Current Workout Playlist

Summer season is officially upon us and that means shorts, bathing suits, and less clothing in general.  Hopefully you've been working on your fitness this past winter & spring, but if you're just starting up don't fret!  Small changes in diet & exercise make a big difference and it's pretty easy to get back on that wagon!  

Nothing energizes me more for a good workout than a stellar playlist.  I generally like to workout to house/dance music.  When I first moved down to Miami, I wasn't the biggest house music fan, but after working as a VIP bottle service waitress in a popular nightclub at the Fontainebleau hotel, I quickly grew to love house music because it would pump me up and get me through those long nights working until 3,4, or 5am.  I've loved working out to the fast paced tempo of house ever since!

This is currently what I'm working out to; a mix of older & new songs that power me through my gym sessions.  All of these songs can be found on iTunes.

Happy sweat session! xx

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great weekend!

Summer Basics On A Budget

Ok, chicas.  Some of you have been requesting more budget friendly picks from me lately which I totally get.  I, myself, was a babe on a budget for the majority of my life.  F21, H&M, and Nordy Rack were my go to stores.  Even though my shopping budget may have increased, I still love to mix and match high end designer duds with budget friendly finds.  

I love a challenge, and today's post was so much fun for me to put together.  This whole look is under $65!!  Effortless, laid back pieces are my absolute favorite, and this look is perfect for the upcoming Summer season. 

See below for shopping deets.

Shop These Items:

Tee: I would order 1 size up for an oversized look {available at H&M here} //  Shorts: I lalalove these perfectly distressed shorts from H&M so much that I already ordered them! {under $25 here} //  Sneakers: These budget friendly sneaks {also under $25 here} are SO identical to the Sam Edelman & Steve Madden versions which are both over $100. //  Sunglasses: Hard to believe that these mirrored aviators are under $5!! {found here}

Happy shopping! xx

Ginger Pad Thai With Chicken & Veggies

I just love Thai food.  Well, let's be honest here - I love all food lol!  But in all seriousness, I really do love Thai cuisine.  I was thrilled when I saw a recipe on Pinterest a couple months ago for light chicken pad thai as I tend to favor light & fresh Thai cuisine over other heavier sauce laden dishes.  

Besides making the occasional stir fry, I really have no experience whatsoever in preparing Asian cuisine at home so the idea of this recipe was a little daunting at first.  Boy was I wrong!  This couldn't have been any easier to whip up in my kitchen.  I've made this dish several times since, and have adjusted the recipe to make the nutritional content a little bit healthier.  

This dish is so good - like there will be no leftovers good.  The light flavors all blend together so perfectly; fresh ginger & cilantro, savory shiitake mushrooms, crunchy carrots, and just a hint of spicy red pepper blended together with lean chicken & healthy brown rice noodles.  If you really like a bit of a kick, serve it with a little drizzle of sriracha sauce on top!  So, so scrumptious! 

Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

1/2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut crosswise into slices 1/4-1/3-inch thick
2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. tamari (I used Braggs liquid aminos)
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp. sweet red chili sauce {found in the Asian section of most grocery stores}
3 tsp. sesame oil
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. rice vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 oz. brown rice Pad Thai noodles
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 shallot; thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
3 1/2 cups savoy or napa cabbage, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup shiitake mushrooms, stemmed & sliced
1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
4 large green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro



Directions

In a medium bowl, mix the chicken with 1 tbsp of the ginger, 2 tsp of the tamari, 1 tsp of the sesame oil, 2 tsp of the sweet red chili sauce and 1 tsp of the rice vinegar.  Season lightly with salt and pepper, and set aside.
 
Boil the noodles in a large pot of salted water, stirring frequently, until just tender {about 5 minutes}.  Drain the noodles, rinse with cold water, and drain again.  Transfer to a medium sized bowl, add the remaining 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, and gently toss to coat.

In a 12-inch wok or nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat, warm the coconut oil.  Add the remaining 1 tbsp ginger, the shallots & red pepper flakes and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the chicken and stir until no longer raw on the outside, about 2 minutes.  Add in the carrots, cabbage and mushrooms and continuously stir until the chicken is cooked throughout and the cabbage is wilted, about 3-4 more minutes.  

Next, add the noodles, the chicken broth, green onions, remaining 1 tbsp tamari, 1 tbsp sweet red chili sauce & 1 tbsp vinegar.  Using tongs, toss until the noodles are thoroughly heated and ingredients are well blended, about 1-2 minutes. 

Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.

Serves 4.

 

original recipe source



Happy Monday! xx

P.S. I added a couple new items to the 'Shop' section of my blog, and will be adding more throughout the week!