Can you tell I’m in a GREAT mood this morning?! Short day here at the office, followed by a loooong weekend! Plus, the Mister and I are heading to Michigan tonight for a Beringer reception and the big steak challenge is tomorrow! The rest of the weekend is jam-packed with the Mister’s bday activities – I think I might be more excited than him! In other news, the house walk-through yesterday went SO WELL. I am in love. I’m just really crossing my fingers than can come down just a little bit in the rent — please send good karma and cross your fingers for me!

Alright, enough of my yammering and onto the outfits!

In the mix:

• Maxi dress - ordered online from zulily
• Cardigan – SAKS
• Gold shoes – Giani Bini
• Brown Cuff – Details, Cleveland
• Necklace – SAKS outlet

I am obsessed with this dress. SO COMFORTABLE! I love how you can snazz it up with accessories, but still make it work-appropriate with a cardigan. I think paring it with sexy wedge heels and sparkly jewelry would make this a great outfit for a wedding or night out, too!

Another one of my favorite zella tops! This outfit was comfortable, colorful and perfect for a casual Friday at the office. The bright purple and muted yellow really do it for me – so simple, but refreshing!

I can’t wait to bust out my FALL clothes! I have some awesome pregnancy ensembles, too! After all, Starbucks has deemed it fall already!

I’m off – see ya’ll later!

Stunning specimens aren’t they? I really should be a food artist, my skillz are off the hook! To be honest, I was *tempted* to not post the photos, or simply scour the web for more attractive versions, but I like to keep things honest here on The Daily Balance. Plus, I think this is a good lesson to us all. Amazing tasting food isn’t always the most attractive.

These two ugly ducklings were from one of my favorite places here in Cleveland - Aladdin’s. (See my other fave dish, The Grilled Turkey Salad)

The glop – i.e. soup was my favorite, Len-Chili, a delightful combo of Aladdin’s Lentil and Chili soups. The chili on its own has quite a kick, but when paired with a more toned-down lentil, it tastes juuuust right. And I’m always on board with adding more lentils!

All-in-all a satisfying, healthy and tasty meal!

What foods have you eaten lately that taste much better than they look?

Last night’s house tour was a BUST ;( I was super upset about it, but I’m moving on — guess it just wasn’t meant to be! But we are forging on and actually looking at another place this evening — now that I’ve learned not to get my hopes up, I’m hoping that I don’t leave too disappointed. However, this place has a RED DOOR and that makes me smile

Anyway, despite my minor disappointment, there is still much to be thankful for this week, so please join me in compiling our lists.

This week, I’m thankful for…

Jimmy John’s Skinny Chips – I know, they have fillers and all that junky stuff, but I don’t care, they are ABSOLUTLEY delicious

My upcoming adventure with Beringer Wine!

The upcoming three day weekend

All the celebrations in store – the Mister’s birthday is Monday — you know what that means…CAKE and ZA!

Fiber One Cottage Cheese

Maxi dresses (you’ll see it tomorrow on Fashion Friday!)

My Mister, who makes my every day that much better (cue the CHHHHHEEEESE!)

What are you thankful for this week?

Can you believe how fast this year has gone? In about 5 months the Mister and I will have +1!!

I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store

But first — Great Steak Challenge details!

I received quite a few emails from readers in the Detroit-area who are interested in coming down and cheering me on! And besides watching me make a fool of myself, there will be a TON of other foodie delights – it is, after all, an arts, music and FOOD festival!

Here are the deets:

• Royal Oak Arts, Beats and Eats
• Saturday, September 4
• The Beringer Great Steak Challenge tent will be located on the corner of 6th and Washington
• The Grill-Off runs 3 pm – 5 pm

Today the Mister and I are going to be checking out a house to rent, I’m super excited about this place and crossing my fingers it goes well!

Have you ever been to a food festival? How was it?

While I remember vividly explaining the chocolatey euphoria each bite created in my mouth, I failed to expound upon on pretty important detail: Justin’s Chocolate Almond Butter.

Ingredients: Dry Roasted Almonds, Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Powder, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Palm Fruit Oil, Natural Vanilla, Sea Salt.

When I first spotted the packet on the shelf I let out a piglet-like squeal and then apologized to those around me for making such a big to-do — what can I say, I’m a bit dramatic and when you combine that with my deep adoration for all things food, well you can see how this is a fairly common response. Anyway, after calming myself down, I was most interested in finding out the sugar content of the smooth chocolate treat. Those other Nutella lovers out there may know that one of my least favorite parts about the creamy goodness is the SUGAR! Two tablespoons contains 20 grams!

You can imagine my relief, then, when I quickly learned that two tablespoons of Justin’s formula contains a mere 7 grams – let the heavens rejoice!

But how would it taste? I mean yea, Nutella packs in the sugar, but it also makes my heart flutter, and well, that’s an important side-effect I look for in my chocolatey goods. After putting Justin’s to the test, not just in my delicious sandwich, but also implementing a finger-licking test (I find it’s the most effective), I can safely say this stuff is AMAZEBALLS.

Heart=fluttering

If you can, find Justin’s chocolate almond butter. Do not rest. Do not sleep. FIND IT. If you are having trouble, I’m pretty sure you can score some from the Internet gods – i.e. good old fashion e-commerce sites.

Have you tried Justin’s Chocolate Almond Butter yet? What did you think?

p.s. Justin’s Almond Butter did NOT provide compensation or product for this review — although I pray they will would graciously accept any surplus of the good stuff.

Some background info: The Mister is OBSESSED with Pizza Hut’s stuffed crust pizza. I realize that obsessed is a strong word and some people may even tend to over-use it. To put it simply, obsessed doesn’t even do his adoration for the stuffed crust justice. Bottom line: he loves the stuff.

Now, yes, this particular za is one tasty pie, but I’ll tell ya, I’m not real wild about the calorie and fat count. Half the pizza is more than 1,100 calories! (and you all know the Mister and I go ‘halfsies,’ cuz that’s how we roll).

I knew that some creative thinking and time in the kitchen could present an equally delicious treat that didn’t contain all the nasty fat and calories.

People, I DID IT! Not only did I manage to cut the calories to 750 calories for HALF the pizza, but it turned out even MORE delicious than the original. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but… I WILL (TOOT! TOOT!). Because I am kind of a genius.

Here’s what you’ll need:

2/3 cup Kraft 2% mozzarella cheese

2/3 cup pizza sauce (we used Mid’s)

Whole wheat pizza dough (The Mister’s favorite is Whole Foods’ Multigrain)

Reduced fat string cheese (6 pieces) (we used Sargentio’s)

Step one: Using your hands, spread the dough into a pie shaped circle.

Step two: Fold the edges of the dough over pieces of string cheese (make sure you seal the dough, or the cheese with melt out). forming a crust. Continue around the entire pie.

Step 3: Top with sauce, cheese and Italian seasonings

Step 4: Bake according to directions given with the dough

Step 5: ENJOY!

What do you typically request for your Birthday dinner? I have a special cake I’ll be making, as well – I can’t wait to share the recipe!

Don’t get me wrong, the scenic route is great and making homemade food provides a real sense of accomplishment and added happiness when you eat your dishes. People, this is not one of those times.

This next recipe requires 6 ingredients and makes a complete, delicious meal.

You’ll need (serves two hungry people):

1 package of mushrooms (I used baby bellas – pre-washed and sliced, of course!)

1 package of chicken sausage

Your favorite pasta sauce – about 1 1/2 cups – go with the jarred, people! Save the homemade stuff for a long, winter/fall afternoon.

2 slices of bread

Butter

Parmesan Cheese

First, place a saute pan on medium heat and mist with cooking spray. Add your mushrooms and brown on both sides.

Now that things are getting hot and steamy, add the chicken sausage (make sure to slice it before hand). Since it’s already cooked, you shouldn’t have to cook it long.

Add the pasta sauce an mix, reducing the heat to low/med.

While this is simmering, turn your broiler on to low/med and microwave a few tablespoons of butter. Add Parmesan cheese and stir — keep adding cheese until the butter thickens, resembling a paste (but not too thick). Spread on top of bread and place in the broiler for about 3 minutes.

Remove sausages/sauce/shrooms from stove top and transfer into bowls. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve along side garlic bread, the perfect “dipper!”

Rub your belly and thank yourself for taking the shortcuts

What are your favorite kitchen shortcuts?

Lots going on today — meetings all morning at work, and leaving around 2:00 for Tracy’s rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Then later tonight I’m headed to a family party to celebrate the birth of my new cousin! I can’t wait to meet him and see the rest of my fam

Before I scurry off and head into the day, let’s share some fashion pics!

In the mix:

• Cardigan – Nine West
• Skirt – Talbots
• Shirt – Zella
• Shoes – BCBG
• Necklace – J. Crew

I’m lucky that I have so many wonderful skirts, because for the most part, I can just pull them up over my bump and I’m good to go!

• Shirt – Zella
• Cardigan – Can’t remember!
• Shoes – Espirt

If I could wear these Zella shirts every day of my life, I would. I’m going to try and find them in EVERY color! They are actually an “active wear”/workout shirt, but they are so stretchy and versatile, the make the perfect pregnancy shirt! I love you, Zella

• Dress – Boutique in Cleveland
• Cardigan – Banana Republic
• Shoes – Calvin Klein

This is what I’m wearing to the rehearsal today. I’ll tell ya what, it is HARD to look nice and polished when you have a baby in your belly! I hope I manage to look somewhat presentable

Have a wonderful day! What are you all up to this weekend?

But before I start my Thursday dance, I want to take a few moments to reflect on the week and call out what I’m thankful for.

This week, I’m thankful for:

Being able to lunch with the Mister almost EVERY DAY

Fresh peaches

Walks with my Mama

Cooler weather! I’m loving the fact that it’s been feeling like FALL!

The perfect b-day gift I found for the Mister

Celebrating new begininngs at my best friend’s wedding this weekend

The wedding cake

Good maternity clothes

New opportunities – I’ll have something else to share soon, as well!

Skinny Cow ice cream

Your turn! You know the drill

New study shows that exercise can actually make you feel full.

Do you suffer from delayed onset muscle soreness after lifting? Lean how to AVOID IT!

Do those toning shoes live up to the hype? The America Council on Excercise conducted a study to test the marketing claims.

Looking to music for workout motivation? Check out these recommended running songs.

Trying to lose weight? You might want to drink some water before your meal.

Ever wonder what your ideal body fat percentage is? Find out here.

Did you read any fitness articles this month that are worth sharing? Any personal fitness news to share that we can all give you mad props for?I’ll start: This week I am proud of the fact that I’ve gone on a power walk every day. Tonight I plan on doing an arm and shoulder weight training workout that’ll surely make me sore (it’s adapted from P90x!). What about you? What fitness goals have you acheived this week?