My birthday and getting back on track

My company treats our birthday as a holiday- so I had Friday off. Which was fun.

I started it off with a run with my pup.

Waiting for him to be done sniffing....

I got discouraged mid run and started writing a blog in my head...

But we finished strong and made an egg sammie for breakfast when we got home.

After my run I headed to the DMV to renew my license- I can now drive legally for another 8 years. =)  Then I headed to my sister's- we planned to go to a children's consignment sale.  But we didn't- it looked packed and crazy when we arrived so we headed to the mall instead. We wandered and mostly window shopped. I did make some purchases at Michael's-- they now carry some Bible journaling supplies. I got the date stamp I have been wanting for ages as well as a red stamp pad... some stickers, washi tape and a stamp set. =) Happy, happy. =)

For lunch I made the very unhealthy choice of Johnny Rockets... but boy was it delicious!

When I arrived home Mikayla was in the midst of making the yummy little numbers-

My birthday greeting from Pampered Chef!

Rhett took the evening off so we all hit up Ruby Tuesday for my birthday dinner. The first time the 5 of us have gone out together in ages... It was so fun! We laughed so much.

My birthday gift was cold hard cash- I am planning to get a new GPS watch and running shoes- I am debating between these two but 90% sure I'm going with the blue ones since they match my current running wardrobe better.... but man I love the red ones! I'm also getting one of those hands free leashes for my runs with Chance.

Saturday morning I went for a run with Mom and Becca- It was a little rainy but good. I enjoyed it. 4.15 miles- my longest run in quite sometime. Planning to get back to running more. The springtime 10K is so close! Also the Syracuse Half is moving to November and I'm pretty sure its going to be on my fall race schedule.

In the evening I had a Pampered Chef party at one of my best friends house.  We made these Tropical Wantons- a little labor intensive but tasty.

Today I am getting back on track- I got up and did Total Body Cardio.  Followed by a veggie egg scramble and devo time.

Healthy lunch and snack packed in my Make and Take Mason Jar Set.

2.20

After a weekend away and an entire week of not really following the 21 day fix plans- I'm getting back on track today... starting my third round of the challenge-

This morning I made eggs in my NEW Ceramic Egg Cooker (available March 1). I kinda like it. Its pretty and sleek. It works great.

Yesterday we posted a live video over on my Pampered Chef page using it. We made a chocolate mug cake yesterday, which came out kinda great. I think tomorrow I will try oatmeal in it.

My only hold back is I still love the old microwave egg cooker- which works amazing for making eggs for egg sammies- one of my favs!

But the new one is pretty nice too. Its smallish so it doesn't take up much room...and it maybe sent to college with Mikayla in the fall ;-)

Ryan and Hannah both used it after dinner to make themselves a chocolate mug cake for dessert.

Spinach salad for lunch in my make and take mason jar set.





I still need to plan the rest of my menu for the week and make my tracking spread in my bullet journal.

















I made it to 100 likes on my pampered chef page! Actually last count I had 102!

I may have ordered a few more spring products! Here's hoping they make it here for Friday's party! :D

T.G.I.F.

I'm feeling a little grumpy/discouraged today. Escaping into blog world for a little bit to cope.  It's Friday so at least there's that. Going out with my best friend on our post-poned date- so there's that too.

 Here are my pizzas from last night. I'm pretty proud of them!

I made Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Pretzel, BBQ Chicken Pizza (Mikayla's request) and 21-day-fix buffalo chicken pizzas.

Storm's been trying to sit on the heater lately- I guess he's finding it pretty chilly this time of year.

It doesn't look like much but Oh my, was it delicious! It is one of the stuffed peppers I prepped the other night.  When I was packing my lunch this morning I decided to give it a chop with my salad choppers, much to Hannah's amusement.  It made it much easier to eat at work ;-)

Vanilla with blueberries today...

I'm trying to decide if I am going to do another round of 21 day fix- on the one hand I'm enjoying the results I have seen so far. They haven't been drastic but I haven't exactly been putting my all into it- imagine what might happen if I did.

But sometimes you just wanna eat the darn pizza!

The shakes are expensive! Do I really need to be dishing out an extra $100 or so a month?

The challenge has helped me be more mindful about portions and what I put into my body.

Aside from this week- I have been doing pretty good at exercising everyday. So that's a big improvement. =)

I am finding I feel a lot better, and I'm starting to like the way I look again. So there are definite pluses to continuing...

But sometimes I just don't want to deal with it- I want to get the fish dinner w fries and not feel guilty about it. :-P and coleslaw counts as a veggie right??

I'm thinking I may continue- but not be so strict at dinner or on the weekends- while still being mindful of portions and making the healthier choices ;-) We'll see...part of me is afraid if I am not part of an active challenge I will fall off the band wagon all together. =/

They're coming. . . I can't wait to get mine! My Spring Reveal Party- 2 weeks from tonight! 

a zoodle-ing we'll go

The family has been sick this week. Seems like the plague is going around. But everyone seemed on the mend yesterday- back to school and work for all.

Last night I made Orange Chicken. First night I made dinner all week- well I guess it was only two days- but it felt like an eternity! Anyways- the chicken was pretty delish.

Ryan was mildly disappointed expecting "The one with noodles" a pampered chef recipe I used to make semi frequently.  I looked it up again this morning and it's not that different. I think I might try and mash them up and make a healthier version although still probably not quite 21 day fix approved.

This morning I was able to get back at my 21 day fix.  I did yoga fix this morning. Followed by yogurt and berries for breakfast- I wasn't really feeling it though. I ate maybe half and packed up the rest for my afternoon snack {in my make and take snack jar of course ;-)}

I had my shake- today I made vanilla shakeology with mangoes and strawberries.

In my earlier (pizza) post I mentioned turkey I had out for lunch prep.

 I finally, finally made the turkey meatballs and zoodles. If you recall back to when I started the first round of 21 day fix this was one of  the recipes I was most excited to try.  But for some reason I never got around to it! Well, last night I did. I made about half the recipe so I could use the other half of the turkey to make two stuffed peppers- also for lunches at a later date. #mealprep

I debated on actually posting the recipe since its not "mine" but if you search it on pinterest- its all over the place.

It appears it is part of the 21 Day Fix Extreme program meal plan. So here goes-

Turkey Meatballs & Zoodles

Makes 6 servings, 5 meatballs each. One serving= 1 Red and 1/2 Yellow (with Zoodles 1 Green)

 Nonstick cooking spray
1.5 lbs raw 93% lean ground turkey breast
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. smoked paprika (I forgot the paprika)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (or pressed)
12 fresh parsley sprigs, finely chopped (was really wishing for one of those new PC spring products here!)
2 Tbsp. tomato sauce, no sugar added

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. Lightly coat large baking sheet (or stone) with spray; set aside
3. Combine turkey, salt, mustard, paprika, egg, oats, garlic, parsley, and tomato sauce in classic (batter) bowl; mix well by hand
4. Roll mixture into 30 1-inch meatballs. (I used the small scoop for this) Place on prepared baking sheet. <<-- or of course a stone for this ;-) Medium bar pan worked for half-- you might need the large bar pan for full recipe.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the middle.
For the zoodles- I simply spiralized the zucchini with my handy dandy veggie spiralizer and then sauted in in very little EVOO with 1 minced (pressed) clove of garlic for literally 2 minutes. I popped the zoodles, 5 meatballs, a little sauce and a sprinkle of parm in a bowl. Two minutes in the microwave at work and Bam! Healthy, tasty, lunch. #21dayfixapproved It was yummy. I was completely full and satisfied.

I'm thinking about getting Autumn's cookbook Fixate because well- I am a cookbook junkie mostly. It'd be nice though to have a bunch of {healthy} recipes in one place. I am working on making my own 21 day fix recipe binder with recipes I find are keepers.  Right now its a jumbled mess.

PS I also made the above graphics, as well as the national pizza day one from earlier,  myself using the Canva app on my phone. I just downloaded it last night and it is so fun to play with! I'm pretty proud of them!

I saw the below meme on Facebook this morning and it kinda cracked me up- and yes I will judge you if you don't have any pampered chef in your kitchen. :P

And it reminded me of this post from a few years back- 

In other Pampered Chef News---

My Spring Paperwork came yesterday! Pretty stoked about it! I can't wait to try all the new recipes!! Already have planned what I am making at my spring reveal ;-) Its gonna be pretty tasty! You don't want to miss it!

My first attempt at the Canva App -- I made this last night. The products are all back there! I will be un-blurring it to reveal more every couple-few days on the event page! 

PIZZA! PIZZA!

It's national pizza day! I wish I had realized it sooner- I would have been better prepared. You have no idea how much this excites me!  Pizza is my all-time-most-favorite-food-ever!

Every Thursday is Pizza Nite at our house- sometimes we buy it, some times I buy frozen or refrigerated, sometimes we make it from scratch.  Lately I have been making a lot of 21 day fix approved pizzas. But we almost always have pizza on Thursday!  In fact Hannah was  in a panic last night when she saw ground turkey sitting on the counter after supper-- but tomorrow's pizza night! she sputtered.  No worries Hannah- it wasn't for the next night's dinner- I was just  doing a little lunch meal prep. ;-)  Pizza night was safe!

I'm running a little giveaway over on my Facebook Page- Go check it out.

Here are ways to enter- and in fact if you comment here- I will enter you as well ;-)

How Do you pizza? Post a pic of your pizza --> bonus points if you have any Pampered Chef in the  pic! ;-) Name the 6 pampered chef recipes in my National Pizza Day Graphic ^^^^.

Here's an extra bonus- add an order to my Spring Reveal Party or any OPEN February Party on my website and I will give you 10% off any pizza related products ;-) ie the Kids Pizza set, the pizza cutter, pizza crust mix, Italian seasoning or any of the pans/stones below.  Order must be added TODAY and TODAY ONLY for this special deal ;-) It MUST be a party order ;-) ;-)

I'm wearing my Pizza Christmas tree sock in honor of today! 

I saw some pizza LulaRoe leggings on Facebook this morning ;-) They'd be a great Birthday gift ;-) ;-) haha!

This picture just sums it all up! =)

Oh yes I almost forgot! Here's a link to my Pizza Pin Board ;-)


Are you celebrating National Pizza Day? What's you favorite kind of slice? Do you own any of the aforementioned Pampered Chef "pizza" pans?

It's a Brand New Day!

For Today {February 1, 2017}  Fresh month. New goals.  A chance to begin again and let go of bad attitudes and frustrations.  I've been really frustrated and discouraged the past few days...trying to let it all go and leave it in God's hands.

Looking out my window fresh snow, chilly temps...It's February all right ;-)

I am thinking 

I am thankful I haven't done too well on my gratitude the past week or so. {Maybe part of the attitude problem.}  I'm thankful for wonderful friends who pray.  For coffee and catching up with a friend. Dinner plans with another Friday. =)

One of my favorite things Dunkin Blueberry Coffee... I hadn't had any since New Years...this week I have had two.  One Friday after the 5K and then Monday when I went out with a friend for cocoa/coffee at DD. <3

I am wearing 

Pilates Fix this morning 

I am creating a healthier me!

I am learning you can't really read it I guess.  But my devotional  was all about stepping out into the future God has for you.  Letting go of the past.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
 Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."   

--Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

In my kitchen 

After dinner last night I realized I still had a protein and a fruit available-- so I had a little snack/dessert. Just what the Dr ordered. Berries and Greek Yogurt... becoming a fav. With a drizzle of honey and just a smidge of granola =)  I was even able to resist my coffee bean M&Ms after that.

Lunch!  This amused me far more than it probably should have...

Board room  

Pinned: DisneyLove

Source: Etsy

Post Script Psalms are my favorite! I was excited to see this on Instagram this morning.

https://instagram.com/p/BP979h9hNe9/

Shared Quote 

A moment from my day ...everyday...

 

Closing Notes: My word for 2017 is PRAYER.  But I am finding that for February I need to work on Confidence again-- its come back to me about a million times already this week so there you have it.

the will to go on...

It's been a roller coaster up and down couple a days.

This morning I spent a little time here- to get myself grounded and focused again...

I love this page, the Psalms, my notes, reminders of God's care and provision and prayers answered. <3

• And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19 ESV
• Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us... Ephesians 3:20 NIV
• I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

Random Puppy pic~

I kinda derailed myself yesterday.  After eating the below {delicious} popcorn for my afternoon snack I realized I had totally screwed up. Well not totally, every thing I had eaten was healthy and on the plan. But not paying attention I had messed up the container counts. Putting me over one yellow (at that point) however instead of making good dinner choices- I was frustrated and had tacos... with chips and salsa. And ... then ate some coffee bean M&M's followed by BB coffee at DD.

But I'm trying to get things back on track today.

Lunch (yesterday):
  Loaded Sweet Potato -can be made ahead of time and reheated (just keep yogurt mix separate)
• 1 medium sweet potato
• 1/8 cup fat free Greek Yogurt (plain)
• ¼ tsp taco seasoning
• ¼ tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ¼ red bell pepper, diced
• 1/8 onion, diced
• ¼ tsp. chili powder
• Pinch of paprika
• Pinch of cumin
• Small pinch of salt (kosher or Himalayan)
• ½ cup of canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/8 cup of salsa
 • 2 T shredded low fat cheddar
• sprinkle of green onions

Directions:
• Poke holes in the potato with a fork, cook on your microwave’s potato setting until potatoes are soft and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes on high for 4 potatoes). If you don't have a microwave, bake about 35-40 minutes at 400°F.
• Combine yogurt and taco seasoning in a small bowl, mix well.
 • Heat oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add peppers, onions, chili powder, paprika, cumin and salt; cook until the onions have caramelized slightly, about 5 minutes. Add black beans, stir to combine and heat through (about another 5 minutes).
 • Slice the potato lengthwise down the middle, use a fork to pierce the top in an oval shape, then remove the top of each potato. Top with 2 tbsp shredded cheese, black bean mixture, 2 tbsp Greek yogurt mixture and 2 tbsp salsa of salsa. Enjoy!

On Saturday I made this Spicy Thai Shrimp Stir-fry- It was really yummy! I also made the same thing with chicken as well as we don't all like shrimp....both were equally yummy!

I have started a pin board of Successful 21 day fix recipes!



-You're invited! Feb 24 at my house- followed by a virtual reveal on the Facebook Event =)

Want to have your own party in February? I still have a few dates left! Message me for details and to reserve your bonus prize! Remember you don;'t have to love close by! As long as you are in the great USA we can party together ONLINE! =D