Girls Night and Wonderful Italian Food

Fiamma, Charlotte, NC

Tonight I got to catch up with my girls over wonderful italian food!  If you've never been to Fiamma on Park Road, you are truly missing out.  From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but trust me when I say this place serves authentic, wonderful italian food.  We discovered this place a few years ago, and every time we are craving italian food, this is our go-to spot.  The gnocchi is my favorite dish, but the best part of the experience is leaving with my abs hurting from the girls banter and laughter.  I love a good girls night!  It's so good for the soul!

Check out their menu and plan your next date night, or girls night at Fiamma!

I've Converted... to the Y

Ever since I had a slipped disc in my spine,  I've been really into my fitness and keeping my core strong.  After all, the doctors had no idea how my disc slipped out of place to begin with and I all I know is that it caused unbearable pain.  The slipped disc was touching my nerves, which sent shooting spastic pain down the left side of my body.  It took months to recover.

Through my recovery, I found my personal trainer, who nursed me back to health.  Not only did he help get my back stronger through targeted exercises, but he also taught me a few things along the way.  We've now been working out together for over two years and he's a big part of my workout plan.  My trainer, Sean, also teaches spin classes at my gym and it is because of him, that I have found my favorite workout of all time... spinning.  It's one of the quickest ways to burn the most calories and I truly enjoy it.  I never would have thought I would enjoy working out but it's the one class I look forward to.

At my current gym, the bikes are starting to wear down and the classes are being offered less so I've stopped going as much but I really miss it.  This week, Nick and I decided to take a look at the Lake Norman YMCA to see their schedule of classes.  I was blown away by the number of spin classes offered!  They are offered EVERY day, multiple times a day!

I tried my first Y spin class on Friday and absolutely loved it.  The bikes were well maintained, the instructor was awesome, and I really enjoyed the video screen to bring the outside into the cycle room.  At the end of my workout I burned close to 800 calories.  See what I mean about burning a TON???!

The instructor, Mark, also gave us a post workout drink.  I've heard chocolate milk is great for instant protein after a workout.  He takes it to the next level by mixing chocolate milk, coconut water, and nutmeg.  I will definitely make some and try it post workouts.

I feel a bit like I'm cheating on my trainer because we've been together so long.  I'll continue to train with him a couple times a week but I will eventually leave the gym.  I am excited to use the new Y spin classes as a stress reliever and even more excited to see the results after spinning multiple times a week!

Spinning = Happy :)

Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Want to know more about spinning?  There are some great articles on the LiveStrong website:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/381796-what-are-the-benefits-of-spinning-workout-classes/

Basil = Pesto & Pesto = Love

This year, I tried my hand at growing herbs!  I have to say, growing them on a condo balcony has not been easy.  But my motivation was to make even more dishes using fresh herbs and you KNOW how much that can run you at the grocery store.  This $10 basil plant has been worth it's weight in gold.  Not only has it given me a TON of basil for all sorts of dishes, but it looks nice on my patio too :).





For dinner tonight, I made tortellini with fresh pesto sauce. And the results were delicious!

To make the pesto:

2 Cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/4 Cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/2 Cup Olive oil
3 tablespoons pine nuts
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/2 tsp salt

Place basil leaves in small batches in food processor and whip until well chopped (do about 3/4 cup at a time).  Add about 1/3 the nuts and garlic, blend again.  Add about 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese; blend while slowly adding about 1/3 of the olive oil, stopping to scrape down sides of container.
Process basil pesto until it forms a thick smooth paste.  Repeat until all ingredients are used, mix all batches together well.  Serve over pasta.

Basil pesto keeps in refrigerator one week, or freeze for a few months.


Spoon it onto store bought, refrigerated cheese tortellini, such as Buitoni.  Enjoy!


How easy was that?!  And if you need any basil, I'm only too HAPPY to give you some!

Mint Brownies

I am a lover of desserts especially those with mint flavors.  I just had to try this recipe, and I knew Nick would love it too since he is a big mint fan.  I made this for the Fall wreath party because it makes plenty to share!

BYU Mint Brownies

BROWNIE
1 c. margarine
1/2 c. cocoa
2 Tbsp. honey
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped walnuts
12 oz. chocolate icing (Use your own icing recipe or purchase some chocolate frosting. You can also search the Internet for chocolate icing recipes.)

MINT ICING
5 Tbsp. margarine
dash of salt
3 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
2 1/3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. mint extract
1-2 drops green food coloring

1. Melt margarine and mix in cocoa. Allow to cool. Add honey, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9-by-13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.

2. Prepare mint icing: Soften margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.

3. Spread mint icing over brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing. Remove from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate icing.




Here's the finished product:

*Note, after I made this rather large recipe.  I realized I could probably HALF the recipe next time if I don't want to eat brownies for weeks.  Also, I bet it would be just as good using a box mix with applesauce instead of oil (to cut the calories) and then just add the mint icing as directed.  Just a couple of after thoughts worth mentioning!

The BEST Panini

I was watching the Food Network one morning and saw Giada make these.  They were so easy that I made them that afternoon to take on the boat and everyone just raved about them!  For some reason, I couldn't find the recipe online, and the originals I made were from memory since I just watched the show.  At last, I have found the long lost panini recipe and am only to happy to share it with you so you can see what you think!

This panini is different because it's made with croissants.  The buttery croissant means you don't need any type of sauce or dressing, and it pairs perfectly with the smoky cheese, earthy arugula, and salty salami!  ENJOY!

Ingredients

• 4 croissants, sliced in 1/2 lengthwise
• 4 ounces smoked Gouda, grated (about 1 1/3 cups)
• 8 teaspoons grated Parmesan
• 4 ounces Genoa salami (about 24 slices)
• 5 ounces arugula

Directions

Heat a panini grill. Divide 1-ounce (1/3 cup) smoked Gouda between 1 top and 1 bottom of a croissant. Sprinkle each half with 1 teaspoon Parmesan. Top each side with about 3 slices of Genoa salami (about 1 ounce of salami per sandwich, total.) Top 1 half of the sandwich with a small handful of arugula. Close the sandwich and continue with the remaining sandwiches. Grill the panini until the cheese melts, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Cut each sandwich into thirds. Place the remaining arugula on a serving platter. Place the warm sandwich slices on the arugula. Serve hot.

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis