Week 10 Recap and New Goals

  Goals: something we set out to do or have to do (some goals are voluntary) whether we want to or not. 

  I set my goals based on a personal preference.  Something I want to achieve.  Something that has to get done and something fun (that may get overlooked).

Goals last week:
Freezer: lol, still not done.  I just keep forgetting. Now if I don't write it done, it will get done.

Book: I am onto book 7!

Outside cardio:  I am going to blame it on the rain and cold weather.  Two of my least favorite elements to run or cycle in outside.

Mealplan:  I did make and complete another successful breakfast plan last week. 

This week I'm going to get back to dinner plans.  I may make a few enemies in the house but, I'm looking at an all vegetarian week!

New Goals:

1. Finish book 7 and start on book 8.  I am way behind.

2.  Go through clothes. Everyones closet and drawers need to be gone through.  Stuff we don't wear, don't like, too small all needs to GO!

3. I think I'm over due for a self pamper day! Bubbles, pedicure and facial.

4.  Outside cardio!  If it's nicer this week I will try to get out and about.

  I think I'm good with just these this week!  I have two appointments and some necessary errands sprinkled through the week so I'm going to be busier then usual.

  I hope you have a good week and accomplish what you need to.  One load of laundry done, dinner on the table once is better then nothing if that's all you get around to.  Ask for help if you can but don't stress about it. 

Are you Hooked on Tuesday?

  Today on the 30th of January I decided to take advantage of 3 deals.  Now for you I can at least maybe promise 2.  I went out for dinner and dining out is an expense but, if you do it right it doesn't have to break the bank (nor should it).  Welcome to my experience at Bonefish grill.

  I received several birthday treat's via local places and although you don't necessarily get to use all of them; some you definitely take advantage of right out the gate.

  I have enjoyed using a reward here and there throughout the month.  Some treats expire on your birthday, start on your birthday or others are available till the end of the month. Bonefish Grill gives you the month to use your freebie.

  Bonefish Grill offers you their delicious specialty Bang Bang Shrimp or a dessert for your birthday.  If you have ever been to this restaurant you know if your going to eat the birthday reward your going to also enjoy dinner.  There's no way I'm showing up for just that and not a delicious dinner too!

So deal number one!  I hope for your sake today was not the last day because if it is..... I am sorry!

  Hooked on Tuesday was today. I strategically planned to save money and dine out.  The deal gets you a 3 course meal starting at 15.9.  This includes a salad, entree and dessert!

Behold your options:

a house salad
a Caesar salad

Second course for us:


Cod Piccata


Chicken Teriyaki bowl

Final and most important course:
Keylime pie


Jamaican Coconut pie

  Second deal is to sign up for their loyalty program.  On the 4th visit you receive 50% off! Today I did not strike that deal but next trip I will.  Dinners on me! Who wants to come?  Their dining program also includes Carrabba's, Outback and Flamingos. So if you visit any of these places it counts every visit.

 Lastly, your third deal is sign up for that email!  You will get nothing but money saving offers. You will get the special menu notices, as well as a heads up on daily or weekly specials, and a birthday freebie!

  Now what are you waiting for?  Even if you don't have a Bonefish Grill near you, perhaps you have one of the other places instead.  I would start taking advantage of the deals they have to offer.  Even if you only go out a few times a year I'm sure it's at least right around 4 times. That's 50% off!

  I hope I have peeked your appetite.  I had a great dinner and even though it's not quite the last day of the month.  It's close enough to say goodbye birthday month it's been real.

 Disclosure...... I received nothing from Bonefish Grill for this post.  I had a great time and I am just sharing my honest opinion.

It's time to eat! Meal plan 7/31- 8/4

  A girls got to eat and a mom has to feed her family.  I know it's easy to fly through the week when you have a plan but, it's not easy to make the plan!  Plus it's soo frustrating when you have picky eaters that veto everything but I just push through.

  Tonight's meal was a winner because you can never eat enough breakfast.

Breakfast is the one meal I hear the least amount of complaints about so if we ate breakfast twice a day everyone would officially eat in my house.

Here's the rest of my line up for the week!

7/31 Pasta

Chicken-broccoli-pasta-skillet-casserole

8/1 Meatless 

Falafel

8/2 Crockpot

Baked-potato-soup

8/3 Salmon

Grilled-salmon-with-honey-soy-marinade

8/4 Leftovers 

  What are your dinner plans for the week? I'm always looking for something new.  This week 3 of these recipes are new!

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

Last week recap

  I only scheduled 3 meals for last week and they were all a success.  They were all made, appreciated and with an exception of changing one dish to something else I stayed on course.

  I need to keep reading my books.  That is not going so well.  But there's always hope.

I had some more appointments last week and have a surgery scheduled for next week and finally know what is wrong with my foot.  After an MRI this week and having pains since August apparently I have a stress fracture or at least now I do.  Lol, at this point I will be amazed to be out of the boot by next year.

Meals from the week included:

Cornbread chili!

Broccoli, rice with chicken casserole!

Tuna patties with cauliflower mash and carrots!

I happily announce I met some number goals for the month of November and even though I actually didn't post my November goals I will get right on that to post my December goals!

Meal plan 11/30-12/4

  As I made my meal plan for the week I came to several realizations.   I have leftovers from last week so I will not be able to start the week off with new recipes until the old food (it's not even Turkey Day leftovers) is consumed. Bummer.  Second it really doesn't matter what day I make the meals so I will skip noting the day and just share the recipes!

  As always I will post 4 - 5 meals a week.  Offering variety and new recipes.  This week is a meatless, vegetarian week! Of course after I get the leftovers out the way.

Baked Spinach and Ricotta Rotolo:

 http://www.recipetineats.com/baked-spinach-ricotta-rotolo/

Spaghetti and Bean meatballs:
http://www.fitlivingblog.com/spaghetti-and-bean-meatballs-gluten-free/#comment-3407

Zucchini Burgers:
 http://m.ladybehindthecurtain.com/ys8aj0k/articles/59493/Zucchini-Burgers

Pasta with White Beans and Kale:
 http://www.myrecipes.com/m/recipe/pasta-with-white-beans-kale-0

Spinach Tortellini Tomato Soup:
http://diethood.com/spinach-tortellini-tomato-soup/

Happy eating everyone!

Meal plan 11/16 - 11/20

  Here we are another week another starving tummy or 6?  Each week my goal is to share recipes with you of what we are eating for the week.  My recipes are NOT original rather just ones I have dug up and am going to cook for my family for the week.  Most of them will not be repeats but if the meal was a real success or super easy it may show up again.

  By sharing these meals with you it offers you a new idea of what you could make, shows you its easy (and hopefully quick) to make.  My meals also help you from surfing the net for your next meal.  I have done all the work for you except bought your groceries and cooked.

  Though out the week I post random teasers on instagram and twitter about the meal of the night.  I invite you to join me to catch a sneak peek even though you already know what the meal is.

  Each week will vary in ingredients, from cooking with the crock pot to meatless nights as well.  This week will be 2 crock pot meals and 1 meatless dinner.

11/16 Monday
Tacos!  Pretty self explanatory.  We will have hard shells and burritos, refried beans and all the fixings
Rice: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/33385/best-spanish-rice/

Beans: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/222177/rush-hour-refried-beans/

11/17 Tuesday ***crockpot***
Corn and Potato Chowder with Ham
http://www.fivehearthome.com/2014/02/26/slow-cooker-corn-potato-chowder-with-ham/

11/18 Wednesday **meatless**
Salmon, couscous and spinach
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/21176/baked-dijon-salmon/

11/19 Thursday chicken with pasta
http://www.plainchicken.com/2013/05/chicken-lazone.html?m=1

11/20 Friday Pulled pork and coleslaw
***crockpot***
http://www.recipechart.com/recipes/main-dish-recipes/carolina-style-slow-cooker-pulled-pork

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/creamy-cole-slaw-recipe.html


There you have it folks.  Another week down.  Happy eating!

Meal plan 11/2-11/6

   Ok so here I am trying to do my meal plan again!  One week was good the next week not so good.  We eat out on the weekend and depending on what we get it piles up and then that greatly influences my meals for the week.  Pizza and chinese! They will always be the culprit because of the quantity, lol.  We get 2 pizza's on a Friday and 5 or 6 containers of chinese on Saturday or Sunday.

Monday: Shepard's Pie
Ingredient:
ground meat (seasoned and browned)
Mashed potatoes (buttered and prepared)
Cream corn (can)
  After the meat and potatoes are done I layer my pan meat first, followed by corn then spread mashed potatoes on top.  I bake it for 20 minutes. (Sometimes I broil it a bit for some color on the top)

Tuesday: Gnocchi
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/236824/cheesy-baked-gnocchi/

Wednesday: chicken tortilla soup
http://www.fivehearthome.com/2014/10/14/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup/

Thursday: Salmon
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/21176/baked-dijon-salmon/

Ok, there we have it! Some meal I was supposed to have last week back up there for this week! We shall give it another go!

Weekly meal re-cap

  I can say my meals went fantastic this week.  I followed the plan each day.

Monday was corned beef and potatoes compliments of the crockpot.  Don't you love to set it and forget it.

 Tuesday was lasagna.  Even though I used cottage cheese and was going to add spinach it was a filling meal.

 Next up was copy cat Zuppa Tuscana soup.  My husband really enjoys this soup when we go to Olive Garden and actually honestly likes when make this one as well.

 Lastly, to end the week even though it was Thursday was our meatless meal.  It was black bean burgers.  No burger meal is complete without fries so I paired my burger with eggplant fries.  This was a big hit with my teen.  I was quite pleased with the results if this meal.

Friday the kitchen is open but it's a self serve deal.  All leftovers are fair game what little there were.  Of course pizza is always optional as well.

Did you see what my pumpkin consumption was for the week?  I made pumpkin cakes and pumpkin crepes in addition to a milkshake from Burger King and ice cream!

Stay tune for next week to see what's on the menu.  

Menu 10/19-10/23

  Another week another menu plan to stay focused.  I do base some menus based on appointments or activities arranged for the week.  It makes it easier in case I am running late.  I don't need to stop and think about what we are eating dinner I can just keep calm and cook on!  Just because I'm going to be home at 5 doesn't mean I should have made a crockpot meal.  There are quick meals I can whip together too.

  Last week I didn't follow my plan as we had a couple days of disfunction, extended dr appointments and spontaneous pizza nighs.  So those meals got rolled over to this week in order to use the fresh food an meat up.

10/19 Monday Corned beef and potatoes
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-old-world-corned-beef-and-vegetables/073fd3e5-e549-4ad4-b416-7333ba2c2095

10/20 Tuesday lasagna
http://www.myrecipes.com/m/recipe/extra-easy-lasagna

10/21 Wednesday copycat Zuppa Tuscana soup need sausage!!!
http://wholesomemommy.com/real-food-copy-cat-zuppa-tuscana-olive-garden-copy-cat/

10/22 Thursday (meatless meal)
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/black-bean-burger/


10/23 Friday definitely  a leftover day!

  Next week will be new I promise.  After I am caught back up with what I pulled out of the freezer.  It's almost time to go grocery shopping! I love shopping no matter what kind it is.

Fall bucketlist

  We have already done alot this month and it's only just begun.  I have assembled items I would like to accomplish for fall.  This will be easier than breaking things down monthly.  I look at various sites for daily,weekly and monthly activities and events so those will get added at the bottom. My list is comprised of things for me to do as well as my kids or as a family.

Fall Bucket list
1. Apple picking -DONE
2. Cider and donut eating (we already did at the orchard but that was one donut and a small bit of cider)
3. Check out some changing leaves (leaves do not change here as pretty as there are when I drive away from the area)
4. Carve pumpkins
5. Attend the lighthousechallenge in NJ (next weekend fingers crossed I haven't made overnight accommodations)
6. Leaf crafts with my kids
7. Sewing project (beanie)
8. Shopping (score thrift store deals) Let's shoot for 2! Hoping I can reuse as gifts or repurpose.
9. Which brings me to be on the look out for Christmas presents.
10.  Finish my pumpkin challenge 30 days (not all homemade but let's focus on eating the pumpkin, lol)
11. New face! I have been wearing makeup, watching tutorials of different styles, techniques and products and hope to break into that area as well.  So far I have applied daily and am up to day 6! Pictures are on  my instagram.
12. I would like my daughter to know her money and time
13. Take a nature walk and scavenger hunt with my little ones.
14. A nice toasty night out with a fireplace would be nice ( might not happen as I like heat and my husband doesn't)
15. 1 new recipe a week (let's make it more complicated I have been doing this pumpkin challenge and all those recipes are new to me but how about 7 new vegetarian meals.  That will get me through Nov.)

Ok, I feel more fulfilled having wrote down some ideas.  Now to remember them and take the time to complete them.

Follow along as I will post updates when I have completed them and share with you how I am coming along.

Day 28

  I just want to shout it from the roof top mainly because you can't see me doing a song and dance!  2 more days to go!  I know I have told you how excited I was so I will not reiterate that.

Let's just get to my meals for the day, shall we?

Breakfast: cereal with banana
Lunch: leftovers from Olive Garden (I would like to think that your cheat meal covers two days if you split it, right)
Dinner: salad from Moe's
Water 75 oz
Workout: 2.58 miles jog outside! (Walked the zoo today too. Time obviously was nothing as we stopped and started alot but I'm counting the miles as I did move even if it wasn't at a heart pumping, cardio sweating workout.  That venture was 1.57 miles!

  I feel good about my day both with the workout as minimal as it was and my meals.  Tomorrow is always another day.  I will be back at the gym so weights, cardio and abs are in my future.  Until then, I will talk to you tomorrow.

Day 24 of 30

  I am still hear just haven't posted any pictures or updated you.  I apologize for leaving you hanging.  I am still hanging in there.  It is the last week.  The weekend gets hectic to post and by the time I eat dinner sometimes (I eat past the universal 5-6 time frame) I hang out, go to sleep and go about my business.

  You haven't missed anything.  I have eaten salad for lunch and dinners. Nothing fancy except young chef made dressing from her cookbook.  She loved it and even though I used regular oil versus olive oil it actually wasn't that bad.

  I am having another salad tonight and will post my 3 meals today and get back to posting.  Yesterday was nothing spectacular as if any of them were.

Tuesday: day 23
Breakfast: yogurt
Lunch: bowl of fruit
Dinner: salad with chick peas and carrots
75 oz water
Workout: 33 minutes elliptical, abs, weights

Monday: day 22
Breakfast: cinnamon oatmeal
Lunch: salad
Dinner: Chick fil a grilled chicken sandwich no bun with fries and sweet tea
Water 75 oz
Workout 1.95 mile walk

Don't let my lack of posting set your motivation stop if you are considering a new healthier move.  I am still watching what I eat, eating in moderation and working out!

  Any questions or comments are always appreciated.  Dinner tonight is a salad but it's take out (I'm sooo excited!!!!)