Sayonara, Muffin-Top!

Swimsuit season is comin', ladies. And, if you're like me, you need all the help you can get in the muffin-top area. So, here's my new fave low-carb recipe. It's dee-licious. (Tomato lovers, you have officially hit the jackpot.)

I got this from Muscle & Fitness HERS magazine. It's a great workout magazine if you're more advanced than SELF or Shape. (I'm not doing arm curls with soup cans.)

8 roma tomoatores
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
Kosher salt (I love Kosher salt. LOVE it.)
Black pepper
2 oz. fresh goat cheese (I don't include this.)
Serves 4

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Slice tomatoes in half length-wise. In a large bowl, toss with olive oil, fennel, and salt and pepper to taste.

Place tomatoes on a cookie sheet cut side down and roast for two hours. Turn over half-way thru cooking.

Place on a serving dish and crumble goat cheese on top. Serve warm.

124 calories, 4g protein, 6g carbs, 10g fat, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 218mg sodium (unless I make it and then it's like 1,000 mg sodium. Ha!)

Have a fabulous low-carb recipe you love? Send it to me! Help me say "sayonara" to the muffin-top.

Winter blues

The holidays were great. I saw family.

I watched movies. (Loved the Hangover. Julie & Julia? Not so much.)

I read. (Finished "The Lost Symbol" By Dan Brown. "Angels & Demons" is still my fave though this book had an interesting twist at the end.)

Watched way too much "Falalala Lifetime."

Hit the gym (I was there at 8 a.m. on NY Day, thank you!)

And, shopped. (Try Lucy for tall running pants.)

So, what's with my crabby mood?

In a word? Winter.

My tolerance for the cold expires New Year's Day. On Jan. 2, I expect the sun to shine, my air conditioner to click on and the pool to open.

But, it's not happening that way. At least not in KC.

I'm done with snow. I don't own a pair of boots. Well, let me clarify: I don't own a pair of functional snow boots. Sassy boots with pointy toes and three-inch heels, yes. Moon boots, no.

And, while I love, love coats, I typically buy em' based on how they look, not the level of down filling.

My bright orange Karl Lagerfeld coat bought last year at a thrift store is my favorite. (Talk about a find!) It's 3/4-sleeve and v-neck. It's 13 degrees today. So, while I love to wear it with all black and channel my inner Karl, I'm not sure it's what you call functional for sub-zero wind chills.

I keep telling myself, "Kater, you just have to make it to March. Then there will be glimpses of spring."

Yes, when talking to myself, I say Kater. And, no, it has nothing to do with me being cooped up in this house for too long.

I miss my bike. I'm done with the treadmill. I want to wear my favorite open-toe red snake heels.

I'm not usually this crabby. Really.