My New Favorite Salad Recipe

After getting my feelings out towards eating clean and living an overall healthier lifestyle, I really have been trying to buckle down with preparing meals at the beginning of my workweek. As much of a pain as it is to have to make the effort to make a weekly menu, shopping list, and spend a couple hours in the kitchen prepping meals ahead of time, it really does make a huge difference.

 

One of my favorite quotes to remind myself of is, "fail to plan, plan to fail." For me personally, this quote couldn't be more true.

I love salads, but I find that they can get really boring really quick, especially - for some odd reason - when I prepare them at home versus a store-made or restaurant/takeout salad. (My absolute favorite salad of all time is the salad bar at Ruby Tuesday; so good, so fresh!) I always think I'll love the salads that I prepare at home, and I do for the first couple of times, but they just get so boring for me. I think the difference with this salad is that it's super simple, but also the dressing is amazing!

 

Ingredients:

Romaine Hearts (I use the pre-cut leaves, because I'm lazy ;-) )

Chopped Mini Sweet Peppers

Red Pepper Flakes

Grilled Marinated Chicken, cut into strips (I marinade with this Cilantro-Lime Marinade)

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Wegman's Basil Vinaigrette (for those of you not blessed with a Wegman's, first off, I am truly sorry [it's THE BEST GROCERY STORE; us northeasters are very loyal to our Wegman's!] but here is another bottled option that's similar or some recipes for a homemade version.)

 

It's simple, quick, easy to prepare, and tastes so good! I would love to hear about some of your favorite salads to add to my menu!

 

 

Happy Eating! :)

 

 

 

xoxo UP <3

 



Motivation Monday: "No Great Thing Is Created Suddenly"

I recently came across this quote on Pinterest and it really has stuck with me the past few days. 

 

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I wish that I could tell you that I'm an amazing, naturally-gifted athlete, with the self control of an Olympian when it comes to diet and exercise. But alas, I am not. I have been trying for quite some time to transform my mind and body into more of an athlete's and have been really frustrated with the results. I don't think I would call myself a failure when it comes to those goals, but in my brutally honest opinion, I must admit that I'm not far from it.

 

I know diet and exercise isn't always that important to some people, but to me, it is. I may not be an athlete professionally (very far from actually), but it's always been a goal of mine to be more like one habitually. Simply put, I want to live the life of an athlete (minus the cool sponsorships [hey, Nike!], insane bod, travel perks, and the potentially large paycheck. Not saying I wouldn't take a single one of those, I just know it's not realistic. At all.)

 

My point in all this - I know I'm rambling - is that things take time. And as unfortunate as that seems to me at the present moment, I think that will only make me #betterforit (again, hey, Nike!) in the future. Sometimes I think everyone (definitely myself included) needs to be reminded of that every once and a while.

 

Thanks for listening to me ramble, just one of those posts that I had to get "out there;" ya feel me?! :-)

 

 

 

xoxo UP <3

Quick, Easy, + Healthy Breakfasts

Now I know that I touched on this subject recently, however I wanted to elaborate on the topic and give you some more options of easy and healthy breakfast ideas. Especially since the warmer months are upon us and not everyone likes to eat a hot bowl of oatmeal when it's warm out. (I do!)

So, here are some of my "favs" when it comes to eating well in a pinch...

1) Sliced pears sprinkled with cinnamon, chia seeds, and chopped walnuts.

2) Whole grain and/or whole wheat toast with almond butter (Trader Joe's is my favorite). You can also top this with some banana slices or berries.

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3) Egg whites (you could include the yolk) with mozzarella cheese, spinach, and arugula. I know there's cooking involved, but cooking eggs is honestly so quick and easy. Just heat a skillet with some olive oil, and add the ingredients for a quick and easy scramble or omelet!

4) Whole grain and/or whole wheat toast (I use Ezekiel Bread) with either fresh or frozen berries (raspberries are my favorite) and cinnamon.

5) A simple and easy fresh bowl of berries; my favorites are raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and black raspberries.

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What quick, easy, + healthy breakfasts do you like to make??


xoxo UP <3
 

10 Simple Ways To De-clutter Your Life

I think from time-to-time we could all use a fresh and reenergized mind. One way that I like to do this is by tackling a few simple projects around the house and in my personal life. And what better time for a fresh, clean start and new beginnings than Spring?

 

 

Here are a 10 simple ways you could de-clutter your life and living space right now...

 

 

 

 

Here's to fresh starts & reenergized minds!!

 

 

xoxo UP <3



Think Spring!

Raise your hands if you're over this Winter and cold weather.... (I'm assuming you all just raised your hands?!) :) Even though Spring doesn't seem to want to officially come out yet, I have already found some cute Spring-y things (clothes, accessories, stuff for the house...) that are putting me in a warmer mood - if only the weather would follow!



 

How cute are the 2 Kate Spade purses?! (KSNY Spring Forward Watering Can Bag + KSNY Spring Forward Flowerpot Bag)

 

I love flower-scented candles! The Yankee Candle Lilac Blossoms + Nest Passion Candle (smells like peonies!!!) scents would be perfect to make your house smell like Spring.

 

I love updating my Essie collection; here is the Spring 2015 4-pack!

 

These KSNY lilac-colored earrings have me thinking Spring!

 

I am constantly buying new tumblers and I am loving this bright pink KSNY Glass & Silicon Bottle.

 

Such a pretty color green on this KSNY Spring Blooms Phone Case!

 

I have leather Jacks but I think these Jack Rogers Jelly Sandals are so fun!

 

I am itching to go on a good picnic; this basket would be perfect, it's gorgeous!

 

 

What new products are having you "think Spring?!"

 

 

xoxo UP <3

 

 

My Favorite Workday Breakfast

There is nothing harder for me on a rushed morning before work than making sure I eat a healthy and nutritious breakfast. I, unfortunately, am probably the worst person in the entire world when it comes to time management in the morning when getting ready for work. And I find it really difficult to leave myself enough time to get a decent breakfast in (I know, I know, just wake up earlier!).



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However, my go-to breakfast on workdays (and most other days as well) is when I prepare oatmeal the night before. If I don't leave myself time to eat it at home I simply have it ready in a to-go container and can either eat it on my drive in or at work. My absolute favorite oatmeal is steel-cut oats, blueberries, flax seed, and tons of cinnamon. There's something about oatmeal that just makes you feel so good, full, and warm.

So, if you're like me in the mornings and always rushed, try some oatmeal on the go. It's delicious, nutritious, and leaves you feeling full. As the saying goes, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day;" don't skip it! :)


What are some of your favorite things to add to your morning oats??


xoxo UP <3

My Morning Skin Care Rountine

I recently did a post about my nighttime skin care routine, so I figured I would share with you how I tackle skin care on a normal morning.





YTB Eye Firming Treatment // Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 // YTT Daily Balancing Moisturizer // St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Body Wash // YTG Correct & Repair Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream // St. Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Bright Body Wash // YTG Daily Facial Scrub // YTC Color Lip Balm // Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Body Lotion + SPF 15

 

•  The Yes To Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment is merely a preventative measure (at this time in my life) to help prevent/reduce wrinkles around my eyes.
• I don't use the Persa-Gel 10 everyday, but it is a miracle worker!! Anytime I have a breakout or pimple, I simply rub this on it and the healing process is incredibly fast.
• Yes To Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer is a product I use every single morning, and I can really see the difference it has made for my skin.
• I rotate between the St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea and Lemon & Orange based on the time of year; in the fall/winter months (when I have drier skin), I use the oatmeal, and in the spring/summer months I use the lemon/orange for brighter skin.
• The Yes To Grapefruit Dark Circle Eye Cream works wonders! Simply rub a dab under your eyes and after a few days, you'll see your eyes becoming a bit brighter.
• Yes To Grapefruit Facial Scrub is another one of those game changers. I use this product first thing in the morning, in the shower, and it really wakes your skin up and brightens your face.
• I love all three shades of the Yes To Carrots Lip Balm! Not only is it smooth and soft for your lips, but the colors aren't that drastic and perfect for an everyday look.
• I have incredibly dry skin, but putting on the Eucerin lotion after my shower ensures that I have soft skin throughout the day. I also buy the SPF 15 for added protection from the sun.

 

What are some of the products you use for your skin daily??

 

 

xoxo UP <3



The Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

I feel like lemon water is kind of the newest (but really not new at all) trend that people are talking about. I see the benefits of lemon water listed all over Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, you name it; it's everywhere! I find this kind of funny considering lemon in water is so simple and something that people have been doing for years.

 

However, it is true, there are so many benefits of doing something as simple as slicing up some lemon wedges and putting them in your bottle. Isn't it great when being healthy is easy?!

 

Found this great little graphic on Pinterest!

If this list doesn't encourage you to throw in some lemon wedges the next time you have a glass of water, I don't know what will! Here is a great link of some other benefits as well.

 

 

Any other water-drinking hacks you know of??

 

 

xoxo UP <3



My Nighttime Skin Care Routine

I think that skin care can be a tricky thing to tackle for some people; I know it definitely was for me! But thankfully, I feel like I finally have a pretty good routine for my skin. I thought I would share some of the products I use every night with you since for a long time, skin care was something that I really struggled with.

 

YTC Intense Hydration Night Cream // Burt's Bees Single Lip Balm //YTT Blemish Clearing Towelettes // YTB Face & Neck Oil // YTB Age Refresh Towelettes // Burt's Bees 4-pack // YTG Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream // YTB Eye Firming Treatment

 

You can tell that I am obviously a very loyal fan of the Yes To brand; their products, in my opinion, are simply the best.

 

• Yes To Carrots Intense Hydration Night Cream really is a game changer. You simply put some on your (clean) face right before hopping into bed for the night and the results are amazing! I was very skeptical about this product initially, because I assumed it would clog up my pores and leave my skin oily and greasy, and that I'd wake up with a face full of zits... Lo and behold, the exact opposite happened! This product leaves my face incredibly smooth, soft, and it is an extremely gentle product.
• If you haven't tried Burt's Bees Lip Balms yet, you really need to! The pomegranate and grapefruit are my two favorite kinds, and they leave your lips so smooth. They also smell amazing!
• The Yes To Tomatoes & Yes To Blueberries Towelettes are what I use at the very beginning of my nightly skin care routine to insure a clean face, with no excess makeup or dirt left on from the long day. I use the tomatoes kind when I have an acne flare up, and the blueberry is my normal, day-to-day wipe.
• To be honest, I don't personally see much of a difference (at this stage in my life) from using the Yes To Blueberries Face & Neck Oil. However, I know that using this product is merely a preventative measure for later in my life.
• The Yes To Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream is a life saver! I, like many other people, get horrible bags under my eyes, because let's face it, getting the recommended 7-9 hours a night isn't always realistic. This product, however, does a great job of counteracting my (inevitable) bags.
• Yes To Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment is another product that I consider (for me, at least) to be a preventative measure to reduce those pesky wrinkles later on in life.                                                                                                                                                                  

 

Here's to happy, healthy skin!!

 

 

xoxo UP <3

Pajamas

Truth be told, if I could, I would definitely wear pajamas 24/7. There is nothing more comfortable or as relaxing as slipping into your favorite pair of well-worn pj's. Honestly, one of my favorites parts of the day is when I come home from work and change right into a pair of old sweats or pajama bottoms; nothing better!

I'm a bit of a pajama/loungewear addict, and can never get enough! Here are a few pj pieces that I'd love to add to my collection for the warmer weather transition...

 

 

RL Knit PJ's // Forever 21 Coffee PJ Set // CK Modal Sleep Set // J Crew Vintage Pajama Set // Old Navy Waffle-Knit PJ Leggings // J Crew Factory Sleeveless Pajama Set // PJ Salvage Print Pajamas // RL Short Sleeve Classic Notch Collar Top & Boxer Set

 

My personal favorites are the J Crew Vintage Set and the Calvin Klein Modal Set. I love the prints on the PJ Salvage and Forever 21 (can't go wrong with a coffee print!) as well. And of course, classic Ralph Lauren sets will always be a favorite.

 

 

Happy sleeping + happy shopping!!

 

 

xoxo UP <3

Keeping Things in Perspective

Do you ever have those days, moments, or weeks where you feel nothing is going "your way?" I, like many others, often feel like things aren't always going how I would like them to go and unfortunately I sometimes let that control my thoughts, actions, and attitude.

I am incredibly grateful for my job, but it sometimes leaves me feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. I deal with people daily, and I've quickly learned (as I'm sure many of you have also) that people are not always as kind or understanding as I'd like them to be. Sometimes people or situations overwhelm and annoy me so much that I find myself thinking truly awful and negative thoughts. It actually happened yesterday while I was at work, and that's why I'm feeling the need to post about it.

However, after all the negativity and frustrations sat a few minutes in my head, I realized how fortunate and blessed I truly am. I have a good job, and one of my favorite perks is that it's in a town with an insanely gorgeous lake that I can always take advantage of. This may sound odd to some, but how I get through my feelings of frustration is by thinking of that lake. The lake honestly puts things into perspective for me. I know that no matter how rough of a day I'm having I can just go to lake after work and sit or think for a few minutes and it totally brightens my mood, 100%.

As silly as it sounds the lake puts things in perspective for me. The lake is my place that erases those negative thoughts from my mind and makes me realize how great of a life I am blessed with. And I know, this post may seem a little sentimental or odd, but I've just been reminded how important it is to put things in perspective and really appreciate all that you do have.

What puts things into perspective for you? Do you have a lake or calming place you can go just to rationalize your thoughts and feelings? Whether it be a coffee shop, a body of water, or anywhere else, it really is so important to go to that place every so often to count your blessings and all that you do have.

xoxo UP ♡

Summer Reading List (Help!)

Hi all, I need your help!! I generally have more opportunities to read during the summer, and I would LOVE to take advantage of that as the warmer weather approaches. This is where you come in. :) If you've read a great book recently or have a personal favorite, comment, email, or send me a tweet and tell me what I should read and why. I would really appreciate it!

Also, I'm sure you've all either heard about or read The Fault in Our Stars, and I would love to read your opinions on it and if I should add that one to the list for the summer as well. Thanks so much! 

xoxo UP ♡

(Twitter: twitter.com/upstate_prep, email xoxoupstateprep@gmail.com, or comment below!!)

When and Where Does Inspiration Strike?

When toying with the idea of starting a blog, one of my biggest concerns was (and still is) topics and ideas to blog about. What if I run out of things to post about? What if what I post is too repetitive? What if people don't like what I have to say? What if, what if, what if? That is where inspiration comes in.

Now I don't know about you, but for me, inspiration comes at probably the most inconvenient times. The two biggest times for me are when I'm either in the shower or as soon as my head has hit the pillow at night. It's like my mind comes alive when my body needs to be doing other things. I've learned that's okay though, you just have to be prepared to handle it.

Since I know I'll think of something I need to do or of an idea when I'm in bed, I always keep either a small notebook or a pad of paper on my nightstand at night. But with the shower, it's not quite the same, paper and water don't really mix. I do, however, keep my cell phone on my bathroom sink while I shower because I know if there is something I absolutely need to remember I can just save it in my phone as soon as I get out. (That's a weird one, I know.) But some things are just too important not to document, (even if you are soaking wet with nothing but a towel on.) :)

All I'm trying to say is that inspiration can and will strike at any time and at any point. You just need to learn how to capture it when it does. 

xoxo UP ♡