Today I am finishing up my second week on my healthier lifestyle. Yes, It's a diet, but It's also something that I'm probably going to have to do for the rest of my life to have the healthy lifestyle I want. So i'm just going to describe to you my typical day!
My Eating Schedule
6:30am Breakfast
9:30am Snack
12:30pm Lunch
3:30pm Snack
6:30pm Dinner
I try to stick to this schedule so that I can help speed up my metabolism. I have a very slow metabolism, which is probably a lot of the main reason why I gained so much weight after high school when I stopped playing soccer. In order to keep it in line, it calls for a good eating schedule and exercise.
Of course I have to work in the meantime so that calls for packing everything to go! It's really time consuming, but if you want it bad enough then you work for it and will do whatever! So I wake up an hour earlier most of the time on work days so that I can pack my days worth of food because I'm mostly there all day or for long periods of time.
Example of my daily food intake:
Breakfast: Oatmeal & a banana
Snack: Sunflower seeds (unsalted) and an Orange
Lunch: Progresso Light Soup, Wheat thins, & sugar free jello
Snack: Veggie straws and baby carrots
Dinner: Chicken Breast, English peas, & Squash
This is not my every day meal, but it just gives you an idea.
I go to the gym at least 4-5 times a week; normally skipping one day during the week and then Sunday. I like my Sundays off! I also allow myself one "Cheat" meal a week. If I don't allow that then I will get overwhelmed and off track! I try to only weigh in once a week so that I don't get discouraged if I lose nothing in a day. I'm one of those that don't have any patience when it comes to stuff like that so I have to limit myself.
While I'm at the gym I normally try and do 45 mins of cardio (treadmill, elliptical, & bike) and then either arms, legs, or abs. I'm normally there for about an hour and a half to two hours.
I'm about to experience cooking some Swiss Chard. Wish me luck!
PS. Tomorrow is weigh in day! Hope this week paid off!
A healthier,
Lauren
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
HIGH FIVE FOR FRIDAY!
I guess I will get with this high five for Friday posting. Here is a list of the five things I liked/enjoyed most this week!
It's been a great week! I will try keeping up with this high five for Friday DEALIO! Hope you guys enjoy your weekend!
xoxox
Lauren
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| 40 Hour work week! Yay for business! |
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| Banana Oatmeal Almond smoothie! Good Breakfast! |
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| This braided bangs ponytail thing! I've worn my hair like this nearly 3 times this week for work! |
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| Lean Cuisine butternut squash ravioli! Normally I hate frozen dinners because they taste so fake I guess you could say. This one is delicious! |
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| The weather! It's been so nice here this week! Not too cold, not too hot! Getting out of the gym and riding across the causeway with my window down! |
xoxox
Lauren
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
ANOTHER couponing trip
As you all know, I have been learning how to coupon! Normally I would pick up a coupon and be like "ohhhh 40 cents off!", but you have to know how to pair coupons with sales and find places that double them! I normally print my coupons off the internet, but I decided to buy a paper this past Sunday and there was no grocery coupons in it! I'll look from now on before I buy. $1.75 wasted because I definitely don't read the paper.
On this weeks trip I went to the normal three stores: Wal-Mart, Target, and Kroger. By the way, my Kroger has a little clearance section on the Laundry detergent aisle. It was hidden, but I found it! Most of the time the boxes are barely dented, or the cans are barely dented or something that they can't sell.
2 boxes of toaster strudels
1 package of chicken drumsticks
1 bag of kaiser rolls
1 bag of french bread
2 suave professionals shampoo/conditioner
2 boxes of angel hair whole grain pasta
1 pack of carefree feminine product
1 kikkoman soy sauce
2 packages of asian dish mixes
2 scotch disinfecting wipes
1 box of kellogg's fiber plus cereal
4 yocrunch yogurts
1 gallon milk
4 boxes of mac n cheese
1 box of instant coffee packet mixes
1 12 pack coke zero
Just a FYI, don't be afraid to buy things on clearance. You do have to be careful sometimes, but other than that, it's mostly okay! The bread in my picture I found at Kroger on the "oops we baked too much" rack! 79 cents for the french and 1.19 for the kaiser! Great prices. Sorry for all the cat food, Morris loves soft cat food for a treat every couple of days! And the milk and coke zero were not on sale, just needed! :P
Just to get off topic for a minute, I have always disliked suave products because they're obviously cheap, and I guess you pay for what you get. I can't use suave shampoo/conditioner because it doesn't do much for my extremely thick hair... but I've heard good things about this suave professionals stuff. I'll let you guys know about it once I try it. It's packed away in storage for now until I need it!
Thanks and happy grocery shopping to you all!
Lauren
On this weeks trip I went to the normal three stores: Wal-Mart, Target, and Kroger. By the way, my Kroger has a little clearance section on the Laundry detergent aisle. It was hidden, but I found it! Most of the time the boxes are barely dented, or the cans are barely dented or something that they can't sell.
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| This week's trip! (Spent about $40) |
1 package of chicken drumsticks
1 bag of kaiser rolls
1 bag of french bread
2 suave professionals shampoo/conditioner
2 boxes of angel hair whole grain pasta
1 pack of carefree feminine product
1 kikkoman soy sauce
2 packages of asian dish mixes
2 scotch disinfecting wipes
1 box of kellogg's fiber plus cereal
4 yocrunch yogurts
1 gallon milk
4 boxes of mac n cheese
1 box of instant coffee packet mixes
1 12 pack coke zero
Just a FYI, don't be afraid to buy things on clearance. You do have to be careful sometimes, but other than that, it's mostly okay! The bread in my picture I found at Kroger on the "oops we baked too much" rack! 79 cents for the french and 1.19 for the kaiser! Great prices. Sorry for all the cat food, Morris loves soft cat food for a treat every couple of days! And the milk and coke zero were not on sale, just needed! :P
Just to get off topic for a minute, I have always disliked suave products because they're obviously cheap, and I guess you pay for what you get. I can't use suave shampoo/conditioner because it doesn't do much for my extremely thick hair... but I've heard good things about this suave professionals stuff. I'll let you guys know about it once I try it. It's packed away in storage for now until I need it!
Thanks and happy grocery shopping to you all!
Lauren
Monday, January 16, 2012
Crispy Cheddar Chicken! (Almost a tongue twister!)
I know I've been doing a lot of recipe posting, but what can I say? I love to cook! We order chicken in bulk from Ronda's work, so we eat a lot of chicken! Meat is just so expensive these days... well, groceries are expensive in general! I was surfing pinterest not too long ago and came across this menu board thing that some lady made and then a recipe for crispy cheddar chicken! How delicious does that sound? Well, fattening too, but that's okay! I can't remember who's recipe this was, I just remember I got it off of pinterest! Sorry!
Crispy Cheddar Chicken
4 large chicken breasts
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried parsley
2 sleeves ritz crackers
1/2 C milk
1/4 tsp salt
3 C cheddar cheese, grated
Cut your chicken breasts up into strips if you want, but as you will see, I left mine whole.
In a small food processor, grind up the ritz crackers.
Pour milk(I added egg to my milk mixture), cheese, and cracker crumbs in 3 separate bowls.
1.Dip chicken in milk/egg mixture, then cheese, and then cracker crumbs.
2. spray a baking dish/pan with pam or wipe down with butter/crisco.
3. put chicken in pan
4. cover with aluminum foil and bake on 400 degrees for 35 minutes and then uncover and bake an extra 20 minutes or so to brown the cracker crumbs.
I made hidden valley ranch with the packet mix to put on top! Chicken and cheese just calls for some ranch! Have I mentioned that I love ranch?!
Make this! It's so easy!
Lauren
Crispy Cheddar Chicken
4 large chicken breasts
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried parsley
2 sleeves ritz crackers
1/2 C milk
1/4 tsp salt
3 C cheddar cheese, grated
Cut your chicken breasts up into strips if you want, but as you will see, I left mine whole.
In a small food processor, grind up the ritz crackers.
Pour milk(I added egg to my milk mixture), cheese, and cracker crumbs in 3 separate bowls.
1.Dip chicken in milk/egg mixture, then cheese, and then cracker crumbs.
2. spray a baking dish/pan with pam or wipe down with butter/crisco.
3. put chicken in pan
4. cover with aluminum foil and bake on 400 degrees for 35 minutes and then uncover and bake an extra 20 minutes or so to brown the cracker crumbs.
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| Finished product! So yummy! |
Make this! It's so easy!
Lauren
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Lauren's version of Taco Soup
I have been dying to make taco soup for forever now. Over the months I managed to accumulate all of the things to make taco soup with.
To remember my first experience with taco soup: I remember having it one day at my Aunt Lisa's for the first time. I loved it so much! Then my Gigi started making it, and eventually my mom! It was that good! I have personally never made taco soup myself until last night! It got a little chilly around here so it was a perfect night for taco soup!
The boys don't really care for soup, but this soup isn't really runny. It has a more dry consistency so that you can serve it over fritos without them getting soggy!
Taco Soup
1 LB ground beef
1 can pinto beans
1 can kidney beans (dark or light)
1 can whole kernel corn (can use the mexican corn)
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
1 onion chopped and sauteed
I revised the recipe a little to make it go a little farther.
I used:
1 bag frozen corn + 1 can corn
1 can light kidney beans
1 can dark kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can rotel
1/2 onion chopped (we aren't big onion people)
2 lbs ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
of course, brown your meat and saute your onion. drain and add all other ingredients without draining. simmer for about 30 minutes to an hour. Serve over fritos! You may can add another pack of taco seasoning mix if you use my recipe, but my crowd loved it the way it was!
vwaaalahhh! and there you have it! sorry for no picture! I'm supposed to be working on taking more pictures. OOPS! :(
To remember my first experience with taco soup: I remember having it one day at my Aunt Lisa's for the first time. I loved it so much! Then my Gigi started making it, and eventually my mom! It was that good! I have personally never made taco soup myself until last night! It got a little chilly around here so it was a perfect night for taco soup!
The boys don't really care for soup, but this soup isn't really runny. It has a more dry consistency so that you can serve it over fritos without them getting soggy!
Taco Soup
1 LB ground beef
1 can pinto beans
1 can kidney beans (dark or light)
1 can whole kernel corn (can use the mexican corn)
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
1 onion chopped and sauteed
I revised the recipe a little to make it go a little farther.
I used:
1 bag frozen corn + 1 can corn
1 can light kidney beans
1 can dark kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can rotel
1/2 onion chopped (we aren't big onion people)
2 lbs ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
of course, brown your meat and saute your onion. drain and add all other ingredients without draining. simmer for about 30 minutes to an hour. Serve over fritos! You may can add another pack of taco seasoning mix if you use my recipe, but my crowd loved it the way it was!
vwaaalahhh! and there you have it! sorry for no picture! I'm supposed to be working on taking more pictures. OOPS! :(
Thursday, January 5, 2012
COUPONINGGGG!!
I have officially started doing some major couponing (probably not a word)! You should do the same! Groceries are so expensive these days that we can hardly afford them and I'm one of those that hates for the kitchen to be empty of groceries! I love to cook, so I always like options! I went to a few stores yesterday while I was out, but didn't buy too much because I was trying to get home, so today when I went out, I hit the stores! Justin got me a new black ink cartridge, so I was able to print some good coupons! I don't get the newspaper because half the time the coupons in the papers are not ones that I will use and you can print the same ones off the internet! I've found the best deals at target!
I have never grocery shopped at target because when I think of that kind of store, It makes me think that the groceries are more expensive because it's not a grocery store, but I was wrong! They have so many deals! I found cereals, mac n cheese, spaghetti sauce, etc.. on clearance! Talk about excitement!
So, in making my rounds I went to Walgreen's, Wal-Mart, Kroger, and Target. I spent 40 dollars and got all of this.....
Notice, there's lots of cereal! We love cereal!
Here's what I got!
cinnamon toast crunch
lucky charms
apple crunchies (target brand apple jacks)
multi-grain cheerios
fruit rageous (target brand fruity pebbles)
honey nut cheerios
kashi go lean honey with flax cereal
5 totino's cheese pizzas
1 can chicken broth
2 cans of cinnamon rolls
3 boxes mac n cheese
1 box fruit chew snacks
1 box instant grits
1 box idahoan cheesy hash browns
1 jar dark karo syrup
2 boxes zataran's jambalaya mix
3 bottles of juice (strawberry banana & apple)
2 2lb bags of frozen broccoli
4 cans soup
1 tub butter
1 block cheddar cheese
andddd 1 box bagel bites!
ALL FOR 40 BUCKS!
I'm excited! Can you tell? As I said earlier, I found all of these coupons on the internet! Like The Krazy Coupon Lady's page on fb and she posts all the coupons for the week! She's awesome! It's time consuming, but well worth it!
Frugalistic Lauren
I have never grocery shopped at target because when I think of that kind of store, It makes me think that the groceries are more expensive because it's not a grocery store, but I was wrong! They have so many deals! I found cereals, mac n cheese, spaghetti sauce, etc.. on clearance! Talk about excitement!
So, in making my rounds I went to Walgreen's, Wal-Mart, Kroger, and Target. I spent 40 dollars and got all of this.....
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| That is a lot of stuff! |
Here's what I got!
cinnamon toast crunch
lucky charms
apple crunchies (target brand apple jacks)
multi-grain cheerios
fruit rageous (target brand fruity pebbles)
honey nut cheerios
kashi go lean honey with flax cereal
5 totino's cheese pizzas
1 can chicken broth
2 cans of cinnamon rolls
3 boxes mac n cheese
1 box fruit chew snacks
1 box instant grits
1 box idahoan cheesy hash browns
1 jar dark karo syrup
2 boxes zataran's jambalaya mix
3 bottles of juice (strawberry banana & apple)
2 2lb bags of frozen broccoli
4 cans soup
1 tub butter
1 block cheddar cheese
andddd 1 box bagel bites!
ALL FOR 40 BUCKS!
I'm excited! Can you tell? As I said earlier, I found all of these coupons on the internet! Like The Krazy Coupon Lady's page on fb and she posts all the coupons for the week! She's awesome! It's time consuming, but well worth it!
Frugalistic Lauren
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
FIRST productive day of the YEAR!
I have been so productive today! I am working hard to accomplish my new years resolutions; one was to be productive and get things done when they need to be done! That's what I have done today!
I will admit that I did not wake up at 8 or 8:30 this morning, but I did take a shower, get dressed and ready when I did wake up! Annnndddd I got things done today!
I had to take Justin to work today because after his accident with his hand, he cannot drive his standard until his right hand semi-heals. After dropping him off at work I took 2 bags of clothes, 3 boxes of books, and 3 pairs of shoes to the goodwill in Pearl. It was nice to give some things that were once mine to the people who need them most. I continually told myself not to get rid of some things because I just knew that they were going to fit me again someday... but I have yet to fit into those things, so I've finally given them up. I do plan to get into a size 6 again one day!
Besides taking those things to goodwill, I took a couple of name brand things to a store in Ridgeland that buys nice clothing from you. It's a secondhand store. I took a couple of shirts, skirts, and a purse.. They didn't buy anything I had. I was kind of frustrated at first because I went out of the way to try and sell them something for their store, and they didn't buy anything! but.. they are a business, and if they don't think they can sell it, then they won't buy it. Makes perfect sense. My stuff was in good shape, just out of style.. DERNIT! Who is going to get rid of things that are in style right now anyways? I guess I'm just less caught up with society than most.. but I'm okay with that. I will not be going back to that store to sell anything. I can at least say I tried. Now I have those few things that need to go to goodwill, but I am not making another trip today. After fully cleaning out everything in the house, I will surely have some more things that need to go there.
I went to return some headphones I had bought before Christmas and got my full refund on them! I was afraid that they weren't going to allow me to return them because I bought them about a month ago, but they did! I was happy about that. When I finally made it to Kroger on my way home to pay something for Justin, I saw a group of people looking at some things in the middle aisle (the holiday aisle).. I went and walked by it and they had some beautiful Christmas drinking glasses on sale for 13 cents a piece! Are you kidding me? I couldn't pass that deal up! I bought 12 of them! That means I spent $1.56 on 12 nice glasses besides the tax! No picture for that because who knows who will get them for Christmas next year! ;p
I finally made it home, cooked dinner, and now I'm here! BTW, I used my crock pot today! Beef tips and gravy over rice, squash, and leftover vegetables (cabbage, black eyed peas, & corn) is what's for dinner!
To end my post I can successfully say that I am having a good start to some of my new years resolutions! Hip hip hooray! How about you?
Taking it one day at a time!
Lauren
I will admit that I did not wake up at 8 or 8:30 this morning, but I did take a shower, get dressed and ready when I did wake up! Annnndddd I got things done today!
I had to take Justin to work today because after his accident with his hand, he cannot drive his standard until his right hand semi-heals. After dropping him off at work I took 2 bags of clothes, 3 boxes of books, and 3 pairs of shoes to the goodwill in Pearl. It was nice to give some things that were once mine to the people who need them most. I continually told myself not to get rid of some things because I just knew that they were going to fit me again someday... but I have yet to fit into those things, so I've finally given them up. I do plan to get into a size 6 again one day!
Besides taking those things to goodwill, I took a couple of name brand things to a store in Ridgeland that buys nice clothing from you. It's a secondhand store. I took a couple of shirts, skirts, and a purse.. They didn't buy anything I had. I was kind of frustrated at first because I went out of the way to try and sell them something for their store, and they didn't buy anything! but.. they are a business, and if they don't think they can sell it, then they won't buy it. Makes perfect sense. My stuff was in good shape, just out of style.. DERNIT! Who is going to get rid of things that are in style right now anyways? I guess I'm just less caught up with society than most.. but I'm okay with that. I will not be going back to that store to sell anything. I can at least say I tried. Now I have those few things that need to go to goodwill, but I am not making another trip today. After fully cleaning out everything in the house, I will surely have some more things that need to go there.
I went to return some headphones I had bought before Christmas and got my full refund on them! I was afraid that they weren't going to allow me to return them because I bought them about a month ago, but they did! I was happy about that. When I finally made it to Kroger on my way home to pay something for Justin, I saw a group of people looking at some things in the middle aisle (the holiday aisle).. I went and walked by it and they had some beautiful Christmas drinking glasses on sale for 13 cents a piece! Are you kidding me? I couldn't pass that deal up! I bought 12 of them! That means I spent $1.56 on 12 nice glasses besides the tax! No picture for that because who knows who will get them for Christmas next year! ;p
I finally made it home, cooked dinner, and now I'm here! BTW, I used my crock pot today! Beef tips and gravy over rice, squash, and leftover vegetables (cabbage, black eyed peas, & corn) is what's for dinner!
To end my post I can successfully say that I am having a good start to some of my new years resolutions! Hip hip hooray! How about you?
Taking it one day at a time!
Lauren
Monday, January 2, 2012
It's 2012!
I know this is a little late because yesterday began the new year, but I'm working on getting better at this!
Saturday night (New Year's Eve), I spent the night at work. They had been planning a New Year's Eve party for the community to buy tickets and come to. We provided a nice dinner and a midnight brunch, a band/entertainment, a bar, and a huge screen to watch the ball drop in New York! Little did they know, Mom came running down the hallway at 11:04 saying it was on the wrong channel and we missed the ball drop! It was quite hilarious, because that was one of the big things advertised on the pamphlet for the party. They had the TV on the wrong dang channel! We made it a fun night though and laughed and carried on......... even though we were spending our new years eve at work.
When we were getting ready to leave, mom realized that she locked her keys in her car. She does that on a regular basis by the way! So she rode with me. A cop followed me all the way home near about, riding my tail. I hate that, but it's okay; no drinking here. I was exhausted when I got home, but awake enough to take myself a shower and then get in the bed! I tossed and turned until almost 4 and finally fell asleep.
Justin's grandparents were in town, but I slept in until at least 12 and then I was lazy all day Sunday until the night. We watched lots of football and TV and I enjoyed some time at home. I was baddddd lazy yesterday. It was awful! Growing up, we always went with tradition when it came to special occasions! I wanted cabbage, black eyed peas, and cornbread. It was very different when I came into Justin's family because they are not so dead set on tradition as my family is. My grandma always cooks big festive dinners for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. I remember even on Sunday's when I was visiting, she would always have a big pot roast, rice and gravy, etc! FABULOUS!! That's my kind of cooking! So, I made black eyed peas, cabbage, and cornbread! I wasn't backing down. We added grilled chicken, mac n cheese, and mashed potatoes for the boys. I was stuffed, but happy I got my traditional food! :D
Everyone always makes New year's resolutions to lose weight.. for me, that's a lifestyle you have to change, it's not just about dieting. You can't diet for 2 months and then stop; especially if you have my body! You have to change your ways of eating for a lifetime. One of these days, I'll accomplish that, but I love food too much, especially that good ole' country cooking that consists of lots of bacon grease and fatness! I would love to eat organically when I have the funds to afford it, but for now I will continue what I'm doing. I do plan on losing weight before my brother gets home since we are in a little competition!
I will share a few of my New Year's resolutions!
1. Save money!
Justin and I have been thinking and thinking about the future and housing and what not. We would love to build a nice country home on the land that belonged to my father, so we will work and work and stop spending so much money on things that aren't really needs, but wants. I think that my dad would want that for us! I would love to go back to the land that I grew up on! So this year we are reading some Dave Ramsey and saving like crazy people! Please do not ask me to go to dinner with you, my friends. :P
2. Pray more often!
I remember growing up when my cousin and I were little and we would go to my Grandma's, she would pray every night before she went to sleep. At the time, I didn't think anything of it, but as I grow older, I've realized that praying is a wonderful thing! I need to pray more often because God answers prayers!
3. Set weekly goals!
This year I need to be more productive and make myself goals to accomplish. I often catch myself writing to-do lists that sometimes take a month for me to get done! That is just ridiculous! A week should be enough time for me to get something done; don't you think? For instance, this week, outside of getting my interview over with for radiology school, my goal is to deep clean my car!
4. Be more artistic!
I love arts and crafts, but I don't put my talent to use enough! I have bought and gained all kinds of decorative nik naks over the years and I have yet to do things with them. I need to stop throwing so many things away and figure ways to create things with them! Last night I made candle holders out of mason jars! I decorated them with lace and paint. Some of them look hideous and some of them look great! I may give those for a gift (helps me save money!)
5. Sleep less!
On the nights that I am up late doing homework or what not and have to be at work or school early the next morning, Lord knows I don't get enough sleep! But on the nights that I am off work or school the next day, Lord also knows I sleep too much! Sometimes I like to think of it as catch-up sleep, but I don't think that really exists. It only makes me more tired than I was before when I over sleep. I need to set a time that I can wake up at on a daily basis! I think 8 or 8:30 is a good wake up time! Not to early and not too late! If only I could stick to this time, because 12, lunch time, is wayyyy to late for me to be sleeping!
6. Get out of my PJ's when I'm around the house!
To go with my sleep less resolution, I need to get dressed and ready every morning regardless of what the plans are for the day! There has been so many days that I have stayed in my pajamas all day. It really causes me to not get going, and get less done! It also causes me to feel like junk sometimes. I think it would be nice to make myself get ready every day.. Preparing myself for the future and work! I know that there are many days that Justin wants to go somewhere and it may be 4:00 in the afternoon and I'm still in my PJ's. It then takes me at least an hour to take a shower and get ready.. By that time, he is definitely aggravated and ready to kill me i'm sure!
7. Use the Crock Pot more!
I absolutely love to cook! I would cook every day if I had the time for it outside of work and school! I try to cook as much as I can because it prevents me from eating out. Our stove is a gas stove and as you all know, gas is not cheap at all! In order for me to save gas, I need to use the crock pot more often! I saw on pinterest that there was a lady who used her crock pot for a year and never repeated one recipe. Half the recipes sounded disgusting, honestly, but then half of them looked delicious! I need to use the crock pot more, so that we can save gas! I love crock pot beef stew!
8. Blog more!
I have tried to keep up with my blog, but I haven't been the best at it! I don't like to write on here unless I have pictures to go with my post, so I haven't been able to post too much lately! Obviously, this post comes without a picture, but I will get better! I hope to write at least 4-5 times a month!
9. Take more pictures!
There are too many times when I think of a memory, but I don't have the pictures to back it up! I need pictures! I have a nice digital camera, but why do I not have many pictures? I need to get better at this. My Gigi is the queen of picture taking! She brings her camera everywhere she goes! One of these days I will get like that!
10. Have more family time!
My family is one of those that is spread out all over the south! My aunt and uncle H are in Missouri, a couple of my cousins in Texas, most of dad's family in Louisiana, an aunt, cousin, and uncle in Florida, and some all over Mississippi. I wish every day that we were closer in housing distance, but it isn't that way, so I need to get better at making ways to visit! Your family is very important and every minute with them counts!
Feel free to share your new years resolutions with me! I would love to read them!
Happy 2012!
Lauren
Saturday night (New Year's Eve), I spent the night at work. They had been planning a New Year's Eve party for the community to buy tickets and come to. We provided a nice dinner and a midnight brunch, a band/entertainment, a bar, and a huge screen to watch the ball drop in New York! Little did they know, Mom came running down the hallway at 11:04 saying it was on the wrong channel and we missed the ball drop! It was quite hilarious, because that was one of the big things advertised on the pamphlet for the party. They had the TV on the wrong dang channel! We made it a fun night though and laughed and carried on......... even though we were spending our new years eve at work.
When we were getting ready to leave, mom realized that she locked her keys in her car. She does that on a regular basis by the way! So she rode with me. A cop followed me all the way home near about, riding my tail. I hate that, but it's okay; no drinking here. I was exhausted when I got home, but awake enough to take myself a shower and then get in the bed! I tossed and turned until almost 4 and finally fell asleep.
Justin's grandparents were in town, but I slept in until at least 12 and then I was lazy all day Sunday until the night. We watched lots of football and TV and I enjoyed some time at home. I was baddddd lazy yesterday. It was awful! Growing up, we always went with tradition when it came to special occasions! I wanted cabbage, black eyed peas, and cornbread. It was very different when I came into Justin's family because they are not so dead set on tradition as my family is. My grandma always cooks big festive dinners for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. I remember even on Sunday's when I was visiting, she would always have a big pot roast, rice and gravy, etc! FABULOUS!! That's my kind of cooking! So, I made black eyed peas, cabbage, and cornbread! I wasn't backing down. We added grilled chicken, mac n cheese, and mashed potatoes for the boys. I was stuffed, but happy I got my traditional food! :D
Everyone always makes New year's resolutions to lose weight.. for me, that's a lifestyle you have to change, it's not just about dieting. You can't diet for 2 months and then stop; especially if you have my body! You have to change your ways of eating for a lifetime. One of these days, I'll accomplish that, but I love food too much, especially that good ole' country cooking that consists of lots of bacon grease and fatness! I would love to eat organically when I have the funds to afford it, but for now I will continue what I'm doing. I do plan on losing weight before my brother gets home since we are in a little competition!
I will share a few of my New Year's resolutions!
1. Save money!
Justin and I have been thinking and thinking about the future and housing and what not. We would love to build a nice country home on the land that belonged to my father, so we will work and work and stop spending so much money on things that aren't really needs, but wants. I think that my dad would want that for us! I would love to go back to the land that I grew up on! So this year we are reading some Dave Ramsey and saving like crazy people! Please do not ask me to go to dinner with you, my friends. :P
2. Pray more often!
I remember growing up when my cousin and I were little and we would go to my Grandma's, she would pray every night before she went to sleep. At the time, I didn't think anything of it, but as I grow older, I've realized that praying is a wonderful thing! I need to pray more often because God answers prayers!
3. Set weekly goals!
This year I need to be more productive and make myself goals to accomplish. I often catch myself writing to-do lists that sometimes take a month for me to get done! That is just ridiculous! A week should be enough time for me to get something done; don't you think? For instance, this week, outside of getting my interview over with for radiology school, my goal is to deep clean my car!
4. Be more artistic!
I love arts and crafts, but I don't put my talent to use enough! I have bought and gained all kinds of decorative nik naks over the years and I have yet to do things with them. I need to stop throwing so many things away and figure ways to create things with them! Last night I made candle holders out of mason jars! I decorated them with lace and paint. Some of them look hideous and some of them look great! I may give those for a gift (helps me save money!)
5. Sleep less!
On the nights that I am up late doing homework or what not and have to be at work or school early the next morning, Lord knows I don't get enough sleep! But on the nights that I am off work or school the next day, Lord also knows I sleep too much! Sometimes I like to think of it as catch-up sleep, but I don't think that really exists. It only makes me more tired than I was before when I over sleep. I need to set a time that I can wake up at on a daily basis! I think 8 or 8:30 is a good wake up time! Not to early and not too late! If only I could stick to this time, because 12, lunch time, is wayyyy to late for me to be sleeping!
6. Get out of my PJ's when I'm around the house!
To go with my sleep less resolution, I need to get dressed and ready every morning regardless of what the plans are for the day! There has been so many days that I have stayed in my pajamas all day. It really causes me to not get going, and get less done! It also causes me to feel like junk sometimes. I think it would be nice to make myself get ready every day.. Preparing myself for the future and work! I know that there are many days that Justin wants to go somewhere and it may be 4:00 in the afternoon and I'm still in my PJ's. It then takes me at least an hour to take a shower and get ready.. By that time, he is definitely aggravated and ready to kill me i'm sure!
7. Use the Crock Pot more!
I absolutely love to cook! I would cook every day if I had the time for it outside of work and school! I try to cook as much as I can because it prevents me from eating out. Our stove is a gas stove and as you all know, gas is not cheap at all! In order for me to save gas, I need to use the crock pot more often! I saw on pinterest that there was a lady who used her crock pot for a year and never repeated one recipe. Half the recipes sounded disgusting, honestly, but then half of them looked delicious! I need to use the crock pot more, so that we can save gas! I love crock pot beef stew!
8. Blog more!
I have tried to keep up with my blog, but I haven't been the best at it! I don't like to write on here unless I have pictures to go with my post, so I haven't been able to post too much lately! Obviously, this post comes without a picture, but I will get better! I hope to write at least 4-5 times a month!
9. Take more pictures!
There are too many times when I think of a memory, but I don't have the pictures to back it up! I need pictures! I have a nice digital camera, but why do I not have many pictures? I need to get better at this. My Gigi is the queen of picture taking! She brings her camera everywhere she goes! One of these days I will get like that!
10. Have more family time!
My family is one of those that is spread out all over the south! My aunt and uncle H are in Missouri, a couple of my cousins in Texas, most of dad's family in Louisiana, an aunt, cousin, and uncle in Florida, and some all over Mississippi. I wish every day that we were closer in housing distance, but it isn't that way, so I need to get better at making ways to visit! Your family is very important and every minute with them counts!
Feel free to share your new years resolutions with me! I would love to read them!
Happy 2012!
Lauren
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