Mediterranean Inspiration: Shrimp Artichoke Heart Pasta

"To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."-Buddha

This past weekend was homecoming, and while it was great to see all my college friends and revisit old haunts, I am so glad I'm not in college anymore. I am so happy I don't live in the same place I went to college and I'm glad I've ventured out and made new friends and a new life. I think it is so important to force yourself into new environments to ensure growth as a person.  

With that said, I am also a big fan of nostalgia and I was lucky enough to have some great friends from college. I really didn't take many pictures, but the weather was beautiful and the alcohol was flowing... What more do we really need to know? 

One of my college best friends and me tailgating

Gorgeous fall day

Anyways, once I was back home I wanted to make something relatively healthy and Mediterranean inspired and simple. 

Shrimp Artichoke Heart Pasta 
What you need:

• Shrimp 
• Linguine 
• Garlic
• Olive oil 
• Spinach 
• Parsley
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Asparagus 
• Kalamata olives
• Artichoke hearts
• Feta 

How to make:

• Cook linguine until al dente 

• Saute shrimp, garlic, and onions in olive oil (5 minutes)

• Chop up tomatoes, parsley, spinach, asparagus, artichoke hearts, and olives

• Add chopped veggies to the shrimp and continue to saute (5 minutes) 

• Drain pasta and combine all ingredients. Add in additional olive oil and top with crumbled feta

I add crushed red pepper flakes to everything for additional flavor!

I also am a firm believer in treating yourself every once in awhile to a splurge purchase. What's the point of working all week if I can't spend a little bit of money every once in a while on something fun? 

Obviously I'm buying jewelry

I bought myself some of Catbird's gorgeous stackable threadbare rings for a fun and unique look. I bought three threadbare 14k gold rings with one in a smaller size.  You can check them out here! Catbird has some really unique jewelry and I know I am now a big fan! 

Cheers X

Mediterranean Diet Inspiration

"Health and intellect are the two blessings of life."-Menander

Breakfast:

• 6 oz. Greek yogurt with ½ cup strawberries, 2 tbs pomegranate seeds, and 1 tsp. honey
• 1 slice whole-grain toast with half mashed avocado

Lunch:

• 1 whole-grain pita with 2 tbsp. hummus and stuffed with 1 cup fresh greens and 2 slices tomatoes
• 1 medium orange

Dinner:

• 3 oz. mahi mahi 
• ½ cup couscous, ½ cup zucchini, 4 spears asparagus, 1 cup kale

Couscous

Asparagus 

Couscous, zucchini, asparagus

Mahi-Mahi

Mahi-Mahi with veggie couscous

Cheers X

Cleansing

Happiness lies, first of all, in health."-George William Curtis

As I previously mentioned, I broke my ankle and foot seven weeks ago.  I attempted to execute a pirouette and failed miserably resulting in a Jones Fracture in my foot, a break in my upper ankle, and a seriously painful third degree sprain in that ankle. I was in a boot for a week before I could get into see the Orthopedic surgeon. The doctor then casted my foot for a month and then put me back in a walking boot for another three weeks. During most of this I was unable to drive (it's my right foot) and had to rely completely on my amazing roommate. However, the end is now in sight. I am a week away (hopefully) from getting a clean bill of health.

Immediately after my initial injury

All casted up

I have to say seven weeks of being almost completely stationary in addition to being stressed from starting a new job and trying to get settled after a cross country move is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Especially if you are trying to be healthy. I have lost a lot of muscle tone (not that I even had that much to begin with) and I have been surviving on a horrible diet.

In the last seven days of being stuck in a boot, I decided to try a cleanse in hopes of helping my body adjust to being more healthy and mobile. I have heard about a lot of different cleanses and I have tried a different one previously that made me feel great afterwards, but it required a high-powered blender which I don't yet have in my apartment. Therefore, I was looking for a cleanse that wasn't completely insane, but would still be effective.

Here is the 7 day cleanse I will be doing starting Tuesday:

• Tuesday: All you can eat fruit, but no bananas. 
• Wednesday: All you can eat vegetables.
• Thursday: All you can eat fruits and vegetables.
• Friday: Up to 8 bananas and 3 glasses of milk.
• Saturday: 20 oz. of lean beef and 6 whole tomatoes.
• Sunday: All you can eat lean beef and vegetables.
• Sunday: All you can eat brown rice and vegetables with pure (no sugar added) fruit juice

In addition to the foods listed above, it is important to drink at least 10 glasses of water every day and abstain from alcohol. You are also allowed to supplement any day with as much of the following recipe for soup as you would like. 

Soup:

• Water
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Green Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cabbage
• Lipton Onion Soup Packets

Clean Eating Shopping List 

I will also be soaking in a tub with epsom salt for at least 15 minutes everyday. Epsom salt is known for  relaxing the body, easing muscle strain, easing sprains, relieving pain, and eliminating toxins.  I personally like Lavender Scented Epsom Salt.

I will let you all know how my cleanse goes! 

Cheers xx