Feeling Productive

 So this week my meal plan was meatless all week.  I actually made it through the week following the menu minus yesterday but finished it off today.

  I had the ingredients on hand Monday but had to go to the store and pick up the rest of the weeks ingredients.  Spent $85 on the weeks dinners!

  All the meals were delicious and worthy of being kept in the recipe files.  Some  definitely need to be doubled or have a side added to it but most of them were filling!  If you see any meals of interest you can find the recipes here.

Monday

Bean burritos.  This was a nice easy and fast Monday meal.  

 Tuesday

This pizza was our favorite for the week.  I had never had Naan bread and adding just a few toppings over a pesto sauce was so easy.  This may become a lunch on the weekends AND my picky son even liked it.

 Wednesday

I like to use my spiralizer but I don't use it enough.  I also like shrimp and need to find more recipes to use them in.

 Thursday

Spinach filled lasagna.  I used to think making lasagna was a chore but, the filling was easy enough to assemble while the pasta cooked; so no complaints there!

 Saturday

Finally to end the week was a quinoa dish.  I have made quinoa in place of meat in a taco dish before and really like the flavors.  This dish had pinto beans in it too and all the flavors were great.

I surprisingly didn't hear any complaints at meatless day after day this week.  That was nice.  It could be that a complaint really wasn't worth it.  Dinner hot and ready on the table is worth it no matter what, right?

Well I hope you had a healthy and filling week and I haven't thought about my menuplan yet but, am excited for whatever it is.  What are your plans for next week?

Week 8 Recap and New Goals

  Is it the end or just a new beginning?  Another week down!  Looking back at my goals I did ok.

1.Finish 2 books.
Nope not yet, I'm still working on Monday's Lie! This is week 9 and I'm on book 5.  I really need to get a move on.

2. Fitness. I did 33 miles in a combination of walking, elliptical and spin bike. I didn't take 4 classes only 3 this week. TRX, Barre and Mixxedfit.

3. Forgot about that freezer!

4.  I did make granola!  We had it as part of breakfast with yogurt on Friday as well as a snack.

New Goals

1. Freezer!  Since I dropped the ball last week. 

2.  Finish THE BOOKS is it more serious if I put it in caps?

3.  The weather is getting nicer outside I would like to get out and walk or jog or cycle. I don't remember the weather so I'm not going to out a number down. 

4.  Set up meal plan for a couple weeks! What's for dinner tomorrow ?  I don't know.  What's for breakfast?  There's almost always cereal!

  The banana muffins were good and appreciated last week.  I was planning on blueberry this week!

   Alright everyone! Good luck on what you accomplished last week and what you still need to do this week. 

Wednesday Wishes

Wish List

  I'm going to start a Wednesday wish list.  Because there are a few things in my life that I think I want or need and you guys will help me either by confirming it's a want (I have made it this long) or a need (can't imagine life before you got it).

Disclosure:  All pictures were taken from Amazon but they are not affiliate links they are for reference only.

Kitchen

1. Air Fryer:  I hear how good this cooks but is it really necessary?

2.  Mandolin: I only ever hear about slicing my finger off but, I like the slicers with the container on the bottom that collects the food.

3. Dutch oven:  Do I need a large pot?  I have a tall soup pot.

4. Keurig:  I actually have a Keurig but it is a R-cup (yes that's a real thing; look it up).  Any coffee I drink comes from a restaurant or store.

  When I make my wish list I'm going to keep it short and sweet!  If you can't comment on what I listed I would love to hear what item is your must have in the kitchen.

Week 4 goals

 This week as I reflect on my goals. I put into consideration what I want to accomplish and why.

Fitness:

  I want to get in 50 miles.  I shot for 15 last week and that seemed to easy so I need to challenge myself.

  I want to take at least 3 classes!  I'm not a fan of classes but, they give me a different kind of workout. 

Health: 

  Hydration!  I am currently doing so well on my daily water intake that I want to raise my 4 bottles to 5!  This should balance out with the increased cardio.

  I will meal plan hmm tomorrow so that will be 5 meals. Probably my lunch but, maybe my dinner.

  Kids:
 
   I'll style my daughters hair.  Hello YouTube or Pinterest!

Photo pulled from Pinterest and her hairstyle will not be this cool.

  Family:

  I'll make a snack, a dessert and a new recipe!!

Clean:

  I will clean my fridge! Pulling the shelves and drawers out!  Lol, no cutting corners I'll even do the freezer!

  I feel good with this list!!  I'm walking into a new week with an organized plan amongst the rest of my daily routine!
 

Dinner Collage

  This week is going to showcase my dinners from the last week or two!  I didn't use to make "real" food for my family.  I cooked what I knew and repeatedly cooked only that such as spaghetti or baked pork chop and potatoes and boxed food.  I never tried new recipes and everything was meat.

  I have come along way between using my food processor, spiralizer recently and the slow cooker.

  I now cook from my pantry and grocery shop every few weeks.  I incorporate meatless meals into each week and serve salads and soups as a meal!    My family likes the variety and my skills just improve along with my confidence daily!

                       Meatless Sloppy Joes

Pesto Pasta with Sausage 

Caprese Quinoa Bake

Shrimp Fried Rice

Fiesta Ranch Chicken Pasta

Garlic Zucchini Pasta

Shrimp with Couscous

Recipes for the above dishes can be found under my weekly menus.  Do you enjoy cooking?  What's the one dish your proud of making? 

Weekly Goals

  Well I succeeded with my 25 miles goal last week.

I read to the half way mark of my book! I am ahead one week with my meal plans! I worked hard on increasing numbers and engaging more next month I'm going to start keep track better with documentation! Lastly I dumped some well over due pictures!!!

This week goals!

1. Hit the gym 5 days.  This is not a challenge, chore or goal for me but taking a different class would be! I use a variety of cardiovascular equipment and lift weights but classes I tend to shy away from.

Monday: Aerial Yoga
Tuesday: TRX
Wednesday: Line Dancing (this is a regular class for me)  Maybe I will find something else on this day as well!
Thursday:  to be determined
Friday: to be determined

2.  You know what else I'm horrible at drinking water.  Even 8 glasses is asking a lot.  It's not that I'm filling up on other stuff because I'm not. I may just go all day without drinking anything. So I will focus on 8 and shoot for drinking 10 glasses everyday and keep track on app.

3. Part of me wants to add a cardio goal to go with this fitness week but I'm not sure what to set the goal at.  This week I'll shoot to cycle ...25miles is too low because I can do that in a day.  Not sure if 100 is too much. That's 25 a day.  Kind of seems like a lot. I guess I'll shoot for 50!  Let's just see what I get but, I'll cycle this week instead of run!

4.  Finish my book! Sounds like a great idea! There's 450 pages in the book!

  Hey do you think if I don't put dump more pictures if I will actually do it?  I have it on my to do list and it just keeps getting transferred to the next day.

2017 is Going to be Epic

2017

  All any of us can do is go into the new year with a positive mindset.  To go into it any other way is setting ourselves up for disaster.  Why would we purposely do that to ourselves?  There are already going to be bad days so lets not run out the gate seeking it out.

  My new year may not be quite epic but close enough is good enough for me.  I will shoot for epic and if I fall slightly short that's ok.  At least I aimed for it.  At least I set it not as a goal but as motivation.

  I do set up objectives.  I don't want to call them resolutions because I don't want to and because I don't want to be put in that pot of here's my resolutions and I didn't complete any, some or all of them so; I'm changing the terminology.

  Let's just keep it simple.  If they are simple I am more likely to take them seriously if I can actually achieve them.  Lol and to keep it simple I'm going with lucky number 12. Why?  Because there's 12 months so every month I'm responsible for them.

  My objectives:

1.  One book a month! (Number 12!)  This should almost be easy as I'm in a book club so that helps a little.

2.  Volunteer- once a month.  I will look into local organizations to schedule it ahead of time as much as I can so that stays on track!

3.  Organize a week out for posts and more organization for engagement.  I picked up a new planner today, yeah!

4.  Find time for me without guilt on a weekly.  

5.  One new recipe weekly!

6.  Finish state park visits! (15-16 left)

7.  Bucketlist items to be done THIS year. (I didn't do any least year)

8.  Water I need to drink more water!! I would love to see the results from actually following through with this.  I need to devise a plan and make myself accountable.

9.  Random act of kindness monthly.  You will only know after its been done. ;)

10.  I would like to become more centered.  Take things less personal,  increase my patience and be more restrained.  This will involve more reflection, mediation and maybe even asking for help on my part.

11.  I would love to continue outside appreciation. Hiking, pictures and exploring! 

12. Monthly craft or DIY project.  Remember I did get a couple toys for Christmas! 

  I would like to think all of these are obtainable but I already know some upcoming changes that are coming and can only think positive and hope for the best that I can stay on track and push through.

  I appreciate your encouragement and motivation! 

  2 more days and its a New Year! Good luck, be safe and have a good year! 

What are you most looking forward too this year? A birthday milestone? A trip? Graduation?

Meal Plan 9/26 - 9/30

  I have found that a meal plan works for so many reasons in my home.

1.  I know at 0800 what I'm eating and what time to start cooking because I will also know how long it will take me.

2.  Saves me an excuse of eating out as I already have a plan.

3.  Helps clear out my pantry.

4.  I can easily gauge groceries we need for the week or ahead of time based on meals.

5.  It does save money both with minimal or at least planned shopping.


  I surf the Internet and find new recipes as well as use some recipes from my favorite bloggers and tried and true recipes I have on hand.  The meals will vary weekly from slow cooker, vegetarian, seafood or good old breakfast for dinner.  I may have a random night out and a leftover night but for the most part everything will be done at home!


9/26 Tuna Casserole
http://wholesomemommy.com/real-food-remake-cheesy-mac-tuna-casserole/

9/27 Gnocchi Soup
http://therecipecritic.com/2016/09/creamy-chicken-gnocchi-soup-olive-garden-copycat/

9/28 Chili
http://mixandmatchmama.com/dinner-tonight-sweet-corn-chili/

9/29 Chicken
http://www.plainchicken.com/2013/05/chicken-lazone.html?m=1

9/30 Leftovers
It is every man and child for themselves!

  Ok there it is.  There are a couple things I still need to buy to make this work so we shall see how close I get this week.  After our grocery shopping I will plan for the month of  October.

Day 5 and 6 Pinterest Challenge (all about watermelons)

  Ok, I'm going to cheat and throw a few ideas at you today (this allows me to stay ahead of the game with other ideas that area already done, yeah).  I bought a watermelon the other day and so I am using it to be creative.  Chopping it up and eating
 a bowl of it is so boring compared to what you can do to it with a few extra minutes and some basic kitchen tools!

  I share with you the basic concept and end results but for more in depth directions you can find it under my pinterest challenge board on pinterest. Find me @meanroel.  Or go directly to it here.

  First easy watermelon idea is ice cubes. Chop some up put them in a bowl or cookie sheet (flat surface works easier) and freeze them.

                 

Then toss them in any of your drinks for an extra burst of sweetness and flavor.

  Next up 2nd easiest thing you can do to transform your watermelon is cutting it up.  Grab a cookie cutter

 and make some shapes.  Due to the present holiday.  The theme was stars!

Throw some extra fruit up there and make it a festive snack bowl. Red, white and blue anyone?

I think the stars make it even better than a wedge.  It just makes the dish prettier.

Last idea with the watermelon for today was using part of the shell.  Lol, because now I realize how valuable it is.  

Now let me be the first to tell you this is a vessel.  It is not garbage.  You can recycle your watermelon shell! Are you excited??

Add some jello! 

I used strawberry jello.  So of course it looks very realistic but you could have some fun and add a different color.  My daughter couldn't wait to try this treat out.  

  It was easy to make and I will make it again.  I used one packet and used the top cap of the watermelon.  I placed it in a bowl to set it in the fridge as it was not stableon it's own.  If I had cut it length wise it may sit better.  Slicing the watermelon was not a problem either.  It held its shape very nicely.

Ladies and gentlemen I would have to say it's a definite #pinterestwin!

Strawberry Patch Kickoff

  The other day we visited out local strawberry patch to pick some berries!  Nothing beats a fresh strawberry and lucky for us the season started a couple weeks earlier this year.

I had two eager helpers with me and we purchased one bucket!

  Since then I have decided to make a new monthly challenge of strawberry recipes.  This will be a little more interesting as I was able to buy a few cans of pumpkin last fall and spread it out amongst the month.  I will have to make random trips to the patch for this objective!

  The recipes will be a variety of ideas but all will showcase the strawberry.  So I will have breakfast items, shakes, smoothies, desserts and maybe I can find some interesting savory dishes.  You know by now none of the recipes are my own.  I look high and low on the Internet for recipes to try and that will continue to be the case for this challenge.

  So operation red berry starts today May 1st with shortcake!

You can find the recipe here!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/strawberry-shortcake-recipe3.html