Fairly Fit Family

APPS that Make Money

2016-10-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

Ibotta grocery Cash Back - I have used this one but, I have found it very time consuming to watch a 2 minute video in order to save 10 cents. (While that might be an exaggeration, I do not prefer this app).

Ebates online shopping kick back - I love, love love Ebates! I can get oodles of cash back on regular purchases, which comes in handy during back to school, and often Christmas shopping. But, buyer beware, the sales do not always include the same items...

SwagBucks FREE gift card program - I am new to swagbucks, but I have earned 3$ in Amazon cash in the first 2 weeks, all I did was play some videos on my cell phone.. The more involved you get, the more money you will make.

SNAP grocery rebates - I always check these after grocery shopping, but its been a solid two years and I haven't gotten a pay out yet (20$ minimum).

Android users can get a PAID lockscreen (5$ a month min) - I cannot personally vouch for this, since I no longer am an android user, but the hubs used it a bit and cashed out every year by Christmas with 50$ or so.

Pact App pays you to be healthy! -- I used this for about a year and really liked it. It pays through Paypal and always paid on time. I only stopped when my paypal was hacked.

Viggle Music App -- Viggle ONLY pays to live tv watching, which I very seldom do, so I did not make a lot of cash here... but maybe YOU will?

Inbox dollard cash for emails! - I receive about 5$ a month for purchases and reading emails. It would take longer if you did not buy anything, but you do get .02 cents an email, just for opening them and often their are contests and surveys to earn more.

Surveys on The Go App - I have less time now for surveys than I used to, but this is a good one!

SAVE Money for Disney

2016-01-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

DISNEY vacations can be a HUGE expense for families, but they do not have to be... With the right choices and options a family can save hundreds if not thousands on a DISNEY vacation.

One of the best and smartest ways to save for a Disney vacation is to open a separate savings account specifically for your vacation fund. If at all possible, jump-start the account with a lump sum, such as a tax refund. DISNEY offers these, and will add 'bonus' cash in your account as well! Check out more information on a Disney Vacation Account!

Disney gift cards can yield a savings as well. It might seem a little complicated BUT, it is an effective way to reduce your Disney spending by hundreds a ta time. You can save over 15% when buying a gift card online at a reduced cost (reputable sites only) to a store that sells DISNEY gift cards at a reduced rate (Target, Bj's, Costco, Sam's Club). Use those cards to buy the reduced cost DISNEY gift cards and use the gift cards to pay for your vacation. To further your discount, buy the original discount using your Disney Visa (get your 1-3% back in Disney points!) Check out Raise Discount Gift Cards or Cardpool Discount Gift Cards for purchasing gift cards

Don't SPEND your change... save it in a jar! (a 2-liter bottle can hold 700$ in dimes) If you don’t want to roll the change, see if your bank takes unrolled change (TD Bank) or visit a coin-star machine (some even give gift cards instead of cash! Be careful some coin machines take a percentage).
- Play the checking account game... When writing a check, round up your checkbook entry to the nearest dollar. (For instance, if you write a check for $57.12, record it in your checkbook as $58). Not only does this help you prevent overdrafts, it also means you’re accumulating a little extra in your account every time you write a check. Another good thing about this method is that you’re earning interest on that extra money, assuming you have an interest-bearing checking account. AND round down your deposit entries to the nearest dollar. (For instance, if you deposit $300.91, record it as $300). Again, you’re accumulating a little extra “ghost” money in your account.
- If a payment ends, keep making it — to yourself! If you pay off a car or a credit card, keep making that payment, but instead write the check to yourself and deposit it into your vacation savings account.
- Make a rule that “found” money goes in the vacation fund (rebate, tax refund, gift check, work bonus, EVEN laundry money) deposit it in the vacation account.
- Cut out one small daily expense and put the money you’re saving into your vacation fund. The savings can really add up (don't buy a latte, bring one; bring a snack from home instead of the vending machines).

Ask your family to help you save. Often children aren’t very aware of how much small expenses can add up over time. If you point out that every nickel they can save the household will get them closer to seeing Mickey, they may surprise you! Solicit their ideas and suggestions, and then agree to put aside what you’ve saved for your vacation fund.(Collect returnable cans/bottles)

Cut expenses....Spend less on entertainment and save where-ever/whenever you can (borrow videos from your public library, eat out less, and/or use grocery store coupons).

Sell your junk. Have a big garage sale, list things on ebay/amazon or another tag sale site, use a consignment store or Craigslist.

Evaluate your spending on cable television and telephone services. If you have a cell phone, see if there’s a better plan for you, that fits your usage patterns at a lower cost, likewise with your insurance companies.

Re-evaluate gift-giving. Perhaps you can just start exchanging greeting cards. Or you might prefer to institute a gift exchange (each person draws one name) or switch to “gifts of love” (give each other certificates for back rubs, car washes, and other kind gestures that cost you nothing but your time and effort). Or set a low dollar limit on gifts and see how creative you can get.

Hang on to your receipts: Some receipts from park restaurants include same-day discounts for Downtown Disney retailers in the fine print, so be sure to inspect yours before tossing it. You can use these discounts to buy marked-down toys and costumes for your kids!

Check out APPS that earn you money or save you money!

....So you are going to Disney...Time to pack!

2016-01-21T18:25:00.002-08:00

Disney is an adventure in itself, and when you are on your way, you should be certain all the essentials are in tow.

Aloe - our family found it extremely useful (we used almost all of a 20 oz. bottle!) in the summer heat.
Antacids
Antibacterial lotion - This was a must before all meals when we couldn't get to water.
Aspirin
Autograph book and a fat pen (so the characters can hold it).
Backpack - to store cameras, ponchos, etc. in.
Baby Powder
Band-Aids
Bathing suit
Batteries/battery packs - for still and video cameras

Cell phone with battery and charger base

Contact lenses - make sure you bring *both* a spare set and your glasses.
Cooler - a soft, collapsible one to tote sandwiches and drinks to the water parks
Dental floss
Gum - If you like to chew it, buy it in advance; you won't find any for sale on Disney property

Hats - straw, baseball whatever...something to bounce the sun off!
Insect repellent
Laundry Detergent - Rather than paying high prices for a small box of laundry detergent, bring some from home in a resealable plastic bag.
Lip Stuff - like Blistex or Chapstick - with sunscreen!
Prescription Medicines - Pack at least three extra days' worth of any prescriptions for everyone in your party, and make sure they are in the carry-on luggage.
Nail clippers and emery board
Q-tips
Poncho - so you can find your group amidst all those Disney slickers!

Proof of Insurance - to show when you rent your car so you don't need that expensive CDW (collision damage waver)
Safety pins and/or Diaper Pins - for broken zippers or missing buttons

Sensible shoes -- Comfy, well-broken in shoes are essential. This isn't the time to try a new pair of shoes. If you must get new shoes for your trip, be sure to break them in well before you depart for Florida.
Extra Socks and Sneakers and Undies - One thing my daughter and I found when we visited in August, was that we ran out of clean dry clothes pretty fast.
Stain Stick - the laundry pre-treating stick. Since none of us like to do laundry on vacation, just rubbing the stain with the pre-treatment will let you hold off doing laundry till you return home.

Sunscreen lots and lots of sunscreen
Sunglasses - for ALL members of your traveling tribe, and don't forget those handy-dandy straps that keep the sunglasses hanging around your neck. Much more convenient than tucking the sunglasses in a pocket or fanny pack every time you enter an attraction.

Tickets (or reservation numbers) - Confirm or obtain airline seat numbers & departure times the day before. We got to the airport over an hour early and still got 3 middle seats for ourselves! Since we made our plans 3 mos. early, we also found the departure time had changed by 20 minutes. Nothing the airline called us about, but 20 extra minutes in an airport with kids is not part of a well-planned vacation.
Tissues
Tote Bag - to store ponchos and other items in.
Toys - for the kids

Tweezers

Watch
Water Bottles - especially in the summer.
Water shoes - to wear to/from as well as IN pools/water parks.
Wipes
Zipper-top Bags / vacuum sealed bags

What do Disney Cast Members want Guests to remember?

2015-11-29T18:55:00.001-08:00

9. You Can’t Park Your Stroller Anywhere you Want
There are designated stroller areas for a reason. Often times guests park their strollers wherever they want, which can cause serious problems (like stealing) and is a safety concern if left in areas crowded by guests.
8. Don’t Cut In Line
We all wait in line for long lengths of time to enjoy our favorite rides and shows, so skipping the line isn’t the best answer to enjoying these experiences quicker. Not only do the guests become irate at times, but cast members are put in a weird situation of intervening.
7. Get Fastpasses Out
While fastpasses are used to experience minimal to no wait time, the wait time in the line can be increased by those who aren’t ready to scan their bands. Make sure you are prepared and have your MagicBands or park tickets out to make it easier for the guests behind you and the cast members who are keeping record of how many people are walking through the attraction.
6. Cast Members Don’t Make The Rules
In any profession, we can tend to complain or become upset with the wrong employees. Cast members are no different. If you are not satisfied with something, remember that they do not make the rules. If you do feel the need to complain or address the situation further, be sure to speak to the right cast member.
5. Follow Directions During Parades and Shows
Cast members always try their best to keep the ‘traffic’ of walking guests moving smoothly, but it can be very difficult to accomplish this when people stop in the middle of the pathways to watch. Find a safe and designated area to watch the parade without having to agitate the cast members with keeping the flow of traffic going.
4. Have Patience
There are some issues that can’t be resolved right away. Cast members always try their best to accommodate any guest no matter what their situation may be.

3. Don’t Try To Argue About The Height Requirement on a Ride Height requirements are strict to ensure the safety of all guests. There is a reason why cast members turn away guests in this predicament. Please be considerate to them and understand that they are just following protocol.
2. They Love It When You Show Your Appreciation
Small acts for kindness are surely appreciated by cast members. Keep in mind that they are often dealing with negative scenarios that guests have rather than positive ones. A compliment goes a long way, and the best part is, its free!
1. The Goal of Cast Members is to Put a Smile On Your Face
Cast members are always trying to give some extra magic to guests on a daily basis. There have been times where they have taken guests straight to the front of ride, upgraded a resort room, and even had “Mickey” pay for their dinner or souvenir. Offering extra magic is what cast members are known for and they do a great job of doing so!
BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like SIMPLY MAGICAL VACATIONS. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!

Roasted Vegetables

2015-11-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

10 brussel sprouts, quartered
2 small onions, quartered
1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
1 medium yellow summer squash, halved and sliced
1/2 pound fresh baby carrots
1 cup fresh cauliflowerets
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1-1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Place vegetables in a large bowl. Combine the remaining ingredients; drizzle over vegetables and toss to coat.
Transfer to two greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pans. Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Yield: 9 servings.

Carrot Ginger Soup

2015-11-13T13:57:00.000-08:00

BOMA! Crrot Ginger Soup

Ingredients:
Cornstarch Slurry - (1/4 cup cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup cool water)
2 cups carrots, chunky cut
2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar, adjust as needed
1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
1 cup American cheese, sliced or shredded (optional)
Method of Preparation:
1. In pot, cook carrots in water, sugar and ginger. Let simmer until carrots are soft. Using a food processer or blender, puree until smooth.
2. Add heavy cream and milk. Cook until soup is hot and slightly thick.
3. Bring to a boil, add cornstarch slurry while stirring. Bring back up to a boil. Remove from heat.
4. Add American cheese and stir well until cheese melts.
5. Adjust seasoning.
6. Enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

2015-11-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup skim milk
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup light blue cheese dressing (I used Marie’s – it’s the best!)
3-4 tablespoons Buffalo Wing sauce (I used Anchor Bar brand)
2 large eggs
1 large egg white
1 cup cooked shredded boneless skinless chicken breast
1 medium celery stalk, chopped small
4 cups cooked whole wheat or high fiber macaroni (about 8 oz uncooked)

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 400. Lightly mist a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, mixing it into the butter until thick. Stir in the milk and garlic powder and raise the temp to bring the mixture to just under a boil. Add the cheddar cheese and whisk mixture together until thoroughly combined into a cheese sauce.
Remove the cheese sauce from heat and then mix in the blue cheese dressing and Buffalo wing sauce. Beat together the eggs and egg white and then stir into the cheese sauce until combined.
Add the chicken and celery to the cheese sauce and stir together. Add the macaroni and continue to stir until coated. Spoon the macaroni mixture evenly into the prepared muffin tin.
Bake for 15 minutes or until the tops slightly brown. Let cool at least 15 minutes before removing from muffin tin. Letting the “muffins” cool before removing them from the pan is crucial if you want them to stay together.

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

2015-11-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

10 ounces frozen chopped spinach
15 ounces artichoke hearts, drained & chopped
¹⁄₂ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
¹⁄₂ cup sour cream
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
¹⁄₂ teaspoon garlic, minced
¹⁄₈ teaspoon garlic powder
¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
¹⁄₈ teaspoon ground black pepper
¹⁄₈ teaspoon ground mustard
¹⁄₈ teaspoon paprika

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly.
Spread into an 8x8'' baking pan or similar ovenproof dish (should be able to contain about 3 cups.).
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve hot with bagel chips, rye bread slices, tortilla chips, cheese crackers, pita, etc!

Thanksgiving Menu

2015-11-10T20:23:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving
Menu 2015

Spinach Artichoke Dip in Bread Bowl

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Bites

Carrot Ginger Soup

Caramelized Onion & Cranberries over Mixed Greens

Roasted Harvest Vegetables

Mashed Root Vegetables

Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Autumn Brine Turkey

Traditional Sausage Stuffing

Fresh Cranberry Relish

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

Caramel Apple Pumpkin Trifle

Baked Apple Crisp & Ice Cream

Apple, Pumpkin & Mixed Berry Pies

Declutter Challenge: Week 1

2015-05-21T11:43:00.003-07:00

The kitchen, Panty and Dining Rooms:

Begin small... with the fridge & freezer, be mindful of expiration dates and realistic about what will be eaten. Restaurant leftovers should be eaten within three days of restaurant visit, while home-made meals could be eaten within five-seven days.
Be mindful of fruit and vegetable storage, so food can last longer.

Move on to the largest food storage area, DRY foods and spices expire too!

As you can see Mondays task was to clean out the fridge/freezer. I had already taken the food off my second shelf in the fridge before I remembered to take a picture and there was no way I was going to put it back so I apologize for that. But this task wasn't as long and scary as I thought it would be. One thing I was SO grateful for was this fridge tip I tried a couple months back. It made the job WAY easier! If you are going to do the Challenge I highly suggest you do it too! - See more at: http://www.day2daysupermom.com/2013/09/declutter-confessions-week-1-kitchen.html#sthash.hLnmREQl.dpuf

Yes, I do want to know what you can do for me

2015-05-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

Will you be there when I need a shoulder to cry on?
Will you let me comfort you when you are dealing with times of crisis?
Will you pass judgement on me?

A friendship IS what you can do for me... and what I can do for you.

For years, I've wanted a lot of friends, a big group to hang out with and do things with, after-all that's what Facebook shows. I struggle when I see those images of 6,7, 8 people all arm in arm, whole face smiling, having a grand old time. I never had that. It took me a long time to realize, I don't need a lot of friends, I do need a few genuine people in my life that truly love and care about me, hope for my best, celebrate my successes, and comfort me in my failures.

Zucchini & Sweet Potato Frittata

2015-05-19T06:38:00.002-07:00

Ingredients

2 tbsp butter or coconut oil;
8 eggs;
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut in slices;
2 sliced zucchinis;
1 sliced red bell pepper;
2 tbsp fresh parsley;
Salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation

Heat a pan over a medium-low heat;
Add the oil and sweet potato slices and cook until soft, about 8 minutes;
Add the zucchini and red bell pepper slices and cook for another 4 minutes;
While it cooks, whisk the eggs in a bowl, making sure to incorporate a lot of air in the mixture;
Season the egg mixture with salt and pepper and add to the cooking veggies;
Cook on low heat until just set, about 10 minutes;
Finish the frittata until golden under a heated broiler.
Cut the finished frittata into wedges and serve with fresh parsley.

Baby Girl

2015-05-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

Someday I will look back on your fifth birthday and realize how small you still were, but not today.

Someday, I will look back and pray that you are only five again as I did at only one, only two, only three and only four, but not today.

Someday, I will wish back this year, this silliness, this delightful age, but not today.

Someday, I will want to hold five-year-old you in my arms again, but not today.

Someday, I will think five is still little, but not today.

Today, I look back at the five years I have held you in my arms and see how much you have grown. I watched your tiny tears fade and your silly smile cover your beautiful face. I have heard you utter your first word, and my ears have swollen hearing every word since. I watched you take your first step, caught you when you took your first tumble, and now I run along side you to witness the athlete you are becoming. I rubbed your bald head each night and sang a sweet song my voice cracking all the while, and now I brush and braid your hair each morning and we rock out along to the radio. You had a rough start, I held you night after night, day after day, barely leaving your side until we began to see some progress, and say that first silly smile. We are truly blessed to begin to get a handle on keeping you the happy and healthy, beautiful gift from God that you are....No longer a little kid, truly a big girl, and always my baby.

Lime Chicken (with Wild Rice & Beans)

2015-05-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

PLAN AHEAD MEAL

The day before you plan to eat it, grill chicken breast and cook brown rice, preserve chicken in refrigerator and soak the brown rice for about 8 hours.

Ingredients:

2 oz cooked chicken breast (Grilled)

½ cup cooked brown rice

¼ cup black beans

½ lime

salt to taste.

Directions:

Remember to Soak brown rice for 8 hours before cooking. This makes it more nutritious and much softer almost as good as white rice. Cook in rice cooker if you have one. Mix ingredients, squeeze lime on top and salt.

This one is perfect for bulk prep (that is if you don't mind eating the same thing every day you can make seven meals of it in one fail swoop)

You can also top with salsa and Greek yogurt.

Meal Planning

2015-05-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

If you're new to all this, the easiest way to start is by planning a week's worth of dinners. Once you develop a routine, it becomes second nature. Here are some suggestions on how to get started.

Consult a cookbook for tips on using leftovers. For example, use Sunday's pot roast for Tuesday's roast beef hash or vegetable beef soup.
Plan around the basic food groups: whole grains, meat and poultry, dairy and eggs, veggies and fruits. Keep your pantry and fridge stocked with staples like brown rice and whole-wheat pasta, and common vegetables that will keep fresh for a while, like potatoes, carrots, onions and garlic.
Cook double or triple portions to prepare extra food for the next day or so.
Try to plan around your family's activities. Save the easiest meals, like soup and sandwiches, for the busiest days.
Once you have a few recipes in mind, print out a blank calendar for the week, and write down meals for each day.
Before you shop, jot down all of your recipe ingredients, and inventory your pantry and fridge to avoid buying duplicate items.
Keep a notepad attached to the fridge, and write down ingredients as they're used up. If you're like most cooks, you tend to use the same things repeatedly.
Don't worry about deviating from your meal plan. If you come across a good deal at the grocery store, take advantage of it. For example, if rotisserie chicken is on sale and cheaper than a whole fryer, pick up one or more and freeze the extra.•
Repeat your menu every two weeks for a season. Most of us don’t mind eating a meal twice a month, and when you create a two-week menu plan, you can be set for a few months. Try creating a two-week plan for the summer.
Rather than starting from scratch each week, I have a template of the general types of foods I cook each day of the week and the number of times I use each main food. In other words each week I cook:

1-2 Chicken meals
1 slow cooker or soup meal
1 beef
1grain/pasta based meal
1meatless meal
1 Turkey/Pork based meal

As you find recipes your family enjoys, make them core recipes that get re-used every few weeks. Try to build up about 20 of these and you won’t ever be bored with your meals.
Protein is typically the most expensive part of the meal so if you can use less expensive cuts of meat and stretch them, it might allow you to buy organic and grass-fed rather than conventional meats.
A basic easy recipe can taste completely different just by changing the spices.
Don't let the kids be picky! Encourage them AND reward them to TRY everything! Kids are required to try one bite of everything cooked before they can have more of any one food.

Meal Planning 2

2015-05-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Here's MY plan!

Mondays – Meatless Monday!
Tuesdays – Beef/Turkey Meal

Wednesdays – Chicken Meal
Thursdays –Slow Cooker

Fridays – Take-out (left-overs/home-made pizza in a cash strapped week)

Saturdays – Left-overs, Soup, Salad, and/or Sandwiches

Sundays – Pork, Ham, Chicken or Fish Meal

I plan a month out, and repeat for 3 months (a full season).

Spring time Menu (March, April & May)

Cheese Quesadilla with rice & beans
Beef empanadas, with leftover rice & beans
Honey-glazed chicken stir fry
Slow cooker Minestrone Soup (leftover beans)
Home-made Caramelized Onion Pizza
Left-over Honey-glazed Chicken Panini
Tomato Basil Salmon
Bow Tie Pasta w peas
Beef Stir fry with veggies & brown rice
Paprika chicken & baby greens
Chicken and sausage gumbo (over brown rice)
Ratatouille (leftover stir fry veggies)
Baked Eggplant
Beef stroganoff and sauteed asparagus in olive oil
Chicken spaghetti casserole; sauteed broccoli in olive oil
Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers
Home-made Mushroom, ricotta pizza
Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato-basil soup
Baked spiral ham, steamed veggies, baked potatoes (freeze leftovers for soup)
Spring Panzanella
Hungarian Goulash and mixed green salad
Broccoli chicken bake and salad (additional baked chicken set aside for pizza)
Slow Cooker Turkey Gumbo
Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza (baked chicken)
Baked Potato Soup (add ham)
Maple Salmon with asparagus
Sun-dried tomato and oregano pasta with salad
Grilled Turkey Burgers with oven-baked veggie fries
Chicken fettuccine with broccoli and salad
Slow-Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
Pizza pinwheels
Avocado, Chicken Lime Soup
Baked Pork Tenderloin, baby spinach & baked veggies

Banana Pancakes

2015-05-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

These happen to be Paleo, refined sugar & gluten free... They also happen to be delicious.

{ Serves 2-3 }

1 mashed, super ripe banana

2 eggs

3 tablespoon coconut flour

Coconut oil for the pan

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon of ground flax-seed/chia seed [ this really, really holds the mixture together ]

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

(sometimes I add almond butter or (non-paleo) oats )

Optional: all-natural maple syrup or honey, berries, and/or Greek yogurt

+ Directions: Toss banana & egg in food processor (I use the Pampered Chef Manual Food Processor, super easy). Add my flax-seed, cinnamon & vanilla.

Put the coconut oil in the pan [ on low-medium heat ]. Add a silver dollar-sized amount to the pan. Let the cake set for thirty seconds [ or when the center bubbles ] & flip it! Enjoy!

Meal Planning

2015-05-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

Saves Money. Armed with a plan and a list, you only need to make one trip to the store each week, thus eliminating the opportunities for impulse purchases. You also save money by taking advantage of weekly sales to tailor your menu, avoiding duplicate purchases, and reducing the urge to order take-out.
Saves Time. You have to spend about 30 minutes to plan a week’s worth of meals. When you plan your meals, you can efficiently shop for groceries using your list, and you only have to shop once a week. You can spend dinner time preparing and enjoying your meal, instead of standing in front of the refrigerator waiting for a dinner idea to magically pop into your head.
Helps You Eat Healthier. By planning three meals a day, seven days a week, you can avoid visiting the drive-thru in the morning, abstain from a lunch hour vending machine frenzy, and resist the temptation to order from a pricey take-out dinner menu. Before I planned our weekly menu, my husband and I ate a lot of frozen pizzas and packaged frozen skillet meals loaded with sodium, or we dined at restaurants. We now plan ahead and enjoy more home-cooked meals made with fresh foods.
Helps Reduce Food Waste. Before I started planning my meals, I often opened a cupboard only to find three loaves of bread, two bottles of minced garlic, and an extra jar of mayonnaise. I didn’t check my pantry’s inventory before I went shopping, and I routinely picked up more bread, spices, and condiments at the store. Many times, the loaves of bread spoiled before I could put them in the freezer, and the spices and condiments passed their expiration dates before we could use them. Now I create my shopping list after looking at what I already have in the kitchen. A meal plan can also help you finish leftovers, because a refrigerator full of forgotten food wastes money.
Helps Reduce Your Stress. No more worries about what to have for dinner; you now have a plan. You’ll know when to pull food out of the freezer, avoid the mad rush through the grocery store at six o’clock, and most importantly, reduce the amount of money you spend.
1. Make a Master List of 10-20 Meals
Ask everyone in your family for a list of their favorite meals. Prioritize the list, highlighting foods that you can quickly prepare and meals that don’t require too many ingredients. Organize this list by category, including beef, chicken, crock-pot dishes, fish, vegetarian meals, side dishes, and soups.
Gather the recipes and keep everything in a handy notebook or store them on your computer for easy access. You will refer to this list often when you plan your meals.
2. Write Your Meal Plan on Paper
I have used a blank calendar in the past, but I now use a piece of notebook paper. I list the days of the week down the left side to log my meals, and I use the right side of the paper to make my grocery list. I can then easily bring my plan with me to the grocery store.
I plan one week at a time, but you could easily plan two to three weeks or even a month’s worth of meals. Post the plan on the refrigerator for everyone to see.
3. Plan for All Three Meals
When I don’t plan for breakfast and lunch along with dinner, I am more likely to skip meals or visit the drive-thru. You can make quick and easy breakfast foods and with some careful planning you can still head out the door on time in the morning. You can also use leftovers from the previous night’s dinner to prepare lunches. Make an extra serving or several extra servings at dinner time to pack for the next day’s brown bag lunch.
4. Review Your Family Calendar
Are you working late this week? Do you have plans to visit the in-laws for Saturday night dinner? Do your kids have a soccer game or a Girl Scout meeting during the week? Take all of these scheduling issues into consideration when planning your meals. Once you know your family’s schedule, you can plan accordingly. For example, eat leftovers for those late nights at the office, take the night off from cooking when you visit your in-laws, and prepare a crock-pot meal for soccer night.
5. Plan Your Menu Around What You Already Have on Hand
To get started, you need to organize your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. Group the food in your pantry by category, including baking ingredients, canned goods, condiments, coffee and tea, pasta and rice, sauces, and snacks. Clean your freezer and refrigerator and throw out any expired food.
Once you’ve organized the food in your home, and thrown away anything that’s expired, take inventory of what you have on hand. Plan meals around the food you already have. In addition to reducing your grocery bill, this helps to eliminate duplicate purchases.
For example, I recently cleaned out our freezer and found some leftover cooked ham. After a quick look in my pantry and refrigerator, I realized that I had almost all of the ingredients to make ham risotto and a ham frittata. The few ingredients that I did not have went on my grocery list.
6. Plan Your Meals Around Your Grocery Store’s Sales Circular
Most grocery stores run their weekly sales circular on Sundays. My Sunday paper costs $2 and by planning my menus around the sales, the paper more than pays for itself.
Recently, my store’s circular promoted three-pound packs of boneless, skinless chicken breast at $1.79 a pound. I took advantage of the promotion and updated my meal plan to include grilled chicken salad, chicken stir-fry, and white chicken chili. I also purchased an additional package of chicken breasts for the freezer to use in upcoming meals.

7. Plan Your Meals Around Foods That Are Currently in Season
You can find the best prices on fresh produce during harvest season. My menu changes dramatically from summer to fall and winter.
For example, I have a list of meals that I generally only cook in the colder months because they might require the oven, which I try to avoid in the summer, or they are just heavier meals, such as soups or casseroles. In the colder months, many of our meals include cold weather vegetables, such as fall and winter squashes, sweet potatoes, and kale. In the warmer months, we grill several times a week and our side dishes usually include something freshly picked from the home garden or bought at a farmer’s stand, such as tossed salads, fresh fruit, and corn on the cob.
Whatever the season, take advantage of the seasonal produce from your garden, farm stands, or u-pick farms; you won’t find those prices at other times of the year.
8. Declare One Night “Clean Out the Fridge” Night
If your family regularly throws away leftover meals, institute a “Clean Out the Fridge” night, where you only eat leftovers. In addition, look in the pantry for canned goods nearing their expiration dates and add them to the menu. This reduces food waste, and gives you a night off from cooking.
9. Make a Double Batch of Your Favorite Meals: One for Dinner and One for the Freezer.
The more home-cooked, prepared food that you have stored in your freezer, the less stress you feel when planning your menu. For instance, if you plan to have grilled chicken one night, grill a few extra chicken breasts and shred them after they have cooled. The cooked chicken stores well in the freezer and you can use it for a chili recipe, quesadillas, salads, and soups.
I often make a double batch of enchiladas. One pan goes in the oven, and I cover the second pan with foil and stow it in the freezer. When I’m ready to serve enchiladas again, I thaw the pan overnight in the refrigerator and then bake the enchiladas for dinner. Foods that don’t freeze well, however, include cooked pasta, cooked potatoes, fried foods, milk sauces, and raw salads.

If you are a HOTT mom, we cannot be friends.

2015-04-05T17:38:00.001-07:00

If you have one (even two) little bundle(s) of joy and were rockin' skinny jeans in days, we can totally chill. And if you've had one HUGE beastly size baby and will never look the same again, we'll hang out too. But, if you have a ridiculously awesome body after having a whole bunch of kids (and by a bunch, I mean three or more), we cannot be friends.

MAYBE, I repeat, maybe if you have had these children several years ago and worked your ars off to get back in shape... but DEFINITELY NOT if you've had a personal trainer, a nutritionist, personal chef, a nanny and every plastic surgery known to man.Quite frankly, if that is the case, you've probably been too busy seeking personal perfection to have time for friends anymore anyway.

I am amazed by the human body, amazed particularly of the ability a woman has, and changes she undergoes in order to bring forth into this world, a beautiful, miracle of life. I appreciate the changes my body underwent to allow me to birth my three amazing children, and in a heartbeat I would do it all over again.

Five Year gap

2015-02-28T11:28:00.000-08:00

Over the past five years, I have been home with my little family, making memories and filling time with every part-time venture I could get my hands on, while still trying to devote all of me to child-rearing.

Now, with two of the three school age and the third manageable with my husbands schedule and attention, I can return some focus to furthering my career.

With the enrollment forms filled out for each of our school-goers, the sheer fear is setting in. I've been hard at home, balancing budgets, managing multiple tasks and deadlines, mediating disputes, homeschooling and a whole bunch of other (actually paid) part-time gigs.

I feel like I have a ton of valuable skills, and a willingness to learn 'the ways of the world' in any school environment... So what gives? Do the years I spent with my children invalidate the years of education and previous time I spent in a classroom? Do the part-time jobs I have had over the past five years not count?

I am looking at my resume, gleaming with experience and lacking the-so-called gap, many stay-at-home-moms returning to the workforce have, and yet it isn't enough. I have been home for five years - five years tutoring, - five years curriculum writing - five years homeschooling and yet, that's what these potential school districts see, a FIVE YEAR GAP. Suddenly, my bachelors and masters degrees are irrelevant, my current positions, (gym teacher, online educator & curriculum design assistant) don't even matter.

So what's a return-to-work mom to do? Call in favors, and settle for any 'in' that turns up, just to spruce up the resume.

Sending Them Back

2015-02-21T11:55:00.000-08:00

I've already made up my mind.

My son would benefit from returning to the traditional classroom.While the past two years of homeschooling have caused his educational mind to flourish - gaining infinite amounts of knowledge into his seven year old brain, other aspects of him have suffered. He has fewer friends, less self control and a weakened mother-son relationship. It is common for the teacher/mother lines to be confused when homeschooling, but I am not willing to let that suffer the pangs of any more time.

I wouldn't classify our homeschooling as a short-term venture, as although he was only home-schooled full-time for two years, he has been homeschooled for five, and I assume, our lessons will not cease when he enters the doors of his new classroom. I have created an adventurous child, inquisitive in nature and always seeking more information. I am not certain one building can contain him.

No matter what the circumstances, sending a child back to a school after homeschooling can produce pangs of guilt. I may have made up my mind, but I question myself daily (as I did when I withdrew him from school).

As a homeschooling Mom wanting to pursue a my career full time, I feel incredibly selfish.

Parenthood is filled with regrets, often constant and daily. For me, I must remind myself, the vast majority of decisions i make are for the best interest of each of my children based on the circumstances at hand. Every child has different needs, every schooling option has different strengths and weaknesses, and there is no single, right solution for everyone.

So why did I throw in the home-school towel so soon?

1) Our local schools are pretty good. I home-schooled Jonathan for the first and second grade because he was not being challenged during his kindergarten elementary school routine, but after that the advanced placement program was re-introduced into the local schools and I hope it will would energize him.
If his new school had been overcrowded or dangerous or not had advanced placement, I would not have let him go. But the student-teacher ratio was sixteen to one, and I knew many of the teachers personally. We entered upon homeschooling with the goal of having a few good years that might give him an academic and emotional boost before returning. We were not sure when the return would be, but were certain it would be before middle school.

2) I need time for my career. I found homeschooling to be an absorbing job that took most of my energy, (when that is coupled with the several part-time jobs I had taken on to help make ends meet, I'm exhausted) and I wanted to do more teaching and have more time for my writing.

3) Homeschooling brought out the worst in me, as well as the best. I'm honest about this-- I've read many homeschooling books that only talk about the benefits, but I admit openly that some of our homeschooling days were sometimes filled with stormy battles. Although the good times far outweighed the bad, I still feel embarrassed when I recall the tantrums thrown during homeschooling. Battles are a regular part of family life, but in homeschooling, the daily contact between parent and child, combined with the pressures of academic tasks, can be stressful.

4) Jonathan is instinctively an extroverted, lone wolf, which can be a strength, but he needs to work on social skills more than academic skills. Despite our group activities with other home-schoolers during the day, and all of Jonathan 's after-school activities, (home-schoolers get lots of socialization!) I knew that too much time at home with Mom would increase Jonathan's inwardness. In school, he could benefit from performing in the plays, playing on the field, and constantly observing lots of human beings from a variety of backgrounds.

5) I'm not prepared to teach Latin, advanced algebra, and the other specialized subjects that emerge in middle school, and I didn't want to hire tutors. I have already taught Jonathan to read and write comfortably and the conversations and in-depth explorations that homeschooling could allow.

This is Me...p2

2014-09-30T17:18:00.000-07:00

Around the World:
*What major world events have happened in your lifetime? So so many, the world has been rapidly changing over the past 30 years.
*Has it affected who you are now?
*Who was the President when you were born? Who is it now?
*What natural disasters have you been in?

Politics:
*Are you involved in politics? How so?
*Are you a specific political party?
*How do you choose who to vote for?
*Are you happy with the Government?
*What would you change if you could?

Nature:
*Where is your favorite place to go to get away from it all?
*What outdoor activities do you like to participate in?
*What are some of your favorite outdoor memories?

Traveling:
*Where in the world have you been?
*Where was your favorite vacation? (As a child, as a teenager, as an adult, etc.)
*Where would your dream vacation be?
*How do you like to travel?

Miscellaneous:
*What is the most daring thing you've done?
*What is the stupidest thing you've done?
*What is your most embarrassing moment? (Or moments.)
*What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
*What is your general attitude toward life?

Personality:
*What kind of personality do you have? (Shy, outgoing, calm, stressed, etc.)
*How has your personality changed over the years? What made it change?
*How well do you associate with others?
*What makes you nervous/happy/angry/surprised/scared/etc?

Hobbies:
*What are your current hobbies?
*What hobbies have you had in the past?
*How often do you get to do your hobbies?
*What hobbies do you wish you could start?

Death:
*What would you like to do before you die? (Bucket list)
*What are your beliefs about death?
*Are you scared to die?
*How would you like to go?
*What are your final wishes?
*What are your wishes for your funeral and burial?
*What would you like people to say about you when you're gone?

Homeschooling for the Lazy mom...

2014-09-04T17:08:00.003-07:00

If you think I homeschool these children by complete free will and choice... You are way off.

If you think I lack formal education, or am unable to complete a dissertation... I can show you the door

If you think I am creating mindless, poor-adjusted, brain-washed, socially inept Zombie spawn.... You clearly haven't step foot in a classroom in twenty to thirty years, let alone my home during "learnin' hours'.

...And If you think I am homeschooling my house because its easy, or I am lazy, I just might kick you in the face.

Deciding to home-school my children was not easy. AT ALL. It was not a quick decision. We (my husband and I) battled over it for years. We incorporated preschool activity programs, we enrolled in cooperative activities, we researched schools of all sorts, HECK, we even enrolled AND he attended formal, traditional education for a complete year. It just wasn't for him, at that time.
I want my son in school, I want him in the best school we can find, one that suits his every need, but does not cater to him exclusively. I want him out of my house.
But,
I want whats best for him, more...
And if that means sacrificing my career goals, listening to public mockery over our schooling choices, standing up for our freedom of religious choice and flat out telling people to mind their own business while tripping over the periodic table of elements AND children in my living room, then I will.

This is Me Challenge (p 1)

2014-08-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

Your birth and family:
*What is your full name and how did you get that name? Do you have any nicknames? Jamie Lee, I was named after my grandfather and the Van Halen song "Jamie's Cryin' " I am without a single nickname that sticks, but have a great number of names that friends and family have called me, however each person seems to have their own name for me.
*What are your parent's full names and birth dates and places? Martin & Barbara were both born in Waterbury, CT
*What is the date of your birth? Where were you born? What are some of the circumstances (when your mom went in to labor, how long, her doctor, your dad fainting, etc.) of your birth? I was born the 16th of January, in Waterbury, and from what I was told my birth was uneventful, but fairly quick.
*What are your sibling's full names and birth dates?I have 1 sister, Jennifer Lynn, she is 11 months younger.
*How was your relationship with your siblings and parents? I have an interesting relationship with my parents and sister, and they do not have a relationship with each other... I am the go-between.
*What are some lessons you learned from you parents? Work smarter not harder, and you cant take it ($) with you.
*How did you help in your home? I assisted whenever my mother asked, taking on a lot of responsibilities at a young age.

Growing up, early years:
*Where did you grow up? Describe it. In Connecticut, in a small neighborhood filled with mostly boys, I was a Tom-Boy and fit right in. We came home when the lights came on and made noise and climbed trees and hiked in the woods until they did.
*What was your earliest memory? I do not have many memories of my childhood
*What games did you play as a child? We played sports, and caught bugs.
*Where did you go to school? Central Ave, Saint Hedwig, Saint Francis, Holy Cross
*Who were your friends? Julia, Gayle, Mike, Sarah, Nikki, Maria
*Who were your favorite teachers and why? Mrs. Gaylor, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Stack
*What were your chores? I made my own lunch and had to clean up after myself, anything else, I was asked and I would do it.

Growing up, teenage years:
*What activities did you participate in? (Sports, dancing, music, arts, etc.) Explain what you did with each activity. I played softball, volleyball and basketball on school and recreational teams for a number of years.
*How did you learn how to drive? What kind of car did you have? I took drivers ed through my high school. My first car was an 87' Monte Carlo.
*Who were your friends? A lot of the same people, plus Tamara, Jana, Melinda, Ronna
*Did you have a girl/boy friend? Talk about him/her (if your spouse is okay with it!). I had 2 different ones in high school; Greg & Kevin... neither was right, but I thought they were at the time, both were very needy, and somewhat unmotivated
*What did you like/dislike about school? I loved that I could be involved in sports, student government and the newspaper without being 'labeled'... I did not like that I did not have a niche.
*What was your first paid job? Holiday Hill, American Pie; both as waitstaff, and eventually management
*What were your chores at home? I did whatever was asked of me, and always cleaned up after myself.

College years:
*Did you attend college or a trade school of some sort? I attended a Liberal Arts, small Private College
*How did you choose what you wanted to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a lawyer, a writer and a mom beginning as early as second grade. I realized once I had begun work for the Police Department, that I wanted to be a teacher.
*What did you think was the hardest thing about your chosen profession at that time? Did it turn out that way? Convincing everyone it was the right choice for me, followed by passing the tests, followed by finding a job... all still hard
*What dumb things did you do during those years? Pierced my tongue, poor choices in relationships
*What good things did you do? Worked hard, studied hard, took care of myself
*Did you live on your own? How well prepared were you for that? I lived on campus as an RA, until I finished and immediately moved in a VERY small apartment with Matt.
*What life lessons did you learn? Anything worth doing, takes time, effort and is worth doing 100%
*What choices did you make that affect where you are now? Every single decision.

Work:
*What jobs have you had? (Give details of the dates, places, responsibilities, etc.) Table buser, server, family events coordinator (Holiday Hill) Waitress, manager (American Pie), Customer Service, Cashier (Macy's) Online website programming, (HiTech), Model/Actress (Central Models) Detective Assistant (Hamden PD), Behavioral Interventionist (Aces), Cashier, Assistant Manager (Follett Store), Painting, home restoration (PC Painting), Various nanny jobs, Teaching (1st, 2nd, K & 5th), Curriculum Writing (North Haven/Wallingford), Personal Training, sports education, fitness (JumpBunch), Online Teaching (Educonnect)
*What did you like/dislike about each job? I loved all the people I worked with, I loved learning new things and being challenged. I did not like long hours, and manual labor.
*What did you learn at each job? There is not enough space for the career development, socialization and life lessons I underwent.
*Have you used any of that knowledge in later years? Absolutely, I am who I am today because of all the experience I have had over my lifetime.
*Who were your bosses? Did you like them/get along? A great number of differently brilliant people, and with all those jobs, I never left one on negative terms.
*Which was your favorite job? The only jobs I would not do again are waiting tables or being a cashier.
*How many years until you retire? A VERY long time.
*Do you have any big plans for your retirement? (If retired: What have you done since retirement? What's next?) Travel, write and enjoy life.

Marriage:
*How did you meet your spouse? We went to the same high school, although we did not associate a relationship with our friendship then. We "re-met" in college.
*How long did you date before you got engaged? How long was your engagement? We dated for 18 months and remained engaged for an additional 18 months before our wedding.
*How did you get engaged? He had a whole master plan that fell through, because it was not as perfect as he had planned... Instead, he popped the question in our Disney resort room.
*Who did most of the wedding plans? I did all of the wedding planning, although Matt contributed as often as he wanted.
*Describe the details of your wedding: the colors, the cake, the decorations, etc. Sweet Pea and taupe. We selected a strawberry shortcake and beautiful floral centerpieces.
*Where did your wedding take place? Who performed the ceremony? Do you remember any words of advice given? Villa Rosa & Saint Mary with Father Bob Grant. His Homily was a beautiful memory of a wintery Sunday when the three of us held Mass together.
*Who attended your wedding? We had 250 guests, mainly family and very close friends.
*Where did you go on your honeymoon? What adventures did you have? Hawaii & DisneyLand, we took helicopter tours, went hiking, zip-lining and explored California's DisneyLand.

Children:
*Give your children's full names, birth dates and places. Jonathan David (12/24, Yale); Katrina Celeste (5/18, Yale); Christian Jacob (1/17, St Mary)
*How did you choose their names? We agrees on middle names, and initials before we picked first names, Matt chose boy names and I, girl names.
*What were the circumstances of each child's birth? All were super quick, natural and totally different. JD, premature and amniotic sac broke several hours before delivery; KC, right on time, doctor assisted water brake, and I literally watched seconds pass before I decided to push; CJ, very late, born in sac standing in hallway of hospital.
*What are some funny things that each child does/did or says/said? I always love the accents the children have and the words/phrases they mis-speak.
*What do you love most about each child? What are their strengths and weaknesses? JD is a exceptional learner/reader, but fears bees and is easily frustrated; KC is gifted in arts/dance, but fears being alone; CJ is still very young, but he can make the entire world smile in 10 seconds flat, but he is a huge fan of danger!
*What are your children involved in? Karate, baseball, football, gymnastics and dance
*How do you spend your time with your children? Mainly doing schoolwork or art projects
*What are your favorite family activities? Friday night dinner and a movie, or vacationing around the run

Celebrations:
*What are some of your personal and family traditions for each holiday? (New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Easter, Christmas, etc.) I embrace all the holidays, even the little ones, like "Talk Like a Pirate Day", we spend the 4th in the Cape, and Thanksgiving is always at my home. I enjoy Elf on the Shelf and any other 'games' associated with the holidays.
*What traditions have you carried over from your childhood? Which ones did you start in your own family? Setting up the tree together, visiting a haunted house, carving pumpkins, all the little things...
*How do you celebrate adult's birthdays? Dinner of choice and cake with close family
*How do you celebrate children's birthdays? Small themed party, that I organize insanely.
*How do you celebrate your anniversary? Dinner on any night remotely close to the date, that we can get a babysitter for.

Home life:
*Describe the places you've lived. 3 tiny apartments for Matt and I until we bought the tiny house that we have outgrown and need to find a new one.
*What was your favorite house or apartment? Why? We don't own it yet, I love the land and neighborhood right now but the house does not suit us anymore.
*How do you like to decorate? Traditionally, with a hint of modern and a smudge of country.
*What is it about home that you love? my family.

Sleep:
*How many hours do you like to sleep at night? VERY few, maybe 4 or 5
*Do you take naps? Nearly never
*Do you like a lot, or few blankets and pillows? One warm blanket and one flat pillow
*Can you sleep anywhere, or does it have to be in your own bed? I am so tired nearly always that I could even sleep standing up
*What are your favorite conditions for a good-night's sleep? Does it have to be completely dark and quiet? I like to be warm and cozy except for my head, but I do like it dark and very quiet.

Food:
*What are your favorite foods? Steak, Alfredo, Gorgonzola salad, fried calamari
*What are your favorite desserts? Cheesecake
*Do you like to cook or bake? What are your favorites to make? I love to cook, anything and everything, I do not like to follow recipes though so nothing is ever the same twice.
*Do you have any food allergies? Nope
*What are some foods you have a hard time saying "no" to? Candy
*What foods do you HAVE to have name brand? Which can you do generic? Bisquick, Cheeses, just about anything else can be generic
*Do you try to eat healthy? Only, always...
*Do you prefer eating out? Where? I enjoy the break from cooking and cleaning, I like family style, family friendly and fancier dinners, but not necessarily chain type stuff.

Health:
*How is your overall health? Good, I have problem areas that I am addressing
*Have you had any surgeries? (If yes, give details.) Nope
*Have you had any broken bones? (If yes, give details.) My nose as an infant
*Do you have allergies? (If yes, give details.) Caffeine sensitivity
*What are you doing to keep healthy now? Diet, exercise and supplements

What makes you Happier?

2014-08-20T17:30:00.000-07:00

I have always noticed it is the little things that make us the happiest, bring the most joy into our lives.

Make the beds

De-clutter

Display memories

Reflect a phrase a day

Do chores with enthusiasm

Set a daily intention

Spread the love - and do a favor

Call someone every day

Connect with something greater

Fairly Fit Family

APPS that Make Money

SAVE Money for Disney

....So you are going to Disney...Time to pack!

What do Disney Cast Members want Guests to remember?

Roasted Vegetables

Carrot Ginger Soup

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

Directions:

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Directions

Thanksgiving Menu

Declutter Challenge: Week 1

Yes, I do want to know what you can do for me

Zucchini & Sweet Potato Frittata

Ingredients

Preparation

Baby Girl

Lime Chicken (with Wild Rice & Beans)

Meal Planning

Meal Planning 2

Here's MY plan!

Mondays – Meatless Monday! Tuesdays – Beef/Turkey Meal

Wednesdays – Chicken Meal Thursdays –Slow Cooker

Fridays – Take-out (left-overs/home-made pizza in a cash strapped week)

Saturdays – Left-overs, Soup, Salad, and/or Sandwiches

Sundays – Pork, Ham, Chicken or Fish Meal

Banana Pancakes

Meal Planning

If you are a HOTT mom, we cannot be friends.

Five Year gap

Sending Them Back

This is Me...p2

Homeschooling for the Lazy mom...

This is Me Challenge (p 1)

What makes you Happier?

Mondays – Meatless Monday!
Tuesdays – Beef/Turkey Meal

Wednesdays – Chicken Meal
Thursdays –Slow Cooker