Easy Healthy Stuffed Chicken Recipe

If you're like me, you don't have much time at the end of the day to cook a delicious meal that's also nutritious. It's so easy to eat terrible when you're on a time crunch, but I've got a very simple and quick stuffed chicken recipe for you to try!

What you'll need:

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used organic, grain fed chicken breasts)

5 medium baby portabella mushrooms, sliced 

1 handful of baby spinach

1-2 tablespoons olive oil 

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional if you want a little kick)

salt and pepper to taste 

What to do: 

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. Line your dish with foil. I used the parchment paper foil combo sheets and they worked perfectly.

3. Slice your chicken breasts almost in half longways, stopping just before you get all the way through.

4. Take a few slices of baby portabella mushrooms and a small handful of spinach and stuff each chicken breast until you've used all of your ingredients.

5. Drizzle your chicken with your olive oil and sprinkle your seasonings on top. 

6. Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.

7. Enjoy! 

I served ours with some roasted brussle sprouts and asparagus. Jay went back for seconds! This dish would be great with some goat cheese stuffed inside as well. Next time! 

Do you think you'll try this the next time you're looking for a quick and easy healthy dinner option? Let us know if you do in the comments! 

Adrianne's Current Workout Routine: Part Two

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Last week I wrote about the chest and shoulder exercises I currently perform as part of my weight lifting routine. This is part two, where I’ll share the exercises I do to work out my biceps and back.

Biceps

• Alternating dumbbell bicep curls
• Barbell curl
• Seated bicep preacher curl machine
• Seated incline dumbbell curls
• Rope cable curls
• Cable curls

Back

• Seated row
• Lat pulldowns
• Kneeling row
• Shrugs
• Pull-ups
• Barbell deadlifts

With both of these muscle groups I also do four sets of four different exercises. Also, pull-ups is something you can incorporate before any workout no matter which muscles group(s) you plan to lift.

Where I’ve noticed the biggest gains after upping my strength training game is my biceps. I’ve been able to double the amount of weight I lift and am able to see a lot of definition. I also used to neglect working out my back, but I’m glad it’s now a part of my routine. 

Stay tuned for part three! 

Makeup Organization and Storage Solutions

 

If you're a makeup junkie like me you have tons of products with limited space for storage. What is a girl to do? Throw away products you love? Stop buying new products? Never! The key is to get organized and store your makeup so that you maximize space. Here are some tips I've found that have really helped me:

 

Buy cute containers: Containers like the ones above from the Container Store (I know, they have pictures of shoes and clothes in them but they would work great for makeup too!) are great for organizing and storing your makeup. If you can see what products you have you'll be more likely to use them! These are cute enough to keep out on your counter tops (if the man or roommate in your life doesn't mind).

 

Go through your makeup and organize it: I have all of my eye products in one container and all of my face stuff in another. If you have more products and need more drawers you can break it up further by eyeshadows, eyeliners and mascaras, foundations, tinted moisturizers and bb creams,  blushes and bronzers, lip products, primers, etc. There are endless possibilities as long as you know where stuff is located.

 

Put your brushes in a cute container too: Don't forget about your brushes. I have mine stored in a decorative metal cup my mom gave me with the brush heads sticking out. It makes it really easy to find the brush I'm looking for and keeps them all in the same place. I also don't worry about them getting dirty or bent in a bag somewhere.

 

 

Check your inventory every 3-6 months: I go through my stuff more frequently than every 3-6 months, but find the amount of time that works best for you. I check over my products to see what I'm low on, get rid of what I haven't been using that I probably wont and check for items that have dried out, are expired or stopped working correctly. This lets me maximize my storage space and helps me get rid of old products that I'm not using anymore. My good friend, Kate recently got me the Once Opened Beauty Expiration Kit and it's really opened by eyes to how long I hold onto products well after they should be tossed. I don't know about you, but I don't want an infection because I held onto a product for too long -- not worth the risk!

 

What do you do to keep your makeup organized? Let us know if you try any of the tips above!

 

 

Adrianne's Current Workout Routine: Part One

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I’ve been lifting weights for quite a while now. In the past few months, particularly in training for the Warrior Dash, I’ve tried to build strength by adding more to my routine and strength training at least four times per week. I’ll share my current strength training routine. Here’s part one broken down by muscle groups:

Chest

• Barbell bench press
• Low cable chest flyes
• Chest press machine
• Cable crossover
• Push-ups

Shoulders

• Barbell shoulder press
• Bent over low-pulley side lateral
• Side deltoid (barbell) raise
• Front deltoid (barbell) raise

I typically do four sets of each exercise. Of course depending on the exercise, I use more or less weight and vary the reps. And, I usually work out one major muscle group each time I strength train. Depending on time or my workout schedule for the week I may do two muscle groups. Some combinations I’ve done are back/biceps, chest/triceps and abs/core + any other muscle group.

I’ve noticed a lot more definition in my upper body as a result of the strength training I’ve been doing. My muscles aren’t huge, but I am definitely more toned. I’m happy with my results so far and plan to keep it up.  

Stay tuned for part two! Do you work out your chest and shoulders? What strength training moves do perform?

Beauty: Amanda's March Birchbox Review

I can't believe it's April already! Where did March go? I got a pretty good Birchbox last month and can't wait to share my reviews with you. The sample sizes (except for one) were a good size and I liked the variety in this box. I'm considering trying another subscription service instead of Birchbox(did you see Adrianne's Glossybox review yesterday? So amazing!)  but want to give it one more month to see if I should stick around or not. Here's what I got this month:

1. Madewell for Birchbox Nail Emery Board

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: We generally frown upon PDG (public displays of grooming) but this floral-patterned mini-file is so charming, we’re tempted to make an exception. Inspired by Madewell’s new spring collection, which features sun-ready prints and patterns like this one, the emery board is as practical as it is pretty. The double-sided nail care essential is perfect for daily maintenance and as a quick fix for snags or breaks.

My review: I thought this nail file was super cute! I love the pattern and I like how it came with a plastic sleeve so I could just throw it in my purse without worrying about it. After a few uses, it was getting pretty beat up. I don't think it will last as long as some of my other nail files, but it sure is pretty :)

2. MAKE Silk Cream Lipstick

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: We love a lipstick that delivers intense, long-lasting color—and this smudge-proof formula doesn’t disappoint. Matte hues include timeless classics, like Maraschino Cherry, a rich crimson red; easy neutrals like Putty, a peachy nude; and trend-setting tints like Flamingo, a vivid pink with yellow undertones. The hydrating, antioxidant-rich lipstick does double duty as a lip treatment, and, best of all, MAKE donates one-third of all sales to the brand’s parent non-profit, which supports women-led cooperatives.

My review: I wish the sample size was a little bigger but I really did like this product. I received the Marashino Cherry color and it looked great with my skin tone. I thought it stayed really well too!

3. MAKE Dual-Phase Eye Makeup Remover

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Sometimes, we can get by with face wash alone. Other days—like when we go all out with a smoky eye and bold, long-lasting lip color—call for a dedicated makeup remover. This gentle, oil-based formula removes shadow, liner, and mascara without breaking a sweat. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic—which means you don’t have to worry about redness or irritation.

My review: I usually just use coconut oil and LUSH Ultrabland to remove my eye makeup, but I was very pleasantly surprised on how much I liked this makeup remover. It was super gentle (usually eye makeup removers bother my eyes a bit) and it got everything off very well without requiring a ton of product or cotton balls. I really liked it a lot and am considering purchasing it!

4. Macadamia Natural Oil™ Healing Oil Treatment

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: We typically enjoy our macadamias covered in chocolate, so we were delighted to discover that this delicious treat could also work wonders on our hair. Made with a blend of macadamia and argan oils, this restorative treatment infuses hair with weightless moisture and repairs dry and damaged strands from the inside out.

My review: I love this! The smell is fantastic and it left my hair incredibly silky and smooth without weighing it down. I would purchase this product in a second!

5. Macadamia Natural Oil™ Deep Repair Masque

According to the Birchbox Breakbown: Unless you’re a newborn (in which case it would be odd that you’re reading this), your hair has almost certainly been damaged. That’s because everyday life is a minefield—heat styling, brushing, coloring, even sleeping all cause hair damage. Luckily, there’s a solution. This luxurious mask from Macadamia Natural Oil™ penetrates the hair shaft to reconstruct strands from the inside out, so you’re left with stronger, shinier, and healthier hair after each use.

My review: This stuff was great! I didn't like how I had to get out of the shower after washing my hair, comb the product in and wait 7 minutes and then get back into the shower to wash it out but my silky soft hair was worth the extra steps. My hair looked and felt incredibly healthy and smooth.

6. Sage + Fasten Common Sense

According to the Birchbox Breakdown: As evidenced by our oft-updated Pinterest boards, Instagram feeds, and Tumblrs, we’re always on the lookout for sparks of inspiration. Since we’re used to pick-me-ups of the image and word variety, we were happily surprised to discover them in fragrance form. SAGE + fasten founder Vivian Lee has created a line of four scents, each meant to embody the quality for which it’s named. Common Sense, inspired by Lee’s levelheaded mom, is a refreshing and bright reminder to use our heads and keep our cool. Now that’s inspiring.

My review: This was just ok for me. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. The scent was nice and light. I didn't like the applicator - the ball didn't roll very well and resulted in trace amounts of product to come out. The packaging was very cute though!

What do you think? Should I stick with Birchbox or try another service?

Adrianne's March Glossybox

As you might remember from my post about February’s Birchbox, I ended up canceling that service and signing up for Glossybox. 

Let me just say—Glossybox is a HOME RUN! When I initially signed up for a beauty subscription, my hope was to be able to try new makeup products. Glossybox totally delivers on that. Four out of the five items I received were makeup products.

Look at how pretty the box is!

Here’s what I got:

1. Elite Models Liquid Eyeliner

2. ModelCo Cheek + Lip Tint

3. Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen

4. Illamasqua Eye Pencil

5. Sebastian Professional Shaper Fierce Hairspray 

1. Elite Models Liquid Eyeliner: I used to shy away from liquid liners, but have found some favorites with ones made by Eyeko and Stila. I can definitely add Elite Models’ version to liquid liner rotation. The color is dark brown—the perfect shade to really enhance the eyes, but it isn’t too intense. The product goes on smoothly and dries instantly, so you can apply your mascara immediately afterward. 

2. ModelCo Cheek + Lip Tint: Before trying this product, I read that it was a gel-based stain. It is definitely a stain—so much so that my fingers were tinted pink after using it. When you squeeze the product out of the bottle, it almost looks like a drop of blood. But, when you blend it into your skin, it turns into a really nice soft pink. It’s a perfect color for spring. And, because it’s a stain I didn’t see any signs of fading while wearing it. 

3. Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen: I never hear much about Pixi in magazines or on blogs, and that’s a shame. Pixi has a few really great products that I’ve tested. So, I was excited to receive this shadow pen. This versatile product can be used as an all-over shadow, eyeliner or even a highlighter for the inner corners of the eyes or brow bone. The product is really easy to apply and leaves you with a not-too-dramatic shimmery pink.

4. Illamasqua Eye Pencil: The insert in my Glossybox said I was supposed to receive a sample of Prestiche Essential Oil Bar Soap. But….I guess someone messed up and gave me an eye pencil instead. Score! (Speaking of Prestiche—the box came with a $40 off coupon for this line of products. I tried to visit the website and there was an error. Hmm.)  I’ve heard so much about Illamasqua products, but never tried anything from the line. The color I received is best described as khaki. It can be used on the eyes, lips, face or body (according to Illamasqua). This is something I probably wouldn’t use on anywhere but my eyes—the color is great for a daytime or work look. The pencil glides on, is intensely pigmented and lasts. 

5. Sebastian Professional Shaper Fierce Hairspray: This hairspray is designed to provide flexible hold to the hair while giving it high shine. I was skeptical when I read this. As a brunette, I usually find that hairsprays just make my hair look duller. The hairspray does work and provides great hold. I wouldn’t say that it provides my hair with more shine, but it definitely doesn’t dull my hair like other products do. The negative on this one for me is the smell. It has a really intense chemical smell.

Have you tried Glossybox? I think I’m hooked!

Fashion: 10 Affordable Spring Jackets You'll Love

Spring is finally in the air --well April fools on us in Chicago - it's only 30 degrees today -- but it was nicer out over the weekend and I was finally able to bust out two spring jackets! I have been waiting what feels like forever to wear spring jackets again and I was on cloud nine this weekend. Sadly, my winter jacket is back on today -- hopefully it warms up again soon! 

I've been keeping my eyes out for some new  jackets to add to my collection this season and fell in love with the ones below. The best news? All of them are from Forever 21 so you can get these for a steal! I have had some hit or miss luck when it comes to clothing from Forever 21, but jackets seem to always hold up very well for me. What do you think of the jackets below?

1. Forever 21 Essential Double-Breasted Jacket - $27.80

2. Forever 21 Spiked Trim Faux Leather Jacket - $39.80

3. Forever 21 Faux Leather Peplum Jacket - $37.80

4. Forever 21 Faux Leather Trim Tweed Jacket - $29.80

5. Forever 21 Denim Jacket - $29.80

6. Forever 21 Distressed Racer Jacket - $29.80

7. Forever 21 Wavy Paneled Quilted Jacket - $39.80

8. Forever 21 Scuba Peplum Jacket - $32.80

9. Forever 21 Essential Drawstring Jacket - $37.80

10. Forever 21 Lace Moto Jacket - $24.80

So what do you think of the jackets above? Any must haves? I'm LOVING numbers 3, 6 and 7! 

Have you found any cute affordable spring jackets this season? Share the links in the comments!