Happy Monday, Happy Week

Happy Monday fellow Readers!

The fact that it is Monday means that I’m two days closer to Friday again :)

I’m not one of those ugh I hate Monday kinda girls but I wouldn’t say I’m its biggest fan either. It just begins another weekly routine, another weekly meal plan and another chance to have a slammin super duper week!

Finals are coming up for me this week then I have a two week break! WAhoo!!! The kiddos start back to school in 2 weeks so I put one of them on school supply list duty…… I have no doubt that the list will be larger than it needs to be =l

We have a quick meal kinda week again this week. I did make a few new recipes last week that I will share with you

Oh and oh my biggest event was that the A/C went out on what seemed to be the hottest weekend in July. Somehow, by sheer miracle, it started working again just before the sun went down but we did head to the pool during the time we thought the a/c was not going to ever work again!

So here’s to my super quick meal plan for the week -

• Sunday – Buffalo chicken Wraps
• Monday – Breakfast for dinner
• Tuesday – Taco Tuesdays  (probably with chicken)
• Wednesday – Hamburger Helper (bleh-but I know the kids will eat the heck out of it)
• Thursday – Hot Dogs and Chips
• Friday  - French bread pizza with Salad
• Saturday – Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

I plan on making me a large pot of Hot Tortilla Soup again or maybe a large bowl of Garden Vegetable Soup! Either one I could eat more than once!

Have a great week y’all!

PS – Two weeks until school starts!!!! Somebody help me, help me!!

Instalife – weekly snapup

Ever have those weeks where you think back and say how is today Saturday? This was my week.

I really feel like it was just Friday….. but a week ago. When you live by a routine, your days seem to smash together to all be one big lumped up day.

Let’s see….. I worked out, tracked my food, did homework, went to work, did yard work, was followed all around my house by my lovely snoodle (son of a poodle) tried 3 (yes 3 new recipes this week) and had one heck of a wine and nails night on Thursday.

So maybe this week really wasn’t all that routine as it seemed going through it. Thursday was fun! I have this new found love for nail polish. It’s wicked and weird. I used to think nail polish made my fingers look fat but oh contraire……. I cannot get enough of painting my nails! It’s a good thing I have mastered painting my right hand because this addiction could get expensive if I had to take it to a salon! Nails on the cheap I say! I’m all about saving a buck so learning to do fun, funky things on my own is wonderful!

This is my week in a snap. Keep working, keep running and keep on moving up the ladder of success!!! Happy weekend y’all

Bacon, Egg n Cheese San’ich

My weekly routine is rearing its unicorn head again.

Every Monday we cook breakfast for dinner. Unless you were with me this past Monday – oh wait none of you were the fuming teenagers sitting in the back seat so no I guess you weren’t. We ate dinner at Mickey D’s. I have a love/hate relationship with this place. I love that it is easy on my wallet because they have their infamous $1 menu but I don’t really like anything on it. Let me take that back, I do love their fries, oh and the nuggets and I love their sweet tea, so I guess I can eat some of the clown food I like but not when I’m watching what I’m eating. Anyway we ate our nuggets, drank our tea, watched the storm roll by then headed back out on our destination.

Another place, I loved to eat at (no love/hate here just pure natural love of fat food) was (some say Aweful)Waffle House. I would always order a Bacon, egg and cheese sandwich with smothered and covered hashbrowns! Oh my -  someone please take my hand. I cannot stand it!

This is my favorite breakfast for dinner meal. There aren’t too many options you can make for breakfast that aren’t warm, sugary and fluffy. Sometimes I just don’t want warm, sugary and fluffy sitting on my plate waiting to be scarfed up for dinner. It just doesn’t gel well with my after dinner beer (just jokin ya).

You can make a leaner, healtheir version of this san’ich yourself and not feel like you just swam in a tub of lard.

{Printable Link}

You will need to grab:

• 1 – large egg
• 2 – slices of reduced calorie bread
• 2 – cooked slices of turkey bacon
• 1 – slice of your favorite low fat cheese
• 1 – Tblsp of butter for the bread
• Non stick cooking spray
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions are simple

1. Spray a skillet with non stick spray. Crack your egg in the skillet (or you can beat the egg in a bowl first if you prefer it that way), adding salt and pepper to taste.
2. Cook egg to desired doneness, making sure you flip it over to cook the other side. Salt and pepper the other side also.
3. Toast your two pieces of bread, buttering it each piece when they are done.
4. Add your slice of cheese to your toast.
5. Add your strips of bacon (already cooked and ready to eat)
6. When the egg is done, place it on top of the bacon and cheese. This way it melts the cheese and makes it even better.
7. Cut in half and serve.

If you like whip you up some hashbrowns, smothered and covered to your liking and serve it along side the best bacon, egg, n cheese san’ich you’ll have all day! My favorite hashbrowns to use are Simply Hashbrowns in the refrigerated section – possibly in the same case as the eggs. (or at least it is in my store).

Grilled Portabella Mushroom – as a burger

One thing I love about living in Florida is that we pretty much have grilling weather all year long.

We grill at least once a week.

Simple stuff.

Grilled Chipotle Lime Chicken Sandwiches, Balsamic Pork Tenderloin, Corn on the cob or my fave Stuffed Cheddar, onion, bacon burgers!

We like to grill on the open flame even though gas is faster, there is nothing better than charcoal.

I’d seen other people use mushrooms as an alternative to meat for a burger so since I love mushrooms and I love burgers, it just seemed fitting to try.

I grilled it. I liked it. I would definitely make these again and again and again.

Now I know I could’ve used a fancy shmancy bun but when you do things on the fly, this is what happens. Real life stuff!

They were full of flavor, hearty and fulfilling.

I shook things up a bit and nothing but the bun was traditional on this burg….. er mushroom!

{Printable Link}

You will need:

• 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Red wine Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp olive oil
• Sprinkle of salt
• 3-4 Portabella caps
• Roasted red peppers – to top the burger off
• Guacamole (instead of mayo)
• Munster cheese
• Anything else you wanna throw on top

Directions

1. Mix the balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, garlic, soy sauce and olive oil in a bowl.
2. Poke a few holes in the mushrooms that go all the way through.
3. Place mushrooms top side down in a rectangular container (preferably one with a lid) and pour the mixture evenly over all the mushrooms.
4. Turn the mushrooms over, letting them marinate at least 2 hours.
5. Prep your grill to a medium heat. Cover a section with aluminum foil and place mushrooms top down on the grill.
6. Flip mushrooms about every 5 minutes so that you cook it for a total of 20 minutes.
7. Grill your bun, if your into that kinda stuff!
8. Top off your burger with all the fixins’ and enjoy!

Original recipe found here

Enjoy your dinner!

Homemade Corndogs – State Fair worthy!

 

Unless you don’t like corndogs or the state fair, then these are not up to your standards.

But really there are people out there that don’t like corn dogs and State fairs?

That is un-American!

I like ‘em. I like ‘em a lot.

I know, I know, they are by no means healthy but the kids wanted more corndogs.

I wanted to make my own instead of spending $8 a box so I spent $2 on a package of hotdogs instead.

I only took a bite of one but can I just say that if you ever – ever get the notion for a corn dog, make these!

I’d already made myself a batch of Hot Tortilla Soup!

You will thank me!

They are the perfect blend of sweet and crunch!

The hardest part was getting the batter to the right consistency.

I found this recipe on one of my current blog crushes – Life as a Lofthouse. Everything I’ve made from her blog I am in absolute love with.

They are easy everyday recipes that are versions of things that you would normally either

go out to buy frozen or at a fast food place – at least the ones I’ve tried.

One adjustment you could make to these lovely’s would be hot dogs lower in points or calories – depending on what you are counting.

Since I wasn’t eating them I just made straight up Ball Park hot dogs (the best!).

The kids are still half n half – half good for them half I’m a kid and I don’t want that healthy stuff.

So most days we compromise. You gotta pick your battles……

{Printable Link}

Homemade corndogs

You will need:

• 1 cup yellow corn meal (any brand)
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 Tbls baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups milk, (I used 1% milk and it worked fine)
• 1 Tbls Vegetable oil
• 1 Tbls Honey
• 1 8 count package of hot dots or no more than 10
• 8 or 10 wooden skewers
• 2 Quarts of vegetable oil for frying (I used peanut oil – worked great)

Directions:

1. In a large pot, add your oil for frying. Turn heat to medium and heat to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix it all together.
3. In a smaller bowl combine the beaten egg, milk, vegetable oil, and honey. Mix it all together then add to the dry ingredients.
4. Stir all ingredients together. They will have a little thicker consistency than cornbread or pancakes. If it is not thick enough, add a little more flour until it is. (This was my problem)
5. Pour the batter into a tall glass or cup that will be deep enough to have the batter cover the entire hot dog.
6. Pat dry each hot dog and stick a wooden skewer in each one.
7. Dip the hot dog into the batter. Pull it out letting some of the excess fall off back into the cup. Place batter dipped hotdog into the hot oil frying it about 2-3 minutes. Holding the stick and turning it to make sure all sides get evenly cooked. Repeat this for all hotdogs.
8. Remove and place on a paper towel covered plate to absorb the excess oil.

Serve it up with mustard (yuck) or ketchup! Yum!

Menu Mondays

Here’s to hoping everyone had a great weekend!

We broke out the volleyball net and played well into the night.

Today my arms and ankles are screaming – go back to bed!

For us, the weekly menu will be an easy one. I’m finishing the last few weeks of summer school so easy foods are my friend!

Sunday – Grilled mix of chicken wings, Chipotle Lime Chicken Sandwiches and Grilled Portabella Mushroom Caps (recipe this week), grilling baked beans and fresh grilled corn on the cob.

Monday – Breakfast for dinner

Tuesday – Taco Tuesdays – Osborne style – with the best homemade corn tortillas

Wednesday – Good ole fashioned Spaghetti with a side salad and maybe fresh corn

Thursday – Left overs

Friday – Fish Fridays – Catfish oven fried and onion roasted potatoes

Saturday – Mexican Pizzas (new recipe)

Have a Great Week y’all!

P.S. only - Only 3 weeks left until school starts…….. yikes!!!

Instalife - Snap it to remember!

At first I was excited about Instagram having videos since I’d recently become a quick fan of Vine but in reality, I am a lover of photos.

There is a mystery to a photo. It tells a story without sound or movement.

Just in case you can’t solve the mysteries, here is a quick run down……

1. I think we all know where this is – can we say Yum in unison!
2. Exercise, exercise, exercise.
3. Free movie rental - what what!!
4. Um well the table gave up on holding all those totes in the garage ={ and it was hot and they were heavy trying to move them.
5. I got spanked – spanked I tell ya from a 14 yr old that ran the board in Monopoly! Glad it wasn’t real life. I went b-r-o-k-e!
6. Loved the contrast of the sunset in front of and behind me.
7. Lastly, what I do best like no other – injure myself!

And there it is – my week in a snap! Happy Weekend Y’all!

Weekly regimen…

Here it is. I’m laying it all out for ya, my plan for working out this week and pretty much the next several weeks in the future.

I work out in the evening. I already get up to dang early so I don’t want to set myself up for another level of failure. If I’m home and I sit, I can easily think, Get up Sara – you could couch potato (I honestly never get to do this but for sayings sake) for 30 minutes or get in a work out.

I like running. My knees don’t, but I do. I hear a good shoe will do a body good so until I can get a pair of those, my knees will hurt….when I run.

I don’t run everyday, only 3 days a week and right now only 3 miles. So I will log it, update it, and share it – with you.

I am held captive by my own schedule at times and because of this I limit my workouts to around 30 minutes. After careful (meaning I googled highest rated 30 minute workout – big stuff here) review, I decided on Gillian Michaels – Ripped in 30. Not that I will be ripped in 30 (maybe) but it is a powerful workout in 30 minutes.

She yells at me.

I’m done and can move on to the next item of business. 

So here it is – what I’ve done this week so far and how I plan on wrapping it up.

Sunday – Rest day

Monday – Ran

Tuesday – Ripped in 30

Wednesday - (honestly planned on running) – One of those life gets in the way days

Thursday – Ripped in 30

Friday – Run

Saturday – Ripped in 30

What I really, really want is T25 by beachbody. I hear this is awesome. Anyone out there use this? What are your thoughts?

I have two friends that have and they both love it. Neither live here or I’d be on it!

As some say  - Git ‘er done!

Healthy Breakfast

Lets kick things off with one of my versions of a healthy breakfast. Everyone has their own in mind but this is mine.

I love grits. I didn’t used to but I sure do now. I like “fried eggs”. I didn’t used to but I can take them from time to time.

I am a carb girl. I love carbs. I like bread so I like reduced calorie Honey Wheat bread.

You could substitute the grits for homemade hash browns, we like those too.

Fried egg, grits and Toast Breakfast

Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• Non stick spray
• 1/3 cup grits
• 1/2 cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 TBS shredded cheese - optional
• 2 slices reduced calorie bread (any kind, any brand)
• 1 TBS real spreadable butter

*Optional Starbucks coffee made at home – So good!

Directions:

1. Spray skillet with non stick spray. Crack egg and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook to desired doneness – is that a word?.
2. In a microwave bowl, add grits, salt to taste and water. Cook for 1 minute. Add shredded cheese if you like that kind of stuff :)
3. Pop 2 slices of bread in the toaster. When they are done, spread on the butter.
4. Plate it all up and vuala – you have breakfast. Now if you wanna get a little frisky, cook up some turkey bacon to go with that.

It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s healthy. It’s yummy!

Good morning (er afternoon) and good day to you! Another day we will make an egg san’ich.

We fall off…..

It seems lately that I’m falling off more than I’m jumping on – the wagon that is. My mind has been in a strange place lately. One day I am on top and then before you know it I am right back smack down on the hard tiled floor.

I am scrambling. I am not a scrambler. I am a planner. I work best with a well thought out, organized, pre-determined plan. Sure I take into account the unexpected, while I am willing the forces of nature to never let that be an actual possibility. I am a planner. I am an organizer. I am a go getter. I fight with fierce compassion to the very end. When I run out of steam, I have an internal generator that keeps me going.

I’m not quiet sure how my days became so gelled together over the past 3….4….5 months but they did. I walked in a haze sometimes blissfully unaware that I was out of sync with my natural state as a planner. If you’ve hung around during my state of unawareness, I say thank you. Thank you for not deserting me. Thank you for still reading my little place in cyberspace.

With a new light comes a new direction. I do have new things for the future that I am really excited about and I hope to get going soon, some things involve that great husband of mine so that takes time (whole other topic), so while I still plan on passing along great recipes of yumminess and great tips and ideas that I think you might like, I am going to start to use my blog to keep me accountable. I need this. I am a planner, if I plan I will succeed. Along with weekly meal plans, I am going to lay out my weekly workout plan too. Of course life happens but if I have a place to keep me accountable I will work hard to not fail.