Life is like a box of… oysters.

Oysters are the hottest food of the summer. Low-calorie and virtually fat free, oysters pack a protein punch and are loaded with B12 vitamins. Salty and briney, they pair perfectly with a martini…or a cold beer. Check out their nutritional benefits. Also, oysters are “among the sea creatures with the lowest known levels of mercury.”

Even better, oysters teach us a few lessons.

1. Not everyone is going to like you… Oysters are an acquired taste. But who really cares anyway?
2. Work for your dinner. Every oyster needs to be shucked… and it’s not easy. Aw… #shucks.
3. Not all oysters are created equal. Don’t be afraid to be picky…
4. Stay close to the sea and always keep summer in your heart.

Brown Rice Pasta

Pasta lover? Trying to eat healthier? These days, there are so many whole wheat and whole grain pastas in grocery stores and on dinner menus. All claim to contain more fiber and protein without skimping out on taste.

However, Trader Joe’s sells an AWESOME alternative. Trader Joe’s Brown Rice Penne Pasta is made with 2 ingredients only: brown rice and water. That’s it. That means you get the benefits of whole grain brown rice without any phony flour blends or preservatives. 1/2 cup of this pasta contains 4 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein. Not bad for a pasta fix.

Check out this article which well help you consider making the switch to a more nutritious pasta. You should also check out Trader Joe’s brown rice quinoa spaghetti, brown rice tortillas and sprouted grain ezekiel bread.

You Get What You Give

I am a big believer in the power of positive thinking. A recent study conducted at Wake Forest University confirmed that good vibes really do go a long way. The study investigated the way that individuals perceive others and concluded that “a person’s tendency to describe others in positive terms is an important indicator of the positivity of the person’s own personality traits.”  Individuals with the tendency to positively judge others were overwhelmingly found to be more enthusiastic, kind-hearted and even emotionally stable individuals. Those who viewed others negatively were associated with “a huge suite of negative personality traits.” Get this: they were also found to have a higher likelihood of depression. So, try to find something good in someone you’ve already labeled as bad. Who knows…you might notice something good about yourself along the way. 🙂

Take it off!

We all have our own skincare regime. From lotions to eye creams and exfoliation, what works is different for all of us. However, there is one beauty rule that should never be broken. We cannot sleep in our makeup overnight. According to various dermatologists interviewed in Women’s Health magazine, sleeping in our makeup clogs and stretches out pores, while also promoting inflammation and collagen breakdown. Moreover, primers and foundations that have been worn all day have picked up pollutants from the air and brought them to both your pillow and the surface of your skin. Yuck!

Makeup removing wipes are an easy way to make sure you don’t skimp out on this important step. Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes are the most popular makeup wipes on the market. They are effective at removing makeup, dirt and oils and even take off waterproof mascara. A pack of 25 goes for around $7. However, there is a more gentle and affordable alternative in your local drugstore.

Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes are an unexpected but excellent makeup remover. They are hypoallergenic and fragrance and alcohol free. Because they are designed for a baby’s skin, they won’t irritate yours. The best part? A pack of 56 costs just $2.50.

The BEST protein bar

I have a pretty serious obsession with protein and nutrition bars. Almost every morning, I reach for a bar to go with my morning coffee. I love that they pack a protein punch on the go, and admit that I have tried almost any bar you can find in the grocery store. I used to love Luna bars, but didn’t like that they came with around 12g of sugar. I like that Kind bars are made with just nuts, fruits and whole grains. Think Thin bars are delicious and have 20g of protein, but I was bummed to find out that they use icky ingredients like sugar alcohols and calcium caseinate. Then, there are those people who swear by Quest bars.

But, one protein bar triumphs above all the rest.

RxBars are the “Real Food Protein Bar.” Each bar is made with less than 8 completely NATURAL ingredients. Every flavor delivers 12g of protein from egg whites or raw almonds and are around 200 calories. Get this: they are dairy, soy and gluten free!! But the list goes on. They also NEVER contain added sugars, artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, GMOs, or preservatives. What’s not to love?! Order RxBars on their website or on Amazon. A box of 12 is around $26 and well worth the splurge.

Long Run Playlist

Never underestimate the power of a good playlist! Check out my Long Run Playlist for your sweatiest workouts, Jen Selter inspired squats, and those Mondays when you just need some motivation.

Recipe: Spicy Fire Roasted Tomato Pasta

There’s little that can’t be fixed by a big bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine. Check out this easy recipe the next time you need some comfort food. Simply season some tomatoes and roast them in the oven for about an hour. Boil a pot of pasta and you have a healthy delicious meal!

Ingredients: 8 ounces whole wheat fettucine or spaghetti

2 pounds medium plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise

1/2 cup olive oil

2 heaping tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons McCormick Gourmet™ Italian Seasoning, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place tomato halves, cut-sides up, in foil-lined pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Mix the olive oil, garlic and seasoning in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the tomatoes. Roast in the oven for about 50 minutes, or until tomatoes are soft and browned.

Prepare the pasta as directed. Add the roasted tomatoes. Season to taste with parmesan cheese.

There’s a latte going on here…

I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that a morning coffee is a necessity. I mean, my alarm goes off and the first thing that comes to mind is….coffee. The thought of functioning without caffeine is…ungodly. People don’t actually do that, do they?

So, we kickstart our mornings with a Starbucks fix. Many of us try to avoid high cal frappucinos and sugary caramel lattes. But, how do other drinks stack up nutritionally? What type of milk should we request in our coffee? The Paleo diet tells us to ditch dairy, while Lauren Conrad inspires health junkies with her soy lattes. Let’s investigate.

So what’s the verdict?

If you’re watching your sugar intake, coconut milk is the best option. It’s also totally unprocessed and all natural. While skim milk has some added sugar, it is a low-cal, fat free alternative to whole milk or cream. Be wary of soy milk, as studies show that a high intake of processed soy may promote the growth of hormones associated with breast cancer.