Ellie's Wisdom

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"In my food world there is no fear or guilt, only joy and balance. So no ingredient is ever off limits."

Ellie Krieger

I love and completely share this motto! Too often, we go to extremes in an effort to lose weight or become healthier, but the realization that eating healthy doesn't mean totally depriving yourself creates a healthier realtionship with food!

Take a peek at Ellie's website and try a few of her delicious recipes!

A Friendly Distance?

As some of you know, I am currently training for a half marathon this April (and possibly a full in July). While I am thoroughly enjoyed the training process, I've also been chewing on something I read recently. I am following Hal Higdon's training program and on his website he mentions that a half marathon is a "friendly" distance for a runner. At first I laughed, because as much as I love fitness, running has never really been my thing (until now anyway!). But I kept asking myself, at what point does one feel like 13.1 miles is a "friendly" distance? Because let me tell you, very rarely have I looked back on a run and called it friendly...

Until recently, that is. Coming off a pretty tough and busy week (read: shorting myself on a few workouts!) , I thought my long run was going to be awful! But I was pleasantly surprised when I completed it and afterward found myself actually saying the words, "That was a friendly run!". Who knew?!

And just like that I am totally encouraged that when I complete my half marathon in a mere 7 weeks, maybe I too will be calling it a friendly distance. Let's hope!

Completely Refreshed

I feel so refreshed on this beautiful Monday morning! Amazing what an extra day off can do to lift your spirits and prepare you for a brand new week!

The laid back nature of the past few days gave me an opportunity to catch up on things, get in a few good workouts (including a fantastic run last night!), have a lunch date with a lovely friend, lots of magazine reading and some quality sleep. I heart weekends!

Oh yes, and the Chicago style pizza I made Friday night was AMAZING! My husband was so impressed that he requested I make it again. I love when that happens! Check it out on pg. 33 of the March/April issue of Clean Eating!

I hope your weekend was wonderful and got you started on the right foot this morning! Merry Monday!

All-Time Favorite Candles

I've always been one to love the finishing touches in a home that really make it feel, well, homey! For me, fresh flowers and candles are the perfect way to accomplish that. I am a total and complete sucker for good candles and I have found that you most certainly get what you pay for. That doesn't necessarily mean that all expensive candles are good, but the really good ones are well worth the small investment. Especially since I am always lighting one or two throughout the house! Here are my all-time favorites!

Luminaries Luxury in Poppy Papaya~ the first time I received this candle was as a gift at our engagement party. I wanted to be stingy about lighting it, but every time I did, I got so many compliments about how amazing my house smelled! It still remains on at the top of my list for a great springtime scent!


Voluspa has a brilliant line of candles, but this Gogi and Tarocco Orange is absolutely incredible! It is currently lit in our living room, filling it with a subtle sweet and tangy aroma.


Capri Blue Volcano~ A definite regular in my candle stash, this is both in our entryway and our bathroom. I have given this candle as a gift to several people because it seems to be a fragrance that everyone falls in love with! The great thing about this one is the diversity of packaging. For example, it comes in a red or blue jar, a pretty etched jar (pictured below the red one) and several other shapes and sizes.



Aveda's Himalayan Glow~ this one is very earthy and natural smelling and a definite favorite in our bedroom. Sadly, it's a seasonal product that only comes out around Christmas. I usually find it in my stocking!


Thymes also has a brilliant line of candles, but this unique scent called Tamarind Lychee is my favorite, although the Blue Lotus is also delicious! It gives off a scent unlike any other candle I've tried and burns nice and slow. I am anxious to try the new line they recently released!


And finally, for someone who plugs her nose every time I walk past the Yankee Candle store, I surprised myself with this candle! Just before Chris and I moved into our apartment I purchased this Vanilla Lime candle for our kitchen and never looked back! It is perfect for a fresh, clean and summery scent that makes me want to make margaritas all the time!


Do you have any favorites?

Dress Love

How adorable is this handmade dress made with reclaimed fabrics?! Perfect for a summer day picnic or a frolic through the park!

Oh Etsy, you have my heart!

Mental Health Friday

Even though this week was a short one, I most definitely needed a "mental health day" today. Since I am still working my full time job in addition to building my training clientele, I've been a tad bit exhausted the past few weeks and needed a little breather from my 4am alarm. Thank goodness this is only a temporary situation until I have enough regular clients to just train, which doesn't even feel like work to me!

The day is already off to a magnificent start! After I finish my yummy breakfast, I think I'll take Abby for a walk to the park and then maybe to Starbucks for a soy chai...yum!

Tonight I'm whipping up a Chicago style pizza for dinner (from Clean Eating) complete with a bottle of wine and a few candles to set the mood! I predict it to be quite a lovely evening!

As for the rest of the weekend, we have not a care in the world. We spent yesterday afternoon talking about fun things we could do and sadly, a day trip to San Francisco is out because it's raining there all weekend. But I feel sure whatever we come up with will be wonderful, even if it's just hanging out at home together!

Happy Friday! Hope your weekend is lovely!

A Tropical Breakfast

Doesn't this Pineapple Breakfast Sandwich look stunning?! The recipe also suggests substituting the strawberries and walnuts with banana and coconut for a tropical twist...yes please!

Pineapple Breakfast Sandwich
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple
4 tablespoons Neufchatel or part-skim ricotta cheese
2 slices whole grain bread, toasted
4 large strawberries, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

In a small bowl, combine pineapple and Neufchatel and then spread evenly on bread. Top with strawberries and walnuts and serve.

I think I might need to try this for breakfast this weekend!