Low-Calorie Cocktails for New Years

If you are anything like me in that you love a good drink on New Year's Eve, here are some recipes so that you can enjoy the holiday without all of the calories that go along with some of our favorite drinks. I have tried all of these and they are tasty!! Enjoy and Cheers to the 2012!!



Blueberry Lime Margarita
Makes 2 servings at 125 calories each
2 cups ice
1 cup frozen blueberries
1cup blueberry nectar
1/4 cup seltzer
2 tbsp frozen limeade
1 tbsp lime juice
3 oz. tequila, optional
1 lime wedge
coarse salt

Combine ice, blueberries, blueberry nectar, seltzer, limeade, lime juice and tequila, if using, in a blender and blend until smooth. Rub rim of 2 glasses with lime wedge and dip in salt. Divide the margarita between the prepared glasses and serve.

Blueberry Ginger Bellini
Makes 4 servings at 185 calories each
1/2 cup blueberries
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 tbsp sugar
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 cups of blueberry juice
1/2 cup sparkling wine, divided (for my pregnant and non-drinking friends... use ginger ale or seltzer water)

Mash blueberries with ginger, sugar and lemon juice. Add blueberry juice and let steep for at least 5 minutes. Strain; divide among 4 champagne flutes. Top each with 1/2 cup sparkling wine.


Salty Chihuahua
Makes 4 servings at 188 calories each
Coarse salt for rim
4 oz. tequila, divided
2 oz. Cointreau or another orange-flavored liqueur
3 cups grapefruit juice, divided
4 grapefruit slices



Wet the rims of 4 glasses and coat with coarse salt (if desired); fill the glasses with ice. Pour 1 ounce tequila and 1/2 ounce liqueur into each. Top each with 3/4 cup grapefruit juice and stir. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit. 

All drink recipes are courtesy of EatingWell.com

New Year's Resolutions

Now that the wrapping paper has been thrown away and visiting relatives have returned to their homes we now focus towards 2012. 

What does 2012 represent to you?

For me it represents a time for change and new adventures. Many of us go into the new year with a plan, dream, or idea in our hearts and it's a matter of how do i put this into action?

This is the year for me that encompasses a few definite goals





1. Volunteer more
2. Run the Nike's Women Half-Marathon
3. Take the GRE in the fall
4. Visit Mel Dell and the family
5. Turn 30 in style!!
6. Make several items off of Pinterest






What are your thoughts? Any ideas for me?

Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas

... from the owls that adorned my Christmas tree as well as many family and friends.

Seasons Greetings!

Pumpkin Pie Croissants

My friend Jimmy decided to have a little "get-together" this week with a few friends and invited us to all bring either a bottle of wine or something to share. Being the person who can never come empty-handed i decided to try out a new recipe. Pumpkin Pie Croissants seemed to be the perfect mix of two worlds... Pillsbury croissants and pumpkin pie.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Croissants

Ingredients

2 tubes of croissants

1 cup pumpkin (not filling)

1/2 block of cream cheese

3-4 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

Topping

4 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Mix cream cheese, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin together until creamy
• Roll each crescent out and cut in half lengthwise. This will make 32 crescents. 
• Fill each crescent with the pumpkin mix. Roll up and then coat with the second sugar mix.
• Bake in oven for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
• ENJOY!

Holiday Party and Cookies

Tonight is my last holiday party for the year i think/hope. It's my friend's yearly holiday party that usually ends up with one of us airing out all our grievances like festivus. For those of you who don't understand this reference... check this out!

This party brings many factions of life/friends together so of course we need food there as well as alcohol. I am trying a new recipe that i got from Skinny Taste except i changed the flour combination for my recipe. 

I am currently in the process of organizing a new routine for my workouts so get excited for the reveal this week.

Skinny Snickerdoodles

• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 tbsp corn syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp sugar*
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon*
• cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.  Line two baking sheets with parchemant paper  and spray with cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Combine 1 cup of sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.  Add the agave, vanilla and egg; beat well.  Gradually addthe flour mixture to the sugar mixture, beating just until combined.  Cover and chill for 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, combine 3 tbsp sugar with cinnamon, stirring with a whisk to combine.  With moist hands, shape dough into 1-inch balls.  Roll balls in sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Place balls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets (I slightly flattened them).   

Bake 375°F for 5-7 minutes (cookies will be slightly soft).  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes.  Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.  Enjoy!

Stress Relief - One Yoga Pose a Day!

Monday: Take a Deep Breath

One minute, you're enjoying your Sunday coffee, lounging on the sofa. The next, it's Monday morning and your alarm is going off. The weekend has come to a screeching halt, but the transition doesn't have to feel like whiplash. This posture helps you greet your week head on, with a clearer, calmer perspective.

Seal Pose

What It Does. Stretches the belly and aids digestion, restores the curve in the lower back, helps protect the spine from long hours of sitting.

How to Do It. Lie on your stomach with your legs and feet relaxed. Then, reaching your arms forward along the floor, straighten them just enough to lift your torso into a gentle backbend.

Do not strain or force; this should be a very passive and subtle stretch. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths, then release. Repeat for 1 to 5 minutes.

Tuesday: Think Clearly

You can feel the stress mounting. Remember to take things slowly and stay loose as you find your rhythm. Use this gentle stretch to help undo back and leg tension and keep you grounded and steady.
Supported Seated Forward Bend
What It Does. Stretches hamstrings and inner thighs, releases tension along the spine. Quiets the mind and promotes focus, stimulates the sixth chakra, which activates intuition and wisdom.
How to Do It. Sit on a cushion on the floor with your legs extended on either side of a chair. Fold forward at the hips and rest your forehead and arms on the seat of the chair. Take deep, slow breaths through your nose and hold for 3 to 5 minutes.

Wednesday: Get Grounded

If a midweek slump has left you out of steam, get back on track by carving out a moment of calm. This easy reclining pose does just that, with an ultra-relaxing stretch that helps you get out of your head.
Supported Goddess
What It Does. Releases tight hips, stretching the groin muscles; connects you to the grounding energy of the root chakra, located at the base of your spine.
How to Do It. Lie on your back with the bottoms of your feet touching and knees splayed to the sides, resting on pillows or rolled blankets. Feel your spine on the floor.
Place your palms on your belly or rest your arms out to the sides, palms up. Let your belly slowly rise and fall with each breath. Remain here for 3 to 5 minutes, or however long you like.

Thursday: Clear Out the Gunk

What if I don't get this done in time? Why hasn't she called? Worries have been accumulating -- and they're cluttering your head. Left unchecked, even the tiniest stresses will inhibit your best ideas from coming through.
Treat yourself to a few moments of stillness with this pose, and watch your inspiration re-emerge.
Supported Pigeon
What It Does. Opens the hips and groin, lets go of stress and pent-up emotions, quiets the mind, and promotes emotional release.
How to Do It. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, swing your left leg around, extending it straight out behind you, tops of the feet and toes against the floor. Fold forward at the hips.
For added support, put a folded blanket or pillow under the right hip. Rest your forehead on a cushion or blanket and relax into the pose for 2 to 5 minutes. Repeat with the other leg.

Friday: Soothe Frazzled Nerves

As another hectic workweek slows to a close, it's time to downshift -- and ramp up your self-care.
Friday's pose quiets your mind and nervous system, restoring your inner resources so that you can fully enjoy the weekend ahead.
Supported Child's Pose
What It Does. Releases the muscles in the back, gently opens the hips, boosts your energy.
How to Do It. Sit back on your heels with your legs folded under you and the tops of your feet on the floor. Open the knees wide and bend forward at the hips.
Rest your forehead (or your chest) on a pillow or blanket and keep your arms slightly bent. If your buttocks don't reach your heels, place a blanket under your thighs. Relax and breathe deeply for 3 to 5 minutes.

Saturday: Loosen Up

The sun's out and the day's wide open. Savor your Saturday by twisting away any residual tension in your back. It's a delicious way to wake up -- or even wind down after running around town.
Supported Reclined Twist
What It Does. Helps the whole body (hips, spine, digestive system, nervous system, shoulders, chest, etc.) unwind. Promotes digestion and detoxification.
How to Do It. Lie on your back, dropping your left knee across your body to rest on a pillow or blanket. Shift your hips right to avoid over-twisting the lower back.
Rest your arms, elbows soft, on the floor over your head. Turn your head in whichever direction feels most comfortable and breathe into this gentle stretch for 3 to 5 minutes on each side.




This article and poses is posted on Whole Living. Enjoy these simple moves and namaste!