Thursday, June 23, 2011

I LOVE COFFEE MUGS!

There...I said it...I LOVE COFFEE MUGS!  I really do.  I love to give them as gifts filled with candy, coffee, hot chocolate or whatever.  Its a go-to Christmas gift every year  (we'll get to my love for Christmas later in the year) and I love to find a mug that really matches the person's personality.  for instance, a friend of mine used to always walk out the door with a regular mug of coffee that would, inevitably, spill in her car.  That year I got her a super cute travel mug (with lid).   


I rarely buy mugs for myself b/c its much more fun to get them as gifts so I can open the cabinet and see the various mugs, remembering when I received it and the gift giver themselves or, if I bought it myself (rare), where I was.  In fact, the only mugs I remember purchasing in the past 7 years are the Starbucks mugs from Cancun, Paris, and Barcelona.  Obviously bigger trips with significant meaning.


In addition to loving them I usually have a 'favorite' that I tend to drink my coffee from each morning (unless the dishes didn't get done the night before).  Currently my fav is the one I got for my birthday from my friend Michelle.  It's from Pier 1, white with multi-color polka dots on it.  Its light weight and the lip is PERFECT for sipping (not too thick, not super thin).  My previous fav is one that I received from another lady that I admire and is a "Life Is Good" mug, brown w/a  pink smiley.  Around Christmas, unless I get a new one this year, you'll usually see me sipping from a tall white mug w/ red & green polka dots from Starbucks.  If I make something in the evening I usually go for the bigger purple Minnie Mouse mug a friend got me in DisneyLand.  I hate to admit that the mugs that came with our dishes when we got married 4 years ago have been used by me maybe 5 times.


Here's my problem though...when I pick a new favorite I always feel like I'm 'cheating' on my previous favorite with the new mug.  From late November through Christmas you'll hardly catch me drinking from a non-winter/Christmas mug at home.  Again, I'm casting my fav mug aside for a month.  What to do...


Well, those are my thoughts for today.  It's been awhile since I've written and its been a tiring week.  I needed something to lighten it up a bit.  Here's to finding your favorite mug!


Happy sipping!

Friday, June 3, 2011

What's in Your Smoothie?

Earlier today I was browsing through some deals online and saw a coupon for a $0.50 off a 'smoothie'.  Based on the photo it looked no different than a slushy drink I could get at a gas station.  I guarantee that 'real fruit smoothie' is only a fraction real fruit and LOADED with sugar and calories!  I can run down the road and get another option with some soft serve added in too for a sugary and creamy treat.


That begs the question...'What's in YOUR smoothie?'  I work at Premier Fitness.  One of the things we offer to our members is the convenience of a smoothie/coffee bar inside the gym.  Many of our members grab a shake on their way out the door after a workout and to replace their breakfast or lunch. Our smoothies are loaded with actual nutrients, real fruit and calorie free sweeteners (if any) or honey.  For instance, the strawberry banana contains water, a REAL banana, frozen strawberries (not pie filling or ones soaked in sugary syrup), meal replacement protein powder that has a balance of protein, carbs and fat and ice.  That's it! How can you feel guilty about that?


There's a woman who works out at Premier and she and I happen to be Facebook friends too.  A few months ago she invested in a nice blender for her family and is loading her kids up with real nutrients.  She occasionally posts what she's made and they always contain tons of fruits and veggies.  **Side Note...did you know you can completely disguise spinach and other greens kids usually won't touch in smoothies if you mix them dark berries?**


I know, I know...who cares!  Well, I care!  It drives me NUTS that the same name is used for something so completely unhealthy as for something that's actually good for you.  I hate the fact that people drive up to certain fast food chains and snack bars and order their 'real fruit smoothie' thinking they've done themselves a favor.  In some situations they'd be better off going for the chocolate milkshake they are sacrificing not to order. 


Before you order a smoothie, ask the person making it what's in it.  If they can't tell you, than you probably don't want it! 


Don't get me wrong...I don't eat how I should all of the time.  I love ice cream and other treats.  What is wrong is companies advertising a product as 'healthy' when its loaded with half the calories you should eat over the course of your entire day!


If you ask and they can't answer your questions come by Premier...we'll make you a smoothie you can drink without regret.