Workout Wednesday: Fit Tips

I figured I would share some of the things that I do that help keep me fit and healthy. While, working out is important to do so is eating right. Recently, I have found out that I am allergic to soy. This has made things a little more complicated but it is also making me more aware of the things I am eating and what they have in them. Since, soy or soy lecithin is in pretty much any item that is supposed to be able to sit on a supermarket shelf I have to eat more organic or freshly prepared meals. This allergy means I don't get too many cheat meals like ice cream, M&Ms, or candy bars. Yes, you read that correctly ice cream and M&Ms both of these usually contain soy. Anyway, one of the easiest ways to stay on track with eating healthy is too be prepared. I try to cook my meals for the week on Sunday night that way I will have them ready when I get hungry. This seems to be the most effective way for people to eat healthy. This is very effective because you can also have them already portioned out for each day in order to make sure you are getting the proper nutrition from all your major food groups. An easy recipe to make ahead and have in the fridge are Stuffed Bell Peppers. These keep you full with the added bonus of providing you with some of your daily servings of grains, vegetables, and protein. Check out the recipe for the Stuffed Bell Peppers here.  Happy Wednesday!

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Starbucks CopyCat

Starbucks Copy Cat Caramel Frappuccino:

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cold coffee

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 cups ice

3 tablespoons caramel sundae syrup

1/2 cup whipped cream

 

Directions:

1. Combine the cold coffee, sugar, milk and ice in an electric blender

2. Blend until the ice is crushed and the drink is smooth

3. Serve in coffee cup and top with whipped cream and caramel syrup(optional)

4. Enjoy your very own Starbucks

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

 

 

 

Weekly Favorites

-The Royal Baby George Alexander Louis-

 

-Making this copycat recipe for Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino. Recipe for it on here next week-

 

-Jay and I giving blood Wednesday to hopefully help out this sweet little baby boy-

 

-Having a work dinner with all the instructors at Midtown Pilates and also celebrating one of them who is expecting a baby boy-

 

 

-Going home this weekend to spend some time with family and some friends-

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

 

 



Workout Wednesday

I usually come up with a challenging but effective workout for you. Today I have decided to share with you one that I found on Lauren Conrad's "LC" site. Don't worry this workout is just as challenging. Give it a shot and remember push yourself.

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Beauty Buys

 

1. Revlon Nail Polish in Girly

2. Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips

3. Marcelle BB Cream in Golden Glow

4. Victoria's Secret Pink Bronzing Lotion in Ready to Party

5. MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Grande Dame

6. Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

 

Prince Charming

As everyone in the whole world knows by now Prince William and Kate welcomed a little prince today! After a week of the news crews from all over the world waiting outside the St. Mary's Hospital the prince has finally arrived. Now, we have to wait for his name to be released.

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Neshoba County Fair

Saturday I was invited to stay at a friend's cabin for the night at the Neshoba County Fairgrounds. Now, I have always heard all about the fair but I have never been or had even thought about going. This is a huge tradition in the area of North Mississippi. The Neshoba County Fair has been called a huge house party. This is a week long event with rides, southern food, horse races, music, Heart of Dixie Triathlon and good times with lots of close friends and family. I am not sure that I would be completely into staying for a whole week but maybe a day or two would be fine. The thing I loved the most about the grounds was all the extremely colorful houses with bright lights. Each house really expressed how fun and outgoing each family is. Before I went, I read this wonderful article on the Neshoba County Fair written by the New York Times. That article can be found here. I hope you had a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Weekly Favorites

-Enjoying this fresh tomatoes from FreshWay Produce in Ridgeland, Ms.-

 

-Reading "Revenge Wears Prada: the Devil Returns" the sequel to "The Devil Wears Prada" which of course is my favorite book and movie. Hence, where the Prada in my blog title comes from-

 

-Enjoying drinking coffee out of this mug early this morning at work after my long night of studying. DIY for these can be found here- 

 

-Getting my first BirchBox in the mail this week-

 

-Having a date night and getting to use my new candlesticks I got this past weekend at a thrift store-

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

 

Making it or Trying too

This quote is perfect for my day. While it may be Friday it doesn't mean it is the weekend just yet for me. I did not get to bed last night or I guess I should say this morning until around 1:30a.m because I was studying for a test. Then, got up at 4:45 for work from 5:30-7:30 a.m. I will be taking my test at 10, so say a little pray because apparently it is supposed to be hard. Anyway, do not worry I did not forget about y'all and make sure to check back in around 1:30-2pm today. I promise to have another post up then. Happy Friday!

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie 

Chicken and Dumplings

Growing up I used to love when my mom would make Chicken and Dumplings for supper. The aroma that would radiate throughout the house was fantastic as I was doing my homework. I remember being so eager to eat it that I would always burn my tongue. Needless, to say this has to be one of my favorite southern comfort dishes. This recipe below is my mom's own personal recipe for Chicken and Dumplings.

 

Ingredients:

 

Directions:

 

Start by removing the insides from the Chicken and wash it.

Place whole Chicken into a large pot and cover with water until the whole chicken is immersed

Then, add salt and one whole stick of butter to the water

Broil for 45 minutes flipping the chicken half way through. Then, remove chicken from broth and let cool

Flour each tortilla on both sides.

Once, floured cut into squares. Now, that Chicken has cooled remove it from the bones.

Time to pour your cream of chicken into a bowl with a little bit of the broth and stir until smooth. If you are having trouble getting it smooth try heating it in the microwave for a few seconds. Now, start to bring your broth to a boil and slowly add the cream of chicken stirring at the same time. Then, add chicken to the pot and layer your tortilla squares on top. Lastly, cook on low heat for about an hour.

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

 

Workout Wednesday

Lots of Love,  Natalie

 

 

Royal Baby Watch

Well, the time has finally come. Kate is at the hospital and now the whole world is on royal baby watch. There wedding may have been huge but this baby will make an even bigger splash. The whole world is wondering the sex of the baby. I am betting that it is a girl! What is your guess on the sex of the baby? I cannot wait to see what this baby will look like. Happy Tuesday!

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

DIY Golden Dot Mugs

Golden Dot Mugs:

I have seen golden dot dinnerware a lot recently. I figured it shouldn't be too hard to replicate. When I saw that you can write or draw on ceramic dishes with sharpie and then bake them I knew it was time to try. I saw these chic mugs on Pinterest:

This past weekend I went to goodwill to buy plain white mugs for cheap. I decided I didn't want to spend to much on the mugs just in case I messed them up. I bought two gold sharpies and got started right away. I free handed my circles and preheated my oven to 350 degrees.

Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. After, let them cool in the oven. Now, you have some fun mugs. This mugs just seem to make getting up a little easy because they are so cheery. Happy Monday!

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Weekly Favorites

-Brand new desktop that I am loving-

 

-Going on the Tombigbee River with Jay and two good guy friends to wake board-

 

-Jay and I having our weekly date night: Umi Sushi, a movie, and ice cream-

 

-Having dinner with friends and making this Weight Watcher Mixed Berry Cobbler for dessert-

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday!

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

 



Weight Watcher Mixed Berry Cobbler

Last night, a friend of mine cooked dinner for a few of us. I decided I couldn't show up empty handed so I decided I would try and make this simple, healthy, weight watchers cobbler recipe. This was perfect with our meal. This recipe only calls for three ingredients making it very simple. The best thing was that everyone loved it! The recipe is below and remember you could make this with peaches or whatever fruit you would like just make sure it is frozen fruit.

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix (no pudding)

2 bags of 12 oz. frozen mixed berries

1 can of diet 7-up or sierra mist (clear soda)

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Place frozen fruit in a 9x13 inch baking dish

Add dry cake mix over the top (spread evenly)

Pour soda slowly over cake mix

DO NOT stir the cake mix and the soda (if you do it will not give you a crust and bake more like a cake)

Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes

Serve and Enjoy

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie