Clean Eating Apple Crisp Recipe

As much as I love Summer, as soon as October hits, I'm all in for Fall. Bring out the tights, bold nail colors, and cider mills. Last year we went to the orchards in Long Island and it was SO MUCH FUN. We brought back two huge bags of apples and I made a large bowl of apple sauce. But after one serving of it, as good as it was, I was kind of over it. So when my neighbor dropped off a bag of apples from a Michigan orchard, I hit the interwebs and researched some clean eating recipes.

Apple Crisp it is! I found several clean recipes but many still called for butter and brown sugar. I found this recipe on The Slender Grapefruit that looked good, and did my own variation.

Here's what I used:

7 small green apples
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup natural honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
3/4 cups oats
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup granola (I used Nature's Path Organic Coconut Chia Granola from Costco)
2 tbs of ground flax
1/4 cup plain greek yogurt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Wash and chop up apples into cubes, toss with vanilla extract, and set aside
3. Mix honey, cinnamon and nutmeg, set aside
4. Mix oats, almonds, granola, ground flax and Greek yogurt in separate bowl
5. Spread apples in a 9x13 banking dish.
6. Coat with honey mixture, and then top with oat mixture. Cover apples evenly.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until apples are soft

I served this over a little bit of Greek yogurt, instead of the usual ice cream that comes with crisp. Just keeping it clean! This got rave reviews from my husband and brother in law.

What are your favorite 'apple' recipes? I'd love to hear about them in the comments below! Please share!

Jessica Cosmetics A Night at the Opera

One of my favorite things about Fall is deep, dark nail colors! Here are swatches from Jessica Cosmetics A Night at the Opera collection. Details on the shades are below from JessicaCosmetics.com... 

Velvet & Pearls - a brand new definition of black
Opening Night - a debut-worthy fuchsia (similar to Zoya's Mason)

Standing Ovation - a green guaranteed to get glowing notices (I will be sporting this for St. Patty's Day for sure)

Overture - the start of something big in iridescent copper (fun to wear with neutrals)

Blue Aria - an unforgettable song in cobalt (Love the name! This is a dark blue. Looks black in most lights)
Prima Donna - a violet celebration of the inner diva (fun purple for fall!)

I'm a huge fan of Jessica Cosmetics nail polishes. This line is perfect for the Fall we're having in Michigan. It's 80 degrees! But I can still get away with wearing some of these colors (Prima Donna, Opening Night, and Standing Ovation) since they aren't too dark, and could pass for a Spring/Summer shade.

What colors are you wearing on your nails this Fall?

Friday Favorites

This is a style themed Friday Favorites. I usually keep an eye open for fun styles that I can wear to work and transition to night. I normally don't buy stuff that I can't wear to my office (we have a casual dress code, but I usually dress business casual). The past few weeks I've found some really great Fall pieces from H&M, Target.com and at Marshalls that are work and date night friendly :)

Top: H&M, Pants: Piperlime.com Blank NYC, Necklace: Etsy.com, Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target.com, Shoes: Franco Sarto from Marshalls.com

Top: 3.1 Phillip Lim from Target.com, Jeans: DL1961, Shoes: Steve Madden, Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target.com, Necklace: Wantable.com

Normally I'm not a Target clothes shopper (they usually fit me weird) but I've been super impressed by their designer partnerships to date. Phillip Lim has been the best one yet!

 Dress: Marshalls, Jacket: boutique in Chicago, Shoes: DSW Nine West, Necklace: Francesca's

 Dress: Marshalls (old!), Jacket: boutique in Chicago, Necklace: RocksBox, Shoes: Marshall's Aerosoles (extremely comfortable!)

Dress: Vince Camuto from Marshalls, Shoes: Aerosoles from Marshalls

I'm a huge Marshalls fan. I find the cutest dresses, tops and shoes there. I'm kind of obsessed with my new beige suede booties from Marshalls. Because they are Aerosoles and have extra padding inside, they are super comfortable, even with the heel. I have been wearing them with both jeans and dresses.

Where are your favorite places to shop for work and weekend clothes? Please share in the comments!

NARS Bold Lip Tutorial

Want to rock a bold lip this Fall? Check out this video tutorial by NARS head makeup artist, Cindy Rodriquez. All products used are inspired by Guy Bourdin's Holiday collection. Details on the collection coming soon!

Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup

Mama Fashionista: Get some celebrity endorsed swag AND contribute to a worthy charity! Quinn tells you how to give back with Burt's Bees.

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes in Fresh Pink & Pink Plum and not only gorgeous, but they are also so much fun to use!

BeautyTidbits: Pamper your pout with Savannah Bee Beeswax lip glosses - all natural & deliciously glossy with a beautiful color payoff!

Painted Ladies: Sheila has found her newest favorite copper eyeshadow - it's Vegas Lights pigment by Makeup Geek.

My Highest Self: Tina reviews Shower Steamers from Fortune Cookie Soap!

D.G.S.Beauty: Curious about the Ageless Derma Anti Wrinkle Cream? Check out D.G.S.Beauty's review here.

Slashed Beauty: Miranda lets us peek into the 2013 Emmys Gift Bag that all the stars took home!

TheFabZilla: What exactly causes dark under eye circles? How do you conceal 'em? TheFabZilla shares how.

A Little Polish: Looking for the perfect vampy nail color for fall? Check out Stephanie's review of OPI's Muir Muir on the Wall

Pammy Blogs Beauty : Have you scoped out any new Fall beauty collections? Pammy Blogs Beauty shares her favorite Fall beauty items from Target!

Beauty by Miss L: Perfect fall manicure.

Peace Love and Glitter: A color bomb explosion for your lips!

Advice Sisters Beauty?Fashion/Lifestyle Website: It's pricey, and precious, feminine, and seductive --Juicy Jasmine by Krigler, that is!

Dove Intensive Repair Haircare Review

All of my life I’ve been obsessed with Dove products. I’ve used Dove body bars and body wash as long as I can remember (a 12pack of Dove body bars is usually in my cart every other Costco trip I make). Multiple dermatologists have told me that Dove’s Deep Moisturizer body wash is best to use for my eczema, so I use it pretty religiously.

Over the years Dove has really expanded their product offerings. I recently tried out Dove’s Intensive Repair hair care line and really liked it! Its creamy texture is just like the Body Wash.  It also has a really clean scent just like the body wash. 

Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner system contains Keratin Repair Activates, and according to Dove.com, it “repairs proteins at the cellular level.” I know, super scientific, so let’s break down the other benefits…according to Dove.com, this line:

• Strengthens hair and prevents split ends
• Leaves hair silky to the touch and easy to manage and style
• Contains gentle everyday moisture and doesn’t weigh hair down

After using Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner my hair not only felt clean, but it was super soft and manageable. Normally I struggle getting a comb through my towel dried hair, but after using this conditioner and towel drying, the comb just glided through my hair.

Since I highlight my hair I like to use hair products that are geared for reviving tired and dry hair. Dove's Intensive Repair line is focused on fighting breakage and split ends, basically the most intense damage you can imagine. I definitely feel my hair is in good hands with this line. 

If you want to try out some Dove products for yourself, you have a chance! Enter Dove's Great Hair Affair Sweepstakes. There are thousands of prizes up for grabs!

Dove understands that having beautiful, healthy-looking hair gives you the confidence to feel your best. Whether your hair is dry or damaged, Dove has a tailor-made solution for your hair care needs.  After just one wash hair is shiny, healthy-looking and full of life. Thanks to Dove, you can look and feel beautiful from the inside out.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dove via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dove.

Soap.com Allure Best of Beauty Sale

This is a fun promotion! Soap.com is offering $5 off when you spend at least $25 on Allure's Best of Beauty winners. Now's the time to test out a new beauty product you had your eye on! Use code ALLURE25 at checkout!

Friday Favorites

This picture was taken while coming in for our landing in NYC. I was surprised at how good it came out. I seriously want to get this printed and framed. I was on my way to NY Fashion Week so I was a very happy camper. 

 Workout with Mike in Bryant Park. We did a HIIT workout and got some weird looks, but it was still a blast. 

 Phillip Limsanity! 3.1 Phillip Lim line at Target.com was a hit in my opinion. I scored most of the pieces I wanted (more pics to come). The large black tote that is pictures is my new work laptop bag. I get so many compliments on it!

Dinner with my team at Vellum in Ann Arbor. Hot new restaurant. I loved how they placed the veggies on my plate. All about the details!

Another team trip, but to shop! I purchased Sugar Paper journal from Rock Paper Scissors in Ann Arbor. It matches my new work bag :) I had no idea this store existed and now that I do, it could be dangerous! 

Please share your favorite things from this week in the comments! You can follow me on instagram.com/lipglossbreak to see more things I love :)

Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup

Mama Fashionista: It's that time again! Quinn shares her favorite products for the month of August!

My Highest Self: Get gorgeous fuchsia lips with these Urban Decay lip products!

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Armani Sheer Blush No. 10 + Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick in Gabrielle= Perfection Incarnate

TheFabZilla: Are you subbed to Wantable box yet? Check out what TheFabZilla picked for her September box.

Painted Ladies: Sheila is getting her bright neon shadows on with MYO Makeup's 10 Piece Ultra Bright Eyeshadow Pigment Collection.

D.G.S.Beauty: Does your man need some new shaving products? Check out what my husband has to say about the HYD for Men Shave Cream, Buffer Stick, and Razor Shield

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog shows you have to be prepared in case of a Minimergency!

BeautyTidbits: Looking for a Wonder Cream to stave off the signs of aging? Check out Harshleen’s new skincare fave over at BeautyTidbits!

Beauty by Miss L: Julep Facial for Hands is Miss L? favorite hands scrub.

The Dark Side of Beauty: Check out some swactches of the Fall 2013 Wet n Wild Tough Girl textured nail polishes!

Advice Sisters Beauty, Fashion & LIfestyle WebSite: The Advice Sisters are SO excited to offer their readers a brand new makeover widget. Upload your own photo or use one already on the site, try on makeup, hairstyles and more. Fun and FREE!

Slashed Beauty: Miranda compares NYX's Collection Noir Matte Black Liner to CoverGirl and Urban Decay liners!

Geniabeme: I am loving my teal-ish mani with Sinful Colors!

Icy Nails: OPI Muir Muir On the Wall from the San Francisco Collection is dark and sexy and perfect for fall and winter.

D.G.S.Beauty: Here's a fun mask to try to help and get rid of your blackheads!

Biore Warming Cleanser Giveaway: Enter to win Biore's Warming Cleanser Giveaway!

Outdoor Workouts

A physician's assistant (and friend) once told me that the shape you're in when you're in your 30s has a direct correlation to what you'll be like 'fitness-wise' when you're in your 50s and beyond. I don't know if this a scientific fact, but it makes sense, and is why I prioritize fitness so much in my life. Not only does working out make me feel good, but I want to be able to set good examples for my children some day by living a healthy, active lifestyle. 

I travel a lot with my current job as a sales account manager, and sometimes its hard to find time to fit in a workout. Even worse, sometimes we stay in hotels that don't have gyms or if they do, it's one treadmill. So, I usually have to get scrappy when it comes to fitting work out in, because I believe in NO EXCUSES! I always pack my shoes (adidas Springblades) and a sports bra (adidas Techfit is my new fav), and now that it's getting colder out in the midwest, my new adidas Ultimate long tights and adidas Ultimate short sleeve top.

Sometimes I'll do a circuit in my hotel room, but that can get kind of cramped and limited, so I started taking my circuits outside. I'm not a huge runner (can't just lace up my sneakers and run for 5 miles). So I incorporate run/walk intervals, with other body weight moves, to get my heart racing and a good workout in. For example, here's what I did last week in Chicago:
30 second sprint/30 second walk x 30 rounds (30 minutes)
50 body weight squats (in a park)
50 knee ups on park bench
Stop in a park (or back in hotel room) and jump rope (20 seconds jump/10 second rest x 8)

Not only am I getting a massive amount of cardio in the morning, revving up my metabolism for the rest of the day, but I'm getting to see a new city first hand! 

I also do workouts like these at home. If I know I have late work night coming up, I'll usually wake up early and workout. Here's another example of an outdoor workout I'll do at home and around my city:
30 second sprint/30 second walk x 30 rounds (30 minutes)
Break in between sprinting and do 20 alternating lunges (every 10 rounds)
Run down and up hill in my backyard x 3
Jump rope on back patio (25 seconds on, 10 seconds rest x 8)

Yes, sometimes I get weird looks if I'm on a street and a car drives by, but it really doesn't bother me. There's something very rewarding to me about being awake and working out as the sun is coming up in the morning! 

Now I want to know, what are your favorite outdoor activities?  What do you do to make working out fun?

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adidas Women designs innovative performance products to help women commit to their best self and conquer their fitness goals.   We inspire women to look and feel their best - be pretty, be tough & be confident.

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by adidas via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of adidas.