{I'm back!!}

Whew!!  I'm finally back to my normal, routine way of life again...and I'm soooo thankful.  Planning a birthday party for a 6 year old takes a LOT of work.  But every one's hard work paid off and it turned out beautiful.  Fit for a princess I must say =) 

Check out the awesome decorations...





The following shots are probably my absolute favorite of the day...

I can't say thank you enough to my friend Cindy for the AWESOME decor...my friend Che' for the gorgeous photography...and last but not least, my mom who always seems to pull me, and the event, through when my anxiety kicks into overdrive.

{Apologies}

Oh My Goodness!!  Where has the week gone?!?!  I have been so busy between preparing for Kayleigh's birthday party this weekend, attending birthday parties last weekend, helping a new recruit on my Mary Kay team get started, the normal 40 hour work week, being a Mommy, and keeping the house in some sort of order.  I seriously NEED a few extra hours each day...or a clone =)  With that being said, I realize I haven't posted lately and the above stated is my reasoning.  Sorry about that.  I am crossing my fingers my life will return to some sort of normalcy after this weekend and I can get back to blogging.  Hope y'all are enjoying your week and having a Happy Leap Year Day!!
 

{Whatcha' Eatin' Wednesday :: Fourth Edition}

Sorry, I took a small vacation last week from posting.  I was quite feeling up to par.  But now that I am...let's get started!

My Breakfast:

I started my morning off with a plain Arnold Sandwich Thin toasted and smeared with 1 Laughing Cow Light Cream Cheese wedge.  It was super quick, easy, and o-so-yummy!  What's even better is that my breakfast was only 4 points+.  Woohoo!

My Lunch:

Lunch was catered in from Longhorn by a pharmaceutical rep. I THOUGHT I chose a decently healthy lunch...but much to my surprise it was far from it.  I ordered the half strawberry and chicken salad and half potato soup.  I didn't bother to calculate my points until after I consumed them (big mistake), I realized I had eaten almost 14 points for lunch.  OH MY!!  I only receive 26 points+ a day.  Therefore I have 8 points+ to last me through dinner. 

My Dinner:

We had already planned to eat pizza with my Daddy tonight and I'm sure 8 points+ isn't going to go far.  Guess I'll take some fruit and fill up on good stuff instead of empty calories =)

{Happy Fat Tuesday}

According to Wikipedia, Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday.  Wow!!  And to think...some people celebrate this day consuming alcohol, partying it up, and trying their hardest to obtain the most beads.  We've commercialized this holiday (along with many others) and put our own little spin on it, don't ya think?

I honestly didn't realize Lent started the day after Fat Tuesday.  Being raised in a Baptist denomination church, I don't really remember observing the season of Lent.  I do remember learning the basics on Lent while in school, such as it consisting of the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday and that most people "fast" something in their everyday life. 

I have always wondered if I could "fast" something for 40 days.  Honestly, it doesn't seem like an extremely long period of time, but I'm sure it's longer than I realize when it's something I do, use, or consume daily.  So, here comes my challenge..."CAN I fast something for 40 days??"  Of course I can!!  With a little determination, I can do anything I set my mind to!!  Now...what would I like to abstain from for the next 40 days?  Oh geez!!  Decisions, decisions!!  I might as well go big or go home with this soooooo......I will "fast" my FAVORITE soft drink, SunDrop.  I don't drink near as much SunDrop as I used to, but I do have my days where I just crave the sweet citrus taste.  You may want to pray for those around me =)  Just kidding.  I'm sure it will be difficult in the beginning; but like anything else, I'll learn to adapt. 

What are you "fasting" for Lent?



{Just. Press. Play}

To say that I ♥ music is a HUGE understatement.  The only time my brain isn't bouncing to music is when my pretty little eyeballs are getting some shut eye.  Music is a MUST in the car...especially in the morning!  It's my lyrical coffee =)  I am constantly listening to the radio or my iPhone at work.  Music glides me through the work day, and normally before I know it...it's time to go!

So as I was running my C25K the other day, and jamming out to my workout play list on my iPhone, I was wondering what genre of music others listen to when they work out.  Or if they listen at all??  I read a lady's blog a while back that said she ran to classical music.  Interesting!  I would never make it a quarter of a mile running to classical music, but hey...to each their own!!  I personally HAVE TO HAVE upbeat, rockin' songs.  Otherwise...this chick might as well not even get on the treadmill.  Not even to walk!  So...I give you my workout play list: 

~Bad Girlfriend - Theory of a Deadman
~Boom Boom Pow - BEP **Love, love, love this song.  I could hit repeat and run to nothing else!!
~I Want You to Want Me - Cheap Trick
~Fergalicious - Fergie
~Poker Face - Lady GaGa
~Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO
~Hypnotized - Notorious BIG ** LOVE the beginning of this song...it's just one of those mood changer songs.
~Footloose - Kenny Loggins **Another mood changing, can't sit still song =)
~3 - Britney Spears
~Toxic - Britney Spears

I realize it's not very long and needs some TLC.  That's where you fabulous people of the interwebs come in...Yay!!  I would LOOOOOOVE to expand my list and find out what everyone listens to.  Got any great "get up and move your booty" songs?  Send them my way!! =)

{Happy Valentine's Day}

I hate the fact that Valentine's Day has turned into such a ridiculously expensive commercial holiday.  I too am guilty for participating in buying gifts for Kayleigh and Matt...but isn't it really ALL about Love??  Why do we "need" tangible items to declare our love for others?  Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't make an extra effort to express your love for someone today.  But then again, shouldn't you do this every day?  You don't necessarily have to present your loved one/significant with some kind of gift, but maybe instead, just a quick note or a nice card with something from the heart.  That would mean more to me than a gift, honestly.  I think we all get lost in the Valentine's hype and forget that sometimes the little things in life really mean the most. 

With that being said...I can't wait to spend the evening with Kayleigh, Matt, and Matt's family eating dinner and enjoying each other's company.

I ♥ both of my lovies :)

{Whatcha' Eatin' Wednesday :: Third Edition}

My Breakfast:

 

I have been alternating between my Chobani yogurts and these fabulous Atkins Shakes.  Normally, I am not a huge fan of the meal replacement shakes.  I've tried several brands and flavors and they all normally taste like yuck.  I was very reluctant to try the shakes a few weeks ago, but a friend of mine recommended them AND I got them at a super price.  So I'm not really out anything.  But much to my surprise, they are actually good.  The shakes are packed with 15g of protein and only 1g of sugar, so that means they keep me full :)  And weighing in at only 5 points+ they are a great choice for breakfast on the fly!

My Lunch:

Lunch was catered in by a pharmaceutical rep.  She brought some yummy sandwiches, wraps, salad, and soup.  I had a half of a ham, cheese, and tomato wrap on a sun dried wrap.  I had a small cup of tomato basil soup that was soooooo yummy!  I'm not exactly sure how many points I consumed for lunch, because we weren't provided any nutritional information, but I would guess no more than 7.

My Dinner:

Matt, Kayleigh, and I ate dinner at a local Japanese joint.  Kayleigh and I shared the teriyaki shrimp with mushrooms and it was devine!  Again, I'm not sure of my points accumulation, put I haven't been too terribly bad today. 

I haven't been as strict as I should be today, but that's all part of learning the lifestyle of a diet.  There will be good days, bad days, and at times REALLY bad days.  The only thing I can do is clean it up tomorrow and start clean...and that's what I plan to do. 

{100 Days of School}

Yesterday marked the 100th day of the school year here in Gaston County.  Now when I was in school this was a BIG day.  This was the "beginning of the end".  Since Kayleigh is only 5 she hasn't quite caught a case of summer-itis, but I'm sure her day will come.  So for now, the 100th day of school just means dressing up for a fun day.  The elementary school she attends gave each student 3 options of participation. 

You could: 

1. Dress as though you were 100 years old,

2. Create a shirt with 100 items, or

3. Create a shirt with the number 100.

As you can see below, we opted for creating a shirt that represented her style oh so well :)  Kayleigh is just like me...if it's pink and blings, I must have it!!  Her hot pink shirt with silver sequined numbers and a sequined crown fit her personality perfectly.  I wish my phone had captured a better picture...either way, she's a cutie in my book :)



{National Wear Red Day}

Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. -Proverbs 4:23

Today is the American Heart Association National Wear Red Day.

For more information about National Wear Red Day, please visit the American Heart Association.

{Whatcha' Eatin' Wednesday :: 2nd Edition}

It's Wednesday!!  Whew!...Half way through the work week.  Thank goodness!! Anybody else with me??

Hope everyone enjoyed my post last Wednesday.  I didn't have any negative feedback so I thought I would push forward and make this a weekly topic.  Any thoughts/ideas/comments as to what I could add/retract on this topic?  Please let me know!!

My Breakfast:

Chobani was on the menu again today...but strawberry this morning.  Still packed full of protein (14g) and has 0g of fat.  I try to switch it up between the peach and strawberry 0%.  Sam's Club carries a flat of 12 for around $11 and some change.  (The flat includes a mixture of peach, strawberry, and blueberry flavors.)  That's less than $1 a day for breakfast.  I used to spend $3-$4 at the fast food places.  Now you aren't getting near as much food, but you aren't consuming near the amount of calories either.  And this is much healthier for you.  I added a sliced apple and filled my water glass.  Only 3 points+ for breakfast.  23 left for the day

My Lunch:  

For lunch I had an Ole' Wrap topped with spicy brown mustard, smoked turkey, a low calorie string cheese, and some diced tomatoes.  Plated with veggie chips and a sliced orange for a total of 6 points+.  I have 17 points+ left to "spend" for the day.

My Dinner:

I'm not completely sure what I will grab for dinner.  I have a few errands to run and then stopping by the hospital to check on my uncle.  He was unexpectantly admitted to the hospital this morning, so please keep him and my family in your prayers.

I'd really love to fit C25K in somewhere today.  High hopes I make this happen and return home at a decent hour. {Fingers crossed}

My recipe pick of the week is another Weight Watchers recipe, Shrimp & Zucchini with Tomatoes, this is quite yummy paired with a whole wheat angel hair/spaghetti or whatever you have on hand in your cabinets.  It's also very easy on your points+ bank coming in at 4 points+ for 1 & 1/4 cups serving.  Enjoy!!

{And this is why I coupon...}

If you read my guest blog yesterday over at Pure & Simple Organizing, you discovered my LOVE for coupons!!  I cannot imagine life without coupons.  They are the absolute best thing ever...well, at least I think so!!  It's FREE money people!!  FREE money that comes to you each and every weekend in your newspaper, and sometimes through the week as an added bonus.

I started couponing almost 4 years ago by clicking a link from an email I received from my mom.  I think I fell in love the minute I started reading and looking at drug store scenarios this awesome lady had so graciously put on her blog.  I couldn't believe how much stuff you could get for FREE.  And not just meaningless stuff but products I use everyday.  It was A-mazing!! 

That was 4 years ago.  I was such a rookie then :)  I'm pretty sure with the amount of couponing now under my belt,  I can confidently call myself a polished rookie.  I'm still learning everyday.  I enjoy any extra knowledge I can acquire to help save my family money on daily necessities in order to save extra money for Kayleigh's savings and splurges here & there. 

Pictured above is my CVS haul from this afternoon.  Want to guess my out of pocket total??  Keep reading for my steal reveal :) 

Today I grabbed:

• 4 Speed Stick Deodorants on sale @ $1.99 each
• 1 Old Spice Body Wash on sale @ $3.49
• 2 Gillette ProGlide Razors @ $10.99 each
• 3 boxes of Puffs on sale @ .88 each
• 2 Colgate toothpastes on sale @ $2.74 each
• 2 Dawn on sale @ .98 each
• 3 Hallmark cards @.99 each
• 2 Reese peanut butter eggs on sale @ .87 each
• 1 carmel chew @ .33

I went shopping today armed with my coupons, $6.75 in Extra Care Bucks from last week, and a gift card holding a balance of $3.65.  Before store sales, tax and coupons I have $68.82 in merchandise.  Please be advised I did NOT spend that much money.  My grand total after coupons, store sales, ECBs and my gift card today was.........Drum roll please...............$6.83.  That's a savings of 90%.  Woohoo!  It feels great to walk out of the store with all of that merchandise having only paid pennies on the dollar...and I did it morally & legally. And as an added bonus, I have $10 ECB to spend next week. That is exciting!! 

I highly recommend checking out a couple of my favorite coupon blogs such as Southern Savers & Money Saving Mom.  Both sites have great tutorial pages.  I would be happy to help answer questions you may have as well :)

{Wrapping up the Weekend & My Guest Blog Post!}

Since I already had a topic in mind, that wasn't time friendly, I went ahead and created today's post.  However, I completely forgot I was guest blogging today at my fabulous best friend Jennifer's blog, Pure & Simple Organizing.  Check out my post about the fun topic of organizing coupons here (I'll let everyone in on my coupon addiction soon). 
--Jennifer owns a small business in Charlotte, North Carolina and specilizes in organizing EVERYTHING.  Whether it be your home, work, or life she is your your go-to girl!!  Please check her out...she really ROCKS!!

So I realize it's a little past the weekend, however I haven't had a ton of spare time to blog.  Sick children require a lot of time, love, and attention :)  Thankfully, Kayleigh is feeling better and is able to return to school and I to work.  Since we weren't able to get out and about this weekend I'm at a loss for fun and exciting news to blog.  So I decided to share some of Kayleigh's favorite meals or her "comfort foods" so to speak.  



I created this recipe via an appetizer McAlister's Deli used to have on their menu a couple years ago.  I'm not positive as to what McAlister's dubbed this particular item, but Kayleigh has created the name "green pizza".  I know, I know...green pizza just does not sound appetizing in the slightest.  However, you have to remember, she came up with this name a little over 2 years ago, and at that time she was identifying objects by color.  Seeing as that typical marinara sauce or "red" sauce is how she identified regular pizza, she saw the pesto as the base for this pizza and then came the name "Green Pizza."  While the appetizer from McAlister's was super yummy, I just knew I could recreate the same meal at home for much less...and I was RIGHT!!

For this super easy & quick meal or snack you will need:

• 1 sandwich wrap/tortilla like those made by Ole Mexican Foods. I personally use the high fiber/low carb. These are great for sandwiches as well and are only 2 points+ with WW.
• 1 Tbsp pesto
• Handfull of cheese (any kind you wish or have on hand).  I use mozarella
• Tomatoes or Rotel
• Grilled chicken (I normally use leftovers or you can use the precooked brand from the deli)

Preheat your oven at 375 degrees. Apply pesto to the entire wrap leaving a small edge. Top with cheese, tomatoes, chicken, etc. Cook for 10-15 minutes (depending on your oven and pan) until wrap is at your ideal crispness. Yumm!! 

Kayleigh's next request of the weekend was chicken tortilla soup.  I fixed this for supper a couple of weeks ago and she ate 2 bowls full...she never eats that much, NEVER!  I again used a restaurant's version of soup for my creation.  I really like On the Border's Chicken Tortilla Soup.  It's so yummy and warm and comforting...but I would rather make it from home a) because it's cheaper and b) because I know exactly what goes into the recipe and I know who made it.  Restaurants can be gross!!

For this recipe you will need:  

• 1/2 cup salsa
• 3 (14.5 oz) cans Chicken broth (I personally use the low/no sodium kind)
• 2 (6 oz) packages Pre-cooked chicken strips, cut into bite-sized pieces or 1 12 oz can of chicken
• 1/4 cup Whole kernel corn
• 4 tbsp Uncooked rice
• 1/2 cup Chopped onion
• 1/2 cup Finely chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Tortilla chips, broken 

Boil chicken broth in large soup pot. Add salsa and rice to broth. Cook about 15 minutes, or until rice is tender. Add chicken, onion, and cilantro. Cook until heated through.

To serve, break tortilla chips into each bowl. Ladel soup over chips. Top with cheese and 1 Tbsp of cubed avocado. Serve immediately.  Makes about 6 servings. 

My last quick little recipe isn't a meal...but a nice little snack.  I LOVE bananas.  They are a great filler for me.  I also love peanut butter...it's more of an addiction actually :)  For this you will need: 

• One banana
• 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter
• Chocolate Chips (just enough for the length of your banana)
• Aluminum foil

I cut a medium size banana length-wise, spread my peanut butter on one side and added 10 chocolate chips to the peanut butter so they wouldn't roll off. I placed the banana back together and wrapped in aluminum foil. I then stuck the banana in the freezer for about an hour.

OMG...it was sooooo delish!!  I'm sure you can leave the banana longer, but I just couldn't wait...I'm a little impatient at times :) 

Hope yall enjoyed my recipes.  Anyone have any favorite recipes you tend to want when you're sick or just need some comfort food?

{Loooooooong Day}

My day began around 2:45 this AM. Kayleigh woke up not feeling well and decided to crawl into our bed at that super early hour. And let me just be quite frank..3 people in a queen size bed JUST ISN'T COMFORTABLE. However, I stuck it out until 6 and finally started my morning. 

Kayleigh started complaining of feeling worse as we were getting ready. I decided to take her temp and just as luck would have it, she was running a fever. I just hate it when my princess is sick.  I hate knowing that she doesn't feel well and the most I can do is love on her. So we spent the day at home, watching cartoons and catching up on chores =)  Crossing my fingers she feels better in the AM but it isn't looking promising...her temp is going up =(

Thought I would sneak a quick pic of my cute lil sick princess.

{Whatcha' Eatin' Wednesday}

So I started thinking...since I am being accountable to my audience in regards of my exercising, why not be accountable on my meals as well.  Almost every nutritional/diet/lifestyle article I've ever read, mentions a food journal.  I love my Weight Watchers instructer's slogan, "You bite it, you write it."  With Weight Watchers you keep a daily log (paper or online) to track your points for the day.  This is very helpful when you reflect back, especially if you had a better weight loss week at some point.  You can check your journal and confirm what foods and activities worked better for your body on that particular day/week.  It's a win win, really.  Sometimes we don't realize how much we put in our mouth daily (I know I didn't)...but seeing it written in black and white makes you ask yourself "Do I REALLY need that pack of crackers/bag of chips/donut/cookie?"

With that being said, I thought I would start journaling my food intake once a week (Wednesday) and offering some healthy...but still yummy...recipes.  I love to share recipes, especially good ones!  And I really love when people share their yummiest recipes with me too! (Hint, Hint)  Everyone needs a little inspiration and something new to spice it up, right?

My Breakfast:

Peach Chobani Greek Yogurt.  This stuff is packed full of protein (14g) and has 0g of fat.  That works for me!  It keeps me satisfied throughout the morning so I'm not snacking on empty calories.  And it's also only 3 points+ with WW...SCORE!!

My Lunch:

Ok, don't judge :)  We had lunch catered in by a drug rep from a local Mexican restaurant.  The good news...I did NOT clean my plate and ate less than 10 tortilla chips.  To me, that's an accomplishment!  You see, I LOOOOOOOOVE Mexican food and normally there isn't a smidge left.  But today there was, so I don't feel that bad about it.  However, I do not EVEN want to try and guesstimate how many WW points+ this meal would be.

My Dinner:

We are planning to each manwich sandwiches for dinner.  Each manwich sandwich (including bun) is about 7 WW points+.  We are having slaw and french fries along with our sandwiches.  I'm still pretty full from lunch, so I plan to keep it light for dinner.

Last but not least...should you need help planning for dinner tonight, or any night this week, I highly recommend the Balsamic Chicken with Mushrooms recipe from WW.  It is so yummy, you would never know it was a light recipe...cross my heart!!  Matt loves this recipe.  He has requested it several times since I found the recipe this past summer.  That's how I determine if I will cook it again...I run it past him.  If we both approve, it's a keeper.  This is def a keeper!!

{Look fast...it's Sunshine!}

Hello sunshine!!!  And to top it off, it's a comfortable 55 degrees outside.  Ahhh...it makes me so happy!!!  If you are anywhere in my close vicinity, you know it's been a while since we've seen sunshine, or so it seems to me.  It was starting to be depressing with all the rain and clouds and blah.  I'm not sure how people live in Seattle, WA and enjoy it.  I NEED SUNSHINE people!!

I didn't realize how nice it was outside today until I returned from my lunch break.  I just had to step outside and catch a glimpse of that bright yellow ball...and decided to take a quick pic.  Sunshine just makes me feel better, period.  Now, I feel like I can make it through the rest of the day and take my booty to the gym, maybe tackle some of that laundry that got neglected yesterday, and possibly a grocery store trip.  Ehh...maybe I shouldn't push it...just kidding :)  Anyone else enjoy sunshine quite as much as me??