Weekly Meal Planning

Last week was the first week in a very long time that I have planned any meals and gone grocery shopping for anything. I loved it. I forgot how mice it is to have plenty of food in the house and be able to make whatever, whenever. It also meant that we ate out way less than most any other week in the past year and we spent far less on food. Honestly, I think it also saved us time in the end. We were not having to worry about who was going to go get lunch or what was for dinner and who would get it, we just ate what was on the menu and in the house.

There were, of course, a few things that did not get prepared, so those have been jumped to this week's list. There were also a few things that I loved- these balls being one of them. They were so good and ridiculously easy to make and kept my sweet tooth in check just fine! I did make a few changes to them and will have the recipe up soon!

As for other meals, here is what we will be eating this week!

Monday

• Breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs and Fruit
• Tuesday: Spinach and Strawberry Smoothie
• Dinner: Creamy Tortellini Soup with Shrimp
• Snack: Kale Chips (I did not get to make them last week)

Tuesday

• Breakfast: Eggs and Toast
• Lunch: Caprese Salad (it was so yummy last week and easy to make!)
• Dinner: Blue Apron Meal
• Snack: Yogurt

Wednesday

• Breakfast: Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
• Lunch: Meal Replacement Shake
• Dinner: Caesar Salad with Shrimp
• Snack: Fruits and Vegetables

Thursday

• Breakfast: Meal Replacement Shake
• Lunch: Egg Sandwich
• Dinner: Kale and Salmon
• Snack: apples with almond butter

Friday

• Breakfast: Salmon Omelet
• Lunch: Eggplant Pizza
• Dinner: Big night out!
• Snack: Bar

Saturday

• Breakfast: Flaxseed Smoothie 
• Lunch: Meal Replacement Shake
• Dinner: Raw Kale Pesto over Linguine 
• Snack: Small Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

Sunday

• Breakfast: Meal Replacement Bar
• Lunch: Egg Sandwich
• Dinner: Blue Apron
• Snack: Bars

Motivation for Your Monday

Happy Monday! And seeing how this Monday is the first of our 2015 year, it seemed perfect to inspire vision, discipline, and all around getting things done!

I simply love this quote! It is so true- if we have dreams, visions, and goals but lack the gumption, tenacity, and self discipline to do the work and move them forward, we will stay where we are. This simple little quote is a reminder to go out there are accomplish our dreams! We can all do it, we just need to stick with it. Because, let's face it, anyone can do something for a few days but the truly successful people are the ones who continue day after day after day, when everyone else has moved on to other things. As Aristotle said, " We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit."

Happy New Year and Happy Monday!

Motivation for Your Monday

Well, this is the last Monday before Christmas folks. In keeping with the Christmas theme, I wanted to have a quote from one of our family's favorite Christmas books/movies/stories- A Christmas Carol.

One of the hub's favorite authors is Charles Dickens and one of our Christmas traditions is to watch at least one movie version of A Christmas Carol every December. So far we have watched A Muppet Christmas Carol which is just so cute, have you seen that one? I just love it! And now, to prove we are adults, tonight's viewing will be the version with Patrick Stewart. I do not think I have seen this one in quite a long time but is the hub's favorite. 

As far as quotes go, this is one of my favorites from A Christmas Carol, it is just so good. Gifts are great and seeing family is wonderful, but nothing can lift or lower a mood like our attitude. This Christmas, my goal has been to stay relaxed, kind, patient, and nice. I would like to be solution oriented rather than basking in all the issues of the holidays. Sure we are giving family and friends gifts, but this really does seem like the greatest thing I can do for all of them- especially the hubs. Poor guy has had to deal with my Christmas craziness for too many years now. Not this time :)

Merry Christmas!

Motivation for Your Monday

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend and your Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful! We were able to have a great time with family this past weekend and I loved it. Now, we are into the holidays and today we will be putting the finishing touches on all that decorating. The tree will be going up today along with all garland and a few craft projects. I am thinking we might needs a house photo tour with all the Christmas decs up, but we will see :)

As far as motivation, this week we are keeping it simple. The holidays can so easily turn from a time to give thanks and be with family to a crazy material fest filled with stress. This year, I want to focus on what really matters during the holidays- family, love, gratefulness, and joy. To-do lists and presents will take a back seat to the real purpose of life; giving. 

Does your family have any special traditions for holiday giving? We always give a bit more time to the places we volunteer at over the holidays and donating gifts for those who may not get any. I would love to start doing a few more holiday traditions about giving and would completely love any ideas! 

As far as the blog goes though, we will still have plenty of holiday themed posts going on including a few DIY projects (mercury glass, anyone?), gift guides, and sale updates. And, talking about sales, I hope you are taking advantage of all these cyber Monday deals! Express, Target, J. Crew, Gap, and almost everywhere else are having some pretty great deals. A few places are 50% off your entire order!