My Pledge to Menu Plan

I have been bored most of the day but that's a good thing. Mother nature dumped snow on us over night and most of today but it's really pretty. The problem with all the snow is that as it collects on the power lines, they become weighted and eventually snap. Luckily, we have electricity but a few neighbors down don't. However, we don't have water. I don't know which is worse. What do you think: Would you rather have water supply or electricity? I think having electricity is more beneficial. We have light to see, heat, the food can be kept cold in the fridge, we can still cook. We made a quick trip to the store for water jugs and are making due with that. I feel icky since I've only had a bird bath and can't wash my hair.

I didn't work today so I took advantage of the time and got some things accomplished. We are horrible with our spending and rarely keep track so I have devised a plan and budget to put into place. I hope we can both stick to it. It's pretty simple and only takes minor adjustments so I think we'll be able to make it habit. So as I attempt to get our finances on track I have decided to try menu planning in hopes that it helps to save us a little money. My typical visit to the store costs us more than what it should mainly because I am unprepared, in planning meals that is. I always have a list but get more food than we need for an entire week. I like shopping so much I continue to make weekly visits regardless of whether or not we really need to stock up. So this is my pledge to menu plan and stop going overboard with unnecessary food items. I have found a few good sites that help with menu planning or meal plans you can purchase at an affordable price.

The founders of this site offer regular meal plans, low fat, low carb meal plans, plans for a family, someone single and a household of two for just $5 a month. Includes shopping list and prices to help you stay within budget.

http://www.e-mealz.com/

This weight loss site has lots of awesome stuff and set up free meal plans based on your health goals for free. Includes grocery list.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/

My meal plan for the week:
Mini-Turkey meatloaf with carrots and green beans
Turkey breast cutlet with sweet potato
Spaghetti and meatballs with spaghetti squash pasta
Old Bay Shrimp with pasta salad and steamed veggies
Chicken stir-fry with brown rice

All these things I already have here and I will not have to make a visit to the grocery store. Woohoo! I'm saving money already! Wish me luck.

Help for the Moody Blues

Does anyone know what foods or supplements are helpful mood boosters. I have felt so lazy, unmotivated and just down right blah these past few weeks. I never have liked this time of year with the cold, gloomy weather that comes with it. I'm a beach girl and you can't get that here in Kentucky. Any suggestions? I've gained five pounds this past month and keep eating things that are crappy. I have good days and really bad days because some days food just doesn't satisfy me. Has anyone else experienced this?

Share Your Christmas Traditions

The hubbie and I spent Saturday night putting up the Christmas tree. After a broken piece of fine china, a short spat, and some furniture rearranging we finally managed to end up with a beautiful tree.

Here is Matthew giving some love to our two chihuahuas, Rylie and Harley.
Holding a bag of pinecones (bringing a little bit of naure indoors).

Decorating the Tree! (My exercise bike behind him).

Me, hanging Christmas balls.

Our bright and cheery Christmas tree!

We decided this year to have Twelve Days of Christmas gifts. Very small, inexpensive gifts under $5 that would fit in our stockings we hung on the floating shelf this year. Our Twelve Days of Christmas will give us an opportunity to learn how much we know about each other and to give each other a few minutes of our thoughts during such busy times in our lives. Just some time to refocus after five years of marriage on what is important. It's easy to get caught up in life and forget those you love. What will you do for your special ones this Christmas? What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

My Weekly Goals

OMG! Talk about piggin out this Thanksgiving. My husband and I headed to Nashville to visit my sister and her husband. We had an awesome time. Ate turkey and sweet potato. Yuuummmm! Went shopping Black Friday...first time ever. It wasn't too bad at Opry Mills mall. There were wall to wall people but the flow kept going. Didn't wait too long in lines. Friday night went to Cinco's for some chicken enchiladas and later went to Zanies comedy club. We had a blast and a few margaritas on the rocs!

I'm back at home now, on this quiet Monday night. Started my day with some cardio: 30 minutes on recumbent bike and headed off to my last day of class for the semester. Hell Ya! A month long break to work on new training goals.

1. Specialize v-taper and calves twice a week.
2. Rep range 1-5 this week. I have never worked out in this range. Tried it today 3 sets of 4-5 back exercises. If not sore tomorrow increase to 4 or 5 sets.
3. Cardio, cardio, cardio.
4. Track carbohydrate intake daily. Still trying to adjust where I need to be. My cardio has been sporadic and diet not so good.
5. Control those cravings...think before eating.

Me and Sister preparing the Thanks giving Feast!

Keithy all bundled up!

My plate of wholesome goodness!


My Happy Hubby!

Hangin at Zanies!


Late night Ho Down!


Tonights dinner...Quick Chili to get the chill out! It was gooood. I added a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese for creaminess.

Nutrition and Training Plan

I like options! There are so many resources available to help with dieting and training. This week I have come across some really good ones. Remember back when I first started this blog and I wrote about ordering a posing video from Julie Lohre, who lives here in KY, which helped me with quarter turns and technique? I met Mrs. Lohre at the competition and she was very nice and down to earth. She is so cute too! Taller than I expected. As I've been figuring out what works for me in off season dieting, trying to balance macros and searching the Internet for tips, clues and options, I thought of Julie and visited her site. It's funny how things work, when you need things the most, they always fall into place. I still feel a little overwhelmed sometimes trying to find an off season diet with a variety of foods that will work for me. I am told it becomes easier as time moves on. I love food so variety is important to me but maintaining my weight is important too. I feel like I've gained an inch around my waist already but that's where I store my fat. Anyway, I might have to adjust my foods a little and eat fewer carbs on certain days-a carb cycle diet might work best. I"ll figure it out. So, I was on Julie's website and she was running a good deal on a nutrition and training plan so I ordered it. Early Christmas present! I hope it's something I can use and learn by. This lady knows what she's doing. She's a pro and what works for her might work for me too! If I could look like her I'd be living a dream. Here's the link:

http://www.julielohre.com/store.html

Happy Breakfast

It's good to be back. I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks. Been tied down to school work (busy work, really). The semesters almost over and I'm looking forward to Christmas break. I made a goal to get back in the gym this week. I woke up at 6:30 and ran 2 miles, about 30 minutes of good cardio. I dread doing it but love how I feel when I'm finished. It's puts some pep in my step and I feel energized all day long.

Since post-comp, I've been trying all kinds of recipes and experimenting with food. The other day I made two loafs of zucchini bread but I didn't have enough Splenda to make it sweet enough. It ended up kinda bitter but if I spread a little healthy butter on it and throw it on the skillet, it's not so bad. This morning's breakfast was a success though. I had Low fat Ricotta Cheese Pancakes with blueberries. My camera battery went dead so I couldn't take a picture of mine. I added some small chicken tenderloins on the side for added protein. They tasted really good but they didn't cook up very well. I think it was too much ricotta, not sure. I can screw up the easiest recipe. Ha!



Later, I'll head back to the gym to weight train. I have been looking for new workouts, your suggestions would be great. I'm bored doing the same routine, hmmmm. How to switch it up? Probably do some legs or back today.

Happy Turkey Day!

Got My Vitatops!

I was at work the day I was expecting them. Lo and behold the delivery driver making stops at businesses near the restaurant, also makes stops in my neighborhood. Yes, I know my UPS man very well. I ran outside to catch him just before leaving the parking lot and asked if he had a package for me. He said, "Yup, I thought I saw one in there for you. Let me go check. Then he handed me my Vitatop order." WooHoo!

I didn't open them immediately, work got too busy, had customers to take care of. But as soon as it died down, I went for them. I couldn't believe how many were in my sampler box and all the different varieties. I love muffins and used to get one for breakfast every morning, blueberry or apple bran with a jumbo unsweet tea. So, it was treat to find these on Eat Oxygen and Hungry girl. I am really glad I know I can have my cake (or Vitatop) and eat it too! LOL! I crave sweets all the time since post competition dieting. I can make healthier choices by going low fat and all natural ingredients thanks to Vitalicious (and not feel guilty). What a load off!

Here's my sampler:
4 Low Fat VitaBrownies
2 Low Fat Chocolate Fig VitaTops
2 Low Fat Banana Nut VitaTops
2 Low Fat Double Chocolate Dream VitaTops
2 Low Fat Deep Chocolate VitaTops
2 Low Fat Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip VitaTops
2 Low Fat Golden Corn VitaTops
2 Low Fat CranBran VitaTops
2 Low Fat AppleBerry VitaTops
2 Low Fat MultiBran VitaTops
2 Low Fat BlueBran VitaTops

I had a Double Chocolate Dream with decaf coffee while relaxing for a few minutes at work yesterday. Today, I enjoyed a Banana Nut with butterscotch greek yogurt. DELISH!