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Muffins + Mat Make a Perfect Afternoon

This afternoon I was able to successfully complete the rest of my to do list!

I had two perfect bananas just screaming to be used for banana bread. But, I had other plans for this group of ingredients. IMG_0634IMG_0636

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I found this recipe online when I searched for healthy banana bread muffins. Then, by reading the comments on Roni’s site, Green Lite Bites, I saw that it is important to use a food scale when baking in order to ensure the most exact measurements. Who knew?! I used it today and it made a huge difference. I also learned how to sift flour when you don’t have a sifter. According to Epicurious.com it is best to use a whisk if you have one, in order to thoroughly mix all dry ingredients and spread air throughout the mixture.

IMG_0637 IMG_0639IMG_0640These delicious muffins turned out perfectly! They are healthier due to the whole wheat flour, applesauce, and of course some cinnamon for a little dose of health. I highly recommend this recipe to anyone who wants a healthy snack on the go. These are now packed in Ziplock bags for afternoon snacks this week to enjoy with a cup of green tea.

IMG_0644 IMG_0642 After enjoying one of these muffins, I knew it was time to stretch out my tight hamstrings with my weekly dose of yoga.

While I love Equinox’s yoga classes, their class times don’t always work with my schedule; especially on Sunday. The clubs near me only have morning or late evening classes which and the morning classes are normally packed. IMG_0645

I realized that I have a great resource in my home that I rarely use: Comcast FitTV OnDemand. It is amazing! I was able to do 3 different classes including a YogaWorks yoga class, Kim Kardashian’s ab class, and a 10 minute relaxing meditation class.

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After spending so much time inside today, Bo and I both wanted to get out of the house. We enjoyed a leisurely walk back to our house after completing a few errands in midtown. We had time to stop in Madison Square Park to enjoy the dogs and beautiful weather!IMG_0651

IMG_0658 IMG_0657 IMG_0654 IMG_0653 IMG_0652I fully intend to spend the rest of the evening on the couch enjoying the Academy Awards with Bo. Have you entered my Academy Award sized giveaway yet?

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A Recharge Weekend

This has been exactly the weekend I craved and needed. It has been productive but relaxing. So far I’ve made great progress on this weekend’s to do list:

  • 10 mile run
  • Clean
  • Cook 2 homemade meals with Bo this weekend
  • Catch up on DVR shows
  • Grocery shopping for the week
  • Use my brown bananas
  • Post my giveaway
  • Return my dress to Lord & Taylor
  • Do at least 45 minutes of yoga

Last night, Bo and I made an amazing dinner together while enjoying a new bottle of white wine one of our friends gave us. Our dinner included many of our favorite things: fish, tarragon, Brussels sprouts, and mushrooms!

Our appetizer was healthier stuffed mushrooms, which Bo first made for my Marathon Celebration party!

IMG_0624 healthy stuffed mushrooms

These were delicious!

Our entree, Roasted Grouper with Sesame Almond Crust, is actually our favorite dish at Elizabeth’s on 37th, Savannah’s highest rated restaurant which has been wowing patrons since 1981 with their Southern coastal menu.

IMG_0625 Roasted Grouper With Sesame Almond Crust (Serves 6)

  • 36 ounces black grouper fillets, each 1/2 inch thick (6 fillets)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon hot chili sauce
  • 1 cup wheat crackers, crushed (such as Weston Stoned Wheat Thins)
  • 1/2 cup asiago cheese, grated (2 oz.)
  • 1/4 cup toasted almond, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
  • 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Directions
    • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Butter a shallow baking pan.
    • In a medium bowl, combine the sesame oil, vegetable oil, lemon juice, water, beaten egg, salt, cracked pepper, and chili sauce. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a food processor, combine the wheat thins, cheese, almonds, sesame seeds, parsley, tarragon and cracked pepper and process to a crumb. Set aside.
    • Dip the fish fillets in the marinade and then in the crumbs. Place on the baking pan. Do now allow the fillets to touch each other. Combine the melted butter and olive oil and drizzle over the fish, then roast in the oven for 20 minutes until the fillets are browned and cooked through.

    We enjoyed this with roasted Brussels sprouts topped with a little asiago cheese.

    IMG_0627 Roasted Grouper with Sesame Almond Crust Roasted Grouper with Sesame Almond Crust and brussels sprouts

    This morning, we enjoyed a Sunday morning breakfast of scrambled egg whites, organic turkey bacon, toast, and coffee while reading the newspaper.

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    QUESTION: What is your favorite Sunday morning breakfast?

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    An Academy Award Sized Giveaway

    As most of you all know, tomorrow night is the biggest night of the year for Hollywood. The night is filled with gorgeous dresses, witty jokes, and lots of good looking guys in tuxedos.

    Academy Awards 2009: Best Dressed on the Red Carpet

    I’m excited for the night and have even convinced Bo to watch it with me. I am so excited for this year’s hosts, James Franco and Anne Hathaway. While their humor will probably be far different than Steve Martin, Billy Crystal, and Alex Baldwin I expect it will be very entertaining!

    If you want to watch but depend on your computer for television shows, I found out online that you can live stream the show on the Associated Press AP Live Site.

    Normally, we do our best to see as many of the Oscar films as possible before the big night but this year we’ve only seen a few: Black Swan, The Kids are Alright, Inception (Bo only), Toy Story 3, and The Social Network (me only).

    While we aren’t hosting a party this year, I received some great tips from the folks at Yoplait for a perfect Oscar Evening.

    How to Get Your Home In Oscar Shape

    • Set up a photo area in your home – it could simply be a corner of your living room – where each guest can take their own ‘red carpet’ photo.
    • ·Pick a signature cocktail for the evening for something extra special.
    • ·Play a game with your guests and vote on who you think will win each award.

    How to Make Yourself Red Carpet Ready

    How to Get Ready for a Big Event – Fashion Tips from Jeannie Mai

    Celebrity stylist, host of the Style Network’s “How Do I Look?” and Yoplait Light Two Week Tune Up spokesperson Jeannie Mai tells us how to get red-carpet ready:

    • The Dress: When picking a dress for your Oscar party, pick styles that show off your best assets. If you have great arms, show them off with a sleeveless look or try something like a wrap-dress to accentuate your curves.  An added bonus of a cocktail dress is that it can be transformed from casual to formal with a little help from accessories – so you could wear your dress to work, add accessories and hit a party.
    • Adding Glamour: You don’t have to spend a fortune to add a little flare to your outfit.  Try adding a broach, a statement necklace or fabulous earrings and colorful scarf to add some glamour to your dress.
    • Feeling Confident: Looking your best is also about feeling your best. With only a few days left before the Oscars, try a quick tune-up to give you that extra boost of confidence.
    • Shoes: Shoes are also an important part of your overall look. A pair of high heel shoes can give you added height making you look not only taller, but slimmer. Your shoes can instantly transform from casual to formal as well. Wear a classic pair of black or solid color pumps for day. Then to jazz them up for night – take a pair of pretty clip-on earrings and clip them onto the front of your shoes.  It’s a great way to add some glitz to polish off your look.

    Now comes the fun part! I have an Academy Award sized giveaway (worth over $250) for readers. It includes the following:

    • IMG_0629Yoplait Food Journal and coupons
    • MultiGrain Cheerios workout pack including a gym bag, Cheerios, water bottle, and cereal holder
    • LightLife sampler package
    • A few samples of my favorite beauty products and scents from Lanvin, Fekkai, and more
    • An at home spa set

    There are 3 ways to enter:

    • Add A Healthy, Happier Bear to your blog’s blogroll and let me know
    • Like and become friends with me at  A Healthy, Happier Bear on Facebook and let me know
    • Let me know what your favorite Oscar nominated movie was and why.

    The giveaway ends tomorrow night when the Academy Awards end!

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