TAKE ME HOME, CITY STREETS

We just landed a few hours ago and I couldnt wait to get home to shower, light our candles and snuggle with our Lola.  Coming home from a vacation is never easy, especialy when leaving sunny 90 degree weather and coming home to a very cold city. Thankfully our holiday decorations were taken down the day before we left & we came home to a clean apartment, thanks to Aunt Ashley.    

Lola's favorite blanket by CB2 (similar style) CLICK HERE

                    Our favorite candle: Macaron by Voluspa CLICK HERE TO BUY 

Already cuddled up on the couch writing this, I'm reminiscing about the past perfect week in Puerto Rico..... San Juan will forever have a piece of my heart, from the food, the music and all the way to the   beautiful people - we are already discussing our next trip back. Hasta Luego!

 Sunset at Parque on Ashford Avenue

Daily runs at Condando Beach

I missed you at Fitness Fits & hope you all had a safe NYE celebration. Looking forward to hearing from you and how you spent your holiday. Ill be here on my couch for the next day, so keep me entertained :) Hasta Mañana!

2000 & 12

What a year 2012 turned out to be. Personally, 2012 was one of my favorite years thus far. I turned 30 (if your in your twenties....just wait till your thirties, they by far are the best yet). I set a personal goal of completing my Catholic Confirmation ( as a child I opted out and as I got older I realized what was missing from my heart) and I can truly say it has made such a  significant change on my outlook in life. Professionally, I continue to grow and just registered for classes at CUNY (finally). In love, I couldn't be happier with my man, best friend and #1 supporter (i love u Phil, to the moon and back). My Family & Friends could not have brought me more happiness with engagements & lil ones being born and our families continuing to grow in so many ways. I must say, the beautiful children that have been brought in this world by my friends and family has truly placed a permanent smile on my heart (Angelina, Henry Daniel, Scarlett, Parker & Ella - the most beautiful lil miracles) 

I'm thankful for all that I have today and curiously excited for what 2013 brings. 

I hope for you all in 2013, much love  happiness and success in all your endeavors. Keep focused, stay positive and do what makes your heart happy. 

Listen to this link - One of my favorite renditions of Auld Lang Syne... Happy New Year! xxoo

with love

Marlena

SOUL GLOW & PANCAKES

Good Morning Friday! Although its another wet and dreary day, yet again, I managed to wake up bright and early this morning knowing that I was off for my spin class at Soul Cycle. I threw on my Hunter boots and swam to class.

If you haven’t tried a class, then honey, you are missing out!  Its one of the most intense workouts both mentally and physically and yet at the end of each class I leave rejuvenated and ready for the world. Not joking, its the best high one can get. I took a class with Lindsay this morning, she rocked the "h -e - double hockey sticks" out of those 45 mins. If you are in the NYC area and want to try it out with me, email me and you will forever be changed.

After SoulCycle this morning, I headed back to my pad starving and ready to eat my left arm. I made the most amazing protein pancake mix last night and within 3 minutes I had a nutritious, filling and & most importantly delish breakfast. Sorry for the fuzziness of the pic - but here is what they looked like.

As you can see, I was starving and couldn’t wait to take a bite before the picture. I would have died if I waited, I just know it ;)

Chocolate Protein Pancakes

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

2 scoops of Chocolate Protein Powder
Pinch of salt
2 egg whites
2 cups almond milk
3 tablespoons of organic applesauce

Stir together dry ingredients. Add eggs, almond milk, and applesauce. Stir until dry ingredients are moistened (batter may be lumpy). Cook on preheated griddle until bubbles form and edges start to dry. Flip and cook until lightly browned. I like to serve with walnuts and sliced bananas, drizzled with organic honey or sugar free syrup.

*For extra goodness - Top with 1 scoop of almond butter (you can substitute with soy butter or natural peanut butter. If your watching your fat &calories I suggest using PB2)

& Enjoy!



THE NO EGG "NOG"

I just HAD to share this recipe you!

How delicious does this look! Ill be enjoying this tonite with a plate of my favorite dates, listening to holiday music with the room lit up by our beautiful tree & snuggling next to my boyfriend and our dog, Lola. Tis the season!

Here is a healthy eggless eggnog smoothie that is jam packed full of nutrients that will make your taste buds rock around the Christmas tree!

Eggnog Smoothie Goodness

Ingredients
1 cup sprouted organic almond milk
2 frozen organic bananas, peeled and halved
1 organic date, soaked for 10 minutes
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon of Himalayan salt

Directions
1. Place sprouted organic almond milk, frozen organic banana halves, date, and spices into a Vitamix or High Speed Blender.

2. Blend until smooth and free of frozen banana chunks.

3. Pour into large smoothie glass, garnish with cinnamon, and drink immediately.

Serves one

Recipe came from: Alyson S

"L" IS FOR THE LIFE YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE

Do what you love & Love what you do. Such simple words. Loving what you choose to do provides meaning and purpose which are then tied to your overall wellbeing and health. Loving what you do keeps you motivated when you need to push thru hard times. Loving what you do improves your self-esteem from simply the energy you then put into your work. It becomes contagious to those around you that let it in.

Do what you love and love what you do. I hope you find yours.

Love, Mar