Update

Well, I wanted to write an  update over the weekend but this weekend was just totally busy.  Saturday, the boys had their Blue and Gold banquet for Cub Scouts.  It was a fun time.  It was neat to see how everyone got creative with their decorations.  The theme was “Turn Back the Clock” and each den had to decorate for the decade they were given.  I wish I had a better camera so I could have taken pictures .

On the diet front, I haven't been doing that well.  I have been cheating really paid and I paid for it.  I gained 2 pounds back So today, the diet restarted.  So far, so good.  The only thing is that today, I have a headache.  At least I was able to get downstairs cleaned.  I am going to try to go clean out the car while Brynlee sleeps but, we will see.  It is supposed to rain so I am sure that’s not going to help.

Tonight, my den at scouts is going bowling and I think they will have a lot of fun.  This time, I am actually going to bowl and see how much I suck!

Tomorrow, I have to clean my upstairs and do a major amount of laundry.  Brynlee wont be too happy about hanging out upstairs for the majority of the morning but she will just have to get over it.

Gotta Get Back…

Into workout mode.  We have worked out in a few days and I can tell.  Sometimes, it just seems so hard to get it in.  I wish it was warm outside again so I can at least take Brynlee for a walk because she loves doing that.  I am hoping to find a jogging stroller for cheap so that it would be easier to actually push her instead of having her in the umbrella stroller.  Plus, it is kind of hard to use that one anyway.  So I am hoping to get back into the exercise tonight.  It takes 21 days to make it a habit is what I have been told.

Slow Cooker Creole Chicken

Ingredients

• 2.5 lb. chicken thighs
• Drizzles of olive oil
• 1-2 Tbsp. Creole seasoning
• 1 bag vegetable soup frozen vegetables or gumbo soup mix
• 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup brown rice

Directions

1. Add the chicken thighs to the slow cooker.  Drizzle a little olive oil over the top.  Season with the Creole seasoning.
2. Add the vegetables over top of the chicken. (Adding them while still frozen is fine!)  Sprinkle a little more seasoning over top.  Add a few dashes of salt and pepper as well.
3. Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 8 hours.
4. About 1 hour before dinner time, start cooking the brown rice.  Cook according to package instructions. (If using instant brown rice, you’ll only need a few minutes!)
5. Serve Slow Cooker Creole Chicken and veggies over brown rice.

My diet journey

I guess I should be using more pictures to show my diet journey. This is me today February 4, 2011. Still have some muffin top going on but it is getting better.




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Location:Elmwood Dr,Culpeper,United States

I know I should be doing my exercise tonight but i guess it is being put on hold tonight. Jay is working on the computer where I do it plus I have a bunch of reading to do for school. I wish it was warm already and i had a jogging stroller for brynlee. I am ready to get out and do some walking. I think that would help alot. I have the DVDs for the P90X but I am wondering if I am too out of shape to do that.


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Location:Exercise...

Spicy Bean Burritos

Ingredients:

For the bean filling:

• 2 tsp. canola or vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. minced chipotle in adobo sauce
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• dash cayenne pepper
• 1/3 cup water, vegetable, or chicken broth
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 tbsp. salt

For serving:

• 6 tortillas
• shredded cheese
• diced tomatoes
• shredded romaine lettuce
• chopped green onions
• low-fat sour cream

Directions:

1. To make the bean filling, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the garlic, chili powder, chipotle, cumin, alt and cayenne;  stir, cooking just until fragrant, 30-60 seconds.  Add the beans and the water or broth to the pan.  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the salsa, and mash mixture with a spoon or fork.
2. Spoon about a third of a cup of the bean mixture down the center of each tortilla.  Top each serving with a pinch of shredded cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, green onions, and sour cream.  Roll the tortilla up tightly, burrito style and serve.

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred–Day 4

It is getting easier with each day, however, my shins hurt so bad that sometimes I have to stop.  I am wondering if it is just because of how big I am and I hope it eventually stops.

Slow Cooker Creamy Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Ground Turkey or beef
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1 10.5 oz. cream of mushroom soup
• 1 beef bouillon cube

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, garlic powder, and quick oats.  Once this is fully mixed, create the meatballs.  Place in bottom of slow cooker.
2. Pour cream of mushroom soup over the meatballs and add the bouillon cube.
3. Cook one low for 6 hours.

Jillian michaels 30 day shred - day 3

Getting a little easier but I am still having trouble getting up. Hopefully it is working.


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Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup coarsely chopped canned artichoke hearts
• 4 cloves roasted garlic, smashed
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. roasted red pepper flakes

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan, sour cream, mayonnaise, spinach, artichokes, roasted garlic, salt and red pepper flakes.  Mix well with a rubber spatula until all ingredients are evenly blended.  Spread into a small baking dish.  Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan over top if desired.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until top slightly browned.  Serve warm with baguette slices, pita chips, crackers, etc..

No Spending Challenge

When we say no spending, we mean no spending outside of our normal daily living expenses.  Some things will still need to be purchased in order to keep lights lit, food on the table, and diapers on the little one.

Grayson Family Spending Plan

• $400 a month for groceries – this will be interesting…lots of bean burritos I see
• normal utility payments and monthly bills
• gas for the cars
• We will do our best to not spend on anything else for the month and share our experience with you.
• Get our finances on track and have fun documenting the creative ways to not spend any money.

Here are a few ideas to spend the free time:

1. Dust off the board games and finally play them.
2. Watch free movies on Hulu.com or watch something in our DVD collection.
3. Dig through cookbooks and try out recipes using ingredients in the pantry.
4. Actually use craft supplies that have been bought and not yet used.
5. Catch up on laundry for once and teach the boys how to do it.
6. Look for free activities to do in the community.
7. Volunteer or find things in your home that you could donate to those less fortunate. 
8. Visit the library and actually use the books
9. Clip coupons and play your grocery shopping for a month
10. Learn a new skillet set or check out books on self-improvement to make your life easier.
11. Take a bubble bath.
12. Organize your closets and go through clothing.
13. Price and get items ready for the next big yard sale when the weather is warm.