Foodie Friday: Around the World

Last week, my speech students🎤 delivered their cultural reports!

Some offered us 🎁giveaways!

 

• Jenna ~ 🇰🇷South Korean translation of our names🎌
• Dom ~ 🇨🇳Chinese Almond Cookies🍪
• Dani ~ 🇲🇽Tomatillo y Salsa Tamales🍛
• Sarahi ~ 🇰🇭Cambodian Noodles🍜

Fitness & Foodie Friday: Health or Treat? Nooky Quickie

While trick-or-treaters may be house-hopping and candy-popping this weekend, I’ll continue consuming my healthy supplements on the ☼daily!

Ginkgo Biloba: to promote mental focus

• This initially got me through my studying for and taking my comprehensive examinations to complete my Master’s degree
• I also took them as I prepared for my final semester exams, luminary comps (1st year) and candidacy (3rd year) to test for my Ph.D. coursework
• I’m continuing them as I progress through my dissertation process

Centrum VitaMints®: to aquire essential nutrients in a tasty way

• I’ve come a long way since my childhood Flinstones chewables ~ which I doubt are the best bet for my teeth with the acidity
• I’m still not a fan of swallowing tablets without having water and food in handy
• Therefore, I’m all about double-duty of fulfilling my ☼daily☼ needs while freshening my breath!

Of course, I don’t skimp on the actual food that I need to fuel my brain and body ~ which I’m actually including in an analogy between my marathon and my main statistical method (multiple regression) for my doc research!

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Speaking of my race, although I haven’t run as many long distances in awhile, I’ve fit in mini drills to keep my energy levels high while I’ve been drained from my dissertation, a.k.a., my doc docs …

Cheers to Pumpkin ♥Love♥: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte VIA® PSL at home & Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake to soothe my soul, body and brain as I update and practice my dissertation!

During my dedicated eating time (yes, I must make a meal break away from my computer, according to my Bestie Evie‘s birthday advice), I actually HIIT before I sit!

Olive Garden Leftovers from Ladies’ Night with the Holy Spiri† (counter-clockwise from bottom right): Chicken Cacciatorie & Cheese Manicotti (2 of my fave entrées rolled into 1) • Pasta e Fagioli w/ breadstick • Minestrone • Bestie Evie‘s Better-Than-Sex Brownie • Pumpkin Cheesecake (which took me 4 days to finish!) • Andes Mints ~ gotta ♥love♥ these after-dinner chocolate mints to cap off a classic OG meal!

While I wait for my chow to cook ~ simmering in the crock pot, boiling on the stove, or nooking in the oven/microwave/toaster ~ I do the following quick set(s), to induce more calorie-burning even after I’m done exercising:

Standing ♥Cardio♥

• Jumping Jacks ~ chant your mantra
• Run laps or lines (depending on space)

Floor/Mat/Carpet Core

• Plank or Push-Ups (or mountain climbers)
• Crunches or Sit-Ups (I prefer v-ups)
• Dips (in reverse plank) ~ if time permits

More ♥Cardio♥

• Dance ’til your ♥heart’s ♪content♫ ~ or your grub is ready

Stretch

Relieve those muscles after sitting at the computer desk and before sitting down to eat

Happy Early Halloween, All †Saints’ Day y el Día de los Muertos! ✌

Foodie Friday: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

What’s better than carving and painting jack-o-lanterns?

Eating pumpkin … At least for yours truly!

I’ve already gone PSL-out and then some:

• Coffee

Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cheesecake dessert cookies & Pumpkin Spice Milano + Blue Diamond Pumpkin Spice Almonds from CVS | Quest Bar Pumpkin Pie energy bar (which we used to give away from Pretty Fit) from Market Street

• Cookies
• Energy bars

• I’m nuts for pumpkins!

Olive Garden‘s Caramel Hazelnut Macchiato

• Pumpkin Cheesecake at Olive Garden ~ this past time with my Bestie Evie ~ has been my tradition forever

Dynamic Dessert Duo: Olive Garden‘s Pumpkin Cheesecake

In fact, I used to buy a full pie for the fam to celebrate Halloween/Thanksgiving/my sis‘ birthday since college

Dynamic Dessert Duo: Olive Garden‘s Caramel Hazelnut Macchiato & Pumpkin Cheesecake

(the Fazoli’s Ghirardelli tops a close 2nd)

Pumpkin Spice Latte M&M’s ~ exclusively at Target

• Melt-in-your-mouth-not-in-your-hand candy ~ rather than just eye candy

• Even Yogurt!

I’m flipping over this YOLO–yo!

TGIF *Friday Night* Addendum

Now I’m somewhat relieved that this weekend’s Halloween party has been canceled/postponed due to t-storms (Hurricane Patricia’s just further down south) ~ so in addition to preparing for my next round, I also can have some down time …

Bring on the cozy comforts of hot cocoa & mac ‘n’ cheese, please!

Beauty Tuesday: BTS Hacks

‘Cause I have your back!

This Back-to-School season, check out my super saver tips for time, money and the Earth plus even your sanity …

Set out:

• weekly wardrobe ~ clothes, jewelry, hair accessories, handbags, etc. (hang on a rolling rack or dedicated space to designate) #OOTDforDays
• anything else that you need to get ready ~ especially your keys, in the same spot, and also specific hair tools & products, makeup, nail colors

Always check the weather forecast and have a back-up plan if an unexpected natural circumstance arises

Sleep in:

• braids ~ so you could rock waves the next day!
• workout gear ~ so you could run as soon as you wake up (TIU‘s K&K‘s Karena also vouches for this in Beach Babe 3‘s ☼Morning☼ Motivation segment)!

This has worked for me on a couple of different situations:

1. when I had my fitness classes 1st thing in the AM in college
2. when I worked at my hometown gym and exercised before work

Speaking of ♫working on my fitness, he’s my witness♪ {Fergie‘s Fergalicious}…

Be Prepared  {Boy Scout motto}

• stash sneakers in your vehicle ~ so you have no excuse for a fun run on-the-go
• pack change clothes ~ from working out to reporting to work or vice versa

This has worked for me on a few different situations:

1. when I hit the base gym before and after work after I graduated from college (YES, 2-a-days)
2. when I hit the university gym during lunch with my boss during graduate school
3. when I hit the college gym between classes that I taught
4. when I had my photography gig at the hospitals (during which I’d sometimes fit in a work workout) before teaching at the College or ministering at Church

Bearing this in mind, make sure to pack

• hygiene products (i.e., dry shampoo, deodorant) ~ do your best to fit in a quick shower if there’s a locker room
• dental hygiene products (i.e., floss picks, gum, mints) ~ so your breath doesn’t kick

I actually store deodorant and mini perfume bottles plus packs of gum in most of my purses plus my compact bag that I transport when I switch handbags

DON’T forget to eat! ~ Mami Aya + many Pinay & caring moms everywhere

• double-duty edibles ~ such as coconut oil to substitute fatty oils in recipes plus is my favorite hair conditioner and also moisturizes skin, as well as removes makeup (according to The Sweet Life)
• handy healthy snacks (not fast food) ~ such as apples, grapes (I dig mine fresh or frozen), pears ~ the pear or apple crisp can trigger brain juice flow, don’t ya know #DISPObustAFlow
• chill your coffee ~ since I don’t drink as much for heartburn prevention, I store the rest in the fridge until the next day

Stylin’ Sippie Selfie: Reppin’ my *Dallas Cowboys* after last night‘s victory to kick off NFL season: Go, Big Blue … in Checkered & Houndstooth!

Transitioning between seasons from cold cups to hot tumblers …

*Star* Quality: Starbucks Anniversary Collection Houndstooth Double-Wall Traveler Ceramic Mug was worth the investment for yours truly (as long as I don’t drop it ~ no jinx, please) because I ♥love♥ the look and can save a few cents every time I refill it … (I also adore the same-style Swarovski Crystal one from this season’s collection because I wear Swarovski from head to toe, but c’mon: I’m a doc candidate on a tight budget ~ so I’ll keep admiring from afar)

• tote reusable containers ~ mine from Starbucks saves me 10-cents per use and conserves resources (great for my next craving, this flavor-of-the-day: the Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino to redeem my latest Gold Card Reward*)

The navy blue & gold go well with my dissertation defense dress!

1-Stop Shop

Target showcases its own products in renditions of Vogue** covers from this past century

• My everything store is Target because it offers decent prices on clothing ~ including my designer collab limited editions ~ as well as home goods, some groceries, and is my personal fave place for gift registries

You too can check out these Target en Vogue** photos by scoring a copy and scanning with your Shazam app

• I’m also a CVS patron for Beauty and ExtraCare Bucks Rewards*
  

  I picked up this month’s Vogue** while grabbing some monthly & quarterly essentials

☼Sunshine☼ Time

• Get a daily dose of Vitamin D (as weather permits) ~ for health & happiness

Taking a breezy breather from my dissertation in the backyard to thumb through Vogue** in ☼serenity☼

Just make YOU Time

• Lately, my pleasure reading getaways have been simpler to prevent brain burnout (i.e., pictures for eye candy) ~ so no information overload in this rotation

Perfect coffee table or night stand literature ~ when I need a break from my dissertation, these are my latest go-tos: the original Cupcakes and Cashmere (prequel to Cupcakes and Cashmere at Home that I have in eBook form) and this month’s 800+-page Vogue** (glossy inspirations of this season’s styles)

More than Scrub in the Tub

• ♪sing♫ in the shower ~ so cliché, but as someone who needs a nice-sounding voice for teaching, defending my dissertation, and most of all: ministering (leading in readings, prayers and song) at Mass, I must warm up my ♫melody♪
• stay fit as you suds up ~ stretch (with caution) as you reach for body parts to clean, and if you’re seated during a bath, I strongly suggest doing water pilates (think table top position with head and feet raised for resistance as you move)

†Pray† at Any Time of the Day

• No believer is ever too busy to †pray† ~ even if we can’t take a ½ hour or full hour to meditate, at least devote a few to several minutes or even †pray† before, during and/or after your activities (my Rosary begins my days, and playing the ♪song♫ jump-starts it!)

* Rewards = another way to $ave (discount$ & FREEbie$)

These guidelines will save you in the long one ~ not only for the aforementioned reasons, but also from embarrassment (i.e., killer breath, B.O.) if you run into someone later… We don’t want to be Finch from the American Pie movies who had to go home from school every time he had to release his macchiato! You’re welcome.  ✌

Happy ☼Birthday☼ to my ♥Tita Fe♥, a.k.a. Dr. Reyes-Dollete, & HBD to my BFF Bestie SSG Melody!

^– Let this **Vogue ♪jam♫ ♫pump you up♪ today!!! –^

As ♫Madonna♪ sings:

♪That’s why I feel so beautiful♫

Foodie & Floral + Fitness Friday: PSL & OLG, Lucky Me!

As Bruno Mars sings

♪Baby Squirrel, you’s a $3×7 … ♫

My first fun run♥ ♥heartburn-free this week to be greeted on his home turf! #HomeOfTheAbilenePrairieDogs

I treasure

☼ Our Lady of Guadalupe † ♥

To view close-ups of some of these beautiful petals from ☼floral showers☼ surrounding ♥Our Lady♥ who I visit after my †Adoration† Hour, then please check out Bishop Mike‘s OLG medal & Pope Francis‘ coin!

and my fave fall flave:

PSL is back! I hit up *$ after my park jog specifically for this & was grateful that it made a grand return ~ following the succulent ☼summer☼ flavors! #KickingOffFall +Added *BONUS*: while I was at Market Street, I took time to smell the roses ~ great stress-relief therapy in the midst of this dissertation preparation!

Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Double the Pumpkin = 1 Delighted Munchkin #PumpkinSpiceLatte #PumpkinScone

 Please make it sweet & spiced + iced …

Spice … Ice … Nice … Is this a vice?

& to top it off to make it all nice:

Pair with a Pumpkin Scone

Can’t go wrong with FREE samples … Because even if it’s a YOLO, the portion’s so low! #DISPObustAFlow

To Knock 2 Birds with 1 Stone!

#DISPObustAFlow  ✌

Foodie Friday: S is for …

Summer = Salad Season!

F is for … Fresh & flavorful: Romaine lettuce topped with crumbled feta cheese {Trader Joe’s} & drizzled with Italian dressing {Olive Garden}

I may indulge in comfort foods during colder weather when I prefer to stay cozy and warm, but now that the ☼heat☼ is on ~ not to mention, the pressure, since I’ve stepped up my A-game on my dissertation ~ I’m saving time and energy from cooking much to go raw!

A is for … Apple! Added crunch from fruit & nuts (in this case, walnut ½s & pieces) suppresses appetite & burns calories!

Gotta ♥love♥ my greens!

P is for … Pineapple & pecan chips for sweet flavor & savory crunch!

Speaking of freshness, I had a little more time this morning to whip this up for breakfast!

Banana Nut Chocolate {Jif Mocha Cappuccino Hazelnut Spread} Crepe created with a smile 🙂

#TGIF

Melt in your mouth … Let my tongue & palate ♪sing♫!

2 for Tuesday: 2-step Tex Mex Chili

Who’s in the mood for good study food?

🙋🏻I sure am! 💭

My mom always comes through for me:

• After I returned from my 🎾research🔬 🚘trip, she and my Bestie‘s mother both welcomed me 🏡home🏠 with chili: Mami Aya‘s colorful vegetarian 🍆variety🌽 & Mama Maggie‘s award-winning 🍖meaty🍣 version!
• Today, Nanay cooked this southwestern🍛 recipe, chock full of veggies and meat (her lean ground white turkey)

Mami Aya’s Tex Mex Chili🍲 pairs perfectly with Trader Joe‘s Veggie Flaxseed Tortilla Chips! Jalapeño adds that extra kick! #pica 

Excellent timing for this hearty, savory dish🍲 while I crank out 💡study📈 on this ⚡️rainy☔️ day!

Foodie Friday: C is for …

Chocolate🍫 * Cookies🍪 * Coffee☕️ * Cheesecake🍰

More specifically …

Thanks to 🌽Trader Joe’s🎯:

Cookies🍪 & Creme🍦 Cookie🍪 Butter 🍯

Happy 🍓Strawberry Month in May!
    ♪Gotta love ☕️Coffee♫ ~ especially with Cookies🍪 & Creme🍦 (112’s🎤 ♪Peaches🍑 & Cream♫ on the 💡brain)  Cookie🍪 Butter🍯 Cheesecake🍰  

🌠Starbucks💸‘ *NEW* Additions➕

🍨Frappuccino🍧 Sugar Cookie🍪  

Sippy Selfie: Frappuccino Sugar Cookie before NBA Playoffs (last *Dallas Mavericks* game)

   ⛺️S’Mores 🍩Tart🍮

Mmmm…. Melted Marshmallow ~ Melt My ♥Heart♥

More like Marshmallow Drizzle for this E-Dizzle!

Chocolate Dipped into this Graham Cracker Crust is like a slice of Heaven ^_^

   ⛺️S’Mores 🍨Frappuccino🍧 {to 👟kickoff🏈 Frap-Happy Hour (🕒3-5PM🕔 & ’til 6🕕 o’clock for us 🏆Rewards💳 members)}

Score: S’mores ‘specially for Yours Truly

Frap-Happy for this Summer Camp kinda sweet treat!

Graham Cracker topping …

… & Chocolatey Marshmallowy Goodness ’til the very last drop!!!

Foodie Friday: Classic Cold Remedies

Happy Friday the 13th!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is where it’s at!

We’re never too old to need our mothers ~ so if they’re still with us, then let’s be grateful!

Add freshly-squeezed OJ to the mix for Vitamin C to combat the cold, and I’ve got it made in the shade!

My own ♥Mommy Aya♥ came through for me during my cold that took its toil and my voice this ♣Spring Break♣.

These oranges came from my former post in the Rio Grande Valley!

As a retired Registered Nurse after over 4½ decades, my Nanay attended to me for the first time since I was a child!

Chocolate = the perfect cure to cheer me up, in the form of my mom’s Nutella brownies!

I think that my need to be put on bed rest (while my ♥A&A♥ held vigil by my bedside) was †GOD†‘s way of telling me to slow my roll …

Girl Scout Cookies also are. Always. On. Point.

Despite my week ☼off☼ from teaching and tutoring, I had still been on-the-go in the recent wintry weather with my traveling, researching, reporting and photographing!

This juicer doubles as a pitcher!

So much for tracking miles on a fun run or hitting the driving range … for now!

Foodie Friday: Meatless for Lent

Happy First Ash Wednesday of Lent 2015!

Starting out the day with fiber and flavor from this fruit-&-berry-packed steel-cut oatmeal!

We can’t go wrong with our meatless options …

Then my greens & dairy in this veggie soup + P.I. cheese on toast!

Thanks to Maggie, I got my fave flavor of Girl Scout cookies!

Both in our meals and our snacks!

Remember to do your Stations of the †Cross†