Inspire Me Healthy Link-up and Recipe

I have some way better news to report this week: I lost 1.6 more pounds for a total of 3 lbs lost so far :)  I also decided that I needed an easier way to keep track of what I was eating and started doing Weight Watchers informally. I did it before my wedding briefly and had some success but this time I just downloaded an app on my iPhone to help calculate points. I'm going to do it casually myself and save the fees for the online access to go toward my fall wardrobe! The app I downloaded is MyScorePlus and it's great- you have to do a little work to enter in nutrition facts but worth it in my opinion!

So next up, I wanted to share with you guys another great recipe from this week! This one was not new for us- my husband and I have made this weekly for probably the past 2 months- not exaggerating! We absolutely love it! The recipe is from the Skinny Taste website- so many great recipes with points already calculated for you!

Zesty Lime, Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 7/8 cup • Old Points: 4 pt • Points+: 5 pt

Calories: 210.4 • Fat: 9.2 g • Protein: 25.1 g • Carb: 7.8 g • Fiber: 3.6 g • Sugar: 0.6
Sodium without salt: 260.8 mg

• 1 lb jumbo cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, chopped*
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 hass avocado, diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, diced fine
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 2 limes, juice of
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• salt and fresh pepper to taste

1. In a small bowl combine red onion, lime juice, olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper. Let them marinate at least 5 minutes to mellow the flavor of the onion

2. In a large bowl combine chopped shrimp, avocado, tomato, jalapeño. Combine all the ingredients together, add cilantro and gently toss. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

It's super easy and soo good and fresh tasting! This week, I plan on making her skinny mozzarella sticks and healthy baked chicken nuggets. I already made the beet and goat cheese salad this week which was good too! 

Have you guys made anything from the Skinny Taste website or have any other good Weight Watchers favorites? Hope you're all having a great and healthy week!

xo, Ann

Current Obsession: Cross Body Bags

I've been on the lookout for a good Cross Body bag that can be used throughout the fall and winter when I don't want to lug my giant purse around :) The gorgeous Noelle of Beautygirl 24 posted last week about the Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac which I am certainly considering...but of course I found a few other options I'm debating:

Kate Spade New York- Cobble Hill Tenley

Kate Spade New York- Gold Coast Ginnie (ON SALE!)

Rebecca Minkoff- Mini MAC in Smoke

Rebecca Minkoff- MAC in Smoke (Larger than the mini, but of course more expensive)

What do you guys think of my picks? Which would you get and do you have any other suggestions? Thanks!
xo, Ann

Matte Mani

Hi guys- I finally found a matte topcoat that wasn't sold out at Sephora! I used OPI for Sephora's Matte Top Coat and did this mani:

I used Seche Vite's base coat, 2 coats of OPI "Road House Blues", 1 coat of OPI for Sephora Matte Top Coat. I then applied Seche Vite Glossy Top Coat in dots with a toothpick. Are you guys digging the matte look? Can't wait to do more designs!
xo, Ann

 

Friday Five

Things I'm loving this week:

 

Casual arm party from this week- watch from Target!

 

 Went to an Scottish inspired pub for dinner- had whiskey neat and an Oasis coverband

 

 Tiger at Lincoln Park Zoo- always amazes me that this guy lives in the heart of Chicago

 Favorite new drink- so good! Not a fan of the other flavors but this one is amazing.

From a "Top Chef" inspired dinner at a friend's house- secret ingredient was bacon. 

This cupcake was a bacon chocolate cupcake with Nutella bacon frosting. Not on the diet and didn't care. Was soo worth it!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

xo, Ann

Inspire Me Healthy Link-up and Recipe

 Linking up over at Kristen's this week!

So I have some not-so-fun news to report...no weight loss this week. I am not surprised..had a really busy week (which is not an excuse!) and only made it to the gym one time. I also didn't eat as clean as I'd like this week which I think is definitely a product of not being prepared for lunch. So, this week I'm making it a point to pack a little lunch cooler with healthy snacks and lunch food so I am not tempted to get Chipotle again....oops.

 On a brighter note, I found an awesome and clean breakfast recipe to get the day started on the right track. It's a super delicious protein pancake and couldn't be any easier to make.

Protein Pancake

245 Calories, 36 (!) grams of protein, 21 carbs, 2 grams of fat

(Recipe adapted from Tenley Mohlzan's website and the Tone It Up Plan)

2 egg whites

1/2 banana

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder

dash cinnamon

-Crack egg whites into a bowl 

-Mash up 1/2 banana into the egg whites

-Add protein powder and cinnamon to the bowl

-Mix like crazy!

-Cook in pan like a pancake (allow to cook about 3 minutes each side)

 -Enjoy!

Here's what it looks like when it's all finished cooking:

Sometimes I add blueberries or drizzle some honey on top for sweetness but it's definitely good enough to eat plain!

I found another awesome recipe this week that I'll post later- hope you guys did better on your weight loss journeys than me this week! 

xo, Ann

Current Obsession: Polka Dot Jeans

How cute are these?? Jessica Alba has been rocking her some bright and printed jeans lately and I'm loving it! My concern is that they are maybe not that flattering on a girl of normal size and will definitely not be in style forever.

When I say I'm "obsessed" with these jeans, I mean I've been going back and forth about whether or not I should get these jeans! I think I'm going to pull the trigger today as I found a really awesome dupe of the ever-popular (and sold out!) Anthropologie pair seen here:

Here's the Target pair ($22.99!) I'm debating:

I think I actually like the gray color better and would look so cute with a plain black or white top. What do you guys think? Are you liking the trend? For $23, I don't know that I can resist!


xo, Ann

Mani Monday and Diet Update

Last week I decided on the popular Essie "Ballet Slippers" but felt like it was too boring for the tail end of summer. I layered Essie "Shine of the Times" on top of it and I liked the extra little something that it added: (excuse the sloppy paint job- did it out the door!)

Unfortunately, with the end of Summer comes temptation in the form of alcohol and junk food and I did not do so hot at the diet portion of my weekend :( But I am happy to report that I am back on the horse and plan on working out and eating right for the rest of the week! Wish me luck.. hah.

xo, Ann