DAILY HEEL WATCH - WEEKEND EDITION

Forever 21's Floral Peep Toe Pumps (courtesy of Forever21.com)

For just under 21 bucks...

DON'T BE TOO EASY (PISTACHIO CRUSTED CHICKEN)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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It's one thing if your dinner is easy.

It's a whole other thing if YOU are.

You don't want to come across as a kitchen slut. Well, maybe you do after you make this dish!

Believe me, playing hard to get in an active relationship is whole lot more fun than being hard to clean after dinner.

The great thing about this dish is that all you need is a tin foiled baking tray. That's really it.

I guess easy is good.

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• Chicken (I always prefer tenders)
  
• Salt and Pepper
• Pistachios (I prefer unsalted)

Preheat the oven to 500.

In a food processor, chop the pistachios into small crumbs. Lay out the chopped nuts onto a plate. Add salt and pepper to the pistachios and shuffle around with your finger tips.

Take each piece of chicken and press onto the pistachio plate, covering the meat completely. No need for egg or anything like that.

Spray a tin foil lined tray with cooking oil. Arrange the chicken in one layer. Bring the heat in the oven down to 400, and toss the chicken in there for about 20 minutes.

How to Plate: Serve over mashed potatoes, spinach, or perhaps on a salad with some raspberry vinaigrette!

HOW TO COOK CHICKEN WITHOUT GETTING SALMONELLA

How do you know when the chicken is done? Good question.

My friends who don’t know how to cook ask me this all the time.

Here are the rules of thumb for cooking salmonella-free meat:

If you are cooking your chicken in a pan, as a beginner, it is always best to pound your chicken. Put your raw cutlets in a plastic bag and pound them with a hammer or empty bottle of wine (now you have an excuse to drink that bottle of red!) to thin the meat. When you cook meat like this, it takes less time to cook through and there is less room for error.

Another tip: Get your pan up to high heat and brown the chicken on both sides. This seals in the natural juices. Then, pop it in the oven to make sure it cooks through. This way, even if you over-cook it, the chicken is still nice and juicy and not dry.

And if you still aren’t sure, feel free to cut one piece in half as you cook to check it out yourself. Make sure you always wash your hands after touching raw meat!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Baker's VINA Peep Toe (courtesy of Bakersshoes.com)

BEING (TRIPLE) BERRY GOOD IN BED

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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Look, I'm not saying you aren't good in bed.

But I AM saying that after a big, heavy meal and rich creamy dessert, it's likely that:

a. You don't feel as sexy with a full belly.
b. You are more lethargic.
c. You're probably thinking more about getting a good night's rest than getting busy.

Here is a dessert that is fresh, light, yummy, amazing... and will make you feel the same.

This way, you can get your REAL dessert after dessert.

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· Bag of Frozen mixed Berries
· 1 tub of Light Whip Cream

Let the berries defrost.
In a large, beautiful clear bowl or martini glass, layer a spoonful of berries, then whip, berry layer, whip, berry layer, whip. Toss a few berries on top or slice a strawberry for the rim of the martini glass! Dish out this multi-layered fresh and healthy dessert.

Parve: Use a whip substitute or have fresh berries plain! Presentation is everything… you can get away with beautiful berries in martini cups!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Calvin Klein's Cali Strappy Sandal (courtesy of Bloomingdales)

HOW TO FEEL FAT (TUESDAY)

Okay. This drink is my version of the New Orleans Hurricane.

I guess you could call it the LA Earthquake. Just don't drink too many of these or you'll end up taking the title too literally.

The biggest difference is swapping out the Passion Fruit juice for good ole Guava juice.

Here it is:

• 1 ounce light rum


• 1 ounce dark rum


• 1 ounce guava juice


• Juice of 1/2 lime

Mix it up, add some ice, and enjoy!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Christian Louboutin's Bow T Dorcet (courtesy of Barneys New York)

What a way to jump start a Monday morning!