Pilates is Where It's At (on Tuesdays at least)!

Tuesdays are one of my favorite days of the week. Why you ask? Well, one of my best friends teaches a Pilates class that I have been going to for the past 2 months and I love it!! I expected to walk in the class and just stretch but it's so much better than I that. The class I take uses the reformer which is fun because it's not on a mat and it works every muscle. It took a class or two just to get used to the reformer machine, but now I'm totally obsessed with the full body workout I get every time.

My one and only complaint? The class is only once a week. Rather than paying extra to have an unlimited membership (which I probably wouldn't have the discipline or time to use anyhow), I decided to research some mat exercises I could do at home.

Whether you are experienced in the art of pilates, or just learning it like me, the sites below will be a huge resource for you!

• http://www.livestrong.com/article/331464-pilates-exercises-to-do-at-home-for-free/
• http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=8_pilates_moves_for_a_leaner_body
• http://health.ninemsn.com.au/fitness/exercise/1011020/top-seven-pilates-moves
• http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/abs/exercises/burn-ab-flab-with-power-pilates/

Revisiting Trends

While out on errands today, I mosied over to the nail polish section of Target while the Mr. was picking out some vitamins and was overcome with glee for all of the super glittered lacquers that are hot right now. I was never a fan of the crackle finish; it looks neat but it's not the girly kind of thing I swoon over. But this glitter? It's so flipping cute. I feel like I'm back in 4th grade with my Wet N' Wild Glittered nails. It's awesome when fun trends from the past experience a revival.

This got me thinking... What other things do I love that are back (or that I wish would come back)?

LEG WARMERS!! The Mr. got me the cutest pair ever for Valentine's day and I would love to be able to  actually wear them in public. They're so warm and comfy and perfect.

Image via Etsy; Original Source: homelab 

RAY BANS! I'm not sure they ever went out of style, but they're so retro-chic it's almost unbearable. I need to get myself one of these fun pairs

Image via Pinterest; Original Source: unknown

GEOMETRIC PATTERNS - Whether it be on a modern rug (like in my office) or on a beautiful blouse, funky patterns circa 1965 are back with a vengeance and I could not be happier.

Image via Pinterest; Original source: Urban Outfitters

COLORED TIPS! This is so 80s punk mixed with My Little Pony I can barely stand it. I wish I had the type of life / job where hair like this was acceptable because I would be all over it. It's fun and beautiful and I give mad props to any lady who can pull this off as well as the model.

Image via Google; Original Source: Thrilld

FARMERS MARKETS! This hearkens to a simpler time before shopping at a super Wal-mart was the norm and I absolutely love that. Our tiny little town just opened it's own market last spring and now our house is only about a mile away which is fantastic.

Image via Google; Original Source: Collegeville Farmers Market

VW BEETLES! What girl didn't grow up with a pink Barbie Bug? I loved mine and I saw one of these driving down the highway a few days ago and had a whistful look in my eye, I'm sure.

Image via Google; Original Source: CarzTune

After going through so many ideas for this this, I actually found quite a few things that I really hope don't come back (bell bottoms anyone?! UGH)... Future post?

PB&J Heart Cookies

Despite how much I love to bake, the Mr. and I are not really dessert people. When holidays come around, I covet the time I get to spend creating sweet deliciousness for other people. Valentine's Day is no exception. I didn't have much time last Monday as it was a rough day in the office and a tax-filing headache at home, but I still wanted to make something for my coworkers and neighbors. Since I didn't start until about 9pm, making a homemade dough was out of the question but I did have some peanut butter cookie mix laying around and then it hit me... I saw a cute little heart thumbprint cookie in either Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple, or Martha Stewart Living a couple of years ago and thought I'd finally revisit the idea by making PB&J cookies!

I used the Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix and prepared it according to the instructions. Rather than flatten it out with a fork like you generally would, I created a thumbprint cookie where I overlapped my thumb impressions to create a little heart ditch. I filled the ditch with some Triple Berry Fruit Spread (just a little). I then baked the cookies according to package directions.

Voila! Precious heart cookies!

Upcycling - Old Dress Fabric to Cute Bracelets

Have you ever trashed some beautiful article of clothing because it was beyond repair and couldn't even be considered for donation? Well, I have. Mostly because I seem to find things I love and wear them out until they're just shells of their old selves. One such thing was a dress I got a few years ago in a really pretty dark watercolor-esque print. It was perfect for summer/spring nights on it's own, great for autumn with a cardigan, and awesome for winter with heavy tights and a scarf. Needless to say, I wore it until the fabric started to lose it's shape and was no longer worth wearing. I've had it in a trash bag in my closet for over a month but I just couldn't seem to part with it. Finally, I thought, why not salvage usable scraps and incorporate them into something new?

Well, I did just that and made two lovely bracelets.

One is doubled-up braid where I also used the spaghetti straps as ties to finish it off. The second is part of the bow that wrapped around the dress which was a tube of fabric. I just slipped in a couple of wooden beads and knotted the fabric after each and VOILA.

Coconut Curry Chicken

Call it the fear of the unknown, or the Toddler Syndrome but I tend to avoid new food because I'm convinced I'll hate it. It is only magnified when we're talking ethnic food because the smells and ingredients are generally very new to me.

I finally gathered enough courage to try curry about a year ago and, OH MY, what in the world was I waiting for? Well, in reality I've only ever had one recipe with curry in it... but baby steps! If you like curry or Indian food, or even if you don't but you do like chicken and rice, I suggest you try my recipe for Coconut Curry Chicken. Not only does my super picky husband like it, but all in all there are 5 ingredients so it can't be beat.

Coconut Curry Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1+lb boneless, skinless chicken breast; cut into strips
• 1 large yellow onion; cut into strips
• 2 sweet red peppers (or 1 pepper and 1 tomato); cut into bite size pieces
• 1 13.5-14oz can coconut milk
• 1-3 Tbsp. of Pataks Hot Curry Paste (suit to your taste)

Directions:

1. Saute onions for 5 minutes over medium heat
2. Add chicken strips and red peppers and continue to saute with the onions. Continue cooking until chicken is cooked through
3. Turn down heat and stir in a suitable amount of hot curry paste
4. Immediately pour the coconut milk over the mixture and stir to combine and dissolve the curry paste
5. Let simmer until thickened slightly (10-15 minutes)

Serve with flat bread and white rice. YUM!

All My Best -- Jess

My Top 3 -- Websites

I spend a lot of time on-line, whether it's gathering inspiration, information, or delectable recipes. I have a ton of websites I use daily and others not so often but that I love entirely. Rather than put up websites that I use the most often -- Facebook, anyone? -- I thought I would do the ones that I find the most interesting and full of great ideas.

#1 - Pinterest - If you know anything about me, you'll know that I've been obsessed with Pinterest for months. Whenever I have extra time to burn, or I'm just super procrastinating something important, I turn to Pinterest. Where else can you find gorgeous outfits, mouth-watering recipes, easy craft projects, beautiful home decor, funny pictures or inspirational quotes? No where that I can think of. If you haven't check it out already, let me know; I'll send you an invite so you don't have to wait 1+ weeks to start creating your own pin boards.

#2 - PatternSpot - It's no secret that I like to sew. Now don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not a seamstress, but I really enjoy making things rather than buying them when I can. For a collection of sweet patterns (many of them free) I turn to PatternSpot. Now, not all of them are free, but even those that are not are very reasonably priced. Think of it as an Etsy for patterns. Some are even patterns for embroidery and the like. I love love love the things I find on there.

#3 - Picnik - As a blogger, it's convenient to have a site that will edit your photos quickly and with really simple tools. Mind you, I'm in love with both Picasa and PhotoShop, but sometimes all I need is a quick change and Picnik will do that for me. Unfortunately, the site will be closing down on 4/19/2012. You can create an account, or just use the site as a guest; there was also an option to buy a premium account. If PhotoShop is too complex for you, Picnik could be your new best friend because it's incredibly user-friendly and until April 19th, premium access is FREE.

I highly suggest you check each of them out if you are not already familiar with them.

The Smorgasbord Breakfast Biscuit

I can't be the only one who wakes up craving a hot diner breakfast: scrambled eggs with cheese, an english muffin, bacon/ham/sausage, and some hashbrowns. While it's definitely delicious it's not condensed into a serving size nor is it portable for a work day when I need to eat on the go. My solution? The Smorgasbord Breakfast Biscuit! Not only is it delicious but it is freezable and will last 3 days without a problem in the fridge, meaning I can have a "homemade" breakfast when I'm running late.

You can throw in practically anything you would want for breakfast (just cook it first) and voila! You're full.

Ingredients:

• Bisquick (just add water variety. I use the Garlic Cheddar package for a savory option)
• Water, however much your bisquick needs (mine was 1/2 cup) + an extra 1/4 cup
• 3-5 slices of bacon
• 3-5 Sausage links
• 1 slice of canadian bacon or pork roll OR 5 slices of sandwich meat ham
• 1/4 cup of shredded or cubed cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, swiss, etc)
• 1 english muffin, cubed
• 3 eggs, scrambled
• 1 handful (about 15) tater tots, cooked, cooled and crumbled
• Optional: Onions, brocolli, spinach, roasted red peppers, etc.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to temperature stated on the Bisquick package
2. Cook meats together in a saute pan (chop the bacon first for it to cook faster). Brown them to get the best flavor and make sure to cook the sausage thoroughly. This would be a good time to add any vegetables if you are using them. When done, pour on a paper towel to cool.
3. Scramble the eggs in the same pan used above. Take care to scramble the eggs so there are some big chunks. Cook until just done (do not overcook as they will continue to cook while the biscuits are baking), when you have reached this point, turn the stovetop off.
4. Chop the meat and english muffin into bite size chunks.
5. Pour Bisquick mix into a large mixing bowl and add the meat mixture, english muffin, crumbled tater tots and scrambled eggs.
6. Add the water and gently fold the ingredients together until combined

7. Stir in the shredded cheese
8. Grease a cookie pan or muffin tin with spray and spoon on heaping mounds of the biscuit mixture
9. Bake for 8-11 minutes until cooked through

10. While best enjoyed warm, can also be eaten chilled.

For those of you who crave sweet in the morning: rather than bisquick use your favorite base for bread pudding or French toast and definitely don't use any vegetables.