Thoughtful Thursday- Time

I’m having a real hard time keeping up lately.  Here on the blog, I’ve been able to post only on average 2 times a week, and that is just an outward expression of how my life is going right now.  I’m drowning in a sea of responsibilities with not enough time to accomplish them all.  I’ve looked over my calendar a million times and just can’t find anything to cut.  I’m at a loss.  I’m sorry I haven’t been blogging regularly (with the exception of Menu Monday)…  but it’s the one thing I CAN cut.    I really like blogging, so this is sad for me .

I’m wondering, what do all of you do to help manage your time?  As I write this I can barely see the floor in my bedroom, my laundry is backed up (I’m currently washing clothes so I’ll have something clean to wear today), there are dishes in the sink, and I’m already exhausted…..  It’s 6:20 a.m.  My day hasn’t even started yet…….

Menu Monday- 2/13- Thought on Love

Ah Valentine’s Day…..  A day of eating out, eating chocolate, getting flowers, etc…..  Not in my house!  My husband and I have gone out for Valentine’s Day ON Valentine’s Day only ONCE in our 16 year relationship.  That was the first year.  We decided after that that we would most definitely stay in on Valentine’s Day   It works for us.  My husband doesn’t like crowds, so we avoid them if possible.  We also don’t go out for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

So, for years, we have celebrated our love for our FAMILY on Valentine’s Day, and you know what?  I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world!  Why does this holiday that’s all about love seem to be reserved for adults?  Don’t our kids deserve to have a day on the calendar that is about loving them too?  Shouldn’t we focus on TRUE love?  That is, the Agape Love that GOD has for us?

I don’t do anything really big, I just got each of the kids (and the hub) a small box of chocolates.  I might decorate the table and stuff, depends on how my day goes LOL…  And, I’ll have a Valentine’s Day themed meal   It’s what works for us   Michael and I will go out for our regular date night later in the week and enjoy each other’s company minus the crowds

So, how do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Here’s the menu for the week:

Monday:  Biscuits and Gravy, Eggs, Bacon

Tuesday:  Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner for me and the babies

Thursday:  Date Night   Kid food for the kiddos

Friday:  Pizza and a movie with the kids

Saturday:  Kids Night In at the church, I’m thinking of taking the older boys to a movie

Sunday:  Sloppy Joes, Fries

Weight Loss Wednesday- Getting Serious

It’s been a rough couple of weeks for me.  Heck, it’s been a rough couple of months!

One thing I’ve learned to be true, though I don’t want to admit it and I don’t like it, is, I HAVE to exercise to lose weight.  Period.  I will not lose weight if I don’t.  The thing about that is, I really don’t have extra time.  I was doing so well this Spring and Summer because I had the time.  I was walking 30 miles a week, 5 miles M-Th and 10 on Friday.  That equated to about 1 1/2 hours M-Th and 3 hours on Friday.  I enjoyed it.  I really did.  But then, school started back up again, the babies therapy schedules increased, and I found that I didn’t have time to do it.  (Even though I was walking from 6-7:30 am.)  Before I knew it weeks had passed with no walking.  Then months…  Then the weight started to come back on….  EVEN THOUGH I WAS WATCHING WHAT I WAS EATING….  Yes, I’ve been going over my points allowance, but that’s part of the problem.  I can’t seem to stay in my range, I NEED THE EXTRA ACTIVITY POINTS.

So, one of my goals for this year was to participate in at least 3 public events (5K’s etc).  I am signed up for one this weekend, I’ll be walking it, pushing a stroller with TWO babies..  That ought to earn me something, right?  LOL 

In addition, I want to RUN a 5K this year…  Now, I am NOT a runner.  I can walk and walk and walk…  But I have NO endurance for running…  But I’m going to give it a real go.  I’ve started a training program called 3 Weeks to a 30 Minute Running Habit.  I’m on day 3.  It is an interval training program, days 1 and 2 started with 1 minute of running/1 minute of walking 10 times.  Today is a rest day and it increases tomorrow.  The first day I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through all the cycles…  Yesterday was much easier and I almost think I’ll be able to make the 2 minute runs tomorrow LOL    I figure if I can make it through this program I’ll move to a 5K training program, and I am planning on running a 5K in May…..  I’m hoping this will kick start my weight loss too…

Menu Monday- 2/6

I’ve had a little bit of a problem lately.  Come time for Friday and Saturday I lack any and all motivation to do anything in the kitchen.  Does anyone else have this problem?  I think I need to make sure that I either have super easy meals on the weekend, or plan to get something out…  I’m not sure…..  How do you handle that?

Here’s my plan for this week:

Monday:  Left over Chicken Enchiladas

Tuesday: Cranberry Chicken (meal from my pampered chef show a couple of weeks ago) with Rice

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner

Thursday:  Biscuits and Gravy, Bacon

Friday:  Sloppy Joes, Fries

Saturday:  Chicken in the grill pan, Sweet Potato Fries, Layered Salad

Sunday:  Chili, Fritos

Menu Monday- January 29

Ok, seriously…..  How do I spend so much money on food????  Y’all see what I make…  I don’t make a bunch of steak!  My quest for cheaper meals continues….

Monday:  Mandarin Chicken Salad (from last night’s Pampered Chef Party)

Tuesday:  Pizza for the kids, date night for me and the hubs

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner

Thursday:  Chicken Enchiladas

Friday: Chicken nuggets and Macaroni and Cheese

Saturday:  Burgers

Sunday:  Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites, Stuffed Jalapenos, Chocolate Covered Strawberries 

Weight Loss Wednesday- You’re going to Love Me!—Seriously… You Will!

Ok peeps…  You are so going to love me for this.  I mean really.  I love myself for this….  Many of you have tried my Green Smoothie and have told me how much you love it…

Well….  I have a new concoction…  MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP MILKSHAKE!!!  Oh my lick the blender…… 

What do you think about eating a Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake for breakfast and checking off your healthy oils for the day, 1 milk serving, 1 liquid, and 1 vegetable?  How’s that for starting the day off right? 

Looks good, huh?????

Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake
Serves 1, WW Points+ =5 pts
Fulfills 1 veg, 1 milk and 2 oils in Good Health Guidelines

Ingredients:
1 Cup COLD water (if you don’t have water in the fridge you can add a few extra ice cubes)
1 Cup Fresh Spinach
1 Packet WW Smoothie Mix
8 Ice Cubes
2 tsp Healthy Oil
1/8 tsp Peppermint Extract
3/4 TBS Mini Chocolate Chips

Directions:
Place everything except the chocolate chips in the blender in the order listed.  Blend well on Smoothie speed until well mixed with a smooth green color.  Fold in Chocolate Chips and serve!

*Note- the Recipe builder online puts this at 6 points, but that’s cause it sometimes adds extra points in there…  I figured with 2 points for the smoothie mix, 2 points for the oil, and 1 point for the chocolate chips.

*Also, if you don’t want to use your WW Smoothies on the kids (because they’re going to want one!) I’m sure you could use like an instant breakfast packet with similar results