have the icky smell of Jergens natural glow.

(source)

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine - favorite self-tanner is L’oreal sublime glow mist. it’s a gradual tanner, and it’s super easy to apply!

(source)

Thanks so much, lady loves!

Must-Reads

Alex from I Eat Asphalt commented last week, and I was excited to hear that she actually works for a dermatologist in nearby Philadelphia! She gave me the link to the American Academy of Dermatology Fact Sheets, all of which are incredibly helpful and interesting. Some of my favorites are:

Thanks Alex!! That’s it for this week’s edition of Tan-Free Tuesday. If you’d like to share anything for next week, please feel free to leave a comment letting me know!

Subway Giveaway Winners

#14: Lisa (I’m an Okie) - “I want the egg white omelet on Flatbread! The flatbread looks SO good.”

#19: Jennifer (shesafitchick.com) - “I would get tuna & veggies.. yum!!”

#38: Katherine - “I would also love to try the egg & cheese breakfast sandwich on an English muffin!!”

Congrats! 😀 Please email me with your full name, email, and mailing address.


  • What’s your favorite sunscreen?
  • What pressure (if any) do you feel from your peers or society when it comes to being tan?