tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91208967270251006522024-03-14T02:44:21.538-04:00Foodie In MotionAdventures of Food & FitnessCaseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-33216469676817045732015-03-31T20:00:00.000-04:002017-10-24T20:40:11.682-04:00Did you say Baconfest?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNH7a40PaCev8lpyP09MjOdTONEqjDk9rPlWdkmBz9FAlO6AbgSYEPKB56d9Ezju2EagkNZ6zJ1TZBWElJ5YaDu06iokr2A1IvWlKQCMjgjZldc3etXEZ0VKBJyr3kU6qI-NWWIg65zU/s1600/20150328_Baconfest_This-Way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNH7a40PaCev8lpyP09MjOdTONEqjDk9rPlWdkmBz9FAlO6AbgSYEPKB56d9Ezju2EagkNZ6zJ1TZBWElJ5YaDu06iokr2A1IvWlKQCMjgjZldc3etXEZ0VKBJyr3kU6qI-NWWIg65zU/s640/20150328_Baconfest_This-Way.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bacon, bacon, bacon. Bacon, bacon, bacon. How many times can you say Baconfest?</h2>
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It was that kind of sunshine-y day where run on sentences and bacon were acceptable to eat in mass quantities for breakfast, lunch, dinner plus everything in between, and drown that out with a whole bunch of Sierra Nevada beer just made sense.</div>
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The lines were intimidating at first, but then enough people gave up and eventually I got my hands on some bacon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denim is apparently required bacon-eating attire.</td></tr>
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Somewhere along the way macaroni and cheese sounded like a good idea... Nah, need more bacon.</div>
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On my way out a random lady gave me this flying wooden pig art. It was hidden in the park the whole day, and no one had found it so she gave it to me... for our art wall!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With unlimited bacon and brews, this was an epic day.</span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-66564984544420527032014-08-31T15:30:00.000-04:002017-10-24T20:41:25.847-04:00Southern Apps & Drinks @ Sweet Auburn Barbecue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYcxJMoNwMdDfk9OJ76zFlD1frRB6fP5ssWqUCxWXZctB0jZi0jP2gvctRgblfg-MXyrWfmOvGxHlIMssTqAjlIfWCZDietQKWqMiwlTkHh1yHtgTVO_XycYUYAb0Vp-AoH4Q69Vl3v0/s1600/20140818_Sweet-Auburn-BBQ_Atlanta_Eternal-Sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYcxJMoNwMdDfk9OJ76zFlD1frRB6fP5ssWqUCxWXZctB0jZi0jP2gvctRgblfg-MXyrWfmOvGxHlIMssTqAjlIfWCZDietQKWqMiwlTkHh1yHtgTVO_XycYUYAb0Vp-AoH4Q69Vl3v0/s640/20140818_Sweet-Auburn-BBQ_Atlanta_Eternal-Sunshine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Or is it <a href="http://sweetauburnbbq.com/" target="_blank">BBQ</a>? Either way you can't go wrong when ordering Southern appetizers and drinks. On a fine young evening on Highland Ave the women of #AFBS gathered around a heavy high-top table. Settled conveniently near the kitchen and the bar this called for a round of refreshing cocktails and starters.</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7seWGRUBHGq5G7glMqmkjxPAjaQgL5n_j8N4Ur-XDc29Ff7EfANIjk9lTjfLS3PKhNIvOaWduyGeRAh6N3te0G10nILmIefcO-hF-MELNOlWcE8o0j7cRkfiIjzxcfLO_u_dTTfmpv4s/s1600/20141012_164100-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Best BBQ in the Poncey-Highlands!" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7seWGRUBHGq5G7glMqmkjxPAjaQgL5n_j8N4Ur-XDc29Ff7EfANIjk9lTjfLS3PKhNIvOaWduyGeRAh6N3te0G10nILmIefcO-hF-MELNOlWcE8o0j7cRkfiIjzxcfLO_u_dTTfmpv4s/s640/20141012_164100-MOTION.gif" title="Sweet Auburn Barbecue, Highland Avenue" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Eternal Sunshine. </b>Sweet, Bright, Spotless. Cocktail menu changes seasonally, so get in and enjoy!<br />
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Next up a mouth watering round of starters. Have no words for this Asian-inspired barbecue sauce... except I want more.<br />
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<b>Candied BACON </b>was by far my favorite thing on this plate. Housemade and the perfect mix of sweet and savory.<br />
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And I bid you adieu with these Southern Fried Wontons<br />
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XOXCaseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-66399721522365386782014-07-16T11:30:00.000-04:002014-07-16T11:30:01.731-04:00Atlanta Street Food Festival #ASFF14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKtzHzaYc5Fy8KjlbGgL2OOJ6QwgtjLCm0GyFsH-O1vm1R1qIwEnUvrpESrP5PmbBJpsA57a1-d64HbNPKH5nlOiQ_WNkCzaRETIs7rCdWmIKZOcr3YfpW_-6rVlsEoBfePG-dTJdFPk/s1600/20140712_Atlanta-Street-Food-Festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKtzHzaYc5Fy8KjlbGgL2OOJ6QwgtjLCm0GyFsH-O1vm1R1qIwEnUvrpESrP5PmbBJpsA57a1-d64HbNPKH5nlOiQ_WNkCzaRETIs7rCdWmIKZOcr3YfpW_-6rVlsEoBfePG-dTJdFPk/s1600/20140712_Atlanta-Street-Food-Festival.jpg" /></a></div>
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The third annual <a href="http://atlantastreetfoodfestival.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Street Food Festival</a> seemed like a huge success this past weekend as the lines just got longer with the afternoon hours. A row of over 40 Atlanta food trucks gathered in Piedmont Park for a day of food, music and fun. The whole experience reminded me of a modern tapas while dining al fresco... </h3>
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Only it felt we were melting at about 100 degrees, and had to get hydrated upon arrival. "Vodka with Lemonade Chaser" as they say, this is a dangerously delicious drink in the heat. (I could have ordered a gallon, easy.)<br />
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<b>Proceeds from the event were donated to The Giving Kitchen, a non-profit Atlanta charity that supports restaurant community workers in times of need. Get more information here: <a href="http://www.atlantastreetfoodfestival.com/#!-the-charity/cp13" target="_blank">The TGK Story</a></b><br />
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Chicken Teriyaki Rice @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BentoBus" target="_blank">Bento Bus</a></h3>
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<b>Mixed Brown/White Rice, Lettuce, Green Onions, Protein, Signature Sauce, <br />Tempura Bits & Nori</b></div>
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My first experience at this truck was excellent. Loved being able to choose a protein to go with the entree -- great idea. Next time I'd try the non-GMO organic tofu! The dish was light and filling with a nice crunchy tempura on top.<br />
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Lobster Roll @ <a href="http://www.ibizabites.com/" target="_blank">Ibiza Bites</a></h3>
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This food truck has been on my list of favorites for years now. Gourmet and sometimes healthier options are always fresh on point. Decided to try the Lobster Roll this time and loved the roasted corn mixed in -- very summery.<br />
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Pancetta Baked Oysters @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FirewallFoodTruck" target="_blank">Firewall Wood Fired Oven</a></h3>
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My first time at this truck as well. One oyster was tasty, the other was not. Unsure what happened there, but overall flavors were great.<br />
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<h3>
"Oh My Goodness" Mini Cheesecake @ <a href="http://cheesecaked.com/" target="_blank">Cheese Caked</a></h3>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Signature Cheesecake crowned with Brownies, Caramel, Pecans and Whipped Cream, <br />hence the name “Oh my Goodness”</b></div>
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I adore mini desserts, and these cheesecakes were too cute to pass by. Not exactly a "food truck" because they were sold out of a tent, but this is such a great alternative to cupcakes. I loved the bright display and mini silver plastic spoons.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Honorable mention goes to <a href="http://www.wowfoodtruck.com/" target="_blank">W.O.W! Food Truck</a></span></b>, another one of my long-time Atlanta favorites. Their arepas and veggie burgers are fantastic. Congrats on all the PR lately, guys!<br />
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Another bonus for this event was the fact that they created a mobile app, which displayed the food trucks and their menus along with other relevant event information. Awesome way to plan how to <strike>navigate</strike> eat through the event!<br />
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Had an excellent time in the park, and even got some sunshine without really trying. Looking forward to more food truck events this summer!<br />
<br />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-8249254870865370502014-07-08T12:08:00.000-04:002014-07-08T12:08:52.917-04:00Murphy's Meatless Monday Dinner<h3>
<b>I was recently invited by the <a href="http://www.atlantafoodbloggersociety.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Food Bloggers' Society</a> to experience Chef Ian Winslade's meatless creations and wine pairings from <a href="http://www.murphys-atlanta-restaurant.com/" target="_blank">Murphy's Restaurant</a> wine experts. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">At the heart of Virginia Highlands neighborhood, Murphy's has been a regular on my brunch rotation so I was excited to try dinner for a change.</span></h3>
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<b><a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/2012/01/meatless-monday-resolution.html#.U7l29PldWMc" target="_blank">Meatless Monday</a> has been something I've incorporated for a few years now as part of a healthy lifestyle.</b> In general it's better for our bodies and the environment to go meat-free at least one day a week, and if more people made this change I believe it could have a profound impact on our lives.<br />
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Read on to get the details on this deliciousness. Now, on to the wining and dining!</i><br />
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<h3>
The Wine Shop</h3>
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<b>Before being seated we stepped into Murphy's Wine Shop, a quaint corner of the restaurant stocked with wines from around the world.</b><br />
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Michael Kunz, our Wine Consultant for the evening, greeted us and poured a few glasses of <b>Ca' Furlan Prosecco</b>, a lightly fruity chilled bubbly that paired nicely with the hot summer evening.<br />
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Once seated we shared a bottle of <b>Villa M Bianco Moscato</b>, which was sweeter than the Prosecco. Please take a moment to notice that there's actually a <u>Nutrition Facts label on the back of this bottle...with calories</u>. That's a new one for me! (I usually have to look it up online.)<br />
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<b>Have you ever seen a nutrition label on alcohol bottles?</b><br />
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<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Meatless Monday Meal</h3>
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I believe Murphy's changes the menu often for the featured dishes on Mondays, which means more frequent trips to try out new things. We started off with a <b>Cucumber Mint Gazpacho with Goat Cheese Foam</b>, which paired nicely with the sweeter wine. It was so refreshing, light and flavorful that I wished my bowl was bottomless.<br />
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For the main course we enjoyed a <b>Hand-rolled Goat Cheese Gnocchi with Tomato Fondue, Mushrooms and Peas topped with a Tempura-fried Squash Blossom and finished with Arugula Oil</b>. The flavors went perfectly together, and if I could cook like this becoming a vegetarian full time would be a cinch!<br />
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The squash blossom came from a local garden, and was a first time food for me (loved it). For those unfamiliar with this food, it's the actual flowers that grow and bloom on squash plants. I even saw them for sale recently at the Freedom Farmers Market too! The chef stuffed the blossoms with finely chopped spring vegetables (a nice surprise when opened up) and fried them up crispy.<br />
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<h3>
Sweet Tooth</h3>
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We all wanted a little sweetness to top the evening off, and ended up sampling a pretty dessert pairing. I mean, who's counting calories when dessert looks this good?<br />
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<b>Strawberry Pistachio Shortcake</b><br />
pistachio sponge cake, fresh strawberries, whipped cream, toasted pistachios<br />
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<b>Carrot Cake</b><br />
walnut carrot cake, cream cheese icing, vanilla pineapple compote<br />
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And I saved my favorite for last...<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meyer Lemon Crème Brûlée</span></b><br />
lemon custard, caramelized sugar, candied meyer lemon peel, coconut tuile<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://murphys-atlanta-restaurant.com/" target="_blank">Murphy's Restaurant</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">997 Virginia Ave NE</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Atlanta, GA 30306</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for a wonderful evening, Murphy's and AFBS!</i></span>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-28029785465436699652014-05-15T08:00:00.000-04:002014-05-15T08:00:07.932-04:00Spring Herb Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having an herb garden has been on my list for quite some time. The weather has been so great lately and got into the gardening mood, so I picked up all the supplies needed to make this wish list item come to life.<br />
<ul>
<li>Assortment of organic potted herbs</li>
<li>Gardening container</li>
<li>Organic fertilized soil</li>
<li>Basic gardening tools: gloves, mini shovel and watering can</li>
</ul>
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Someone remind me why it took so long to do this?! The whole project took about an hour, including the trip to the market and garden center for supplies. Living in an apartment means that the only outside space is the little patio. Good thing it gets a fair amount of sun from morning to early afternoon!<br />
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The hooks that came with the gardening container (lined with coconut shell) did not attach well to the guard rail. The plan is to get some s-hooks or snap hooks to clip it onto the metal.<br />
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Overall I'm happy with this little project, and it's been fun to pinch fresh herbs for meals too. I see more mint spritzers and basil pesto in the near future!</div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-6483900258150339212014-04-14T13:18:00.000-04:002014-04-14T13:18:12.576-04:00[Recipe] Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Inflammation has been identified by numerous researchers to be the underlying cause of a wide range of health issues and diseases. Lately, I've experienced some health concerns and have been working to reduce inflammation in my body overall. I try to buy mostly everything organic to avoid chemicals, additives and pesticides. The closer to nature I can get, the better! Green smoothies help me start the day off right with plant power and natural energy.<br />
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This recipe is for a healthy smoothie that also fights inflammation. Here are a few ingredient highlights:<br />
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<b>Spinach: </b> In general, leafy greens pack a strong nutritional punch. For reducing inflammation, spinach in particular has beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin K. Just one cup of spinach has 987.2% of the daily value of vitamin K!<br />
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<b>Blueberries:</b> These lovely little berries have a ton of phytonutrients that act as antioxidants, help to reduce inflammation and combat free radicals. Plus they make the smoothie a pretty shade of purple!<br />
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<b>Cherries: </b> Another powerful antioxidant berry, according to Health.com, tart cherries have the “highest anti-inflammatory content of any food.” That's a pretty powerful statement! Apparently sweet cherries do not have the same benefits.<br />
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<b>Raw Almonds:</b> In addition to adding a boost of protein and fiber to the smoothie, almonds have high levels of vitamin E and magnesium, which both help to fight inflammation. Always go for "raw" versus "roasted" or otherwise when choosing almonds. Our bodies tend to accept the raw state more easily, since once they're heated the molecular structure changes.<br />
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<b>Coconut Oil: </b>It has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and fever-reducing properties. Bonus that it tastes so good, adds some healthy fat and helps you feel fuller.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Berry Almond Green Smoothie Recipe</span></b><br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup (large handful) of organic spinach (or other leafy greens)</li>
<li>1/2 cup organic frozen blueberries</li>
<li>1/2 cup organic frozen cherries</li>
<li>1 cup organic almond milk (used 365 unsweetened vanilla here, but coconut water would also work well)</li>
<li>1 Tbsp raw almond butter</li>
<li>1 tsp raw extra virgin coconut oil</li>
</ul>
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<b>Directions:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Place all ingredients in a blender. </li>
<li>Blend until smooth.</li>
<li>Pour and enjoy!</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">References: </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.whfoods.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://whfoods.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://inflammationfactor.com/" target="_blank">http://inflammationfactor.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20705881_15,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.health.com</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/555586-almonds-nutrition-inflammation/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.livestrong.com</span></a></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-73601485539416900812014-03-20T13:09:00.000-04:002014-03-20T14:14:58.371-04:00Spring in the air!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtKAKuzLU75IsFUJ4vS9bRnOEZxCLfuVMYkjVdaMi6cpfhLJkcCM-28S2zDqfpY0rY4Miuc3GRJO5qyHfzlL9-RZQtYjBo84R5QuMiBBrTYCG3Dk3Hyu4zRzKKItJUtMJgSD0PL_iASo/s1600/20140320_spring-trees-blooming-Atlanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtKAKuzLU75IsFUJ4vS9bRnOEZxCLfuVMYkjVdaMi6cpfhLJkcCM-28S2zDqfpY0rY4Miuc3GRJO5qyHfzlL9-RZQtYjBo84R5QuMiBBrTYCG3Dk3Hyu4zRzKKItJUtMJgSD0PL_iASo/s1600/20140320_spring-trees-blooming-Atlanta.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">So thrilled today is the first day of SPRING!!</span></b> </div>
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Bring on the fantastic weather, picnics in the park, outdoor festivals and concerts. I love this time of year because it's gorgeous outside, blooms everywhere in Atlanta, and there's always a reason to go out and about. Here's my short list of things to experience this season:</div>
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Plan a picnic (or ten) in the park</div>
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Spring clean the apartment (and car) from top to bottom</div>
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Keep fresh flowers at home all season long</div>
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Arrange food truck lunches with coworkers</div>
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Plant a potted herb garden</div>
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Eat and drink on restaurant patios</div>
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Visit local farmers markets and cook with seasonal produce</div>
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Read outside in the fresh air with a glass of wine</div>
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Take Roxy on more walks on the Beltline and parks</div>
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Eat lunch outside at the office picnic table as often as possible</div>
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Stock my closet with sundresses, skirts and sandals</div>
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Take a few day hikes around Atlanta</div>
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Spend a weekend on the Georgia Wine Trail</div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers to a beautiful season!</span></b></i></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-16941207738456179232014-03-10T13:03:00.000-04:002014-03-10T13:03:42.654-04:00My Weekend: Instagram EditionInstagram is by far my favorite social network. I love that it's visually driven, and hashtags have an instantaneous effect (pun intended) in finding like-minded individuals. Here's a quick recap of my weekend fun around Atlanta. For more, <a href="http://instagram.com/foodieinmotion" target="_blank">follow me on Instagram @FoodieInMotion</a>!<br />
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The fiancé and I had a date night on Friday, and decided to stay in our little neighborhood of Virginia Highlands so we could walk instead of drive. We ended up at Highland Tap for dinner and drinks. I'm super proud of myself for sticking to Pinot Noir all night, while he switched up beer selections.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgqCWya3mPx8Lp8FJkIRArG3LUguIuINOgn_JsZIrJM2TqWeFqpRUHP1p8uI25NELzRVfJyEXtBOlQkfVsC-IGaZFRvtXtYt8M51AqGT5WwYtg8_T0sEZQMTtWXXxAI5lIg51baZSdWQ/s1600/IMG_20140307_202758%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgqCWya3mPx8Lp8FJkIRArG3LUguIuINOgn_JsZIrJM2TqWeFqpRUHP1p8uI25NELzRVfJyEXtBOlQkfVsC-IGaZFRvtXtYt8M51AqGT5WwYtg8_T0sEZQMTtWXXxAI5lIg51baZSdWQ/s1600/IMG_20140307_202758%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highland Tap’s Famous Steak Oscar<br />
filet medallions topped with jumbo lump crab, asparagus and béarnaise with mashed potatoes</td></tr>
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Next stop was for dessert, but we took a detour along the way to Dark Horse and 10 High. Some random Florida band was playing at 10 High and we stopped in for a few songs. Couldn't hang around very long due to the smoke. I can't stand cigarette smoke indoors, especially in basements with zero ventilation. Probably won't be coming back here for a while...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UYehlT_D5iYmEEtzHZ1Zg152jv9R2OVjnb8_xSDoVIUV_VN4PWYjSRJKTR5DRamKdcYuXCmAJq77K2DxiuGoElUkfMfMpiqxW4TJPDSwp3V4oPN5rXwSRA_NGsiMzxX3HYwbCpZNt2o/s1600/IMG_20140307_212817%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UYehlT_D5iYmEEtzHZ1Zg152jv9R2OVjnb8_xSDoVIUV_VN4PWYjSRJKTR5DRamKdcYuXCmAJq77K2DxiuGoElUkfMfMpiqxW4TJPDSwp3V4oPN5rXwSRA_NGsiMzxX3HYwbCpZNt2o/s1600/IMG_20140307_212817%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">glitter floor @ 10 High</td></tr>
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Finally dessert time at Atkins Park Tavern. This place is divided into restaurant (no smoking), bar (smoking) and patio (fresh air). We put in our name for a table, grabbed another glass of wine for me and a beer for him, and settled outside on this twinkling patio while we waited.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dIfJq7zs4xuVk7as4detnFwjMtxPmNa9D6Fy4yZcMAxB5IX_bnNZ7BjrCCKTPb9Kygnk8oPdS6P0Nbb7AKapukfBxNnCnU1wByQz9zGFhPiMWBEYWkbINAVKfJwKnolGAa6DrI_gkbE/s1600/IMG_20140307_213003%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dIfJq7zs4xuVk7as4detnFwjMtxPmNa9D6Fy4yZcMAxB5IX_bnNZ7BjrCCKTPb9Kygnk8oPdS6P0Nbb7AKapukfBxNnCnU1wByQz9zGFhPiMWBEYWkbINAVKfJwKnolGAa6DrI_gkbE/s1600/IMG_20140307_213003%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">had this patio all to ourselves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEopdmpOqs2gw0l4wyb1g2vaU1DKIqwd7OR2W3SpvocScfwelA0Iemjxaz0gLY-u5YzeWKCFYQn_RkP3J_re28XeFe5Wh8s0TOv-a8QP39RFJ3UG7igcsIVzQWyU8topVRJ0cY4SULg4/s1600/IMG_20140307_221540%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEopdmpOqs2gw0l4wyb1g2vaU1DKIqwd7OR2W3SpvocScfwelA0Iemjxaz0gLY-u5YzeWKCFYQn_RkP3J_re28XeFe5Wh8s0TOv-a8QP39RFJ3UG7igcsIVzQWyU8topVRJ0cY4SULg4/s1600/IMG_20140307_221540%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiramisu cheesecake, yes please!</td></tr>
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On Saturday, we stopped by Honey Bubble for some refreshments and then took Roxy out for a long walk around the Beltline. The weather was absolutely perfect for walking, clear and sunny with a breeze.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiw_KnhN8roRLDTfxaXq88xCXcPqCbU9-kmuUOI2MWWn1RtNq-rrkNuCE0jkgS6xwI5e5-rGl3tAtCyXGKA4-n73T_zAiDLk0fWNtNgBFGFNcyDm25KYpTkrwyLGQhInFx05vSV1wBR4/s1600/IMG_20140308_175156%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiw_KnhN8roRLDTfxaXq88xCXcPqCbU9-kmuUOI2MWWn1RtNq-rrkNuCE0jkgS6xwI5e5-rGl3tAtCyXGKA4-n73T_zAiDLk0fWNtNgBFGFNcyDm25KYpTkrwyLGQhInFx05vSV1wBR4/s1600/IMG_20140308_175156%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">french macarons from Honey Bubble</td></tr>
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There's art everywhere along the Eastside trail, and this little gem was sort of hidden from plain sight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNQ738ZCIDiWw3CV9wZcRLvRVyk1Zfp15PAQnNxC2eZ-VuNESV6AheZKoR7IqINetHPuyPaV5l1FU7F1719bgiSPbU3GxunGAaTIuvzSOLllBC4poCtxqiCpzCKE7nQ7Buz8Aj97sdMo/s1600/IMG_20140308_153420%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNQ738ZCIDiWw3CV9wZcRLvRVyk1Zfp15PAQnNxC2eZ-VuNESV6AheZKoR7IqINetHPuyPaV5l1FU7F1719bgiSPbU3GxunGAaTIuvzSOLllBC4poCtxqiCpzCKE7nQ7Buz8Aj97sdMo/s1600/IMG_20140308_153420%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blackout poetry: life disappears. warn people.</td></tr>
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After walking around for about an hour (and torching 250 calories!!), we were parched and stopped at Mellow Mushroom to have lunch on the patio. Their new gluten-free pizza is actually pretty good and crispy like a thin crust pizza. Flavor is all there so you don't feel like you're missing out. Will definitely order it again!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9VPduCwt5AC-pI-weoTh_hRYxJooIHMaDsIN7wJ7sp8XCDk-np6HplKCZi3L0OkVmuhazkD_bSAOSXokR4fFsEoHx_y6qe_h3pl9n98lCGlnLNwfwuJVNuc-UaixA54YuqkFjOR1DdE/s1600/IMG_20140308_153309%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9VPduCwt5AC-pI-weoTh_hRYxJooIHMaDsIN7wJ7sp8XCDk-np6HplKCZi3L0OkVmuhazkD_bSAOSXokR4fFsEoHx_y6qe_h3pl9n98lCGlnLNwfwuJVNuc-UaixA54YuqkFjOR1DdE/s1600/IMG_20140308_153309%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pansies & sunbeams</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2NjjqEZ-lxPaZpHmwhfMpkMAdSzVkhdWosY0QBQyGt6fSqJ_92WDgZaCv0qQE_fG3Vg1so591S2w3S8FEImLthsWqM7ZGrl8ohjx6loc7YESyX-XS8fa4rb6QWUuR-0nbrBsavKI1jY/s1600/IMG_20140308_154454%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2NjjqEZ-lxPaZpHmwhfMpkMAdSzVkhdWosY0QBQyGt6fSqJ_92WDgZaCv0qQE_fG3Vg1so591S2w3S8FEImLthsWqM7ZGrl8ohjx6loc7YESyX-XS8fa4rb6QWUuR-0nbrBsavKI1jY/s1600/IMG_20140308_154454%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gluten-free Strongbow cider</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tYbrEJ-pFyDPWP30Fs6MWVtIHvtv1neW7N-UN8yZHbKxt6lNJ2kwQTZ19506v3SMmukAPqbFlZCqQWoSl_G2PYSZFLRSdUxf_IM9qnZ-v5KyQ5qYLcqhE9XY75sbPLx1G4ICailtjZA/s1600/IMG_20140308_174715%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tYbrEJ-pFyDPWP30Fs6MWVtIHvtv1neW7N-UN8yZHbKxt6lNJ2kwQTZ19506v3SMmukAPqbFlZCqQWoSl_G2PYSZFLRSdUxf_IM9qnZ-v5KyQ5qYLcqhE9XY75sbPLx1G4ICailtjZA/s1600/IMG_20140308_174715%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gluten-free white pizza</td></tr>
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I adore weekends like this! ♥Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-47572951477990987852014-03-05T12:04:00.000-05:002014-03-05T12:04:00.624-05:00Planning for Health and Fitness<b>Let's face it, being healthy and fit doesn't just happen. If it did we'd all be as fit as fiddles... forever. </b>You know you have to work for it, and if you don't use it you lose it. The key to taking on the challenge of altering your lifestyle to become healthier and more fit is PLANNING. Here are a few things that I've personally found helpful in forming healthy habits.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlWzQtI86FDCKpL_aJZ2FAUlxjhajATt2_TjKs0NaBwHMe2GyC6ENGYNIQ8MvIWFPwN_zcG4P7F0TEUyGerO5kIe1gH5x6FzyciK0wAnLqyrGwCLbpramvrHhS2XmRoRgLWnkvb2YhCQ/s1600/20140302_weekly-meal-planning-whiteboard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlWzQtI86FDCKpL_aJZ2FAUlxjhajATt2_TjKs0NaBwHMe2GyC6ENGYNIQ8MvIWFPwN_zcG4P7F0TEUyGerO5kIe1gH5x6FzyciK0wAnLqyrGwCLbpramvrHhS2XmRoRgLWnkvb2YhCQ/s1600/20140302_weekly-meal-planning-whiteboard2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Meal Planning</span></b><br />
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Each Sunday, or whatever day works for you, take a few minutes to map out your meals for the week. Not only does this help with prepping for healthy eating, but its also beneficial for making shopping lists for trips to the market.<br />
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I found this handy weekly whiteboard at Target (made by Board Dudes) and couldn't resist bringing it home with me. Using a different color marker for each meal / person has been fun and useful to see the week at a glance.<br />
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<b><span style="color: lime;">Green </span></b>= breakfast for both of us<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Blue </b></span>= fiance's lunch<br />
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Pink</span> </b>= my lunch (eating lots of salads these days)<br />
<span style="color: orange;"><b>Orange </b></span>= dinner for both of us<br />
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Sometimes I add in snacks or drawings of produce. Good thing about whiteboards is that you can easily update and change things around as needed. I like to leave at least one day open for eating out, and of course I schedule in brunch (its by far my favorite meal). Love this board because it takes the guess work out of what we're going to eat for the week!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Workout Calendar</span></b><br />
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Each month, schedule in your workout sessions like appointments on your calendar. Set alerts, reminders or alarms, and lay out your workout clothes or pack your gym back the night before to prepare. The only person you'll cheat is yourself if you skip out on your workouts!<br />
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I've recently started using this super cute Excel calendar (<a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/results.aspx?qu=monthly%20calendar&ex=2&av=zxl150#ai:TC104014206|" target="_blank">download here</a>), which allows customization by year and first day of the week. Each little rainbow bear head denotes a month in the year, and I love the colors. Simply fill in your workouts at the start of each month, or use the calendar to mark off completed workouts.<br />
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In order to be prepared for obstacles along your fitness journey, make planning FUN and a part of your routine!Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-66108819887800931212014-03-03T12:30:00.000-05:002014-03-04T11:42:26.801-05:00Pinterest Recipe in Real Life: Cheesy Honey Mustard Chicken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJSY8spKEiUbwO7G6Y0KndOzh4wCthUQ8bhoOw8baZ9EVTg-zwHB2jkWI1x0lJmdKbmoCkb_gXuqltWuG0E482NGJjuBx8OasbYSw2BrAAG5_iTi1Vz7Ce6xXRUlKZI98e56Cp4FyVYA/s1600/20140301_collage-pinterest-recipe_cheesy-honey-mustard-chicken2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJSY8spKEiUbwO7G6Y0KndOzh4wCthUQ8bhoOw8baZ9EVTg-zwHB2jkWI1x0lJmdKbmoCkb_gXuqltWuG0E482NGJjuBx8OasbYSw2BrAAG5_iTi1Vz7Ce6xXRUlKZI98e56Cp4FyVYA/s1600/20140301_collage-pinterest-recipe_cheesy-honey-mustard-chicken2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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As soon as I saw <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/236861261626645939/" target="_blank">this pin</a> for Cheesy Honey Mustard Chicken, I had to make it! I've made Honey Mustard Chicken before...just not sprinkled with bacon and smothered with cheese. *drool*<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakxqeryv0bIYC-Yrlehh2fG9tcL_kR0N9jREJV0D4_c6CCPPtVX2kEQo-NMAl4ClR199VS9-9E9XHv3wRYZqt10l8IuJyIKADGEKjoJfWXBYmomSVJwrQF4zb3ODyKfIcXMem5E-H6xQ/s1600/20140301_collage-pinterest-recipe_cheesy-honey-mustard-chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakxqeryv0bIYC-Yrlehh2fG9tcL_kR0N9jREJV0D4_c6CCPPtVX2kEQo-NMAl4ClR199VS9-9E9XHv3wRYZqt10l8IuJyIKADGEKjoJfWXBYmomSVJwrQF4zb3ODyKfIcXMem5E-H6xQ/s1600/20140301_collage-pinterest-recipe_cheesy-honey-mustard-chicken.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ left: Pinterest recipe | right: my version }</td></tr>
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Luckily the recipe didn't call for a ton of ingredients, and most were already in my kitchen. I didn't have much mozzarella cheese left, so I used a little of that and topped it with a slice of Gouda. Instead of regular bacon I used crispy turkey bacon (we've completely switched to nitrite-free uncured turkey bacon), and organic steamed broccoli with a little butter instead of green beans.<br />
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Love that the prep time didn't take long at all! Flavor was awesome, and it's fiancé-approved as one of his "favorite meals I've made in a while." This recipe would definitely be even better if you marinaded the chicken for a few hours in the honey mustard sauce. It would also work well with a barbecue marinade for the summertime.<br />
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Will be keeping this one on our recipe list!Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-20900795770808539462014-03-01T23:44:00.000-05:002014-03-02T00:28:48.005-05:00Bonjour, March!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ my photo from Atlanta Botanical Gardens }</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy to say "bonjour" to March because that means </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">SPRING is around the corner! </span></b></div>
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Can't wait for warmer weather, long strolls in the sunshine, </div>
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flowers everywhere and picnics in the park.</div>
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The new moon is today, which is an excellent time for setting intentions (and stargazing). Earth's moon has a natural gravitational pull on our bodies since we're comprised of 60% water. Just think of the moon's affect on the tides! I enjoyed this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ1WqMkHYWA&feature=share&list=PLGhdFksCIvsPBvZJ8MaXL3pfmzaNecX_S" target="_blank">video by astrologist Kathy Rose</a> that gives her perspective on today's full moon.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">March 2014: Progress & Intentions</span></b><br />
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<b>Measurements/Weight Progress:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>From <a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/2014/02/february-2014-progress-intentions.html" target="_blank">February 1, 2014</a> to March 1, 2014 (today) I've lost a total of 6.25 inches and 5.2 pounds</li>
<ul>
<li>Zero inches gained and lost 2.75 of 3 inches gained in January</li>
<li>Most inches were lost around my torso and arms</li>
<li>Lost less than expected in my legs, 0.75 only on the left side</li>
</ul>
<li>Cumulative progress since December 2013: 7 inches, 8 pounds</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM3iHkd5MHiJg_7dpOG_TrezXhzi16g8fk6kqQQqyM-xAa-lS41QUmon4AEkXtKjSpV3iYyojZjhKFa9sxxtrerN9EAXac03vRC7_sXf448xVMng_fHnKPyjk9w2QjRzweQTXI40cOR0/s1600/fitness+-+be+better+than+you+used+to+be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM3iHkd5MHiJg_7dpOG_TrezXhzi16g8fk6kqQQqyM-xAa-lS41QUmon4AEkXtKjSpV3iYyojZjhKFa9sxxtrerN9EAXac03vRC7_sXf448xVMng_fHnKPyjk9w2QjRzweQTXI40cOR0/s1600/fitness+-+be+better+than+you+used+to+be.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Workouts and Insights:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>I exercised 9 times in February (13 in January, 6 in December), all T-Tapp workouts and walking</li>
<li>My back/neck/body pain has improved a bit since last month</li>
<li>As I <a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/2014/02/challenge-crunch-time.html" target="_blank">posted earlier this week</a>, we're halfway through the T-Tapp 60-Day Challenge and I will be solely doing the T-Tapp workout and walking until the end date of March 25, 2014</li>
<li>Think I deserve a little prize! Maybe one of the fitness gear items from my list.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<b>March Intentions:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Keep up with my T-Tapp schedule, and successfully complete the Challenge</li>
<li>Body brush daily ("don't rush the brush")</li>
<li>Schedule a massage, and discover a <br />far-infrared sauna</li>
<li>Buy local food as often as possible (farmers markets, Natures Box)</li>
<li>Continue to drink lots of water, cut out gluten and reduce dairy intake</li>
<li>Relax, breathe and let it flow; Meditate (aka unplug and sit quietly) for 5 minutes each day</li>
</ul>
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Ready to see what this lovely month springs into my life!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>P.S.</b> I found a super cute (and colorful) Excel worksheet for my March fitness game plan. Will share it on the blog soon!</span>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-7356771977246712102014-02-26T12:45:00.000-05:002014-03-02T00:53:32.453-05:00Challenge Crunch Time<div style="text-align: center;">
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We're officially a little more than half way into the 2014 T-Tapp 60-Day Challenge...seems like the right time to reflect and set myself up to soar through the second half.</div>
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<b>Challenge Details</b><br />
For those not familiar with the T-Tapp workout, it's an effective total body workout series (not tap dancing!) that focuses on building core strength, flexibility and reshaping the body. Results are measured in inches lost vs. pounds, and most are able to lose at least a size per month with consistent workouts.<br />
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The first Challenge of 2014 started on January 25 and runs through March 25. During the Challenge, participants are required to only do T-Tapp workouts (there are plenty of options to choose from!) for the 60 day period, take before and after measurements and photos to submit online. The goal is consistency, not to workout every day of the Challenge. Registration process is easy (currently closed for this one), support from other participants is excellent, and reviewing results from previous Challenge winners is inspiring enough to make you want to get off the couch and into your workout gear. Check out <a href="http://t-tapp.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=102" target="_blank">T-Tapp.com</a> for more information and sample exercises to try for free.<br />
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<b>My Progress</b><br />
Over the last 30+ days I've had a lot going on in my personal life, and have experienced several new health issues that set me back a little. Despite everything that's been happening, I keep T-Tapping regularly. Maybe not every day or every scheduled workout, but I'm doing what I can and that counts as progress. Believe it or not, even a little T-Tapp is greatly beneficial. Adhering to the rules, I've only done walking (outside with the dog, on the Beltline trails, to dinner and back, etc.) in addition to the workouts. On my list after the Challenge is to buy a bicycle and add a little yoga back to the mix.<br />
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Although I haven't officially measured since January, I have weighed myself and so far I'm down about 6 pounds. Just tried on a few pairs of skinny jeans this morning, which I could not get into in December, and they fit! That's proof alone that inch loss is happening as well. All of this without really sticking to the schedule I created for myself.<br />
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<b>Second Half Game Plan</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Move daily: Full workouts 3-4 times per week (30-60 minutes each), Short workouts/stretching/walking 3 times per week (5-20 minutes each)</li>
<li>Incorporate Ladybug Workout and more floor exercises in general</li>
<li>Body brushing daily</li>
<li>Continue to drink lots of water</li>
</ul>
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Can't wait to see total progress at the end of March! I'll post a Challenge recap with my total results after the 25th.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-72086739900871334512014-02-20T17:21:00.002-05:002014-02-24T22:43:48.821-05:00Big news... I'm engaged!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquu4xG1WM4H_UKw-rPeRl9FYagXqDb_sGJmsyQUn7yfzwg4X3_jRS2IIaslb72AVvoMJyBd2QCxRe-y10ACc91WW7Wc4H7wkfWa7a2dtv2Uqk1V8LDV_YNUhXU0bvoAR0NpXDhHlSt98/s1600/20140218_LOVE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquu4xG1WM4H_UKw-rPeRl9FYagXqDb_sGJmsyQUn7yfzwg4X3_jRS2IIaslb72AVvoMJyBd2QCxRe-y10ACc91WW7Wc4H7wkfWa7a2dtv2Uqk1V8LDV_YNUhXU0bvoAR0NpXDhHlSt98/s1600/20140218_LOVE.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>To celebrate our 9th anniversary of dating</b> (can't believe how quickly the years have passed!), my man arranged a special date night for us. We started the night off at <a href="http://www.skyviewatlanta.com/" target="_blank">SkyView Atlanta</a>, a brand new Ferris wheel downtown that's almost 20 stories high. I adore carnival rides and roller coasters, so this was a fun way to kick off our date. Plus, it's so pretty and lit up at night.<br />
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We got our own gondola, and on the second time around while we were at the top... <b>he proposed!</b> I obviously said yes, hence this post, and totally cried happy tears. Then he told me that the ring was my grandmother's, which made it even more special and brought on more tears. We're both thrilled that it's now "official" after all these years!<br />
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After the ride ended, we walked over to the Westin for a fancy dinner out at the <a href="http://sundialrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View</a>, a tri-level complex featuring a revolving restaurant and lounge. This is by far the best place to go in Atlanta for an incredible <b>360-degree view of the city</b>. We enjoyed champagne, watching the buildings pass by, and a delicious meal together (I got the lobster, my fiancé!! got the filet mignon).<br />
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<b>I will remember this night forever...</b> it was perfect, and everything a girl could dream of!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUHysLJBRdK2VVD0N59R4W5DjT1LskUL4htnRa5T-Il5c0O7YJ4jgUVjZNcWCrMw3L5AgWxPIehBnp9MTEVd9mmzW4Xeuj4IiEUwhEZXAWXiMXCXXg_I9ToTzinTWw1Vr9yB4nua_HHE/s1600/20140218_Ceasar-Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUHysLJBRdK2VVD0N59R4W5DjT1LskUL4htnRa5T-Il5c0O7YJ4jgUVjZNcWCrMw3L5AgWxPIehBnp9MTEVd9mmzW4Xeuj4IiEUwhEZXAWXiMXCXXg_I9ToTzinTWw1Vr9yB4nua_HHE/s1600/20140218_Ceasar-Salad.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caesar Salad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcPAsd6rbwJ-osfgn9rj-BvoIKsrPWGthqbbOH4BkmCvG5GghFHKV7ovGndu8Yb9LYz8ZlD_fpoOc5hsDwb2pnUVbMF1qi8i_w7NKljNZIYYwfQdTkC1Jgre-PGogVbRfDorKmkmD6lE/s1600/20140218_Lobster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcPAsd6rbwJ-osfgn9rj-BvoIKsrPWGthqbbOH4BkmCvG5GghFHKV7ovGndu8Yb9LYz8ZlD_fpoOc5hsDwb2pnUVbMF1qi8i_w7NKljNZIYYwfQdTkC1Jgre-PGogVbRfDorKmkmD6lE/s1600/20140218_Lobster.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasted Lobster</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-yuJ_VIVTnF9xcFDs3yW5ptfdakJFvB5nu-ZduAswuQRP-dluDVHSzNgBpv206x_303HNP0WspTF6wsOjypEJYkE_JFeg-FUcE39CDl5cbhiQT91wcXFpvO0T6AnUR-ceif-k5ZLHIc/s1600/20140218_Crem-Brulee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-yuJ_VIVTnF9xcFDs3yW5ptfdakJFvB5nu-ZduAswuQRP-dluDVHSzNgBpv206x_303HNP0WspTF6wsOjypEJYkE_JFeg-FUcE39CDl5cbhiQT91wcXFpvO0T6AnUR-ceif-k5ZLHIc/s1600/20140218_Crem-Brulee.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crème brûlée</td></tr>
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<br />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-27733572045581313492014-02-01T23:14:00.000-05:002014-02-01T23:14:17.098-05:00February 2014: Progress & Intentions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ <a href="http://instagram.com/p/jzGh4AsOzD/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> from my snow day last week }</td></tr>
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Here we are, already one month into 2014. I meant to publish a post about my January fitness intentions a month ago, so since the time has already slipped away this is now my February post.<br />
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I've been putting more energy into improving my health lately -- working on being consistent with exercise and eating better overall. Here's a quick recap of my progress, what I did to get here and my intentions for February.<br />
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<b>Measurements/Weight Progress:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>From December 2013 to January 2014, I lost 4.5 inches and almost 2 pounds. </li>
<ul>
<li>My leg measurements evened out with only a half an inch gained, but besides that I gained zero inches. Very pleased with this progress!</li>
</ul>
<li>From January to today, I gained back 3 inches and lost 1 pound.</li>
<ul>
<li>Half of the inch gain is around my mid section and is related to what T-Tappers calls the "fat shift." I lost half an inch in my abs, which appears to have shifted up to my waist and rib measurements. My legs shifted a bit too and are no longer even as the were at the beginning of January.</li>
</ul>
<li>Cumulative loss since December 2013: 1.5 inches, 3 pounds</li>
</ul>
<b>Workouts and Insights:</b><ul>
<li>I worked out 6 times in December and 13 times in January, some short and some longer. Mostly all <a href="http://www.t-tapp.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=102" target="_blank">T-Tapp workouts</a>, a little yoga/stretching and a few walks.</li>
<li>There were several times last month that my diet slipped and I skipped several workouts.</li>
<ul>
<li>I celebrated my birthday in the Georgia mountains on January 24th, and everything went out the window last week when I had my first snow days in Atlanta.</li>
<li>I also slipped on ice and the impact took me down for a few days. (Bruises are no fun.)</li>
</ul>
<li>My back/neck/head/body have been aching quite a bit, regardless of more consistent workouts. Would love to feel better, and may look into alternative methods of healing (or at least get a massage soon).</li>
</ul>
<b>February Intentions:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Take on the T-Tapp 60-Day Challenge, starting now! I entered officially near the end of last month and was accepted today.</li>
<ul>
<li>Workout plan is to move daily: Full workouts 3-4 times per week (30-60 minutes each), Short workouts/stretching 3 times per week (5-20 minutes each)</li>
<li>Body brush daily</li>
<li>Post in forms weekly, and read for motivation</li>
</ul>
<li>Drink 8+ glasses of water per day</li>
<ul>
<li>Include hot lemon water/green tea in the morning</li>
</ul>
<li>Eat 5+ servings of produce daily</li>
<li>Record food and fitness on SparkPeople daily</li>
<li>Only drink alcohol on weekends, and stick to red wine or champagne</li>
<li>Be present and listen to my body</li>
</ul>
That's all for now. Here's to a productively healing month!Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-9222075182216878322014-01-02T08:48:00.000-05:002014-01-09T11:29:49.136-05:005 Ways to Nourish Winter Skin<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAWmSrO9rbLS5An-KXp3_Yy6pP_q2Wn_l7oR139ijNvjSRbbCBMG_bFmJz6dZ-2LRTktgDilERC0xnunK3DHCAT3AlOUnPCh6nRr6hntMvBIVWBzPAGXMC7jEdUZ60m8rgIMXIl2-pto/s1600/background-1170x1080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAWmSrO9rbLS5An-KXp3_Yy6pP_q2Wn_l7oR139ijNvjSRbbCBMG_bFmJz6dZ-2LRTktgDilERC0xnunK3DHCAT3AlOUnPCh6nRr6hntMvBIVWBzPAGXMC7jEdUZ60m8rgIMXIl2-pto/s320/background-1170x1080.jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ <a href="http://futureastronauts.co.uk/2013/01/tulpa-fedbymachines-winters-solstice/" target="_blank">photo credit</a> }</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In honor of the winter season and New Year, let's take a little time to nourish ourselves. The skin is the largest organ and elimination system of the body, and everything applied to your skin is absorbed into the body via the blood stream. Similar to eating, what's in your lotions and oils matter.<br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but my Florida humidity-accustomed skin dries out like an alligator in the colder months. Try a few (or all) of these daily rituals to hydrate, cleanse, detoxify and nourish your skin from head to toe:<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>1. Stay hydrated. </b></h3>
Water is essential to life as we know it. Aim to drink the equivalent to half your body's weight in ounces of pure, filtered water. Get a reusable water bottle that you can refill and take everywhere. Yes, it may mean extra bathroom breaks, but after some consistency your body will adjust to a new level of hydration. Bonus: drinking lots of water flushes out toxins naturally and can assist in weight loss.<br />
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<h3>
<b>2. Eat (and drink) more produce. </b></h3>
Fruits and veggies are nature's way of replenishing our bodies with nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It's only natural that produce contributes to our skin regeneration process. While it's recommended to get 6-8 servings of produce per day, it can prove to be a challenge if you don't plan accordingly and keep your kitchen stocked. A few ways to sneak more fruits and veggies into your diet:<br />
<ul>
<li>Sign up for a <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/csa/" target="_blank">local CSA</a> or Co-Op and pickup produce boxes or have them delivered to your door. Each week you'll be able to try new produce and get creative with recipes at home. I recently tried <a href="https://ga.naturesgardendelivered.com/" target="_blank">Nature's Garden Delivered</a> (only available in Georgia and Arizona), a produce delivery service that allows box selection to be customized. Plus I was able to request only local and organic items. Very cool service!</li>
<li>Green smoothies are super easy to make. Add a handful of any leafy greens (spinach, kale, chard, lettuce) to your regular smoothie and pack in the produce to break your fast, or enjoy as a snack anytime. Here are <a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/search/label/green%20smoothie" target="_blank">some of my recipes</a> to get you started.</li>
<li>A vegetable-based soup on a winter day is comforting for the soul. Pour yourself a thermos and lunch is made. <a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/search/label/soup" target="_blank">A few soups</a> from the blog. I need to make more!</li>
<li>Prepare your produce for the week each Sunday. Take a few minutes to rinse, chop and store fresh fruits and veggies, to create a personal produce tray if you will. This makes it easy to grab for whipping up quick meals, or pack snack size portions for when you're on the go.</li>
</ul>
<h3>
<b>3. Body brush daily. </b></h3>
This is the fastest and most effective way to remove dead skin cells and breathe some life back into your winter skin. It only takes a few minutes to complete the brushing sequence and you'll feel incredible. While lightly exfoliating, body brushing also detoxifies, improves circulation and tightens the skin...plus a lot more! For details, read these previous posts (some of the most popular on the blog): <a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/2011/11/benefits-of-body-brushing.html" target="_blank">Benefits of Body Brushing</a> and <a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/2010/03/benefits-of-face-brushing.html" target="_blank">Benefits of Face Brushing</a><br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>4. Take warm (not hot) showers and apply moisturizer/sunscreen. </b></h3>
In the winter, it's best to use warm water when bathing since hot water has a tendency to dry out the skin. As soon as you step out of the shower, apply a good moisturizer or body oil from your face to your toes. In my experience, oil-based products tend to have more of a lasting effect in the colder months. One of my favorites is the <a href="http://www.t-tapp.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=102_44_3_43" target="_blank">Skin Saver Series</a>, which includes an oil for the face and one for the body. Reapply as needed throughout the day. As always, try to use products free of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben" target="_blank">parabens and other chemicals</a>, many of which disrupt the body's chemistry via hormones and don't do anything for our beauty. Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen before heading outside!<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>5. Sweat it out.</b> </h3>
Perspiration is surprisingly helpful in replenishing the skin. When you sweat the body and skin are working to eliminate impurities, including your dead skin cells. Once dead skin has been removed, the skin is busy regenerating and as new skin cells replace the old the skin's overall tone, texture, elasticity and color improves. Continue sweating and the skin continues repair and improve. Consistency is key since the skin will slowly revert back to its prior condition if sweating (or body brushing) stops. Practice any workout you like, just do it regularly and don't stop until you break a sweat. A few of my favorites:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Take a spa day...or four. </b>Let yourself melt in a <a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/2013/12/its-getting-hot-in-here.html" target="_blank">far infrared sauna</a> (or any sauna you can find). A few sweat sessions per week and your body with seriously thank you.</li>
<li><b>Try a Bikram hot yoga class. </b>Close your eyes and pretend like it's summer while you sweat it all away. Each Bikram class is about 90-minutes in length and goes through a series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. No matter where you practice Bikram, you'll be able to follow the flow of the class. Bring an extra towel and be sure to stay hydrated!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Here's to a healthy and glowing New Year!</b>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-58756683232905744792014-01-01T22:31:00.000-05:002014-02-24T22:44:00.776-05:00New Year, New ViewHellllooo 2014! Who doesn't love a shiny New Year? Full of hope and excitement for what the near future holds. This time always brings reflection on the past year while envisioning the bright days ahead. A flurry of things come to mind, so here some personal goals of mine for 2014 (and pretty much always):<br />
<ul>
<li>Be in the present moment</li>
<li>Express gratitude often</li>
<li>Practice yoga regularly</li>
<li>Maintain a positive outlook</li>
<li>Save a nest egg</li>
<li>Eat more local foods</li>
<li>Plan adventures abroad</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4kd0LqhGF9DFLq1kRm4BamTJYqEmhyf__-em7IlCLeaaHkmjI_XOeKQExXR77ce-YFycKGGdlk_mKjcnlk9GuQ_HEXicnc0kdItV_boMInD6y6-C0GCQEqVSU_vDcCOw1lbtMnXDz-k/s1600/3662ca6c09c1a8f528dbd2b178b6f5f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4kd0LqhGF9DFLq1kRm4BamTJYqEmhyf__-em7IlCLeaaHkmjI_XOeKQExXR77ce-YFycKGGdlk_mKjcnlk9GuQ_HEXicnc0kdItV_boMInD6y6-C0GCQEqVSU_vDcCOw1lbtMnXDz-k/s640/3662ca6c09c1a8f528dbd2b178b6f5f3.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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More details on my fitness and health goals for January coming soon. :)
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<br />
<b>Cheers to a year of goodness!<b><br /></b></b>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-61067925694302812922013-12-03T18:30:00.000-05:002013-12-03T18:30:03.321-05:00It's getting HOT in here!<b>Oh, how I miss the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_sauna" target="_blank">Far Infrared Sauna</a>! </b>(Especially on colder days... and I say "colder" as a Floridian living in Georgia where we get "flurries" and I freeze.) A few years back when I was still living in sunny Florida, my friend had one of these babies in her spare bedroom and I was lucky enough to use it frequently. Let me tell you, it was well worth a weekly visit to have an "appointment" with myself to <b>relax, detox and sweat it out.</b> I'm now on a quest to find one in Atlanta, and a few options look promising so far.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/031710_sauna.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ my old sweat box }</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My routine while the sauna was heating up was to "warm up" with <a href="http://www.t-tapp.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=102_39_3_36" target="_blank">T-Tapp's Primary Back Stretch exercise and body brushing sequence</a> to get my lymphatic system going. I sat in the sauna for about 15 minutes, somewhere between 110-120 degrees. The trick is to work up to higher temperatures gradually. Holy hotness!!! I would drip in sweat, literally, but I can't tell you how refreshed I felt afterward. It really helped with my back and neck issues as well. You MUST drink a ton of water during and after to stay hydrated and assist in the detox. The FIR sauna was easily an addicting healthy habit for me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Benefits of Far Infrared Therapy:</span></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Decreases joint stiffness.</li>
<li>Relieves muscle spasms.</li>
<li>Increases blood flow.</li>
<li>Leads to pain relief.</li>
<li>Affects soft tissue injury.</li>
<li>Increases the extensibility of collagen tissue.</li>
<li>Assists in resolution of inflammatory infiltrated, edema and exudes.</li>
<li>Improves micro circulation by exerting strong rotational and vibrational effects at molecular level.</li>
<li>Enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients in the blood cell to the body's soft tissue areas.</li>
<li>Promotes regeneration and fast healing.</li>
<li>Increases metabolism between blood and tissue.</li>
<li>Enhances
white blood cell function, thereby increasing immune response and the
elimination of foreign pathogens and cellular waste products.</li>
<li>Removes accumulated toxins by improving lymph circulation which are often at the core of many health problems.</li>
<li>Stimulate
the hypothalamus, which controls the production of neurochemicals
involved in such biological processes as sleep, mood, pain sensations and blood pressure.</li>
<li>Antidotes the negative effects of toxic electromagnetic sources.</li>
<li>Also assists in energy expenditure (aka burns calories!) just by being in the sauna. Here's a quote from the <b style="text-align: center;">Journal of the American Medical Association</b><span style="text-align: center;">:</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A moderately conditioned person can easily sweat off 500 grams in a sauna, consuming nearly 300 kcal, which is equivalent to running 2–3 miles. A heat-conditioned person can easily sweat off 600–800 kcal with no adverse effects. While the weight of the water loss can be regained by drinking water, the calories consumed will not be.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-style: italic;"><b>The list goes on and on...</b><br /><br />What an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G invention!!!</span><br />
<br /></div>
<img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/Art/Casey1.png" />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-49833978644077876832013-10-28T18:30:00.000-04:002013-10-28T18:30:01.965-04:00Favorites from Taste of Atlanta 2013<b>This weekend I was lucky enough to attend <a href="http://tasteofatlanta.com/" target="_blank">Taste of Atlanta</a>. </b>Spent most of my Saturday working a grand opening event in Athens and got back to Atlanta just in time to spend the last 2 hours at the festival. <b>The streets were lined with tents from over 90 restaurants, offering a variety of eats, drinks and treats for a few tickets a piece. </b>There were definitely some themes happening this year, like ceviche, ice cream, gumbo and fried food. In search of something new and interesting, I only tried places that I haven't been to before.<br />
<br />
<b>My favorite dish of the day goes to <a href="http://chaipanidecatur.com/" target="_blank">Chai Pani</a> for their Kale Pakora:</b> Indian-style savory kale fritters made with curried chickpea batter, served with green chutney and sweet yogurt. I've had kale chips before, but this was a completely new flavor combination!<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEiLsc-FPqY3c0wcHji04wx9OwAn5ycBdm6Eb_vAfnamX6NzTI8O4pcTG250Hg-8qAsZH0d5YdZJABrNduVOws-asbbeKOaTrqRQna7sBGPjHve-_UbnQF9OZwBwEE6hGoLAeSW3bhrs/s640/20131026_tasteofatlanta_chaipani_kalepakora.jpg" width="640" />
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<br />
I'm not a big steak person, but have been wanting to try <a href="http://www.e2hospitality.com/blt-steak-atlanta/" target="_blank">BLT Steak</a> for a while now. They were offering <b>New York Strip Steak with Spicy BBQ Corn</b> on this cute naturally made "boat" plate. No fork, mind you, but it was still tasty.
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<img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJJY4bpPDcOFaoEoxbLQzV9FjViRVo0SpbZCMsxaY_4Ul47xyY6fLfW4a8ngvekHCXoEGzBIESJgsQ4q0O79snW91JtiqKqpHcB3utRTjiZ9llt_uwRi0lI2sjTbHaAiiKNEkB8RrEw8/s640/20131026_tasteofatlanta_bltsteak_nystripbbqcorn.jpg" width="640" />
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<br />
My second favorite dish was the <b>Baked Heirloom Apple Crème Brûlée with Porter Caramel</b> from <a href="http://www.glennskitchenatl.com/" target="_blank">Glenn's Kitchen</a>. Like apple pie had a baby with crème brûlée...incredible!<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH7jUHpJHCTpJeXV8dyWw8_nwvBkcsvYmjoGGFLZJANFsFhCImwrHmoXCrau9-NlVCPGYczJcf5fiydUO7p8RXwWfl7fz0CVp09_0yXJBRI4rlfzCsdhB7hf4uO94PNBUX9i7afVHjWE/s640/20131026_tasteofatlanta_glennskitchen_cremebrulle.jpg" width="640" />
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<br />
Also, not related to the above, but did want to mention that if you love craft beer and ice cream, you need to try <a href="http://www.frozenpints.com/" target="_blank">Frozen Pints Craft Beer Ice Cream</a>! I had a taste of the Pumpkin Spice and loved it. They're a local Atlanta company and have a bunch of flavors. Now you can drink your beer, and eat it too!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What were your favorites from Taste of Atlanta this year?</span></b><br />
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<img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/Art/Casey1.png" />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-81759968906621078562013-10-24T12:45:00.000-04:002013-10-24T12:46:00.635-04:00[Recipe] Pumpkin Green Smoothie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu7J3fXu-H7CVXI1gWM7OXO3x_Ss4G4_IFFAL2YCNfoyGTjERoIq9blmRanNviFoW9g8TIQ51euULnGnmwTwBxfdAp7of52pg-CXGF6Ivdwvy8TYCp-6lZxF3ccPJZaERbvDOmxIeHSQ/s1600/101910_brekkie-pumpkin-green-smoothie1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu7J3fXu-H7CVXI1gWM7OXO3x_Ss4G4_IFFAL2YCNfoyGTjERoIq9blmRanNviFoW9g8TIQ51euULnGnmwTwBxfdAp7of52pg-CXGF6Ivdwvy8TYCp-6lZxF3ccPJZaERbvDOmxIeHSQ/s1600/101910_brekkie-pumpkin-green-smoothie1.png" /></a>If you're like me you <b>love autumn pumpkin anything</b>...and you wish it was around all year! Pumpkin is just too good to enjoy for a few short months, right? My solution is to make this <b>nutritious trea</b>t of a green smoothie any time! Just stock up on some organic canned pumpkin and you'll be good to go. Great for breakfast or anytime snack and done in 5 minutes or less -- you can't beat that!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients & Directions</span></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>1/2 can organic pumpkin puree (homemade or canned)</li>
<li>2 cups organic spinach (or any leafy green)</li>
<li>1/2 frozen banana (chunks for easy blending)</li>
<li>1 cup vanilla almond milk (or any type of milk you like)</li>
<li>1 tsp pumpkin spice or cinnamon and nutmeg (add more or less to taste)</li>
</ul>
<b>Blend and enjoy!</b><br />
<br />
Save the remaining puree for another smoothie (don't keep in the can though, put it in a storage container) or freeze it in ice cube trays for later use.<br />
<br />
Here's a <a href="http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=2602744" target="_blank">link to the recipe and nutritional information</a> on SparkPeople.<br />
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<img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/Art/Casey1.png" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: auto; line-height: 19.1875px; max-width: 690px; overflow: hidden;" />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-1951249731156684712013-01-20T22:35:00.000-05:002013-01-20T22:35:13.271-05:00Fashion Fitness Inspiration<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=69630692" target="_blank"><img alt="Just Do It" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFHraH7wD9chjI70O8wzRj5g2K6bpk2hIZdctonYLlrX6SgVnBrgaO9ebp2vaA8nc6QoHePVWfO768NiCThfa65CGawvP4V_clzQEJ6x4JvQAkzjh6rGv28OF-lD-_OOtuCwDhqcMkqQ/s1600/Just-Do-It_FoodieInMotion.jpg" title="Just Do It" width="600" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=69630692" target="_blank">Just Do It</a> by <a href="http://foodieinmotion.polyvore.com/?.embedder=4503072&.svc=copypaste" target="_blank">foodieinmotion</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/nike/shop?brand=NIKE" target="_blank">nike</a></small></div>
<br />
I'm feeling inspired for fitness today! Started the 2013 T-Tapp 60-Day Challenge, did the Tempo 2 DVD (40-minutes workout), bought the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GEJ1NS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=foodinmoti-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004GEJ1NS">Polar FT40</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=foodinmoti-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004GEJ1NS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
heart rate monitor pictured above and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0373892322/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=foodinmoti-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0373892322" target="_blank">The Beauty Detox Solution</a> book. I'm ready to roll!<br />
<br />
My game plan is to do a 7-day bootcamp and exercise consistently for the next 60 days while also eating better (more veggies, less junk). I took "before" pictures and measurements today to join the Challenge. Looking forward to a healthier me!<br />
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<b><i>Just do it!</i></b><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=foodinmoti-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0373892322" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/Art/Casey1.png" />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-45522433790285689472012-08-28T08:04:00.000-04:002012-08-28T13:35:00.406-04:00Yoga @ Atlanta Activewear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6MChwSVSh0nns9uNuROJiu84SIeIVuYOerD8usTGSeWfxsb0NxysSWKXz-GYWRGpN5F1Y3Cud37oL1CoV7gaew_-dGIFRYvTG1l4UyrCjRU3Qdrn2VvMCsAkn79uR6vhtmQeIndnvSA/s1600/20120804_atlanta-activewear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6MChwSVSh0nns9uNuROJiu84SIeIVuYOerD8usTGSeWfxsb0NxysSWKXz-GYWRGpN5F1Y3Cud37oL1CoV7gaew_-dGIFRYvTG1l4UyrCjRU3Qdrn2VvMCsAkn79uR6vhtmQeIndnvSA/s400/20120804_atlanta-activewear.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yoga is something that I've only recently begun exploring...and I'm starting to get hooked!</span> In my very own neighborhood, within walking distance of my apartment, I discovered an amazing little gem. <b>*FREE* yoga on Saturday mornings at <a href="http://www.atlantaactivewear.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Activewear</a></b>, an adorable fitness wear boutique in the vibrant heart of Virginia Highlands. The store is a beautiful and bright, clean open space FULL of fabulous fitness apparel and accessories.<br />
<br />
Although I haven't practiced yoga for that long, I've been <b>impressed with the quality of the classes</b> at Atlanta Activewear. They work with various yoga studios around town, so there's a different instructor each week. But I have to say they certainly choose the instructors that know their stuff! Currently <a href="http://www.sacredthreadyoga.com/" target="_blank">Sacred Threads Yoga</a> is teaching and I got the pleasure to practice with Deborah, one of their founders, last Saturday.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It feels incredible to stretch! </span>Some of the classes I've done here are challenging and others are peaceful and centering. I always leave feeling ready to take on the weekend!<br />
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Here's a blurb from their website:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
At Atlanta Activewear, Danielle Burke has managed to combine her two greatest loves: fitness and couture. Danielle and her sister, Donna, are the smiling faces that make a client’s shopping experience a pleasure. Their philosophy is simple: High style paired with versatility. The two are skilled at creating “the perfect look” for their clientele that transitions from the treadmill to the street flawlessly.</blockquote>
<b>LOVE the fashion fitness combo! </b>You will want to go shopping after class, for sure.<br />
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<a href="https://www.box.com/shared/obk2kv9fq79tfx39pl76" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7IPcU9jTHw19wtFey0p3KTSeNSKYg2RY4CPdeqELsluFsddyNDU1DPHoQVXhaUMkllVLfR7k3F76yidwzkk60IbqLXwA_PP_E424LYLUEbDQpC3p23xdITny3m_qMfo8fzZuHMCRJLE/s1600/keep-calm-yoga-on.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yoga starts promptly at 9AM. </span><i>Don't be late! </i>Doors are closed and no one is admitted after 9:05AM. The class is typically about an hour and great for yogis of all levels. Bring a mat, water bottle plus a friend or two and start the weekend on a healthy note. Your body will thank you! RSVP for the individual yoga classes here: <a href="http://www.meetup.com/AtlantaActivewear/">Meetup.com/AtlantaActivewear</a>
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<b><a href="http://www.atlantaactivewear.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Activewear</a></b><br />
996 Virginia Ave NE<br />
Atlanta, GA 30306<br />
404.532.1975<br />
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Store Hours:<br />
Monday-Thursday: 11:00 - 8:00<br />
Friday & Saturday: 11:00 - 9:00<br />
Sunday: 10:30 - 7:00<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Namaste!</i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/Art/Casey1.png" />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comAtlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.537754899999996 -84.703839399999993 33.9602359 -84.0721254tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-10980417030167657252012-08-21T12:02:00.000-04:002012-08-24T13:00:10.914-04:00Atlanta Food Truck Park & Market<span style="font-size: large;">Since moving to Atlanta over a year ago, I discovered that I absolutely adore street food.</span> Today's <a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/search/label/food%20trucks" target="_blank">food trucks</a> are no longer the "roach coaches" of yesteryear. Most trucks in Atlanta now have restaurant-quality health code ratings posted in their windows for all patrons to see. (It reminds me of California!) The modernized trucks offer a wide variety of eats, from healthy to fried, and there's always a new truck to try. Sampling items from various trucks is like building your own tapas meal!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxROYmU_ve1fa-KnryxVZBfzOnuoaKNkv9g3C8RjKKNNMH_os63ima7RW5TfzsuD_6ZqdWv253YyY0Rm1ylD9PWLNdd8NPTc7ql03HxLysIydv8XyNibsyuFwEm6jtLzTKqX4_3GHnAU/s1600/20120726_atlanta-food-truck-park-market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxROYmU_ve1fa-KnryxVZBfzOnuoaKNkv9g3C8RjKKNNMH_os63ima7RW5TfzsuD_6ZqdWv253YyY0Rm1ylD9PWLNdd8NPTc7ql03HxLysIydv8XyNibsyuFwEm6jtLzTKqX4_3GHnAU/s640/20120726_atlanta-food-truck-park-market.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://atlantafoodtruckpark.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Food Truck Park & Market</a> is the first permanent food truck site in Atlanta that's open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. </span></b>They also have a weekend farmers market, live music and artist farm for visitors to enjoy.<br />
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Check out this Vimeo about AFTPM:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/44692841" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/44692841">The Art of the Food Truck: ATL</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/sarahlinebaugh">Sarah Linebaugh</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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I've been hunting food trucks regularly for a while now. Finally made my way to AFTPM last month. There were about 8-10 different trucks there, including a few that were new to me. Plenty of seating and a <a href="http://marcelacoustic.com/" target="_blank">talented live acoustic musician, Marcel</a>. Great place to go for date night and there's even an amazing view of the sunset!<br />
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Want to see what I ate for dinner?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Appetizer: Cheesy Risotto Balls with Marinara</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Truck: </span></b><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mobile-Marlay-Food-Truck/147223932014435" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Mobile Marlay</span></a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Main Course: Buffalo Chicken Meatball Slider</b> (and a tiny bite of the Italian Meatball Slider)</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Truck: </span></b><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/MightyMeatballs" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Mighty Meatballs</span></a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dessert: Scarlett Strawberry Cupcake</b> (strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream)</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Truck: </span></b><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/yumyumcupcakeandmore" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Yum Yum Cupcake</span></a></b><br />
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<b>AFTPM</b></b><br />
1850 Howell Mill Road (and 75)<br />
Atlanta, GA<br />
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<b>Food Truck Park: </b>Open Daily 11am to 4pm & 5pm to 10pm<br />
<b>Farmer's Market: </b> <i>Saturday </i>3:00pm to 8:00pm; <i>Sunday </i>11:00am to 4:00 pm<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">★ </span><b>Find Atlanta food trucks where ever they are by checking out my <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/FoodieInMotion/atlanta-food-trucks" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/lists/10101221574771211" target="_blank">Facebook</a> lists! </b><span style="font-size: x-large;">★</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have street food in your city? What's your favorite food truck?</span></b><br />
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<img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/Art/Casey1.png" />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-36307380006211814132012-08-19T15:24:00.000-04:002012-08-21T12:16:12.036-04:00Best Foodie Mobile Apps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit that I'm sort of a technology and social media geek. I adore all things digital.</span> I'm that girl people come to with their tech questions regarding the social and mobile space. I can't help but get all nerdy about it. It's just my thing...<br />
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I recently attended a "<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=tweetup&defid=3639937" target="_blank">tweet up</a>" here in Atlanta and found myself talking about my blog and then my favorite foodie mobile apps. Many of the people had not heard of these amazing apps, so I decided to put this shiny new blog post together with my faves. All of these apps are free!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdyzejv9vOvuv0w49_ymlQbLhSIIWaTCdpD0N_THlb5bl8jWHHnvKg39WAtl_8ZeHzzOzNpZK-2ferjLoeg_8YqcWUI5V50EBMwaq8SsIiQPbHvaI6xWH5xKyEv2GoasmiUBJSGfKo2E/s1600/foodspotting-app.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdyzejv9vOvuv0w49_ymlQbLhSIIWaTCdpD0N_THlb5bl8jWHHnvKg39WAtl_8ZeHzzOzNpZK-2ferjLoeg_8YqcWUI5V50EBMwaq8SsIiQPbHvaI6xWH5xKyEv2GoasmiUBJSGfKo2E/s1600/foodspotting-app.png" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://www.foodspotting.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Foodspotting</span></a></b><br />
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I've "spotted" over 100 dishes in less than a year with this handy app. It's <b>slick interface makes finding and recommending great dishes fun and easy</b> to do. You can browse photos, ratings and descriptions of eats people have spotted to see what looks good at local restaurants. It's a cool way to discover new places to grub! Here's a little blurb from the app store:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As seen on The Today Show and in Travel + Leisure Magazine's Top Travel Apps, Foodspotting is a visual guide to good food and where to find it. It’s the leading app for finding and rating dishes, not just restaurants.</blockquote>
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The fun part about this app is the social component. When you spot a dish, other users can "want it", "love it" or compliment you on your "great shot!" or "great find!" It's interesting to see what your friends are eating and what experts are spotting.<br />
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Go download it and find me on <a href="http://www.foodspotting.com/people/foodieinmotion" target="_blank">Foodspotting</a>!<br />
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<b><a href="http://scoutmob.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Scoutmob</span></a></b><br />
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Ode to the Scoutmob app! This is one of my personal favorites because it lets you <b>explore your city with amazing deals at local venues</b>. Scoutmob is an Atlanta-based start-up that is spreading like wild fire throughout major American cities. Currently the deals are only available in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., but they are ever expanding to new cities. Here's their blurb from the app store:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Say, you’re out on the town. You’re in the need of finding something new, something different, something local, and maybe just maybe, something that comes with a sweet, FREE incentive for being curious. Enter Scoutmob: your mobile guide to local deals, happenings, and whatever else is worth exploring in your city. Think of us like a pocket guide to finding out what’s awesome near you.</blockquote>
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The Scoutmob app has some awesome features! You can sort by "deals near you" and discover local businesses close by ranging from restaurants to bars to boutiques. They have incredibly detailed, interesting reviews with photos for each venue that make you want to check them out. The recent Android update is gorgeous -- I'm loving the new look!<br />
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In addition to the deals, Scoutmob posts a weekly roundup of cool events worth attending in your city, so there's always something new to do with friends. And they have Hand-Picked Deals that are really hard to pass up. These are special events like super clubs, rock star yoga, cooking classes, craft nights and more. Scoutmob keeps life interesting! Here's the rundown:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/38370924" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/38370924">What is Scoutmob?</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/scoutmob">Scoutmob</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.thelevelup.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">LevelUp</span></b></a><br />
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This little app is <b>revolutionizing the way I pay for things</b>. With LevelUp you connect your credit or debit card and pay at participating vendors using your smart phone. It's super fast and easy to do, plus very secure with an option to password protect your account. The best part is, the more you use LevelUp you get rebates at your favorite venues. The first time I used the app my $7 meal was only $2 because of the instant rebate!<br />
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Currently Level up is available at thousands of businesses in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. I'm sure they will be expanding to more soon too.<br />
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This is how it works... once you register, you get a unique QR code that's stored in the app. When you're ready to pay, show your phone to the merchant and they'll scan it (either with their smart phone or a special device). You'll get an instant digital receipt (save trees!) and it's just like using your card, only faster. Each time you go back to a merchant you unlock rewards and can earn cash rebates, aka instant discounts!<br />
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It's pretty awesome and definitely worth a try. <a href="https://www.thelevelup.com/join/91908" target="_blank">Sign up for LevelUp today!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieKpoC07baBl6U3JLFR9iTW2p8nJbz2dsQf91xMrl1B4-jIX5brF-4UWzEEa3rpBx0XTQw5G7fqjNWzmaQxGtNGhXidLWga6xYsrE9tPzULpGeUCiwpEUOrnQnGOeb1Xx0EhF8FU3X54/s1600/starbucks-app.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieKpoC07baBl6U3JLFR9iTW2p8nJbz2dsQf91xMrl1B4-jIX5brF-4UWzEEa3rpBx0XTQw5G7fqjNWzmaQxGtNGhXidLWga6xYsrE9tPzULpGeUCiwpEUOrnQnGOeb1Xx0EhF8FU3X54/s1600/starbucks-app.png" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Starbucks</span></a></b><br />
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Everyone knows Starbucks, the international coffee king. If you're a fan, their mobile app is the <b>fastest way to pay, reload your Starbucks Card and track your Stars</b>. The app will display a barcode that you scan (or the barista punches in) just like your card to make purchases at Starbucks. You can check your balance, reload your card with any major credit card, view your transactions and conveniently track your Stars in the My Starbucks Rewards program. The more stars you collect the more free stuff they give you, like free syrup, soy milk and a birthday drink. It's been a helpful little app and keeps my Starbucks <strike>addiction</strike> budget in check!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsYRQBCiYhFa9LUh-twr3KyGFcdx5lkf04uOK5dP6Hm2HbBcjpFP_dQMOxCnxXDLZ3tpDRCdfSHYR-iFnlUzFjI3wwMDMOsOm08NZGL7EawYDo2UV5Qgh46H_PxVE6TgZvkfCQEHypkk/s1600/YELP-app.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsYRQBCiYhFa9LUh-twr3KyGFcdx5lkf04uOK5dP6Hm2HbBcjpFP_dQMOxCnxXDLZ3tpDRCdfSHYR-iFnlUzFjI3wwMDMOsOm08NZGL7EawYDo2UV5Qgh46H_PxVE6TgZvkfCQEHypkk/s1600/YELP-app.png" /></a><a href="http://www.yelp.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Yelp</span></b></a><br />
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Good old Yelp! I have to say that I'm pretty new to the Yelp community. I find their weekly local emails helpful for discovering review highlights of new places I need to check out. I mainly use it to <b>search local businesses and browse reviews to see what people like (and what I should avoid)</b>. You can also search nearby places to find a bar, cafe, etc. and find out if a venue is actually open before you trek all the way over there. Here's a blurb from the app store:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Looking for a burrito joint open now? An Irish pub nearby? A gas station you can drive to before your tank hits empty? Yelp for Android is here to help. Use us to search for places to eat, shop, drink, relax and play then read reviews from an active community of locals in the know.</blockquote>
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Not many people realize it, but Yelp also has deals. The best one in Atlanta is the FREE SIDE at Yeah! Burger with every Yelp check-in! Other app features include posting quick tips, photos and reviews, the ability to make reservations on OpenTable, check-in and map out locations for thousands of businesses. Super useful app!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now go download these apps and have some fun!</span><br />
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<img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/Art/Casey1.png" />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-21681678546364114512012-08-05T18:30:00.000-04:002012-08-05T18:30:00.733-04:00Yeah! Truffle Burger & FriesHello there, August. I can't believe you're already here and autumn is right around the corner! Last night I wasn't up to cooking, so ended up at <a href="http://www.foodieinmotion.com/2012/01/crispy-local-brussels-sprouts-with.html" target="_blank">Yeah! Burger</a> and they had new monthly specials...truffle frenzy! Bacon Truffle Burger and Truffle Parmesan Fries. I don't eat red meat often, but just had to try the new menu items.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMnjoVCHSdt5CgW6aLJke7Xn8aEh7zh4lbfi7Y4PSds-G1tX7EVssiklbpdkgdKCd5l88ndnCmQ7hNLTRcBnWlQXWSYkNUNNO9d0ShM6ujMflERlsw34bEOYkCH_vcqLhdAgHH-UZaNg/s1600/20120801_yeah-burger-truffle-burger-fries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMnjoVCHSdt5CgW6aLJke7Xn8aEh7zh4lbfi7Y4PSds-G1tX7EVssiklbpdkgdKCd5l88ndnCmQ7hNLTRcBnWlQXWSYkNUNNO9d0ShM6ujMflERlsw34bEOYkCH_vcqLhdAgHH-UZaNg/s640/20120801_yeah-burger-truffle-burger-fries.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I hear "truffle" I always thought it was a bite of chocolate goodness, but recently discovered the truffle mushroom and it's interesting pungent flavor profile. Apparently there are hundreds of species of truffles, they are a prized ingredient in European countries and sometimes called "the diamond of the kitchen". Who knew?!<br />
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<b>BURGER OF THE MONTH</b><br />
BACON TRUFFLE BURGER $10.99<br />
Grass-fed White Oak Pastures beef, rosemary bacon, grilled onions, housemade true mayo & Parmesan cheese<br />
<i>I skipped the H&F Bread Co. Southern White bun and added lettuce instead...and only ate 1/2.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkEL48mo80tN69mHo_lOwmHrcTiTIRUKF1iL5r9z_Kswkc8La1ShhnwzCaqSMKsrI1eWB-_PG3Yi795oQfiQX0T28dYmLMZI5lRwXm6lL1Sp44ulShdjgl8J3NP2dcja1lKIAbV-ol8I/s1600/20120801_truffle-burger-yeah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkEL48mo80tN69mHo_lOwmHrcTiTIRUKF1iL5r9z_Kswkc8La1ShhnwzCaqSMKsrI1eWB-_PG3Yi795oQfiQX0T28dYmLMZI5lRwXm6lL1Sp44ulShdjgl8J3NP2dcja1lKIAbV-ol8I/s640/20120801_truffle-burger-yeah.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>SIDE OF THE MONTH</b><br />
TRUFFLE PARMESAN FRIES $6.99<br />
Hand-cut French fries with tru e salt, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, fresh parsley flakes<br />
<i>I only ate about 1/4 of what you see here.</i><br />
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I was told that the SHAKE OF THE MONTH is well worth a try as well. The flavor for August is BANANA CREAM PIE. $5.99<br />
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LOVE trying the new specials at Yeah! Burger. Always makes a great meal!<br />
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<img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/Art/Casey1.png" />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9120896727025100652.post-27700870693695379672012-08-04T09:48:00.000-04:002014-02-26T12:54:40.497-05:00What time of day do you exercise?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RxvoKDG8cWnv6lkxwVtv5PEhEiFjcVy1_1RgqObKkiNksVF5FK8iIGTx4_FPOoFAyQNe_Zr2-JC5X_nmsX3kkkSHtsUQjMOXTvLPwETaXCUk42ZwlEGLlYtHfvQsseLRuCICn0Lg8l8/s1600/580079_331196463623639_939486291_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RxvoKDG8cWnv6lkxwVtv5PEhEiFjcVy1_1RgqObKkiNksVF5FK8iIGTx4_FPOoFAyQNe_Zr2-JC5X_nmsX3kkkSHtsUQjMOXTvLPwETaXCUk42ZwlEGLlYtHfvQsseLRuCICn0Lg8l8/s400/580079_331196463623639_939486291_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
A while back I did an experiment where I tried to change my habits and<b> transform myself from a night owl to an early bird</b>. After 10 days of attempting to wake up early enough to squeeze in some fitness...it was an <i>epic fail.</i><br />
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The only time that I've succeed at consistent morning workouts is during <a href="http://www.t-tapp.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=102_11_1_42" target="_blank">T-Tapp Fitness Retreats</a> where the first session can start as early as 6am. And I have been making it to 9am yoga classes on Saturdays lately. Yes, that's right... I can only bring myself to wake up consistently when I'm exercising with a trainer or workout partner. <b>There's something to be said about accountability! </b>On my own, I fit in more evening workouts since I just can't seem to pull myself together in the mornings.<br />
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Reasons, excuses, pitfalls (whatever you want to call them) AM and PM workouts can be derailed because of similar things. Just to name a few...how about low energy, short on time, incredibly hungry. Sound familiar? <b>What's important is that you find a time (any time of day!) that works for YOU. </b>Moving your body is critical to overall health, wellness and fitness. In the end, your body doesn't mind if you exercise at sunrise or 10pm. <b>Make movement a part of your lifestyle and as long as you get it in, it counts!</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What time of day do you exercise and why?</span></b><br />
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I don't know about you, but I'm going to workout now. :)<br />
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<img src="http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv213/cle_blog/Art/Casey1.png" />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519158423067187932noreply@blogger.com