Christmas in July Gadget Giveaway: Last Day to Enter !!

Hi-Ya!

One Last chance to enter !

Get all the details on how to enter to win in the original post.  

You have until 12 midnight EST to enter.  I'll be selecting (3) winners using one of those fancy smancy randomizer tools.  I'll post the winner names on August 1st 2015 on my Facebook page, Taste and Tell with Tee 

Week 1: Tee's Two Cents on Weight Loss - Prepare, Prepare, Prepare !

Hi-Ya !

Weight loss is not easy.  It can be overwhelming, difficult and sometimes discouraging.
Getting healthy and slimming down takes time, determination and mental preparation.

How many times have you tried to lose those pesky pounds only to be right back where you started from a day, a week or month later.  I know I have. There are so many fad diets and/or programs promising to help you lose 5, 10, 15 pounds in a short amount of time. I can attest that I've tried many diets and although I have had good results I found that if I didn't stick to that one particular "phase" I would slowly gain the weight back.

 

My top (3) steps to making a healthy lifestyle change  

I believe having the right mindset starts with knowing why you want to lose weight and get healthy.
For me it wasn't until I was faced with the possibility of developing a medical condition. At that point I got real serious about getting healthy and ultimately shedding the pounds. I came up with several mantras that keeps me grounded. I will be using them throughout this 5 week series as they are relevant on your entire "getting healthy" journey.

My favorite mantra is: "It's a Journey, not a Race"  

Once I got my mind right I then had to decide when I was going to get started.  When I was in the "yo-yo' phase of losing weight I would always say, "I'll start Monday or after the holidays".
No, No, No !  Procrastination will stall your success.  Start today.  You say, today ?  Yep !  If you haven't eaten dinner today, why not let that meal be the start of your journey.  Instead of those two slices of pizza have one slice and a salad.   Mantra: "One Plate at a Time" 

Setting goals are important to the success of your new journey.  Goals not only keeps you focus long-term, but it holds us accountable of our journey.  Make yourself a realistic long-term goal with mini "milestone" goals in between.  This is a reminder to "self" that we are in this thing for the long haul. 

Let's make some goals.  For example, if your goal was to lose 15 pounds in 8 weeks, set mini milestone goals to lose 2 pounds every week.  I am a visual person, so I have to write things down. It allows me to see my written goal, which makes it more momentous and achievable. 

Welp, its time to clean house ! If you are like me, you probably have some type of junk food stash somewhere in the house.  Commitment is the name of this game.  To jump start your commitment to a healthier life one thing you have to do is throw out all of those "not so good" foods. Removing these foods will avoid temptation.  If you don't see it, you can't eat it !

Another thing that helped me during the beginning of my journey was the shedding of my "bad habits" in baby steps.  Example; I have a love/hate relationship with bread.  I know there was no way I was going to be able to go "cold turkey".  What worked for me was to allow myself to eat bread, but every week eliminating a meal and eventually a day without bread.  As of today, I probably have bread 3 times a week.  The struggle is REAL.

You may also have to clean house of Negatrons !  You know who I'm talking about.  The people in your life who say, " You are going to try to lose weight AGAIN".   Another mantra of mine that I clung to that counteract that type of negativity is:  "You only fail if you give up" 


Let's get Ready  !


Until next week.....

Christmas in July Gadget Giveaway

Hi-Ya !

It may be a little early to be putting up your Christmas tree, but its never too early to open gifts.

Ya'll know I love to cook, but some recipes may take a little longer of prep time than some. I'm a happy girl if I can shorten my prep time in the kitchen and one way I've learned to manage my time is by utilizing my many kitchen gadgets.  

I wanted to thank my readers by gifting some of my favorite gadgets that I use in my kitchen.  
You only have 154 days until Christmas, but you can only enter to win until July 31, 2015 at 11:59 EST.

To enter, simply go to the home page of my blog and enter your email address to get email updates of new blog posts. Then share your favorite Taste and Tell with Tee blog post on your Facebook page. 
That's all there is to it!

Important things to remember to do for your entry to be counted: 

• Verify your email request by checking your email account and activating the email subscription
• Be sure to tag me in your Facebook post

I will select (3) winners at the end of the giveaway and announce the names on my Facebook page.

Grandiose Summer Fruit Salad with Cranberry Lime Orange Dressing

Hi-Ya !

I've been on a fruit frenzy the last couple of weeks because (1) it is hot as heck in North Cackalacky and (2) a lot of my favorite fruits are in season, so I tend to keep the fridge on full of fresh fruit.

While shopping in my neighborhood grocer I stumbled upon a fruit I have never had the pleasure of knowing... The Lemondrop Melon.  I immediately placed my new friend in the grocery basket and headed straight to the check out line. I couldn't get in the house quick enough to to cut into this melon.....Wow, it was all what the descriptive sales paper said it was.

After enjoying this firm, yet juicy piece of melon an idea popped in my head....How about I add this along with some of my other FAV fruits.

This feature recipe is an Amped Up version of your ol' skool fruit cocktail.

5 Week Series: Tee's Two Cents on Weight Loss

Hi-Ya !

In this 5 week series (coming soon) I will be doling out my two cents' worth of tips, strategies, and my real life experiences on how I started and now maintaining my "Healthier Me" journey.

What works for me may or may not work for you, but whether your are a beginner or needing a jump start in your regimen my hopes is that this series may be the spark to ignite your fire in getting healthy.  

Note:  I am not a dietitian, physician, nutritionist or fitness guru, just a foodie on a mission to eating healthy and staying as active as possible.  Always consult your doctor before making any drastic dietary changes or starting an exercise program.

Thirst Quencher of the week: Matcha Cherry Bomb Green Smoothie

 Hi-Ya !

Did you know that today is National Ice Cream Day ?
Yep, In 1984 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream month AND the third Sunday of the month to be National Ice Cream Day.

The temperatures in Charlotte will rise close to 100 degrees today and throughout the week, so how fitting that today is a holiday that you could  get some free ice cream from your neighborhood establishments and shops.

You know I like to give alternatives, right ?

So.....If the heat is keeping you hostage or you just prefer not to indulge in a bowl of ice cream then you can make your own healthy yummy frozen treat in the comfort of your air-conditioned home.

Matcha Cherry Bomb Green Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 tsp of Organic Matcha Green tea powder
• 1 medium banana, frozen
• 1/2 cup of cherries, frozen
• 1/4 cup fresh or frozen pineapple
• 1 cup of Silk unsweetened Almond/Coconut milk
• 1 handful of organic baby spinach
• 1 tbsp of organic ground flax seeds
• 1 tbsp of Real cream of coconut
• 1/2 pack of Stevia
• 1 tbsp of real shredded coconut flakes

**If you don't use frozen fruit then add ice in addition to the other ingredients.

Instructions
I blended the ingredients in two separate whirls in my Nutri-Bullet blender as I was attempting to go for a two-tone color block smoothie, but it didn't work out as plan, so I gotta a swirly type mixture going on. .... Try, try, try again :)

1. Blend Cherry mix in blender: 1/2 of Almond/Coconut milk, 1/2 banana, coconut cream and cherries.  Pour in glass
2. Blend Matcha mix in blender:  Remaining almond/coconut milk, remaining banana, spinach, pineapple, flax seeds, shredded coconut flakes, matcha powder, and stevia. 
3. Pour matcha mix on top of the cherry mix and garnish with pinch of coconut flakes and a place a cherry on top.
4. Enjoy and remember to stay hydrated !!

Zada Jane's Corner Cafe (Charlotte, NC)

Hi-Ya !

Breakfast was on my agenda today, so I decided to visit (for the first time) the much talked about Zada Jane's Corner Cafe.  They serve lunch and dinner, but are well-known for serving breakfast ALL day.

The cafe had an artsy, funky, and whimsical ambiance.  The patio was crowded w/ people, kids and doggies !

What's breakfast if you are not sharing it in the company of friends and family.  

My friend, Veronica and I arrived to a crowded parking lot, which meant that the cafe must be on jam.  Timing was on our side because as soon as we walked in the door there was a table available, which was awesome because I was HANGRY and I had heard that if you are brave enough to go on a Saturday or Sunday morning the wait could be a lengthy one, so we are on a roll thus far....

First thing first....coffee !!  I was torn between a hot cup of java or something on ice.

Our waitress, Jennifer was awesome and very helpful.  She suggested the Iced Chai Latte w/ vanilla, which was delicious and simply "special" (Veronica's word throughout our meal).

Time for some food....

Decisions, decisions, decisions.  After perusing the menu for close to 20 minutes or more we both ordered The Zada Jane 28205 Basic Breakfast, which consist Two happy eggs (any style), one protein, one carb plus toast or a TLC biscuit. 

The sunny side eggs was cooked perfectly, the apple wood smoked bacon was crisped just right.  I had the stone ground grits w/ the cheesiest cheddar I've had in a long time.  Veronica's carb of choice was herbed roasted spuds, of course I nabbed one from her plate, which by the way were super-excellent.  She had a side of the herbed gravy, which she says was very good.

The TLC biscuit is named as it should be...there was nothing but love in making that warm golden brown, just-right crispy bottom, melt in your mouth biscuit.  I couldn't decide which jam to spread, so what did I do ? Yep, I had both.  

Very Berry Jam and Apple Butter Jam

Dessert at breakfast ?  Why not.

Veronica loves Amaretto and it was an easy decision for her (and me) to have a side of the Amaretto French Toast served with orange zest butter and shaved almonds.

One word.....SPECIAL !!

Zada Jane's is a treasure-trove in the Plaza Midwood area. The service was great, atmosphere was nice, the prices were affordable and most of all the food was amazing ! I highly recommend it.
If you live in the Queen City go check it out and if you are visiting Charlotte a must try !

Ya'll thank me later :)

Check out their website

I will see you again Zada Jane !!