Avocado Addict

My name is Andrea, and I am an avocado junkie.  I have been eating the yummy green fruit (yes it's a fruit!) everyday lately.  One way I love to use it is as a substitute for mayo in tuna and chicken salads.  Here are the other ways I have been incorporating avocado in my diet:

 For breakfast this morning I mashed 1/4 of an avocado on toasted Ezekiel bread, topped it off with a fried egg, salt, and pepper.  I go back and forth between frying my egg in coconut oil or a little bit of butter.  Butter is way better for you than margarine guys!  It's natural and chemical-free.  If I'm feeling like a really bad girl I'll make some bacon and fry the egg in the bacon grease.  It's a rare treat for myself.  Sometimes you just have to go on with your bad self.

For my lunch at work I simply made a bowl of rice, roasted turkey breast (real turkey..not the slimy deli kind), and avocado.  Of course I topped it off with a little salt and pepper.  This time I did use white rice because it was left over.  I am also Japanese (I'm a mutt) so I keep white rice on hand.  I realize it isn't as healthy as brown, but it is what I had left over from the previous night's asian themed meal.  The Japanese live their whole lives eating white rice everyday and they have one of the longest life spans in the world.  It's all about moderation and balance.

I have been dreaming about this clock for well over a year now.  True story.  This is what I have been imagining in my head for my kitchen.  I went to Target and found this clock on my journey.  I was super stoked, but there was only one left with the paint chipped on one of the spoons.  You better believe I will be stalking Target - more than I already do - for the next shipment of this clock.

These shoes are completely unrelated to this post, but I adore these TOMS. Can I just say I am loving that 90's florals are back?  Best. Decade. Ever.

Protein Caramel Frappe

So I would call it a Frappuccino but Starbucks trademarked the name.  I always wondered why McDonald's had to call them Frappe.  I am a huge Starbucks fan.  More times than not I walk into work with a Starbuck's drink in my hand.  I'm a Seattle girl and someone has to rep the NW out here in the land of Dunkin Donuts *gag*.

Here is my super easy, quick jolt of caffeinated caramel goodness recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 serving Body By Vi Shake Mix (The sweet cream flavor really makes the drink)
• 1 packet of Starbucks VIA Iced in Caramel
• 8 oz of milk (use whatever kind you like..1%, soy, almond, etc)
• 5 or 6 ice cubes

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into blender
2. Blend
3. Enjoy!

Follow me on Instagram: AndreaBai

Huli Huli Chicken

It's that time of the year when we all gather outside and grill!  One of my most beloved chicken recipes has to be Huli Huli Chicken.  Huli Huli literally translates to "turn turn" in Hawaiian.  It's a delicious recipe that reminds me of my childhood.  You can't help but enjoy summer when you smell this cooking on the grill.

The chicken cooking on the grill......it smells so good guys!

Ingredients:

• 4-5 pounds of chicken thighs (You can use chicken breast but I think thighs are more wallet friendly and don't dry out like breast can)
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup soy sauce (or as us Islanders and Japanese call it: shoyu)
• 1/2 plus 1/4 cups of brown sugar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 4 tablespoons chicken broth
• 2 inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients except for the chicken in a medium size bowl.  Mix well.
2. Place chicken evenly in a deep dish
3. Poke chicken with a fork to help marinade seep in
4. Pour marinade over chicken to cover.  If you have any extra marinade place in a bowl and refrigerate.  You can use this to baste.  Just make sure you don't use the marinade that already touched the raw chicken!
5. Cover and put in refrigerator overnight or 24 hours, if possible
6. Cook chicken on an outdoor grill
7. Don't forget to Turn Turn your chicken often!

Enjoy your taste of the islands!

Friday Favorites: LaVanilla

Hello my lovelies!  It's time for Friday Favorites!  If you know me you know how obsessed I am with vanilla.  In fact, it is hands down my favorite scent in the whole entire world.  In the past I would wear Victoria's Secret "Vanilla Lace" and Comptoir Sud Pacifique in "Vanilla Exreme" or any of their yummy vanilla scents.  More often than not I would end up layering them with other fragrances.  I love to layer, but sometimes I want to option to apply and go.

I went to Sephora the other day with a girlfriend, and decided to get a rollerball of LaVanilla in Pure Vanilla.  Why did I get a rollerball instead of a small bottle?  I feel like rollerballs are a good way to test a fragrance without shelling out the dough for a bottle.  I like to try a new scent for a few days to see how it reacts to my body.  After the first day of wearing it I became obsessed.  I am so glad I bought a rollerball.  Now I can have the scent of delicious vanilla beans with me on the go.  Yay!  What I love about this scent is it isn't overpowering or too sweet.  I hate when fragrances remind me of children's perfume.  LaVanilla in "Pure Vanilla" balances sweet and grown-up perfectly.

Vanilla has been a favorite of mine as a kid.  It reminds me of my Grammy a.k.a. the most amazing woman in the whole wide world.  She always wore vanilla as a base, and baked the most delicious desserts.  How could I not grow up as a vanilla fanatic?  It's warm, comforting, and smells delish!

I remember reading a study a few years ago stating vanilla was a man's favorite scent on a woman.  Now I can not speak for all men, but my husband and male friends have always complimented me whenever I wear it.

If you guys love the scent of vanilla I highly suggest you give LaVanilla in "PureVanilla" a try!

Mango Banana Blueberry Smoothie and Getting Into Fitness

Hello my lovelies!  It has been so beautiful in the Boston area lately.  Yesterday I went to the beach with my hubs and coconut.  On the way we had to stop at Target to get some beach toys, and I picked up these awesome shades.  Who knew I could fall in love with a cheap pair of glasses?  They might be my new fave.

I have been so good about working out and consistently eating well.  Meal planning/prep is crucial for my healthy eating habits.  Today I went to spin class and did some ab work.  Sometimes I want to take pictures of what I do, but I'm afraid to when people are around.  
Today's workout consisted of: 60 second planks, 30 seconds each side planks, 1,2,3 pass (it's an awesome partner workout), and some work balancing on the balls.  Sometimes I dread going to the gym, but I never regret it afterwards.  The feeling of pushing your body to a new limit is becoming very addicting to me.  I think this is the first time in my life that working out is something I'm excited to do versus something I had to do to keep from being a fat cow.

For my post workout I made a delicious Mango Banana Blueberry Smoothie.

I recently discovered the Body By Vi shakes and they are freaking delicious!  It tastes exactly like cake batter.  It may not be the cleanest protein powder out there, but it is the only one I found that doesn't have that protein powder aftertaste.  I recently made the apple pie shake with it that was freaking insane.  I'll post it for you guys soon!  The recipe for my morning shake is:

• 1 banana
• 1 mango
• handful of blueberries
• 1 serving of Visalus shake mix 

How simple is that?  I was going to add spinach and chia seeds but I completely blanked.  I just needed a recovery shake fast.  

I'd love to hear how you guys keep a healthy lifestyle!  Any tips to share?

Until next time...I'm going to bed and crashing :)

Follow me on Instagram: andreabai

Clean Peach Ice Cream

One of my favorite features of my Vitamix is the ability to make fresh ice cream in seconds.  I've tried this recipe in the Ninja, and it worked well also.  I'm not sure how a regular blender would handle all the frozen fruit.  Let me know what you guys experience.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 bag frozen peaches
• Agave nectar, to taste

Directions:

1. Add ingredients in order they are listed
2. Start Vitamix at Variable 1, then turn to Variable 10
3. Flip to High
4. Push ingredients with tamper if necessary
5. Stop machine when ingredients are frozen and four chambers are formed at the top
6. Scoop out and Enjoy!

I took the pictures for this post with my Instagram app on my iPhone.  I 'm not sure how well the vintage look goes with my ice cream.  It was the perfect summer dessert...light and delicious!


Follow me on Instagram: andreabai

Keep it Simple

How delish does that picture look?  I like to make a batch of quinoa to have in the house during the week.  I have found it helps with the "what's for dinner" dilemma.  I prefer to cook my quinoa in chicken broth rather than water.  The ending product is more flavorful in my opinion.

The recipe to make the dish in the picture is so simple...it's a trio!  What's a trio, you ask?  It is a recipe that only requires three ingredients.  Fab.  I place chopped fresh tomatoes on top of my quinoa, and leave space in the center to add a dollop of pesto.  Yum. 

For the main dish I kept my salmon simple.  I cooked it on the stovetop with salt, pepper, and paprika.  Can you tell I love salmon?  I seem to blog about it a lot.  A side of steamed broccoli, or "trees" as my son lovingly calls it, was a great addition to the meal.

The best part of it all?  My son inhaled his food...after he was done devouring his weight in broccoli.  Eating clean can be simple and speedy.  Did you guys eat anything delicious this weekend?  XOXO

Greens and Berries Smoothie

I am in love....with my Vitamix!  Most blenders should be able to handle this recipe, but I love that I can put ingredients like raw carrots and nuts in my Vitamix with no problems. 

Smoothies are a great way to start your family off in a nutritious manner.  They are quick, tasty, and please everyone in the fam bam.  I made this smoothie for my whole family.  Use portions that apply to you.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup milk (I used regular 2%, but feel free to use almond, rice, coconut, etc.  Use what you have!)
• Handful of strawberries
• Handful of blueberries
• 1 banana
• Handful of kale, stems removed
• Handful of spinach
• 1/3 cup greek yogurt
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• ice

Directions:

1. Add ingredients in order they are listed
2. Blend! (If using a vitamix: start at variable 1, quickly turn to variable 10, flip to high)
3. Pour and Enjoy!

Who Says All Kids Want Are Hot Dogs and Chicken Nuggets?!

Last week, at my son's daycare, I was told that he is the only kid who brings healthy lunches to school.  I was floored.  I asked what the other kids ate and you know what I was told?  Damian's classmates eat chicken nuggets, hot dogs, mac and cheese, and pizza.  Everyday. My husband and I live in a pretty affluent area so we are by far the youngest parents in the entire school.  Stereotypically we would be the ones not taking care of our son's nutritional needs to the fullest.  Sure we send the occasional soynut butter and jelly sandwich with fresh berries if we are in a morning time crunch, but we try to send him with our leftovers that we know he loves.

Some days Damian is more interested in his peer's food than his own.  I think that is something all kids do.  I didn't quite know how to respond when my husband and I were suggested that we send our son with similar, a.k.a. unhealthy, food.  Ummmmm....what?!  Excuse me but I do not want my son eating that filth everyday.  The more time went on since that day, the more I started to think about children's nutrition needs.  Who was the genius that said all kids want to eat are hot dogs and fries?  Why do kid's need a separate menu from adults?  In every restaurant the children's menu has the same items: hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, etc.  Trust me my son will eat those if presented to him.  I'm not naive about that, and he has been exposed to them.  Sometimes it can't be helped and I understand that.  He also loves eating salmon, chicken, fresh fruits, vegetables, and he will even eat my salad from time to time.  

I guess the point of this post was to partly vent and partly get my reader's opinions on the topic.  I think I am going to post the foods, along with recipes of course, that my family eats.  I think it will help keep us on track, with our occasional cheats, and hopefully inspire you guys.

I am amazed at how many different people read my blog around the world.  Some in countries I forgot existed since doing Passport in elementary school.  Does anyone remember that?    Okay back on track....

This is what I packed my husband for work today.

Snacks: 

• Edamame (I prefer to cook and salt my own and didn't realize this was pre-cooked and salted)
• String Cheese
• Nuts (Almonds, Pecans, and Cashews) with dried cranberries and cherries, and yogurt raisins
• Peach

Lunch:

• Quinoa with peas and chicken breast.  I usually pack cooked chicken, but I keep the canned chicken breast from Costco on hand for mornings like today.  

My son will eat everything in that pictures except for the almonds.  What I am trying to say is the only things children know about food and nutrition is what we expose them to.  Give your children a variety of foods to explore and decide what they like.  I think you will be surprised to learn what their taste buds can embrace.

Smile

My hubby and I decided to drive last minute to West Virginia to see his grandparents yesterday.  It is so beautiful here I will make sure to take some pictures.  I did manage to take a picture of these gorgeous wild kittens.  I have never wanted a kitten so badly in my life.

Are these not the cutest little kittens?!

I saw these beautiful flowers on my walk around the neighborhood

Peonies are my favorite flowers.  This beauty was growing in my backyard.  I need to snip some off and put them in a vase.

My garden is growing!  I can't wait to taste the fruits of my harvest!

There is beauty all around us.  Make sure to take a second and enjoy it.  Have a great weekend!  Until next time!  XOXO