Archive for May, 2012

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May 29, 2012

Peach Cobbler Protein Smoothie

I love smoothies. Add in warm weather and long jogs along the shoreline and you’ve got yourself the perfect summer combination, in my opinion. I was fighting some kind of cold (on top of allergies…) last week so sipping one or two smoothies a day  was necessary to sooth my sore throat, however my typical berry/banana concoction got old fast. Insert frozen peaches.

Ingredients
1 cup frozen peaches
1/2 frozen banana
1 serving of protein powder
8 oz. soy or almond milk
2 tablespoons chia seeds
Dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract
Ice and more milk (or water) depending on desired consistency
Toppings: flaxseed meal, rolled oats, chopped frozen fruit, nut butter, Greek yogurt, etc. 

This smoothie is savory, sweet but oh so healthy! The reason behind the “1 serving of protein powder” is simply because the schtuff I recently purchased at my local health food store (Naturade’s Soy-Free Veg Protein Booster) calls for 1/3 cup as a serving. More than I usually use but the nutrition facts are pretty great with 110 calories (20 from fat), 2g total carbohydrates, 0g sugar and 21g protein. It’s natural flavor blends in well without any chalkiness! Because my immune system has been down, I took a few days off last week with a few light workouts and yoga sessions sprinkled in. I got right back on track this weekend, though, with 6 miles on Saturday and 8 yesterday (I ran down to my town’s Memorial Day parade…phew it was hot!). Time to start kicking my mileage up a notch…I’m hoping to do another half in a few weeks but we’ll see. In other news,  I attended a spa-inspired bachelorette party, tried a new restaurant (post to come), ate a lot of grilled foods and soaked up quite a few rays, taking my first pool dip of the season!
How was your long weekend?

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Breakfast, Lunch, Reviews, Snack | 2 Comments »

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May 23, 2012

brook vin

On Monday, Mike and I headed into Brooklyn to visit my gal pal Amy for her birthday. I was excited to prance around Park Slope, catch some rays in the park with an espresso in hand and treat her to dinner but my allergies, in combination with the rainy weather (and the fact that we missed our intended train to Grand Central), had a different plan in mind. Who else has felt like a zombie lately? 

 

That didn’t stop us, though. We cozied up in Amy’s old brownstone with a cup of tea and this AMAZING gluten-free banana bread, which was still warm from the oven before hitting up the birthday girl’s favorite restaurant a few avenues away for happy hour and an early dinner. I ordered their blue plate of the evening, a yellowtail ahi tuna dish with orange and fennel. It was heavenly. How gorgeous is that dish!? After enjoying my second cup of coffee, we took an impromptu movie jaunt. Great afternoon/evening if you ask me! Happy birthday again, Amy. You’re truly an incredible individual and an even better friend. 

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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May 21, 2012

Chamard Vineyards

I had no idea that a vineyard could even exist on the shoreline of Connecticut, let alone be found basically in my backyard. Chamard Vineyards, a mere minute or two away from my Clinton Crossing stomping grounds, is a gorgeous 20 acre winery that produces about 6,000 cases annually. Yesterday I had the opportunity to not only indulge in their variety of whites and reds, but also lend a hand in the bottling process after learning a great deal about the bev’s arduous production ordeal. So much chemistry and wine jargon to sift through!

A few months ago my dad was invited to his cousin’s custom wine crush and this was the follow-up soiree, in a nutshell, the bottling of his cabernet sauvignon. It was delicious and way too much fun…well, what’s not a blast with a few glasses of crisp wine, sunshine and BBQ fare?

The yummy red grapes had been fermenting, pressed, settling and aged in oak for months now so yesterday was the final step. Everyone formed an assembly line, carefully making sure the wine was bottled without coming into contact with air. 

Mike and my dad were in charge of corking, a task requiring speed and upper body strength to say the least!

I, on the other hand, meticulously placed labels. Try doing that after a few glasses, yeesh…

It was such a wonderful afternoon and a great way to end my weekend. I’m so excited to have discovered this Wine Country-esque Shoreline gem and cannot wait for their restaurant to open this summer! Their Singer-Songwriter & Food Truck Series every Friday and Saturday sounds divine.
Are you a wine connoisseur? 

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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May 21, 2012

Things I Learned This Weekend

Sometimes you can’t plan fun. Spur-of-the-moment decisions and adventures trump all. As Germaine Greer once said, “The essence of pleasure is spontaneity.” After a weekend getaway with friends fell through somewhat last minute, I had little expectation for the last 48 hours or so. It ended up being a blessing in disguise, however, because this weekend ended up being just as perfect as the summer weather that went along with it. Thanks to my newfound appreciation for simply “going with the flow,” I had a few eye-opening experiences… 

 

1. Fresh coconut is da bomb dot com as a happier hour drink and, after the refreshing beverage is all slurped up, an even better dessert.

 

2. Being unemployed isn’t too shabby if you’re surrounded by friends, family and sunshine. I mean, who could complain about an impromptu casino excursion (where Taylor, of course, ordered a hot dog…) or soaking up rays poolside with that ab-tastic stud?

 

3. Making wine is tedious and involves a lot of hard work! More on that tomorrow…too much was consumed at this afternoon’s bottling/tasting party. So sleepy!
What did you learn this weekend?

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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May 16, 2012

Lauren Lately

After experiencing arguably the craziest, most action-packed and chaotic months of my life, I’ve now had a little over a week of quite the opposite: nothing. Noon’s coffee cup number three has been rendered completely unnecessary and gym time can be spent rush-free without even a glance at the clock or my email. It has been different but I’m enjoying the r&r, especially in New York. Last week I headed in for fun. No internship or conference to attend, just plain fun. I grabbed coffee with a friend Thursday afternoon and Friday I finally saw Em’s new apartment before snagging a delicious lunch/smoothie/shopping with another pal. It was so lovely to soak up the hustle and bustle of the city without having much of an agenda. 

 Saturday offered a continuation of my lax but entertaining adventure. Mike and I woke up early for a jog in Central Park where we got in a quick sweat while admiring happy dogs prancing about in the summer sun. Early afternoon, Mike’s friend, Mark, and his Arizona native girlfriend, Michelle, arrived for a double date day. We hit up some of the must-see tourist spots, making our way down toward the 9/11 Memorial and South Street Seaport for dinner. We walked, walked and walked some more, earning ourselves a few cocktails! The weather and sunset were perfect so we sat on Mike’s balcony for a few hours taking it all in. I love New York and I guess I’m loving this down time, although would equally love getting paid again. I’ll start really worrying about that soon…

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Life Happenings, Random | 2 Comments »

May 14, 2012

Tequila Lime Shrimp and Quinoa Black Bean & Grilled Corn Salad

Ok, so I got sidetracked with the two recipes I promised you all last week! I’ve been lollygagging ever since graduation (post tomorrow on that!). Oops? Don’t hate…I’m getting used to life as an unemployed, recent grad. Here you go:

Tequila Lime Shrimp
3 garlic cloves
1 jalapeño
1/4 cup tequila
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup lime juice (and zest)
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 pounds of shrimp, shelled and deveined

Directions: Similar to the chicken from my last post, I marinaded these babies overnight to ensure a powerful punch of flavor and boy, did they deliver! Every last shrimp was snarfed down in a matter of minutes. So let’s get started. After removing the shells and veins, place the shrimp in a large resealable plastic bag with all the ingredients EXCEPT for the lime juice—the acidity will actually start cooking them so wait to add that until right before you throw it on the grill! Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. After the shrimp have soaked up all the glorious juices, spear them onto skewers (next time I’ll be adding veggies and maybe some pineapple to the kabobs?) and place them on the grill until pink. Easy enough, right? Yum.

Quinoa Black Bean & Grilled Corn Salad
1 cup dry quinoa
3 ears of corn, grilled
2 cans black beans
1/2 cup cilantro
2 beef steak tomatoes
2 scallions1 avocado
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon jalapeño, minced
Salt, pepper and lime juice to taste 

Directions: This recipe is super easy to make in advance (just add the avocado right before serving), not to mention you can basically alter it anyway you see fit for fab results. Start by cooking the quinoa and grilling your corn. Allow for the corn to cool before cutting the kernels off the husks! Roughly chop the tomatoes, fresh cilantro and scallions. Combine the cooled quinoa and corn with everything else (rinse and drain the beans, chop the veggies, mince the and jalapeño, etc.). Serve cold. Don’t forget to add in the avocado! The lime should keep it from browning after serving.

Can’t wait to recreate these!

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish | 3 Comments »

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May 10, 2012

Citrusy Chicken with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa

It’s hard to believe that I was a vegetarian for over a year simply because I love chicken. Heck, chicken is one of the main reasons I reverted back to my carnivorous ways a few years ago. That and the fact that I seriously lacked the necessary amount of protein in my diet as a college freshman who hated dining hall food options. This recipe made me re-fall in love with chicken. Marinated overnight in a simple combination of orange, lemon and lime juice, thrown on the grill for some char marks and topped with a spicy but sweet salsa, I can proudly say it’s a home run. Perfect for the surge of summer barbecues around the corner! Keep in mind we were serving many hungry bellies so cut the recipe down as you see fit!

Chicken:
12 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
1 cup orange juice
Juice from one lime and one lemon
6 garlic cloves

Combine the citrus juices and pour into a resealable plastic bag (or multiple if needed). Add in the chicken breasts, throw in the garlic cloves and let marinade in the refrigerator for 4+ hours. Like I said, I let the chickies soak in the flavorful goodness overnight, giving the bag a nice shake every time I had my head in there for a snack…which is often.  

Salsa:
1 1/2 cups pineapple
1/2 cup red bell pepper
1/2 cup green bell pepper
1/4 cup red onion
1/2 jalapeño
Juice from one lime
1/2 cup chopped tomato, or two small romas
Heaping tablespoon of cilantro

Nothing too daunting here but oh so fresh. Simply chop up and combine all of the ingredients, allowing for the juices to mingle and hangout with one another in the fridge before serving. While that’s happening, fire up the grill and let it do its magic! Serve with the salsa as a side or throw it right on top of the chicken for you and your guests to enjoy. Sprinkled a little extra cilantro on there and add a lime wedge to the plate. Is your mouth watering or what? With the other recipes including tequila and avocado I didn’t think this one needed it but if those ingredients strike your fancy, throw ‘em on in! I bet it would be divine.
Could you ever go cold turkey (er, I mean chicken in this case?) and give up a food you love?  

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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May 7, 2012

Cinco de Graderby

Cinco de Mayo, graduation, the Kentucky Derby…now that’s a lot to celebrate, but boy did we and with a bang might I add. I’m still in a food coma from the amount I consumed Saturday. I wasn’t alone, though, as evident by the fact that there were absolutely no leftovers! I guess the Mexican cuisine was a hit? I do have to pat myself on the back with the shrimp and chicken recipes, with special thanks to my grill master of a father. Here’s a quick recap of the festivities. I’m so glad that the weather cooperated after a week of rain!

I have a stack of thank you notes to tackle, a workout class to catch and oh, you know, a job to hunt for now so the delightful recipes will be sprinkled throughout the rest of the week. Stay tuned! They’re worth it.

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Life Happenings, Random | 4 Comments »

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May 5, 2012

Cinco de Mayo: Sneak Peak

Tequila, lime, cilantro, jalapeños…need I say more? Today has been filled with lots of exercising, errand running and prepping for tomorrow’s Cinco de Mayo/Graduation Fiesta. The menu is full of Mexican must-haves like homemade guacamole, tacos, etc. but I’m also whipping up a Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa to top grilled chicken (marinaded overnight in juice from oranges, lemons and limes with garlic), a Quinoa Black Bean and Grilled Corn Salad, as well as Tequila Lime Shrimp (pictured below). Lots of delicious dishes in the works, our kitchen smells way too good right now.

I’m pooped from an early three miles and a Piloxing class (pilates + boxing, a very interesting combo) so will be hitting the sack shortly for all of tomorrow’s festivities. I can already tell that my glutes and quads are not going to be happy with me in the morning. Phew!
Any fun Cinco de Mayo plans? What’s your favorite Mexican dish?

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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May 1, 2012

When Life Hands You Lemons…

I’m done. Done with college that is. My internship is over, my papers and independent study were submitted hot off the press and today I bubbled in my last multiple choice Scantron exam before feverishly writing what seemed to be a novel of an all-essay final (2 hours straight, ew!). It was icing on the cake of a less than stellar past few days however I’m a strong believer in the whole, “everything happens for a reason” schtick so I’m having some faith. I’ll be making that naturally-sweetened, ice cold lemonade in no time. Heck, I guess I should probably spike it to celebrate. Right?

My recent bump in the road were nothing a trip home for the weekend couldn’t fix. I moped around in sweats, took advantage of OnDemand and my saint of a mother took me and Mike out for dinner at my favorite restaurant. She knows me too well. Coming back to take two exams with graduation just a week away made things all the more scary. There’s nothing left in my room at the condo I’ve called home for three years except my mattress and television. My roommates and I have been basically inseparable with the unspoken truth looming overhead that we will no longer all be living under the same roof. The waterworks come and go unannounced. I may have made Taylor toss a penny into the fountain at the mall the other day with me for good luck. We made a wish and embraced a few trickling tears, naturally making a scene. It happens. Side note, I’ve been playing Jason Mraz’s new song, I Won’t Give Up, on repeat. Bad combination with my funk? Yeah, but it’s just so good.

So that’s why I’ve been MIA for a week. A few curve balls have been thrown my way that I need to embrace. Smudged mascara and minimal effort cardio routines get you no where. Since I do well with lists, I made a few (and working on a few more as we speak) focusing on all the good. My strengths, a summer/pre-professional bucket list, a menu for a Cinco de Mayo graduation soiree—or should I say fiesta?—my family is throwing for me, etc. I’m excited to have time again to cook. To blog. To workout without having one eye on the clock. To laugh more, stress less. I want to take a road trip, try Cross-Fit, finally learn how to play guitar and hike in Vermont…I’m scared and excited, nervous and anxious but can only move forward confidently with a smile on my face. There’s too much to be happy about to be down in the dumps when something doesn’t go my way or perfectly as planned.

Get ready, lovelies. I’m back and ready for the next chapter of my life. More miles, recipes, sweat-tastic workouts, life happenings and obstacles to overcome. You in? I hope so.
“Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength.” Mary Engelbreit

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Life Happenings, Random | 7 Comments »

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