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Winter Whining & Celeb Style

Isn't summer clothing just so fun, cheery, and gorgeous!??!


I. HATE. WINTER.  Sure, I love Christmas and NYE, but not enough to justify FREEZING my tush off in the time it takes me to walk from my apartment door to my car (which by the way is about 30 seconds, yet I still get SOOOOO cold).  I do not know how people who live north of Texas can stand their Novembers-Februarys.  


On the fashion side of things, I feel like almost every outfit I put together would look cuter with sandals.  Yes, I love my boots, but I'm over them every year by January 1st and ready to rock my wedges and jeweled sandals.

I am completely longing to be wearing...





I'd even settle for this...


Despite our gorgeous 75 degree weather here in Dallas this past Saturday, we are looking at 20 and 30 degree temps for the rest of this week.... UGH!  Guess I will have to draw my fashion inspiration from these ladies, instead.  *sigh*









Are you a summer girl like me?

Spicy Peanut-Curry Shrimp Soup

This amazingly deliciously unique soup came from one of my favorite health mags - Oxygen.  It was SUPER easy and quick to make, and the hubby and I both luuuuvvved it!  :)

This little red bubble caught my attention too...  $1.12 a serving?  SOLD!



What 'Yo Need....
  • Soy sauce, 2 tbsp
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 sweet potatoes, diced (I used 2.5)
  • 1 large carrot, diced (I used 12 baby carrots)
  • 1 celery stalk, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced (recipe calls for 1/2, but I used a whole)
  • Shrimp, raw, peeled and deveined (1-1.5 lbs.)
  • Chickpeas, 2 cans drained (recipe calls for 1, but I luv chpeas)
  • Crushed tomatoes, 1 can
  • Vegetable broth, 32 oz.
  • Cilantro-to-taste
  • Peanut Butter, 3 tbsp
  • Curry powder, 2 tsp

I took the lazy easy route and bought frozen raw shrimp.  I de-thawed them in the sink under cold water before cooking.  Look at these cuties!  (We LOOOOOOOVE shrimp in the HHHH house.)

Alright, let's get this soup rollin'.... 
Heat 1/2 cup of water and the soy sauce in your pot over medium heat.  Add the onion and sweet potato, and stir over high heat for about 5-7 minutes.

Add the celery, red pepper, and carrots, and I quote, "cover and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally."  Umm, Oxygen, I do love you and all, but not sure how to stir something OCCASIONALLY if it is cooking for a mere 180 seconds with a lid on....  I left the lid off and just stirred it the whole time.


Not sure if it was the pot, the high heat, or the soy sauce, but this thing was smoooooookin!  It was ridiculous.  That's the best shot I could get.


Oh, and in true Noraesque-fashion, I totally forgot about the red pepper sittin' in the fridge.  So it was added near the end.  Luckily, it still was delish.

Add the shrimp and cook 5 minutes.  When the shrimpies are white, stir in the tomatoes, broth, cilantro, and chickpeas.



Attempt to blend the curry powder and peanut butter with 1/3 cup water....




And stir it into the soup!



Now cover and simmer for 10 minutes.... GET 'ER DONE!  :)




Hungry Hubby's bowl:



Healthy Honey's mug 'o soup:





PLEASE try this soup!  The flavors were so wonderful together, and this is definitely something different.  The curry is very subtle, so don't worry if you're not a curry-fan.  I promise, you'll love this!!

Move-It Monday: Warrior X-Fit


Enter: 1 super sweaty, totally exhausted, but proud of my workout Healthy Honey.  Ahhhhh, it feels SO good to get in an amazingly hardcore workout on a Monday.  


While I was cruising Facebook and blog surfing briefly checking my email when I got home this afternoon, I came across this Warrior X-Fit workout/training website.  It. Is. AWESOME.  First and most importantly, it is FREE!  (Insert random factoid: I have wanted to try CrossFit for awhile now, but I just can't justify shelling out all that cash, especially on my superbudget of 2011.)


Here's the gist: Everyday, they post a new workout.  Each workout contains 6 exercises.  You complete as many reps of each exercise as you can in 20 seconds.  There are 10 second rest periods between each exercise, with a 40 second rest between each long circuit.  The idea is to complete the circuit 6 times, for a 20 minute total-body workout.  You can also modify to complete the circuit 2 or 4 times instead.





So....
  • Exercise for 20 seconds
  • Rest for 10
  • Exercise for 20 seconds
  • Rest for 10
  • Exercise for 20 seconds
  • Rest for 10
  • Exercise for 20 seconds
  • Rest for 10
  • Exercise for 20 seconds
  • Rest for 10
  • Exercise for 20 seconds
  • Rest for 40, Start at beginning 5 more times


Sounds easy, right?  Just 20 seconds of something.  Umm... not so much.  I did finish all 6 circuits, but it was pretty brutal by number 5.  Okay, who am I kidding, it was tough by circuit 3!  Although I did 45 minutes on the elliptical before the X-Fit workout, so that must have been why it was so difficult.... I'll keep telling myself that.  ;)


I actually took my iPhone with me to the gym, propped it up in front of me, and watched the timer that way.  (It automatically does the 20, 10, and 40 second intervals, so it's an awesome feature if you have a smart phone or if you can workout close to your computer at home.)  You could also use a plan ole' watch timer.


The website lets you log your workouts, and work to earn different colored-belts.  Here is the synopsis out of the horse's mouth - aka. what the website says about it's program:
Warrior X-Fit is a revolutionary fitness program based on martial arts training that allows users to improve their overall fitness in only 20 minutes a day. Its innovative online portal enables users to access and record workouts, track their progress and interact with other members.



Oh, and if you're curious, here were the 6 exercises from today:
1. Sprawl with Lateral Jump
2. Knuckle Twisters
3. Victory Row
4. 21 Plus
5. Wide Knee Oblique Jumps
6. Half Plan Sidekick

Yeah, I didn't know what any of those meant either.  Luckily they post videos of every move.  :)  

I plan to add X-Fit to my Mon/Wed gym workouts and think it will be a perfect Friday AM 20 minute quickie (workout, that is).


Let me know if you try it!  It surely kicked my butt!!

Saturday Afternoon Happy Hour

The more accurate title would say "Saturday Afternoon Happy Hours," ha!  I'm actually not quite sure who only enjoys drink specials, shared apps, and chit chat for just 60 minutes!  My best friend Kate and I decided to head uptown yesterday afternoon for a bloody mary or two, since we couldn't layout by the pool like we really wanted.  UGH, I hate winter!  But, I digress.  Here's what a wore for our Saturday date:
Belted Top: Forever 21
Denim Leggings: Walmart
Boots: Madden Girl Cazino

Hope you all had a fabulous Saturday!  :)

DIY: Infinity Scarf & OOTD

I am love, love, lovin' the infinity scarf trend. These scarves will be in my winter wardrobes for year to come, regardless of their in-or-out style status. I just love them.

Forgive the phone and resulting terrible pictures, it's just unavoidable for a 6:45am pic.


I think they look chic, put-together yet effortless, and best of all, warm and cozy. We are having a muchcolderthannormal winter here in the big D this year!




Here are some celebs rockin' the look:
Not sure if these are all true infinity scarves, but they are wearing them that way.



The always-gorgeous Cheryl Cole. (Even in the random off-guard shot.)



Lindsay Lohan.


Jessica Alba.



Kristin Cavallari.



Shenae Grimes. (Love her!)



Kourtney Kardashian.



& Kim. Although she looks adorable, I prefer when the scarves are close to the neck rather than hanging down like this.


One of my NYResolutions is to spend only $100 (in cashola) a month (no, I'm not joking). So... how to get an infinity scarf without parting with any of my precious moolah!?? Make one, of course!

What to Gather:
  • Old Sweater
  • Fabric Scissors
2 ingredients ladies!!! :)


Take the old, outdated, sweater...



And chop it off under the 'pits...



Voila!



Obviously, the texture/style/fabric/etc. of the sweater will determine the look of the scarf.

Here is my new accessory in action today:


It was supposed to be a hair-down day, but I felt like the scarf and my locks were competing for shoulder space - ha!




Scarf - made by moi :)
Shirt - Old Navy
Jeans - 7 For all Mankind "Roxanne"
Boots (though barely seen due to horrid lighting) -
Madden Girl Cazino Boot


Oh, and since I don't own an old leopard sweater, I'll think I'll just save up to buy this beauty.


Scarf by Roxy via Macy's, no longer available, but I'm sure I can find a look-alike. ;)


Do you like the look of infinity scarves?