Trials of a Long Haired Girl

As we continue Savings Saturday for week two, how did we do?  How many words did I find? How much money did I save for this week?  Let's find out!   Thursday: Wine Tasting [Puzzle 258], I found 7 words in 4 minutes. Friday: Boy Bands and Girl Groups [Puzzle 246], I found 9 words in 4 minutes. Monday: Populated Places in South Africa [Puzzle 13], I found 2 words in 1 minutes. Tuesday: Positive Adjectives [Puzzle 8], I found 15 words in 6 minutes. Wednesday: In The Office [Puzzle 182], I found 8 words in 4 minutes. So my total to go into savings for the week two: $41.00 Savings Total for this challenge: $21.00 + $41.00.   Interested in seeing this on video?  Here's the video link to YouTube . Have a great day friends!  

I hesitate to even call this a recipe.  I have been making this super easy, but versatile recipe for years.  My ex-grandmother-in-law made hers spicier, but for my young one (at the time I started making this) wasn't a fan of spicy foods.  So I created a cheeseburger variety of the meat pie.  It's simply Grands biscuits, hamburger meat and cheese.  I believe she used the standard biscuit, but I have been using Grands for years.  You can absolutely change this up to use different ingredients, but it's a family favorite so I haven't changed it much.  I may do a different variety soon to bring to you!   You can watch the video here:  YouTube

Happy Monday, friends!  I hope you are looking forward to a good week!  It's time again to share my meal plan for the week.  I suspect breakfasts will be fend for ourselves.  Last week, I think we all ate a lot of cereal.  Lunches this week will likely be chicken pasta meal with salad and meat pies.  I am honestly exhausted after last week. Our meals for the week are going to be relatively easy and may even be repeats of meals I have had on the plan the last several weeks. Monday: Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Mac Tuesday: Barbacoa tacos Wednesday: Mississippi Chicken, mashed potatoes and a vegetable Thursday: Spaghetti with salad and garlic knots Friday: Easy Chicken Parmesan Saturdays and Sundays, we normally have breakfast in and do carryout for lunch or dinner.  Exercise wise, I will continue with my plan from last week, which was to do two workouts using my pedals, at least 10 minutes each) on Monday-Wednesday-Friday.  I did this las...

 As we are trying to drill down on our budget and add to our savings, I decided to have a little fun with it.  We headed to Barnes & Noble and purchased 2 Word Find books, one is 365 Days of Puzzles and the other is a book of Bible Puzzles.  The 365 Puzzle book is pretty interesting in that it varies in topic.  My puzzles for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week were:  Monday: Disco [Puzzle 50], I found 10 words in 6 minutes. Tuesday: Quantum Mechanics [Puzzle 192], 5 words in 4 minutes. Wednesday: Languages of Africa [Puzzle 299], 6 words in 4 minutes. So my total to go into savings for the first week: $21.00 Savings Total for this challenge: $21.00. I have decided to only do a puzzle on the weekdays, but not the weekends for this challenge.  Why?  Being honest, there are some days/some weeks, like end of the month that get a bit overwhelming.  Only doing a puzzle 5 days per week, gives me an opportunity to do one on the weekend if the ...

Happy Monday, friends!  I hope you are looking forward to a good week!  It's time again to share my meal plan for the week.  I suspect breakfasts will be fend for ourselves.  Last week, I think we all ate a lot of cereal.  Lunches this week will likely be chicken salad and a pasta meal.  I, unfortunately, got hit with a round of vertigo at the end of last week that is wrecking havoc on my ability to move too much and it stinks.  I will be going back to what the allergy doctor suggested a couple of years ago...using my daily oral meds (Xyzal and Mucinex), as well as nasal rinse twice a day and nasal allergy spray.  While I know that vertigo for everyone isn't caused by the fluid in the ears, it seems to be for me most times when I've had it.  It's miserable when I can't even sit up without feeling nauseous. Anyway, for that reason, our meals for the week are going to be relatively easy and may even be repeats of meals I have had on the plan th...

 S’mores Protein Bites Recipe You can find the original recipe  here  from Six Sisters' Stuff.  The one below is the way I prepared it. Ingredients 1½ cups Simple Truth Old Fashioned Oats ¼ cup crushed graham cracker crumbs ½ cup Simple Truth almond butter ½ cup raw honey ¼ cup vanilla protein powder (I used Orgain Vanilla Protein Powder) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup mini marshmallows ¼ cup mini chocolate chips Instructions Combine all ingredients in a bowl or stand mixer until well combined. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet covered with foil or parchment paper. Place in the freezer for about 1 hour, then store in a resealable bag or airtight container in the fridge for up to a week (or in the freezer for up to a month). This original recipe says 15 servings.  I am not sure if I used a smaller scoop but I came out with 25 or so.  There were a couple that were smaller.

TACO MEATBALLS   1 lb Ground Turkey 3 Tbsp Taco Seasoning 1 Tbsp. Ranch Seasoning 1/4 cup Green Onions (chopped) 1/4 cup Cheddar Cheese 2 Tsp Garlic Cloves 1.     Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line large baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.* 2.     In a large mixing bowl, add turkey, cheese, green onions, garlic, Taco and Ranch Seasoning and mix well using your hands. Form into 16 to 18 golf ball size meatballs (I use small ice cream scoop). 3.    Bake meatballs in for 15 minutes or until browned. Flip halfway through cooking time: This allows meatballs to brown on both sides, especially great if serving as an appetizer. Suggestions for serving: Serve hot with brown rice/quinoa, guacamole and pico de gallo. Or serve as an appetizer. We are going to serve as a Taco Bowl, with Spanish Cauliflower Rice and beans. 

  This recipe was my Mom's recipe that she submitted to the PTA years ago when I was in elementary school.  The recipe books were mimeographed and stapled together.  Hungry Man Cornbread (original recipe from memory) : 2 packages of cornbread mix (she used Martha White), prepared according to the package. 1 pound of ground beef, browned (usually with onion) American Cheese Slices Prepare your cornbread according to the package.  Brown your ground beef with onion, if desired, and seasonings of your choosing.  Prepare a 9 X 13 inch pan.  Pour half of your cornbread mixture (or if you prepare them one at a time, put one package of cornbread mix, prepared) in the bottom of the pan.  Top with your ground beef mixture, then top the ground beef mixture with Cheese Slices.  Top all of this with the other half of your prepared cornbread mix.  Cook on 400 for about 20 to 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Hungry Man Cornbread ( Tracey's wa...

  Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita & Quinoa Soup 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed 4 bell peppers, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 4 cups water 1 1/2 Tbsp Better Than Bullion Chicken Juice of 1 lime 1 (10 oz) can Rotel 1 (15 oz) can black 1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder 1 Tbsp cumin 2 tsp. paprika 2 tsp. salt Toppings (optional): Cilantro, avocado, shredded cheese - In a 6-quart slow cooker, add chicken and the rest of ingredients, cover and place on high for 3 to 4 hours or low 6 to 8 hours. - Remove chicken and shred with two forks then add back into the slow cooker. Season with additional salt and seasonings if needed. - Spoon soup into bowls and top with favorite toppings, enjoy! I used this recipe as my guide.  This is the link to the WW recipe .

SLOW COOKER CRACK POTATO SOUP Serves 8 Equipment: 6-qt Slow Cooker Ingredients: 1 (30 to 32-oz) bag frozen diced hash browns 3 (14.5-oz) cans chicken broth 1 (10.75-oz) can Campbell's 98% fat free cream of chicken soup 1 (1-oz) package Ranch Salad Dressing mix 1 package (2.8 oz.) of Simple Truth bacon pieces  1 cups Velveeta 1 (12-oz) package whipped cream cheese Instructions: Combine hash browns, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, Ranch dressing mix, and bacon in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. 15 minutes before serving, stir in cheddar cheese and cream cheese until melted. Use a whisk to get cream cheese incorporated into soup. Here's the link for the original recipe: https://www.plainchicken.com/slow-cooker-crack-potato-soup/ The link to the WW recipe: https://cmx.weightwatchers.com/details/MEMBERRECIPE:63444883a5435c5137cdf3c1

Serves 8 6 large Egg(s) 1 1⁄2Tbsp Fage Total 0% Nonfat Greek strained yogurt plain 3 links, Diced Eckrich Smok-Y Original Breakfast Sausage 5 biscuits Pillsbury Grands! Jr Golden Layers Buttermilk Biscuits 18 items Egg whites (a serving is 3 Tsp and we need 18 Tsp for this) • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. • Layer: biscuits, Smok-Y links, egg mixture (egg whites, eggs, Greek Yogurt) and any seasonings to your pan last. • Cook at 350 for approximately 20-25 minutes.

A big THANK YOU to Joan for allowing me the opportunity to participate in this collaboration.   I used this recipe as my guide for this Pumpkin Chili.  I saw it and had everything for it in my pantry, so I decided on this recipe. Ingredients:  1 to 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil ** 1 onion, diced (about 1 cup) 2 carrots, diced (about 1 cup) 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons tomato paste Pinch of red pepper flakes 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth 2 (15-ounce) cans fire roasted diced tomatoes, with their juices (regular petite diced tomatoes will work, too 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus m...

 Goals:  1. Track. 2. Drinking 3-25 oz. cups of water or 4-20 oz. cups of water. 3. Workouts for 30 minutes each day for 5 days of the week. 4. PT/Stretching for at least 5 days of the week. 5.      Reading/Studying - 30 minutes per day. 6.      Progress Photos Daily. Breakfast: coffee, collagen peptides and So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Milk Creamer  Lunch: 2 cups of Romaine Lettuce, 1 cup of Baby Spinach, 1 Persian Cucumber, about a 1/4 of tomato, 17 Club Mini crackers  Dinner: Arby's again. I had a French Dip, I did not use the Au Jus, I had some curly fries and cheese sticks.  My husband bought a large curly fry for us to split but I did not eat all of mine.  Note to self, fried foods seem to be doing a number on me.   Tracking: 𝚇 Water: ✔ Workouts: 𝚇 - I did hit my step goal, but no formal work out. PT: 𝚇 Progress Photo: 𝚇 Reading/Studying: ✔

 Goals:  1. Track. 2. Drinking 3-25 oz. cups of water or 4-20 oz. cups of water. 3. Workouts for 30 minutes each day for 5 days of the week. 4. PT/Stretching for at least 5 days of the week. 5.      Reading/Studying - 30 minutes per day. 6.      Progress Photos Daily. Breakfast: Cinnamon Life Cereal with 1/3 cup of 2% milk Lunch: 1 Persian Cucumber, 1 serving of Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Dip, 17 Club Mini crackers, about a cup of grapes Dinner: Ground Turkey Enchiladas, Refried Black Beans, Cauliflower Spanish Rice. Tracking: ✔ Water: ✔ Workouts: ✔ PT: ✔ Progress Photo: ✔ Reading/Studying: ✔

 Today is a new month and I'm trying to refocus to get my health back on track.   Goals:  1. Track. 2. Drinking 3-25 oz. cups of water or 4-20 oz. cups of water. 3. Workouts for 30 minutes each day for 5 days of the week. 4. PT/Stretching for at least 5 days of the week. 5.      Reading/Studying - 30 minutes per day. 6.      Progress Photos Daily. Breakfast: coffee, collagen peptides and So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Milk Creamer  Lunch: 1 Persian Cucumber, 4 pieces of Hormel Naturals Ham, 1 piece of Provolone, 17 Club Mini crackers  Snack: Two Good Vanilla Yogurt with a drained unsweetened fruit cup mixed in. Dinner: Arby's roast beef sandwich, curly fries and 3 cheese sticks and ranch. Tracking: ✔ Water: ✔ Workouts: ✔ PT: ✔ Progress Photo: ✔ Reading/Studying: ✔

  I managed to check off those 3 goals yesterday.  I even managed to get in 250 steps per hour, 7 out of 10 hours yesterday and took a 15 minute walk around lunch time.   Daily Goals:  ✔- Drink 75 oz.  ✔- Workout 30 minutes  ✔-Track/Blue Dot

 Today, I'm hitting the reset button.  I can't really explain what happened, but my get up and go got up and went without me.  My birthday is quickly approaching and I'm determined to get some good habits back under my belt before then.  It's definitely a process to get these good habits going, but I'm back to my habits checklist.  My primary focus right now is my water, tracking and getting in a 30 minute workout.  Daily Goals:  ✔- Drink 75 oz.  ✔- Workout 30 minutes  ✔-Track/Blue Dot  

  So here's what I did Thursday (Week 3, Day 4): Workout :  Breakfast : Lunch : Dinner :  Taco Bell Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme and a Bean Burrito.  Tracked it and moved on.  No picture.  Picture : Daily Goals:  ✔- Drink 75 oz.  ✔- Workout 30 minutes  ✔- Picture  ✔- Read  ✔-Track/Blue Dot  ✔-Stretching

 So here's what I did Wednesday (Week 3, Day 3): Workout :  I picked this one from the 3 Mile Category, thinking it would only be about 40 minutes long like the one above it, but I got more than my 30 minutes in! Breakfast : I was craving something with eggs and I was in a hurry after that long workout so this is what I came up with.  Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower, with 2 egg whites and one 1 and 1/8 cup of Trader Joe's Lite Cheese Blend and my coffee and pineapple. Lunch : I had a delicious filled pita yesterday but it sort of fell apart, so I "deconstructed" it for today's lunch! I had to do 2 screen shots because it wouldn't all fit on one screen shot. Dinner :  We have church tonight so I needed something quick.  We just had some Tomato Basil Soup and grilled cheeses. I cut my grilled cheese up into small pieces and put it in my soup.    Picture : Finally remembered today! Daily Goals:  ✔- Drink 75 oz.  ✔- Workout 30 minutes  ✔-...

 I have really been lax at getting things updated.  So here's what I did Monday (Week 3, Day 1): Workout:  I did this 10 minute Walk 3 times during the day to equal my 30 minutes.  I was reminded that some days you just have to find time! Breakfast: I was feeling something with Peanut Butter, so I had Peanut Butter Toast, a banana and my coffee.  Lunch: I was focused on getting something quickly so I went with some Garlic Hummus, a cucumber and some Joseph's Mini Pitas. Dinner:  I was exhausted so I just threw together a basic breakfast casserole and then I wound up having 2 servings, but I was still within my points.   Here's what I did on Tuesday (Week 3, Day 2): Workout:  Again, my morning was a little off, so I did 2 Walk At Home 15 minute walks with Kamilah.  Then I did a half hour-ish of dancing (Nia) with Jan.  Definitely a good exercise day! Breakfast:  I was not super hungry, so I had my coffee, then a chocolate protein sha...