The Heavier The Better

It is 3:30 pm as I pass our neighborhood postman (yes, our mail arrives late on a daily basis) on my way back home from picking up my gooses from school.  I “Danica Patrick” it down my driveway and into the garage with more torque than my SUV is built to absorb.  I turn off the ignition and immediately start barking out orders to my children for them to unload all of their gear from the school day. While they are gathering up their belongings (none of which seem to be actual schoolwork-related), I decide to explosively sprint to the mailbox to get the mail.  I am a firm believer in the Every Step Matters campaign, which is why I tend to walk/sprint at every chance that presents itself.  I make it to the mailbox in record-breaking time and lookee lookee what has just arrived … Yes, that ponderous Restoration Hardware Catalog has made its way into my mailbox. I am not condoning this parcel nor do I hate receiving it.  Honestly, I look forward to it for one very good reason (besides the Harlow Crystal Chandelier collection) … LUNGES!!  So, next time you receive a bunch of heavy catalogs in the mail, get to stepping or try my RH Driveway Circuit because #EveryStepMatters.

NJAPP Tip:
RH Driveway Circuit

• Explosive sprint to your mailbox
• 10 lunges down your driveway, catalog in hand across your chest
• 10 lunges back up your driveway, now holding your arms above your head while holding that RH-Catalog with both hands.

Repeat 6x

• Walk back down the driveway into your home to finish.

Better than a chip is right!

“These are un-BEET-lievable,” I think to myself as I loudly bite down on this newly discovered chip by Natural Sins.  What can be BEET-ter than a healthy chip for this clean eater? Nothing! These crunchy "un-chips” would satisfy anyone's crunch cravings in a “Reebok Spartan” second. Next time you make my Turkey Burgers, throw a couple of these beet chips on top before you indulge.  Trust me, your waistline will want to send me a thank you note, much like the one I send Bobby Flay for the inspiration to Crunchify (only cleaner than potato chips) my NJAPP Turkey Burgers.

NJAPP Tip: If beets, in general, are too earthy for you then try Natural Sins' other options such as mango or pineapple.  I honestly love them just as much as I love the beet version.  On the NJAPP scale, all the flavors get a big thank you note for tasting Un-BEET-lievably delicious!

October has me falling...

The month of October brings an abundant amount of joy into my life for so many reasons.  The world around me seems to transform into a living autumn magazine cover with its natural, repetitious fall foliage setting a background for decorative white pumpkins, cozy sweaters and PSL’s (NJAPP version includes almond milk, misto style, ONE pump, Grande).  October also happens to be my anniversary month.  In 2002, on the eleventh day of my favorite month,  my darling, soulmate and friend made me his wife during a classic church setting followed by a large family reception.  Ever since that day, I have only fallen deeper in love with him and not just as a husband, but as a friend, father and lover, which is why each October becomes even more priceless than the last with every passing year.  Although October 11, 2002 could best be described in the words of Mr. Wadsworth Longfellow who said,  “The day [was] cold, and dark, and dreary…” an unbreakable covenant was made that day when the heavens literally poured down blessings upon us from dawn right through dusk.  Since that day, the sun hasn't stopped shining in our little world.  

Family and friends have asked us if there is a secret to being so happily married.  The truth is that Darling and I definitely have a couple juicy secrets of our own (wink wink) but the one that we can share, and perhaps most important, was given to us by a very wise, Godly couple.  Whenever I am invited to a wedding where there is that little table with those cute blank “Words of Wisdom” cards displayed on it, I will always pass along those invaluable words that make for a fabulously fruitful marriage:  ALWAYS try to OUT-GIVE one another!

Just Because

Recently a dear friend of mine surprised me with a “Just Because” present that was so sweet, I just had to blog about it.  Her gift has made my evening tea ritual even more simple and more enjoyable than ever before. Gifts (Quality time, Acts of service, Touch and Words of affirmation are the others) are not my primary love language, but when one is given as a random act of kindness (unlike flowers on Valentine’s day) it fills my friendship love tank to the rim.  So the next time you are looking to bring a little sunshine into someone's dark day, Teavana's PerfectTea Maker with their Peach Bellini Loose blend will turn any frown upside down.

#IHeartTraditions

Since I’ve been a little girl, vintage kitchen tools have always piqued my curiosity.  Besides their display-worthy aesthetic, each one seems to be associated with a well-known family tale or timeless memory. If you have been keeping up with NJAPP, you should be familiar with my love of cherries, but shockingly, NJAPP did not own a cherry pitter until just last week. As the gooses and I were about to leave my mom’s house after our weekly visit, my mom handed me her cherry pitter.  My mom explained to me how much use she gets out of this tool (she’s now in the market for an industrial strength version) when my three children devour her pitted cherries by the bunch whenever they come to visit.  My mother knew that it was time for me to upgrade my pitting technique, which consisted of slicing off perfectly symmetrical ends for the children,  after which mommy pops the remains into her mouth, sucks out the best antioxidants and then spits (in the most ladylike fashion) out the pit.  It’s difficult to explain exactly how much I cherished this “cherry pitter exchange” moment but, in short, this “Just Because” gift (1) adds to my collection of generational kitchen tools and (2) my cherry pitting efforts just got 1000% times easier!  Next time a family member asks you to take an “old” utensil off their hands, don’t miss the chance to add another family tradition or at least a family tale to your collection.

Practice What You Preach - Take 2!

I spy with my chestnut brown (hey, those of us in the non-recessive gene pool can have unique irises too!) eyes, what appears to be a hairy, porcupine-spiked, magenta-colored, ball shaped fruit that seems to have been harvested from a coral reef down under.  I walk over to its assigned area near the peppers, glance down at the price and notice that they seem to be worth their weight in Mikimoto pearls.  Choosing to look beyond the price (I mean, would I not improve my health at any cost?), I reach into the basket with an Anthony Bourdain “Parts Unknown” approach and grab a handful.  The payoff is immediate as I feel the surprisingly soft surface, pleasant to the touch, similar to corn-silk and find that those spikes are way less intimidating to the touch than they would appear.  There are two things I do the moment I arrive home: First, I Google the proper way to pronounce the name of my new purchase.  To see and hear me attempting to sound out “Rambutan” would have been a comedy show on its own.  Second, I grab my paring knife and ever so cautiously start to open up my Rambutan.  As I start cutting through the hairy outer layer, out pops a giant, opaque white oblong center that resembles a non-cultured pearl, which I guess lessens the sting of the price per pound!  I must admit that the paring process was surprisingly less involved than what I would have expected from such a complicated and intimidating looking fruit.  It is further proof that good things really do come in small packages and many are worth their weight in gold, um, pearls. Rambutans have a texture that resembles a firm peeled green grape with the only downside being the narrow pit you may find while eating it.  My newly discovered super fruit is a cross between a sweet green grape and a sweet, sour, red plum. The taste was surprisingly balanced and left my taste buds wanting to try another. Again, I am left with proving my point to my children to never judge a fruit by its cover because usually the beauty is within.

NJAPP Tip: There are many positive health benefits to these little pearl-like super fruits. 1. They help decrease unwanted fat. 2. Rambutans have a high protein content, and in return this super fruit will keep you fuller longer. 3. In case you were wondering, Rambutan is pronounced [ram-boot-n].

Save the Bees

Autumn is starting to show her colors and it's about that time to mark your calendars for apple picking, which just happens to be one of my truly favorite fall activities.  The only downside (barely) to this wonderful seasonal activity could be those buzzing bees. For all of you bee-phobics out there, I kindly urge you to resist the temptation to swat these little soldiers of pollination. Yes, I know they can be somewhat annoying (or even terrifying with those stingers) with all their buzzing and swarming when you are trying to pick your apples or eat your cider donut.  But, if you must swat, please swat with caution or at least without the intention to exterminate. Our plants need these little pollinators to perpetuate the circle of life, which is very difficult to do if the bees cease to exist!  Keep Calm and Save the Bees.  

NJAPP is more than food...

Q: Why did the bee get married?

A: Because he found his honey

NJAPP supports the local bees. Follow the buzzz to my recipe section and click on BEEautiful Fries to see what I do with bee pollen + potatoes.

Have you Kombucha’d yet?

Hipsters and yogi’s may have already followed their gut to this one, but even if I'm late to the party, the Health Ade Kombucha has suddenly dropped anchor (yes, logo pun intended) in my ocean of taste-buds. This vintage brown bottle of bubbly tea is sooo refreshing, you'll be hooked (sorry, last marine pun!) at the very first sip. The Health•Ade Kombucha Power Greens version is my favorite. This super tea is filled with some of NJAPP’s very familiar friends: wheatgrass, spirulina (an algae that I have been taking since I was in my teens.) and camu camu. If you haven't Kombucha’d yet, I strongly urge you to⚓️

Blogcation

Blogcation
bläɡ/ˈkāSH(ə)n
noun

1. Unplugging your mind from all outlets of your social media world. Taking a break from regularly updating a website or web page, taking an extended leave of absence to enjoy oneself, family, and the outdoors all while enjoying any form of recreation, especially one spent away from your home or in traveling.

verb

1. take a blogcation often

2. I will be taking a blogcation this summer

3. Taking a blogcation is a must in this saturated social media

4. To live a balanced life you must schedule a blogcation 2-3 times a year

In the form of a sentence
NJAPP is taking a blogcation, so I will see you in September! My Life-Break will be spent breathing in and out, reading my bible, sitting on my darling husband's lap, laughing with my children, getting my palette a little dirty while balancing my clean eating lifestyle. Moms set the tone in the house and I am setting one right now. See ya later...

L M N O Peeeeeeeeeeee

Let me ask you this… would you paint your Cape Cod country cottage the color of your pee? If the answer is “no” then I would highly suggest you start doing something about your H20 intake.

WARNING: any change in fluids may cause multiple trips to the powder room. Get used to it and start taking care of yourself. You are #WORTHIT

Would a 6-pack really make me happy?

Hearing people in the health and fitness world talk about fat, body fat %, visceral fat, fat covering your organs and good fats can make anyone feel overwhelmed to the point of sprinting to the nearest taco stand or to Dr. David Abramson, my personal friend and plastic surgeon. Who would have thought that at this point in my life I would finally be happy in my own skin and with my midsection? Do I have abs? Why yes I do. Do I have some fat covering them? In some places more than others, yes I do. I guess it took being on a reality show to shred all those emotion-filled fat cells to make me more confident in who I am. However, once Strong was over, my body did change slightly. I noticed I wasn't as toned in my belly area as I was for my final green screen photo shoot. My cuts and definitions weren't as pronounced as they had been, but I still weighed the same. I kept assuring myself it was ok. It was ok to not be working out for 3 hours a day and it was ok to not be so focused on my macros and calories as much. I just had to take a step back and enjoy how far I had come and simply slow down and enjoy life. I am a tad ok with it and a tad frustrated. Yes, I am not far from 40 and I still have dreams of seeing  2, 4, 6 or even 8 abs but as for now, I am just going to try to enjoy my semi-toned belly, keep on taking my morning shots of apple cider vinegar, work out, stick with pretty meal prepping, and be consistent with my diet. I truly believe that not everyone has to have those chiseled Cross-Fit abs to be happy and healthy. If you know me, you know I am a workhorse and I love #GOALS. Hard work and diet will eventually wipe away that stubborn belly/post pregnancy fat. You just need to have patience, consistency and willpower. Oh and every now and then, you are entitled to have a moment or two. Now to answer my question, “Would a 6-pack make me happy?” I will let you know when I get there.

Pro Tip:  I just started drinking this hot tea 4-6 times a week. I also added 1 cup of organic sauerkraut to my diet 4-6 times a week. Try it let me know if you notice a difference in your mood, water retention, bowel movements, appetite or even your mid-section. Shout at me!

Shopping List #1

If this product isn't in your pantry, you must go out and get it ASAP. You will have a greater appreciation for it when you use it for your homemade kale chips. Spray, season, bake and inhale. You hear me talk about spray oil in most of my recipes. Spray Canola Oil from Spectrum is the product I am referring to. Honestly, I think I use it every time I cook for myself. Reason being is that there are no calories in it, which leaves more room for food consumption. Yes, some brands are better than others. I personally have found that the Spectrum brand works the best. Please be careful and use caution. Spraying too close to an open flame can leave you looking like this… #SafetyFirstKids

Name That Tune

Lyrics by Francis Scott

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Summer

sum·mer1

ˈsəmər/

noun

1. the warmest season of the year

verb

1. spend the summer in a particular place

It may be silly but I sometimes pretend that I have been asked to be on someone's talk show. Actually, there are times I catch myself answering questions in my head, especially in present tense (Strong Cast Joke). I feel like it is completely normal, because I am just preparing myself for that one big moment when I may be on someone's talk show talking about my cookbook.  Let us just pray that it is not the couch in my pastor's office where I am being asked to talk about how I feel about my failed dreams.  Anyways ... in my dreams, Jimmy Fallon is interviewing me on his Late Night Show and he asks me to give the viewers a sneak peek into my life and how I am planning to enjoy my #SUMMER. Here is how I would answer him, but of course, it would be right after I have taken a sip from my “guest beverage mug” that is labeled Not Just a Pretty Plate…

1. A beach hat that makes me feel like Audrey Hepburn during her Derby Scene.

2. Eating on our deck as much as possible in honor of my mother-in-law.

3. Family time with no specific bedtime.

4. Children catching lightning bugs in the back yard.

5. Sand +Ocean+Barefeet = Summer Smiles Jersey Strong

Enjoy Life

I cannot believe school is coming to an end and my quiet, children-free mornings are getting shorter. I decided that today is a drive-into-Ridgewood, windows down, music turned up, grab-a-cup-of-coffee-from-one-of-my-favorite-local-coffee-shops type of day, so that is exactly what I did.

American Bulldog coffee shop is where I decided to relax my mind and enjoy this beautiful June morning. Did I feel guilty that my children were in school, that my mom is watching my youngest and that my darling husband is working very hard? NOPE-that type of guilt or negativity doesn't live here anymore.

Ladies, I challenge you to go out and enjoy that cup of coffee with a yummy side and don't look back. You are #WORTHIT

Cherries

What goes through your mind when you see a bag of freshly picked cherries at your local farmers market? Is it that annual emotion one feels when spring has officially transitioned to summer? Or is it a more practical sign of relief that an easy, on-the-go snack has presented itself to you? On top of feeling a bit of both, admittedly, I can't help but think "deep-bordeaux-natural-lip-stain" - SCORE!

Pro tip: Here is my go-to when cherries are not in season. This brand of lip stain is called Stainiac. Personally, I love it and use it on the off season for that on point “Cherry Kissed” look.

What is quenching my thirst lately?

If you know me, then you know that I am always looking for something to liven up my seltzer/water party. Over this past holiday weekend, I stumbled across this flavorsome product at my local grocery store and purchased it. This Red*Jacket product did not disappoint.

Here are 3 things I just HEART about Red*Jacket:

1. My 1st sip made me say, “Now that is an amazing fresh-off-the-press sip right there”

2. There is a visible expiration date

3. This company is local = New York

Next time, try 1 shot of your favorite Red*Jacket flavor + 1 cup of seltzer. Enjoying with a fresh fruit garnish poolside is a must.

Memorial Day

Click here to get this image & follow me on Pinterest

Me·mo·ri·al Day
noun

1. a day on which those who died in active military service are remembered, traditionally observed on May 30 but now officially observed on the last Monday in May.

On this holiday weekend, we, as a nation, should take the time to honor the sacrifices of the prior generations who have fought for our freedom. Whether it's a family member, your next door neighbor or someone you pass in the grocery store, appreciate those who have served our country in some way. It's because of them that we can celebrate our rights and privileges this weekend. Memorial Day is not just barbecues, parades and hot dogs; it is a day for remembrance of the brave, faithful, devoted souls who were and are committed to preserving the meaning of this blessed country.  I know that my family and I will forever be thankful for those who gave up their lives to fight for freedom and the truth. Make a pledge with your family to never forget the true meaning of Memorial Day. God Bless America #ONENATIONUNDERGOD

Garbage In, Garbage Out

Feces [fee-seez] 
noun, (used with a plural verb) 

1. waste matter discharged from the intestines through the anus; excrement.

Whether you are calling it Chewbacca chunks, number two, or product of Uranus, it's still poop. Everyone and everything that breathes, does it and it is completely normal.  Your “Chewbacca Chucks” will say a lot about how your diet is.  Stop lying to everyone and start looking before you flush. Clean eating in and clean eating out is the #2 way. (Click here to decipher the chart above)

Bon Voyage - Not Really

I seem to have misplaced that “handbook” that was given the moment you became a parent. Oh you know, the one that financially breaks down every childrearing decision in the form of one of those boring, financial, stock market graphs. Somehow, my darling husband and I were never given that handbook. Come to think of it, did anyone get one?

Did you know that passports are a tad pricey for a family of 5? I didn't...

1 New passport costs $80 + $25 processing fee

1 New passport for an adult is $110.00 + $25 processing fee if the adult's passport is expired.

For all those people who can do that math in their heads, I admire you. This is how I tally up that passport formula: Passports for 2 adults + 3 children=$$$=VACA cancelled.

Bright side: Seeing our hysterical passport photos led to some inspiring creative writing ideas, with lots of giggles and even tears of laughter running down some people's legs. Every story that my daughter, Elle, came up with all had a common ending: her brothers, Jacob and Jude, were accomplices to a cookie stealing crime that their incredibly #STRONG mother committed.

In the end, maybe getting a hotel room with a fancy tub is better than a vaca where passports are needed.