What To Bring To Thanksgiving Dinner

Tis' the season for friends and family. Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite holidays, because FOOD and family. I always love to bring a small dish to share and this year is no different. Here are some of my go-to dish's that have been a hit with my friends and family

(outfit details: dress: FAITHFULL the brand, ring: JNB)

Cheese Plate:

This is by far what my friends know me for. I make a mean cheese plate, and it tends to be finished quite fast. I recommend getting a few different cheeses, crackers, meats, and fig jam. Here are my faves:

Cheeses

Cowgirl Creamery: Mt. Tam

Cypress Grove: Humbolt Fog

Mons: Camemberet 

Somerdale: Truffelino

Extras

Dalmatia: Fig Jam

Almonds: Macarona Almonds

Crackers

Rainforest Crisps: Fig and Olive

La Panzanella: Rosemary Cracker

Wine: 

If you're in a hurry, don't worry there can never be enough wine! I love bringing champagne and wine to get the party started. Here are some of my faves.

Valdguie: PYT - This sparkling red is perfect for when red seems too heavy for your taste. It's served chilled and it's super refreshing

Rose: Summer Water - I am on board with Rose All Day. I can drink Rose all the time and it is a great drink to start with if you expect to be drinking all day.

Savignon Blanc: Nobilo - This is my current favorite Sav Blanc. I love how citrusy it is and its a plus that I never get a headache from this one.

Cuvee: J - Who doesn't love bubbly? This is an amazing Cuvee and not too pricey for the taste! I love bringing this one to parties as a gift to the host.

Brut- Veuve - My absolute favorite drink to splurge on is Veuve. If you haven't tried it, well now you have to!

Pie:

Skinny Taste: Pumpkin Pie - I've made this recipe quite a few times and it's delicious! I highly recommend this one, your guests will love you!

The Gracious Pantry: Apple Pie - I've been following this blog for years and the recipes are amazing. They are "clean eating" and super tasty.

Food Network: Pecan Pie - On the not-so-healthy side of things, this pecan pie will rock your socks off! 

Salads:

Persimmon & pomegranite: Don't you feel like people forget to bring healthy dishes during the holidays? This salad is healthy and delicious!

Quinoa and cranberry salad: I love a filling salad that's still healthy. This one is amaze.

Prosciutto and Fig salad: This one has the key to my heart. Just writing about it is making my mouth water.

Links I Love

1. I love peeking on Oxygen's website to see the workouts the post, it gives me ideas on how to incorporate new moves in to my training.

2. I joined this group BOSSBABE a while back and love listening to their new podcasts and signing up for their podcasts.

3. I check out 7x7 pretty often and since San Francisco opens and closes new stores so frequently, this site keeps me in "the know". I always know what festivals are happening, restaurants that are opening, and shops to stop by. They also cover some other towns in The Bay, so check it out!

4. If you're in to this kind of stuff, I am always checking my Horoscope online. 

5. Refinery29 has some really fun content on their site. If I want to read up on the latest gossip, learn what new makeup has been released, or even read up on feminism.. I can stop here!

6. I love fashion, and love that Revolve features new brands and looks weekly. It gives me ideas on how to style what's in my closet.

My Summer Slim Down Plan

I often get asked what I eat. Well, there is no short answer for that. My diet varies depending on a million factors including changing my food up to whatever my goals are, what I have planned that week or month, what's in season, or what I'm craving.

Right now, I am reeling things in a bit for a few reasons. Budget & summer. I want to go out a bit less & save, but also get myself to a place where I am comfortable in short shorts & tank tops. It's fun for me to set little goals, and right now this is just the push I need.

My workouts to slim down a bit will consist of:
Mondays: Leg day & cardio
Tuesdays: Cardio & abs (or double days of cardio)
Wednesdays: Upper body & cardio
Thursdays: Cardio or class
Fridays: Total body & cardio
Saturday: Glutes & abs & cardio
Sunday: rest or recovery (long walk, maybe a massage, foam rolling, or gentle yoga)

Food will consist of:

Morning: Coffee with soy or almond milk

Meal 1: YOGURT. 1cup greek yogurt, 1 tbsp peanut butter, stevia & cinnamon
Calories: 235  Fat:9g Carbs:12g Protein: 27g

Meal 2: PROTEIN PANCAKE. 1/2 cup oats, 6 egg whites, 1/2 cup blueberries
Calories: 282 Fat: 3g Carbs:37g Protein: 28g

Meal 3: LUNCH. 4oz lean meat, 3 cups veggies (1/2 c quinoa on leg days)
Calories: 232 Fat: 4g Carbs: 18g Protein: 34g

Meal 4: BAR. Quest bar, think thin bar, or dales bar
Calories: 190 Fat: 8g Carbs: 21g Protein: 21g

PREWORKOUT. 2 rice cakes 1 tbsp greek yogurt, 1 tbsp peanut butter
Calories:160 Fat:9g Carbs:12g Protein: 6g

POSTWORKOUT: scoop of protein, 1 small banana, 1c almond milk, 
Calories: 237 Fat:14g Carbs:27g Protein 25g

Meal 5: GREEN SMOOTHIE. 1 scoop vega protein, 2 frozen figs, 2 cups spinach, 1 1/2 c almond milk, ice
Calories: 254 Fat:15g Carbs: 28g Protein:27g

Daily total:
Calories: 1590 Fat:61  Carbs:155g Protein 168g
If I'm still hungry I will have a few egg whites and some more greens.

If I get bored of the plan I make myself I will either a) switch up the order of my meals b)change my meals and add new recipes or 3) look up recipes online to create with stuff I have at home. I also am not THAT strict 24/7 so I will allow a treat meal or 2 and maybe even a night with a few drinks. I am no longer prepping for anything besides living a happy & healthy life. To me, life isn't worth living if you aren't enjoying it!

This is MY plan, so I want you to remember you don't have to eat like me. It looks like a lot of food to some people, but remember I workout 1.5-2 hours a day. If it looks like too little of food, just know I always adjust depending on how my energy is.

Plan, Pack, & Prep For Results

Are you trying to get in the best shape of your life? Do you feel like every time you start getting on track you fall right off? Well you aren't alone. I have felt this way so many times, and have come to one simple conclusion; meal prep. 

I truly only see the results I want when I plan, pack, and prep my meals before I leave my house. I bought a cooler like this to take with me to work, and with me when I am out and about. It sounds crazy to some people, and yes it is much easier to grab pre packaged processed foods for your meals. In order to see results and see progress, you need to know what you are eating.

So what should you eat?

It all depends on your goals, and I know you want a quick answer.. There isn't one. This is why working with a registered dietician is helpful. No, you don't need to pay them tons of money every single week for the rest of your life. They will look at your current meals, and help you alter your regime to help you acheive the goals you set. On top of that, they will educate you on why you should eat what you are eating. In working with my nutrition coach MJ and R.D David I not only gained knowledge I still use today, but I gained some delicious recipes & tips.

Every time I start meal prepping, I start seeing muscle tone within 2 weeks. I'm not starving myself. I'm just cutting out things that are hidden and added to our meals when out like sauces, dressings, oils, salt, sugar, and overall too big of portions.

Try meal prepping this week, and see how you feel.

To really educate yourself, and hit your goals email David Goldman who is a registered dietician who graduated from Columbia. I have seen him work wonders on transforming bodies, and lives. Email David: dmg2140@tc.columbia.edu