Favorite Things Thursday: Knockoff Scrubby Bars

Are you fortunate enough to live near a Lush, but unfortunate enough to not be able to afford their fabulous goodies?  Look no further.

I decided to try my hand at making something similar to the Buffy, and I think it turned out pretty well!  I set an 8 cup pyrex measuring cup in a large saute pan filled with boiling water, and I melted the following together:

3 oz. organic cocoa butter
8 oz. organic shea butter
5 oz. organic coconut oil
lemon essential oil
lavendar essential oil

In the meantime, I pulsed a cup of rice and a cup of rolled oats in my food processor.

When the butters and oils were completely melted together, I added the rice and oat mixture.

Then I poured the whole thing into silicone muffin pans.

Pop them in the freezer for a few hours and you're good to go!  Just scrub 'em on at the end of your shower, rinse the foodie bits off of your bod, and air dry!  (Or towel off, if you're not inclined to prance around naked and drip water everywhere).

Favorite Things Thursday: My Fitness Pal

One of the great things about maintaining this blog is that it allows me to see what I'm eating and keeps me accountable.  While I've never been one to "diet," per se, I do try and keep track of what I eat and not go too overboard.  With the wedding coming up, I'm watching more zealously than ever.

Enter, of course, My Fitness Pal - an app that lets me keep track of everything I eat (with a handy dandy barcode scanner) as well as all of my physical activity and measurements.

These are not my screen shots (I wish I was permitted 2100 calories a day!)

Once you sign up for an account, you enter your current weight as well as what you hope to weigh (in 5 weeks), and your level of daily activity.  The app calculates everything from there, and it's easy as pie can be!  I have the app on my phone and tablet, and the website is my homepage at work so I never miss a calorie (taken in or burned).

While keeping track of my calories is NOT my favorite thing, this does make it easier and for that I am thankful.

And no, I'm not getting paid for this post (only big time bloggers get paid, peeps).

Images via www.fitcrazy.tv

Favorite Things Thursday: Any New Books?

As someone who spends most of her time in either (a) the kitchen or (b) the library, I experience a great deal of joy when the two intersect.  One of my colleagues introduced me to Any New Books? and my life has never been the same.

Using the site, you can set up preferences to receive weekly emails about the latest and greatest titles in that subject area.  I have my account set up to receive boat-loads of alerts, but my favorites are in Cooking, Food, & Wine and Health, Mind, & Body.  I've found some great cookbooks in these weekly emails, and definitely recommend them for anybody who loves books and cooking!

Favorite Things Thursday: I Can't Resist

She's been laying low for awhile, but not today.

Is she, or is she not, the world's cutest dog?!  Seriously.  Happy Thursday, peeps.

Favorite Things Thursday: Tiga

The first time I saw this video was in college, and I've never been able to forget it.  My mom and aunt are in town for a visit, so I leave you with this.



See you next week!!!

Favorite Things Thursday: Bern's

Obviously good food is one of my favorite things, and I even enjoy a cocktail and a dessert or two, from time-to-time.  Last week we hit up Bern's Steak House and it did NOT disappoint.

Those are desserts and drinks not to be avoided, if ever you find yourselves in the Tampa Bay area.  DEFINITELY a favorite thing.

*Clockwise from top left, Bern's in-house roasted coffee with cream and a glass of Kahlua; Salted Caramel Parfait; Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle (all photos taken by moi)

Favorite Things Thursday: Dining Spaces

On a totally different note than I normally take on this blog, I thought I would show you a little piece of me, and a favorite part of the new digs:  my dining room.

Please ignore the F's large white shoes in the background, as well as that God-awful light fixture.  The F didn't think we'd ever eat in our dining room (we have a breakfast bar in the kitchen) but we eat here every night, and I eat my english muffin at that table nearly every morning.

The big window and the shelves full of books don't hurt my love of the room, either.  I am a lady who likes sunlight and books, both in abundance.  Once the light fixture is replaced, this may become my favorite room in the house!

Because this isn't something that I've done before, I'd love to know what you think, peeps, so tell me . . .

Favorite Things Thursday: Top Cookbooks

Today I was thinking that I'm in a bit of a recipe shlump (if that's even a word).  I have enough recipes to make one a day for the rest of my life, and not repeat any, but none of them seem right.  It's times like these when I know I need to return to my favorite cookbooks to make it through.

This cookbook is seriously awesome.  Especially for those who love food and fashion - it has recipes from the likes of Zac Posen, DVF, Derek Lam, and Isaac Mizrahi.  What's not to love?

Ever since I got my stand mixer, this cookbook has been in regular rotation.   My beloved waffle recipe is from this cookbook, and I won't even consider another.

And finally, The Joy of Cooking.  No kitchen is complete without it.  

Check them out, peeps!  You, your kitchen, and the mouths that you feed won't regret it!!!

Favorite Things Thursday: Sometimes You've Gotta Eat Out

For my birthday, last year, the F was kind enough to purchase a cute android tablet.  Since law school, my laptop had taken a turn for the worse and since I no longer required full computing power, the tablet was perfect.  Also perfect:  the vast number of apps available to me, including the Open Table app.

via

Never has a more convenient tool existed, in my opinion (but that's probably because I love to eat).  Booking reservations couldn't be easier, particularly at the last minute, and it gives me access to reviews and menus before I book a table.  I LOVE IT and if you love food and haven't tried it, then I recommend it. 

Favorite Things Thursday: For the Love of the Fryer

I think I have made mention, on more than one occasion, of my love of my deep-fat fryer.  In fact I know I have (Exhibits A, B, C, and D, for your enjoyment).  And so I present to you another favorite thing, my deep fryer.

Or, more accurately, this DeLonghi D895UX Cool-Touch ROTO Electric 1-1/2-Pound-Capacity Food Fryer, which is the closest approximation to my deep fryer that I could find on the internet (size, shape, features, etc., are all very similar). 

While I certainly don't recommend deep-frying EVERY day, I do recommend it for impressing friends and family with your ability to make perfect knock-offs of their favorite bar treats.  Seriously, peeps, pick one up and make yourself some french fries.  You won't be disappointed.

Favorite Things Thursday: Caffeinator

As promised, I'm introducing another new type of post for your reading pleasure.  Every Thursday (or the Thursdays when I feel like it, anyway) I will do a little post on my favorite things.  Keep in mind, of course, that I am NOT being compensated (I'm not big time like that) and these are things that I legitimately love and use on a regular basis. 

Keurig B60 via Kohl's

The F and I (well, technically just the F) received this Keurig brewer for Christmas and I LOVE it.  At first I didn't want a Keurig . . . it seemed inconvenient to drink my normal pot of coffee by using individual cups (AND it was my experience that the coffee was never hot enough).  Now, however, I have cut back on the amount of coffee I'm drinking (not a bad thing) and get to experience as many types of coffee as I want in one morning.  Not a bad gig!

My K-Cup via Dillard's

This little guy has made all of the difference, as well.  The K-Cups for Keurig brewers can, in my opinion, get a little spendy.  This allows me to buy my coffee in bulk and still use the K-Cup brewer.  Genius!