tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32749317010276909472024-03-13T02:16:46.852-05:00Around My Italian TableEllahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13709851638833122200noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274931701027690947.post-7736539378140274332011-02-02T19:45:00.001-05:002011-02-03T18:17:04.627-05:00Workout Smarter - CardioFor many years, I would workout and not get the results I wanted. It was so frustrating! Then I learned how to workout smarter and get the results I desired. I want you to get the maximum fat burning power from your cardio workout. The most efficient way to burn fat is to keep your heart rate at a steady pace while doing your cardio. Invest in a heart rate monitor and workout at your Target Heart Rate.<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=aromyitatab-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000ASDGU8&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
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How to find your Target Heart Rate<br />
1. First find your Resting Heart Rate (RHR), your pulse at rest, preferably in the morning before you get up<br />
2. Determine your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR) = 220-age<br />
3. Then find your Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) = MHR - RHR<br />
<em>Now you can find your Target Heart Rate Zone.</em><br />
4. HRR x .85 + RHR = Upper end of Training Zone<br />
5. HRR x .50 + RHR = Lower end of Training Zone<br />
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Find a Heart Rate between the Upper and Lower end of your Training Zone, that you are comfortable working out at, and keep your heart rate withing 3 beats of this number...and <span style="color: red;">BURN YOUR FAT</span>!<br />
Try to workout for 30 minutes and always use the first 5 minutes to work up to your target heart rate and the last 5 minutes to cool down. Find a cardio workout you love and have fun!Ellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13709851638833122200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274931701027690947.post-46635878634503890022011-01-31T15:41:00.000-05:002011-01-31T15:46:04.708-05:00Pollo e PeperoniThe view from my bedroom window this morning <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRp4ih-ooQExO1UKlZ2ECwGxmZuuydZ_UEltQp2G8wZm71seDP_YAbWkCo6nJYfgdUB9JJoXdgl9urMssOHoP7NxTHlrn3epQ2tKuHGmClSWy6q4q3PsQurOPZaP_WGJ_JCou95nOv5Y0h/s1600/IMG_0073+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRp4ih-ooQExO1UKlZ2ECwGxmZuuydZ_UEltQp2G8wZm71seDP_YAbWkCo6nJYfgdUB9JJoXdgl9urMssOHoP7NxTHlrn3epQ2tKuHGmClSWy6q4q3PsQurOPZaP_WGJ_JCou95nOv5Y0h/s320/IMG_0073+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">These long cold winter days find me craving those one pot meals that warm you to your core...soul food... </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pollo e Peperoni (Chicken & Peppers) </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> 3 lbs. chicken breast</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> 3 peppers - 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 orange</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> 2 cloves of garlic</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> 1/2 cup white wine</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> 1 can crushed tomatoes</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> salt & pepper to taste</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Cut chicken breast and peppers into bite size pieces.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmlv58rkz3hWKDkYizGJQs_jJxSbZk3nG0a2CE9yrr7StvpXEeSP4RimH6XkvA0q3W3oeUeIBrbPnbMYCfxBQcHw6Yt5FKafheS2sdvTIY6X3D0hebSzoBqslYG0pa4gdgH7eA_3fzWOJ/s1600/IMG_1969+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmlv58rkz3hWKDkYizGJQs_jJxSbZk3nG0a2CE9yrr7StvpXEeSP4RimH6XkvA0q3W3oeUeIBrbPnbMYCfxBQcHw6Yt5FKafheS2sdvTIY6X3D0hebSzoBqslYG0pa4gdgH7eA_3fzWOJ/s200/IMG_1969+b.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlQfcJrRkd6kk2skpZ7Lsl1BGp0umpqLO_m1Kx9ERKIcoQZTrfR6xZCN0G2H0y8ffqpL7itTRifcuKGhkGG-pvSvvOciLPqyZL7Wk8__utqvPf43csmAbDk8qCM9gsNi7nXCMmQRVj1f3/s1600/IMG_1968+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlQfcJrRkd6kk2skpZ7Lsl1BGp0umpqLO_m1Kx9ERKIcoQZTrfR6xZCN0G2H0y8ffqpL7itTRifcuKGhkGG-pvSvvOciLPqyZL7Wk8__utqvPf43csmAbDk8qCM9gsNi7nXCMmQRVj1f3/s200/IMG_1968+b.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Heat oil in a large pan, add garlic and saute until golden, 3-4 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Add chicken, sear, add salt and pepper.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Add white wine, cook over med-high heat until wine evaporates.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Add tomatoes and peppers.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Cook covered for 25 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Then uncovered for an additional 10 minutes. Salt & peppper to taste.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fBQRSBPJ4oe1XwCNX7fqBEhX_2EBsJ5wiRo2MT8nALKlT9gJ15hE993eF31WKF-Op0KVJn-W6vLZL3bdLKybRCQ-x4tMgFdfjduukhmjP8Y6NE9sxv4w54fF_urE5qxEVejl0ilCeDts/s1600/IMG_1970+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fBQRSBPJ4oe1XwCNX7fqBEhX_2EBsJ5wiRo2MT8nALKlT9gJ15hE993eF31WKF-Op0KVJn-W6vLZL3bdLKybRCQ-x4tMgFdfjduukhmjP8Y6NE9sxv4w54fF_urE5qxEVejl0ilCeDts/s320/IMG_1970+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Henckels-International-Classic-5-Quart-Saute/dp/B0006GCEM0?ie=UTF8&tag=aromyitatab-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">J.A. Henckels International Classic Clad 5-Quart Saute Pan with Lid</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=aromyitatab-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0006GCEM0" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=aromyitatab-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0006GCEM0" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I served the chicken & peppers with brown rice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJXtJkC62kKRBJfEmqCIB05jvWbzTZjIuvaDpC5VnCqHrp9PyZ1z__78DJpsexJRFjwCo6ukHz6T_FvTR6GWuYNkM_SFHEpuaNnYeezDSqoUak8rDofK5zJ8zXHX8q3cZYpkxwwFeIf3E/s1600/IMG_0007+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJXtJkC62kKRBJfEmqCIB05jvWbzTZjIuvaDpC5VnCqHrp9PyZ1z__78DJpsexJRFjwCo6ukHz6T_FvTR6GWuYNkM_SFHEpuaNnYeezDSqoUak8rDofK5zJ8zXHX8q3cZYpkxwwFeIf3E/s320/IMG_0007+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was delicious. Enjoy!<br />
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<span></span><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=aromyitatab-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0006GCEM0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span><br />
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I love, love, love this saute pan. It is my absolute favorite pan, the perfect size for whatever I am cooking. Everything I cook in it, cooks to perfection. It was well worth the investment.Ellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13709851638833122200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274931701027690947.post-53722157294725045462011-01-27T23:01:00.000-05:002011-01-27T23:25:01.185-05:00A Winter WonderlandI have been told that patience is a virtue, so it seems those of us in New York are going to become quite virtuous this winter. Yesterday we had the 7th snowstorm of the season, and apparently it had two-parts. It snowed until the afternoon, then in the evening we had thunder and lightening, then freezing rain, and then it snowed...and snowed...all night.<br />
And 18 inches later...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGg9tUw1zLkWIPffemodf3po2ebpQ_1jWTbz_ARaAAu7mscE-NzMhSpW_elUTFn9BypONul4_puEESdCkLsvwg4nZPxLiL7Lj8lfZhMMVM3Uc_wNbrYbn1LrqZaT1YwnxQ1itJ3WEHEy9/s1600/IMG_0010+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGg9tUw1zLkWIPffemodf3po2ebpQ_1jWTbz_ARaAAu7mscE-NzMhSpW_elUTFn9BypONul4_puEESdCkLsvwg4nZPxLiL7Lj8lfZhMMVM3Uc_wNbrYbn1LrqZaT1YwnxQ1itJ3WEHEy9/s400/IMG_0010+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pmPh5Jq5qSmHgvPFuT7zYqt0M4IRRWs2owWO9W3S851EuE9gsfmyR3Ho2_3aIETNzZHT9Agok3nH8JPYWXElZDLrfrRREc_0o78m-qfAraXjxY5s4Y1Uaz6MFti5wbh6ESFBxYBZhGkk/s1600/IMG_0009+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pmPh5Jq5qSmHgvPFuT7zYqt0M4IRRWs2owWO9W3S851EuE9gsfmyR3Ho2_3aIETNzZHT9Agok3nH8JPYWXElZDLrfrRREc_0o78m-qfAraXjxY5s4Y1Uaz6MFti5wbh6ESFBxYBZhGkk/s400/IMG_0009+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwYrqBP4_qvqiccb2wnLmKMxsMBszKyPe_FSdjXAexFBeixIPyWt9uXwk0XSYP4pxNYQXcp7s0i3WOhWYNOIo0Fv3DRLI80HKvecURfsFgNHNzkxWSfTA_OdI9_9Nw5muro-ji8fObjEh/s1600/IMG_0016+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwYrqBP4_qvqiccb2wnLmKMxsMBszKyPe_FSdjXAexFBeixIPyWt9uXwk0XSYP4pxNYQXcp7s0i3WOhWYNOIo0Fv3DRLI80HKvecURfsFgNHNzkxWSfTA_OdI9_9Nw5muro-ji8fObjEh/s400/IMG_0016+b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My house is in there...somewhere...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpJqFi9Qw6pLMGIyC3SaHlirEbgvooc6gKjEKgSwnVyRuDetlYIRdDSv_ph-JgYhNje09vfxt6sKb9t3YjH8ShUNNt-exij2aCprtzUZQ0erGclwtYKPNXio6Kaoszqs_wJigwEdIMoh3/s1600/IMG_0042+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpJqFi9Qw6pLMGIyC3SaHlirEbgvooc6gKjEKgSwnVyRuDetlYIRdDSv_ph-JgYhNje09vfxt6sKb9t3YjH8ShUNNt-exij2aCprtzUZQ0erGclwtYKPNXio6Kaoszqs_wJigwEdIMoh3/s400/IMG_0042+b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But oh how beautiful it is...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R9p4wP0bUFl7cYeBDI152P0be-8b38EHt-BR9OFqx6AZg8nMOhZDhwc75Krxa2vHhz7D8Z2FDc1pI9DW4LWn7hEMTK0rKgJ50Q-eIH7wKtRbForXSzSp1DXlgii6Yg0lq2n8V-_kMyBN/s1600/IMG_0038+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R9p4wP0bUFl7cYeBDI152P0be-8b38EHt-BR9OFqx6AZg8nMOhZDhwc75Krxa2vHhz7D8Z2FDc1pI9DW4LWn7hEMTK0rKgJ50Q-eIH7wKtRbForXSzSp1DXlgii6Yg0lq2n8V-_kMyBN/s400/IMG_0038+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_KohWnN7ELxtvTKRIcLBI-_U919K6yHy99IpNCjLblLZcmnvXFegycfnrkUhEcUU0MkBg7HGLnPCd-c1ZWpBZsO0iw7GUK2XHOQtR7qvklcTxvEYn21zA7BDBUF6-1i2rA9MtH64VnIg/s1600/IMG_0033+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_KohWnN7ELxtvTKRIcLBI-_U919K6yHy99IpNCjLblLZcmnvXFegycfnrkUhEcUU0MkBg7HGLnPCd-c1ZWpBZsO0iw7GUK2XHOQtR7qvklcTxvEYn21zA7BDBUF6-1i2rA9MtH64VnIg/s400/IMG_0033+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And in the city, Madison Square Park is truly a winter wonderland!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcYhVKhm-AHQX0RQnkQKvIK6dCt_my6QJMaK1K9_17FfwUkwMMhUTROPy3gxYHUTbz5EB6xidBd4jhvj9H2EvwjKbZuBsm01OfoD8da73hGXueFI2r8TS1Ceo_YKZEfvggzdPB83g9dFm/s1600/IMG_0065+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcYhVKhm-AHQX0RQnkQKvIK6dCt_my6QJMaK1K9_17FfwUkwMMhUTROPy3gxYHUTbz5EB6xidBd4jhvj9H2EvwjKbZuBsm01OfoD8da73hGXueFI2r8TS1Ceo_YKZEfvggzdPB83g9dFm/s400/IMG_0065+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...time for a cup of hot cocoa!</div>Ellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13709851638833122200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274931701027690947.post-69186868086356479122011-01-26T18:42:00.000-05:002011-01-27T23:26:23.699-05:00Hot ChocolateThis morning I awoke to a winter wonderland...again...our 7th in a month.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi3K3ycDoOFgtdKyM_EVdCa0L962FBU5jvxpWAq84Q_quU6N38Ux3hAyMitohQyxw1lcZgtW4MpnIluVv688fQ399ZB6hNfIQXvbP3-V4-mm7M9LvSWh2VyRuqa8HTJcxe-PPrHlYU7QH/s1600/IMG_2019+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi3K3ycDoOFgtdKyM_EVdCa0L962FBU5jvxpWAq84Q_quU6N38Ux3hAyMitohQyxw1lcZgtW4MpnIluVv688fQ399ZB6hNfIQXvbP3-V4-mm7M9LvSWh2VyRuqa8HTJcxe-PPrHlYU7QH/s400/IMG_2019+B.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fresh fallen snow is breathtaking...a perfect day to indulge in a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They say wine is the elixir of the gods...but I believe it has to be chocolate. Chocolate is high in antioxidants and releases endorphins, the happy hormone. Can anything be better that that???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am a bonafide chocoholic, basically if it's not chocolate, I don't want to waste my calories. I have tried many recipes in my quest for the perfect hot chocolate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thus far, this is my favorite recipe: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 1 cup whole milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 1 tablespoon sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 3 tablespoons Ghirardelli natural unsweetened cocoa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Heat milk in a small pot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> As the milk warms, whisk in cocoa & sugar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Whisk until well blended and hot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Serve with a marshmallow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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When I was a child there was a commercial for Calgon bath soaps, it's slogan was "Lose yourself in luxury. Let Calgon take you away." ...(okay, now I have really dated myself.) I cannot think of anything more luxurious on a cold winter day than a cup of hot chocolate - and for a moment I am taken away, cherishing all that is good in my life, including the fresh fallen snow. Enjoy!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=aromyitatab-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0005Z83E0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>Ellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13709851638833122200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274931701027690947.post-83995277654850820792011-01-22T21:32:00.000-05:002011-01-23T12:37:18.057-05:00Put YOU on Your To-Do ListI grew up in a family where food = love. One of my mother's greatest joys is having her family around the table - eating. The legacy of her love is my battle with my weight. At 14, I lost 40 lbs and kept it off for 6 years and then it slowly found its way home to my hips, thighs...well you get the picture. And there I was with another 40 lbs. to lose. How did I let this happen again??? It was then I decided I was never going to let this happen again. Thus began my lifelong passion for health and fitness. I tried countless diets and every new exercise fad. I bought every exercise DVD that piqued my interest. And then it dawned on me, I could learn to do this and do it the right way. I went back to school and became a certified personal trainer.<br />
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The most important lesson I learned is to make time for yourself, put you on your to-do list. You cannot underestimate the value of a cardiovascular workout. Everyone knows how important a cardio workout is for weight loss, but more importantly it is training the most important muscle in your body - your heart. By making your heart stronger, it does not have to work as hard to pump blood. Cardio is a stress-reducer. It lowers your blood pressure, cholesterol, and reduces the risk of diabetes. It helps you sleep better and feel better.<br />
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Choose any form of cardio that you enjoy and can see yourself doing 3 times a week for 30 minutes. The most important thing to remember is to challenge yourself, work hard. If you can carry on a conversation, you are not working hard enough; you need to increase your intensity. You should feel like you can talk but do not want to, and slightly breathless. I run on an elliptical trainer - that's where I feel the most comfortable. <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=aromyitatab-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003UNVU1M&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
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I use this trainer, but you can do anything that gets your heart rate elevated. Take a spin class, dance, learn Zumba, go for a brisk walk - just move. Put on your favorite music and rock it out.Ellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13709851638833122200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274931701027690947.post-89799072092354112442011-01-17T16:48:00.000-05:002011-01-22T21:37:15.082-05:00Pizza alle ZucchineEvery time I would visit family in Italy, I would marvel at how delicious everything tasted. Whether I was eating pasta alla chittara at Terrazzo Verde in Pescara or a panino at an Autostop on the autostrada, the flavors exploded in my mouth. I wanted to eat this way at home...what was the secret to Italian cooking??? So 3 years ago, I purchased 3 cookbooks in Italy, hoping to come home and recreate those incredible meals. Thus far, I have made 5 or 6 recipes. Since my goal this year is to live bigger and better, I hope to cook 1 new recipe each week.<br />
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Appropriately, my first recipe is pizza. Now, I have made pizza before but it is always the traditional pizza margherita - tomato sauce and mozzarella. So today I made Pizza alle Zucchine ( Pizza with Zucchini ).<br />
It was light and delicious!<br />
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Pizza alle Zucchine Recipe<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBdTA0ak7-7yXb2F3RSuNPLiN61Ap3AArQBL3xP6jr6T7OMP5B-VrlL0LxzaJUF-ylzI2d9d5pl1X1vZ4KSej7YRjkOqp38jCxKVEphM63gpofEzks-PoDwhyLm5aPURdzsdFHJcTrRRB/s1600/IMG_1908B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBdTA0ak7-7yXb2F3RSuNPLiN61Ap3AArQBL3xP6jr6T7OMP5B-VrlL0LxzaJUF-ylzI2d9d5pl1X1vZ4KSej7YRjkOqp38jCxKVEphM63gpofEzks-PoDwhyLm5aPURdzsdFHJcTrRRB/s320/IMG_1908B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Pizza Dough (recipe below)<br />
1 lb. zucchini, sliced thin<br />
1 red onion, sliced thin<br />
1 pint ricotta<br />
6 anchovy filets<br />
extra virgin olive oil<br />
salt & pepper to taste<br />
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1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees<br />
2. Saute sliced red onion in olive oil until carmelized<br />
3. Saute zucchini in olive oil til tender-crisp<br />
4. Roll out dough and place in pizza pan<br />
5. Cover dough with ricotta<br />
6. Then onions, zucchini & anchovies<br />
7. Drizzle with olive oil<br />
8. Cook at 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until dough is cooked and slightly crisp<br />
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Pizza Dough<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVVgpIhbab7Fb04BTbSKxZinOEbDTt7X8-865y1y-vkRfYjS_gss0sL0kxqPeIAk0iIp5xPAyiYGhZQXtC0J0ZWk0uRXwWVAg2VA2xlkPaJ-kWgabyTuBgmj2WGISDNGIox91Pz5KvSWX/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVVgpIhbab7Fb04BTbSKxZinOEbDTt7X8-865y1y-vkRfYjS_gss0sL0kxqPeIAk0iIp5xPAyiYGhZQXtC0J0ZWk0uRXwWVAg2VA2xlkPaJ-kWgabyTuBgmj2WGISDNGIox91Pz5KvSWX/s320/IMG_1891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>3 cups flour<br />
1 envelope yeast<br />
1 tsp. salt<br />
1 1/2 tbs. oil<br />
1 cup water<br />
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1. Heat water to 110 to 115 degrees - add yeast - until it foams<br />
2. Mix flour, salt, oil and water with yeast<br />
3. Knead<br />
4. Let rise in a bowl until double in size<br />
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You can cook the pizza in a pizza pan or on a pizza stone. I have the Williams-Sonoma Pizza Stone and love it! When I cook the pizza in a pan ( as I did today ) I coat the bottom of the pan with olive oil - it makes the pie crust crispier and gives it a little extra flavor.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZhmCX4JbBisjOTmlartxP4lqW8O3Rc1eKs2UUlsuxgDTGImeIlLc7EX9Q0RfzdJQyrkRVYeIu84sjNTDaEVZdsXkxhI-DBZvWmW7W9N1EuezAtvg4wb9ZY9-Pc9-uIODnXfYzpoEGoPH/s1600/IMG_1911B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZhmCX4JbBisjOTmlartxP4lqW8O3Rc1eKs2UUlsuxgDTGImeIlLc7EX9Q0RfzdJQyrkRVYeIu84sjNTDaEVZdsXkxhI-DBZvWmW7W9N1EuezAtvg4wb9ZY9-Pc9-uIODnXfYzpoEGoPH/s320/IMG_1911B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! <span></span><br />
<span></span>Ellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13709851638833122200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274931701027690947.post-35314510891573231492011-01-11T22:50:00.000-05:002011-01-11T22:50:20.732-05:00New Beginnings<span style="color: black;">Every journey begins with one...one thought...one smile...one step. So I begin this blog on a day that has an abundance of ones...1/11/11...to begin this new journey. In my Italian family we come together around our table to share our lives and of course our love of food. We share terrific new recipes and treasured old ones, a great new restaurant or a fabulous vacation, a new diet or exercise plan...all that we savor in life. Most of all we share our hopes and dreams and now I hope to share all these with you. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My hope for this year is that I want to be inspired everyday to love better and live bigger!</span>Ellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13709851638833122200noreply@blogger.com0