Is Drinking Red Wine Better than Going to the Gym?

So is drinking red wine better than going to the gym? If you’re one of those people who would rather sip a glass of red wine and stream a season of something on Netflix, then you’re in luck!

According to a study done by The University of Alberta which was published in The Journal Of Physiology one glass of red wine can have the same effects as working out hardcore at the gym for an hour. Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine, has beneficial effects on cardiac and skeletal muscle function, similar to the effects of endurance exercise training. Not only that but when you combine the red wine with an exercise regime, increased endurance was shown.

But, sadly for the lushes of the world, these effects are only possible with a single glass of red wine (sigh, how I wish 3 glasses equaled a 3 hour workout), preferably with your dinner meal. A single glass of red wine is also great for your heart and reduces the chance of blood clots.

So let’s raise our glasses and cheer to drinking red wine!

P.S.

You can also get reversitrol from nuts, grapes and in capsule form if you aren’t an alcohol drinker!

**Note: I’m not a doctor, this is not meant to treat, cure or prevent any diseases. Please consult a doctor if you have any concerns or medical issues.

Energizing Limeberry Drink

I am LOVING the Trim Healthy Mama meal plan! I have been on it for a week now and I’m down 2.6lbs woohoo! I decided to mix up some of their recipes and came up with this delicious FP (Fuel Pull) Drink!

What you’ll need:

8-10 strawberries
2 cups of water
Ice
4 packets of True Lime
4 packets of Truvia
Dash of ginger
1 TBSP Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

Place in a blender and blend blend blend! So good!

I felt so energized after drinking this, I was ready to go! 🙂

 

The 5 Best Hot Chocolate Recipes

Ahh fall is getting closer, the leaves are beginning to change color, the fresh air smells crisp and the temperatures are beginning to cool. At least here in the North, I hear the south still has 100 degree temperatures. This change of weather made me want deliciously warm drinks and it also had me begin to look for the cutest fall boots available. So without further ado here are the 5 Best Hot Chocolate Recipes

 

#1 Paula Deen’s Dreamy Creamy Hot Chocolate 

Photo by Stephan Rosger

Is it any wonder that the woman known for her love of butter, has one of the tastiest hot chocolate recipes available?

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 1/2 cups hot water
Mini Marshmallows (optional)

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt; mix well. Over medium heat, slowly stir in water; heat through, stirring occasionally. DO NOT BOIL. Top with marshmallows, if desired.

Tip: Chocolate can be stored in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Mix well and reheat before serving.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/dreamy-creamy-hot-chocolate-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Photo by Christiano Betta

#2 Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa

I don’t know if you have had the Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa from Starbucks, but oh my gosh, it’s SO good. You taste some sweetness, a touch of saltiness, rich chocolate, ah it’s to die for! Unfortunately since we moved to the middle of nowhere, the closest Starbucks is over 45 minutes away. So I found this amazing copycat recipe from savorysweetlife.com

• 3 tablespoons Caramel syrup, heated to luke warm (recipe here)
• Hot Chocolate (4 tablespoons of ganache plus 6 oz. of milk, heated)
• Canned Whipped Cream
• Pinch of Medium Coarse Sea Salt

Instructions

1. Pour 2 Tablespoons of caramel syrup into a mug so the inside of the mug is coated well. Add hot chocolate and stir everything. Top off with with cream, drizzle with remaining caramel, and sprinkle with sea salt. Enjoy!

 

Photo by Steven DePollo

#3 Hot Chocolate with Coconut and Rum

You know, some days are just more rough than others. That’s when this deliciously tropical hot chocolate comes into play, with a little bit of fresh coconut milk and a dash of rum it will have you slipping away into a relaxing paradise in no time.

1 cup whole milk

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

1 cup heavy cream

5 ounces white chocolate or milk chocolate, chopped (about 1 cup)

1 tablespoon rum (I suggest Rumchata because it’s delicious)

Warm milk, coconut milk, and cream in a medium saucepan over a medium-low heat. Add chocolate, and whisk until melted and combined. Continue to warm mixture until thick, about 5 minutes. Whisk in rum.

#4 Sugar and Spice Hot Cocoa

Image by Masatoshi

Ingredients

3 cups milk,

5 ounces chopped dark chocolate,

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon,

a pinch or two of cayenne (optional) and

Whipped cream for garnish

In a pot combine the milk and chocolate. Melt the chocolate over low/medium heat, stirring constantly. Once melted and the mixture is warmed through stir in the cinnamon and cayenne (if using). Serve hot 🙂

#5 Mint Hot Chocolate

 

Photo by Maxwell GS

This is a recipe that I love because it’s super simple and is a crowd pleaser!

6 Andes chocolate mints
16 ounces chocolate milk
mini marshmallows, optional

In a small saucepan, melt the mints over low heat. Slowly whisk in chocolate milk until well blended; heat but do not boil. Pour into mugs; top with mini marshmallows if desired.

Now that I have you craving some deliciously warm and creamy hot chocolate, pick your favorite recipe and go make some!

Homemade Coffee Creamer – Over Two Dozen Recipes!

Homemade Coffee Creamer – Over 2 Dozen Flavor Varieties!

Did you know that storebought creamers contain a bunch of artificial flavors and ingredients that can also cause cancer? Yeah, yuck. I didn’t want that either! I LOVE my coffee and I’m not a huge black coffee drinker, so here are some homemade creamer recipes 🙂 (Pictured is French Vanilla!)

For whatever flavor of creamer you want, you start off with the same basic ‘base’ recipe.

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14oz sweetened condensed milk
1 3/4 cup milk or cream (whole, lowfat, skim, almond, soy, heavy cream, half & half etc – whatever your preference, however the more fat, the more creaminess)

Mix the ingredients together well. Add them to a mason jar and shake it like crazy or you could also opt to use an old (washed) creamer container.

French Vanilla Creamer
2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR vanilla coffee syrup

Vanilla Bean Coffee Creamer
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

Chocolate
2-3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
(1 tsp vanilla extract, optional)

Chocolate Almond
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon almond extract

Strudel
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Vanilla Caramel
2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Chocolate Raspberry
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons raspberry syrup

Irish Cream
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon instant coffee
1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Coconut
2 teaspoons coconut extract

Samoa (like the Girl Scout Cookies)
2 teaspoons coconut extract (or sub coconut milk or cream of coconut, heated & strained, for the milk/cream)
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping

Peppermint Patty
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Cinnamon Vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pumpkin Spice
3 tablespoons pureed pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Honey Vanilla
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Almond Joy
1-2 teaspoons coconut extract (or sub coconut milk or cream of coconut if you heat it first, strained, in place of the milk & extract)
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Sweet Cream
Use 1 3/4 cups of heavy cream instead of the milk in the base recipe
2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR the inside of a vanilla bean, scraped
1 teaspoon almond extract

Chocolate Orange
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1-2 teaspoons orange extract

Hazelnut
2 teaspoons hazelnut extract

Chocolate Hazelnut
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons hazelnut extract

Cinnamon Cake
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Salted Caramel
2-3 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping
1/2 teaspoon salt

Eggnog
replace milk in base recipe with equal amount of heavy cream
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons rum extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Toasted Almond
2 teaspoons almond extract

Directions & Tips:
In all these recipes, anything that has a dry or thick ingredient (like cinnamon, honey, etc..) should be heated up with a small amount of your milk/cream from the base recipe so it can dissolve properly. You don’t want grainy creamer! Then, add the rest of the milk/cream along with the sweetened condensed milk.

If you want really creamy creamer, use heavy cream instead of milk in your base recipe.

You’ll want to stick a piece of tape on they mason jar lid with the expiration date from the milk used. Use this as a guideline as to when the creamer should be used by.

Feel free to play around with amounts of extracts and other ingredients used if you like stronger or less intense flavors!! And, let your imagination turn, and make up your own combinations. Use this as inspiration to create your very own perfect homemade flavored creamer!

 

25 Sodastream Recipes & Syrup Instructions

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So we just got a Sodastream, I was pretty excited because sadly my downfall is drinking carbonated beverages that have a gazillion calories and cost a lot of money. I was like a Sodastream will save money!!! Yay!! But then I realized something; all of the Sodastream syrups contain sucralose. I’m not sure if you know what sucralose is, but in case you don’t it’s basically Splenda. I’m allergic to it and can’t have it, it makes my tongue swell up and gives me a ton of phlegm – no fun (makes it hard to breathe). Honestly I don’t want my daughter consuming sucralose either and I want to make a healthier change, so I came up with my own recipes to enjoy the bubbly fizz guilt free!

25 Sodastream Recipes

1.) Mockmosa – 2 parts carbonated water, 1 part orange juice = a lightly refreshing orange drink that tastes like a non alcoholic mimosa.
2.) Lemon-Lime – 3 squeezes of lemon and lime juice and a teaspoon of sugar. Lightly stir.
3.) Cherry Limeade – 1 oz of  Torani cherry lime syrup in full bottle of carbonated water.
Or make your own syrup directions: 1 packet of cherry limeade koolaid, 3/4 cup water, 2 cups of sugar. On low heat dissolve the sugar in water, add the packet of cherry limeade and store in a container.
4.) Chocolate Italian Cream Soda – 10oz carbonated water, 2 tbsp choc. syrup, 1/4 cup half and half, stir lightly and serve with whipped cream.
5.) Pomegranate Soda – 2 tbsp syrup, 8oz carbonated water.
Syrup directions: 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup pomegranate juice. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and juice; bring to a boil over high, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Reduce to a simmer; cook, without stirring, until mixture is syrupy, about 2 minutes
6.) Key Lime Soda – 2 tablespoons of syrup in 8oz of carbonated water.
Syrup directions: 2/3 cup lime juice, 2 tsp. lime zest, 2/3 cup water,
1 1/3 cups sugar. Combine all ingredients. Simmer for 5 minutes and cool.
7.) Clementine and Pomegranate Soda – 1/2 part clementine juice, 1/2 part pomegranate juice, 1 part simple syrup, 4 parts soda water. (Simple syrup: 1 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup water, dissolve sugar in water on the stove).
8.) Lemon Basil Soda– 1 part lemon juice, 1 part basil simple syrup (see note above) ,4 parts soda water
9.) Strawberry Lime Soda – 1 part lime juice, 1 part simple syrup, 4 parts soda water, 2 strawberries sliced.
10.) Mango Lime Soda -1 mango, peeled, and roughly chopped, save the pit
1 cup of sugar, 2 cups water, 2 limes, juice (about 3 tablespoons) and zest, bring ingredients to a gentle boil to dissolve sugar. Mix 1 part soda syrup with 5 parts soda water.
11.) Cream Soda – 2 cups sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract . Dissolve sugar in water, and then add vanilla. Add 1-1/2 tablespoons vanilla bean syrup to 10 ounces of soda water or to taste.
12.) Lavender Lemon Soda – 1 C. water, 1 C. Sugar, 2 T. fresh lavender florets,
1 C. fresh squeezed lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then remove to cool when sugar is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of lavender syrup and 1/4 cup lemon juice in 1 pint soda water.
13.) Coconut Lime Soda –
1/2oz Torani Coconut syrup, 1/2oz Torani Lime Syrup in 1 sodastream bottle.
14.) Blackberry Soda – 1oz Torani Blackberry syrup in one soda stream bottle.
15.) Kiwi Strawberry Soda – 1/2oz Torani Kiwi syrup, 1/2oz Torani Strawberry syrup, in one Sodastream bottle.
16.) Peach Soda – 1oz Torani Peach syrup, in one Sodastream bottle.
17.) Pink Lemon Soda – One packet of pink lemonade koolaid and simple syrup (Simple syrup: 1 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup water, dissolve sugar in water on the stove). 1oz syrup to 1 bottle of Sodastream water.
18.) Fruit Punch Soda – one packet of koolaid fruit punch mixed with simple syrup. 1oz syrup mixture to 1 bottle of Sodastream water.
19.) Cherry Pineapple Soda – 1/2oz Torani Cherry syrup, 1/2oz Torani Pineapple Syrup (or use simple syrup mixed with pineapple juice).
20.) Vanilla Coconut Soda – 1/2oz Torani Coconut syrup, 1/2oz Torani Vanilla Syrup, 1 bottle Sodastream Sodawater.
21.) Hibiscus Soda – 1oz of P&H Hisbiscus Syrup in 1 bottle Sodastream Soda water.
22.) Strawberry Soda – 1oz Davinci Strawberry syrup in 1 bottle sodastream soda water.
23.) Honey Melon Fruit Soda – 1oz Davinici Honey Melon Fruit syrup, in 1 bottle Sodastream Soda Water.
24.) Mandarin Orange Soda – 1oz Davinci Mandarin Orange Syrup, in 1 bottle Sodastream Soda water.
25.) Mango Soda – 1oz Davinci Mango Syrup in 1 bottle Sodastream Soda water.

So there you have it, 25 Sodastream Recipes! Get to work 😀

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Hidden Veggie Fruit Smoothie Recipe

Oh Veggies. Sometimes we just are NOT motivated to eat you . I know you’re good for me, but sometimes I just can’t bring myself to do it.

If any of you are like me, then you’ll love this recipe for hidden veggies in your drinks!
Here´s a delicious drink that sneaks a veggie in  Get your fruit and veggies at the same time!

Sneaky Smoothie

What you will need:

1 Large pitcher

A blender

Ice

16oz of water

1 handful of spinach

3-4 Strawberries

Handful of mixed berries

1 apple

1  carrot

Instructions:

1.) Chop everything up and put it into the blender.

3.) Blend until smooth. (make sure you stir and really blend,the carrots and apples can leave chunks.)

4.) Chill and enjoy garnished with a slice of lemon !!!

The most amazing part? You can’t taste the vegetables!

 

Thirsty Thursday: Blueberry Lemonade

Delicious blueberry lemonade! Try it!

Cherise
I’ve lost 3 dress sizes and I’m starting to get my abs back – ask me how!

Citrus Fat Flushing Water

I personally love plain boring water, but my husband hates it. So we started infusing the water with lemons and limes and it has awesome benefits other than just tasting good, it’s a great source of vitamin C and it helps aid in digestion which in turn with flush fat and help you lose weight!

What you need:

2 liters of water

4 lemons
2 limes

Slice the lemons and limes and put them in the pitcher and let it sit for a few hours or overnight and enjoy!

 

Health Risks of Diet Soda

I know so many people who drink Diet Soda and I know that everyone knows that drinking pop/soda/coke is bad for you, but I don’t think they really understand how much worse diet is than regular! It’s so scary for me to think about all of these possible side effects from something that is supposed to be considered “safe” when in reality you are really just drinking poison and slowly killing your body. Also, forgive the typo on the image, it’s supposed to say “These cause DNA and Cell Damage.” I swear I edited this image like 4 times correcting my spelling and I STILL missed things *smacks head on desk* long days are long days, right!?

Share it with your friends on facebook or pinterest (there are buttons!) and if you’re a diet soda drinker, check into all of the bad effects that aspartame can have on you, it’s scary! What I have listed is only a few of the possible side effects.

 

Delicious Vegan Iced Coffee

If you’re like me, you love coffee! Sometimes, it just needs to be a little healthier to stick to your diet and with a vegan friend I have been attempting to create more vegan recipes so that we can not only be healthier, but include her in our get-togethers. Seriously, what’s worse than going to someone’s house where you can’t eat anything, right? You sit and smile while everyone else sips their coffee or eats their food and you’re just left there alone, how lame would that be?

This is a delicious and simple vegan iced coffee recipe that’s sure to please the crowds!

1 Cup of Brewed Coffee

2 Tablespoons Hershey’s chocolate syrup

4 Tablespoons Vanilla Almond Milk

Ice cubes to cool off.

Mix ingredients and enjoy!