Knockoff Spicy Jack Wedges

Who likes O'Charley's? Who doesn't like all the calories that come with a delicious, mouth-watering meal there? Me too and that is why I decided to experiment and create my own healthier version of my favorite Spicy Jack Wedges!

They're crispy, spicy and healthier than the deep-fried counterpart!

Ingredients:
1 large egg
1/3 cup bread crumbs
1 8-ounce package of pepper jack cheese
dash of red pepper/paprika

Directions:
1. Crack egg into a bowl and whisk, slice cheese into eight one-ounce slices and then cut diagonally so that each one-ounce slice is now consistent of two diagonal pieces. Thus the entire eight ounce package yields 16 wedges. Dip each wedge in the egg mixture.

2. In a separate bowl mix 1/3 cup of bread crumbs and your seasonings. Remove wedges from egg mixture and coat with bread crumbs.

3. Spray a cooking sheet and line each wedge on the sheet.

4. Cook on broil (4-6 inches from heat) for 5 minutes or until the wedges turn golden.

Notes: It is super hard to keep the cheese from baking out of the coating. I think these do taste great, but nothing can replace O'Charley's spicy jack wedges. These are a great replacement though! 

Friday Favorite: Succulent Sushi Date Night

Nick and I do Friday Night Date Nights. More often than not we eat out and come home to relax afterwards. We usually alternate between two places and tonight was sushi night. It was delicious.

If you're new to my blog, I did a post explaining why it is important to have date nights and you can read it here. So, without further ado my Friday Favorite is our date night and this delicious sushi! What is your favorite type of sushi and do you ever have date nights?

Plus Size Date Night Outfit

Nick and I had our date night and I felt like jazzing up a little more than normal so I decided to share what I wore and how much it didn't cost! Living on a budget at its best!

Blouse: $11 at Ross

Skirt: I got this black lace skirt several years ago at a Lane Bryant outlet store. I don't remember exactly how much I paid for it, but I know it was under $20. 

Shoes: I bought these shoes for $21 at Ross in August. 

*Prices are all rounded up. 

Basically, the only thing I bought for this outfit was the blouse and it was under $12. The rest of the outfit I already had. 

How To Lose A Pound

I just read a very interesting article on Huffington Post that shows what individuals around the world eat and how many calories they consume on an average day. If you would like to read it you can do so here.

As most of you know I started a lifestyle change in 2012 and haven't looked back. I count my daily calories and track my physical activity as well. On a typical week day I will walk 3-6 miles and eat right at 1,500-1,900 calories.

Proof that tracking your caloric intake and physical activity pays off! 100 pounds lighter! 

Now, you may be thinking for someone who is still plus size how can I only eat 1,500 calories and still manage? I eat healthier foods, but I definitely won't lie and tell you I always eat healthy and keep a clean diet. I would be fibbing to no ends on that one. Though, I will admit that I do eat healthier throughout the weekday and give myself a break on the weekends. Nick and I have Friday night dinners and sometimes we just want to lounge and do nothing so we become couch potatoes on the weekends or at least one day of the weekend; I get too stir crazy and have to do something.

So, to give a glimpse into what my daily calorie intake looks like and what I eat on an average day.

I didn't walk three miles on this day but I did walk to a local store to purchase fresh veggies for the week ahead so I was able to burn 300+ calories just by forgoing my car and walking.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD:
Pros: 
• M-F between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., I drink 10-15 glasses of water | I eat plain oats every morning | I have at least one vegetable for lunch along with a lean protein and fruit.


Cons: 
• M-F between 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., I eat heavier meals and I am normally burnt out on water so I will drink some ginger ale, milk, etc., with my dinner. Sometimes I eat later than desired and I want dessert after dinner... EVERY NIGHT!!

• Saturday - Sunday I eat what I want to in moderation and I don't typically burn as many calories. 

The thing I recognize is that:
1. You can eat what you want but you have to remember moderation.
2. All calories aren't equal. You must move! Even if it is taking the steps instead of an elevator or running 5 miles a day, you must get to moving! Walking for an hour a day (3-4 miles) helps me burn right at 600-800 calories.

If you'd like any help, motivation or insight as to what I did and the steps I took please feel free to contact me.

Kiss Longer

This morning I was almost ready to head out the door for work when Nick said this.

You know how we always meet each other at the door and kiss each other when we leave and get back from work? Well, I have always wondered why it is so hard for some people to do that. I once was with my friend and his wife was leaving and he told her bye and she left. Granted they were been married a while, but I still asked him how hard it would have been to kiss her goodbye and walk her to the door. Even though they were married a while, I still hope that's something I never stop doing. 

This my friends, proves I have one of the best boyfriends EVER! I know I brag about him a lot, but he is something special! It reminded me of how important the small things are in life and relationships. It even ties back to my date nights post. Never stop looking forward to the small things; and never stop doing the small things that make you smile!

Why You Should Have Date Nights

When the week gets hectic and we are tired when we finally make it home each night, we just want to eat dinner and cuddle up until we fall asleep. The days make the weeks seem to drag by, but we can always count on Friday night dinners. I stay strict to my calorie counting and I exercise daily during the week, but when it comes Friday Night I am ready for our dinner out.

Even though Nick and I don't have kids, we don't live a very stressful and jam packed life, we are both home for dinner together and we go to bed at the same time, but we still have date nights. Although we are young and we aren't even married, living together and spending a lot of our time together gives us a taste of what it would be like to be married.

That's why, at any age, I believe date nights are so imperative. If only to have something to look forward to during the hours that creep by at the office, whether it be a way for you and your special someone to reconnect after a long week, whether it be that you just like to spend money or be social, date nights are where it is at.

Nick and I prefer this great Chinese buffet just a few miles from our apartment. It has a fully sushi bar and a wide selection of American and Americanized(Chinese) food; so good. I promise those ladies will know our names within the next few weeks. Within the last month we've decided this place. We've always had our favorite restaurants to dine at around Charleston, but we've finally found that one we don't mind visiting each Friday night.

Don't get me wrong, Nick and I spend a lot of time doing cutesy things. We watch movies each night, we cook dinner together, we shop together, we vacation together but our Friday night dinners are a highlight of my week because I know when I get home from work we will both be ready to chomp down on some great food all while sharing stories and talking until the waitress pretty much kicks us out the restaurant.

He gives me the honey glows; my date night brown bear! 

I encourage you to take the time and have a date night with your significant other because it is good for the heart, but it is good for the stomach!