Here’s a recipe for you, it’s kind of like drinking a Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie, without the pesky Girl Scout. Just kidding, I love Girl Scouts and their calories…I mean, cookies.

Thin Mint Shake

• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• Mint flavored water (Metromint Chocolate-Mint water is fantastic, but you can make your own with water and mint extract) Ice
• Blend. Enjoy.

You can find Metromint at your grocery store, usually in the organic/health food section. For a money saving coupon click here: http://www.metromint.com/coupon/

I went on a canoe race this morning to raise a little dough for a volunteer fire department. Now my shoulders are burning. How’s that for irony?

To make sure I’m going to be able to function tomorrow, I’m going to take an epsom salt bath. I try to take one epsom salt bath a week to help my body recover from a weeks worth of workouts…it’s great for comforting sore muscles and reducing inflammation.

You can get epson salt at fine stores like Walgreens. They even carry some with lavender that is suppose to make you sleepy—which sounds a little risky to me. So, if you decide to buy the lavender epsom salt bath, make sure you call a fireman and/or life guard first in case you go under. That, or wear a life jacket.

Sweet dreams.

My sister has a rule: The only kitchen appliances allowed on your counter top are the ones you use more than once a week. As a result, the only appliances I have out are my coffee maker AND my Magic Bullet.

If you know me, you know that I have a great deal of passion about my Magic Bullet. It is the greatest blender ever. I use it EVERY day and in most cases, I use it more than twice a day.

You mix up your favorite shake in the same container you drink from…which makes clean up and portability a breeze! Not only does this little gem make a mean protein shake it’s also great for making iced coffee, guacamole, salsa, pancake batter, tuna salad, blended cocktails and more!

I bought my Magic Bullet at Costco for $49, but if you’re not a Costco member you can find my favorite kitchen appliance online or on end-caps at fine stores like Target and Walgreens.

If you buy the Magic Bullet, your kitchen counter top will have a new accessory. And I guarantee you won’t be picked up by the kitchen police as your daily use will keep you in compliance with my sisters appliance rules and regulations.

I eat and I drink a lot of vegetables. That’s right. I drink my vegetables, too.

Want to know a little secret? I am a Tassimo addict. Tassimo is a clever little machine that makes freshly brewed single-serve coffee or tea within about 60 seconds. I first discovered this fabulous little invention in a hotel, most likely in Boston since I traveled there more than I care to admit during my stay in corporate America. Oh, the things I learned in Boston! but that’s not important right now.

Back to the subject at hand…My Tassimo.

My Tassimo gets a daily workout that looks like this:

• 6:00 a.m. Morning Coffee Blend
• 7:00 a.m. Morning Coffee Blend
• 11:00 a.m. Green Tea
• 3:00 p.m. Green Tea
• 7:00 p.m. Decaf Coffee
• 9:00 p.m. Espresso (this cup goes in the fridge to mix in with my morning protein shake)

Go to www.tassimo.com to learn more and while you’re there ask them to create a decaf green tea, because no one really needs that much coffee.

Tassimo: It will have you bouncing out of bed and skipping to the kitchen in the morning. Ok, perhaps that’s neither safe nor entirely true. Afterall, you should never, never skip without having caffeine first.