14 days of loves: day 7 {wine lover's healthy weight loss plan}

While roaming through the cookbook section of Half Price Books the other day I came across this little gem: The Wine Lover's Healthy Weight Loss Plan.  

I was intrigued. A diet consisting of wine!  Lose weight while drinking lots and lots of wine!  Okay, not really.

Written by a cardiologist and wine lover, the book gives a lot of background on the history of wine in the human diet, the amazing health benefits {only when in moderation...which is one glass at dinner for women, two for men} and the French Paradox -- basically extensive research done in regions where there is a high percentage of the population drinking wine in moderation their entire lives.  Oddly, or maybe not oddly, this research shows that moderate wine drinkers live longer than non-drinkers.  Some vino-for-thought, eh?


I drink a glass of red every night at dinner.  Not only is it heart-healthy due to the antioxidants, but since I view it as my "treat" I tend to not feel like I need to eat any dessert.  Calorie saver!  100 instead of 400 - woo hoo!  :)

The book gives a compelling argument for enjoying a glass with dinner each night.  Also, after giving you a lot of really interesting information on why wine can enhance your life in many ways and help you live longer, it then has a whole slew of delicious, healthy recipes that are based on a Mediterranean diet - supposedly the healthiest way to eat.  In sum, instead of striving for a low-fat diet, rather choose foods that contain "healthy fats," lots of fruits and veggies, fish {rich in omega-3's,} whole grains, and only cooking with olive or canola oil.

Oh, and red wine.  Of course.

I strongly desire to introduce my children to very, very watered down wine when they are the right age.  I want them to grow up knowing the health benefits, and that wine should be a regular part of the dinner table.

It's okay if you think that sounds crazy.  I don't mind.  Neither do all the Europeans that do it.  The practice is probably not any crazier than a person letting their kiddo eat mac n cheese every night, or cereal for dinner, just because they don't like what you cooked.  Also, wine {again, in moderation!} has more health benefits than soda.  Yet many parents don't mind letting their kids chug that down like it's water.   Just sayin'.  To each his own when it comes to nutrition, values and parenting strategies.  :)

Especially to wine-drinkers, I recommend this book.  But even if you aren't, it is enlightening.  I loved the subject, the writing style, and can't wait to try the recipes!

Salud!

g

healthy stir-fry #3 : {broccolini, walnuts and gingered beef}

Here we are folks - the third installment of my favorite healthy stir-frys.  This one is for you red meat lovers out there.  And you broccoli lovers.
{adapted from recipe found on prevention.com}

You will need:

2 Tbsp fresh ginger, finely chopped

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1/4 cup water

3 Tbsp sesame oil

1 1/2 lbs {I used 4 bunches} of broccolini {baby broccoli}

 3/4 lb of flank steak -- I buy it already in thin strips...cheaper/easier that way -- then I cut the strips into smaller, more bitesize pieces.

1 bunch of scallions {green onions, about 6} cut into 1 inch pieces 

1/2 cup walnut pieces, chopped coarsely {toast them for extra yumminess!}

1. Whisk ginger, soy sauce, and a few tablespoons of the water in a small bowl.

2. Heat sesame oil on high heat in your wok.

3. Add broccolini and stir fry for 3 minutes.  Then add rest of water and stir fry another 2-3 minutes.

4. Add steak, scallions, and soy mixture and stir fry 2 minutes or until beef is just cooked through...don't overcook.

5. Stir in chopped walnuts and serve hot!

 I'm not the hugest broccoli fan...but I'm trying!  

It is soooo good for you (vitamin C!!!)

 I'm a nerd and like to chop all my ingredients and display on one huge cutting board before dumping them in the wok/pot/pan.

This cutting board is not nearly big enough.

 When you first put your broccolini in the wok, it looks kind of dull...

 ...but after stir frying a few minutes and adding the water for a couple more, 

it turns a bright, vibrant green!  

Hopefully this, and stir-fry #1 and #2

inspired you to whip out that wok!

g

14 days of loves: day 6 {lip gloss}

I have a problem. 

 No, seriously.  The other day I was cleaning out dumping out my purse and came across this...

All from Victoria's Secret...except the Lancome one, second from left.  A stocking stuffer this year from my MIL Karen - who apparently knows my problem.  And the Burt's Bee's lip balm isn't gloss...but I typically have a bunch of those lying around as well.

Five tubes of flavored lip gloss.  In my purse.  

This is not counting all the others that I have in my makeup drawer.   Not sure how I accumulated this many lip glosses...but I do love them.   

Ladies, isn't it funny how you can put on lipstick and feel a little bit better about yourself?

Anyone else have an inordinate amount of lip gloss/lipstick in their purse?

Happy Wednesday!

g

he sits! he crawls! {well, almost.}

 The day has finally arrived.  

Sweet baby boy can sit by himself.  Without the Boppy pillow behind him.  Without Mama or Dada behind him, to catch him just in case.

As long as there is something in front of him to stick in his mouth, 

all is good.  

Congrats, my love!

Oh, and he is this close to crawling...

Soon, very soon!  

And no, your eyes didst not deceive you. That is a bra in the background of many of these pictures. 

This is real life, people. 

:o)

Wanna catch up on the grueling {not really} dets of my pregnancy with the precious face above?
Go to www.dearcormac.tumblr.com !
g

14 days of loves: day 5 {Falsies}

Now, I won't normally blog about makeup. Mainly because I am a cheapskate and the only makeup I will buy must be found at a drugstore.  Everyone likes to spend their extra money on different things...and for me, that is travel, wine and food.  Beauty products take a waaaay backseat in my life.  I have never even entered Sephora, M.A.C., or shopped at a department store makeup counter.  I color my own hair.  I wax/pluck my own eyebrows.  I can count the number of mani/pedis I get per year on one hand finger. I will leave the hard-core beauty blogging to those who really know.

However, my blog friend Christi over at Between 3 Sisters recommended Maybelline Falsies mascara in this post.  I was intrigued {Christi's makeup always looks amazing!} so when I was at my local Walgreens I picked up a tube of Falsies.  My verdict:  LOVE.  Of course.  That is why I am posting it as Love #5. :)  Plus, I paid only 7.99!

I really did get great volume on my meager lashes.  The "spoon brush" is something I've never seen before, and seemed to really coat the lashes without getting clumpy.  I tested it Friday night before going out to a girlfriend's birthday celebration.  I used three coats.  Not sure what is normal/correct???

my eyes not really that blue.  fun with saturation!

Now, can anyone recommend a good self-tanner???  

I am paaaaale.

:o)
g

14 days of loves: day 4 {I don't know how she does it}

The latest Sarah Jessica Parker movie I Don't Know How She Does It {based on the bestselling novel by Allison Pearson}  falls under the category of: "Movies That are More Fun to Watch Alone than Make Hubby Watch With Me."  Here is a taste, if you haven't seen it {remember to pause my music player at the bottom of this page before you hit play}:



While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece - more like a fluffy chick flick - I really enjoyed this movie.  I think it has some interesting messages about the modern role of "woman as mother."

I guess as a stay-at-home-mom I could be insulted by this movie.  It humorously pokes fun at mamas like me, painting a picture of SAHM's as rich, self-centered, and annoying.  As gym rats, yoga junkies, organic cookie-baking "Momsters" with posh lives of ease.

"Working moms" {an interesting term in itself...pretty sure we all "work"} are depicted as  "Jugglers" - women who "do it all."  They have high-powered careers, plan elaborate birthday parties, travel,  and create to-do lists in their head while laying awake at night.  Sure, they rush around, forget to pluck their eyebrows {because SAHM's have soooo much time to do that} and miss out on things with their kids (ie first haircuts) but they manage do be great moms and great employees.

I loved this movie -- simply because I am a new mom and it made me think about these stereotypes.  I don't really believe them, as I think whether you "work outside the home" or are "stay at home" or "work from home" you are still "working" your most important job: "Mom."   Each version has it's own challenges and perks.

I stay at home.  I miss my paycheck.  Having extra money for vacations and clothing and home furnishings was kind of nice.  I miss the peace of my office, the adult conversations, and having time in my car when I can listen to the radio and not have to sing "You are My Sunshine" over, and over, and over to prevent my baby from screaming.

Then again,  sometimes I get to stay in my pajamas until noon.  I make my own schedule, have time to keep the house clean, and really don't have to miss any moment of my baby's life.  Oh, and I am able to work out, whether it is a yoga class at the gym, or running with the baby in the jogging stroller.

Sure, I have a huge Rubbermaid bin of cute Express work pants and tailored button-down shirts that I will never wear again. Also, a ton of sassy high heels that, now, hardly get worn.  Oh, and the only time I get a latte that doesn't get cold before I'm able to finish drinking it is when I am grocery shopping on Sunday nights sans baby, which I sip while I shop.


Like I said, no matter what type of "working mama" you are - there is the good and the bad.

The important thing is that you are happy with the choice you make.  A happy woman makes a happy mama.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

This was a day late due to the nasty cold I've been nursing the past three days...ugh.

PS -- Would love to hear other mamas' reactions to this movie/book!  

g

14 days of loves: day 3 {herbal teas}

My throat hurts.  I guess that means I'm sick for the first time since I was about 14 weeks pregnant.  Not a bad run.  Anyway, I don't have any other symptoms but I bad sore throat.  So I'm skipping my morning cup cups of joe for some delicious hot herbal tea.  

My pick for today?  London Fruit & Herb's black tea.  With a spoonful of honey added, for good measure.

Like many, if I am drinking tea, I choose the blend by the time of day. I will drink a black tea in the morning, green tea in the afternoon, and chamomile in the evening.   I love Bigelow's Cozy Chamomile when I am snuggled in bed with a good book.

Mmmmm...my throat is feeling calmer already.

What teas do you love? 

g