Lavender Honey Ice Cream

Hi There, where ever there is...

My sis and I went to the Farmers Market on Saturday and picked up a beautiful bundle of Culinary Lavender.

The original bundle was about 3 times this size.. Huge I tell ya!

Ever since watching It's Complicated.. a favorite movie of mine. I've been interested in making some Lavender Ice Cream. So after our trip to the Farmers Market we headed to Trader Joe's to pick up some Organic Milk and my sister made the ice cream. She's the one with the ice cream maker.. until I can get one. It's on my "must get" list!

I don't have the recipe yet, so this post is going to be a teaser. I will get on her to email the recipe for me and I will edit this post as soon as I've got it!!

I know that she used a basic vanilla Ice cream recipe. With whole milk, half and half, eggs, vanilla, and honey. She steeped a bit of the lavender in with the milk just until it got hot but not boiling. Then she pulled it out. From there I don't know. I've never made Ice cream before, she's the pro!

All done and churning in the I.C. maker

Finished product

It was so good. We have a lot of different ideas in the works with this recipe though, as my niece doesn't like the honey and after a few consecutive bites the honey was a bit overpowering. But all in all The Lavender Ice Cream was a SUCCESS!!!!

In other random news.. my favorite beer at the moment is....

and I bought some delicious chocolate croissants at TJ and had them Sunday Morning....

 This is what I've been doing in all my spare time....

Sherice oxoxox

Raspberry Freezer Jam

WOW.... Sorry it's been so long since I last blogged. I guess life took over.

Yesterday I was at the Farmers Market and came across these beauties.....

I've been wanting to make Jam but it seems very intimidating to me so I remember my sister telling me about how easy freezer jam is. So searched online for a recipe that sounded easy and fool proof. I used this recipe..http://www.chestertownfitforlife.com/2010/09/how-to-make-raspberry-freezer-jam.html#.UANZUnAzLRw   It was easy peaze!


First you mash up enough Raspberries for 2 cups.. I measured out 2 cups whole berries and then added another cup. 

I was texting my sister and was NOT paying attention and I added the 4 cups (I know, it's an outrageous amount of sugar) directly into the mashed Rasp. w/out measuring out the 2 cups. But oh well, I wasn't about to through out those berries and start over. So I hoped for the best. It totally worked out!! Yay!!

Then you mix it well and let it sit for 10 mins. Come back and add in 1 pkg (1 box) of pectin. I used the Sure Jell kind and 2 Tbls lemon juice.

Then set a timer and mix for 3 mins.. my Gymboss timer
came in really handy for this part

start stirring.. you'll get an arm workout for sure!

Then once the 3 mins is up your ready to fill what ever it is your using. I used some small pint (I think) jars I have on hand.

Once all your jars are filled you let the jam sit on your counter for 24 hrs.. I made mine about 7 pm and when I got up this morning about 9am I put one jar in the fridge and the others in the freezer. I could tell it was already thick. I'm very impatient so I didn't wait the 24 hrs and it worked just fine!!

I got about 7 jars of jam out of 2 cups of berries.. You can use any fruit for this recipe I'd imagine. As long as you can mash it up. I'm going to try making Peach jam next month. We always go to our local peach growers and pick peaches in Aug. One of the best things about the month of August. Fresh, sweet local peaches.

Eating this jam reminds me of spending time at my grandmas. We'd always have fresh Raspberry jam with homemade bread and butter at dinner time.

Isn't it funny how eating something or smelling something can just transport you right back to a memory you've forgotten about.

This morning I still had quite a few Raspberries so I made some delicious Raspberry Muffins.

Here's the recipe...

1/2 cup room temp butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fresh or frozen Raspberries (toss in flour so they won't sink to the bottom of your batter)
turbinado sugar for sprinkling on top

cream butter and sugar in mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add eggs mix until blended, add yogurt blend, add in vanilla and milk and blend until mixed well. combine dry ingredients and add 1/2 into wet, blend then add in rest of dry and thoroughly mix. Toss your berries in a little bit of flour, this helps them so they won't sink to the bottom of the mix. add to mix and blend by hand, so as not to break up all the berries. Place in cupcake holders in a muffin tin. I used a reg size ice cream scoop. Sprinkle with Turbinado Sugar. Bake @ 350 for 25-30 mins

These are really yummy!
They are moist from the yogurt with a bit of sweetness from the Turbinado sugar on top! So good with a hot cup of coffee!


Here's my workout for today.

The squats w/ leg abduction on the bosu were very hard! I do squats all the time and my legs were toast by the time I was done with 3 sets.

 Have a nice week ~
Sherice oxox

The Dark Side

Hey There ~

I hope everyone is doing well. I on the other hand, have had a doozy of a time the last couple weeks..It all started when my husband gave me his nasty cold. Even though I told him I'd rather have a dentist drill on my tooth, he gave it to me anyway! So I was feeling crummy, stuffed up, sore throat, along with sneezing and coughing. So after about a week of that I was feeling better and then Sunday came along and my back was all messed up.

I have no idea how I hurt it. But after 3 days I knew I wouldn't be able to work so I ended up having to go see the Dr.  who then said maybe it was all the sneezing and coughing. Thanks sweet hubs for your gift that keeps on giving!!

Long story short, I was laid up for about a week and I'm just now starting to feel normal again. It's amazing what some Ice, heat and muscle relaxers will do for ya!

So you can image how horrible physically and emotionally I felt after about 2 weeks of not working out and eating things I shouldn't be.. damn Trader Joes and there delicious coffee ice cream bars!! Even though my back was sore and tight this morning, I knew the best thing I could do was get back in the saddle. I headed to the gym and did some good stretching and an easy workout well it was supposed to be an easy workout but of course that doesn't really fly with me... here's what I did.

3 sets of......

1. Static Lunges R leg ~ 15 reps
2. Static Lunges L leg ~ 15 reps
3. Curl w/ press standing on 1 leg for 10 reps then switch to the other leg for 10 reps
4. Tricep push up into a cobra into a downward facing dog 10 reps (these felt good on my back) slow and controlled people!
5. 1 arm fly w/bridge 8 lb med ball 15 reps ea arm (one of my new fave exercises)

I did 60 sec of jump rope in between each exercise..


Me after this workout!! SWEATY!!!!

Then I stretched again really good when I was done with my workout. My back feels great!!

Being active is what it needed once the spasms and pain subsided.. I did need that week of rest. We each know our bodies and I knew that a good stretch was what I needed in the healing process at this point.





My sister made a delicious pizza that I feel in love with and I had to have the recipe.

Caramelize some onions in evoo until they are sweet and brown, then I sauteed some thin zucchini slices with garlic for about 5 mins.. brush rolled out pizza dough with evoo and put on your sauteed veggies then add fresh mozzerella cheese and bake on heated pizza stone at 475-500 for 10 mins...

This is what you'll get to eat... so delicious! I'm in love!!!

I took the down time with my back to get some studying done. If you didn't see my last post I just started studying for my Personal Trainers Certificate through the NASM..

It's gonna be a hard but anything worth doing is, Right!!

This was just funny!!

I can totally geek out on Star Wars and who doesn't LOVE Pink Floyd??

Catch ya on the Dark Side..... :)
oxox Sherice

Lunch @ CLOVER

Hello Darlings ~

I just love that word... Darlings. It just sounds so European.
This weekend was super Rainy and cold. Well at least cold for being June. Come on Mother Nature, it's summer time!!

Saturday I got together with my sister and we headed to the library. I haven't been to the library, I'm sad to say for probably 5 yrs. NO JOKE!! I was pleased to see some new DVD Titles and some new book titles I've been wanting to read.

My book Hual. The Crazy Sexy Diet I'm gonna have to buy

Then we needed a little warmth in our tummies. We really wanted a light healthy lunch of soup and salad and my sister remembered this new restaurant that opened not long ago in our neighborhood. As it turns out I've also been wanting to go there. GREAT idea sis!

So we headed to Clover....

 

Clover has a great court yard and patio seating that I can't wait to enjoy with a delicious brunch on a sunny weekend! Unfortunately I didn't snap a pic of the patio but I did get a few of the landscape.

really cool fountain

This is the door leading into the courtyard, Isn't it just awesome. We loved it!!

Once inside out of the rain, the staff was very friendly and welcoming. They have seating downstairs as well as upstairs. We choose to sit upstairs and I'm glad we did. 

The pictures really don't do it justice.. The upstairs was open and welcoming and the downstairs has a nice bar area with a little nook of window seating and some seating to the left.

Beautiful plank hardwood floors and soft lighting really add to the comfort of the place.

Once we headed up stairs and were seated,  I ordered a refreshing drink. A lime spritzer with meddled mint and ginger in sparkling water. It was really light and refreshing.

 Then we ordered lunch. We shared the Clover salad of greens with shaved parm, candied pecans and a house citrus vinaigrette and soup. She got the French onion and I got the Tomato Bisque.

The salad was ok, we both thought it needed a little something more, like some pears or beets to liven it up and the dressing was lacking the citrus component. I was thinking it would be a party in my mouth but nope. But the soups were delicious. The Tomato was thick and hearty and her French Onion was AH. MAZ. ING!!!!!! I've never had F. O. Soup before and let me tell you, I will be ordering this next time. It was savory and rich with a crusty, cheesy delicious topping. Everything a French Onion soup should be!!

What the salad lacked in pizazz the soups definitely made up for!! Once we had savored our lunch and eaten every last bite of salad and sipped every last spoonful of soup it was dessert time..

We shared an order of Baklava, which was really good and the perfect amount. We enjoyed dessert with a mug of hot Decaf. 

Baklava w/ Blackberries

Cheers to sister time and a great lunch!

The Breakfast and Dinner menu looked delicious as well.. yummy omelets, french toast and Steaks and seafood. 

We will for sure be going back for a brunch on the patio and a steak or in my sisters case a seafood dinner. 

If you live in Spokane give Clover a try. You won't be disappointed! 

**********

In other news.. guess what I'm doing....

Yep... I finally ordered my stuff from NASM and I'm heading down the path I've been waiting to venture for the last 4 yrs. It's been such a long time coming but everything happens for a reason and I just need to remember that! I'm doing the CPT (certified personal trainer) and the FNS (fitness nutrition certification).

I'm looking forward to getting these 2 certs and finding a job that I LOVE, which is helping change someone else's life like fitness has changed mine. It's my passion. I want the world to know that feeling good is not an unattainable goal. Everyone has the right to look in the mirror and like what they see. It's hard work and sacrifice but it's so worth it. And before long it really isn't a sacrifice because you will feel better, look better and be better and you will want to continue on your journey.

So Cheers to a healthy happy you! 

OXOX Sherice

Mini White Chocolate Cheesecakes

One of my favorite blogs is Janetha's, and I'm really hoping I can meet this chicka at the next Blend retreat. She's got great content on her blog. Lots of good workout info and some healthy and some not so healthy recipes like the one this post is about. Her Hubs is a hottie and her dogs are adorable AND she's got a superhero of a momma ta boot!! No I'm not a crazy stalker, I just know a good thing when I read one!!

I did change the recipe a little, nothing to drastic but you can find her recipe here...but this is what I did.

Crust ~
1 + 1/3 cups and an extra handful of Nilla wafers
1/3 cup butter melted

tossed the Nilla wafers into my food processor.. made crumbs added the melted butter and you've got crust.
Line regular size muffin tins with 18 cupcake wrappers and put about a lrg spoonful into ea cupcake wrapper. Press with fingers. Put into a 325 degree oven for about 8 - 10 mins set aside. At this point turn your oven down to 300 so it's cooled and ready to put in the cheesecakes.

Filling ~
6 oz Ghirardelli White choc bar or chips
1/3 cup butter
16 oz 1/3 less fat Cream Cheese ~ softened to room temp
8 oz plain 0% Fage yogurt
1 Tbls Cornstarch
1 Tbls Vanilla
2 Eggs

Melt choc w/ butter in a dbl boiler or in microwave. I've never used the microwave but on Janetha's blog I think she says about 2 mins stirring about half way through. Then set aside to cool, mix yogurt and cream cheese until well blended and smooth, add in choc mixture beat again until mixed and smooth, then add in cornstarch and vanilla again mix until smooth and well incorporated. By this time you'll want to just eat the filling out of the bowl.. it smells so good!! Next add in eggs 1 at a time mixing after adding each egg.

melted choc & butter

cream cheese & yogurt

fill your cupcake wrappers evenly. I used my regular sized ice cream scooper which worked great. I filled these suckers to the top!!

Bake at 300 for 30 mins. the cheesecakes will have little splits on the tops and you'll think they aren't done but if you cook them any longer they will be dry. cool them for 20 mins then cover and place in fridge for at least 2 hrs. Top with whatever you'd like.

cooked and cooling

I'm thinking that I will make these and add in dark choc next time.. that sounds really good!

 I might try to do a no bake version.. I'm wondering what would happen if you didn't add in the eggs and just went right to filling the cupcake wrappers and put in the fridge for a couple hrs or even overnight. Hmm, now my brains working overtime.

I also got a great workout in today. Knowing that these little suckers would be in my tummy later :)

Do 3 sets and take minimal breaks in between each exercise to keep your heart rate up! I took about a min break in between each set.

1. after you do the 10 squats your going to hold a squat position with 1 leg held out to the side and just pulse it up and down. your not doing a leg raise so it's a small movement. Boy does it burn that outer saddle bag area. then do another 10 squats and pulse the opposite leg. so you'll do 20 total squats with 20 pulses on ea leg.

7. I used 12 lb weights after the first set. 10 was to easy and if your not fatiguing your muscles what's the point in my opinion. Today my chest (from the plyo pushups w/bosu) and my arms are REALLY SORE!!! which means I did what I was supposed to do!
I'm pretty much sore everywhere!

The rest is pretty self explanatory!  

 I did shorten my work week to 4 days instead of 5. I work for a cleaning company and my arm and wrists were starting to take a beating, I already have Impingement syndrome in my right shoulder that hasn't bothered me for a couple yrs, after doing physical therapy and getting some ionphoresis. But now it's hurting ALL THE TIME, not good. Since my goal is to get my trainers cert.. exciting news flash, I'm ordering my stuff from NASM tomorrow!! I don't want to junk my body cleaning. I need 1 more day of rest and this will also allow me to get in an extra workout day and study time. I'm grateful to be able to work a 4 day work week due to my wonderful husband who works his butt off!

I hope all's well with you guys! Let me know if you try the cheesecakes or my workout

OX Sherice

Farmers Market

Hey Peeps~

Saturday my sister and I ventured downtown to the Farmers Market! It was such a beautiful day for it! It makes me feel good to know that I'm supporting local farmers and I'm getting organic food. Know your farmer, Know your food!

As we sat and shared a delicious Huckleberry Danish and drank our coffee, we listened to the band play and took it all in. I appreciate all the farmers who work so hard to bring their yummy, healthy, organic foods to us.

There where booths selling Honey, Flowers, Meats, veggies, starts for all sorts of veggies, herbs, breads, eggs, and cheeses!

I love this picture...

I didn't get this exact Honey but I did get some that was Alfalfa and Goldenrod... it's really yummy!

here's what I did get..

2 lbs ground beef, 2 lbs stew meat, 1 pint honey, 1 flat strawberries (that are just about gone), a delicious loaf of Italian bread, 2 bunches radishes, a basil plant and a yummy Chipotle garlic chevre. I've never had goat cheese and I'm sold. My sister got a round of the lavendar and we shared.

The Strawberries were from Hermiston Or and I should have gotten 2 flats.. they were so good. Then I came home and made a late breakfast from what I bought.

Coffee, some of the Italian bread, 1 egg + 2 egg whites with some of the Chipotle Chevre , and some strawberries w/ honey! It hit the spot!

DO you have a Farmers Market where you live? If so, do you go?

Sunday was a lazy day but I did manage to get this workout done! It was brutal. I haven't done a H.I.I.T workout for a while.

If your on Instagram feel free to follow me.... foodieluvsfitness...

Have a great week!

OX Sherice

Strawberries and Cream

Hey All ~ 

How's everyone's week going? Mine went by fast. No complainants from me. Tomorrow is Friday and paid day, double bonus!

It seems that the whole Banana "ice" cream sensation is all the rage in the health world. I've made mine and it was yummy. Plus you can make it tons of ways! But, I don't like that it melts very quickly and the ones I've made have just been lacking in something. I was reading a blog the other day and there was a recipe on there and then the gears in my brain started to turn.... 

This was the outcome

I bet you'd like to know what it is?

I had all the ingredients on hand and I was so excited..

Strawberries and Cream

1 can chilled Coconut milk ~ chill in fridge at least overnight, drain out the water that will separate from the milk

1 frozen Banana ~ cut into pieces (I'd recommend cutting before freezing)

1 cup frozen Strawberries

2-3 tsp of Agave

put all ingredients into food processor and blend away.. in about 2-3 mins (guesstimating) you will have smooth creamy fruity deliciousness!! 

You can use this as a base and mix whatever fruits that sound good. The chilled coconut milk makes it creamy and smooth and keeps it together better than just using bananas. I noticed that it doesn't "melt" like the banana or real ice cream does. I put the left over in the fridge overnight and today it was still solid and creamy. And just as delicious!

Next time I make this I'm using Pineapple and coconut for a creamy Pina Colada! Who's with me?

let me know if you try this. What kinda fruit you used and how it's changed your dessert life :) 

I'm planning on hitting the Farmers Market this weekend. And I'm sure there will be Cappuccino involved! 

What are your plans for the weekend? 

XO Sherice