a trip of a lifetime

My family and I just recently traveled to Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean and it was truly incredible.  Unlike any other trip I've ever taken.  Granted, we've never been to a Caribbean Island, but I can't imagine how it could get much more perfect than what we experienced.  I personally think it's pretty amazing that out of a family of four not one of us had one complaint the entire trip.  Long story short, if you've ever considered traveling to the Caribbean, I highly recommend it.  This will probably end up being a long post, but it's worth the read, or a good look at the pictures!

To keep to my theme of fashion, fitness, and nutrition, I will include an outfit that I wore to our fanciest meal.  Every meal we ate was wonderful, but this particular evening was probably one of the most if not the most best meal all around that I've ever had.  The staff, the atmosphere, the food, everything.  The restaurant is called Coco Bistro and the pictures explain it perfectly.  You're seated outdoors amongst hundreds of palm trees.  I had the Prime Ribeye Steak - which I've never had before - and the chef cooked it perfectly to my needs (well done).  It cut like butter and came on to top of a bed of fresh veggies and a side of crisp shoestring fries.  After dinner we ordered a Chocolate Banana Pudding and a Creme Brûlée to share and once again, delicious.
My outfit for the evening was a dress I recently bought at J Crew (50% off!), a pair of new nude wedges (I bought them with a gift card!), and my go to Coach purse that I am able to use with just about any outfit.



The stereotypical "crystal blue Caribbean water" is not a myth.  It's clear.  It's pure.  No matter how deep you go you can still see your toes underwater.  Like the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here you go!

  
  

On trips I enjoy using my creative side to capture some photos.  All of these are taken with an iPhone camera.

                               
                     
                          
          

And for some good memories, we went to an island called Iguana Island where hundreds of iguanas roam around, horseback riding, snorkeling, paddle boarding and to a cute ice cream shop called Giggles!

                          
 

Blueberry Quinoa Breakfast Bowls

I present to you my latest breakfast addiction, blueberry quinoa bowls.  It was so good the first day I made it that I had to make it the following morning and I have already gotten some of my friends hooked on it as well.  Purely nutritious and purely delicious!

Blueberry Quinoa:

1/4 cup Quinoa
1/4 cup Water
1/4 cup Almond Milk
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
Blueberries (desired amount)

Rinse quinoa and add to a pot with the water, milk, and cinnamon.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium low and allow to cook for about 15 minutes.  Once cooked to your liking, add add the blueberries and try your best to crush them a bit so they can ooze just enough to turn your quinoa a slight purple color.

To make the bowl:

Fill the bottom of a bowl with your favorite granola, add a few tablespoons of yogurt (one day I used french vanilla and one day I used raspberry...both great!), slice a banana in half and top with unsweetened coconut flakes, add your freshly cooked blueberry quinoa, and top with coconut milk.  Enjoy!

       

no gym needed

Not everyone has a gym membership and not everyone wants to go to the gym a couple times a week.  The good news is that it's okay!  I have found a workout that works for me and targets the three main parts of the body that need a good workout, arms, legs, and abs.  Here it is!

15 Plie Squats
10 Fire Hydrants
30 Step Ups with 5-10 lb. weights
15 Bridges
50 Alternate Heel Touchers/Lying Oblique Reach
50 Crunches
50 Cross-Crunches
30 Bicycle Crunches
25 Knee Push-Ups - If you can do real push-ups, go for it!  I have back problems restricting me from doing so.
15 Simultaneous 5 lb. Arm Lifts
30 5 lb. Dumbbell Curls
15 5 lb. Tricep Kickbacks - each side
20 5 lb. Dumbbell Curls
20 Squats
20 Lunges
50 Russian Twists
1-min. Plank
50 Jumping Jacks
30 Single Leg Raises - each side
30 Inner Thigh Lifts - each side

5 Star Ice Cream

If you live in one of the eight lucky cities that has a Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream and you haven't been, I definitely recommend taking a trip to your nearest location to get an ice cream cone on a hot summer day!  They offer homemade waffle cones for an extra dollar which I think is worth it because it tastes so fresh and makes the experience even better.  I love how thick and creamy their ice cream because you can taste that it's actually homemade.  I got a scoop of Salty Caramel and a scoop of Espresso which was outstanding, but I also tried the Wild Berry Lavender (I know, it strikes you as sounding strange at first, but it's amazing!).  My friend described it as eating a flower and I couldn't agree more.  Looking back, I kind of wish I had gotten a whole cone of that flavor, so maybe I'll get it next time!
                     

the wonders of quinoa

I recently found a recipe on Pinterest (I'm a Pinterest addict...here is the link to my profile) that caught my eye for quinoa burgers.  I'm not a vegetarian, but I have been eating more veggie burgers lately so I decided I would try this recipe.  I've made it a few times since and wanted to share it because I think they're absolutely delicious!

Here is the link to the original recipe; however, instead of feta cheese, I chop up a block of mozzarella.  I also do not serve them on a bun because they're so flavorful that the extra carbs aren't necessary.  I top them with sliced avocados and ketchup which adds a good touch.  I cooked these last night with my best friend and we served them with baked sliced sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, and broccoli!

Baked Veggie Recipes:
For the brussel sprouts and broccoli, I toss them in a plastic bag with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake them on a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
For the sweet potatoes, I do the same thing, but with cinnamon instead of pepper.  Absolutely delicious!

ooh la latte

Life has presented me with some obstacles the past few weeks so I haven't been able to post in awhile.  However, one little thing known as a cup of coffee plus a strong faith has gotten me through it.  If you know me at all, you know that I am a coffee addict.  Not for the caffeine, but just because I love the taste of coffee.  Whether, it's a plain cup or a delicious latte, I don't care, but lattes certainly know how to get my day started.  I love finding cute coffee shops around town to try because most that are not related with a chain will take the time to add a design in your foam which I personally find fun.  Below are a few of my favorites along with a plain cup of Nespresso to show just how lovely a latte can look.  I usually enjoy regular lattes without all of the sweet syrups, but I do like trying new variations of milk whether it's soy, almond, or coconut milk.  If you haven't tried any of those, I definitely recommend them!