Good Morning Lovers!

How are y'all feeling?!?! ...Well, the day has FINALLY come! That's right!

It's My Juice Cleanse...get busy...it's My Juice Cleanse...oh yeah!...(that was a little jingle I made up in honor of the occasion).

So I'm on DAY 1 and Juice 1 as we speak, but before I launch into details, I wanted to preface with the fact that my slumber was filled with all sorts of  juice cleanse "noise." Needless to say, my sleep was far from restful, but I'm hoping it had more to do with the anxiety of embarking on the unknown, rather than serving as a precursor for what's to come! <<fingers crossed>> Furthermore, it was unsettling when I woke up with a hollow stomach, knowing I would subsist only on liquid for the next 3 days, but I assume these fears are all a normal, natural part of the purging process, so there's really nothing left to do, but...

Bring it on, Baby!

Let's begin!

What's up Orange Juice?!?! ...Say hi to your mother for me...Bahahahahaha...I'm being a goof. 

Here's what my Menu looks like today:

The Conquered:

• #1). 10:30am Chlorophyll Shot / Evaluation: Super bitter, but easy to take down. Also stains your teeth green temporarily. I swigged a bunch of water and gargled to restore my *pearly whites.* (I took a Yoga class at 9:15, so I didn't start my cleanse until I came home)
• #2). 11:15am 100% Organic Orange Juice / Evaluation: Delicious and refreshing! Not too sweet, which I love. Surprisingly, it's taking me a while to get through. I thought I'd guzzle it down in a flash, but I'm finding that I'm filling up awfully fast! Slow and steady seems to be the trick. (I couldn't wait any longer because I was FAMISHED!)

What's to Come...

• #3). 1:00pm "Mellow Love" Green Juice - Consists of Romaine, Celery, Spinach and Cucumber / Evaluation: TBD
• #4). 3:00pm "Ginger Lemonade - Consists of Alkaline Purified Water, Lemon, Lime, Ginger, Coconut Sugar / Evaluation: TBD
• #5). 5:00pm "Veggie Vibe" - Consists of Carrot, Celery, Cucumber, Beet, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Lemon, Ginger, Parsley / Evaluation: TBD
• #6). 7:00pm "Green Love" - Consists of Kale, Celery, Romaine, Cucumber,Swiss Chard, Spinach, Collard Greens,Pear, Lemon, Parsley / Evaluation: TBD
• #7). 9:00pm "Coconut Mylk" - Consists of 100% Organic Coconut Meat, 100% Organic Thai Coconut Water / Evaluation: TBD

That's the whole of it, Dolls. I've got nothin' on my plate today...or tomorrow...or Wednesday! Stick with me as I continue to explicitly log how I'm affected by this detoxification process...

In the meantime...

Peace, Love & Besos

 xoxo

P-to-the-S: I will be posting MULTIPLE daily updates over the next 3 days, so keep 'yo-self GLUED to the Daily D! 

Hello My Beautiful Readers!!!

We're on the eve of my much-anticipated 3 day juice cleanse, so in light of such an occasion I decided to give the writing a break and

Come at ya LIVE, instead!!!

Press Play, as I chat it up with y'all about the preparations required before embarking on such an undertaking!

All My Love

 xoxo

Good Day Sexy Lovers! 

I'm not going to bullsh*t you...It's gloomy and cold here in NYC, my nose won't stop running (constant boogers), and overall I'm just not feeling "on" today. I lack my usual "oomph" of energy, and wish I could snuggle up in bed and fall asleep right this instant! (my afternoon might call for a cat nap!).

HOWEVER...and that's a big however, blogging always brightens my day, so I am jazzed up talking to all of your beautiful eyeballs right now! 

I'm also THRILLED to share my Mama's famous 

Rice Crispy Chicken Recipe!

The great thing about this recipe, is

• You can use all different parts of the chicken! - breast, wings, legs, or thighs - Take your pick! 
• It's super flavorful so it tastes sinful, but it isn't! 
• They don't need the help of condiments! They're delicious on their own! 

This past Sunday, I chose to use the breasts and cut them into tenders!

Here's the How To:

INGREDIENTS

1 lb Organic, Free-range, Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

4 Cups * Brown Rice Crispy Cereal *See special video below 

4 T Melted Organic Butter

Himalayan Sea Salt & Crushed Black Pepper to season

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400. Line jelly roll pan with foil. Lightly grease.  Pour the cereal into a gallon sized Ziploc bag. Using a rolling pin or meat tenderizer, crush cereal so it's a finer consistency (but leave some larger chunks for texture). Cut chicken breasts into tenders. Dip chicken into melted butter, then transfer into cereal bag. Continue to do this until all tenders are inside cereal bag. Shake bag, and make sure all tenders have an even and generous crust of cereal. Using tongs, transfer tenders onto pan. Liberally salt, and sprinkle with pepper. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until golden-brown. (You want outside to be crispy!). 

BEFORE:

AFTER:Voíla! 

These are a sure thing when you're craving some comfort food that's not at the expense of your health! 

P.S.: SURPRISE! I have a special video feature today! Watch below to find out which cereal brand I recommend when making this dish! (Hint: It's not Rice Krispies!)

That's a wrap Love Bunnies! Time to get me some Wahoooooooooooo's to feed my belly! Yums.

Love  Hugs Besisimos

 xoxo

P.S.: I will be conducting a survey SOON! A special treat will be provided to those who participate! ...and don't worry...I'll make it short & sweet!

What's up Luvahs!?! Good Afternoon Delight! ...

So, today's post should come as no surprise...It's time for the much anticipated, never duplicated...<<<Drumroll, please>>>

. * . * . * D a i L y   D u B i E   D e B u T * . * . *.

In the form of 

. * . * . * R e C i P e   W e D n E s D a Y ! ! ! * . * . *.

Today is super jazzy because I get to introduce y'all to my amazing, bad-ace business coach!-(Coaches need coaches, too!) She's a health expert to boot, so I get loads of fabulous food and recipe ideas from her which really strikes my fancy! (and it will yours too in about 1 second!) 

Without further ado...

 Meet: Jenn 

Who is Jenn? Jenn is a sugar cravings expert and business coach. She's a proud Mama of 2 beautiful children, and loves being outdoors as much as she can! 

Favorite dish to cook? Tacos

Why? She can get creative with toppings so they're different every time she makes them.  They're also a super quick dinner for the mom on-the-go,  and her family loves them! She loves that even without the shell, they're still delicious (and more calorie-friendly). 

Jenn's healthy cooking tip? Watch the kind of oil you use, it truly makes a difference! She only cooks with coconut oil or high quality olive oil.

Jenn's favorite Indulgence? Chocolate coconut milk ice cream! 

When deciding on which recipe to choose from (there are many!), it seemed most appropriate (considering it's her favorite, and we're on the cusp of Cinco de Mayo) to go with these babies:

Hit it Taco Pacos...

Jenn's 'Go Naked or Cover Up' Tacos

                          SHELL OPTIONAL  

INGREDIENTS:     

1 lb 85/15 Lean Ground Beef or Turkey (Choose Organic & Grass Fed) -no oil required for sauté

1 Medium Onion, Chopped

2 Cloves of Garlic, Chopped

2 tsp Chili Powder

Romaine Lettuce

Olives (Optional)

Fresh Chopped Tomatoes 

Fresh Chopped Cilantro

2 Fresh Avocados, Chopped

Fresh Pico de Gallo Salsa

Pre-Formed Organic Taco Shells, or Corn Tortillas

Bit of Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese (Optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Sauté ground beef or turkey with onion, garlic, and chili powder. Top crunchy romaine lettuce with spiced meat, olives, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and salsa. Eat as a salad, or stuff into  shells or tortillas.

MMmMMmMMmmmMMMm I say Olé Olé Olé to that recipe! 

I'd like to extend GIANT THANKS to Jenn and others who've eagerly submitted their recipes! Not only does it provide readers with fresh food ideas, it's also an opportunity for me to get to know all of YOU a little bit, which I love more than anything! ALL recipes will be debuted at some point, so for now sit back, chillax, keep those eyeballs peeled and keep 'em coming!  Send all recipes to

laura@dailydubie.com

For your chance to...

Showcase your cooking skills!
Provide readers with the motivation to get their buns IN the kitchen, cookin'!
Inspire readers to experiment with food in a different, yet healthy way!
Introduce the World Wide Web to your sexy self!

I've said my peace.

LoveHugsBesos

Cheers to a GORGEOUS EVE!!!

MUAH!

 xoxo

P.S.: The week's not over yet, and it's all about the FOOD! There's more fun to come in the form of rice crispy chicken tenders, and double chocolate chip cookies! -(All recipes are gluten & dairy free! Yippee!) 

P.S.S.: I'm embarking (along with my sweet & supportive Husband, aka "Honey Buns") on my very first juice cleanse next week! Due to an overwhelming amount of inquiries concerning the topic, I felt it was necessary to experience it firsthand, so I'm doin' it! Balls to the wall, Dolls! Starting Monday, April 30th, I will be blogging you through my experience. Wish me love, hugs, & the patience to get through! xo

Hola! Hola! Mis Amiguitos Preciosos! ...("my precious little friends" en Español)

It's time to get those Maracas OUT and Sombreros ON ...

Because we're just 10 days shy of....

<<Maraca Shaking Moment Here to up the ante>>

Cinco de Mayo!!!

Duh Dun Dun duuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnn....

...And yours truly is going to be slicing right into this business like she would a plump, ripe and creamy avocado...

Awwwwwww yeeeeeeahhhhh ...

Now, if you think I'm gonna talk greasy nachos and burritos, you are largely mistaken. For starters, those are not Mexican dishes, they're American. Secondly, they're usually loaded with nothing but processed meats, cheeses and refined rice  = NO BUENO. It's no wonder why Mexican food is so often thought of as heavy, unhealthy and a heart attack waiting to happen! Most people have the wrong idea about it, which is where I come in!...

<<ENTER: LAURA, MEXICAN FOOD MAVEN>>

*Photo circa 2006*

Okay, that's a slight exaggeration, but I am married to a Mexican, and I LOOOOOOOOOOVE the food, so that should suffice the title of "Maven."   

Mexican is, hands down, one of my absolute favorite cuisines, and being that I live, breath, and sleep an über healthy lifestyle, it's important for me to share 

My Top 10 Tips To A Healthy Cinco de Mayo! 

1. Keep it fresh! Good Mexican food uses nothing but the freshest ingredients! Swap your canned products (with the exception of beans) for fresh produce!
2. Load up on the Veggies! Fill your tacos, enchiladas, tortas or sopes with Avocados, Onions, Tomatoes, Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Cilantro, Jicama, etc. The more, the merrier! 
3. Choose Corn Tortillas! Avoid flour (that's an American thing). Corn tortillas are a good source of fiber, B vitamins (especially Niacin, also known as B3), and contain other trace minerals.  They naturally have fewer calories than flour, are smaller, and naturally gluten-free (so won't upset gut as much as flour will).
4. More Beans, Please! In lieu of animal proteins, beans are a tremendous source of fiber and protein! Use pinto, or black beans for this occasion! They can be smeared over anything and everything! Incorporate into dishes, make into a dip, or serve them as a side.
5. Go Raw with your Cheeses: Queso Fresco, Manchego, Cotija, etc, are all common cheeses used in Mexican cooking. Aim for high quality, unprocessed cheeses. They're best fresh! Use cheese to garnish, or enhance your dish, not as the as focal point. 
6. Choose High Quality Animal Proteins: Organic free-range chicken, grass-fed beef or pork. Try to keep it as lean as possible by using chicken breast and beef loin cuts.
7. Slow cook! This helps infuse proteins (that are super lean) with flavor! I love to slow cook chicken breast with chicken broth, onion, garlic, tomatoes, and some jalapeno for some kick! It pulls apart, and melts in your mouth by the time it's ready to serve! 
8. Go Fish! Seafood is a HUGE staple in Mexican cuisine! Use shellfish like shrimp, lobster, or crab instead of your standard, beef, chicken, or pork options! They're low in calories, high in protein, and are a fantastic source of iron and zinc! 
9. Go Skinny! ...On the bebidas ("drinks")! Calling all Skinnygirl Margaritas! As a general rule of thumb, stick to clear tequila (or liquor), FRESH lemon or lime juice, and mix with soda water. If you want to infuse with fruit, use cut-up whole fruit and or a splash of fresh fruit juice....OR make your life really easy and buy the famous Skinnygirl Margarita!
10. Have Fun! At the end of the day this is MOST IMPORTANT! If you're too busy obsessing over your food choices, you are NOT being healthy! Too healthy, is UNhealthy! So, if you're a guest, and your host didn't get the Daily Dubie memo on how to keep it healthy, go ahead and have yourself a few nachos or a triangle or two of that quesadilla, but odds are, there will be something healthier for you to munch on! 

And THAT is officially a wrap, Muñecas! (Dolls)

Love & Besos

 xoxo

P.S.: ***FUN FACT*** Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day, rather it's recognized in the U.S. (and in Puebla, MX) to celebrate the pride and culture of Mexico.

P.S.S.: Recipe Wednesday is comin' TOMORROW! Stay tuned to see just who gets their claim to Daily Dubie fame! 

Good Morning California! Good Afternoon New York! Good Eve Par-is!

How are y'all feeling on this fine Monday?!? I hope Schnazzy Dazzly!

...And if not, be comforted knowing that this Monday is a far cry from last week's 85 degree, balmy, beachy weather in my neck of the woods. <Sigh>. With temperatures barely pushing 50, gray, overcast skies, and a chilly breeze in the air,  my environment hardly screams *Sunshine and Lollipops* my friends, BUT, that doesn't mean I still can't scream sunshine & lollipops! ...Annnnnnnd it certainly doesn't mean you still can't, either!

Moral of the story:

"Happiness is decided on ahead of time"

Likewise, UNhappiness is decided on ahead of time. That's right! It's a choice; it's YOUR choice, so why not choose to have a a good-as-balls day?!? Listen, I realize that on the Daily Dubie, I come across as bright, bubbly, and happy 100% of the time, but it ain't always that way, folks! Puuuuuuuuuhhhhleeeeease! I'm human too! Sure people irritate me, things drive me bananas, and I can be extremely impatient (anything slow moving need step aside!), and even I catch myself wallowing in my own sorrows, or letting other people or things get the best of me, but most of the time I make a concerted effort to be pretty dang happy, and focus on the positives in my life-something we all have! So please...

Don't live your life according to other things or people, and their unpleasantness.

There's always going to be an outside factor - something or someone - in our present environment that we cannot control, and that we might not like so much. Instead of focusing on how much of a buzz kill these Debbie Downers are, make happiness your business and DECIDE, like you would in business, to be HAPPY, and follow through with that decision like your life depended on it, because...it kinda does!

"If you're happy, you're a success!"

-Dr. Bernie Siegal

*Side Note: Happiness is an inward experience. It has nothing to do with how you appear to be, do, or say on the outside*

THat's all I'll leave you with now, Lovies! ...Stay tuned for My version of Healthy Chicken Tenders! Coming soon! (Hopefully TODAY!)

MUAH!

Love,HappinessBesos

 xoxo

Whas Up!

Whas Up!

Whas Uuuuuuuuup!

My Beloved & Beautiful Daily Dubie Readers?!?!?

Yours truly is happily eating an abundant spoonful of sweet, creamy Almond butter, talking to all y'all, AND jamming to the Avicii Remix of Arimin Van Buuren's "Drowning" - Gangsta SaWce! is what that is! Awwwwww yeeeeeeahhhhhhh...

But let me cut to it!

I knoooooooooow that some of you might be wondering where in the world my Hot Tip Friday video is at, and I'm here to tell you that it's not here today. That's right, there is no video. And here is why...

You've got to be 100% in it to Win it!

...And if I must be frank, Mrs. Daily Dubes is only about 50% into the vids right now, which is 50% less than where I need to be. You and I both know that when we half ass anything in life, the payoff is either:

• A TOTAL Bust

OR

• Mehhh...alright at best

So, I listened to my gut and made the decision to skip out on the video this week. BUT, hear thee, hear thee...this is in no way, shape, or form "Bad News," N-to-tha-O! This is

G-double-O-D GOOD news, My Friends...

...Because I am going to use this time to contemplate changes I see as necessary to both my success, and your entertainment-(most importantly!)  I can make no promise as to when another video will debut, so in the meantime sit tight, chiillax and continue to enjoy the Daily Dubie ride while I tune up my vids. Spring cleaning is in order...

Before I peace out, I do have a Hot Tip I would like to leave you with for the weekend:

Eat More Greens!

Whether it be adding veggies like spinach, cucumber, kale, celery or parsley to your juice or smoothies, steaming, sauteeing, or simply grilling them, pump up your intake over the next few days and see how you feel ...

Sound boring? You CAN get fresh, fun, and delicious with your greens! Here are some tips:

• Grill them! Grilling adds a whole other dimension to your veggies! Lightly brush with olive oil, or butter (yes, butter) and sprinkle with your favorite seasonings! I stick to the standard Himalayan sea salt + pepper, but you can have fun with it!
• Sautee them! Using a bit of healthy oil, or butter can give your veggies that flavorful, delicious, and seemingly sinful appeal! I LOVE me some sauteed spinach with garlic, and a touch of olive oil or butter...OH MY GOSH... I could eat it for DAYS! DAYS, Dolls! 

Here are some Greens that are in season right now:

• Asparagus
• Arugula
• Swiss Chard
• Spinach
• Lettuces
• Watercress
• Basil
• Parsley
• Artichokes
• Snow Peas
• Mustard Greens
• Dandelion Greens
• Fennel
• Chives

Eat 'em up, Buttercups! 

...And now the time has come...

Wishing you all BEAUTIFUL, HAPPY, HEALTHY WEEKENDS filled with LOVED, HUGS & GREENS!

Muchos Besos

xoxo

Good Afternoon My Lover Pies!

How are y'all feeling?!? ... I got such wonderful feedback from yesterday's post! Thank you to all who gave me a holler!  I love myself some hollering! Expect to go deep with me on a weekly basis. 

Now, moving right along, it's time for me to callate, and move aside for another one of my beautiful  Daily Dubie readers! That's right, it's.......

R e C i P e   W e D n E s D a Y ! ! !

And Emily is going to take the mic, today! Hit it, Em!

Meet: Emily

Who is Emily? Emily is a VP in the Global Health department at Porter Novelli. While she loves working in the health and wellness world she also loves living a healthy lifestyle - from running, spinning and yoga to cooking healthy meals for she and her fiance, a handsome Brit named William no less. Originally from Oklahoma, she grew up in a family that loves to EAT, especially wholesome, home-cooked meals. She credits her Momma, who is a big fan of Cooking Light, as her ultimate cooking resource!

Favorite dish to cook? Stir fry! Throw your favorite protein and chopped veggies in a wok, stir it up with some yummy sauce and you've got a healthy meal in just about 20 minutes! 

Why? Perfect for busy, time-crunched lifestyles!

Emily's Healthy cooking tip? Go easy on the  oil and butter! Recipes hardly need as much as what's called for to taste good - a little bit will do the trick!

And now, without further ado, here's one of Emily's favorite go-to recipes. She loves this because it's "fairly healthy, filling, and simple!"  

Eat up, Buttercups!

Mushroom-Marsala Chicken

Excerpted from "Cooking Light" magazine

The Plan: Put small red/purple potatoes in the oven with garlic/white onion/olive oil/salt/pepper to roast at 450, mince the shallots, prepare the chicken, while the chicken cooks, make something green (steamed broccoli, sauteed spinach are our favorites). Voila, a beautiful dish of roasted potatoes, a healthy green and really yummy, tender chicken with the best flavor - and loads of mushrooms!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup  low sodium chicken broth
2 (4 oz) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves or cheat with 4 thinly sliced chicken breast pieces (cutlet-style)
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
1 (8 oz) package of mushrooms (white mushrooms - or any kind)!
1/4-1/2 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1/4 dry marsala (or any white wine)
1 tablespoon butter

Directions:
Pound the chicken breasts (between heavy duty plastic wrap) to 1/2 inch thickness (or just use the thinly sliced chicken cutlets)
Rub the chicken breasts with a bit of olive oil
Sprinkle with just enough of the breadcrumbs and salt and pepper on both sides
Place a large, non-stick skillet over medium high heat until hot; add the chicken. Cook 3 minutes per side (or until done).
Remove the chicken from the pan; cover and keep warm.
Using the same skillet - cook the mushrooms and shallots for 4-5 minutes until tender.
Add a dash of white wine; cook one minute
Add chicken broth; cook 2-3 minutes (or more - stir the sauce often to get the bits of the bottom of the skillet; it should reduce and get thicker for the best flavor)
Remove from heat, add a bit of butter, until the butter melts.

*Daily Dubie Tip: Make sure your chicken is free-range, and organic. You can substitute standard Italian bread crumbs for whole wheat breadcrumbs, and add your own Italian spices, salt, & pepper to flavor, for a healthier bread crumb mixture that's high in fiber! Another option would be to forgo the breadcrumbs altogether. The dish is already so full of flavor, you won't miss them much! 

And there you have it! Another slammin' Recipe Wednesday post is under our belt! Again, I encourage ALL Y'ALL to send in your favorite healthy recipes to: laura@dailydubie.com for your chance to:

Showcase your cooking skills! 
Provide readers with the motivation to get their buns IN the kitchen, cookin'!
Inspire readers to experiment with food in a different, yet healthy way!
Introduce the World Wide Web to your sassy self!

Alright. I'm out.

PeaceLoveBesisimos

Muah!

 xoxo

P.to-the-S: APRIL's Newsletter is 'a comin'! Click HERE to join the party! I'm putting a MAJOR DIET MYTH on BLAST! It's time to get your facts straight! Woop! xx