Thursday, December 30, 2010

NYE specialty drinks

2010 is ending and that means that New Year's Eve is around the corner. If you're throwing a party instead of going out, or just having friends over to watch the countdown, here are some special drinks you can make yourself to ring in the new year. It's cheaper than any bar!

Cranberry Ginger Martini 
2t grated ginger
8 cranberries
4 oz cranberry vodka
splsh of lime juice
splash of cranberry juice
splash of simple syrup

Muddle ginger and cranberries in a shaker. Add ice, vodka, juices and simple syrup. Strain into a martini glass, add a splash of sprite. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Smashing Pumpkin
2 oz stoli vodka
1T pumpkin puree
1 oz cream
1t simple syrup

Pour everything into a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake. Pour into a glass with ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

My Kurant Affair 
2 oz absolut kurant
1/4 oz lemon juice
splash of club soda
1/2 oz simple  syrup

Put all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with grapes.

The Pink Ginger
1 1/2 ounces belvedere pink grapefruit
1/4 ounce carton ginger liqueur
1/4 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
splash of sweet and sour mix

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice and strain. Pour into a glass and garnish with strips of grapefruit zest.

Pomegranant Grapefruit Caipriroska
pink grapefruit slice
2 lime wedges
1 tsp sugar
1/2 ounce pomegranant juice
1 1/2 ounces vodka

In the bottom of a glass muddle together the grapefruit, limes and sugar. Add juice, vodka and ice. Stir well.

Rosy Sangria
1/2 bottle of rosangel tequila
1/2 bottle of white wine
1/2 cup sugar
1 ounce orange juice
2 ounces cranberry juice
2 oranges, 1 lemon and lime, sliced
1 bunch of grapes, halved
1 apple, diced
1/2 liter club soda

Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir.


Poolside Passion
4 lemon wedges
2 strawberries
1 ounce simple syrup
1 1/2 ounces grey goose vodka
splash of cranberry juice

Muddle lemon wedges, strawberries and simple syrup in a shaker. Add vodka, cranberry juice and ice, shake 20 times. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a flower.




Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Burn Extra Calories

Now that we all have eaten at least two huge meals in the past two months and are feeling bad about it, it's time to get back into the grind of working out. But what if you hate going to the gym ( I feel ya) or can't afford it? Luckily for you there are some simple ways you can burn those extra calories without having to step inside of a gym!

DAILY

1) Forget using the paper seat covers at restrooms (this may seem nasty but actually it's been proven that using them causes bacteria because the water tends to splash whereas actually sitting on the seat doesn't.) Instead, squat on the seat. This burns 5 calories.

2) For those who take forever deciding what to wear (ladies, we all do it), this is an easy one. Lung to pick up every shoe you try on for the day's outfit. This burns  5 calories.

3) When you're at work and have to talk to your boss or any other co-worker for a long period of time, squeeze and release your butt muscles 60 times. This burns  5 calories.

4) When you go and get your morning, afternoon or evening coffee or if you need to reach for something that is on a high shelf, rise up and down on your toes 15 times (this is to get a better view of the cute guys making your coffee that you haven't ordered yet). This burns  5 calories.

WEEKLY

1) Belt out your favorite upbeat song for 15 minutes in the shower. If you have a shower radio, perfect. If not, put your cd player in the bathroom on the toilet and raise up the volume so that the water doesn't drain out the sound.  This burns  35 calories.

2) Pop in an episode of your favorite tv show that you happen to have on dvd. If you don't have it on dvd, then just watch something comedic that's on tv that'll keep you laughing for 30 minutes. This burns  50 calories. 


3) While you're making breakfast or packing your lunch for the day, dance to an upbeat song on the radio. This burns 20 calories. 


4) When out with your girls (or man), hold your drink for 20 minutes instead of directly putting it down on the table. This burns 60 calories. 



Monday, December 13, 2010

Must-Haves

If you have a busy schedule like I do-whether it be school, work, or both, you have little time to be running around. Here are some of my favorite products that you MUST HAVE....

1. Milk Does a Body Good-  Hollywood producer and Makeup artist Kelly Andrea Rubin has a line of products that will be having you say exactly that. Her Extra Virgin Body Milks make skin feel soft and smooth while hydrating at the same time and maintaining a wonderful smell.

http:www.extravirginbodyproducts.com 

2. A Refresher- I know you've all heard of Vitamin Water and now their new line of Vitamin Zero Water. But THIS water is better! Skinny Water is not only heathy but it tastes good as well. Inside there are tons of anti-oxidants, vitamins, electrolytes, ZERO sugar, ZERO calories, ZERO carbs, ZERO sodium and ZERO preservatives. That's right- ZERO carbs!


http://www.skinnywater.com

3. Sweet Tooth- For those who need that piece of cake or cookie to satisfy your sweet tooth at the end of the day-or at work- this is for you. Instead of grabbing your usual scrumpcious cupcake, eat a sugar baby cupcake. They are smaller but still give you that satisfying sweet feeling.


http://www.sugarbabiescupcakery.com

4. Satin Fingers- As we get older, our hands don't get any younger. They dry out and sometimes lotion doesn't even help. Along with mositurizing your face in the morning and before bed, do the same with your hands. Mary Kay has a three step product that's easy to use and will leave your hands feeling moist and young again. The best part- it's fregrence free so it won't stain your clothes and people won't keep asking you what perfume you're wearing.

http://www.marykay.com/spabody/bodycare/10032362/10032362/default.aspx

5. Daily Cleanse- Just like your hands and face need to be moisturized, they also need to be cleansed so that your porse don't clog and you don't break out. This is essential for those of you (like me) with oily skin. The solution? A cleanser that works on all skin types and leaves your skin feeling refreshed. Kinrease gentle daily cleanser does just that. It's filled with green tea extracts and it cleanses without stripping away essential nutrients that your skin needs.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2886076?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=skin%2Fbody_treatment:cleanser&cm_ite=kinerase(r)_gentle_daily_cleanser:9231&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:trackingCode=3DDFCFFD-D981-DE11-B712-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA





Holiday Diet

I know the holidays are coming up and I know that some of you are still trying to burn off all the calories you inhaled over Thanksgiving-I know I am! With Hanukkah already having passed and with Christmas coming up, there sure is going to be a lot of cookie, cake and gingerbread consumption. For those of you worried about gaining weight and maintaining your figure during the holidays, here are some ways you can achieve this...


1. Drink orange juice.
Flavonoids, the antioxidant-like compounds in OJ, may offset the heart-damaging effects of a calorie- and fat-laden meal. 



2. Eat fruit.
Eating antioxidant-rich fruits—including berries, grapes, kiwi and cherries—helps minimize the harmful free-radical damage that occurs after a meal. 


3. Drizzle vinegar.
Having a tablespoon of vinegar with your meal, (for example, drizzled on your salad), may temper the spike in blood sugar that occurs after eating a big, carbohydrate-rich meal.


4. Drink wine.
The antioxidants in red wine may reduce the negative impact of high-fat foods by lowering levels of a compound—produced in the body after eating fat—that's linked with heart disease. Cook with red wine or enjoy a glass with dinner. But remember, moderation is key!


And in regards to fitness...


1. Keep going to the gym (check your local gym's holiday hours)


For those traveling...


2. Walk or run each morning-it'll keep your heart racing and is good for your legs as well.


3. Jump rope- it may seem silly, but jumping rope is a great work out and is fun as well. Count how many times you jump and every day try and beat your record-who knows how many hours you will end up spending! 


4. Dance- whether it be going to the club with your friends, dancing the night away with that special someone, or getting your groove on with the new wii systems, dancing is a great way to sweat away the pounds-plus it's fun! 


5. Bicycle- doesn't matter if it's up hill, down hill, long distance or just around the town, biking is a good way to get your muscles going and keep your heart racing. 


Enjoy your holidays but remember that eating TOO much will come back to haunt you if you don't continue your work-out. :]