splendor & folly

Did you make resolutions this year? Did they include losing weight, eating healthier or sticking to a budget? Here is the secret to sticking to your goals:

Awareness.

By simply being more aware of our choices and the outcomes they will create, we eliminate the need for fancy diets and complicated budgets; all you have to do is just pay attention!

Here are some personal examples of when I know I am completely un-aware:

FOOD

1. Sitting down to watch TV with a box of Cheez-Its. How many servings did I just eat? Was I even hungry? Is this nourishment for my body?

2. Eating goodies someone left in the office kitchen just because they are there.

3. Finishing my entire gigantic-size portion at the restaurant, just because it is there.

MONEY

1. Buying something I don’t need just to cheer myself up.

2. Not having money for important things (healthcare) because I spent it on trivial items (makeup).

3. Wasting money by paying late fees, overdrafts fees etc.

And now some examples of what it looks like to be aware:

FOOD

1. Evaluating your level of hunger before and after eating. Stopping when you feel satisfied, not when you are about to burst.

2. Reading the labels on food and making smart choices about what you want to put into your body.

3. Not letting circumstances (parties, buffets, and eating out) extremely affect the way you eat.

MONEY

1. Taking a good look at the money that comes in and keeping track of all the money that goes out.

2. Realizing that advertising can be very convincing and talking to yourself about why you are purchasing a certain item.

3. Putting aside money each month before you pay any other expenses for an emergency fund.

If you take the time to analyze and evaluate each decision before you make it (sometimes this process only needs to take seconds), there is ultimately no need for self-judgment and guilt afterward.

If there is a pie sitting in the kitchen and you are craving a piece, but you know you will end up in a sugar-coma, feeling guilty and back at square one with your goals, use these outcomes as a motivation to skip it.

But if you think it over and you decide you truly want it and you are at peace with that decision, eat the pie, banish your guilty thoughts and love every minute of it!!

First of all, I have to give credit where credit is due. I came across an awesome blog called meals and moves written by Janetha. She provides wonderful recipes lots of fitness inspiration.

One thing I knew I wanted to try right away was her recipe for chicken & white bean salsa soup. I modified it just a bit due to the fact that I don’t have a large crock pot. 

So all I did to make it work for me was boil the chicken first. I used a mixture of 1/2 chicken broth, 1/2 water and boiled the chicken for about 10 minutes until I could shred it with a fork. Then in a large pot I combined the chicken broth, salsa, pinto beans, corn, chicken and cumin and DONE! I’m letting it simmer for a while right now…can’t wait to chow down.

Note: I don’t have a lot of spices on hand so the cumin was something I had to purchase. It was kind of expensive, around $4.50, but it is definitely worth it to enhance the flavor of the soup!

I stumbled upon something at the grocery store and am currently pretty obsessed – Chai Green Tea

You always hear about the amazing health benefits of Green Tea and this one is delicious! With the addition of the Chai spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove) this tea seems like such an indulgence.

I take mine with a touch of milk (that is why the color is a little weird in the picture).

I have it at work in the morning as a pick-me-up or at home in the evenings instead of an extra snack or dessert.

Love it!

Here is my latest wine review for you! I picked up this bottle at Aldi, the vineyard is called Winking Owl and I just thought the little guy was so cute:

Here he is again on the cork:

OK…enough with the cuteness and onto the review!

price - $2.99

label says – “subtle flavors of black cherry, blackberry and a hint of spice”

my take – I thought this wine was just  OK…you maybe saying to yourself, of course it wasn’t great, you bought it for 3 bucks at Aldi! However, on our recent trip to California, Jake and I did a day tour of Napa. Our awesome tour guide told us lots of fun facts, for instance, did you know that Charles Shaw’s (famously known as ‘two buck chuck’) 2002 Shiraz won a double gold medal at some big wine competition? So remember – low price does not ALWAYS mean low quality wine.

It didn’t bowl me over, but it was not unpleasant either. It went down smoothly, almost to the point of seeming watered down. Its suitable for just having around the house in the event that you need a glass of wine to unwind, but I wouldnt choose it for hosting a dinner party.

cheapskate rating – ♥♥♥ (3 out of 5)

So I finally made something yesterday that I have been meaning to try for a while – A Green Monster! This is the term used around the blog world for smoothies containing leafy greens. There is even a website dedicated to them! People that drink Green Monsters claim many benefits, such as higher energy levels and healthy glowing skin, just to name a few. It’s an easy way to get tons of awesome nutrients at once.

So why did it take me so long to try it? I was scared it would be disgusting! But everyone was right, you cannot even taste the spinach! I wanted it to be a little sweeter, but that is probably because I am used to fruit smoothies with added sugar. I would definitely recommend it and I can’t wait to try out some different variations!

Here is how I made mine:

1 cup of almond milk (you can use soy or cow’s milk too)

1 small banana

1 cup of raw spinach leaves (most recipies call for 2-3 cups, so I was being shy!)

2 large chunks of pineapple (This is optional – I had this on hand so I thought I would throw it in for extra sweetness)

A few icecubes

 Blend in a blender until everything is smooth, pour into a glass and ENJOY!!!

I thought I would let you know about two awesome deals if you had not already heard:

1. Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT are having their Friends & Family Event through this Sunday, 4/25. Use code FRIENDS online to save 30% at both stores, but hurry because sizes are going fast!

And if anyone is in the market for bridesmaid dresses, they have several great options, including this adorable lace print dress:

2. Dairy Queen is celebrating their 25th Anniversary by offering a deal to buy one blizzard, get the second for 25 cents!! Offer ends 4/25. YUMMM

I have been known to enjoy some nuggets, but I highly doubt the athletes are gobbling them up before their events….

Hi Everyone! Happy New Year!! I’m really excited for all the things coming in 2010, including this little blog of mine. The first new feature I want to introduce is my Cheapskate Wine Reviews! As you know, one of my 9 favorites of ’09 was Menage a Trois wine and I’d like to expand my collection of wines that aren’t a waste of money (If you’ve ever had a wine that tastes like bacon, you know what I mean). I’ll keep all the wines under $15 (because sometimes I like to be fancy and splurge on a $12 bottle of wine). I’m no Gary Vaynerchuk, but I’ll do my best to give you my no-nonsense review and maybe this will help me not to spend 6 hours in the wine aisle only to choose a bottle based on the clever label.

Ok – first up:

Redwood Creek Pinot Noir (2008)

price - $6.99

label says – “medium bodied with ripe cherry and a smooth velvety finish”

my take – this is a great, all purpose red, definitely goes down smooth with no bitter taste.  I would definitely purchase this one again and you can’t beat the price!

cheapskate rating – ♥♥♥♥ (4 out of 5)

Look for more Cheapskate Wine Reviews to come, I’m prepared to drink as much wine as I have to in the name of ‘research’ ;)

PS No one is paying me to give these reviews, but if wine companies would like to send me some free bottles, I would be totally ok with that!

1. How I Met Your Mother – This is without a doubt my favorite TV show. Although it has been on for five seasons, I just joined the Monday night party this year. If you haven’t tuned in I highly recommend netflixing it from the beginning.
2. Black Yoga Pants – Although I use them more for lounging on the couch than yoga poses, these are something I definitely could not live without. Mine are by Marika which retail for $40 on their website, but I scored them at TJ Maxx for half of that.
3. Apples and Cinnamon Oatmeal – I have been in a major oatmeal phase this year. I just grab a pack on my way out the door and whip up some deliciousness at work, which saves time and I still get in a hearty breakfast to hold off hunger pains until lunchtime.
4. Dolce & Gabbana The One – I first smelled this in a magazine and fell in love. According to the description, it is a warm, oriental floral with modern sensuality.
 

 


5. Post Secret - This website has been around for a while, but new secrets posted each Sunday make the beginning of the work week more tolerable.
6. Ruffles - This trend is everywhere you look, but you won’t find me complaining! I think ruffles can add just enough of that extra something special to everything from skirts to sweaters.
7. Menage a Trois wine – Thanks to Nichole for introducing me to this wine! It’s about 9 bucks and can be found at most grocery stores. It gets its name from being a blend of three types of grapes, Zinfandel, Cabernet and Merlot. Its fun to try new wines, but when I need a sure bet, menage a trois has never let me down!
8. The Library – Nothing beats free during a recession, or ever for that matter.
9. Gorjana necklace- When it comes to jewelry, my preference is understated. This necklace is the perfect subtle addition to most outfits (mine is silver). Other Gorjana pieces can be found at Revolve Clothing.

The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in sweet treats! But there is no need to spend hours baking, here are three easy recipes that even the most kitchen-challenged cooks can create:

1. Christmas Cake Mix Cookies:

(via Megan’s Munchies – click pictures for full recipes)

2. Easy Saltine Toffee Bars:

(via allrecipes.com)

3. Easy Preztel Turtles:

(via Our Best Bites)