Another "Day One" - recipe & new product review

I can't tell you how many "day ones" I've had in my life.  Those days where you're going to change your life?  Eat healthfully, exercise, get your house organized, etc. etc. etc.  Well, I'm not feeling any of that - but I started anyway.  Because the days that are hard - the days where you don't feel well - those are the most important days of all to hang in there.  I have a terrible head cold and lots of congestion - but I didn't want to wait any longer to start feeling better, ya know?

I'm starting slow and easy here - using Spark People because I just adore them! 

I should note - I get a LOT of calories/points per day 'cuz I am a big girl :)  Obviously this is more food than most of you would eat in a day - but I am even at the low-end of my target range! 

I track my food, water, and exercise every day.  (Well, starting today I do *snicker*)  I have four or five people who have volunteered to go walking with me - so no excuses there!  And I am joining Weight Watchers with my nearly 16-year-old daughter on the recommendation of her pediatrician.  So all in all - it's just time. 


BREAKFAST:  Thomas' everything bagel thin w/ one egg, one 70-calorie sausage patty, 1/2 a banana and Yoplait light yogurt in cherry cobbler

SNACK:  Fruit and walnut salad from McDonalds and an unsweetened iced tea (210 calories)

LUNCH:  90-calorie flatout wrap w/ 1 oz roast beef, 1 TBS roasted garlic  hummus, 1-pt string cheese, lettuce and banana peppers rolled inside, a dill pickle

SNACK:  Kraft milk and granola bar in oatmeal raisin (I am NOT a milk drinker and this has not-so-bad stats and tastes like an awesome creamy, cold oatmeal raisin cookie and has as much calcium as an entire glass of milk in it!) 

DINNER:  Hungry Girl buffalo chicken fajitas (REALLY good, will make again!)  in corn tortillas and a side of Brussels sprouts and a bowl of cabbage white bean soup. 

No kidding -  I'm amazed at how much I can eat for my calorie allotment!  I lost 50 pounds doing this before (yes, gained back 33 of them!)  so I'm going to keep doing what works for me.

EXERCISE:  Since I"m a bit under the weather, I took it easy and did 2 Spark People videos - upper and lower body stretches.  I've been sedentary pretty much all winter!  Thought I should stretch out.  I have a walk planned for tomorrow :)

WATER:  This will be a work in progress - I think I got in 5 eight-oz glasses. 

Have a great week!

Sherry

Plan Ahead/Cook Ahead Sunday March 18th

Time for me to plan my week!  Last week was full of work, kids, a movie & dinner date, cooking, cleaning, and all the other things that make my life go 'round.

I am linked up with Vanessa over at one of my favorite thrifting blogs, Thrift Core! 

Speaking of thrifting - I scored a pair of capris, a super cute skirt, & a couple of pair of new socks for Em.  I passed on the most perfect small china/hutch/thingie that was on a 30-minute special for 12.50!  Kicking myself now :(  

Today I will be stopping by the store for a few ingredients to whip up some sides and a batch of soup for the week.  Menu planning, lesson planning, cleaning, etc. 

MONDAY:  Payday - have to pay my phone, electric, heat and joining Weight Watchers with my sister and my almost 16-year-old daughter.  Also homeschool with Em, laundry, and couple hours of work.

TUESDAY:  Lots of work hunting down charts. I do know that a big part of the day will be working and homeschooling.  (Em will do part of her schooling while I am hunting down a needle in a haystack for work!) 

WEDNESDAY:  It is my baby sister's 30th birthday!  Ha!  More work and homeschooling, dinner at my parents with a family b-day party for my sis.

THURSDAY:  Work, homeschool, and evening Bible study.

FRIDAY:  Work, homeschool, and if the weather stays nice - maybe the drive in with my girls?

SATURDAY:  Work meeting in the a.m., plan something w/ the kids for the afternoon, and evening at my parents with my family.

SUNDAY:  Church & planning ahead!

GOALS FOR THE WEEK

1.  Have a successful first week of WW
2.  Motivate my daughter & sister w/ healthy recipes and walks in this gorgeous weather!
3.  Get all my work caught up
4.  Get all of my 'business' done on Monday (financial stuff)
5.  Make my kids feel special
6.  Get my bills paid
7.  Have a great time and meet new friends at Bible study
8.  Take Mt. Washmore DOWN!
9.  Blog every day (REALLY!)

Have a great week!

Sherry 

Plan Ahead/Cook Ahead Sunday

 Here we are, Sunday again.  I had a pretty unorganized week and I don't want to duplicate that for the week coming up! 

Since we sprung ahead this morning, I feel an hour behind, lol.  It's nearly noon! 

So far this morning I unloaded the dishwasher and cooked ahead a few things for the week as well as prepped some veggie containers for quick snacks for the girls and I. 

Of note - Aldi has some super cheap veggies this week!  I am going to stop by for more staples :)

Last week I mentioned that I had broken up with the man I've been seeing for the past two weeks - well last night he asked for a second chance and I've decided to give it to him.  So we shall see.  If he doesn't step up his game, it will be a waste of both of our times!!

MONDAY:  Need to rent a storage facility (work) and set up two moves from different locations.  Homeschool with Em.  Get outside for a nature walk!  Back to Aldi for more veggies.  Mail out 2 resumes.

TUESDAY:  More work and homeschool.  Maybe a date with Larry - I suppose it all depends if he asks or not.  hmmmmmm

WEDNESDAY:  Work move???  Homeschool with Em.  Dinner w/ the kids at my parents.

THURSDAY:  Plan to go to the Detroit Institute of Art with my girls :)  Bible study in the evening.

FRIDAY:  Grocery shopping - bill paying. 

SATURDAY:  St. Patty's day - dinner at parents' house with kids.

SUNDAY:  Church and plan/cook ahead!

It's boring - but it's mine!  lol

Have a great week ahead,

Sherry 



Plan Ahead Sunday

LOOKING BACK AT LAST WEEK: 

I didn't have the most stellar week - but I am still feeling very positive, if not a little bit snarky! 

* My biggest client is shutting down his office.  There goes my one source of financial stability!  He is keeping me on as his personal business administrator - but this means I will need to find another client ASAP!

*I broke up with the man I've been seeing for the past 2-1/2 months.  He was wrong for me.  Good guy.  But not necessarily good for me.  But you know,  I am PROUD of myself - because a couple of years ago I would have held on for dear life simply because I didn't want to be alone.  Go me!

*THRIFTING:  Well, it was good and bad.  I'm super depressed about how much my favorite haunts have gone up in price.  I got my daughter 4 pieces of clothing and it cost 21 bucks!!!  She absolutely adores the bohemian-like jeans and top and we found her a J-Lo pleated demin skirt and a London brand unique hoody - so I won't complain too much.  I got a couple of deals for myself tho - a corningware dish with lid that was 1/2 price at 4.50 and a ribbon message board that goes perfectly with the theme/colors of my room for 2.99.  So not great - but better than nothing!

GOALS FOR THE WEEK:

• Get resume out there!
• Get cord for laptop ordered
• Get this place cleaned up!  (My kids utterly destroyed my home over the past two days!)
• Stick to healthy eating plan
• Even if it's tiny - do some exercise!!!  (I'll settle for anything!!)
• Blog at least 3 times.  Keeps me grounded.
• Make each of my kids feel special
• Take dinner over to my friend's family after her surgery

DAILY PLANS: 

• MONDAY - Work, homeschool, exercise (?) housework -  start sending resumes
• TUESDAY - See above (One of my best friends having surgery - check on her)
• WEDNESDAY - Go to office to organize charts & set up medical records for copying/distribution,  dinner at parents'
• THURSDAY - More of the same!  Starting new Bible study tonight.
• FRIDAY - Work at office (see WED)
• SATURDAY - Cooking lesson w/ Jennah (my 15 yo) + driving lesson,  visit parents
• SUNDAY - Church, plan for week, blog, laundry, cleaning

Looks like a pretty boring week, lol.  Nothing wrong with that!

Sherry

Menu Plan Monday

It's Monday and time to menu plan again!  I'll be grocery shopping this afternoon so this is the perfect time for me to plan out what we will be eating for the week.

                                                                                                            image credit: shutterstock

MONDAY:  Twice baked potatoes and garlic peppercorn steak

TUESDAY:  Thai Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 3 ounces uncooked multigrain linguine
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat creamy peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1-1/2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon chopped unsalted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

Directions

• Cook linguine according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe dish, combine the salsa, peanut butter, orange juice, honey and soy sauce. Cover and microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Add the chicken; heat through.
• Drain linguine. Serve with chicken mixture. Garnish with peanuts and cilantro. Yield: 2 servings.

Wednesday is dinner with my parents & Thursday I am going out to dinner with my Sweetness!

FRIDAY:  Kid's choice - nacho bar! 

Saturday we will be having dinner with my parents again :)  We go over twice every week!

Hope your week is blessed!

Sherry 

This post is linked up to Menu Plan Monday, Menu Planning Monday, and See Ya in the Gumbo! 

Plan Ahead Sunday

It seems like I am not the only one who likes to plan ahead on Sunday!  A blogger I've been following for awhile (and yes, I've been lurking, I'm all creepy like that)  lists her goals every Sunday, so I figured I might as well join her party and list my plans/goals along with hers!

Visit the beautiful Vanessa at Thrift Core to see what she has planned for the week as well!

SUNDAY:  Obviously today is my plan ahead for the week day!  I'll menu plan, make out my grocery list, lesson plan, do some blogging and working.  I hope to get some writing done and I have a book to finish as well! 

DINNER TODAY:  Garlic herb chicken with rice and green beans

TODAY'S GOAL:  Have lesson plans done for the entire week. 

MONDAY: Lots of work to do this week.  Typing, setting up a move out of storage, statements to send out, patients to call, appointments to confirm, etc.  Homeschooling, laundry, vacuuming, mopping floors.  I think my Sweetness is going to stop by after work as well <3

DINNER TONIGHT:  Twice baked potatoes w/ bacon, cheddar, sour cream, green onions

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Get my entire list of work 'to do's' done!  Find something gorgeous at the thrift store for my bedroom!  (Total work in progress right now)

TUESDAY:  More work from home, homeschooling, and housework.  Boy I sound exciting. 

DINNER TONIGHT:  Cajun red beans and rice with cheddar olive corn muffins   

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Get all homeschooling done. 

WEDNESDAY:  This might be moving day for the storage to office facility.  Also have some donations to take care of.  Homeschooling on the go.  Maybe volunteering at my church's new building. 

DINNER TONIGHT:  Kids and I have dinner with my parents on Wednesdays.

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Get the move done!!

THURSDAY:  I have a date with my Sweetness today - a "proper date", lol.  One where I will actually get all dressed up, do my hair, nails, and makeup!  (oh, and the homeschooling/work stuff)

DINNER TONIGHT:  Not sure.  Maybe Indian food?

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Look good for my date :)

FRIDAY:  Work at the office today - MA'ing and patient relations & billing, etc.  Have Em finishe all of homeschool for the week in back office.

DINNER TONIGHT:  Kid's night - probably nacho or taco bar w/ raw veggies

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Be a source of light at the office.

SATURDAY:  Family fun day.  Depending on the weather I'd like to take the girls on a nature walk, get some pictures.   Also Jennah and I make a new recipe every day for brunch.  This week it will be some sort of mini muffins. 

DINNER TONIGHT:  The kids and I will be at my parents' again

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Have fun with my babies!


Have a great week!

Sherry

Happy Homemaker Monday

Please visit Sandra's blog every Monday to see who else is happily taking care of their homes and families!

The weather:::  All I can say is BLAH.  Not February cold.  Just dreary.


On my reading pile::: Just starting book 4 of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  



On my TV:::  CRAZY about Supernatural!  I started watching it 2 weeks ago on Netflix and I just finished the 2nd season.  Love those cute boys!  :) 


On the menu for this week:::

Monday - Kung Pao chicken n noodles (this was really yummy!)
Tuesday -  Shrimp and chicken jambalaya
Wednesday - Mom's house
Thursday - Beef n Broccoli over brown rice
Friday - Fiber one coated chicken legs, seasoned potato wedges, and green beans
Saturday - Mom's house again
Sunday - SW turkey burgers

On my to do list:::  Homeschooling, laundry, cooking, vacuuming, cleaning, etc.

What I am pinning on Pinterest::: (creative ideas since I am not very creative!)

Using the top of a 2-liter bottle to hold a bag closed.....whodathunkit?

In Homeschooling::: Emily read poems by Carl Sandberg today, learned new vocabulary words, and started to read about George Washington Carver.  (Amongst other things)

Looking around the house:::  I wish I had more houseplants.  :) 

Something sad to share:::  I just found out today that the show "House" is not going to be renewed :(


On my prayer list:::
Family
My friend Cindy who is having surgery March 6th
My kids
Military overseas

Bible verse, Devotional::: The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad  - from Psalm 97