Sunday, February 13, 2011

Trying to get back on track.....

So how do you get back on track?  well I thought if I gave myself less chance to get off track!!!  So, since last Friday was payday  (oh happy day) I made a menu for the next two weeks, made a shopping list and went to it today!  Now for my menu, I don't necessarily have a day to day plan, but more like meal options for the next two weeks or so.  I cook with lunch in mind also.  I got on Jillian Michaels.com and the Biggest Loser website and got some idea...
Turkey Avocado wrap, Lemon Shrimp, Mexican pizza, beef and portobello mushroom stroganoff, chicken salad, plus I picked some breakfast foods and a few other things.
Hopefully this will keep me from straying too much!
The other good thing that came from making a list and checking it against my coupons is that I ended up saving a little over $30 in coupons.  I had a few buy one get one free things and it was on stuff I needed!  Score for me!!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

oh the frustrations

So, a bit on the frustrated side right now... But first, a shout to Darcy and Karile for weight loss the last two weeks!  Me on the other hand looked good, then I got on the scale and it looks like I gained it all back.  But, my pants are now loose and I can where pants that were uncomfortable before.  Then lets top it off with a layer of snow and ice all over outside along with sub zero temps... so much for the walking.  can I also whine about cravings?  mmm chocolate,  cheeze its... must stop!
  I am just going to step away from the scale, take a deep breath and start new!!!

Monday, February 7, 2011

deviled eggs....

Gotta love them!

Here is my recipe
hard boiled eggs  1 doz
stone ground mustard  2 tbsp
1-2 tsp sugar
chopped up pepperoncinis mild diced and chopped fairly small after diced about 1/4 c
light miracle whip dressing..1/4 to 1/2 c depending on how many eggs you use

cut your eggs in half, saving the yolks in a bowl. Add all the other ingredients to the eggs, I whip with mixer, but you can use a potato masher, place.  Now place the egg yolk mixture in a zip lock bag, smoosh down to the bottom of the bag.  Snip the corner off the bag bottom and then squeeze the mixture into the egg white halves.  I sprinkle with a little paprika for color, then enjoy!!!!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Whats for Lunch?

Question.... Do you buy lunch or bring lunch?  If you bring lunch, to you buy pre-made or home made?  I am constantly running out of money  (hey, I am a mom!) So am trying to look to save in different areas.  My latest endeavor has been the lunch thing.  I really have not gone out for lunch that much in the last 3 years, maybe once or twice a pay period.  Then I would usually buy frozen meals to have at work.  I put a max on them of $3 each and thought that was pretty good.  But when you think about it, $3 x 20 days a month is $60 or $720 a year.  Then add in the occasional eating out at $5-10 for lunch and you can easily be up to $1000 a year.. and that is just for lunch.  So I have started making my lunch, no pre made, but actually preparing and thinking of left overs that are good lunches etc.  I can get a large box of salad greens at Costco for $3.99, I split them with a friend, so $2, then I bring to work, add some mandarin oranges, some feta cheese, some sliced deli meat, maybe a few olives ( 5 olives = 25 calories) and it tastes wonderful, was made for way cheap and to buy the equivalent at a fast food place would cost around $5.  When I fix chicken I make extra for the salad.

The other night I made a 24 hr roast ( 1 roast, any size, cheapest you can find, 1 pack of brown gravy mix, 1 package of Italian dressing mix or 1 cup of a marinade or dressing of your choice, add 2 more cups of water so you have at least 2-3 c liquid depending on the size of the roast, put in the crock pot on high over night, break apart in the morning and turn on low and then like magic loose meat roast for dinner)  I had that one night then the next night added the veggies I had in the freezer and cupboard, some onion soup mix, and then it was soup.  Or you can add BBQ sauce and have BBQ meat, or you can use the meat for enchiladas... get the picture?  I did soup, since it is dang cold out and it is a great comfort food.  Then today... had soup for lunch, probably tomorrow and then put in the freezer.  So one time cooking and how many meals?  Love it!  especially when you figure the cost per meal by the time you finish.

Well its back to work for me, dreaming of warm places, but on the other hand, cold weather brings out the comfort foods!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Chicken Enchiladas.... they just don't last

I started making these with Thanksgiving turkey left overs, but today we shall call them chicken.
5 chicken breasts
1 can enchilada sauce
1 can diced tomatoes or 1 can rotelle ( I was out!)
Put it all in the crock pot in the morning, cook on low heat and forget about it.
Come home from work and take fork and break up the meat.  Then, with a slotted spoon, move the meat over to one side and throw in about 1 1/2c rice (not minute rice).  Put the lid on and go top the dog park for about an hour.  if you do not have dogs, come to my house, take mine to the dog park.
Remove the chicken, if there is any juice left, scoop it with the chicken then "fluff up the rice and put the lid back on.  Take large tortilla (think burrito size) and put chicken and shredded cheese, sprinkle with bold taco seasoning from Penzey's spice and roll up.  If you have rotelle, you won't need the spices.  The 5 breasts filled 8 tortilla.  I placed them in a large rectangle baking pan.  Pour a can of enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese.  Cover with foil.  Bake at 350* for 25 minutes or until all cheese is melted.  Serve with a dollop of fat free sour cream and a side of rice and enjoy!!!

So I had one, the kids and 2 each then the oldest came home and took the rest and cupcakes!  Sort of funny, I texted him about the cupcakes and he came over with in 10 minutes after getting off work to get his food!