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

SouthWest Chicken Salad

Hey Peeps ~

I hope everyone one's Mother's day was beautiful like mine! Around our house we feel that everyday is a day to celebrate mom's and dad's so we never really do anything extra exciting. Other than maybe I don't spend all day doing the usual chores and cooking. I love to cook so I really don't mind it!

Today I got up, had my coffee on the deck will being serenaded by the birds and being snuggled by Marley, all the while Mr. Sunshine warmed me!

Then I made Mexican egg wraps, which I LOVE!! I just can't get enough of these. It's so easy and super delicious. I need to get some whole wheat tortillas. That's the only thing that always makes me feel like I'm not eating as I should. But I'm human.

I use...
2-3 tsp Taco seasoning
4 egg whites
2 whole eggs 
small flour tortillas
hot sauce or salsa
Scramble eggs with seasoning and put in shells just like a burrito or taco. I add salsa, a little cheese, cilantro, and Fage yogurt to mine..but it varies.. variety IS the spice of life, Right!! 
This makes about 4 wraps, enough to feed the hubs and I, 2 egg wraps ea.

Then I did some "around the house" stuff ya know... the usual suspects.. dishes, laundry, bathing! Then it was off to visit with my mom for a bit and then get a workout in!
Here's my workout for ya! Do 3 sets!

 Once I killed my workout! Yes I'm guilty!! I came home and made some delicious gluten free, vegan oatmeal choc chip cookies.

So yummy and did I mention Healthy!

At Chili's they have a southwest quesadilla chicken salad with a cilantro vinaigrette that is the only thing I ever get from there, minus the quesadilla ( trying to be healthy, ya know) So I thought I'd try to recreate it at home..

Sherice's SouthWest Chicken salad

Chicken Marinade 
1/4 tsp chipotle powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin.. I love cumin
1-2 cloves garlic minced
about 1/3 cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
 I put all ingredients into my Magic Bullet and give it a whirl!! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this little machine!!

Cilantro lime vinaigrette
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup EVOO
1-2 Tbls fresh squeezed lime juice.. I used 3 and it was perfect but I like lime
1 Tbls red wine vinegar
salt and pepper
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
once again I used my Magic bullet! put all ingredients in and give it a whirl!
put in jar and put in fridge. Let sit for about 30 mins so flavors can marry before using

then I grilled the chicken and sliced it up, and added it on some romaine added corn kernals, black beans, black olives, a little cheese, avocado, cherry tomatoes and some crushed up corn tortilla chips on top. Then added the 2-3 Tbls of the dressing. DELICIOUS!!

 now I'm having the same thing tonight for dinner and a cold Stella.

Happy Mother's Day!!
oxox Sherice

Pasta? Think again!

Hey There ~

Things around here have been pretty quite. I'm excited to be putting some plants into my garden this weekend. When Mother's day rolls around you know it's safe to start planting. You don't want to any sooner for fear of frost. So I will be putting in some plants this weekend.. I've got some seeds also but I've been waiting due to lack of a fence across our garden area. We have a little puppy who likes to dig and run around in the raised beds so we will need to be putting up some fencing to keep him OUT unless he's invited in :)

 Last night I had a delicious dinner!

Spaghetti Squash with Quinoa "meat" balls and a little red sauce I made.

Sherice's simple red sauce ~ This is a super quick easy sauce I make when I don't have any spaghetti sauce in the freezer or I want a lighter sauce.

1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1-2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 lrg onion minced or 1 sm onion minced
handful of crimini mushrooms minced
sprinkle of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
fresh chopped basil

Saute onions and mushrooms for 5-7 mins add in salt and pepper stir, add in garlic saute 1-2 mins, add in tomatoes and red pepper flakes. simmer for 10-15 mins. add in basil or sprinkle directly onto whatever it is your eating!  Enjoy!

Here's the video on how to make the squash and "meat" balls..

These meatballs were so delicious you've got to try them. I was thinking that the next time I make them I might mix it up a bit and add in some grated zucchini and some fresh basil.. just to give them a bit more flavor and to kick up the veggie content.. or even adding in some diced eggplant would be great. Go nuts!! That's the best part of cooking.. tweaking a recipe to suit your palate!

I also made Kale chips for the first time this week.. oh they were crispy and spicy.. just what I like!
I made 2 batches.. the first batch was my favorite but the second was good also!

All Hail Kale ~
preheat oven to 350 for 11- 14 mins keep a good eye on these, they go from not quite done to burnt in no time at all

I cheated and got a bag of organic kale already cut at Trader Joe's just because I could :) 

I split the bag into 2 batches..

#1 batch

1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive oil

1/4 tsp Chipotle powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

good sprinkle of sea salt

#2 batch

1 Tblp EVOO

1/4 tsp chili powder

sprinkle red chili flakes

1/4 tsp cumin

good sprinkle sea salt

I made the mistake of thinking they were cooled and put them into a ziplock bag. The next day they were chewy instead of crispy, still good but not what your going for!

I haven't worked out this week due to a bruised knee.. I took a couple days off at work to let it rest and heal. Being on your hands and knees washing floors isn't going make the healing any faster ya know. So I will have a workout posted for you this weekend. 

I'm really going to try to get more blogs posted. I'm thinking maybe 3-4 a week. I want my blog to grow and get some more hits and followers so I need to be spending more time at it and start being a lot more consistent. I find that the only time I really blog is when I've got a recipe or workout to share, but I'm finding that on the blogs I follow and really enjoy, they blog about their day to day lives and what they've eaten that day or their workouts. So I will try not to totally bore you to death. I'm really NOT that exciting but I will try to blog more! 

OX Sherice

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

Hey!

How are you? I hope all is well.

Sundays are our usual breakfast day around Potter Palace. I usually make Eggs Benedict Sherice's way http://foodieluvsfitness.blogspot.com/2012/03/breakfast-for-dinner-eggs-benny-sherice.html or Egg's, Bacon and hashbrowns. One thing I HATE is making bacon. It's splatters, spits and hurts me. Makes a yucky mess all over my clothes and everything else. So my sister said to me "why don't you make it in the oven?" I thought "what a great idea." So today when I made breakfast that's exactly what I did. It was so easy, I don't think I will ever make bacon on the stove top again. Here's what you do.....

Line you pan with aluminum foil. Lay out your bacon, I always cut my in half. Why? I don't really know. Put your pan in a cold oven. Turn oven on to 400 degrees and cook for about 15-20 mins. Cooking time depends on how thick your bacon is. I found that I flipped mine when it was just about done because by the time the top was done the bottom would have been to done. But my bacon was pretty thin too.

whalaaaa! Just the way we like it without all the mess!

A couple weeks ago I bought some Newman's Own Dog Biscuits that I felt good about feeding to the boys. 

But at 7 bucks a bag @ 10 oz between 2 dogs. These didn't go far.  I decided to make my own. I have a bone cookie cutter kit with 3 sizes in it that I'd gotten like a yr ago and had never used. So I thought I should probably make use of them. I remember reading that pumpkin is safe for dogs and helps ease an upset tummy, and I know that Peanut Butter is something that most dogs love and is also safe. I looked online and saw a few different recipes. I kinda mixed and matched and came up with this one.

 I happened to have all the ingredients on hand but next time I will make sure that I use organic ingredients and I will use only oat flour. I didn't have enough and that's why I used part whole wheat flour. I don't feel that they need the gluten in the wheat flour. My dogs are ok with it but they don't need it and I know that a lot of dogs have allergies to gluten.
After I made these I realized I should have just taken some of the oats and made more oat flour. After all, I just bought a Magic Bullet.

But it was an after thought like I said. So next time I make these I will totally omit the whole wheat flour.

1 cup canned organic pumpkin. NOT pumpkin pie filling, just canned pumpkin
3-3 1/2 cups oat flour - I just used organic oats in my magic bullet until fine like flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup oats - for texture
3 Tbls peanut butter
1 tsp cinnamon


Pumpkin benefits for dogs are.. helps ease upset stomach, helps with Diarrhea
Peanut butter....It's high in protein and the natural oils help with a shiny coat
Cinnamon....is an antifungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial and has much of the health benefits for dogs as it does humans but give in moderation. if itchy or rashes appear your dog may have an allergy to cinnamon but it's not very common.
eggs...perfectly fine for dogs as long as they are cooked. raw eggs block the absorption of Biotin
Oats.... are a good source of soluble fiber even for dogs


preheat oven to 350 degrees, Then whisk pumpkin, eggs, peanut butter and cinnamon together until mixed. Then add in flour and oats. I did all this by hand. When it got to hard to mix, I then emptied the dough onto the counter and kneaded it. It was a little sticky so I added a bit more oat flour until it was no longer sticky. I kneaded the dough a couple times and then made a nice round out of it.. as if you were making pastry for pie crust, same concept. Then I rolled out the dough to about 1/2 in thickness.

 Then I started cutting away!!
 I used my medium sized cutter and my small sized cutter.

For the Med size cook for 40 min flipping them over after 30 mins

For the Sm size cook for 30 mins flipping them over after 20 mins

These are the small size.. and 1 little heart :)

Here is the comparison between the med and the small! They share a med size but the small size is perfect for them!

Marley and Luka Both told me they were "PAWsome" LOL

Marley, sitting pretty hoping to get seconds :)

Luka gobbling up his!


This recipe made 40 med size treats and 54 small size treats. And 1 heart :)

let me know what your K-9 kids think of these treats!
Mine sure do love them!





oxox Sherice

Quinoa mexican salad

Hello ~

How has everyone's week been? Mine was VERY busy at work!

Today I have a quick recipe and workout post for you guys. I've been loving me some Quinoa these past couple weeks. It's delicious, easy to make, healthy and a complete protein. You can find it at pretty much any grocery store now and I get mine from the bulk section of Fred Meyer or Yokes AND it's organic :)

REMEMBER you can make as much or as little of this as you want. You can add whatever spices and veggies sound good to you! You can eat this salad right when you make it but it is 100 times better when it's cold and all the flavors have married :)
As always try to get the most organic ingredients that your budget will allow :)

1/2 cup Quinoa
1 cup chx stock
1 avocado
2 handfuls of fresh cilantro
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1/2 sweet onion finely chopped
juice from 1 lime
1/4 cup cubed pepperjack cheese
6 quartered cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup sweet corn
1 Tbls  cumin
1/4 tsp chipotle powder
1 tsp chili powder
the spices are an estimation. when I made this I didn't really measure

First cook 1/2 cup Quinoa in 1 cup stock as recommended on package. Then put in fridge and let cool (if possible) then cut up all and combine ingredients with the Quinoa

I also tried this, this weekend... very tingly and invigorating.. must drink ice cold!

This one is Gingerade

Since my job is working for a cleaning company. I come home tired and worn out and I'm having a hard to getting the motivation to get my workouts in during the week. I've had some people say well get up before work and do it. I LOVE working out but I also like sleep and I'm getting up about 6:15-6:30 M-F already. So for now I've been working out on the weekends. Saturday I did the Bikini Sculpt workout from my new Tone it up DVD..

This has 7 great workouts on it set in beautiful Hawaii. They gave me encouragement and a push when I wanted to give up! I recommend you try it out. The price is right at $30 bucks. find it here, http://beachbabedvd.com/the-dvd/

Here's a sneak peek... the making of the Beach Babe DVD....

 For Sunday, Here's my workout

3 sets of....

Squats with a leg raise using a resistance band 15 ea leg

bicep curl w/ resistance band 20 rep

30 sec squat jumps... 2 squat pulses and a jump

Fire hydrant w/ leg raise to the rear 10 reps (R)

Fire hydrant w/ leg raise to the rear 10 reps (L)

30 sec donkey kicks

laying leg adduction w/ resistance band (R) 40 reps these are small pulses

laying leg adduction w/ resistance band (L) 40 reps

30 sec squat jumps

side plank hip up and downs w/ feet stacked 10 reps (R)

side plank hip up and downs w/feet stacked 10 reps (L)

30 sec donkey kicks

Dbl crunch ~ crunching your upper abs while doing a reverse crunch and meeting hands and legs in the middle 20 reps

Have a great Sunday

Sherice xo

Please don't squeeze our cheese

Hey everybody~

How goes it? I hope things are going well for everyone and you enjoyed your weekend where ever you are!

My weekend was good. The weather perked up here in Spokane this weekend and it's been beautiful! Today it was near 80.. yahoo. I can't wait for the boat to get running... we need a new starter :(.

On Friday I didn't have to work so I met up with my sister and we headed to our favorite lunch place Taste. It's a mom and daughter eatery that serves fresh local salads, sandwiches and soups along with delicious baked goods and desserts! We split our favorite, the avocado, bacon tomato, mozzarella Panini  and she had a cup of Clam chowder and I had a side salad..

We also each had a brownie.. We were going to share but I took one bite and said "nope, gotta have my own"










Later Friday night I got to the gym and busted out this workout. It was brutal but worth it!!

4 min Tabata warm up
1. Mt climbers
2. in and out thrusts (hands on floor and just jumping feet towards you and back)

then 15/45/24 rd/2x thru = 24 mins
I didn't keep track of my scores.. I was to wiped out just trying to get through this workout.. I have to figure out how to have enough motivation and energy after cleaning houses all day to get to the gym. Working out once a week is NOT working for me!!

1. Lunge back with a front kick touching opposite hand (R)

2. Lunge back with front kick touching opposite hand (L)

3. Jump jack elbow to knee.. I took this move from one of the new bodyrock workouts and it was brutal! but great cardio

4.  L raises.. a lat raise with a front raise but arms are in an L shape and you alternate them w. 4 lb weights which doesn't seem like a lot but it is! my shoulders are still tender!

5. plyo push ups using a bosu.. so one hand on the floor other on the bosu do a push up and on the up explode up and switch hands to other side.

6. side jump lunges

7. side bends w/15 lb weight (R)

8. side bends w/15 lb w (L)

9. J.J. elbow to knee same as # 3

10. Reverse crunches hold a ball between thighs

11. Sit ups touching hands between legs alternating legs each time up

12. side jump lunges

I was wiped out and I'm still sore! that's the 1 day a week.. :(

 Saturday, My sister and I met up again and went down town and enjoyed some Earth day celebration. We looked around in Main Market, which is an organic market that also is a local co-op. I FINALLY found 2 things I've been looking for,  Chipotle powder & Zico Choc Coconut water. The Coconut water is rich and delicious and tastes like choc milk! And the Chipotle powder is spicy with a kick! They also have a great assortment of cheeses and this sign was really funny to me.

 We also shared a Salad Sampler plate.. which included a Pesto Pasta with greens salad, a greek quinoa salad and a chickpea salad that to my surprise was really tasty.. last time I checked I didn't think I liked Chickpeas AKA Garbanzo beans but I guess I do! :)

We then walked to one of our new favorite cafe called Madeline's to sit in the sun and get a Cappuccino and dessert. On the way there, guess what I happened across ??

 YEP... you guessed it.. Spokane's own Lululemon store!! I was so excited I just about broke out into a dance. But I contained myself! :)


When we got to Madeline's we ordered a cappucino and a cigle.. which is like a rolled up thin wafer cookie with choc mousse in side and the ends are then dipped in choc. We shared of course!

 Then upon returning home I cleaned my bedroom, carpets included and washed bedding and cleaned my bathroom really good.. washed walls and all....

Then we bbq and had a nice fire in our fire pit. I made ( with my sisters help :) )  a delicious Quinoa greek inspired salad with artichoke hearts, fennel, red onion, cherry toms, italian parsley and a lemon and olive oil dressing. I also marinaded some tri tip steaks.  I unfortunately forgot to take a pic but here's the recipe...

Chipotle Marinade
1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp chipotle powder
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp instant coffee or espresso powder
and a dash of salt

They were really good!!

Sunday was just as beautiful.. my sister came over and we had Eggs Benny and Mimosas

Then we relaxed in the sun for a bit and took the boys on a walk...

These are both our dogs but they love auntie Kristine very much!! Marley in front Luka in back.. Luka really enjoyed his harness once he stopped trying to figure out how to get it off and he liked his walk.. we are just getting him out walking, the weather has been to cold for these guys. Boston Terriers don't have much of a coat and don't get a winter coat as other dogs do! Once home they both had a big drink of water and crashed out! :) I love my boys!!!

My sis and I then went to N.W. Seed and Pet and I got 2 more Strawberry plants and 1 Cherry tom plant and a Early girl tom plant! One of our raised beds is half Strawberries which have already started creeping, so I've decided to just fill the whole thing with strawberries. You can never have to many Strawberries!! Then we got some Frozen Yogurt!

Once home I had some lunch.. Leftover Qunioa salad and a bacon, tom, avocado sandwich on Ezekiel bread..

I'd love to hear about what you did this weekend. Whatever it was I hope it was a good as mine :)

Sherice oxox