Shape Tape

Have you heard of shape tape by Frogtape? Every time I pass this at Lowes I think to myself that I should get this. Finally, the other day Brian was at Lowes and picked some up for me. Such a good hubby! So I pulled out a few scrap pieces of wood from the mess in my garage and started crafting away. I had no idea what my plan was, I just picked a few colors from my stash of paints and started painting. 

Have any of you tried doing chevron print before? I have and it was a pain! On my old project, I wanted everything even, so I grabbed a ruler and started making staring lines. When all that was done I started making my diagonals to get the chevron shape. It was a pain and took forever! So Frogtape is genius for thinking of this shape tape! Seriously... it is so easy to use and saves so much time!

Here is what I did made with the tape...

1. First paint or stain your piece of wood and let dry. You can find pieces of wood like this at any craft or home improvement store. Use shape tape and cut to fit your piece of wood. Remove the back and stick to your dry piece of wood. Press down firmly all over the tape so the paint doesn't spread. 

2. Paint the areas that are not covered by tape. Make sure to cover everything completely. Then pull the tape off and let dry. 

3. While the paint dries, print a letter from your computer. My printer was out of ink so I traced it from the screen. Ghetto, I know! I didn't want to wait to get to the store to! So after I traced my letter I took some chalk and colored the back of the paper that my letter was on. Then I flipped it over, placed it on the spot that I wanted it and used a pencil to trace the letter. When you remove the paper you should see an outline of your letter. 

4. I used a small brush and painted in the outline of the letter. I also painted the sides of the wood with the same color as my letter. 

5. After letting the paint dry again, I painted the letter and sides with modge podge and covered in glitter. The modge podge will dry clear.

 That was it. This letter K is going into Kambree's room once I find some shelves to put in there. I also decided to do one with a G for our last name.  It was fun, quick, and easy! Plus, I have a ton left over for more projects. I love this tape and you can use it for so many fun and creative things!

Vitamix

Okay, so I have been doing some research in power blenders. Does anyone the Vitamix 6300 or Vitamix 750? Just curious what your opinions are! Or do you have another power blender that you like? What do you have and why do you like it?

Easy Chicken Tacos

I love making these tacos, they are quick, easy, and delish!

Easy Chicken Tacos

2-3 chicken breast (I use frozen)
Taco seasoning (recipe below)
Small corn tortillas
Shredded cheese
Shredded lettuce
Tomatoes
Fresh cilantro
Sweet chili sauce

Put 2-3 chicken breast in a pot of boiling water. Cook for 25 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked, place in a mixing bowl with 1/3 cup of water from the pan and 1 heaping Tbsp. of taco seasoning. Mix on high for about 20 seconds to shred and mix the chicken. In a hot frying pan with a little olive oil brown tortillas on both sides. Top tortillas with desired toppings.

Taco Seasoning 
(I like to double or triple the recipe to keep this on hand)

1 Tbsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Progress Pictures

Saturday was the last day of my fitness challenge group, and we have to post before and after pictures. I am not where I want to be yet, but progress is progress.  I have lost 16 lbs and more than 12.5 inches. I am closer to my goal than I was 3 months ago. I am doing it the right way so I know this isn't coming back. Drinking my Shakeology, eating clean, and working out. This has seriously changed my life and I have more energy than ever! 

There are 2 weeks until my next challenge group starts. I can't wait and I am excited for the people that are already committed to this challenge. The daily motivation and accountability got me through these last 3 months! I have had the best time and have made great friends. If you are interested in changing your life then join my challenge starting August 19th. Let me know if your interested and I will send you info.

Greek Pasta Salad

So at the Zupa's VIP event I won a cook book for posting a picture of my salad on Facebook and Instagram. I love this cookbook because it is done by seasons. So I picked the first recipe that started in the Summer section. This is so good and light, perfect for a hot Summer day. I did add chicken to the recipe to make it more filling for my family since this was all we were eating tonight. I seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper then placed them in a hot pan with a little olive oil. Once they were done cooking, I let them cool then diced the chicken. You could also grill the chicken. 

That's it, quick and easy!  Enjoy!

Greek Pasta Salad:

SALAD

1/2 lb (1/2 box) whole wheat bow tie pasta, cooked and drained
1-2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 cucumber, diced
1/2 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans, drained (I used the whole can)
1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and cut in half lengthwise
1/2 can (1 cup) artichoke hearts, drained and cut in half lengthwise
1 cup roasted red peppers (optional)
5-6 cups fresh spinach

GREEK VINAIGRETTE

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 shallot minced (Next time I make it, I will use about 1/4 cup of red onion for a stronger taste)
1 Tbsp. fresh basil, minced
1 tsp. fresh oregano minced
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. agave nectar
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
3/4 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS

*Whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients except for the olive oil.
*Slowly whisk in 3/4 cup olive oil a little at a time
*Mix together all of the salad ingredients
*Slowly add vinaigrette to salad, just until it is coated. Toss well and serve

Last chance!!

Today is your last chance to order the T25 challenge pack at the discounted price! It's a great workout that makes me sweat like Insanity but only 25 minutes a day 5 days a week. You really don't want to miss out on this one! It also includes your first month of Shakeology which is a protein shake that has over 70 healthy ingredients 30+ of them being superfoods like goji berries, maca root, wheat grass, chia seeds, etc. and its 100% natural! So, T25 challenge pack comes with your T25 workout program, your first month of Shakeology, a nutrition guide, the free bonus DVD Core Speed, and an online support group to give you the motivation you need to finish the program so you can get the results you are looking for! If your interested let me know!

GIVEAWAY!!

I am giving away this cute pillow! Go here, to find out how to enter!
Ends on Monday August 5th.

Buffalo Chicken Salad

I love buffalo wings! Unfortunately they aren't the best for me. So when my friend Holly shared this recipe I just knew I had to try it! I still get that buffalo and blue cheese taste but without all the calories!

Buffalo Chicken Salad 

Mixed greens
2 - 3 oz. cooked chicken breast, cubed
2-3 Tbsp. Franks buffalo sauce
2 slices from a red onion
3 Tbsp. blue cheese dressing

Add the red onion slices to a small frying pan with a little olive oil and brown. Fill plate with mixed greens. In small Ziploc bag add cubed chicken and Franks buffalo sauce, close the bag and shake the chicken and sauce. Add the chicken mixture to the mixed greens. Top with onions and blue cheese dressing.

Blue Cheese Dressing

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
4 Tbsp. blue cheese, crumbled
Juice from one lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

Chicken Prep

Okay, so I have had a few people as me how I prep my chicken that I put on my salads, so I thought I would share! It is pretty easy and I like to do this about once a week. 

I buy the single packaged frozen chicken breast from Costco. I take the frozen chicken out of the packages and fill a pan will hot water. Add the chicken to the hot water and set on the stove. Set the timer for 25 minutes and bring the chicken to a boil. Once it starts boiling I turn the heat down to medium. When the timer goes off I check the chicken to make sure it's done. From here I will either put it in my Kitchen Aid and shred it, or I will let it cool then cut into cubes. I keep the cooked chicken in some tupperware and use it throughout the week for different meals. You can use the chicken for salads, tacos, quesadillas, chicken salad sandwiches, casseroles, or whatever else you can think of to put chicken in. 

Food prep is key for my healthy eating. If I don't have healthy quick food ready to go, then that is when I usually want to go grab something quick from a fast food place. Salads are so quick and easy, I make sure to have chicken and toppings on hand and just throw it all together. 

Cafe Zupas

I have heard everyone talking about Cafe Zupas and how amazing, healthy and delicious it is... but 

I have never been there before! 

I know! I know! 

Well, lucky for me, my friend Darci invited me to the VIP private party for the new Cafe Zupas opening up on Lake Mead. So I quickly found a babysitter (my sister!) and RSVP'd to the event! Nothing is better than a healthy, free, and delicious date night! It was so much fun and so good! 

Now I know why everyone talks about it all the time! Everything is fresh and made right in front of you. The food is so colorful, bright, and healthy. 

I ordered the Pesto Chicken Sandwich, Nuts for Berries Salad, a cup of Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup, and the Summer Superfood Pistachio berry Creme Brûlée. 

seriously...

They had me at superfood! 

Pistachios- promote heart health, reduce cholesterol and is a good source of fiber.

Blackberries- are full of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins.

and the Nuts about Berries Salad, how can you go wrong with fresh raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cinnamon almonds, romaine lettuce, and a house-made poppyseed dressing?

AHHH-MAZING!

It was such a fun night. The people where kind, helpful, and informative. The service was good and quick. The food was so good and healthy! It's nice having a place to eat here in Vegas that is healthy and refreshing especially when it's 110 degrees outside! 

I can't wait to come back! Anyone want to schedule a lunch date? 

The Grand Opening for this Cafe Zupas on Lake Mead and Buffalo is

August 3rd. 

1/2 off of everything plus they will be giving away $25 gift cards every 15 minutes all day!

You don't want to miss out! 

10 Day Fitness Challenge

I just hosted my first 10 Day Fitness Challenge and let me just say, it was amazing, and I am down 2.5 pounds since the first day! We do have longer challenges that are 60-90 days, but I found that this is a great way for people to see what I do and be able to participate in a challenge before committing to a 60-90 day challenge. This is from one of my friends who just completed day 10 of my challenge.

It makes me feel so good to know that I am helping people change their life! Seriously, there is no better job than this! I am going to be doing these challenges monthly, so lucky for you, I have one starting on Monday, August 5th! 

To contact me about one of the challenges, either the 10 Day Fitness Challenge or a 60-90 day challenge, you can email me at simplykatiegraham@gmail.com. You can also find me on Facebook and message me there https://www.facebook.com/simplykatiegraham. 

The next 10, 60 and 90 days will pass by whether you make these changes right now or not. So quit making excuses and make the change now!

Chicken Taco Salad

i love salad. I can eat it all day long, as long as it's full of yummy stuff! This chicken taco salad is one of my quick go to salads. I keep everything on hand so I can quickly make one up if I am in a hurry. I have a few of these go to salads so I will post some more recipes later this week.

Chicken Taco Salad

3-4 oz. shredded chicken
Fresh pico de gallo
1 serving of tortilla strips (I find mine down the isle with salad dressings, next to the croutons.)
Pickled jalapeños
Black beans, rinsed (not pictured)
Corn (not pictured)
Cilantro lime vinaigrette

I just throw it all together on a plate and add the cilantro lime vinaigrette. I found the cilantro lime dressing at Costco. It is a quick, easy, clean, healthy, and filling meal!

Rhonna Designs

I have had so many people ask me so I thought I would share, have you guys tried the new Rhonna Designs app? If not you have got to check it out! It cute lettering and graphics that you can add to your pictures. Here are a few that I have done with the app. Its so fun and there is so much you can do! Warning: You will spend lots of time playing around with this!

This last picture is healthy peaches and cream! A summer must have! I cut up some peaches, added vanilla almond milk, and a little honey. A yummy healthy treat! Now go try this too!