Love it.

Grocery Budgeting

I just had to share this!!  We've been using the below 'envelope' budgeting tracking system for the month of January and WOW!!  It works SO well.  We've tried spending a certain budgeted amount on groceries for awhile now, sometimes sticking to that number but most often not sticking to that number.  It became more of a buy what we need (or what we thought we needed!) and try not to buy too many extra's (i.e. packaged cookies, fruit snacks, and all those other 'expensive' pre-packed goodies!!!).  But with setting some new financial goals this year, this is coming in very handy.  Again, thank you Pinterest for this great find :)  I hope this video works:

Envelope budgeting system (click here)

Let me know if you try it!

xo
Tracy

Checking in :)

I feel pretty good about the past week, exercise and eating wise!  Kettlebell classes have started again and boy am I feeling it!!  Abs, glutes, quads, hamstrings, etc, etc, etc ... hurts so good ;)  I love those classes!  It was my 1 yr 'anniversary' on Tuesday, attending two times a week for a full year.  There were a few breaks and I missed a couple of classes here and there but it is definitely routine now, which I am proud of!  Now I need to add a few more exercise days/week into my routine and make healthy eating more 'routine' :)  A friend has started a FB group, where we encourage each other to drink an adequate amount of water each day and make healthy eating choices and share tips, tricks and recipes.  I'm looking forward to the accountability that this group will provide!

My laundry goal  is going good although it has changed!  I'm finding it much easier to wash and dry a load every day and put it away the next day.  Putting the laundry away is the hard part because of Reese's nap time and the kid's going to bed so early.  But I am getting more laundry done throughout the week and avoiding the weekend pile-up that is so overwhelming (5 people create A LOT of laundry!!)!!

And goal #3 - earlier bedtime.  I made it ... into bed before or at 11:30 every day!  But I've discovered being in bed at 11:30 really doesn't do much good when I read or play on the iPad until 1 am or later.  So this week's new 'bedtime' goal is to be in bed, light's off and attempting to sleep by 11:30 pm!  Being meet week this week (Cameron's Closet), this will be difficult.  I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, as I do 90% of my work late into the night but I'm going to find a way and make it work.  I need to be better rested, for myself and my family!

So there's a quick update :)  I hope your week went well and once again, feel free to comment (anonymous comments are welcome ;) )!!!

xo 

Tracy

Resolutions?!

Not for this gal!  I have never had much success with New Years Resolutions!  I say much success because to a certain degree I have followed through on many of my New Years Resolutions ... But I think the main problem is that my 'resolutions' are never specific enough and are often very broad.  I need to break them down into smaller, more attainable goals.  So here I go!!!

Goals for January:

1. Lose 5 lbs by February 1st (more then attainable and realistic, hopefully the number will be more like 10 lbs!!)

2. Do 1 load of laundry every second day.  (I would love to say every day but that ain't going to happen!!  And by completely, I mean folded and PUT AWAY!!)

3. Be in bed by 11:30 pm every night for the nights of January 7th to January 11th (I have to work up to this ;)  I will re-evaluate on the 11th and hopefully move on to in bed by 11 pm!!) 

And that is all for now!!  I have great ideas and want to write out a whole list of goals but I am trying to be realistic :)  I'd love if someone, anyone (lol) would comment on this post with some of your own goals for January!  Maybe together we can motivate each other?!  I have no idea who reads this blog other then my family and a few others who have mentioned to me that they read it!!  It's a bit strange to be honest, not knowing who is 'out there'!!! 

I will end with this, my more broader 'resolution' for 2013 and my wish for you!  I found this onPinterest and LOVE it: 

xo
Tracy

Happiness

Wonderful, wonderful statement and reminder that money does not = happiness.                                   

{although I have to admit I'd love the chance to confirm that ;) }

This & That!

True 'dat!



This made me laugh!!


~ T

Yum Yum!

I have so many ideas for this blog, but no time to post!!! 

I've been trying a lot of new recipes lately and in September we tried our hand at meal planning.  It went quite well, we definitely ate out less (goal!) although we didn't always follow the "plan"!! 

Here is one recipe we tried this month:

Cheesy Cheddar 'n Ham Loaf

prep time 15 min
total time 1 hr 5 min
makes 6

What you need: 1 lb. (450 g) refrigerated Pizza Dough, 1/2 lb. (225 g) sliced deli Black Forest ham, 1 cup Kraft Double Cheddar Shredded Cheese, 1/4 cup Miracle Whip Dressing, 1 egg (beaten), 1 Tbsp. Kraft 100% Parmesan Grated Cheese


HEAT oven to 350°F. Roll dough on lightly floured surface to 12x8-inch rectangle. (If dough is difficult to roll, cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 30 min. before rolling out.) Cover dough with ham, overlapping slices slightly and leaving a 1/2-inch border around all sides. Mix Cheddar cheese and dressing; spread over ham.

MOISTEN edges of dough with water. Starting at 1 of the long sides, fold 1/3 of dough over filling; repeat with other long side. Firmly pinch ends of dough together to seal. Place, seam-side down, on lightly greased baking sheet. Cut 3 diagonal slits in top of dough with kitchen shears. Brush with egg; sprinkle with Parmesan.
BAKE 35 to 40 min. or until golden brown. Cool 10 min. before slicing to serve.

Healthy Living, Good news! You'll save 50 calories, 4 g total fat and 2.5 g saturated fat per serving by preparing with whole wheat pizza dough, Kraft Double Cheddar Shredded Cheese Light- Made with 2% Milk, Miracle Whip Calorie-Wise Dressing and Kraft 100% Light Parmesan Grated Cheese.
 
Pizza Loaf: Omit Parmesan. Prepare substituting 16 pepperoni slices for the ham, Kraft Mozzarella Shredded Cheese for the Cheddar and 1/3 cup pizza sauce for the 1/4 cup dressing.
 
Veggie Lover's Loaf: Omit Parmesan. Prepare substituting 2 cups chopped cooked broccoli and 1/2 cup shredded carrots for the ham and Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread for the dressing.
 
We did the ham and cheddar loaf and it was delicious!!!  But I'll do the veggie one next for my lil' veggie lover's :)
 
Let me know if you try it!!
 
ttyl
 
~ T