she is red

I’ve been sick in bed for the last five days, and I truly think I’m going to go stir crazy.  So many things are happening around me right now, and instead of facing them like a grown-up, my body chooses to shut down completely and hide away under an enormous down comforter and pile of tissues.

It’s not healthy. I know this. I’m working on it.

Denmark is a difficult country to catch the flu in if, for example, you are an American like myself who is used to relying on cold medicine to get you through the sneezing, coughing misery.  In Denmark, the doctors say “drink lots of tea”, and so, without any other medicinal options, that’s what you do.  I’ve been through two boxes so far this week – first one of licorice tea and then one of “Sleepytime”.  I mix in a few cloves and anise, then stir in a spoonful of honey and coconut oil.  Miracle worker on a sore throat: let me tell you.

But guys… it’s no NyQuil.

#fingerscrossedforamiraclerecovery

xxx

Cold, winter nights are perfect for sharing warm, rich desserts.

And if those rich desserts happen to be fat-free and fruit-filled as well… well that can’t be a bad thing, can it?

This winter, peeled pears and dried cranberries poached in a mix of red wine and spices officially became my new favorite dessert.  Amaaaazing.

A dollop of vanilla ice cream makes the perfect compliment to this dish — and I promise you the pears and red wine syrup are so rich, you can easily get away with using fat-free frozen yogurt. {No one will ever know.}

So let’s make January a little less miserably cold, shall we?

I’ll bring the red wine

xxxx

Apparently, I am obsessed with frozen desserts, and think you should be too.

There’s something just so comforting about frozen treats. {Did you see Jon Stewart offer Robert Pattinson Ben and Jerry’s for example? hehe}

Because when things get rough? Frozen deliciousness makes it feel better.  Like an ice pack for your heart… ya know?

I’ve been a bit down lately – busy learning how to balance and fit in my new life in Copenhagen.  I’m so happy to be here, but you know: I miss my mom!!!!

And this incredible, low-fat, fruit-loaded ice cream helped me feel much better.  It truly, truly did.

~~

Buttermilk Ice Cream with Peaches and Rhubarb

• 1 cup maple syrup
• 3 peaches, cored and finely chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped rhubarb
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk

Combine the peaches, rhubarb, vanilla and syrup in a pot over low-medium heat.  Cook until fruit has softened and thoroughly mixed with the syrup, resembling a fruit compote.  Remove the pot from heat and cool.  Then mix completely with the buttermilk.  Pour mixture into a lidded container and freeze until hard.  Remove from freezer approx. 20 minutes before serving to soften.

Enjoy!!!!

xxxxx

Get Fit August is off to a wonderful start! In the last 9 days, I’ve biked 92 km {!!}, changed my diet drastically, and lost 2 kg. I’ve been trying to eat only wholesome foods – focusing on vegetables, fruit and proteins. I’ve been greatly reducing my portions as well – trying to remind myself to stop eating when I’m full {something easier said than done I think}.

To help me with portion control, I’ve relied on an amazing little product: Skinny Sprinkles! I simply dissolve the strawberry powder into water before meals, and it makes me feel full much faster.

Jane, the brilliant mind behind Skinny Sprinkles, explained this process to me: “When you have a drink you don’t feel full afterwards, but if you have a meal you do. The reason why is down to what is called ‘gastric emptying’. When you have consumed a meal your stomach knows you have eaten and the ‘trap door’ between the stomach and intestine closes so that the stomach can digest the food. When you consume a drink the stomach does not need to digest the drink so the trap door does not close. That is why drinking water for example does not make you feel full. Because Skinny Sprinkles thickens into a gel like consistency in your stomach, the stomach responds to it like it would to food and delays gastric emptying – giving a feeling of fullness.”

If you are trying to lose weight – or maintain your current weight – I truly recommend Skinny Sprinkles. They have given me more energy and helped me to control my portions – two critical factors in my uphill climb towards being fit!!  Ohhhh – and they come in the cutest packaging ever. That’s just a bonus!

xxx loves

*I was sent a complimentary package of Skinny Sprinkles to review on She is Red, but all views expressed above are my own. Thank you to Jane for letting me try this wonderful product during my Get Fit journey!! 

Is it warm where you are? Truly, summertime warm?

Here in Denmark the weather is very up and down. Summer one moment, rain clouds the next. But not even the worst thunderstorm can quench my longing for popsicles. I love popsicles.

I also love elderflower juice. Have you ever had this delicious concoction? I discovered it when I first came to Denmark six years ago. Game changer: for sure.

Turns out, it’s even more delicious frozen.  And with the addition of a few fresh blueberries to the mix, I suddenly had the makings of the perfect popsicle.

As I type this post, I’m taking icy bites of refreshing, sparkling elderflower and creamy blueberries. Are you jealous? That’s understandable.  You should probably make your own popsicles with your favorite juice and favorite fruit. Two ingredients and a freezer. Now that is an easy recipe.

~~

Get Fit August is off to a pretty great start! I’ve biked 50km over the last six days {25 of them all at once!} and I’ve kept my treat cravings at bay with low-calorie, fat-free options like these popsicles.  I feel great overall – despite my aching muscles and fatigue, which tell me my body is adjusting slowly to this new routine.  More than anything, it feels so good to move again.  I’ve been taking the train and working so much each day that now introducing more action into my routine feels amazing.

I sure hope my muscles can learn to agree!

xxx loves