Weekly Wisdom

“Be in love with your life. Every last detail of it”

-jack kerouac

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Popsicles

There are certain things in this world that are a natural match made in food heaven; the pairing of peanut butter and chocolate is one of those combos in my book. There are lots of fall parties coming up as BBQ season comes to a wrap..Here is something fun around a fire, for halloween parties, football game days..whatever...how cute and fun would these be to pass out to guests?

I used all-natural peanut butter since I had it on hand, but a traditional store-bought peanut butter like Skippy or Jiffy would make a better base, as the flavor is more intense. Since these little guys are exceptionally rich, keeping these popsicles on the miniature side is key (if you don't have small popsicle molds, use tiny paper cups or shot glasses instead). The chocolate shell needs to be cool to room temperature to ensure you don't melt the popsicles while dipping. Once dipped, however, the popsicles are ready to eat; alternatively, store them in the freezer until you're ready to serve them.

Ingredients

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 tablespoons canola oil

Directions

1. Combine ingredients: Using a blender, combine the first 6 ingredients until well-blended and creamy.
2. Fill popsicle molds: If using conventional molds, divide the mixture between the molds and freeze until solid, about 5 hours. If using shot glasses or other unconventional molds such as paper cups, freeze until the pops are beginning to set, then insert the stick and freeze until solid, 4 to 5 hours.
3. Make chocolate for dipping: To create chocolate coating, microwave the chocolate chips for about 1 minute or until nearly melted. Mix in the canola oil, stir until thoroughly incorporated, and set aside until cooled.
4. Dip popsicles in chocolate: Place the chocolate coating in a shallow dish like a small ramekin and quickly dip the frozen peanut butter popsicle into the chocolate. The chocolate coating will harden nearly instantly. Serve immediately, or return popsicles to freezer until ready to serve.

Makes 8 high five inducing popsicles.

Show me the Honey

Do you add a little honey to your tea? Good move. While honey contains a few more calories per teaspoon than sugar, the former has a number of healthy advantages over the latter.  Here's why runners should enjoy the sweet stuff...

FUEL PERFORMANCEA study on cyclists found consuming 60 calories of honey (one tablespoon) with water every half hour works as well as an energy gel in improving sprinting efforts at the end of a long workout.

CONTROL BLOOD SUGAR
Studies show that using honey over regular table sugar can help steady blood-sugar levels—great news for those with prediabetes or insulin resistance.

BOOST ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS
Compared to other sweeteners, honey has higher levels of antioxidants. In one study, subjects who drank tea with buckwheat honey showed a seven percent increase in antioxidant levels compared to subjects who had tea with sugar.

CURB CHOLESTEROL
Using honey instead of sugar for two weeks can lower your "bad cholesterol" and reduce levels of C-reactive protein, a measure of inflammation in vessels.

IMPROVE G.I. HEALTHHoney contains oligosaccharides, a type of sugar that fuels the growth of immune-boosting bacteria in the gut, promoting a healthy intestinal tract.

Ways to use it you ask?

20 MINUTES: Bake energy barsMix 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons canola oil, 2 eggs, walnuts, orange zest, and 2 cups granola. Bake 15 minutes at 375° F.

15 MINUTES: Grill vegetables
Place sliced zucchini, peppers, and onions on hot grill. Brush with 2 tablespoons honey, 1/4 cup white wine, and 1 teaspoon garlic.

10 MINUTES: Fruit smoothie
Blend together 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 ripe peach, 1 cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon buckwheat honey, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and ice.

5 MINUTES: Salad dressing
Whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup honey, 1/3 cup red-wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons minced scallions, and salt and pepper.

Black on Black Everything

this basically has to happen to my fingers, ASAP.  shine-on-matte.

Think and Grow Rich

"There is no substitute for persistence! It cannot be supplanted by any other quality! Remember this in the beginning and it will hearten you when the going may seem difficult and slow.
Those who have cultivated the habit of persistence seem to enjoy insurance against failure. No matter how many times they are defeated, they finally arrive up near the top of the ladder. Sometimes it appears there is a hidden guide whose duty is to test people through all sorts of discouraging experiences. Those who pick themselves up after defeat and keep on trying arrive; and the world cries, "Bravo! I knew you could do it!" The hidden guide lets no one enjoy great achievement without passing the persistence test. Those who can't take it simply do not make the grade..
Those who can "take it" are bountifully rewarded for their persistence. They receive, as their compensation, whatever goal they are pursuing."

- Napoleon Hill, was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal success literature. His most famous work, Think and Grow Rich...

How to rock fall's little leather skirt

I am really going to be best friends with this skirt. I love this hot biatch. Fall is on the horizon and I am itching to ditch my flowy tanks and rompers for some chic fall pieces. Case in point. This bomb leather skirt. It's perfect enough to keep you warm on a chilly SoCal evening, but the cut is modern and sexy enough for all of your cocktail parties and birthday bashes. Lord knows I have a birthday to attend every week I feel like. Style this skirt with a sophisticated blouse and some must-have pointy toe heels and get out your catcher's mitt for all those compliments.

Essential #1: White versatile blouse. They have them from J.Crew to BCBG to H & M.

Essential #2: Brown leather skirt. Sophisticated cognac color in my opinion. If your feeling frisky get its black brother. Check out Urban or Anthropologie.

Essential #3: Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray.  You want to look polished but not like you're trying too hard. This breaks up that barrier and creates some sexy loose wave-age.

Essential #4: Suede pumps. Step up your shoe game for the win.  Nordstrom to Aldo..options are endless. I swear I've been finding some good stuff on piperlime.com too so feel free to start exploring.

Add some necklaces and a badass ring or a watch. This outfit rules.

How you do one thing is how you do everything

1. Do you give yourself as much love as you give to others?

2. Do you take your vitamins regularly like you check your email regularly?

 

 

3. Do you allow people to speak harshly to you in the same way you allow your ego to say mean things to yourself?

 

 

4. Do you put the same quality of clothes on your body as you do the food you put into your body?

5. Do you follow through at work with the same committment as you do your weekly workouts?

6. Do you set up healthy barriers to keep negative energy out of your space in the same way that you mindfully speak positively of others?

 

 

Question #1 asks you to consider your amount of self love. We so often put the needs of others before our own. Doing this isnt providing you the foundation you need to support other people. When you forget about fulfilling your own needs so you can please other people, you are merely standing on top of a house of cards.

 

 

#2- You need to balance it out. Any kind of good energy that goes into your body can balance out the nonstop energetic exertion that you experience every day. If you dont bring in the good chi, the stuff you put out will be mediocre at best.

 

 

#3 - Be conscious of the way you speak to yourself. You are wonderful and perfect in this moment. If you want to make changes, do it, but love yourself along the journey.

#4 - You are what you eat, how you dress is how you present yourself and they both go hand in hand. You get oil changes to your car right? Do you ever detox or cleanse your body? Press the Re-Start button and jump start your health and your wardrobe. When your healthy and you feel good, you look good.

#5 - Dont stand in your own way. The only thing stopping you from reaching the next level in your business or physical capacity is whatever excuse your using to stay comfortable and small. Stay committed and be on track. Dont let anything slow you down. YOUR the boss of you.

#6 - Be mindful of keeping positive energy in your circle. Be kind to those you encounter and speak eloquently of others. If you're putting positive energy into your space, your light is brightening all negativity and darkness.

Be exceptional. Be positive. Be thorough. Set the standard and raise the bar