ann elliott: health

Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

10/22/13

chocolate ricotta mousse

I know, I know... the name of the recipe leaves something to be desired. It came about when Josh and I had friends over for dinner last weekend. Our meal was fairly simple, and I was planning to make a fun dessert, when Josh reminded me that one of our guests was gluten intolerant. After about a minute of google searching, I realized that all of my dessert repertoire includes recipes that contain gluten. So...I changed my google search and found this delicious gluten free dessert from Real Simple. The mousse was light and delicious but also super satisfying. We added gluten free chocolate wafers (found at the grocery store), and had a yummy treat. I will definitely be making this again; whether or not I am entertaining with someone with a gluten intolerance. Let me know what you think!

Chocolate Ricotta Mousse
Original Recipe from Real Simple
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

15 oz. ricotta cheese (I used skim ricotta)
2 Tbs. confectioner's sugar
4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, melted, plus more for shaving on top
Gluten free chocolate wafers (I used Glutino, gluten free milk chocolate wafers)

Directions:

In a food processor, blend ricotta, melted chocolate, and sugar until smooth. (I used an immersion blender after a failed attempt in a blender. Work quickly, the melted chocolate cools and it becomes difficult to mix into a smooth mousse.)
Divide into bowls and top with shaved chocolate and wafers.

*The mousse can be made up to two days in advance. Be sure to bring the mousse back to room temperature (or a little cooler) before serving.

Enjoy!

xo,

9/3/13

apple snack

After returning from a long weekend in the mountains, breakfast this morning was something of an adventure. After a quick scan of the pantry, I decided to try to make my own "apple snacks" using a photo that I saw on pinterest last week as inspiration (find me on pinterest here). I loved this for a make-shift breakfast, but it would also be amazing for an afternoon snack, or a quick, healthy indulgence after dinner. The best part is that the ingredients are flexible, and you really can use anything you have in your pantry. Let me know what you think...I will definitely be making these again!

via

Ingredients:

1 apple, thinly sliced
Peanut butter (almond butter, or nutella would work as well)
Toppings of your choice

I used: crasins, chocolate chips, flaxseeds
Other options: coconut, raisins, almonds (or any other type of nut)

Directions:

Spread peanut butter (or whatever base you are using) lightly onto apple slice
Top with your choice of ingredients

Enjoy!

xo,

5/28/13

green energy juice

via

I have a confession to make...I am majorly addicted to caffeine and studying for the bar exam is making it worse! I used to get by with just one (large) cup of coffee in the morning and the occasional second cup of "half-cafe" if it was a really rough day.

In the past week, however, I have found myself consuming MORE caffeine. I start the day with two (large) cups of full caffeine coffee, and sip on a coke during the morning of lectures. (Luckily, I don't wind up drinking much of the coke- it is more insurance in case I start to get droopy eyes while listening to that third hour of video lecture.) I definitely have another round of caffeine and lunch and sometimes even in the afternoon or at dinner. While this might be OK on a short term basis, I have to figure too much caffeine is detrimental at some point.

a little ombre effect on my juice

Enter: Green Energy Juice. I haven't gotten on the juicing bandwagon up until now, but I have to say I might be a convert. I stopped into a local juice bar and smoothie store last week and, feeling deprived of veggies, I decided to get a green juice. I was skeptical when they told me it would be delicious, but I am happy to report that they were 100% correct. AND, the best part was it really did give me a shot of energy. I didn't have any caffeine at lunch or in the afternoon and I felt great - alert, and productive.

via

The secret to this juice is the combination of apple, lemon and ginger. With these three ingredients, you can add almost any green or veggie and the juice will still taste delicious. My juice had apple, lemon, ginger + kale, cucumbers, spinach, parsley and celery.

If you are in Jacksonville, try the Green Energy Juice at Pulp in San Marco (and maybe Avondale soon.) If you are making your own juice at home, just be sure to include the three magic ingredients (apple, lemon, ginger) and then load up on the veggies.

xo,

PS: Fingers crossed we will move into our new house this weekend! Recipe posts should resume once we get the kitchen unpacked. Thanks for your patience!

3/21/13

sugar and beauty?

Hello! We are waking up to possible flurries (albeit, very small flurries) today and I can't help but think WHAT?!?! It's spring, it's March, and I am ready for flip flops. C'est la vie.

I will never claim to be a beauty expert, but I have been thinking lots about skin care lately. I think I come by it honestly though having fair skin, freckles, and growing up in Florida. I know lots of friends who are raving about Rodan + Fields products, I have tried Obagi, and lots of people swear by nothing more than a bar of dove soap.

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While I certainly can't claim to have a magic formula, I did hear something on the radio last night that I want to put into practice- cutting back on sugar. The report I heard said that eating excess sugar can lead to more rapid aging and wrinkles. Apparently, if you can limit yourself to one sugary treat each day, you can reverse the effects of excess sugar in as little as two months. While I can't back this claim up with real research or personal experience, I think it is an interesting proposition for overall health that has an added skin bonus! What more could I ask for?!

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I will say I am also intrigued by Caudalie lotions. I got a tiny sample of some of their anti aging line premier cru and my skin has never felt so smooth and hydrated. While I am tempted by it, the price tag is steep and not something I can bring myself to do quite yet. For now I am loving every little bit of my sample size and dreaming of the day I when I might make a salary...

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Do you all have any great skin care tips? I am most interested in anti-aging products, but I would love to hear how any tips about how you all stay looking gorgeous!

xo,

2/26/13

berry and beet smoothie

I know, I know... the name of this post leaves something to be desired. BUT, rest assured that this smoothie is delicious! I have been on the hunt for ways to sneak in more veggies (as documented here, here, and here) and Josh might have stumbled upon the perfect solution in this smoothie.

I am not usually a huge smoothie fan (too much hassle and I am always still hungry when I finish), but this smoothie is SO filling. It is actually meant to be consumed post-workout, but I think it would be good anytime. Plus, there are so many veggies that you can sneak into this recipe that you won't feel bad drinking it throughout the day. Try it out and let me know what you think!

Berry and Beet Smoothie
Adapted from Outdoor Magazine

Ingredients:

1 carrot
1 beet (Can be peeled, or if your blender can handle it...whole)
1 handful of kale leaves
1 small finger of ginger (Can be peeled, or if your blender can handle it...whole)
2 c. frozen berries (I used a cherry and blueberry blend)
2 c. vanilla almond milk
A splash of OJ, if desired

Directions:

Place all ingredients in blender.
Mix well and serve cold.

Enjoy!

xo,

1/1/13

2013 goals

Happy New Year! I hope you had a fabulous night ringing in 2013! We had a great time over dinner with some friends and a very low-key champagne toast at midnight.

For many people waking up today, resolutions are running through their head. For some it is a vow to be healthier, to workout more, or to eat less of something. For others, it is a vow to be kinder, to volunteer more, or to spend more time with family and friends. While I can appreciate all of these (and actually hope to incorporate many of them into my life in 2013) there is something about the word resolution that seems overwhelming to me. I think it is because the word resolution conjures up images of deprivation and immediate, all or nothing, change.

So, in 2013 I am not making resolutions. I am, however, setting goals for myself. I think the idea of setting a goal lends itself to the mindset that you can work towards it in baby steps - much less overwhelming to me. While these goals are not immediate, overnight changes, I do think they will be helpful to keep in mind as I move into my final semester of school, take the bar exam, move from North Carolina and (hopefully) start a new job in 2013. With all these changes on the horizon, here are a few more I hope to make...

1. Spend some quiet time each day.