Thursday, November 22, 2012

Alton Brown's City Ham & Mini Pumpkin Pie Tarts



I am in the process of making Alton Brown's City Ham.  I made this ham a couple years ago, and it is delicious.  My brother-in-law, Dan, said it was the best ham he ever had.  I realize ham isn't as traditional for Thanksgiving as turkey, but this recipe is so good nobody will be missing the bird.  Since it is a 6-hour process to cook I am up bright and early to get the ham in the oven.  We are headed to my sister-in-law's house at 2:00 p.m.  It might be a little late to add this recipe to your Thanksgiving menu.  However, Christmas is just around the corner so I highly recommend trying out this recipe for your holiday feast.

Yesterday I made mini pumpkin pie tarts with homemade cream cheese frosting.  The recipes for both are so easy as long as you have a mixer. 



Mini Pumpkin Pie Tarts

For the crust:

1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 3-oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour

Pumpkin filling:

1 egg
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

For the crust beat the margarine and cream cheese together on medium to high with an electric mixer until combined.  Slowly add the flour until well mixed.  Cover and chill the dough in the fridge for an hour to make the dough easier to handle.

Form the chilled dough into 24 equal sized balls.  Place each ball into 1 3/4-inch muffin cup.  Press the dough evenly against the bottom and sides of the muffin cup.  Preheat the oven at 325 degrees.

Next prepare the pumpkin filling.  Combine all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl.  Fill each pastry lined muffin cup with a rounded teaspoon of the pumpkin filling.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Cool slightly in the pan.  Remove the tarts from pans and cool.  24 servings, 66 calories per serving.

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting: 

1 4-oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Whip the cream cheese and margarine together with an electric mixer.  Add the vanilla.  Add the sugar slowly.  Spoon the frosting into a piping bag or zip lock bag.  Chill the frosting in the fridge until ready to use.

Once the pie tarts are ready to serve pipe a dollop of frosting onto each tart.  If using a zip lock bag, then cut one of the corners of the bag to turn it into a piping bag. 




Wednesday, November 21, 2012

5 Ideas for Leftover Turkey






If you are stuck with a lot of leftover turkey after Thanksgiving, then you may want to get creative with it if you are having it for the third time.  Here are some ideas to help you recycle those leftovers:


1.  Chop the turkey and turn it into turkey salad by adding light mayo, chopped celery, walnuts, and dried cranberries.

2.  Make a cobb salad with chopped turkey, chopped ham, hard-boiled egg, bacon, blue cheese, tomatoes, and dressing.

3.  Make Tyler Florence's Turkey Tetrazzini.

4.  Sub leftover turkey for ground turkey in Giada's Turkey and Artichoke Stuffed Shells.

5.  Sub chopped turkey for ground turkey in Rachael Ray's Ranch-Style Turkey Chili.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo

Sara


Gladys on the Ellen Show



This video is an absolute riot.  I have watched it five times.  If you are in a bad mood this will definitely help you snap out of it.  Enjoy!

xoxo

Sara

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

KalorieBox Review

 
 
First off I just have to confess that I didn't last very long as a pescatarian.  Since my husband can't eat fish it was really hard for us to have a meal together.  The good news is that I have significantly reduced my consumption of red meat.  I'm probably down to eating it once or twice a week at most.   I'm eating a lot more fish and poultry.  Now that I have that out of the way, on with the review.  
 
One of the perks of blogging is that occasionally people may offer you free products to review.  I officially received my first freebie.  The company KalorieBox offers a service where they ship you delicious low-calorie snacks to sample on a monthly basis.  They ship everywhere in the United States and Canada.  They sent me a box of snacks, and they were delicious.  The box they sent me contained a bottle of Hint water, Plentils crunchy lentil chips, 2 packages of Fit Frappe, 2 packages of Simply Snackin' Jerky, and a bottle of Stubb's Original Bar-B-Q Sauce.   
 
 
 
The Hint water is a refreshing, zero-calorie water that just has a hint of flavor.  The bottle they sent me was pomegranate-tangerine.  It's all natural with no sugar or artificial sweeteners.  Hint is a great alternative to soda or artificially sweetened beverages.  
 
 
 
When I first tried the Plentils I felt like they were just okay. However, I kept finding myself reaching back in the bag for more chips.  They totally grew on me, and I would definitely get them again.  Plentils are crunchy lentil chips that are gluten-free and free of the 8 common allergens (wheat, soy, tree nuts, egg, peanuts, shellfish, fish, and dairy).  They contain no artificial ingredients, no saturated fat, and no trans fat.  One package is only 100 calories.  
 



I'm probably the most excited about the Fit Frappe.  KalorieBox sent me two different flavors, Vanilla Latte and Mocha.  It comes in a powder form and you mix it with water.  A 16 oz. serving contains 20 g of protein and is only 130 calories.  It's gluten-free and full of vitamins and minerals.  It contains less than 1 g of sugar.  It also contains 5 g of fiber.  The Vanilla Latte didn't really taste like coffee so I added some instant espresso powder to it, and then it was quite good.  The Mocha was amazing.  It tasted just as good as an iced mocha from Starbucks.  I definitely recommend it.  I'm going to have to get more.
 
 

The Simply Snackin' jerky that came in my KalorieBox was 60 calories per serving.  I tried Teriyaki Dried Chicken Breast with Mangoes and Papaya and Teriyaki Dried Beef Sirloin with Pineapples.  I must tell you that I am not a big jerky fan.  However, this jerky was different.  It wasn't as tough as other jerky brands tend to be.  Also, it was almost kind of juicy for jerky if that makes any sense.
 
 

The second best item in the box was the Stubb's Original Bar-B-Q Sauce.  I live in Kansas City, and around here we take barbecue pretty seriously.  Stubb's is a Texas barbecue sauce, and Texans are serious about barbecue too.  This barbecue sauce was delicious!  The sauce is tangy, peppery, and has just the right amount of vinegar.  The best part is that it's only 30 calories for 2 tablespoons.  It would be great on pulled pork or leftover turkey..

I'd like to thank Michael from KalorieBox for asking me to review their service and for introducing me to these delicious low-calorie snacks.  I think the service is well worth the price.  I hadn't tried any of these products before, and I probably never would have heard of them if it wasn't for KalorieBox.
 
If you are interested in the service you can subscribe to one of 3 plans (monthly, 3 months, and 6 months). Plans start at $17/month for the 6 months, $21 for 3 months, and $25 for monthly. Once subscribed, they ship out your box on the 15th of each month. Each month, the box will contain a different set of low calorie options for you to try. And, for each box they send out, they donate a meal to a child in need. How nice is that!  For more information you can check out the How it Works page on their website (https://kaloriebox.com/HowitWorks) and FAQ Page (https://kaloriebox.com/FAQ). 
 
 

Hotel Room Workout



Let’s face it, nobody goes on vacation for just one day so I have devised this workout plan so that you can do a different workout each day or choose your workout based on your motivational level.  I have listed low impact options as well as plyometrics for those of you that are up for a challenge!  Don’t forget to spend a few minutes stretching at the end of your workout.  Enjoy!

Day 1:   Woohoo!  I’m on vacation! 
Motivation:  Low
Time:  15-20 minutes

March in place 50 reps to warm up.
Jumping Jacks 50 reps (low impact option:  alternating side step with Jumping Jack arms)
Full or Modified Push Ups 15-25 reps
Squats 25 reps
Prone Cobra 20-25 reps (Lie on your stomach with arms at your sides.  Raise your chest off the floor while squeezing your shoulder blades together as if your trying to grip a pencil in between them.)
Single Leg Bridges with heel elevated on a chair 15-20 reps (Lie on your back.  Put one foot on the chair.  The other leg is in the air.  Raise your hips off the floor while squeezing your glutes.  Lower half way down, and raise the hip back up to complete one rep.  Repeat a set on the other leg.)
Crunches or Sit ups 25-50 reps
Repeat the circuit 2-3 times beginning with the march.


Day 2:  I ate too much last night, and I need to burn it off! 
Motivation:  Moderate to High
Time:  45-60 minutes

March in place 20 reps (Fast pace!  No slacking!)
Side to Side step 20 reps
March in place 20 reps
Side to Side step 20 reps
Jumping Jacks 50 reps (For low impact version see Day 1)
High Knees 50 reps (Run in place keeping those knees up high!  For low impact march in place)
Butt Kicks 50 reps (Run in place aiming your heels towards the glutes.  For low impact version do standing hamstring curls stepping side to side)
Fake Jump Rope 50 reps (Exactly that!  Pretend your jumping rope without the rope)
Mountain Climbers 50 reps (From the push up position step forward bending at the knee alternating legs.  For high impact add a bounce.)
Speed Skaters 20-50 reps (Large leap onto one leg from side to side mimicking speed skating.)
Push ups, Regular or Modified 20-30 reps
Plank Hold on the forearms 30 seconds to 1 minute (Can be modified from the knees if necessary.)
Single leg squats lowering the hips down towards a chair 15-20 reps on each leg (Like a regular squat only balanced on one leg at a time.  Repeat the set on the other side.)
Prone Cobra 20-25 reps (See description in Day 1.)
Side Plank balanced on the forearm 30 seconds each side (Can be be modified from the knees if necessary.)
Alternating Forward Lunges 20-30 reps
Tricep Dips off the chair 20-30 reps
Alternating Reverse Lunges 20-30 reps
Knee-ins off the bed 20-30 reps (Balanced on the tailbone with hands on the bed behind you draw the knees in towards your chest.  Then extend both legs out straight while lowering your back towards the bed.)
Single Leg Bridges with heel elevated on a chair 15-20 reps (See description in Day 1.)
Bicycle Crunches 20-30 reps
Supermans 20-30 reps (Laying on your stomach raise the arms, chest, and legs off the floor at the same time while squeezing your glutes.)
Repeat the entire circuit 2-3 times.


Day 3:  I’m a little sore.  Just cardio and toning sounds good.
Motivation:  Moderate
Time:  30 minutes

Start with 20 minutes of cardio.  If you can’t go for a power walk or a run outside, then put some music on the clock radio and do some free style dancing or aerobics in the room.  If you are not very coordinated then you might want to close the blinds.  If you don’t like dancing, then do some running/marching in place and other calisthenics like we did in Day 2. 

Next let’s work the abs and tone the legs.

Side Lunges 15-20 reps on each leg
Side lying outer thighs on the right leg,  20 reps pulse for 10, 20 reps pulse for 10 again.  (Lying on your left side raise your right leg up in the air, then lower the leg squeezing the inner thigh on the way down.)
Side lying inner thighs on the left leg, 20 reps pulse for 10, 20 reps pulse for 10 again.  (Still lying on your left side, bend the right leg with the right foot in front of you for balance, and then raise the left leg up squeezing the inner thigh and slowly lower down.)
Repeat outer and inner thighs on the other side.
Knee-ins off the bed 20-30 reps
Wall Sit, hold for 1 minute
Bicycle Crunches 20-30 reps
Supermans 20-30 reps


Day 4:  I totally forgot I packed a resistance band with the door anchor in the bottom of my suitcase!  Silly me, it was buried under all those shoes!
Motivation:  Moderate
Time: 30 minutes

Note:  If you have knee problems skip the high impact exercises.

Warm up with 50 jumping jacks.  (Low or high impact)

Using the resistance band with the door anchor in the high position:

Chest Press 30 reps
High Row while performing a squat hold or chair pose 30 reps
Tricep Press Downs 30 reps
Wall Sit, hold for 1 minute
Jumping squats or regular squats 20 reps
Repeat the circuit again.

Switch the resistance band door anchor to a position below the bottom door hinge:

Low Row 30 reps
Bicep Curls 30 reps
Single Leg Bridges with the heel elevated on a chair 15-20 reps each leg
Donkey Kicks 40-50 reps each leg (From a table top position on the floor raise one leg back up towards the ceiling as though you were trying to balance a glass of water on top of your foot.  Lower the knee back down towards the floor and repeat.)
Repeat the circuit again.

Knee-ins off the bed 20-30 reps
Bicycle Crunches 20-30 reps
Prone Cobra 20 reps
Supermans 20 reps
Plank Hold 30 seconds
Side Plank Hold 30 seconds each side


Day 5:  Okay, so eating at the all inclusive buffet all week was a bad idea just like my trainer said.  My pants are a little tight!
Motivation:  Off the charts HIGH!
Time:  60 to 90 minutes

Warm up!
March in place 20 reps (Fast pace!  No slacking!)
Side to Side step 20 reps
March in place 20 reps
Side to Side step 20 reps
Jumping Jacks 50 reps (For low impact version see Day 1)
High Knees 50 reps (Run in place keeping those knees up high!  For low impact march in place)
Butt Kicks 50 reps (Run in place aiming your heels towards the glutes.  For low impact version do standing hamstring curls stepping side to side)
Fake Jump Rope 50 reps (Exactly that!  Pretend your jumping rope without the rope)
Mountain Climbers 50 reps (From the push up position step forward bending at the knee alternating legs.  For high impact add a bounce.)
Speed Skaters 50 reps (Large leap onto one leg from side to side mimicking speed skating.)

Chest Press with the resistance band 30 reps
Push ups, Regular or Modified 20-30 reps
Plank Hold on the forearms 30 seconds to 1 minute (Can be modified from the knees if necessary.)
Single leg squats aiming towards a chair 15-20 reps on each leg (Like a regular squat only balanced on one leg at a time.  Repeat the set on the other side.)
Jumping squats or regular squats 20 reps and pulse for 10 at the end.
Mid Row using the door attachment below the middle door hinge.  30 reps
Prone Cobra 20-25 reps (See description in Day 1.)
Side Plank balanced on the forearm 30 seconds each side (Can be be modified from the knees if necessary.)
Alternating Forward Lunges 20-30 reps
Jumping Lunges 20 reps (If you don’t know what they are, then don’t try it without your trainer.)

Cardio burst!
Jumping Jacks 50 reps (For low impact version see Day 1)
High Knees 50 reps (Run in place keeping those knees up high!  For low impact march in place)
Butt Kicks 50 reps (Run in place aiming your heels towards the glutes.  For low impact version do standing hamstring curls stepping side to side)
Fake Jump Rope 50 reps (Exactly that!  Pretend your jumping rope without the rope)
Mountain Climbers 50 reps (From the push up position step forward bending at the knee alternating legs.  For high impact add a bounce.)
Speed Skaters 50 reps (Large leap onto one leg from side to side mimicking speed skating.)

Tricep Press Downs using the resistance band/door attachment at high level.  30 reps
Tricep Dips off the chair 20-30 reps
Alternating Reverse Lunges 20-30 reps
Rock Star Jumps 15 reps (If you don’t know what they are, then you probably shouldn’t do them without your trainer.)
Bicep Curls using the resistance band/door attachment at low level hinge.  30 reps
Knee-ins off the bed 20-30 reps (Balanced on the tailbone with hands on the bed behind you draw the knees in towards your chest.  Then extend both legs out straight while lowering your back towards the bed.)
Single Leg Bridges with heel elevated on a chair 15-20 reps (See description in Day 1.)
Donkey Kicks 40 reps (See description in Day 4.)

Bicycle Crunches 20-30 reps
Supermans 20-30 reps (Laying on your stomach raise the arms, chest, and legs off the floor at the same time while squeezing your glutes.)
Side Lunges 15-20 reps on each leg
Side lying outer thighs on the right leg,  20 reps pulse for 10, 20 reps pulse for 10 again.  (Lying on your left side raise your right leg up in the air, then lower the leg squeezing the inner thigh on the way down.)
Side lying inner thighs on the left leg, 20 reps pulse for 10, 20 reps pulse for 10 again.  (Still lying on your left side, bend the right leg with the right foot in front of you for balance, and then raise the left leg up squeezing the inner thigh and slowly lower down.)
Repeat outer and inner thighs on the other side.
Knee-ins off the bed 20-30 reps
Wall Sit, hold for 1 minute
Bicycle Crunches 20-30 reps
Supermans 20-30 reps

Don’t forget to stretch out!!!