Break the Cycle

Even though 2010 is already 1/4 gone - there is still time to make plenty of healthy changes.  An important one for me is menu planning.  Since I just received a wonderfully huge box of new cookware (see previous post), I decided it was a sign to start cooking healthy once again. So back to Menu Plan Monday - hosted by Organizer Junkie This weeks s menu includes: Monday - Hamburgers and mac & cheese - leftovers for dh Tuesday - Super Size Turkey Meatballs with mashed and peas (from Rachel Ray website) Wednesday - Clam Linguine with shrimp and garlic bread Thursday - Beef and Biscuit skillet Friday - Breakfast Casserole - thanks to the Finer Things Blog - since this is the first day of Spring Break               Dinner will be Tomato & Artichoke chicken rolls with angel hair pasta and salads Saturday - Cilantro Butter Tilapia fillets over rice Sunday - Herb Roasted Beef & Veg...

Somedays I feel so lucky.  While we were away at the swim meet last weekend, my second daughter called to tell me FedEx had left a HUGE package on the porch.  I told her to bring it in.  I heard her over the phone struggling with the package.  I knew I had ordered a pair of FitFlops from Amazon, but I didn't think they were THAT big (ok, ok, I have exceptionally large feet - but still!) She read the package for me - Calphalon.  Seems as if I won the big prize.  Calphalon started an online group via Big Tent - and the first 400 people to confirm with their address were being sent pieces of Calphalon, with the agreement that they'd try them out, and then write an honest review of the piece they received.  Some people got waffle irons, or stockpots, or fry pans, or utensils.  I received the entire package - a 10 piece set !  How very awesome is that !  Now, the prize for reviewing the pans is the same 10 piece set - and it's valued ...

What a weekend !  On Wednesday, I figured "let me change the oil in my new HHR" it only has 6600 miles on it, but since we were driving to Delaware on Friday, I figured it'd be a good thing.  Wrong.  Thursday I'm driving to swim practice, and the check engine light comes on.  Big Sigh.  I tell the 2 girls who are swimming over the weekend to pack their bags Thursday night, as we will be leaving right after Adam gets on the school bus on Friday, because now I have to stop and get this engine light checked.  After waiting over an hour - they tell me something is not working, but I don't need it right away, they'll order it, and install it after I get back.... fine.... I guess - so I'm on my way. We get to Delaware in great time - 90 minutes.  We quickly find the hotel, we are allowed to check in 3 hours early - the room is clean, the hotel is clean, life is good.  We go for lunch - Subway - right around the corner (next to the tatoo shop)....

My favorite Health Food Market has the most awesome scones.  Someone cames in to make them Monday through Friday - she's off on weekends.  I stopped in today, and unfortunately, her child is sick, no fresh scones.  They did have some leftover from yesterday that I was able to buy for a steal (and they were still awesome !) So - next time I'm going to try and make them myself - Reading through this recipe from epicurious - I'll probably follow it pretty closely, except I'll use the egg white to make a wash instead of just milk, and probably use raw sugar to sprinkle over the top - better texture.  Oh, and I may omit the lemon - not real fond of lemon and chocolate !  I'll post pics when they're done ! 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, diced 1 teaspoon (packed) grated lemon peel 3/4 cup miniatu...

Just started my last class online at Ashford University.  Then I get my degree.  Wonder if I should get a job? Nah! I have a job - I'm mom - what else is there?

I purchased my Body Bugg about 6 months ago.  If it is used correctly - it's a win/win, you'll definately lose weight as long as the calories out are greater than the calories in.  Since it tracks all the calories out - the only thing that you have to do is track the calories in.  You can do this online - I got a year free subscription when I purchased my Body Bugg - but I haven't been using it faithfully (perhaps the reason why I'm not losing weight?)  I went back over this week - and each day I burned my 3,000 calories (my goal is to burn 3,000 and eat 2,000)  Today I saw that the program will automatically post to Facebook how many calories I burned, and how many I ate - so I'm going to post a daily update on FB - which will keep me honest !  Stay tuned. Body Bugg at Amazon

Two days down, two to go. First day of JO's was the 500 Free - she got 3rd place - which is excellent since it's only the 2nd time she's swam that distance ! Second day of JO's included 100 Breast - 3rd place 200 Free - 8th place 50 Fly - not sure - she was tired, not her best time They give medals to the first 8 places - so she's happy with her performance so far. Today's races will be: 200 IM (her least favorite) 50 Free 50 Breast (one of her favorites) Since the 200 IM is first - she's going to be mighty tired going into her 50 Free. She does have a short break before she swims the 50 Breast - but after seeing the toll all this swimming takes on her - makes me really appreciate Michael Phelps achievements with 8 gold medals. Hard to stay at your best for 2 weeks !! And Sunday - last day's events include 100 Free 100 Fly 50 Back She qualified for every single event for her age group. You are only allowed to swim 3 each ...

Wow - 2010 is really flying by. It's the second week of March - how in the heck did that happen? Long week of swimming this week - Junior Olympics. I won't be on much. I won't be sewing much. I won't be doing much of anything except driving back and forth to the swim meet. I do need to get to Home Depot - I need to buy a lawn roller - seems as if when the tree dudes were here taking out trees - they left nice deep craters where their trucks put down their stakes. That and the wheel ruts need to be rolled out. Then I'll seed by the end of the month - this year I'm going to have a most excellent lawn !