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
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
Still haven’t gotten the garage clean, so I’m going to move on and come back to it :/ I did, however get the Valentine’s stuff out at least
Since I haven’t gotten to the garage, I decided I should get the shed cleaned out. Most of what is in there is parts to the pool we used to have, and I just need to load it all up in my dad’s truck and haul it off to the recycle place. So, that’s the main task on my list this week, and in addition to that I plan on cleaning the carpets
Someone please tell me I’m not the only one who doesn’t get it all done!!
I’ve spent all my grocery money for the month (except about $50), so I have to cook from the pantry. It’s ok, though because there’s a LOT in there, so really, I would need to cook from the pantry anyway. I’ll spend the $50 on milk between now and the end of the month, so I can’t really supplement my recipes at all. That is the challenge for today…. I think I’ve got this covered
Monday: Turkey Cobb Sandwiches, Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Tuesday: Bean and Sausage Stew
Wednesday: Bacon Chicken Bites, Peas
Thursday: Date Night, pick up something for the kiddos
Friday: Pizza Chicken
Saturday: Chili Cook Off at the church
Sunday: Pampered Chef Show
I’m not going to lie. I was frustrated when I weighed in on Monday. I stayed within my points range for the first time since before Christmas, and I gained. Not much, just .8, but still. 
I do have a few low point recipes on the menu this week, and I made an Apple Compote on Monday that was To.Die.For- and only 4 points! I also need to get back into low point desserts, so that I don’t get frustrated with that and go crazy…..
That’s it for me this week! Have a great week everyone!
Well, the garage is more than a one week task…. It’s gotten BAD in there… So, this week I’m going to continue working on the garage, and work on Valentine’s Day decorations. Already my schedule seems to be getting the best of me and I’m falling behind. I am determined to “Get in Front of It” as my good friend likes to say. I need to tame this beast!!!!
Last year we worked on our “Six List” and I know that when I do it, it is very helpful to me… I need to start making my lists again.
What about you? How do you tame your beast? (Whatever it may be)
It always works out some how 
“Watch your Thoughts, for they become Words…
Choose your Words, for they become Actions…
Be mindful of your Actions, for they develop your Character”- author unknown
This was the signature of an email I received. I really feel like this is a powerful statement. How often do we will things into action? Take your marriage, for example. If you don’t watch your thoughts the resentment bug can destroy your marriage in seconds flat. On the flip side of that coin, the way you think about your spouse in positive ways transpires to deepened relationship as well.
Now let’s look at this with our kids… If you are constantly thinking that your kid is lazy, then those words will come out of your mouth, and then the child believes it and they become lazy…. If you think of your child as incredibly kind, that will transpire as well. I’m not saying to have unrealistic thoughts, or even expectations. Just remember, that your children know what you think about them, and for me, I want my children to know I think the best of them. It helps them to develop their character.
For myself, I can have the same power. If I look in the mirror and think to myself about how fat I am all the time, next thing I know I’m saying I’m nothing but a fat girl, and then I’m becoming that fat girl that I thought myself to be. Or, incompetent, or insecure, or unreliable, unable to be on time… the possibilities are endless… And, if I think to myself things like, “I am a beloved child of God, perfect in his sight, and dearly loved”, I feel that love and then I leak that love out to others…
Remember the song, “Be careful little children what you see… Be careful little children what you see… For your Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little children what you do…”
Or another thing I tell my kids- “Garbage in, Garbage out”.. meaning they need to guard what they let into their hearts and minds, because if they put garbage in, garbage will come out.
These are all good reminders for how we relate with our kids, but also good reminders for how we relate to our spouses, our friends, and ourselves.
Well, a few months ago I was so excited to receive a letter from my mother saying that she wants to start passing cards back and forth and trying to rebuild our relationship. I eagerly jumped on the train, so excited that my mother and I might be able to bridge some sort of relationship. I knew that it would never be the relationship I had longed for, but if we could at least have something I would be grateful. We’ve sent cards back and forth and even exchanged gifts at Christmas (something we haven’t done for years). I really felt like we were getting somewhere. Then this morning my sister tells me that my mother had her will rewritten to give everything to her boyfriend.
Now, don’t get me wrong. It isn’t that I want my mother’s money. Actually, she really doesn’t have any at all. It’s the sentimental stuff that bothers me. She has the piano I learned to play on. She has the heirloom Christmas ornaments that belonged to my great grandma. She has the Grandfather clock that MY grandfather MADE that is supposed to be passed down to me. She has the tables that my grandpa made out of tree trunks. Countless items that belonged to my grandparents and great grandparents. Those items should stay in the family. None of them are really worth money, and I don’t care about their monetary value.
So, now I’m faced with how to deal with this. I forgave her for all of the many things she has done over the years that have been hurtful, and it took a lot of work and prayer to get there. Now I have to start over. I have a whole new thing to forgive her about. I am also in a place where, I really am not even sure I want to continue to try to have a relationship with her because there’s constantly something going on that is hurtful to me or my children.
And I wonder, why now? This is something she’s talked about for years, but has never had the money to get it done. And she’s known all along how I felt about it. So why at the same Christmas when she tells me she has no money for Christmas so she’s sending the kids something little (a meat and cheese basket for the boys, for example) does she come up with the money to do this as her Christmas present to her boyfriend? Why do it and Why tell my older sister? Why? Why Why Why? We were making such progress.
I know for one thing that I will never abandon my children, and in a weird way I’m thankful for all that has happened, because it is what caused me to want to open my heart to my two youngest. I’m in prayer for peace and forgiveness, and for right now I’m just going to be still. I’m not going to send anymore correspondence, and I’m going to wait for God to heal my heart and help me to forgive her….. Again….
Well, I got back on the stick this week, and as a result lost 2.2 pounds! I still have 2 pounds to go to be to my “pre-Christmas” weight, and a few more pounds to be back under my all time lowest, which I was at in October. I’m doing my best not to be frustrated with myself, because life happens. My schedule had gotten completely out of control, and that was the main reason for my slipping. It’s time to own it and move on.
Here’s my tidbit that is helping me this week. There is a book called, Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time, that is on the reading list of one of the other blogs I read. It’s now on my reading list as well. I had a sample sent to my Kindle,
With this, my weight loss/ healthy living goals for this week are:
So, how do you manage to put yourself on the priority list?
Well, last week’s post about a weekly routine definitely helped me. I didn’t get to everything, and I’m sure it will need some tweaking in the next couple of weeks, but I definitely felt less overwhelmed. As a result, I was able to accomplish some other tasks… Remember last year when we did “Making Our Homes Like Heaven in 2011”, and we went to our master closet and turned all of our hangers around? Well, My husband and I went through our closet this week and donated 2 bags of clothing that was still turned around backwards (meaning we hadn’t worn it). We kept a couple of items, but donated most of it. 
In addition to continuing with my weekly schedule and figuring out what needs to be tweaked this week, my task for the week is going to be to clean out the garage. It’s also a big mess from the Christmas stuff (some put away, some not, and other miscellaneous items just thrown out there. Honestly I wonder on a regular basis how it gets so bad so fast…..
And, I’m going to be looking for some Valentines decorations. I used to decorate for every holiday and the last couple of years I just haven’t been able to do it because I was so busy with everything. I really want to get back to decorating again. I am setting a goal of getting the decorations for Valentines out sometime next week.
Monday Monday! Bear with me as my computer died on Thursday, so I’ve been trying to get settled back in to my new one. Getting a new computer should be fun, and exciting, but it’s really just a hassle to me! Don’t get me wrong- I’m thankful that we could get a new one (it isn’t really optional with 2 homeschooling kids), it’s just bothersome. 
Anyway, enough griping. I did good on groceries last week, and still have a LOT of food in the freezer and pantry, so I’m working on a small grocery trip again this week. I do have a decision to make on a meat order, as Zaycon Foods is coming to town with super cheap chicken and bacon. I need to decide by Wednesday because that’s the order deadline. I bought Chicken last time and it is very nice meat, I just have a bunch left from last time still. Problem is, I’m not sure when they’re coming again, and I don’t know if they’ll have chicken…. And, at $1.69 a pound, it’s a really good deal….. So, I’ll see where my freezer is by Wednesday and decide
Menu for this week:
Monday: Chicken Enchiladas ( from Beef Enchilada recipe, just using chicken, and I have everything already), Trifle (I never made it on New Year’s , so I have everything for this too
Tuesday: Beef Pot Roast (in the freezer), Rolls
Wednesday: Snack Dinner (Older Boys at EYC)
Thursday: Mac and Cheese for the kids, Date Night for us
Friday: Biscuit Pizzas
Saturday: Parmesan Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese
Sunday: Fish Tacos (just need to get some cabbage)
From this menu, I think all I need to buy (besides regular essentials and lunch/breakfast stuff) is some sour cream, frozen rolls, bread crumbs, and cabbage! WOOHOO
Time goes by so fast. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it when we’re in the moment, but it really does. I look at my kids and the pictures from the past and think to myself, “Where did the time go”. Which brings me to another thought. What have I done to purposefully spend time with my kids lately? The past couple of weeks have been full of holiday stuff, so we did a bunch of stuff- rode the Polar Express, Christmas stuff, New Year’s Party (we always party with the kids), and Moody Gardens. But what about normal every day life. I often find myself so busy going to and fro that I’m exhausted by the time I’m not running and I’m really not up for doing much with the kids. ;(
As 2011 drew to a close I knew one of my goals for 2012 would be to spend more purposeful time with my kids. 2011 was a year of trying to spend more purposeful time with my husband, and it has completely changed our relationship. (Not that it was bad before, it’s just so much more deep now). I’m hoping to do the same with my kids. So, on my calendar for January I have at least 2 family nights on my calendar. I’m not planning anything big for these nights, maybe just play some games or something. Or even do a project to fix up the house together. But the important thing is it’s on the calendar.
I found last year that if there is a spot open on my calendar it gets filled. I am often gone every night of the week between taking the kids to their activities, date night, and the other things I’m involved in. Many weeks I found myself frustrated that it seemed like I was burning the candle at both ends and doing nothing but holler at my kids. My calendar is still full this month, but I’m scheduling in down time so that it happens.
What about you? What do you do to keep the balance?
If you’re missing Wordless Wednesday, have no fear! I’ve reinstated my blog Pictures of Jello where I’ll be posting my photography 
Wednesdays will now be Weight Loss Wednesday
Ugh. Yuck. Blech…. Wow.
If you feel like you’ve done all this work and “ONLY” lost 3 pounds, or 5 pounds, or 15 pounds… where ever you are, visualize this in relation to what you’ve lost. It might change your vocabulary and take the “ONLY” out!
Last week we had a substitute leader and she asked us to set a goal of where we want to be at Valentine’s Day on our journey. Then we took out our weight trackers and on the back marked where we want to be on the graph. I set a conservative goal of 10 pounds lighter by Valentines Day (7 weeks of weight loss). This week I stayed the same, but I wasn’t surprised because of New Year’s Eve and the chocolate fountain
My goals for this week are:
How about you? What are your goals for this week?
