Friday, July 31, 2009

Getting Fit Friday- Negative Calorie Foods

We hear about them, but do we really know which foods are the so-called negative calorie foods? Here's a list I found that helps make it easier to know what to eat. Too bad they don't stay negative calorie foods if you smother them in a great sauce. These foods can do a lot to get you going in the right direction, but without your own will power (I have none!) you won't get nearly as far as you could.

Negative Calorie Foods

apples
asparagus
broccoli
carrots
cauliflower
celery
cranberries
cucumbers
grapefruit
lettuce
mangos
oranges
papayas
raspberries
spinach
strawberries
tangerines

There are probably a few more, but this looks like a pretty tasty list!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Wedding Wednesday- RSVP Card

I think this is a really cute way to do the RSVP card. I didn't do it for our wedding, but I might use it for something else. Just a fun way to add some personality to your event!

RSVP Card

Will be there with bells on
Will be there without bells on
Will be there, but remains undecided on bell related controversy
Will not be there
Will not be there, but will have bells on anyway

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Going Green Tip: Invest in Green Energy

This week's tip for living a greener life:

Invest in green energy

Most utility companies give you the option to pay about $5 extra a month, which is put directly into researching and creating renewable energy.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Entertaining Tip

I found this in a magazine, and I think it's a really good idea. I have a hard time delegating stuff in my kitchen, even to the big guy.

In the heat of the moment, it's hard to direct eager frinds. Make a list of simple things you can delegate, such as opening wine, lighting candles, & tossing the salad at the last minute.

Summer Saturday Dinner Party

Drink
Lillet cocktail

Hors d'oeuvres
Heirloom cherry tomatoes with herbed salt dip

Appetizer
Grilled clams and mussels with pesto

Dinner
Grilled steak with homemade sauce
Zuchini with almonds
Baked potato bar
Steak-house salad
Classic ice-cream cake

Friday, July 24, 2009

Getting Fit Fridays- 5 Foods to Fight Cholestorol

So I need a little reminder about how hard I'm working otget healthier to make sure I stay on track during the weekends. It's probably the hardest time to really stay on top of things. So this weekly post will be my way of putting a good thought in front of myself to start the weekend. Hopefully it'll help me stay focused!

5 Foods to Fight Cholestorol

almonds
oatmeal
fish
soy
red wine

I know I can get plenty of that last one!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Wedding Wednesday- Rehearsal Invitation

Ok, so the wedding was a while ago, but I'm just now getting around to cleaning out the wedding planning stuff I'd collected. I know, I'm much more of a slacker than I like to admit. Along with the thousands of pictures I tore out of magazines for centerpieces, dress ideas, hair styles, and paper suites, I've found a few really cute ideas. I don't want to lose them forever, so I'm making a new weekly post, well, until I run out of really cute wedding things.

The Rehearsal Invitation

Practice makes perfect, it's true what they say.
Please come for a run-through before our big day!

Please meet at the Church Name at X pm on the dot,
where Bride's Name and Groom's Name will soon tie the knot!

After the practice, when all is said and done,
please join us at Restaurant Name for food, drinks, and fun

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Going Green Tip: Eat Seasonally

This week's tip for living a greener life:

Eat seasonally

Seasonal foods are fresh and more nutritious. Plus, they don't have to travel far to get to your table and are rarely imported from far-away countries.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Going Green Tip: Recharge

This week's tip for living a greener life:

Recharge

Using rechargeable batteries is worth the investment. You'll get dozens of uses out of a single battery that would otherwise be used once. That saves you money, trips to the store, and waste.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

So I'm Stuck in the Elevator

Yup, you read that right. I got in the elevator to go up to my office, and the elevator decided it didn't want to go. So it stopped. And I was stuck. I called our receptionist and asked her to call maintenance to see if they could get me out or if we needed to call the elevator guys directly. She called our buillding's head of maintenance and he came as quickly as he could.

In the meantime two of our AAs came out and were trying to talk to me and keep my mind off of being trapped in a tiny box. I'm claustrophobic, so this was a big help.

Dave, our head of maintenance, arrived and he was able to open the doors to see exactly where the elevator was at. I had about 8 inches of open space where I could have shimmied out, but in reality my butt wouldn't fit through that easily. I opted not to point that out. Dave kept saying "I don't like where it's at." That didn't really add to my comfort.

He had to close the door again so they could manually move the elevator down far enough to get me out safely. There was space and fresh air outside, I could see it, then it was gone. Then I cried. Dave said, "We'll be right back." I said "I'll be here." Humor was necessary to avoid panicking.

Dave and Mike (the elevator guy) get the elevator moved to a better location. They open the doors again and I'm finally out. The whole thing lasted about 30 minutes.

I'm taking the stairs for a while.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Easley Winery Favorites

We've spent a few really fun Saturday afternoons at the Easley Winery. It's where my bachelorette party started with a tour and tasting and where we took my parents one afternoon while they were in town.

It's one of our favorite wineries in Indy, and here are a few of our favorite wines there. No wonder we never leave without a case!

Dry Wines:

Vidal Blanc
Crisp with a hint of green apple
Pairing: roast turkey

2005 Governor's Pinot Grigio Reserve
Complex/smooth
Pairing: eggplant parmigiana

2004 Governor's Chardonnay Reserve
Rich and full taste
Pairing: gyros

Chambourcin
Lighter beaujolais style red wine
Pairing: juicy burger with bleu cheese

Chancellor
Medium bodied, smooth with balanced tannins
Pairing: baby back ribs

2005 Governor's Cabernet Sauvignon
Spice, ripe fruit
Pairing: beef tenderloin

Semi-Dry Wines:

Traminette
Spicy and clean, tropical fruit flavors
Pairing; orange roughy

Pink Catawba
Native fruit with a hint of red grapefruit
Pairing: baked ham

Orchestra Red
Beautiful blend of the grapes
Pairing: perfect with spaghetti and meat sauce

Warm Mulled Wine
Mulled spices, apple cider, honey!
Pairing: holiday favorites

Semi-Sweet to Sweet Wines:
Regal Crown Honey Wine
Smooth & sweet, ask about the legend!

Iced Delaware
The perfect dessert wine! A dessert that stands alone.

(All descriptions and suggested pairings are from the Easley tasting guide.)

Wine Tasting

A few months ago (I know, I'm really behind) we went to a wine tasting event at the Indy Cigar Bar. The event featured four French wines. Here are the wines we tasted, and really enjoyed!

Fincham, Red Note
A blend of mostly Grenache with Syrah kept in small barrels, is a classic Costieres de Nimes with plenty of fragrance, sweet black raspberry and cherry fruit, and some licorice, earth and spice.

Chateau Haut Beyzac, Haut Medoc
This wine exhibits attractive aromas of cedar, red currants, damp earth, and spice box. This medium-bodied, pure, soft wine should drink well for 4-5 years.

Chateau de Lancyre, Vielles Vignes
A noes of concentrated black fruits tinged with smoke and marine air, Leads to a concentrated, clean, bitter fruit skin-tinged and smoky Lapsang Tea-laced palate. This wine will be worth following for 5-7 years.

Chateau de Donjon, Cuvee Prestige
Very deep crimson in color, with some tasty aromas from oak aging, it delivers ripe fruit, vanilla and chocolate aromas. It is full and generous on the palate with a long, powerful finish supported with soft tannins. Aging potential 5-10 years.
-This one was our favorite! We bought a bottle to share at the tasting and another to take home.

Going Green Tip: Reduce Packaging

This week's tip for living a greener life:

Reduce packaging

Look for products without excess packaging, like concentrated detergent. In the produce aisle, skip the plastic baggies. Instead of buying individual yogurt cups, buy one larger tub.