I'm very excited after this week!! I continue to inch ever-closer to my end goals, so close!!
BEGINNING WEIGHT: 156.6 LBS
WEEK 1 WEIGHT: 157.6 LBS
WEEK 2 WEIGHT: 156.0 LBS
WEEK 3 WEIGHT: 153.6 LBS
WEEK 4 WEIGHT: 152.8 LBS
GOAL WEIGHT: 144.0 LBS
BEGINNING WAIST: 39 IN
WEEK 1 WAIST: 39 IN
WEEK 2 WAIST: 38.5 IN
WEEK 3 WAIST: 38.25 IN
WEEK 4 WAIST: 37.5 IN
GOAL WAIST: 35 IN
MONDAY:
-35 bridges, 35 squats, 35 lunges
TUESDAY:
-REST day
WEDNESDAY:
-80 second plank, 40 triceps dips, 40 mountain climbers
THURSDAY:
-40 jumping jacks, 40 burpees, 40 high knees
FRIDAY:
-40 bridges, 40 squats, 40 lunges
SATURDAY:
-REST day
SUNDAY:
-90 second plank, 45 triceps dips, 45 mountain climbers
Good week this week despite being given Red Velvet Oreo's, I don't know the last time I actually bought Oreo's, they just keep being given to me!!
I'm coming up on the end of my sister's challenge so I'll have to step-up my own exercise! Time to bust out the bike!!!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Monday, February 9, 2015
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Tried and Tested: Crockpot Freezer Meals Part 2
If you missed the first part and first five recipes, do yourself a favor and click here to see it!
I promise I have more than just chicken crockpot meals but I can't help it, they are just too good!
General Tips for Crockpot Cooking:
1. If cooking frozen meals, don't put them into a warmed crockpot. Doing so can actually cause some damage to your pot (don't ask me how I know this unless you brought some tissue and a shoulder for me to cry on).
2. I find it best to thaw your meals before putting it in the pot. Some of the bigger meals won't fit if frozen and then you don't have to worry about extra time if it's frozen. This can be done in the fridge the night before or, if you are like me and can't rely on yourself to plan that far ahead sometimes, you can thaw the meal still in the bag in a sink of water (you'll be surprised how quickly it actually works).
3. If you hate cleaning your crockpot, and you use it as often as I do, there are crockpot liners for your crockpot which makes cleaning up so much easier. I still haven't started using them but that's mainly because I keep forgetting them (shopping once a month makes it hard to remember).
4. I like to cook all my recipes on low if I can but if not, cut the time in half (usually 3-4 hours) and cook it on high.
In this post:
Hawaiian Chicken
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Teriyaki Chicken
Tex-Mex Chicken
Not Chicken Pot Pie
Hawaiian Chicken
-2 or 3 Chicken Breasts
-1/2 C. Sugar
-1/2 C. Vinegar
-1/2 C. Pineapple Juice (I do 1 C. Pineapple Juice for a bit more sweetness)
-3 Garlic Cloves Minced
-2 T. Soy Sauce (I do 3 T. to play off the pineapple juice more)
-1/2 Can Pineapple chunks (I usually get the large chunks and cut them in half so there are more in every bite!)
Cook on Low 6-7 Hours
Shred Chicken and serve over rice
Thoughts: So I'll be honest, not one of my absolute favorites but it's growing on me. Others have really seemed to enjoy it, I just need more of a wow factor. I also like to top it with crushed red pepper flakes to give it a pop of spice.
Cilantro Lime Chicken
-24 oz salsa
-Juice of 1 Lime
-1/4 C. fresh Cilantro
-1 Packet Taco Seasoning
-2 Jalapeños (chopped)
-6 boneless chicken breasts
Cook on low 4-6 hours
Serve chicken with salsa mixture spooned over top or shred chicken and use as taco/burrito filling.
Thoughts: This one surprised me; I'm a bit of a Mexican fan--anything with Cumin in it is my friend. I prefer to just shred all the chicken and then I can use it in a burrito which is good or over rice which is delicious also!!
Teriyaki Chicken
-3 Chicken breasts, cubed (lazy-Sara leaves them whole and shreds them when they are done cooking)
-1 C. Teriyaki Sauce
-1 C. Water
-2/3 C. Brown Sugar
-3 Cloves Garlic Minced
-Dash of Ginger
Cook on low 4-6 hours
Serve over rice
Thoughts: I'm still trying to find a way to improve this one. If you have an idea let me know!
Tex-Mex Chicken
-1 lb Chicken (2-3 breasts)
-16 oz salsa
-15 oz black beans (drained/rinsed)
-15 oz pinto beans (drained/rinsed)
-15 oz frozen corn (if you use canned, drain/rinse)
-1/4 C Fresh Cilantro
-1 Medium Onion
-14.5 oz Chicken Broth
-1 packet Taco Seasoning
Cook on low 6-8 hours, high 3-4 hours
Remove chicken and shred
Use over rice, burrito/enchilada filling, etc.
Thoughts: This one is delicious over rice but even better as a burrito! When I try this next, I'm going to roll them into burritos, put them in a pan and top with red enchilada sauce.
Not Chicken Pot Pie
-3 or 4 Chicken breasts
-2 cans cream of chicken
-4 or 5 medium potatoes peeled and diced (DO NOT FREEZE)
-2 C. Frozen peas and carrots
-Salt and Pepper to taste
Cook on low 6-8 hours
Shred chicken
Serve over or with biscuits
Thoughts: I made the mistake of freezing my potatoes in with the meal and they turned black basically ruining the whole meal. After trying it again I rather enjoyed it so don't make my mistake and freeze your potatoes.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Tried and Tested: Crockpot Freezer Meals Part 1
I went to a church activity in August where we were taught how to do freezer meals for quick, easy, delicious meals to make dinner time easier and healthier. Since then, I have been notorious about making freezer meals.
I spend 2-3 hours prepping and bagging the meals then when it comes time to cook it, I drop it in the Crockpot and let it cook. Since having my little in October our family has continued to have delicious dinners and I have been able to maintain my stress levels because it's so easy.
My hubby will even help entertain the little while I put on a movie or binge watch a Netflix show and chop away!!
Since I also like to save money, I'm happy to say I spend less than $200 each month to make about 40 freezer meals. Since it's just Superman and I right now, that can actually last us almost two months. The first time I made them in September, I didn't have to make more until the third week of October. Take that grocery budget!!
8 Quick Tips for Assembling Crockpot Freezer Meals:
1. Before placing any food in the gallon bags, label the bag with the dish name, date of assembly, cooking time and any additional instructions such as, shred chicken and cook additional time or add cream cheese and cook 20 more mins or serve over rice/noodles.
2. Place meat and produce in the bag first and liquids such as sauces, canned beans or vegetables last. This will help the bag not roll around as you are trying to fill it.
3. Prep like things all at the same time. For instance, if I have three recipes with bell peppers in them, I'll chop or dice all bell peppers before moving on to the next ingredient.
4. If you need to cut any meats, do it after the produce so you can use one knife (you're starting to see how lazy I am, aren't you??).
5. The girl I learned this from suggested having a bowl you can throw your trash straight into. I just bring my garbage can over to my working area (you call it lazy, I call it efficient).
6. When all ingredients are in the bag, seal the bag well and mix the ingredients around to mix flavors.
7. Remove as much air as possible when you seal the bag.
8. Place in the freezer laying as flat as possible (when I did this for the first time I made the mistake of standing them up and as they froze, they got stuck in the gaps of the freezer shelf).
DISCLAIMER: These are recipes that I have actually TRIED, these aren't recipes I've found on Pinterest, pinned and forgotten about. I'll let you know of the ones I didn't like and why in case my taste is different than yours.
I usually double each recipe so I can buy more in bulk (hopefully things on sale) and it makes prepping easier.
In this post:
Chicken broccoli Alfredo
Chile Colorado Burritos
Chicken Taco Chili
Chicken Fajitas
Spicy Chicken over Rice
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
-3 Chicken breasts, cut into strips (I left mine whole and then shredded them when cooked because I'm lazy)
-2 cups broccoli frozen or fresh
-1 large green bell pepper, chopped
-32 ounces Alfredo sauce
If using frozen broccoli, throw all ingredients into gallon bag and freeze.
Cook on low 6 hours, high 3 hours, serve over noodles.
The first time I made this I used frozen broccoli and felt it came out too soft/soggy so I opted to use fresh broccoli the next time and to steam it on my stove while I was making the noodles. After steaming it, add it to the sauce in the crockpot and serve over noodles.
Thoughts: Just needed a little salt and pepper when we ate it so I just add that to my taste or I'm sure you can add it to the cooking process.
Chile Colorado Burritos
-1.5 pounds stew meat
-1 large can enchilada sauce (I use green sauce)
-1-2 cans refried beans
-Flour tortillas
-Cheese
Place beef and enchilada sauce into gallon bag and freeze.
Cook on low 7-8 hours, high 3-4 hours.
Shred beef (Usually just stirring it will shred it well) and warm up refried beans on stove top. Spoon beef from crockpot onto flour tortilla with refried beans (I like to use a slotted spoon for the beef so I cut out some of the enchilada sauce from the inside).
Roll into burrito and place on a cookie sheet or into a baking pan if you want more of an enchilada feel. Cover with enchilada sauce from crockpot and cheese.
Place in broiler until bubbly and/or cheese melts.
Thoughts: I really like this one. I place them in a baking dish so they come out more like enchiladas.
Chicken Taco Chili
-1 Onion, chopped (I like to use yellow, but any will work)
-16 ounces can black beans
-16 ounces can kidney beans
-8 ounces tomato sauce (I like making it with 16 ounces more)
-10 ounces frozen corn
-28 ounces diced tomatoes
-1 packet of taco seasoning
-1 T. Chili Powder
-1 T Cumin
-3 Boneless Chicken breasts
Cook on low 10 hours or high 6 hours.
30 mins before serving, shred chicken and return to crockpot.
Top with cilantro, cheese or sour cream if desired.
Thoughts: Another of my favorites, I've been making this for years, I just adapted it to be a freezer meal.
Chicken Fajitas
-2 Green Peppers, sliced
-1 Onion
-3 Chicken Breasts
-1/2 C. Chicken Broth
-1 Taco Seasoning packet
-1 t. Chili Powder
-1/2 t. Paprika
-1 t. Salt
Cook on low 5-6 hours.
Shred meat, serve on tortillas with cheese, sour cream and other toppings as desired.
Thoughts: This is a very simple yet delicious meal that continues to make it's appearance on our plates.
Spicy Chicken over Rice
-1.5 lbs Chicken (2-3 breasts)
-12 ounces Salsa
-2 T. Taco Seasoning
-1 T. Maple Syrup
-1 t. Lime Juice
-4 ounces cream cheese
Place all ingredients except cream cheese into gallon bag and freeze.
Cook all ingredients 6-7 hours low, 4-5 hours high.
Shred chicken and add cubed cream cheese.
Cook 20 more minutes allowing cheese to melt.
Stir and serve over rice.
Thoughts: This IS my favorite! I could eat this seven times a month. It's name is spicy chicken but depending on the spice of the salsa you use will determine the spiciness of the dish (I hope everyone else likes it as much as I do).
After you try them, come back and let me know what you thought of them and what some of your favorites are.
I spend 2-3 hours prepping and bagging the meals then when it comes time to cook it, I drop it in the Crockpot and let it cook. Since having my little in October our family has continued to have delicious dinners and I have been able to maintain my stress levels because it's so easy.
My hubby will even help entertain the little while I put on a movie or binge watch a Netflix show and chop away!!
Since I also like to save money, I'm happy to say I spend less than $200 each month to make about 40 freezer meals. Since it's just Superman and I right now, that can actually last us almost two months. The first time I made them in September, I didn't have to make more until the third week of October. Take that grocery budget!!
8 Quick Tips for Assembling Crockpot Freezer Meals:
1. Before placing any food in the gallon bags, label the bag with the dish name, date of assembly, cooking time and any additional instructions such as, shred chicken and cook additional time or add cream cheese and cook 20 more mins or serve over rice/noodles.
2. Place meat and produce in the bag first and liquids such as sauces, canned beans or vegetables last. This will help the bag not roll around as you are trying to fill it.
3. Prep like things all at the same time. For instance, if I have three recipes with bell peppers in them, I'll chop or dice all bell peppers before moving on to the next ingredient.
4. If you need to cut any meats, do it after the produce so you can use one knife (you're starting to see how lazy I am, aren't you??).
5. The girl I learned this from suggested having a bowl you can throw your trash straight into. I just bring my garbage can over to my working area (you call it lazy, I call it efficient).
6. When all ingredients are in the bag, seal the bag well and mix the ingredients around to mix flavors.
7. Remove as much air as possible when you seal the bag.
8. Place in the freezer laying as flat as possible (when I did this for the first time I made the mistake of standing them up and as they froze, they got stuck in the gaps of the freezer shelf).
DISCLAIMER: These are recipes that I have actually TRIED, these aren't recipes I've found on Pinterest, pinned and forgotten about. I'll let you know of the ones I didn't like and why in case my taste is different than yours.
I usually double each recipe so I can buy more in bulk (hopefully things on sale) and it makes prepping easier.
In this post:
Chicken broccoli Alfredo
Chile Colorado Burritos
Chicken Taco Chili
Chicken Fajitas
Spicy Chicken over Rice
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
-3 Chicken breasts, cut into strips (I left mine whole and then shredded them when cooked because I'm lazy)
-2 cups broccoli frozen or fresh
-1 large green bell pepper, chopped
-32 ounces Alfredo sauce
If using frozen broccoli, throw all ingredients into gallon bag and freeze.
Cook on low 6 hours, high 3 hours, serve over noodles.
The first time I made this I used frozen broccoli and felt it came out too soft/soggy so I opted to use fresh broccoli the next time and to steam it on my stove while I was making the noodles. After steaming it, add it to the sauce in the crockpot and serve over noodles.
Thoughts: Just needed a little salt and pepper when we ate it so I just add that to my taste or I'm sure you can add it to the cooking process.
Chile Colorado Burritos
-1.5 pounds stew meat
-1 large can enchilada sauce (I use green sauce)
-1-2 cans refried beans
-Flour tortillas
-Cheese
Place beef and enchilada sauce into gallon bag and freeze.
Cook on low 7-8 hours, high 3-4 hours.
Shred beef (Usually just stirring it will shred it well) and warm up refried beans on stove top. Spoon beef from crockpot onto flour tortilla with refried beans (I like to use a slotted spoon for the beef so I cut out some of the enchilada sauce from the inside).
Roll into burrito and place on a cookie sheet or into a baking pan if you want more of an enchilada feel. Cover with enchilada sauce from crockpot and cheese.
Place in broiler until bubbly and/or cheese melts.
Thoughts: I really like this one. I place them in a baking dish so they come out more like enchiladas.
Chicken Taco Chili
-1 Onion, chopped (I like to use yellow, but any will work)
-16 ounces can black beans
-16 ounces can kidney beans
-8 ounces tomato sauce (I like making it with 16 ounces more)
-10 ounces frozen corn
-28 ounces diced tomatoes
-1 packet of taco seasoning
-1 T. Chili Powder
-1 T Cumin
-3 Boneless Chicken breasts
Cook on low 10 hours or high 6 hours.
30 mins before serving, shred chicken and return to crockpot.
Top with cilantro, cheese or sour cream if desired.
Thoughts: Another of my favorites, I've been making this for years, I just adapted it to be a freezer meal.
Chicken Fajitas
-2 Green Peppers, sliced
-1 Onion
-3 Chicken Breasts
-1/2 C. Chicken Broth
-1 Taco Seasoning packet
-1 t. Chili Powder
-1/2 t. Paprika
-1 t. Salt
Cook on low 5-6 hours.
Shred meat, serve on tortillas with cheese, sour cream and other toppings as desired.
Thoughts: This is a very simple yet delicious meal that continues to make it's appearance on our plates.
Spicy Chicken over Rice
-1.5 lbs Chicken (2-3 breasts)
-12 ounces Salsa
-2 T. Taco Seasoning
-1 T. Maple Syrup
-1 t. Lime Juice
-4 ounces cream cheese
Place all ingredients except cream cheese into gallon bag and freeze.
Cook all ingredients 6-7 hours low, 4-5 hours high.
Shred chicken and add cubed cream cheese.
Cook 20 more minutes allowing cheese to melt.
Stir and serve over rice.
Thoughts: This IS my favorite! I could eat this seven times a month. It's name is spicy chicken but depending on the spice of the salsa you use will determine the spiciness of the dish (I hope everyone else likes it as much as I do).
After you try them, come back and let me know what you thought of them and what some of your favorites are.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Why I'm glad I waited to get married but why I wouldn't do it again
Growing up I often heard about how I needed to be preparing to get married and when I would have a family. It ended up having a negative effect on me--instead of being excited to get married, I didn't think I ever would get married and I didn't like the term "home-maker" ever being attached to my name.
I married my husband just before my 25th birthday and it was the most amazing day! I love my husband and my family. My husband and I had the chance to meet so many times when we were both younger but we never did (my fault, not his) and I'm glad we didn't. If I was given it to do all over again, I would do things differently and start our lives together sooner.
Things I learned because I waited to get married
1. How to think for myself
Growing up, I just did what I wanted. I never gave much thought to it or had any reason for doing what I wanted, I just did what I did mainly because it was easy. I never really started thinking for myself or feeling confident in my choices until after I graduated college and had to make a choice that wasn't expected of me or was a long-term commitment like college was.
Now that I'm married it helps our relationship that I have had experiences in researching and judging choices then dealing with the consequences. When it came time to decide about what to do with finances or when to start our family, I had the confidence that I could add value to the decision making process and I could think differently than my husband and that was OK.
2. How to handle disagreements with a calm demeanor
Ask anyone in my family, I was the instigator growing up. I was notorious for tormenting my older brother until he would hit or chase me and then complaining to my mother so that he would get in trouble--my mother caught on and I had to learn to be sneakier. Going through college with frustrating classmates and hit-or-miss roommates will force you to stay cool. You can't yell at your roommates like you can your family and them not think you are totally bonkers or want to throw you out.
My husband and I have been married for just over 2 1/2 years now. Since then we have had conversations about how to handle finances, politics, career paths and more. It's a no-brained that no couple is going to agree on everything through their marriage and we are no different. The way we handle our disagreements have been greatly blessed because my husband just has a calm demeanor about himself and I was given extra years to learn that skill.
3. How to stick to my guns but still be willing to look at things with a different set of eyes
"Argue your point, even after you learn it's wrong--then just change the way you're arguing it so it's right" was my slogan. I never wanted anyone to be right when I was wrong. Being wrong or admitting defeat was a failure. There wasn't really an a-ha moment about this until after I was married and really had to take someone else's perspective with more than a grain of salt.
My husband and I have had times when we've had discussions and I started out thinking one way was the right direction to head in but talked and listened to the other point of view until WE, TOGHETHER, made a decision. Sometimes I would change my stance and we would go the way my husband presented and sometimes we would go my way. The key to this is that we both agree about the final decision and don't look back or say, "I told you we should have...".
My marriage is no better than yours and no couple is perfect. Our marriage has been blessed because we both have opinions and are able to think for ourselves, we keep a calm head as we discuss the things that come up in our life, and we both stand where we feel we should on our positions but keep an open mind until the decision is made.
I've heard from my in-laws that my husband was born this way, that he has always been calm, wise and acting rational. I, on the other hand, needed a few more years to learn how to be the best wife and companion to him. I'm learning that I want to raise my daughter (and future children) to be better than I was. To not be a stubborn child that gave her parents so much heartache and pain. I want to raise my children to be ready to be a great spouse and companion without needing to wander aimlessly for years as their mother did.
I married my husband just before my 25th birthday and it was the most amazing day! I love my husband and my family. My husband and I had the chance to meet so many times when we were both younger but we never did (my fault, not his) and I'm glad we didn't. If I was given it to do all over again, I would do things differently and start our lives together sooner.
Things I learned because I waited to get married
1. How to think for myself
Growing up, I just did what I wanted. I never gave much thought to it or had any reason for doing what I wanted, I just did what I did mainly because it was easy. I never really started thinking for myself or feeling confident in my choices until after I graduated college and had to make a choice that wasn't expected of me or was a long-term commitment like college was.
Now that I'm married it helps our relationship that I have had experiences in researching and judging choices then dealing with the consequences. When it came time to decide about what to do with finances or when to start our family, I had the confidence that I could add value to the decision making process and I could think differently than my husband and that was OK.
2. How to handle disagreements with a calm demeanor
Ask anyone in my family, I was the instigator growing up. I was notorious for tormenting my older brother until he would hit or chase me and then complaining to my mother so that he would get in trouble--my mother caught on and I had to learn to be sneakier. Going through college with frustrating classmates and hit-or-miss roommates will force you to stay cool. You can't yell at your roommates like you can your family and them not think you are totally bonkers or want to throw you out.
My husband and I have been married for just over 2 1/2 years now. Since then we have had conversations about how to handle finances, politics, career paths and more. It's a no-brained that no couple is going to agree on everything through their marriage and we are no different. The way we handle our disagreements have been greatly blessed because my husband just has a calm demeanor about himself and I was given extra years to learn that skill.
3. How to stick to my guns but still be willing to look at things with a different set of eyes
"Argue your point, even after you learn it's wrong--then just change the way you're arguing it so it's right" was my slogan. I never wanted anyone to be right when I was wrong. Being wrong or admitting defeat was a failure. There wasn't really an a-ha moment about this until after I was married and really had to take someone else's perspective with more than a grain of salt.
My husband and I have had times when we've had discussions and I started out thinking one way was the right direction to head in but talked and listened to the other point of view until WE, TOGHETHER, made a decision. Sometimes I would change my stance and we would go the way my husband presented and sometimes we would go my way. The key to this is that we both agree about the final decision and don't look back or say, "I told you we should have...".
My marriage is no better than yours and no couple is perfect. Our marriage has been blessed because we both have opinions and are able to think for ourselves, we keep a calm head as we discuss the things that come up in our life, and we both stand where we feel we should on our positions but keep an open mind until the decision is made.
I've heard from my in-laws that my husband was born this way, that he has always been calm, wise and acting rational. I, on the other hand, needed a few more years to learn how to be the best wife and companion to him. I'm learning that I want to raise my daughter (and future children) to be better than I was. To not be a stubborn child that gave her parents so much heartache and pain. I want to raise my children to be ready to be a great spouse and companion without needing to wander aimlessly for years as their mother did.
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