Menu Plan Monday

Last week I sort of grocery-shopped on the fly.  I didn't make all good decisions but a second trip back did ensure I bought some healthy salads for lunches!  Also this week's plan could go a little crazy because my best friend is due at any moment with their second precious baby  - a girl!  So we are on pins and needles waiting for baby girl's big day!

Friday night - Pork Chops, Cabbage, Potatoes, and Cornbread

Saturday - Football Saturday!  Roll Tide!  Chicken and Dumplins

Sunday - Leftovers from Friday night

Monday - Chicken Quesadillas and Refried Beans

Tuesday - Hamburger Steaks with mashed potatoes and green beans

Wednesday - German Brats and Sauerkraut

Thursday - Grocery night so something easy!

For hundreds of menu plans, visit Orgjunkie.com!

Menu Plan Monday

It's a new week and I started this one completely exhausted!  We had a family reunion this past weekend that was a lot of fun and really took it out of me!  But it's so worth it!  This week I went for easy.  I know easy doesn't always mean healthy but we tried to combine the two the best we could.

Saturday - Family Reunion Day!  I took sausage balls and iced brownies.

Sunday - Vegetable Soup and cornbread

Monday - Cheeseburger Casserole (I need to post recipe.  Super easy meal) and Baked Potatoes

Tuesday - Homemade Chicken Tenders with mashed potatoes and green beans

Wednesday - Bubble Up Chicken (from last week that we didn't make)

Thursday - Hamburger Steaks with mac and cheese and green beans

Friday - Grocery Shopping!!

For hundreds of menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Friend Makin Monday

It's Friend Makin Monday at All the Weigh!  Join us!

 

 

 

Food Matters

 

1. Are you familiar with GMO’s? Is it an issue that matters to you? Seeing as I had to google the acronym, I'm going to say no I'm not familiar.  But, by googling, I know what it is now!  I think it's important we know what is in our food.  I'm not a super clean eater but I do try to look at the ingredients.  We shouldn't be consuming so many artificial items.

2. List a few items that are typically on your grocery list.  Greek yogurt, wheat pasta, block cheese

3. What is your favorite place to shop for produce?  Sadly, I don't have any super go-to places.  During the summer, I try to by fresh but I take what I can get!

4. Do you eat processed foods?  More than I should!

5. Do you look for the “organic” label when you shop?  We try to be cleaner but we don't always buy organic.  I sooo wish we had a Trader Joe's locally!

6. What did you eat for breakfast this morning?  I'm ashamed.  I had a biscuit.

7. How many meals per week do you cook at home? I typically cook dinner at home 6 out of 7 days.  I also take my lunch 4 out of 5 days too.

8. Do you think that foods that have been genetically engineered should be labeled? Absolutly!

9. What matters most to you when you’re choosing a restaurant?  Depends on my mood!  I don't like anything too fancy schmancy.  I want to enjoy good food and good company.

10. What is your favorite meal to cook at home?  I have so many - again it depends on my mood.  Some of my favorites are red beans and rice, chili, and Chinese.

Menu Plan Monday

We made our menu and went shopping last Thursday.  That seems to be helping us stay on menu and budget.  Which by the way, has anyone else noticed how much groceries have went up lately?  It just seems that way to me!  Over $4 for a gallon of Walmart-brand milk!? Crazy!  Here's our menu...

Saturday - Dinner at Five Guys after we saw Ender's Game

Sunday - Out with friends for my best friend's 30th birthday!

Monday - French Bread Pizza

Tuesday - Fish Filet Sandwiches

Wednesday - Hamburger Steaks, Mac & Cheese, and Mashed Potatoes

Thursday - Bubble Up Pizza

Friday - Night out!  Hubs is on his own and I'm going to see Disney on Ice!

For hundreds of menu plans, visit Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Friend Makin Monday

It is Friend Makin Monday at All The Weigh!  Come join the fun!

 

What If?

1. If you had something in your teeth would you want someone to tell you, or would you prefer to figure it out on your own? Please tell me!

2. If you had to listen to one song on repeat all day today, which song would you choose?  Wow!   I honestly don't know. 

3. If you could trade places with someone famous, with whom would you trade?  Veronica Roth (writer of DIVERGENT) or Dutchess Catherine

4. If you could speak another language fluently, which one would you speak? Spanish

5. If you could read one person’s mind right now whose would you choose?  I don't think I could handle that ability!

6. If you were forced to go back in time, which period of your life would you choose?  Either my high school years to make better choices (just in terms of grades and what not) or as a child when my only concern was running up and down the fence with my horse.

7. If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose? Vampire Diaries or Once Upon a Time (only if no one was trying to kill me)

8. If you had to give up twitter or Facebook, which would you choose?  Probably Twitter.  While there are things I like more about Twitter than Facebook, I have tons of pictures and loads more friends that I enjoy keeping up with.

9. If you could have a present today, what would you want?  Camera equipment

10. If you had to choose between celebrating Halloween or Christmas, which would you choose?  Christmas all the way!

Menu Plan Monday

Another week is here.  I don't know how that happened.  This weekend FLEW by and it is already Monday!  This week at the grocery store, we tried to stay within a tighter budget.  I picked a couple of comfort foods this week.  Not good for our diet at all. 

Saturday - Hamburgers (tailgating food!)

Sunday - Out with Friends

Monday - Spaghetti and garlic bread

Tuesday - Taco Salads

Wednesday - Baked BBQ Chicken with roasted zucchini and mashed potatoes

Thursday - Out with Friends for Pizza!

Friday - Grocery night!! 

For hundreds of menu plans - healthy, easy, budget, etc - visit Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday!

The Dash

When someone passes away, we put a line between their birth year and death year.  In place of a lifetime of memories, we place a single dash.  That dash is a horrible representation of who we are.   It makes you stop and think about what that dash represents.

A friend of ours passed away on Saturday.  1978 - 2013.  His dash represents 34 years.  Yes, you read that right.  He was taken far too soon but by a God who knows best.  We met this young man, let's call him Coach, just recently really.  Over the past couple of years, he became really close friends with our best friends.  Maybe calling him a friend is even premature.  We sadly didn't get to know Coach as well as we wanted.  We thought we had more time.  What I learned about Coach this week was just how big his dash was.

Like I said, I didn't know Coach well.  But just from what I observed, he lived his life all in.  He loved those around him.  His had a wildly energetic personality and was definitely a force of nature.  He coached my best boy's baseball team.  But he did more than just coach baseball, he encouraged these little men and loved them with his whole heart. 

When Hubs and I arrived at his viewing service on Wednesday night, I was in awe of how many cars were there and the three hour event had just begun.  We stood in line with hundreds of other people before we were able to reach his precious wife and pay our respects.  When we left, it was dark and chilly and the line to just get inside the church was still hundreds of people long.  These people were touched in some way or another by Coach.  Whether they were lifelong friends or only knew him through his community activities, everyone had their story about what a good man Coach was.

The sadness of his passing is overwhelming. Our world lost an incredibly generous soul.  His sweet wife lost her love and their precious boy lost his father.  I mourn for them.  I mourn for my dear friend, who coached along side Coach, because he lost a true friend.  What I learned through this sadness was that Coach's dash was big.  It was big and full.  He lived a life of love in action.  His legacy, even in 34 short years, was one of friendship, love, and laughter.  May we all live a life larger than our dash. 

Book Review - DIVERGENT

After multiple recommendations, I picked up a copy of DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  I started reading it Friday night and had it finished by Saturday night.  When I find a book that I really enjoy, I have a hard time putting it down.  I read for hours yesterday.  It was that good.  I repeat.  It.  Was.  That.  Good. 

DIVERGENT takes places in a future version of Chicago.  The world is a very different place and the population is broken up into 5 factions - based on qualities and traits that each faction holds dear.  Beatrice comes from a selfless society.  She doesn't live for the frivolous things in life.  At age 16, all children complete an aptitude test and based on their own feelings and the results of their test, they choose to stay in their born faction or move to another.  Beatrice, later called only Tris, is divergent which means that she doesn't fit into just any category.  And ultimately, she cannot be controlled.

Like I said - it was that good.  From beginning to end, you are intrigued by their culture and then you begin an emotional journey with Tris. 

So my review - 5 out of 5 stars.  I was entertained and intrigued.  And I couldn't put it down. 

Of course when it was over, I was desperate for more.  Thankfully, there are two more in this series - Insurgent and Allegiant.

Friend Makin Monday

Come join Friend Makin Monday at All the Weigh!

1. What is your favorite thing about Fall?  Cooler weather, getting dark early, leaves, pumpkins, and I could go on!

2. It’s not Fall until… I get to swear a sweatshirt.  I have 500 of them. 

3. Apple cider or hot chocolate? Both…it depends on my mood.

4. Share a happy Fall memory.  Growing up it was Friday Night football (I was a band nerd).  I loved the whole day - pep rally then off to the game and then driving around my small town aimlessly afterwards

5. Do you have any hobbies that are seasonally specific? If so, what are they?  We love to camp, although we haven't been in a while.  It is definitely a cooler weather hobby.  Also, one of my favorite things is to sit outside by a fire.  That is our favorite fall activity.

6. What do you miss most about Summer now that it’s officially over?  Nothing!

7. Do you prefer pumpkin pie or pecan pie?  pumpkin!  In fact, I made some last weekend!  So good!

8. Do you suffer from allergies?  Yes!  Horribly so.

9. How do you celebrate Halloween?  As a child, yes.  I dressed up and went treating every year.  As an adult, I only celebrate if we or someone we know throws a party.  We don't even get trick or treaters at our house.

10. What is the biggest change that you expect to experience during this season?  My best friend is having a baby in late November.  I'm super excited about that. 

Menu Plan Monday

 

What a weird and seriously sad weekend.  More to come later on that.  For now though it's all about the menu.  This week we challeneged ourselves to seriously trim down our grocery budget.  For two people, we were spending entirely too much each week!  Here is what we came up with...

Friday - Out with Friends! 

Saturday - Chili with the in-laws for the Alabama game

Sunday - Chicken Fried Rice, Chinese Chicken Salad, and egg rolls (store bought)

Monday - Stouffer's Lasagna (on sale at Publix) with Caesar Salad (also on sale)

Tuesday - Stove Top Chicken (that I have had on our menu for 3 weeks!)

Wednesday - Super Easy Red Beans and Rice with cornbread

Thursday - Baked Chicken, green beans, and rice

Friday - Grocery Night!  This week we are hitting up ALDI and Walmart to maximize our groceries.

For hundreds of menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Goals for This Week

The best way to stay accountable is to let others know my goals.  It's important to document your goals and then see where you excelled or failed.  Here are my goals for this week:

-Log food into My Fitness Pal

-Check blood sugar at least twice daily.

-Run three times (ideally Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday)

-Drink more than 50oz of water everyday.  This is a struggle sometimes but it shouldn't be!

-Plan a lower calorie menu for next week.

-Stay AWAY from Halloween candy!

Friend Makin Monday

Today I'm joining Friend Makin Monday over at All the Weigh!

 

 

All about the Blog

1. How long have you been blogging? Almost a decade…But this blog only a year or two.  I have been a yo-yo blogger for a long time but I would like to make something more concrete and substantial. 

2. What is the overwhelming theme of your blog? healthy living - maintaining an active lifestyle while eating healthy and enjoying life. 

3. Have you connected with people in person after meeting them through blogging?  Not yet!

4. What do you enjoy most about blogging?  I enjoy reading other blogs.  I haven't always been an avid commenter but a lurker.  So not only do I want to devote more time to my own blogging but I also want to connect with others.

5. How often do you blog? I do not currently have a set schedule but again...a work in progress!

6. Share one thing that you don’t like about blogging. I read some nasty comments that people leave on other blogs.  First, if I don't like something a blogger says, I usually just move on.  I have never ever left a negative comment and the fact that people use the somewhat anonymity to left mean and nasty comments.  Blogging is about sharing your life.  If somewhere is willing to share with others, they do not deserve critism.

7. Do you talk about your blog in everyday life?  Somewhat. I get bolder about discussing my blog. 

8. What is the coolest and most unexpected thing that has happened to you as a result of blogging? hmmm.  I'll have to wait and see!

9. Are there topics that are off-limits on your blog? If so, name a few…I don't really know.  I wouldn't discussion anything too private in terms of my life or marriage.

10. If you could accomplish one thing through your blog before the end of this year, what would you want to accomplish?  Just encourage people.  To be positive, happy people.  Find ways to be active and get on their own journey to be healthy.

Menu Plan Monday

It's back at work after a week-long staycation!  And it's back to our better eating menu.  No more fast food!

Saturday - Hamburgers and fries with the in-laws for the Alabama game

Sunday - Chicken and Dumplins

Monday - Stove Top Chicken Bake (from last week)

Tuesday - Skinny Chicken Parmesan

Wednesday - Grilled Chicken and vegetable sides

Thursday - Pancakes

Friday - Grocery night!

For hundreds of menu ideas, visit Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Race for the Cure

This past weekend I participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  I was the team captain for a team in celebration of a sweet friend and co-worker of mine, Sheri.  Sheri was diagnosed in May and is currently going through chemotherapy treatments.  She is a trooper.  She has continued to work throughout her treatment and even has came into work the day after treatment days in some cases.  She is a true hero and inspiration and it was my privilege to walk this race not only in her honor but by her side.

I was so proud of our group.  We had co-workers and family members.  And we were all celebrating Sheri.  It was a good day.

Sheri and I after the race.  So proud of this lady.

Menu Plan Monday

 We are on a "staycation" this week!  We spent entirely too much at the grocery store because we made a really great menu but then we might have bought things like cookies and chocolate milk...which we never do!  But alas, it's vacation!  Here's our menu...

Saturday - Hubs' parents treated us to dinner.  Pizza.  I had a caesar salad.  Yum!

Sunday - Our German Experiment - Brats, Sauerkraut, and Potato Salad

Monday- Chicken and Broccoli Bake with a veggie side

Tuesday - Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake on low carb tortillas and salsa

Wednesday - Stove Top Chicken Skillet with green beans

Thursday - Eggplant Parmesan with Caesar Salad and Garlic Bread

Friday - Chicken and Zucchini Kabobs, cabbage, and sweet potatoes

For hundreds of menu plans, visit Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday!

Our German Experiment

Hubs was craving a visit to the beach and to the Hofbrau Beer Garden, a German restaurant in Panama City Beach.  Well we are on vacation this week but it is a staycation.  So I had Hubs find some recipes and I would try (try being the operative word) to recreate his meal.  He came across this blog and I gave it my best shot.

Here is what you need (I altered the original recipes just a bit):

Bratwurst
Pre-cooked Bratwurst (pre-cooked is just so much faster)
One white or yellow onion cut into rings
One green bell pepper, sliced
3 Tbsp Butter
1 clove of garlic (or if you lose yours like I did then a sufficient amount of garlic powder will suffice)
1 tsp oregano
1/2 beer or sherry (I used a basic light beer)

Add the butter to a hot skillet.  Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic for about 5 minutes.  Add brats, oregano, and beer.  Let the beer cook down.  About 10 minutes.  You want your pre-cooked brats to be warmed thoroughly.

Sauerkraut
16 oz sauerkraut (you can use original or bavarian but I used original)
3 Tbsp brown sugar

Add sauerkraut and brown sugar to a warm skillet.  Stir well so that the sugar is well distributed.  Cook about 10 minutes until warm.

Potato Salad
red potatoes (I used about 12 mini red potatoes)
1 Tbsp relish
1/2 Cup mayonnaise
3 Tbsp mustard
Salt and pepper to taste


 You can bake the potatoes ahead of time or if you forget (like I did) then you can steam the in the microwave.  I placed the tiny potatoes in a bowl with about 1/4 cup of water in the bottom.  I microwaved for about 10 minutes.

I let the potatoes cool while I was preparing the other items so when I returned to the potatoes they were warm but not piping hot anymore.  Regardless of your cooking method, quarter the potatoes into bit sized pieces and add the mayo, mustard, relish, salt, and pepper.  Mix well.

Big beautiful onion.  I love Publix.

Tiny Potatoes

Cooking it up!

Bad picture but the final product!

So I admit that I was a little hesitant.  I'm not a beer fan and at first the skillet did smell quite beery.  I mean, of course it did.  But Hubs encouraged me to fix a plate.  We sat down and he dug in.  He just kept saying how good it was.  So, I got brave enough and sure enough!  It was!  I went and got my second brat out of the skillet even.  Hubs isn't a huge sauerkraut fan because of its bitter taste.  The brown sugar really helped that.  It didn't make it sweet but just gave it a goo flavor.  Add some mustard to dip your brat it and it just adds another layer.  You don't taste the mustard but the flavor of everything makes for one delicious bite.  So, I am claiming success!

Friend Makin Monday

Today, in my continuing effort to expand my blogging horizons, I'm joining Friend Makin Monday with the crew over at All the Weigh. 

1. Meat and potatoes or pasta? I do absolutely love me some potatoes but I'm definitely a pasta girl!  I can eat spaghetti noodles plain.  I just love it! 

2. Do you prefer Apple or Android?  I really don't have any experience with the Android series.  I have had an iphone since the 3 so I have been loyal through three upgrades.  However, my hubs just bought me a Samsung Galaxy II tablet and I really like it a lot too.  For now I will stick to my iphone but I am more open to new things than I used to be.

3. Do you kiss and tell, or do you keep it private?  I'm a private gal. 

4. If you had to choose one, would you choose Facebook or Twitter?  I like Twitter and I honestly think I seem to be myself more on Twitter for some reason but I do love my Facebook time!

5. Christmas or Valentine’s Day? Christmas!!  No contest!!  In fact, I basically hate Valentine's Day.  :-)  I wrote a blog post about wearing black on V-Day and why I don't care for the holiday. 

6. If you joined a band, would you prefer to do vocals or play an instrument?  I would probably do vocals.  I'm definitely not Carrie Underwood or anything.  I think I'm just that bossy and I equate vocals with the leader.  ha!

7. Hot weather or cold weather?  I LOVE cooler weather and everything that it brings with it.  I love the smells of fall, daylight savings time, Christmas, college football, sweatshirts, fireplace, etc. 

8. Calorie counting or tracking points?  I did Weight Watchers years ago and was successful so I know tracking points works!  More recently though I have counted calories and carbohydrates (for diabetic purposes) and I have had very visble and true results.  I have lost 30 lbs so far.

9. Yoga or kickboxing?  I have never tried either!  Considering my borderling ADD and my tendances to feel agressive, kickboxing might me right up my alley!

10. East Coast or West Coast?  I lived in California for 4 years as a child and I would love to return for a visit.  But I would really love to visit Maine, Charleston, and Savannah.  So really I think I'm an East Coast girl.

Menu Plan Monday

 

I'm back!  I have been in a weird funk for about 6 months...ok maybe not that long.  I think for so many years I was so focused on finishing my degree that when I finished in May, I didn't know what to do with myself.  I fell into some weird depressive mood that I couldn't escape.  Through identifying my problem and working hard to not allow myself to go down that dark road, I feel like I'm back.  I feel more motivated to blog, read, or just do nothing!  Apparently I like to have a full plate and don't know how to act without one!  

And now on to our menu for this week...

Saturday - Game Night (Alabama Football that is).  Homemade Pizza and Rotel Cheese Dip

My rotel cheese dip - 1 large block Velveeta, 1 can Rotel (mild), 1 package sausage (mild) in a crockpot for about an hour and a half.  YUM!

Sunday - Cajun Chicken Pasta and Garlic Toast

Monday -  Chili and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Tuesday - Sloppy Joes and Fries

Wednesday - Stove Top Chicken with Green Beans

Thursday - Grilled Chicken and Squash Kabobs, Roasted Potatoes, and Corn on the Cob

Friday - Grocery Night!

For hundreds of menu plans, visit Orgjunkie.com.

Menu Plan Monday

This week I continued my quest to stock my pantry and attempt to make my menu based on the pantry/freezer.  I did ok.  Here is our menu...

Saturday - We had a wedding to photograph so we grabbed drive-thru food on the way home.

Sunday - Hamburgers and seasoning fries

Monday - Chicken and Dumplings, green beans, and biscuits

Tuesday - Spaghetti and Salad

Wednesday - Crockpot Pulled BBQ Chicken, slaw, and fries

Thursday - Grilled Chicken, roasted potatoes, grilled squash

Friday - Oven-fried chicken, rice, roasted zucchini and onions

Not to shabby!  We need to get back on our healthy eating kick though!

For tons of menu ideas, check out Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Friend Making Monday...on Thursday

 I was down with a summer cold at the beginning of this week so I'm just now feeling human enough to blog but I wanted to join Friend Making Monday at All the Weigh!

Questions and Answers

1.  What is a typical weekday like for you?  My weekdays are basically the same.  Hubs and I get up (always later than we should) and rush around to get ready.  We leave (later than we should) and ride to work together.  We work about 25-30 minutes away from home.  I drop off Hubs on my way in and get to work (later than I should).  I work 8-5.  I then pic Hubs back up and we head home.  We are fairly boring.  We get home and I made dinner while we do some basics like start laundry or straighten up the house.  We sit and eat together (in the living room watching tv but together nonetheless).  Then sometimes we keep watching tv or go our separate ways.  I'm an internet addict so I'm always online while watching tv.  So, basic couch potato. 

2.  Name one song that never fails to make you happy and one song that you always listen to when you’re sad.  There are so many songs that I go too.  Lately I have been on an oldies kick...like 50s and 60s.  Almost any upbeat song from those decades can get me dancing.

3.  Did you watch the VMA’s last night?  Yes but on DVR so I had control of my situation.  Although I, like many others, stared in horrible at Miley Cyrus.  I just couldn't turn it off and now I just can't un-see it.  Sad.

4.  Share at least two skills that you possess.
I'm a fairly decent photographer.  I love to cook and think I'm fairly good at it.  Don't ask me to bake.

5.  Share one thing that you wish you had the confidence to do.  My parents are karaoke nuts.  They say I'm pretty good when I do it.  But I get nervous with the attention of being the one singing.

6. Tell us about one insecurity that people might be surprised that you have.  I don't like being in front of people or being the center of attention.  I think it has to do with my weight and self image.

7.  If you could be the CEO of any company, which one would you choose to lead?  A photography company providing affordable yet artistic photo sessions.


8. List at least three hobbies that make you happy.  Photography or just looking at old family pictures.  Reading.  Sewing.  Planning vacations.

9.  Is there someone in your life that you wish you could say “I love you” to? I think people should just say it more often in general.

10.  Share one cool thing that happened over the weekend. 
I went shopping for my mom's birthday present.  I found it in the first store.  I left happy.  If you know me and my mother, this was a huge fete!

Just This Once...

Eating clean and healthy (not that I'm 100% clean or healthy) is a work in progress but it is also a lifestyle change.  I am not dieting.  My goal is to eat less processed foods with less sugar and absolutely no poison sugar substitutes like saccharin and aspartame.  And lower fats and calories per meal.  I get frustrated because of course a Big Mac from McDonald's is quick and easy (not to mention delicious) but it's so so bad.  I know that I will feel better if I go home and my own dinner. 

But never do I get as frustrated as when people who know my preferred diet say "you can eat it just this once."  I don't want that cupcake.  I won't enjoy it, I'll feel guilty, and worst of all, it will drive my blood sugar sky high.  I am fighting so hard to prevent going on insulin for the rest of my life.  That cupcake "just this once" isn't worth it.  I don't completely limit myself.  I do have treats (this week I discovered that Keebler makes Samoas like the Girl Scouts).  I enjoy those treats from time to time.  But leave me alone.  I'm not asking you to follow my plan.  And I don't keep you from eating yours. 

I guess what I think is that people may not understand why I am careful and strict but don't ask me to leave my path.  There are plenty of obstacles that we, as humans, create for ourselves.  Please just let me follow my own path.  I am not doing without.  I'm actually very well.  Very full.  And getting healthier every day that passes.

Menu Plan Monday

Another week is here!  We are eating out of the freezer and pantry this week.  No more grocery stops until Friday!  Going unprepared to the grocery store for a 2 week trip will bite you hard toward the end of the 2 weeks!  But that's why we have a pantry!

Here is our menu...

Saturday - On Your Own.  I had Kraut and Weinies and Fried Okra

Sunday - Shrimp Boil with new potatoes and corn on the cob and hushpuppies

Monday - Grilled chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli and cheese

Tuesday - Out!  We are going out to eat then to see Kellie Pickler in concert.  Should be a fun night!

Wednesday - Onion Baked Chicken, green beans, corn on the cob, and new potatoes

Thursday - Grilled Chicken, asparagus, and rice

Friday - Grocery night! 

So my menu is not very inspiring this week so you better believe I'm checking out Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday for some new dinner inspiration!

Friend Making Monday

I have followed Kinley at All the Weigh for a while and thought I would jump in to her Friend Making Monday. 

School Days

1. What was your favorite subject in school?  History for sure.
2. Did you attend elementary school and high school in the same town? Yes and No.  My family moved from AL to CA when I was in the 2nd grade but we returned when I was in the 6th grade and I continued on to graduate. 

3. Are you still friends with anyone that you met during school?  My oldest friends are all friends I made in the 7th grade.  We still keep in touch and talk often.  We were inseperable during school and I definitely see us always staying in touch.

4. What activities were you involved in as a student? I was a band nerd for sure.  But I joined the yearbook staff when I was a senior and definitely wished I would have joined earlier. 


5. Did you bring your lunch, or did you get it at school? I never brought my lunch.  I think most days I was just happy I made it to school.  A morning person I was not!

6. Did you enjoy shopping for clothing and school supplies?  Yes I think so.  Getting to pick out all new shiny things for a new year was always fun.
7. Name a song or a band that reminds you of high school.  Whoa...so many!  Early Backstreet Boys, Boyz II Men, Hootie and the Blowfish, Sarah Maclachlan ("I Will Remember You" was my senior class song)
8. Did you like school? I did.  I never dreaded it or hated it like some people. 
9. How long have you been out of school?  High School - 13 years.  But College...oh 3 months!
10. What did you like most about school? What did you dislike most about school?  I liked being with my friends probably the most.  I didn't really appreciate learning until I was older and in college.  I sort of coasted by in high school.

Menu Plan Monday

How on earth is it August already?  This year is flying by!  I thought when I finished school in May that my life would slow down a bit.  But not at all!  This month may be quieter than July but still some fun things to look forward to.  Hubs and I are going to see Kellie Pickler in a few weeks then we will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary.  And then we will end the month celebrating my mom's birthday.

Here is our menu plan for this week...

Saturday - Dinner and a movie!  Date Night!

Sunday - Fried Rice, Chinese Chicken Salad, and Egg Rolls

Monday - Smoked Sausage (turkey) and kraut, sauteed zucchini, pinto beans

Tuesday - Skinny Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday - Chicken and Dumplings and green beans

Thursday - Tacos (with some amazingly delicious low carp tortilla shells)

Friday - Grocery  night!

For hundreds of menu ideas, check out Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Invading the Alabama Gulf Coast

For the week of July 4th, Hubs and I were invited down to the Alabama gulf coast with our best friends.  Ash's dad lives near Orange Beach, Alabama, so we crashed his pad for some beach fun. Jim, Ash, and their Princess headed down on Saturday and Bob and I met up with them on Tuesday evening. We had a great time despite a not so great weather forcast.

Here's a recap...

1. Shrimp Basket - AMAZING! We arrived on All You Can Eat popcorn shrimp day!

2. We visited the Dollar General in Orange Beach every single day. We bought everything from poptarts to contact solution and ice to a nerf football.

3. Fresh shrimp from Billy's Seafood in Bon Secour. Their motto is "if it swims, we got it." They have fresh seafood including 5 sizes of shrimp for unbeatable prices! We had ours steamed in cajun seasoning and devoured it later with potatoes, corn, and hush puppies. I took 5 more pounds home to my dad!

4. Our car broke down behind Souvenir City on the evening of the 4th. HUGE thanks to Hub City Towing and Wayne, the driver, for helping us out! We got it fixed enough to get us home. Although it was a huge ordeal at first, the entire adventure only cost us a $20 part once we got home! Oh and thank God for roadside assistance!

4b. While my car is broken down in a parking lot 250 miles from home, do not approach me if you are drunk. The anger that spews forth cannot be matched. Just keep walking buddy.

4c. EK may or may not have peed in the bushes while we hung out in the parking lot.

4d. Seeing what great friends you have while you are crying in the parking lot is a great feeling.

5. We were very let down by the fireworks....or lack of. It was crazy windy so they were afraid of blow back into the crowd and the condos so fireworks stopped after about 60 seconds.

6. Bob finally got to try Lambert's Cafe. He was in food heaven. We all left full and happy! Even the Princess enjoyed some "mashed taters."

7. Staying up ridiculously late and eating ice cream ridiculously late is not usually in a runner's agenda but it was this week and we all four enjoyed it immensly!

8. We didn't run at all! I know really - shame on us. But it was a nice break.

9. Jim and Ash probably brought back 20lbs of sand in their car. It was our beach vehicle.

10. After having ice cream everyday and eating not great bad ANYTHING we wanted, I didn't gain a single pound!

Hubs and I waiting to eat at The Original Oyster House

Jim, Ash, their girl....and some Hubs in the background

Uncle Bob and the Princess

Breaking down on the 4th

Menu Plan Monday

Another new week!  This week's goals are to keep a diary of my food and exercise consistently.  I love to run but I have been on a break for a few weeks and I really need to get back on it!  I can only call myself a runner if I am actually running! 

Here is our menu...

Sunday - Mesquite Pork Tenderloin, green beans, roasted potatoes, and sauteed squash

Monday - Taco Salads

Tuesday - Grilled Chicken, whole baby potatoes, cabbage, and black eyed peas

Wednesday - Healthy Brown Rice Chicken Broccoli Bake (that's a mouthful!) with roasted zucchini

Thursday - BBQ Pork Chops, homemade macaroni and cheese, roasted veggies

Friday - Grocery night!  On Our Own!

For hundreds of menu plans, visit Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Bad Blogger

I have been a very bad blogger recently.  I have so much to say yet I don't seem to ever get it out.  But here's to trying harder! 

And here's a peek into what has been going on the past few months (bad iphone pictures and all).


I graduated college in May. It was a big, big day. I had lots of family, friends, and co-workers there to root me on. It was a good day.


Here we go!

Me and a sweet co-worker - my best pictures of the day.

The weekend after graduation was another big day.  I completed my first 5k race!  I wasn't last!  I was super proud!

 

After the race, we had a cookout with friends complete with a fire pit for roasting marshmallows.  I seriously love these people.

 

Let's see...what else...


Chris Young and Brad Paisley in Concert as part of my graduation gift from Bob.  Super fun night!

We competed in another 5K in late June.  You can read my hilarious yet sad race report on our running blog.

 

 

For the week of July 4th, our running buddies and best friends invited us to tag along on their beach vacation.  We happily invaded. 



 

Our Spot

And finally, meet our new addition, Jax....
Jax and his sister, Lizzy, ended up at my moother-in-law's house.  We rescued sweet little Jax partially because he reminds the Hubs of his childhood cat, Jinx.  When introducing the new kitten, we knew Shelby wouldn't hurt him but we weren't sure how they would jive.  After an initial fear phase (note that Shelby was the scaredy cat), they love each other.  And I mean love.  They are happier to see each other than either of their humans.  It's sweet and it made us feel that Jax was meant to be our kitty.

'Til Next Time...