Life Above the Clouds

Wahoo! 100 followers! It doesn't seem like much, but it's a huge deal to me. Thank you everyone for your support. Don't forget to spread the word and share this blog with your friends!

What should we do to celebrate?

Welp it's flu season, and those germs have definitely been going around. I'm just getting over a cold and I know plenty of others who are feeling under the weather too. I know I didn't really feel like eating anything, but a healthy diet is super important to a speedy recovery. Here are some of the things your should be eating...

• Drink lots of fluids - I know my mom said this to me all the time. Stay hydrated with lots of water, tea, juice, even ginger ale if you have an upset stomach. FYI green tea supports the immune system along with a million other benefits like reducing cholesterol and burning fat.

• Easily digestible protein - Your body needs protein for strength, but a steak might not be the most appetizing. Instead, go for eggs, chicken, or tofu.

• Flavonoids in citrus fruits - What the heck is a flavonoid? You can find it in the soft white skin of oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits and it boosts your immune system.

• Glutathione - Huh? Glutathione is an antioxidant that fights infection. You can find it in watermelon and cruciferous veggies like broccoli, collard greens, kale, and cabbage.

• Soup and broth - Chicken noodle soup, right? Broth keeps you hydrated, and a soup with veggies, whole grains like barley, and some lean protein will give you vitamins and nutrients. They can also warm the body and relieve congestion.

• Foods with B6 and B12 - Those vitamins are healing nutrients. You can get them from fish, milk, nutritional yeast, fortified soy milk and cereals, potatoes, spinach, and turkey.

• Yogurt - Probiotics found in yogurt can shorten a cold up to two days.

(Inspired by fitsugar)

Have you heard about this new "trend" called meggings? They're leggings for men. Ya, you heard me right, leggings for men. I had no idea there was even a market for these, but they are in fact real. Apparently they've been around since 2009 when leggings were first becoming popular for women. It actually started when Russel Brand was seen in a pair of women's leggings in 2008, and who doesn't want to look like him? I don't know anyone else who would be caught dead in these (besides Conan O'Brien), but hey, if any guy out there has the confidence to wear these, more power to him. 

I can't wait for "mantyhose" to catch on...

Pancakes just scream my name on a Sunday morning, and last Sunday was no different. I have a box of Hungry Jack Pancake mix, and let's just say I won't buy it ever again. Everything tastes better made from scratch anyway, right? Besides, pancakes are extremely easy to make and only need ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. I also had chocolate chips in my pantry so I threw some (a lot) in because, well, do I really need a reason? You can also try berries, or nuts in your pancakes like in this other recipe for fluffy blueberry pancakes.

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.

2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

(Inspired by allrecipes)

Congrats to all of the People's Choice Award winners which kicked off awards season! As exciting as the People's Choice, SAG, and all the other awards shows are, the one we're all waiting to tune in for is the Academy Awards. Have you seen the 2012 Oscar nominations that just came out? I haven't seen a lot of the movies yet, so I'm looking forward to some movie nights before I'll voice my opinions. You can check out the complete list of nominees here.

This year, the Oscars will be on Sunday, February 24th. If you interested in throwing an Oscar party, check out these official tips from the Academy itself complete with star-inspired recipes for drinks and appetizers like deviled eggs with caviar and truffle grilled cheese. Talk about fancy! You can even download an Oscar ballot to predict the winners or play Oscar bingo. If you're looking for some more adult fun, because let's face it, the entire show is boring except the last 15 minutes, go for a drinking game. This one is inspired by the Huffington Post) Drink if/when...

• Someone on the red carpet mentions they're wearing Spanx
• Someone says they're "So excited to be here"
• An actor brings his mom as his date
• A winner speaks in a foreign language
• They play music to cut off a winner's speech
• Someone thanks their parents

The list could go on and on. Have fun! And just in case you were wondering, the Golden Globes are this weekend on January 13, SAG Awards are on January 27, and the Grammy's are February 10.

Ok, my new year's resolution for 2013 is the same as last year because I wasn't satisfied with my 2012 performance. So what? My goal is to eat slower and stop eating when I'm full. I'm definitely one to gobble down my food and pick at the plate even after I'm done. Definitely not the healthiest habits...

I don't think it'll surprise you that getting into shape/losing weight is one of the top new year's resolutions. Also on the list are get organized, save money, and spend more time with family and friends. What's your new year's resolution? I've heard everything from not drinking out of plastic bottles to practicing meditation. All of the above sounds good to me! A new year is all about looking forward to the upcoming year. So let's enjoy this year, whatever it may bring. I have a feeling it's going to be a good one.

Being home for the holidays means lots of eating. It also means BBQ! Since there are plenty of people around, my mom decided to roast a whole pork shoulder so we could make pulled pork sandwiches. I missed some pictures of the process, but I wanted to share this anyway. It's a little time consuming but it was still absolutely delicious!

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons chopped garlic
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (4 pound) pork shoulder
• 16 oz. bottle of BBQ sauce

Yes, of course, this is another Pinterest find! It was so easy to make and was really delicious! Just roll up some chicken breast with some garlic, basil, and mozarella cheese, and you'll have a really impressive dinner. I served mine with a side of pasta, but a nice salad or green veggies would be great too!

• 4 boneless chicken breast halves
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 4 small slices Mozzarella Cheese or 2 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (I used fresh parsley from my garden. I definitely should have minced it finer than in these pictures)

Heat oven to 375°. Lightly oil or line a baking pan.

Wash chicken and pat dry. Put the chicken, one piece at a time, in a food storage bag and pound gently with a meat mallet or other heavy object until about 1/4 inch thick. (I wanted smaller portions so I actually sliced my chicken breasts in half to make them 1/4 inch thick). Repeat with all of the chicken breasts. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Saute the garlic in butter for about 1 minute, just to soften. Combine the garlic with basil leaves. Spread basil mixture over each chicken breast; top with a slice of Mozzarella cheese or a little of the shredded Mozzarella cheese. Roll the chicken up and secure with toothpicks.

Beat the egg in a shallow bowl.

In a wide bowl, combine the bread crumbs and parsley.

Carefully dip the rolled chicken breasts in the egg; turning to coat well, then coat with bread crumbs. Arrange the chicken breast rolls on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

(Inspired by About.com Southern Food)

I hope you all have the most wonderful and magical day! Happy Holidays!

 
(Image courtesy of Mobile Device Salon)