Month: February 2019

Cocktail Experiments

If you’re playing Red Dead Redemption like my husband is, you may have come across a recipe for the St. Denis Sazerac. This was delicious to sip while watching my husband play the game.

This classic is made by rinsing a glass with absinthe, then dropping in some ice. Shake 2 oz. cognac or brandy, 1 cube of sugar and 2 dashes bitters in a shaker with ice, then strain into the absinthe-washed glass.

For my second cocktail of the evening, I wanted to give a new spin to an old favorite: the Manhattan. I substituted vermouth for PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur and maraschino cherries for pomegranate arils in this Pomegranate Manhattan. Mix 2 oz. rye whiskey, 1/2 oz. PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur and a couple dashes of bitters in a shaker with ice. Strain into an ice-filled glass and garnish with pomegranate arils. Cheers!

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Greek Chicken Pasta Salad

This was so quick and easy I had to share! Cook a box of fusilli or other small pasta (the pasta I used was gluten-free). While that was boiling, I chopped a cucumber, half of a red onion, artichoke hearts, tomatoes and some cooked chicken and tossed them into a big bowl. I added a small can of black olives, then drained and cooled the pasta. I drizzled on some olive oil, some balsamic vinegar and some honey, then added a few dashes of salt, black pepper, a container of feta cheese and some Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, etc.). And voila! A simple healthy lunch.

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Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken breast, cooked and diced

1 box fusilli or other small pasta, cooked, drained and cooled

1 small can diced black olives

1 medium cucumber, diced

1/2 medium red onion, diced

1 small container cherry tomatoes, halved

1 small container feta cheese

1 small jar artichoke hearts

2 tbsp. olive oil

4 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

3 tbsp. honey

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

Italian seasoning, to taste

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and enjoy!

 

My Workout of Choice

I first got “Shred it with Weights,” Jillian Michaels‘ kettlebell workout dvd, about five years ago when I started running regularly so I’d have a strength-training workout to do on my off days from running. I loved the two different workouts on this dvd because they were quick (around 24 minutes each) and each had a great combination of moves. They trick you into thinking they’re easier than they are.

I was excited to find out that Jillian also has a fitness app with a wide variety of workout programs. You can choose from beginner, intermediate and advanced workouts, 30-day or 90-day full programs, 5k training, kickboxing and more. Each individual workout is customized according to your skill level, and you can choose to make future workouts easier or harder once you’re done. Daily meal plans are also included. You’ll also have access to a custom workout generator that lets you choose 10, 20, 30 or 45 minute length, easy, medium or hard workout and where to focus (i.e. abs, total body, arms, chest and back, etc.).

What’s your favorite fitness app or workout?

Jillian Michaels