Marando Life: 2013

Friday, May 24, 2013

May = Month of Travel

To say this May was busy for us is an understatement! I believe I was out of town 16 days this month. My travel the first week of May was for vacation, and my sister and I met my parents and grandparents out in Carmel, CA. We had a very relaxing trip and got to celebrate my Mom's Birthday : )

Me, Taylor, Nana, and Mom at Happy Hour

Happy Birthday Mom!

Pacific Grove Run

Pebble Beach

Relaxing at Carmel Valley Ranch

The next week I was in Detroit and Bay City, Michigan for work. I was home a week and then off again for work, but this time spending a week in Phoenix.

Dropped in at a CrossFit gym in Phoenix

Arizona Grand Resort

Sushi at RA in Tempe

Well, I'm off to catch a flight back home to Indy, and can't wait to see Ryan, who has been in California all week!!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

CrossFit

Ryan and I recently started CrossFit and we are hooked. We had been considering if for a while and a few of our friends gave us the final push we needed to get started. The gym we joined is called CrossFit Fishers and is really close to our house. The coaches are wonderful and all the athletes are so uplifting and supportive. I'm excited to get in great shape and see progress from week to week. I'll have to give you guys some updates as we go along.

In the mean time you can check out our daily workouts and learn more about CrossFit here.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Pesto Veggie Sandwich

Ingredients:

1 Eggplant

1 Red Bell Pepper

9 Grain Bread (or any kind you like)

Goat Cheese

Store Bought Pesto

Red Onion

Balsamic Cream

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

First I sliced an eggplant about 1/2 an inch thick and drizzled lightly with olive oil and S&P. Then I placed the slices on a baking sheet lined with foil. I also cut a red pepper in half, removed the seeds and stem, and placed on the baking sheet skin side up.

Next I put them under the broiler for 4 minutes, flipped the eggplant slices and broiled for another 4 minutes. I kept the red pepper just how it was skin side up. After 4 minutes on each side I removed the eggplant but kept the red pepper in for another 8 minutes or so. As soon as the red pepper was done I put it in a zip lock baggy for about 15 minutes. I then took out the red pepper and the skin peeled right off so I could cut it in thick slices.

I sliced a loaf of 9 grain bread in about 1/2 inch slices or larger and put those slices under the broiler for 2 minutes. Once they came out I put big crumbles of goat cheese on one piece of bread, right away so it would melt. Next I layered on a few slices of eggplant and red pepper. I put on a few finely chopped red onion for some crunch followed by a drizzle of balsamic cream. (This comes in a squirt bottle, if you can't find it you could always skip this or make a balsamic reduction ahead of time and let cool and thicken. I have this one, and it lasts forever:http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/9693938/?catalogId=44&bnrid=3120901&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Food&cm_pla=Oils%2C_Vinegars_&_Condiments&cm_ite=Balsamic_Glaze_%7C_Williams-Sonoma&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=30-153200869-2)

On the top piece of bread I put a layer of store bought pesto. You could also try with hummus if you don't want to do pesto.

This sandwich was really good! I also made kale chips to go with (just take small pieces of kale, lightly toss in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, S&P and bake for 20 minutes at 300, flip after 10 minutes)

ENJOY!!

Green Smoothie

Ever since Ryan and I got our Vitamix for Christmas we have been making all kinds of smoothies. Last night I made a really healthy, fresh, green smoothie. Here is what I put in it: (I should start measuring ingredients to be more helpful...I'll work on that!)

A few handfuls of Kale
1 handful of Spinach
About 8 Baby Carrots
1 Mango
1 Pear
1/2 cup of frozen raspberries
1/2 cup of coconut water
3/4 cup of water
2 ice cubes

ENJOY!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Nails, Nails, Nails!

For the past few months I have been obsessed with doing my nails! I think my friend Tiffany got me hooked, but the reason I like doing my nails so much is because it is relaxing for me. At the end of a long day I can turn on a reality show, sit around, and paint my nails : ) I love doing this on a Wednesday or Thursday night. Here are some pictures of my favorite nails.

Matte Magic by China Glaze makes any polish have a matte finish.

I found this pink glitter polish at Marsh for less than a dollar.

Nails on NYE.

Purple & Gold

Nails for the Lakers game

Played around with this gold Essie Sleekstick

Revlon Nail Art

Love this glitter from Nordstrom Rack

Valentine's Day Nails, OPI Strawberry Margarita

Vegas Nails, Rose Gold Sparkles

Polish for $.47 at Meijer!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

My Life Lately Through Instagram

I know about 6 months ago I said I was going to post more, and well, that didn't happen. So I am going to try again, with a catch up session of our last 6 months. Here are some pictures I have taken and shared with Instagram.

P.S. March Madness starts today!! Who do you have in your final 4? I have Duke, Ohio State, Michigan and Indiana. Of course I have the Hoosiers going all the way : )