Wow, where did did the month go? I can't believe that it is the end of the first month of the new year! How have you been doing with your goals? Me? Well not as well as I wanted but I'm still determined. Since the 4th of Jan, I'm down 8.5 lbs. Not as much as had hoped, but I'm still proud. And it's great! I've not been able to work out as much as I would like sometimes and I'm finding time to is hard, since lil D wants to always be up in my business.
I have put a meal plan on my computer (my dear friend Beth sent me a copy of hers and I loved it so I made my own). Now let's see how well it goes for this week. I'm working on trying a few new recipes this week. I'm looking forward to them, and I'm going to use my crock pot this week too (yay). My goal this week is to get through an actual week on the Biggest Loser Challenge Wii. I've gotten a day or two here and there, but I'm going for the whole week this time.
This weeks Mamavation TV is going to be a British Invasion as we have the wonderful Pete Cohen joining us. I love Pete. Everyone needs to learn to "Shut the duck up". The blogging carnival is sponsored by Earth Footwear. I've heard wonderful things about them so it's always awesome that they are doing giving away some of their great products.
The question for this weeks carnival is "What does wellness mean to you?" I think for me wellness means being healthy in every aspect in your life, including fitness and diet (not that you should diet but your diet). If one part of your life ie fitness is not well then your diet may not be well and other aspects wont be in sync. It also involves taking the best care of yourself as to the best of your ability.
Well I hope that everyone has a great week. Don't forget to check out our moms.
The Los Angeles Moms are Kate (@katecoleman77) and Angela (@ninemoremonths). The online selected moms are Kimberly (@christlikemommy) and Amanda (@beeacutie2).
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Life without cable
So since we moved into our home (our first home with a mortgage), we made a few changes so that we could pay for the essentials (food, gas, the evil utilities) like give up hubs Gamefly account, my XM radio account and cable. Cable was the hardest thing for us to do at first. I love watching Disney Channel. I am not afraid to admit it. I enjoyed watching Playhouse Disney with D in the mornings, and watching Phineas and Ferb and Wizards of Waverly Place. We are also WWE fans, and if you are a fan you know that its only on USA and SyFy and you can't find it online to watch later like most tv shows. So blah.
It was hard at first. I've always had cable and could watch whatever I wanted when ever I wanted. But we have Netflix on the game system so we had access to some things. Then I went out about bought a pair of good ole rabbit ears aka an antenna. And now we get the local channels and a PBS Kids channel. It's not that hard to live without the added $50-$70 expense, and most programs I can watch online. While I do miss the DVR, it's still ok. Only complaints about the antenna is that when the weathers bad I don't always get good reception, but ehh it's free. And I'm sure one day when money comes our way again we might get cable, but we've learned we don't need it. Now if they let us pick the 2 or 3 channels that we want we may come running back :) but I'm not counting on that one.Cable is just an added luxury that we are quite fine to live without. And that money saved can go to having fun times out or saving for a vacation or a pool (or whatever crazy thing hubs wants to put in our back yard). Plus it gives us more time to do other things, like read, spend time as a family, play games, and when it gets warmer for me to work in the garden.
Have you had to make changes to your lifestyle, such as getting rid of cable/internet? How have you coped?
It was hard at first. I've always had cable and could watch whatever I wanted when ever I wanted. But we have Netflix on the game system so we had access to some things. Then I went out about bought a pair of good ole rabbit ears aka an antenna. And now we get the local channels and a PBS Kids channel. It's not that hard to live without the added $50-$70 expense, and most programs I can watch online. While I do miss the DVR, it's still ok. Only complaints about the antenna is that when the weathers bad I don't always get good reception, but ehh it's free. And I'm sure one day when money comes our way again we might get cable, but we've learned we don't need it. Now if they let us pick the 2 or 3 channels that we want we may come running back :) but I'm not counting on that one.Cable is just an added luxury that we are quite fine to live without. And that money saved can go to having fun times out or saving for a vacation or a pool (or whatever crazy thing hubs wants to put in our back yard). Plus it gives us more time to do other things, like read, spend time as a family, play games, and when it gets warmer for me to work in the garden.
Have you had to make changes to your lifestyle, such as getting rid of cable/internet? How have you coped?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
To shop or not to shop.... there that is
We are lucky enough to live in an area where there are many different grocery stores to choose from, and to also have the option to shop at the Commissary. While I love the commissary for something, I don't for others. Mainly right now for the distance that it is from our house. It's at least 20 mins or more depending on traffic and which is still not too bad, but when gas prices are hovering around $3 a gallon, that can make you wanna cry. So it comes down to wanting to save money on gas or save money on food. We have at least 5 different stores within a close range (Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Farm Fresh, Walmart) so I can get some things that I use there (and some do double coupon or have kick butt sales). But what do you do? Do you drive long distances to get the better deals? Do you stay close to home so you can save gas and get some deals?
I know with me starting to coupon and watching sales and reading blogs about sales I'm able to catch some good deals. But where we hurt in the price is for produce and meat. We only buy turkey and chicken but most places close to use charge $3 and $4 for 1 lb of turkey and I can get it at the Commissary for $1.73. Sucks that hubs in not at base right now so he can make those quick trips to the commissary for me lol.
But I'd love to hear your shopping tips and ideas. I'm working on my first coupon binder, which has been a stressful experience and can't wait to show pictures of it once its completed.
I know with me starting to coupon and watching sales and reading blogs about sales I'm able to catch some good deals. But where we hurt in the price is for produce and meat. We only buy turkey and chicken but most places close to use charge $3 and $4 for 1 lb of turkey and I can get it at the Commissary for $1.73. Sucks that hubs in not at base right now so he can make those quick trips to the commissary for me lol.
But I'd love to hear your shopping tips and ideas. I'm working on my first coupon binder, which has been a stressful experience and can't wait to show pictures of it once its completed.
SparkPeople: Speak up and Take Control Back
From SparkPeople Healthy Reflections daily email. check out Sparkpeople.com for great fitness/healthy lifestyle information.
Many people feel uncomfortable being assertive, which often leads others to take advantage of them. Do you ever feel like you shouldn't say something because you might hurt someone's feelings? Does your spouse shirk their responsibilities around the house and expect you to pick up the slack? While it is important to serve others often, being someone's lackey is unhealthy and it's up to you to break that cycle. Kindly address situations where you think someone is taking advantage of your meekness. Being aggressive is a negative quality that people respond to with hostility. Making your voice heard maturely and positively is a trait that will take you far and build respect among your peers.
Many people feel uncomfortable being assertive, which often leads others to take advantage of them. Do you ever feel like you shouldn't say something because you might hurt someone's feelings? Does your spouse shirk their responsibilities around the house and expect you to pick up the slack? While it is important to serve others often, being someone's lackey is unhealthy and it's up to you to break that cycle. Kindly address situations where you think someone is taking advantage of your meekness. Being aggressive is a negative quality that people respond to with hostility. Making your voice heard maturely and positively is a trait that will take you far and build respect among your peers.
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Sunday, January 23, 2011
Mamavation Monday 1/24
Not sure what happened this week, but it came and it went. I had a doc appt where I got weighed and I was 197, which is a drop of 7 lbs since I last was weighed at the doc on the 4th of Jan. YAY. So excited to already be down 7 lbs so far this year. only 23 more to go.
Been planning out our meals for every meal, but something seems to come up a couple of times each week. Like hubs coming home early from work, or D and I have to run some errands. But hopefully this week we'll stay on track. I've been eating a ton of veggies and fruits. I think salad is becoming an everyday meal for me, and that's ok by me. I need to make my own salad dressing so that I'm not using the really high cal/high fat ones.
This week I'm going to try to get a workout schedule set up. I was just trying to fit it in when I could, but that translated to none on some days. Not what I like. I want to feel good from sweating every day. I finished The Spark (by the creator of SparkPeople) and hope to use some of the info from that book towards my fitness plan.
Congratulations to our Mamavation Moms! The Los Angeles Moms are Kate (@katecoleman77) and Angela (@ninemoremonths). The online selected moms are Kimberly (@christlikemommy) and Amanda (@beeacutie2). How exciting. I can't wait to see how they all do with this campaign. I hope that everyone has a wonderful week. I'm hoping to stay up for Mamavation TV, but 10 pm is always such a bad time for me after a long day :(. But I hate missing the converstation with the Sistahood.
This week's Blogging Carnival is sponsored by FiberPlus.
Question: How are you getting more fiber in your diet this New Year?
I've always had a problem getting enough fiber. But I've started buying foods that are high in fiber (well according to their packaging), eating more fruits high in fiber. Fiber has always been thought to taste bad, but the FiberPlus bars are good, so is the Fiber One yogurt. Now if I can just remember to eat it every day :).
“I’m writing this post as an entry to a blogging carnival sponsored by Fiber Plus. I will be receiving free product in return.”
Been planning out our meals for every meal, but something seems to come up a couple of times each week. Like hubs coming home early from work, or D and I have to run some errands. But hopefully this week we'll stay on track. I've been eating a ton of veggies and fruits. I think salad is becoming an everyday meal for me, and that's ok by me. I need to make my own salad dressing so that I'm not using the really high cal/high fat ones.
This week I'm going to try to get a workout schedule set up. I was just trying to fit it in when I could, but that translated to none on some days. Not what I like. I want to feel good from sweating every day. I finished The Spark (by the creator of SparkPeople) and hope to use some of the info from that book towards my fitness plan.
Congratulations to our Mamavation Moms! The Los Angeles Moms are Kate (@katecoleman77) and Angela (@ninemoremonths). The online selected moms are Kimberly (@christlikemommy) and Amanda (@beeacutie2). How exciting. I can't wait to see how they all do with this campaign. I hope that everyone has a wonderful week. I'm hoping to stay up for Mamavation TV, but 10 pm is always such a bad time for me after a long day :(. But I hate missing the converstation with the Sistahood.
This week's Blogging Carnival is sponsored by FiberPlus.
Question: How are you getting more fiber in your diet this New Year?
I've always had a problem getting enough fiber. But I've started buying foods that are high in fiber (well according to their packaging), eating more fruits high in fiber. Fiber has always been thought to taste bad, but the FiberPlus bars are good, so is the Fiber One yogurt. Now if I can just remember to eat it every day :).
“I’m writing this post as an entry to a blogging carnival sponsored by Fiber Plus. I will be receiving free product in return.”
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Have you checked out CSN stores yet?
If not you really should. There are so many different stores to check out, and so many different wares. They have cookbooks, and fitness equipment and even Modern Duvet covers. There are over 200 different CSN stores and I'm sure that you can find anything that your heart desires. Check them out, you may find the one thing that is missing from your life. And check back here for upcoming reviews from CSN Stores.
Mamavation Monday 1-17 (well Tuesday)
Woops. I've been so distracted lately that I forgot to get my Mamavation Monday post done.
Here's how my week last week went.... BAD. It pretty much sucked. And the loss that I had (which was about 5 lbs) was because I was sick, not for my efforts. Since my efforts were small thanks to a nasty cold bug that came to visit our house and is just now starting to leave. D is still sick with a cough and runny nose but I'm finally able to muster some energy.
With all that being said, my goals for this week are to get back on track. I missed a week of the SparkPeople bootcamp because of the nasty cold, so I'm going to continue with it this week. And I'm going to continue with trying to track my food as best I can. I've been eating more fruit and it tastes so good.
Congrats to our two new Mamavation moms. I'm looking forward to watching your progress over this bootcamp and will be rooting you on.
Here's how my week last week went.... BAD. It pretty much sucked. And the loss that I had (which was about 5 lbs) was because I was sick, not for my efforts. Since my efforts were small thanks to a nasty cold bug that came to visit our house and is just now starting to leave. D is still sick with a cough and runny nose but I'm finally able to muster some energy.
With all that being said, my goals for this week are to get back on track. I missed a week of the SparkPeople bootcamp because of the nasty cold, so I'm going to continue with it this week. And I'm going to continue with trying to track my food as best I can. I've been eating more fruit and it tastes so good.
Congrats to our two new Mamavation moms. I'm looking forward to watching your progress over this bootcamp and will be rooting you on.
Monday, January 10, 2011
SparkPeople, Getting specific anbout your goals. Daily email
Getting specific about your goals
Are your goals detailed enough for you to reach them? We all have aspirations and we are better off for having made them. But if your goals are too vague or unstructured, you'll find that attaining them is difficult. Wanting to lose 30 pounds is a wonderful goal, but you need a plan to get you on the right track. These things don't happen overnight. Today, think about your goals and form a plan to achieve them. Write them down, chart your progress, refer to them as often as you need to stay on track, and most importantly, hold yourself accountable.
I have always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I have to be more specific.
- Lily Tomlin, actress
From SparkPeople Daily email. Check out SparkPeople.com to get great fitness and diet information.
I love the idea of having goals. Goals are so important to help you keep on track. Making a visual collage (as described in The Spark
) is a great way to show you the way to your achievement you want to reach. Make sure you are able to visual what you want and it should help you reach it.
Mamavation Monday Jan 10th
Wow, so the first week of the new year. Always seems to be so hyped up. It's the "make or break you" time of year. But I think I did alright.
Got a lot of cardio in this week. I am totally loving the Biggest Loser Power Walk DVD. It's awesome and I love how I feel. Also going through the SparkPeople 28 Day bootcamp. So far so 'ok', but gonna rev it up and get it going. I bought a kettlebell the other day and hubs broke it out yesterday. We did a exercise together with it, and I'm excited to find more exercises with it. I also like the Biggest Loser Challenge for Wii, just wish that the Wiimote picked up my movements better, or that it would realize that I don't have pockets in my workout shorts (lol). Still haven't tried the 30 Day Shred DVD hubs got me for Christmas, but that is the goal this week.
I've been trying to track my food on Sparkpeople the best that I can. Some days are better that others, but at least I'm tracking the best that I can. It can only get better. I'm feel that I'm doing well with my choices of what I'm putting in (but that can only get betters as well).
My goals for this week:
Keep up with the 28 Day Bootcamp with SparkPeople
Try 30 Day Shred
Track my food at least once a day (but hopefully get every meal tracked)
Read/Finish the Spark (by the creator of SparkPeople) so that I can start another book on fitness.
Tweet with the #mamavation girls and support them.
This week is the announcement of the Mamavation Mom finalists. I'm very excited to see who is going to be selected and looking forward to another great campaign.
Got a lot of cardio in this week. I am totally loving the Biggest Loser Power Walk DVD. It's awesome and I love how I feel. Also going through the SparkPeople 28 Day bootcamp. So far so 'ok', but gonna rev it up and get it going. I bought a kettlebell the other day and hubs broke it out yesterday. We did a exercise together with it, and I'm excited to find more exercises with it. I also like the Biggest Loser Challenge for Wii, just wish that the Wiimote picked up my movements better, or that it would realize that I don't have pockets in my workout shorts (lol). Still haven't tried the 30 Day Shred DVD hubs got me for Christmas, but that is the goal this week.
I've been trying to track my food on Sparkpeople the best that I can. Some days are better that others, but at least I'm tracking the best that I can. It can only get better. I'm feel that I'm doing well with my choices of what I'm putting in (but that can only get betters as well).
My goals for this week:
Keep up with the 28 Day Bootcamp with SparkPeople
Try 30 Day Shred
Track my food at least once a day (but hopefully get every meal tracked)
Read/Finish the Spark (by the creator of SparkPeople) so that I can start another book on fitness.
Tweet with the #mamavation girls and support them.
This week is the announcement of the Mamavation Mom finalists. I'm very excited to see who is going to be selected and looking forward to another great campaign.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Good deals for me this week.
So I figured that this is going to be the year that I learn how to really coupon and really save some money. I heard about Super Double Coupons this week at Harris Teeter, so I went and checked it out. Never really shopped there (since I thought it was a little pricey for our budget) but when they have sales you can clean up. So here's what I got for $27 (which I saved $44)
They had a special where if you bought 2 jars of Prego (45oz) then you get a box of pasta (certain kinds), a Pepsi product, Kraft grated cheese, and Texas frozen toast for free. Yay. They had pretty good specials on Special K products which I got 3 boxes of cereal for $5 and the crackers and the bars for $3. (prolly could have been better but hey it was my first time).
The last few days I've gone to 5 stores (been to HT 2 times so 6 total trips) and saved half of what I spent, which is a big deal for me, who usually only saves about 30%. Only can get better from here. I would love any tips that any one could share to get our savings to add up. Having one income can be hard, but we make it, and I'd like to get in some more savings. I've budget $400 for us (a family of 3 with a 15 month old in diapers, and a roommate for a little while), and would love to stay well below that so we can use the remaining amount of that $400 towards savings. ( I may do a break down of all my trips, but that's if I have some extra time, we have a lot going on this week and I'm well behind on posts that I wanted to get done and have to get some extra strength training in today since I've been kicking butt on cardio)
They had a special where if you bought 2 jars of Prego (45oz) then you get a box of pasta (certain kinds), a Pepsi product, Kraft grated cheese, and Texas frozen toast for free. Yay. They had pretty good specials on Special K products which I got 3 boxes of cereal for $5 and the crackers and the bars for $3. (prolly could have been better but hey it was my first time).
The last few days I've gone to 5 stores (been to HT 2 times so 6 total trips) and saved half of what I spent, which is a big deal for me, who usually only saves about 30%. Only can get better from here. I would love any tips that any one could share to get our savings to add up. Having one income can be hard, but we make it, and I'd like to get in some more savings. I've budget $400 for us (a family of 3 with a 15 month old in diapers, and a roommate for a little while), and would love to stay well below that so we can use the remaining amount of that $400 towards savings. ( I may do a break down of all my trips, but that's if I have some extra time, we have a lot going on this week and I'm well behind on posts that I wanted to get done and have to get some extra strength training in today since I've been kicking butt on cardio)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Mamavation Monday New Year 1-3
A new year always seems to bring all the new hope that this year is going to be the best and you have all these resolutions that you've made for the coming year. I don't like the word resolution, it sounds like the worse way to describe a goal, but resolutions always seem to fail.
My goals involve getting healthier. I feel off the wagon last year, so this year I'm planning on not. I'm currently reading The Spark, by the guy who created SparkPeople.com, a website that I just love. I've also been tracking my calories on SparkPeople and joined their yearly bootcamp (it usually gets me started for the year). We went for a walk yesterday at the park too. I wanted to give up because there was mud and snow and ice everywhere, but I pushed through, despite my crappy stroller that I have (We are going to be getting a new one with the tax return). I am hoping for some good success with SparkPeople, Mamavation, and my friends support.
My goals for this week:
Bootcamp videos daily for SparkPeople.
Getting back to Tweeting with the Mamavation Sistas
Tracking all my food on SparkPeople (or writing it down somewhere)
Setting up time with friends so that I can get out of my depression and get back on track.
Finding new things to cook that are healthy and cheap so that we can eat better and save money.
This week's Mamavation blogging carnival is Game Stop. We are big fans of Game Stop here in this house. My hubs is an active gamer, and I like to find sport/fitness games for my Wii and love to play the Lego games. The question for this weeks carnival is "What are ways you can work out without having to leave the house?". I find that using the Wii with Wii Active More Workouts, Biggest Loser Challenge and Zumba Fitness I can get a good workout without having to go to the gym. Plus having a few pieces of basic equipment like a stability ball, resistance bands, and hand weights helps as well.
On Mamavation TV this week, the Mamavation Mom Finalists will be on. How exciting. I'm very excited to see who will get chosen this time around.
My goals involve getting healthier. I feel off the wagon last year, so this year I'm planning on not. I'm currently reading The Spark, by the guy who created SparkPeople.com, a website that I just love. I've also been tracking my calories on SparkPeople and joined their yearly bootcamp (it usually gets me started for the year). We went for a walk yesterday at the park too. I wanted to give up because there was mud and snow and ice everywhere, but I pushed through, despite my crappy stroller that I have (We are going to be getting a new one with the tax return). I am hoping for some good success with SparkPeople, Mamavation, and my friends support.
My goals for this week:
Bootcamp videos daily for SparkPeople.
Getting back to Tweeting with the Mamavation Sistas
Tracking all my food on SparkPeople (or writing it down somewhere)
Setting up time with friends so that I can get out of my depression and get back on track.
Finding new things to cook that are healthy and cheap so that we can eat better and save money.
This week's Mamavation blogging carnival is Game Stop. We are big fans of Game Stop here in this house. My hubs is an active gamer, and I like to find sport/fitness games for my Wii and love to play the Lego games. The question for this weeks carnival is "What are ways you can work out without having to leave the house?". I find that using the Wii with Wii Active More Workouts, Biggest Loser Challenge and Zumba Fitness I can get a good workout without having to go to the gym. Plus having a few pieces of basic equipment like a stability ball, resistance bands, and hand weights helps as well.
On Mamavation TV this week, the Mamavation Mom Finalists will be on. How exciting. I'm very excited to see who will get chosen this time around.
New Year
Wow so hard to believe that it is a New Year. Where did the last one go? Hubs and I stayed in, watching the ball drop on tv, planning a trip to go to NYC to actually participate in the fun that looks like it is there. We drank some pink champagne and just had a nice little evening. D had gone to bed without too much of a fight, and finally is sleeping through most of the night.
Just wish that he would get some teeth. Almost 15 months and still no teeth, despite the fact that we see them there, and they are just hanging out waiting to bust out at once we think. But he is walking, and he seems to love to walk. It's so cool to watch him being independent. He's getting to be such a big boy.
Finally the Christmas decorations are down for this year, stowed away in new totes instead of the poor box that has travelled with us for a few moves. Finally working on getting our house in some order. It's never an easy process, but we'll get it. Next to work on getting some pictures on the wall lol.
Ok now that I've just put a bunch of random stuff in this blog, I'll end it for now. Hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year.
Just wish that he would get some teeth. Almost 15 months and still no teeth, despite the fact that we see them there, and they are just hanging out waiting to bust out at once we think. But he is walking, and he seems to love to walk. It's so cool to watch him being independent. He's getting to be such a big boy.
Finally the Christmas decorations are down for this year, stowed away in new totes instead of the poor box that has travelled with us for a few moves. Finally working on getting our house in some order. It's never an easy process, but we'll get it. Next to work on getting some pictures on the wall lol.
Ok now that I've just put a bunch of random stuff in this blog, I'll end it for now. Hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year.
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