Takin Care of Momma

Just an update on how my "training" is going.  Sounds funny to my ears, like that's something an athlete would do and I've never been an athlete.

I feel it's going well, however, probably not well enough.  There is a 1/2 marathon I'd like to run in July, and with the slow ground I'm making, it may not happen, but I'm still gonna try!  There's also options in September that might be a little more realistic (and cooler).  But I'm not slacking and hoping for July.

I'm excited to say that I've beat my goal!  11 minutes and 40 seconds for a mile!  Although, that was over a week ago and I can't seem to do it again, the closest I could get was 12 minutes.  So maybe I dreamt it?  ha.

My good friend and I are trying to get healthier together.  Which, I would HIGHLY encourage.  Drink more water, eat more fruits/veggies, and exercise more are some of our together goals.  We also have some separate goals that we are challenging each other on.  For example, one of mine is getting to bed earlier, which is a good idea for this night owl.

My ultimate goal is to run...but losing weight would be nice in the process.  Hey, losing that extra lots of 25ish or more pounds would make everything easier.  I mean, try carrying around a 20 lb baby all day long. {Who am I kidding, although not the ultimate goal, looking slimmer would just be nice, too!} However, at this point, I feel like all I'm doing is not gaining. Seriously.  I feel like I'm on an uphill struggle not to end up at 250 lbs.  Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration.  But really.  Between getting closer to 40 and some medication that I'm on, I feel like I'm in a fight to maintain.  Which, hey, there's nothing wrong with, right?  However, it could get discouraging if I let it (which I'm NOT!  Right, Stacy?).  So I'll keep you posted on that one. 

I didn't run yesterday or go to Zumba last night because my lower back was bothering me a little, which hasn't happened in a long time.  I didn't want to aggravate it.  MUCH much better today, thank you, Lord!  That is a concern of mine, injury.

I'll leave you with a little healthy eating tip.  To help get your fruits/veggies in.

Here's my salad, it's an off-shoot from an {I'm sure} less healthier version I had at Chili's.

Greens
Baby Spinach
1/4 c Whole Kernel  Corn
1/4 c Black Beans
1/4 c Cranberries
Grilled Chicken/Salmon
Light Raspberry Vinaigrette (read your labels for calories/fat)
3-4 Tortilla chips (for a little crunch!)

But my tip is this.  I took a can of black beans and corn, and divided 1/4 c of each into little snack bags, then added cranberries and leftover chicken/salmon (I prefer the chicken, but salmon works, too!).  Easy on the meat. Then stuck the bags into the freezer.  Part of the reason I don't eat healthy is its not nearly as convenient as other foods.  So now I just need to make sure I have greens in the house (please don't use iceburg lettuce, it's really not that healthy).  I just take one out, pop it out of the baggie into a bowl and nuke it.  There you go.  The kids at home usually have leftovers for lunch, so it's not so odd that mom's eating something different than them. 

Any other healthy suggestions?  Love to hear them.  Thanks for your encouragement!

Menu Planning

Ok, wasn't going to list this again on the blog, but since I'm putting it together anyway, might as well do it here. Especially since someone told me they would just use my meals.  Ha!  Now I don't necessarily believe that, but if it can help you out, might as well type it out, right?

Here's a tip.  Remember that I mentioned putting it on your fridge for all to see?  Maybe even using this  Weekly Menu Planner?  Well, the kids loved it.  Loved knowing what we were having, and also if there was an event that affected supper.  However {and here's the tip}, if you make changes, change the one on the fridge!  A couple of meals last week were pushed back because a friend and I exchanged meals (lovely!).  Also, our date night changed.  There were moans and groans and questions.  So save yourself that hassle by changing the fridge copy, if you have one!

And just for fun, here is one of the recipes.  It's from our church cookbook, although I've tweaked it a bit. Kudos to Emily M. for the recipe!  It makes two dishes.  And it freezes well.  Enjoy!

Haystack Supper

Yield: 10-12 servings

40 crushed saltines

2. c cooked rice-

(I use brown or brown and white together)

3 lb. ground beef

onion to taste

2-3 c. tomato juice

3/4 c water

3 T. taco seasoning mix

salt and pepper, to taste

shredded lettuce-

(I use baby spinach-the kids will eat it this way!)

tomato, diced (to taste)

1/4 c butter

1/4 c flour

2 c milk

1.5 lb processed American cheese, cubed

2 c. sharp cheddar cheese

olives (optional)

tortilla chips

Divide crackers between 2 ungreased 9x13 baking dishes.  Top with rice.  Cook beef and onion until meat is not longer pink; drain. Add tomato juice, water and seasonings; simmer for 15-20 minutes; spoon over rice.  Sprinkle with lettuce.  In a saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually add milk.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes.  Reduce heat; stir in American cheese until melted.  Pour over lettuce (spinach).  Top with cheddar cheese.  Serve over chips with tomatoes and olives.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

And here's the menu plan for the next week or so:

Thursday{August 26}: Haystack Supper, Cantaloupe

Friday: Homemade pizzas for Shianne's slumber party (and a TON of snacks)


Saturday: Eat out for a friend's party


Sunday {August 29}: SHIANNE's Birthday! Her choice

Monday:  Shepherd's Pie, Cantaloupe {pushed back}

Tuesday: Spicy Chicken Stir Fry and Rice {pushed back}

Wednesday:  Preschool Open House, easy pizza

Thursday:  Crock Pot Stroganoff, Veggies

Friday:  Grilled Burgers and Pineapple, French Fries

Saturday: Date Night; kids-mac n cheese

Muffin Recipe

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Ok, so it's after 9 pm, and I had to make 2 doz muffins for the church brunch tomorrow {which I'm happy to do}.

I don't have a muffin mix on hand, so I looked for a recipe online.

Just had to share this recipe with you, cuz it's so easy and so versatile.

The recipe is Butterscotch Muffins.  Now, I'm not a real big fan of butterscotch, but the flavor comes from a box of instant pudding.  So I thought...why not try another flavor?

So, I just made Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins and Lemon Poppyseed Muffins. In other words, I had a box of chocolate pudding and a box of lemon pudding in my pantry.  And they turned out yummy! I simply threw in some chocolate chips in the one and some poppy seed into the other. Mmmmm-mmm. Oh, and each recipe made 18, so I had enough to sample.  *smile*

So, if you're looking for a muffin recipe to try with things you probably already have in your cupboard, click here.

Tip:  Do what I say, not what I do.  I thought I outsmarted the non-existing-in-my-cupboard muffin box mix by making them "from scratch."  Until I started making them and I realized I was out of eggs!  Unfortunately, nothing that I know of is a substitute for eggs.  So I made a trip to Wally-World at 9:30 pm.  Ah well.  I ran into another gal from church picking up muffin mixes for her muffins and we had a little chat.  Love it.  Enjoy the recipe!

Tip #2:  I left off the topping for my flavors...do what you think is best with yours!