Summer Fridays!

{ image via Caitlin McGauley }

This gorgeous summer week marks the end of July! Our summer vacation to Newport, RI is just a few more weeks away ... yay! I think we're going to grab a bite at the opening weekend of Bareburger here in the Slope -- the Avocado California Veggie Burger ... ummmm! My tootsies are calling for a new coat of Essie Geranium, too, so clearly I will listen and get myself to Pink Nails for a pedi! What about you guys?

Here's to an incredible weekend!

xo JN

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

I love hard boiled eggs.

But when they come out anything less than perfect ...

I loathe them.

So what makes a hard boiled egg perfect? Two key factors:

1. The shell comes off with ease. 
2. The yolk must be cooked all the way through giving it a a beautiful yellow majority, with a very thin gray rim around the edge that meets the solid white.

And here's how it's done:

• Take your eggs straight from the fridge and place them directly in a large dutch oven (or stockpot).
• Cover the eggs with 1" of cold water.
• Place the pot on the stove with the heat on high and bring to a boil.
• Once the water transitions from a simmer to a boil (tiny bubbles to big bubbles), cover the pot and allow the eggs to boil for 30 seconds.
• Turn off the heat.
• Let the eggs stand covered for 15 minutes.
• Remove from the water, cool completely and refrigerate.

No fuss, no muss and works every time!

Today's Discovery: Talenti Gelato

Although I'm first to admit that Italian ices typically top my frozen treats wish-list at any given moment, I will say that the gelato is not something I am able to turn down!

This afternoon, I was introduced to Talenti Gelato. It was a religious experience.

Among its many positives, Talenti is 100% natural, Certified Kosher, Gluten and High Fructose Corn Syrup free. Not to mention perfectly delicious ...

I had the privilege of sampling:

and

Immediately after my sample-fest, I found myself Googling "Heaven in a Bowl" "Talenti Gelato" to find out the details such as their additional flavors (can we say Sea Salt Caramel?!) ... but most importantly, the retailer in closest proximity to me! Also of note, they offer some scrumptious-sounding sorbetto as well!

Make sure to become a fan of Talenti's on Facebook!

The Mighty Bran Cracker

I don't know about you, but making sure I have plenty of fiber in my diet has always been a bit of a challenge. Well, pumpkins, that has changed since I was recently introduced to these:

Now, look. I am definitely one of those people who has taste buds that enjoy very "healthy tasting" snacks. I'm not going to turn down a wheatgrass shot, and my seaweed crisps are one of my faves. I am not advocating that these crispbreads are "tasty" necessarily ... but ... I will say that when these GG Scandinavian Bran Crispbreads are accompanied with Laughing Cow wedges, hummus, whipped cream cheese, or preserves, I think they are fantastic.

Not to mention filling. (Hi, ummmm ... 4 crisbreads = 20g of FIBER!)

So how am I incorporating these gems into my daily routine?

Take 4 of these ...

+ 2 of these ...

+ a large handful of these ...

 and a heaping side of these ...

Trust me, you will be satisfied with this filling, low-calorie, high fiber lunch!