An Awesome weekend on $50.00 in Houston!

Yes, you can--and I will show you! Houston has SO much to do, you can most certainly have a great weekend, for TWO, for $50.00! I've done it before-- actually had a bet with my husband a while ago and we did it! Here's how-- a little bit of this, a dash of that, and wholia you have a whole fun-filled weekend in Houston on the cheap! Now yes, this is not your spa-indulgent weekend, but if you are like me, love the outdoors, good food, adventure, and good company, then you will love these! 

$50.00 for the entire weekend. For me, "the weekend" consists of 6 meals (2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinners)- for two, and two full days. That's $25.00 per day, or per person. I too often hear complaints that there is nothing to do here....so quit yo whining and listen up! Houston is what, the 4th largest city in the US? There is MORE THAN ENOUGH to do! Even when you take Galveston out of the picture! So here it is:

SATURDAY

9:00am Head on over to Terry Hershey Park & get a good run in! 
Not a runner? Bike, walk your dog, or just sit on the bench a read a good book! Play a game on your iPhone, walk with your significant other-- just get some sort of excercise in! There is also memorial park, but i prefer the woods and more natural habitats when I run!

10:30am Farmers Market & Picnic
Head on over to Canino's Market for some fresh lunch goodies! I picked up the following for our lunch:
-2 peaches ($.40 cents each)
-french bread loaf ($1.09)
-Chicken Smoked Spicy Sausage ($2.62)
-Freshly sliced brie cheese ($3.21)
-2 chocolate chip cookies (not from Canino's, but i picked them up at Central Market otw home- $.75 each)
TOTAL= $9.96 after tax

Picnic at the Houston Water wall
After i put our picnic basket together (chopped up the sausage and brought toothpicks to dip in BBQ sauce i had at home, silverware for spreading the brie, sliced the french bread, and napkins, and filled up a big jug with ice water and two cups!)

This place is gorgeous! It really is relaxing eating and picnicing in front of it! There is so much to watch too (*clearing throat* um, well, people watching....ya....i like to stare). Im pretty sure this was the first place I saw a parent have their child on one of those leashes...yes LEASHES...awkward..... ANYWHO

My hubby and i love games so we took some cards and board games and our little baby girl  Lucy as well and it was a blast! This took about 2 hours after eating and hanging out!

2:30pm Trip to the Houston Zoo

NOW, admission for adults is normally $12-$14, but I have free yearly membership since I am a Flock Member. HOWEVER, there are so many coupons and ways to get free or discounted admission it's ridiculous! Http://www.citypass.com has 50% off coupons and http://www.visithoustontexas.com has $5.00 off as well. 

I LOVE me some animals at the Houston zoo! Especially going in the spring, a lot more of them are out frolicking around and playing because the weather is a little bit cooler! **NOTE FOR A BONUS PERK: we may or may not have taken a small flask filled with what we like to call "goodness." Ladies and gentleman, do not judge me! Just because my purse is the size of luggage and I may lightly toast myself to some great jungle-viewing, thou shall not judge! =) 

6:30pm Dinner at Collinas or Lola's (both BYOB)

Both of these restaurants are cheap and good! AND, its BYOB! We bought a $4.64 bottle of Yellowtail Chardonnay and it was so fun!

 




We shared an order of the Pepperoni Pizza (12.99 + tax and tip = $16.13) No corking fee!

8:00pm Miller Outdoor Theater
All of their theater productions, shows, and plays are FREE! Best part of about it! And you can bring chairs, blankets, food, wine! Visit their website for show times, dates, and what will be playing. We didn't actually go, but I wanted to. After Scott ate 3/4 of the pizza, he wanted to go home and nap.....like any man =) But this would have been a perfect end to the night!


TOTAL SPENT= $30.73

SUNDAY

9:30am Breakfast at Home
I made one of my hubby's favorite- banana chocolate (i added the chocolate, duh) oatmeal pancakes with a side of fresh fruit. I had everything already in the fridge, so just make whatever you have at home! You can make waffles, pancakes, biscuits, quiche, and even scones with a box of bisquick. All the extras- bananas, fruit, chocolate, filling, syrups- are bonuses! Bisquick= ($2.89)

11:00am Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah Boardwalk can be so much fun! Check out their Stingray Reef, where you can put & handle their stingrays!! So exciting! ($4.95 per person) And they have a HUGE roller coaster for $6.00 per person---> but we did not ride it because  my hubby has the my-stomach-doesnt-enjoy-rollercoasters-type... but I would totally love to do that one day!!

2:00pm Drink & Appetizer at Landry's Seafood Patio Grill
Continue your adventure outdoors by grabbing a cold beer ($3.00 ea) and fried zucchini ($6.99) on the patio! This was most certainly relaxing & fun! OR...grab two beers each =)


At around 4pm, we drove back to Houston and I cooked another homemade meal (spaghetti & turkey meatballs!)

TOTAL SPENT= $25.78

TOTAL WEEKEND EXPENDITURE= $56.57

Ok, so i went over by $6.57...but technically i included in the bisquick (which i already had) and the bottle of wine for saturday night, which i had as well ($4.99) to make it fair! So it is totally do-able!!

Try it out one day! You will be so surprised at what you can do when you put your mind to sticking to a budget!! Happy Hunting! =)

Costa Rica: Lotta bang for your buck!

COSTA RICA!

I had to share this, because I think it is SUCH a good deal and a great company! I booked a last minute trip to Costa week this week with my husband and another couple. I have been "monitoring" the pricing over the months within the last year or so and it is expensive! Costa Rica has a "high and low" travel season, but because of the weather and rich abundance of life, it never really slows down like other places.

 I stumbled upon Costa Rica Vacations and read an enormous amount of raving reviews, blogs, rating, etc about this travel company. So i decided to submit my info, possible dates, locations, etc and see what kind of pricing they could get me. I was astounded!! I am fairly anti-travel agent, simply bc i can (and enjoy!) doing the same leg work they do, without being pressured to go to one hotel or another. On the up side, however, they always point you to safe places.

 So, a few hours later, I recieve an email quote for 5 nights, with 3 tours (!!), all PRIVATE transpotation between cities (i wanted to do at least two locations), and VIP pick up/expedited service to and from the airport for....get this....$565.00pp for EVERYTHING except air! Yes, the airfare was more expensive than anything else...but wait...you can pay in installments! Because we were a little over 60 days out of our travel date, we didn't do that, but you can!

SO, long story short-- super excited! We are going to stay 2 nights at Monteverde Cloud Forest and do a night jungle tour, a whitewater rafting tour, and a canopy/zipline adventure through the forest!! Whoo hoo! Second location is BEACH! Tamarindo Dira Becah Resort, Spa & Casino! There we are going to scuba dive (it says very likely to see giant turtles, manta rays, sharks, and eels! eek!), possibly a boat tour of the estuary, and play on the beach!

 Super excited!

Want to take a trip? Plan it, reserve it, pay in installments if you need to! =)

Our travel agent was Anastasia McCullough, and she has been nothing short of superb!! Gave us great help on best time to go, cheapest airfire schedules, locations, activities, safety, weather, even what to pack!! (which jungle packing is very different!)

 Photo of our resort- Tamarindo Dira Hotel Resort & Spa

 Site of Catalina Island, Costa Rica, scuba diving site!

Easter Rice Krispy Treats!

Easter Tri-colored Rice Krispy Treats!

mmmmmmmmmm they are so good! Not by any means low calorie, as I have yet to see "sugar free marshmallows" (i doubt that can ever happen considering they are um, well, MADE of sugar!!!). But, none the less, they are scrumptious and best of all EASY!

Here is finished product! I wished i had added more blue so it didn't look sort of grey- but still pretty!!



You will need:
-2 bags large marshmallows
-2 boxes rice krispy cereal (i used generic...$1.09 per box baby! haha)
-1 stick margarine or any low cal butter substitue
-food coloring (i had pastel colors)




1. Melt 1/3 of marshmallows in microwave safe bowl w 1 1/2 tbs butter

 

2. Add food coloring of your choice
*hint: the faster you stir, the easier it is to maneuver the treats into baking dish. Once it starts to harden and get sticky, it gets really tricky!*




3. Quickly stir in 4-5 cups of krispy cereal (depending on how thick you want your treat-- i wanted mine really thick so i used 5 cups!)

4. Layer the treats in bottom of sprayed pan/dish/casserole dish
5. Add any candies or other goodies on top (i added easter M&Ms)
6. Repeat with varying colors
7. Freeze for 1-3 hours
8. Enjoy!!!

Low Calorie Dessert Wontons!

I had several people ask me for this recipe, so I decided to post this. I make these randomly, and there are so many different variations you can do! The best part is that they are VERY low calorie as long as you don't overdo the toppings =)

These bad boys have approx 60 calories each- 120 calories for two Heavenly filled wonton cups.

Here's the recipe:
-Wonton Wrappers (found at any local grocery-->get the square ones, not rectangle)
-Fruits of your choice (this example is banay-nays)
-Fat free whip, ice cream, syrup, or any other LOW CALORIE topping of your choice (the key is serving size- dont use more than 1 tbs of whatever you choose!)

-mini chocolate chips
-mini muffin pan





1. Heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Spray pan & press wonton wrappers into mini muffin tins until they are folded into a nice outer shell
3. Lightly spray lined wontons
4. Bake 3-4 minutes or so until just crisp
5. Add 6-8 mini chocolate chips, layer with fruit, 6-8 more chocolate chips,and then fruit
6. Bake another 2 minutes until chocolate is gooey
7. Top with whip or any topping
8. ENJOY!

I think these are sooo good! Easy & quick too! I've also made a S'more version-- little more calories (about 90 per serving) but still just as great! Graham cracker crumbs, marshmallows, chocolate....mmmmmmmmm i love smores! If i ever got to open a bakery I would name it "S'MOORE" (for those that know me, "moore" was my maiden name, so it would work PERFECTLY!)

 

ENJOY your chocolatey yum yum goodness!

10% off Squeezed Detox Juices!

I love JUICE!!!

Some of my favorite things include fresh fruits & veggies. Whats easier than eating them-DRINKING THEM!! I ordered some of these bad boys last week and they come all nice and pretty with your name, what flavor/type it is, and right to your doorstep bright and early (when i say bright and early, im pretty sure they are there before 6am- i wake up at 7:30 and they are already there just waiting for me to pop tops!)
These are the ones I ordered-- one large Almond milk that I wanted to try- and a bunch of snack sized for my mid-morning/mid-afternoon snack.

Want to try? 10% off! Use coupon code: BLOGGER



My favorite will and always has been the greed goddess (its not really called that, sorry squeezed, but it is what I call it!) I also love the beet flavored one (red)-- i know, i know. Beets? most people think yuck. But i swear to you it does not taste like beets!! =)

The natural sugars from the fruits make it sweeter than you think. And the two orange and yellow ones below are flavors of their "sweeter squeezed," or more simply put, just fruits.

They also carry an array of infused waters which are fantastic! Love having one of those bad boys after a long run. It always reminds me how i keep wanting to infuse my own vodka....hmmm...maybe a project this weekend?!

You can do a full detox progam, which i've done, or you can just order seperately to try them! Either way i think they are all great- just depends how much u like fruits/veggies before you try them. If you keep an open mind, you will love the natural effects/benefits they give you! So much energy. AND...............(no, i do not know this to be a FACT) but, they are great for a hangover =) Especially the veggie ones. I have read a plethora of times that veggie juice can help ease hangovers-- the hydrating effects combined with the B & C vitimins are known to help replinish lost nutrients on a "i-didnt-mean-to-drink-that-much" pre-night binge  =) and no, i dont know what you're talking about....

Anyways, give them a try! They will also be at the 5K race april 6th at Memorial Park passing out some freebie samples to try too!

How to make the Perfect Home Cappuccino!

The perfect at-home-coffee is a MUST for me! I am OBSESSED with coffee...would not be able to get through the day without it! Now, am I a starbucks lover? Oh yes, but-- believe it or not there are only a handful of coffees by starbucks that do not contain less than 150 calories (unless you just get a basic coffee of course, but who pays $6 for that at Starbucks?) Now- there are a few simple tricks you can ask for when ordering from there to make sure you are lowering the calorie count--- one of them is the sugar syrup flavor! They usually have anywhere between 3-6 sugar free flavors at any given point in time, but you have to ASK for sugar free. Otherwise, any of their flavored drinks use 3 pumps (for a 12oz) which automatically adds 60 calories. Add in mocha, whole milk (which is again what they use unless you ask for fat free), whip cream, carmel, toppings, etc and you are usually well above 300 calories! I don't know about you, but I'd rather eat my calories than drink them! 

SO...how to make your perfect FREE starbucks coffee at home?

You will need:

-Coffee

-Coffee maker (I use a Keurig)

-Milk Frother (you can get these cheap- mine is also a Keurig i got at Target for $25.00)

-Fat Free Milk

-Sugar Free Flavored Syrup

-Homemade Whip Cream (optional)

-Sugar Free or Fat Free Carmel Sauce (optional)

-Sweet n Low or other sugar substitute

Here ya go!

1. Brew your coffee

2. Froth your milk using the frother **NOTE** Trick for GREAT flavor is adding 1 tbs of 

sugar free syrup to the MILK before it froths...not after!

3. I use fat free milk & sweet n low

4, This is sugar free carmel from HEB- i also have it in vanilla. You can actually buy

Starbucks sugar free flavors as well- i buy their pumpkin & peppermint during the holidays-YUM!

5. My coffee selection

6. Add sweet n low to coffee, top with frothed milk, add 1 tbs of home made or fat free whip

top with Carmel sauce-- and whoila! Goodness straight in your mouth! =)

The OTHER part of my breakfast was inspiried by Ree Drummond's Egg Baskets. I did mine a little differently, but they are so easy and yummy! Each "basket" only has 140-150 calories!

Boil some potatoes- i used small red potatoes (make sure u peel them before) so they cooked faster. You can boil them up to a day or two in advance-!

1. Spray muffin pan to coat

2. Shred potatoes into fine ribbons using a potato shredder (in my case, cheese shredder!)

3. Add pepper (or salt, IF YOU MUST! i know i know) and i diced some fresh cilantro and oregano from my herb garden, and mix these three together

4. Form "nests" in muffin pan with the potatoes, leaving hole in the middle (but make sure bottom is lined w potatoes)

5. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or until edges are brown & crisp

6. Break a whole egg into each

7. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until egg is at desired doneness 

8. Pull out and top with desired toppings- i used fresh salsa & hot sauce!

Other great toppings would be avocado, tomato, bacon pieces, even ham!

and ENJOY! 

Breakfast Bruschetta!

This morning after the hubby and I worked out I made us some breakfast bruschetta! This is my twist on the classic bruschetta! I'm sure something very similar has been done =)

Fresh toasted French bread is layered with low calorie blue cheese spread, sliced grape tomatoes, sautéed spinach, center cut bacon, and of course a good ol big sunny side up egg!!! YUM

Sunny side up can be difficult to make pretty, so I purchased a pan specifically for this-- see photo!

I also use my handy dandy bacon cooker in the microwave which I LOVE because there is not much clean up, nothing splatters anywhere, and it automatically drips all the grease off. Again, see photo- these can be purchased at bed bath & beyond!!

Final product was delicious and nutritious! I believe each total piece had about 110 calories (omit the yolk and it drops by 40)!

HINT: I don't use butter--- I cook only with light oilve oil!!

Enjoy!

Juice Master!

Brand new from my favorite Juicing team-- ALMOND MILK! Order here!

I am definately ordering some of this today! I have had all of Squeezed's juices, and they are all fantastic! They use completly fresh fruits & veggies. I have done their four day detox, and I have also ordered a bunch of just random flavors/bottles. Their infused waters are to die for too! Especially love the orange one! Never detoxed? Give it a try-- it completly refreshes, cleanses, and renews your body's metabolism, giving you energy and a great healthy feeling. I get mine delivered on Sundays and start them bright and early Monday morning! =)

If you'd like to try them, use the coupon code: Blogger
at checkout for an additional 10% off. He delivers to your house bright and early sunday, and NO- you don't have to answer the door (my favorite part)! He leaves them chilled and wrapped in a cute little cooler bag on your doorstep or whever you ask him to. My favorite flavors are Super Squeezed 1, 3, and 14. They have mini bottles too i like to use for snacks during the day if you aren't into doing a full on detox!

I'll let ya know how the Almond Milk is on Sunday! =)




Weekly Grocery Bag!

I make a weekly list of my menus, what im going to cook/eat, so I know exactly what I am getting at the store! I HATE going to the grocery store without a list, as i get sidetracked and end up with way more than i needed! Its my #1 rule no-no, is going to the store without a list! Few simple rules:

1. 80% or more of your groceries should come from the outer walls of the store (produce, veggies, meat, and dairy) for healthiest options! Inner isles are crammed with sodium, fatty goods, packaged & processed foods! (my 20% of inner isles will come from frozen fruits & veggies, the baking isle b/c i bake like every month has a holiday, and of course, the WINE isle!!!)
2. STICK TO YOUR LIST. If it's not on the list, you don't need it!
3. Shop from the back for meats, produce, and veggies- stores will put the older stuff to the front so they can get rid of it. Ask for the meat buried under the ones on the top, grab the pack of mushrooms in the back, and dangit do NOT take the celery on the top! It will be soggy in 2 days- gar-wan-teeeed!

Other than that, here is my "Grocery Bag" for the week. We have our annual ladies supper club next wed (which ohhhhhhh wee by the way i can't wait to post about that!) and a rehearsal dinner & wedding next thur/fri- so i am cooking Fri, Sat, Sun, and Mon night. Tuesday is leftovers!

Here we are!

Looks like a lot of cooking you say? NOPE. I am making one big batch of shredded chicken tonight in the crockpot, and 3 out of my 4 meals will be practically done! They will be 15 minute meals!

Grocery & Menu 3/23-3/29

3 meals, 1 meat= chicken
*Shredded chicken tacos
*Asian chicken cole slaw
*Chicken & Brocolli casserole

Fri- Shrimp low calorie fried rice & asian chicken cole slaw
Sat-Shredded chicken tacos
Sun-Chicken & Brocolli casserole
Mon-Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Shrimp Fried Rice & Asian Chicken Cole Slaw
Bon Appetit Magazine March 2013 p.84
-2 tbs olive oil  
-12 peeled & deveined shrimp
-8 scallions, chopped
-2 garlic cloves diced
-1 tbs diced ginger
-3 c cooked brown rice
-2 eggs, beaten
-1/2 c frozen edamame
-1/2 c frozen peas
-3 tbs reduced sodium soy sauce
-2 tbs rice vinegar
-1 tsp seasame oil

Season shrimp w salt & pepper. Heat olive oil & cook shrimp until just done, 2-3 minutes. Remove from skillet. Add scallions, garlic, & giners & sautee until fragrant. Add cooked rice & stir until a little bit crisp. Push rice to side of skillet & add eggs to other side, blending together until just cooked. Add edamame, peas, soy sauce, vinegar, seasame oil, and shrimp. Top with scallions & Serve.
Asian Chicken Cole Slaw

Tacos
-corn tortiallas
-fat free chunky salsa or pico (homemade, not bottled)
-lettuce or cabbage

Chicken & Brocolli Casserole

 

Crockpot Chicken Chili
My recipe!

-3 tbs oilve oil
-2 chopped onions
-1 chopped red bell pepper
-1 chopped red bell pepper
-1 clove garlic, diced
-4 chipotle chilis in adobe sauce
-1 tsp each of cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder, white pepper (1/2 tsp)
-8 cups sodium free chicken broth
-4 corn tortiallas, torn up
-2 cans low sodium white beans, rinsed & drained
-3 cups cooked shredded chicken
-16 oz frozen corn
-cheese for garnish (I don’t use cheese to cut calories!)

Sautee peppers, onions, garlic, chilis, and seasoning in skillet. Add skillet ingredients plus broth, chicken, tortiallas, white beans, and corn in crockpot and cook until tender. (Low for 7 hours, high for 4-5 hours).Season with cheese, sour cream, or other desired toppings.

My grocery list are items above plus the weekly staples:
*fat free milk
*greek yogurt
*whey protein
*assortment of fresh fruits & veggies for my juices &  snacks
*water bottles (we dont drink anything but water, wine, and homemade juice blends in the house)
*cheese sticks (scott loves them)
*rice crackers


There ya have it!

Jim Gaffigan has Hot Pockets for Dinner!

JIM GAFFIGAN is who we saw last night and he had me in TEARS i was laughing so hard!!! He showed at the bayou city music theater downtown, in which we started our night off with some SAKE bombs at the blue fish! He is absolutly hilarious- if you have never heard his stuff, download some on itunes or youtube- i have all of his albums on my phone, and when im in the car driving somewhere far (who am i kidding, i dont drive, my husband does)-- *clearing throat*-- when my husband is driving us on a road trip, i plug in one of his albums and BOOM there goes an hour! His humor is a combination of obvious common sense + irony + pale white fellow, haha. He has very clean humor which I also like. Some of my favorites are "holidays," "hot pockets," and "cake."

Anywho, we greatly enjoyed the night and it will not be forgotten! We great seats too for probably the same price the people at the top paid (again, this is when planning comes in handy...bought these for my hubby for Christmas!).

SAKE BOMBS

fyi- here is an awesome link on ETSY for a great set of SAKE cups I'm thinking about getting. They are super cute and only $25.00! I am obsessed with Etsy...bought three things online there yesterday! Those will come up later =)

Everyone have a great weekend!

First Blog Post!

Hello Cyber-World!

This is my first official blog post, and I am super excited! I already post wayyyy too much on FB and
instragrammy, so I figured I might as well start an "official" posting-place.

This is me =)


Title of my blog is silly you say? Of course it is-- little bit about me in a nutshell- im a nature-loving, outdoor enthusiast, obsessed travel planner, pretend gourmet chef, and crazy wife/friend. For those that know me, I'm pretty blunt and to the point- no beating around the bush here ladies & gentleman! Save that for 20 years down the road when i need to sheild my past from my kids...lol.



ANYWHO- make vodka out of lemons? Well--- you can make lemonade, right? Or you can make lemon infused vodka--> EVEN BETTER! Thats exactly the way my mind works. Plan + add something better = be happier. It's how I operate in almost every aspect of my life. I would hate to live a dull, boring, monotonous life! ugh. My weekends fill up months in advance because i am planning, planning, planning!! Always planning for the next best thing! Vacations, wine tours, out-of-towns, festivals, cooking shows, wildlife/outdoor adventures, you name it!

Recently joined two committees- FLOCK- a small social organization benefitting the Houston Zoo, so hopefully one day I may crack into the volunteer aspect there (it looks quite challenging to be a volunteer there) because i am utterly obsessed with animals. Not the P.E.T.A obsessed kind, but the ohmygoshyouaretoocute kind. I am a member (newbie) of RedBuds in Houston- helps plant trees & salvage "garden/tree areas" throughout Houston.

My free time? (like i have any- none of us do, right?) But in my "social time" as i like to call it, I am an avid attendee of Lifetime Fitness and a frequent runner of Terry Hershey Park (boy do i love some trail running)-#1. I could not live without the thought of cooking and wine- #2. I rigidly plan my meals/food/juicing (i will have many posts on that) every week. Wine is my water (so is Vodka- hence the VODKA in the title), and NOT number three by any means (just happened to be last to type and i dont want to go back and erase and retype it all, ha! =)    , but my hubby, my wonderfull angel-who-loves-to-clean-up-my-cooking-mess, Scott Creger. By far the best thing that has ever happened! He gets to be guinea pig on all my "new thought up meals!"

Thats me in a very fast nutshell!