Meal planning and grocery shopping

I am writing this post even though it may provoke some intense teasing from people, however, if you know me you really shouldn't be surprised.

When I first started doing meal planning it took me A LONG time to do each one. Honestly, over an hour. But each week it got quicker and quicker to the point where it now takes me just a few minutes. I do two week rotations because I find that groceries are cheaper than doing it once a week and I don't really want to be bothered to grocery shop every week. I do however get fruits and veggies once a week.

I like to be very organized and I like things simple. Especially now that I am grocery shopping with a baby in tow (most times) I like to be efficient. I don't like to go to more than two stores -- I go to a cheaper store like Wal-Mart, No Frills, or Food Basics for the regular stuff and then I go to Superstore or Remark to get my produce as the produce from the other stores doesn't last very long and is not high quality. I don't get everything from Superstore or Remark because it would double my grocery bill. 

So to start I skim the weekly flyers to see what is on sale. If there are items I like then I build them into my menu plan and I also go through my freezer to see what items I already have on hand. The great thing these days is most places ad match so if there is something that I like in one store I can still get it at other stores for the same price. For example, last week I bought a box of chicken burgers at Wal-mart for $4 something even though Wal-mart's price was $10 because they were on sale in the No Frills flyer. When I plan on ad matching something I note the price first and also which flyer it was in so at the store I can check the price there. Sometimes it is just cheaper to buy it without ad matching. I know this sounds like a lot of work but honestly it is very simple -- remember I don't like complicated things!

So once I note what is in the flyers I go through my calendar to check what is on the schedule for each day before I make my menu plan from a template that I have in Excel (I love that program and use it whenever possible). By adding events from the calendar I can plan the meal around what we are doing. If I don't have time to make a full meal I will make a quick one or make a crockpot meal. If I have more time I might make a more in depth dinner. Once I make my meal plan I print out two copies, one for the fridge and one to make my grocery list from. 

When I make my list I have it broken down into sections so that I don't get to the other side of the store and realize that I forgot a produce item that was hiding at the bottom of my list. I cross off each meal one at a time on my spare copy once I have added what I need to my list so I never miss anything. If I don't know if I already have something I put a ? next to it and check before I leave. 

Then when I am at the grocery store I can focus on getting my items and getting out of the store. I have tried using my phone for a grocery list to reduce carrying extra paper but honestly I really like the paper. I have had it happen more than a few times where I have accidentally erased half my list on my phone then have no idea what I needed. By having the paper there is no way to erase part of my list!

I also leave some wiggle room so that I can buy things that are on sale (not necessarily in the flyer) to put in the freezer for a later date. You can also see that on my menu plan Thursday nights are listed as Flex nights. Since I don't always feel like eating what is on the menu that night I can pick a different nights dinner and make it that night instead. Or if we end up eating out on a night that I had already bought the groceries for then they don't go to waste because I will have it Thursday night (hopefully that makes sense).

The other thing I keep (also in excel) is a meal data base. I have different categories of meals and I can mix and match especially when we are looking for some new ideas. I also use a board on Pinterest (can't get enough of that site) so that I can keep new recipe ideas handy. I try to add in one every two weeks. 

Maybe this all makes me a nerd, but hey, I'm okay with that. This makes my life much simpler and it helps me to save a lot of $ that is often wasted at the grocery store. What makes it even more simple is that my breakfast is delivered right to my door, no grocery store needed! If you are going to give it a try remember that it will take some time at the beginning. 

If you want a copy of my menu plans send me an e-mail or inbox message with your e-mail address so I can forward it on to you.  

Until next time!

Monsters University

I have been meaning to write this post for a few days but haven't really been feeling well.

Last Monday our founder Aaron Parkinson did a call on our dreams. Society today has been conditioned to scale back their dreams to prevent being let down if they don't come true. What we need to do it condition our society to dream BIG then teach them to make them a reality through hard work with failure not being an option.

So often we set ourselves little goals, or no goals at all. If we don't have goals than we can't fail right? Setting little goals is okay -- as long as those little goals lead to one big goal. For example, if your goal is to lose 50 pounds total, setting little goals of 5 pounds every X number of weeks/months is okay because it makes it realistic and obtainable. But when you have 50 pounds to loose and you say I will only try to lose 5 you are selling yourself short of your potential. This theory can be applied to many aspects of your life. You need to be willing to push yourself to get what you want in life. Things don't come for free, you aren't going to loose the weight just by sitting there wishing you were thinner, and you aren't going to make the income you want to make just by sitting there wishing you had more money. It takes change - but being willing to make that change is where it all begins. The saying goes "the first step is the hardest".

Setting a reason why. This is really important when you are on your journey to accomplishing anything you want to accomplish, your reason why. Things won't always go according to plan on your journey. You will have hard times, and in those times you need something to focus on to get yourself through. This is your reason why. It will push you to reach your goals when you think you have nothing left and cause you to dig deeper. 

I suggest putting your reason why on paper so you can see it when times get tough. You can also make yourself a dream board and post all of the pictures of things you want to accomplish in one spot to refer back to.

So what does all of this have to do with Monsters University???

Well...if you have seen it, you should be able to piece it together, but incase you didn't I will share with you what this all has in common.

At the beginning of the movie, Mike (the green, one-eye'd monster) sets his sites on being a scarer. As the movie plays on you see that he does ANYTHING he can to make his dream come true. He works really hard even when all of the odds are against him -- he still pushes through to make it happen. 

He gets kicked out of the scare program. Most people would accept that as defeat and pick something else...what would you do? Something you worked for your whole life was no longer an option. Would you give up and find something else or would you explore all other options until you found one that would put you back to where you wanted to be?

Too often today we are too scared to jump over the walls that we become comfortable where we are.

If YOU don't make a change, YOU won't get the results. Is that what you want for your life? What are you willing to do to get to where you want to be?

Travel wrap up

We are finally home "for good" now. Meaning we don't have any more travel plans in the near future.

Our last few days in Florida were amazing. Friday Mel and Ryan went to Seaworld so Rylee and I did some more shopping. I bought her a few cute things/souvenirs. I was walking around the mall killing time waiting for it to open when I came across these:

They looked SO good and I was REALLY glad that they were closed so I wasn't even tempted to buy one. I think that I will plan on making these sometime in the near future perhaps at a holiday event.

I also saw this:

Paul Blart mall cop!

On Saturday we packed most of our stuff for Dave and Kathie to take with them and we then headed to Sean's cousins house for a visit and dinner. They made an amazing dinner of BBQ Chicken, asparagus, carrots, and potatoes complete with crescent rolls and baked apples. The chicken was huge and really juicy! I was in a food coma afterwards as it was all so good! Then we watched Despicable Me 2. It was a perfect way to end our time there and I was really sad to go.

Yesterday we got up bright and early and headed to the airport. The flight was uneventful and Rylee was really good. My parents and Sean picked us up and we went for dinner and got groceries before waiting the two hours in the border line up to get home. 




I got two new "treats" while in the states yesterday and they are actually REALLY yummy. Totally perfect for a little sweet something with a cup of tea. 

As soon as we got home we got Rylee ready for bed. I knew that we were going to have a bit of a struggle getting her back into her routine so I slept upstairs to avoid going up and down multiple times during the night. She did have one crying episode in the middle of the night that lasted about 30 minutes. I didn't give in to picking her up or giving her a bottle and she fell back asleep on her own and didn't wake until morning. 

So far today she has had two naps and seems to be doing quite well. I plan on sleeping upstairs for a few nights to make sure she gets back into her routine as smoothly as possible.

I have wanted to get Rylee a sock monkey for a while now and I finally found one I really liked in Florida. As you can see she has already taken a shine to it. Follow more adventures with Rylee and Socks here on my blog!

When I got home from BC and Chicago I was completely beat. I was exhausted and very frazzled. I was able to do some mental visualization in order to get back on track but I was still not feeling 100%. 

This trip to Florida was awesome. We had such a great time and other than one rough night Rylee was really good and went to everyone lots. I am excited that I came back rested and feeling GREAT. I am full of energy, have already done my meal planning of the next two weeks and am ready to go. Big difference from last trips. 

I had a really healthy lunch today too!

Tuna with lettuce on vegetable bread with apple slices, snap peas, and my energe!

Tonight the menu is Shake n bake chicken, asparagus, salad, and stuffing. I love this time of year as it is "crockpot season" and so many wonderfully yummy and healthy things come out of that! Of course I'll keep you all updated on anything that turns out stellar!

Chocolate Kingdom

On Tuesday I went shopping with Rylee and my sister-in-law Melanie. Sean's couzin Renee and her baby Jenna also met us too for a perfect girls day! 

Yesterday we went to Renee's parents place and went swimming before going to dinner at Outback Steakhouse.

Today we went to a chocolate factory to have a tour. It was actually really fun! It was an informative tour that including a few small samples of freshly made chocolate and at the end there was a make your own chocolate bar station. We decided to share one since they were large and we all picked a topping to go in. It ended up being SO good because it was really fresh.

An entire castle made of chocolate, complete with a flowing chocolate moat!

Our custom candy bar

After that we came back to the house and Rylee and I went swimming in the tub -- it's a two person tub and I wanted her to get some nudy time in so it was a perfect chance! We had a little snuggle/nap afterwards before we headed to Applebee's for dinner.

Quesadilla cheeseburger!

Tomorrow is Ryan (Sean's brother) and Melanie's 5 year anniversary. They are going to celebrate by going to Sea World for the day. I am going to drop them off then go shopping again with Rylee to a different mall (I didn't really find anything I wanted at the first mall). 

Sean's parents are leaving on Saturday morning for a cruise so we need to pack all of our stuff tomorrow night so we can send it with them (we are avoiding paying for baggage on the flight). Today was our last full day here all together (since Mel and Ryan are doing their own thing tomorrow). 

Our time here (although not over) has been really great and I have really enjoyed being here. I am really excited for the day that Rylee is old enough to go to Disney. There is a book here at the house that I have been reading about the different parks and I am so excited to see her face someday.

Since Sean has family here in Florida we are going to try to come every few years so that we can see them and go to places with Rylee (and future children someday-- and no I am not pregnant!). Seeing Rylee's face light up at Sea World as Shamu leaps in the air, or at Disney when she gets to meet Cinderella...I think we should start saving now ;)

Anyways we still have a few days here that are full of fun things and family before heading home on Sunday. I am looking forward to seeing Sean again -- I know it's only been a few days but I miss him A LOT.

Gobble Gobble

Happy Turkey Day everyone!

Yesterday we had a very relaxing day. We went swimming and just hung out as a family it was really great. 

We made a turkey dinner along with some stuffing, salad, potatoes. Rylee enjoyed eating with us as well. She has started freaking out if we don't give her some of what we are eating or feed her at the same time. Sometimes I put a bit of stuff on her soother and she likes that but then starts freaking out again very quickly. I wonder how long it will last for.

Last night I made a very yummy pumpkin dessert:

One can of raw pumpkin
one package of fat free instant vanilla pudding mix
one tub of light cool whip
pumpkin spice to taste.

Mix the can of raw pumpkin with the vanilla pudding powder (don't make pudding) then fold in the cool whip. Sprinkle in pumpkin spice.

I topped them with a few Reece's Pieces in fall colours. It was REALLY good and so simple. I will for sure make this again. 

Today we went out for lunch as a family and then went mini golfing at a pirate themed mini golf place. After that we went to downtown Disney.

Downtown Disney had some cool stuff to look at but everything was SO expensive. I'm talking $20 for a kids shirt!

A water dragon made out of Lego

 

We did decide to get a treat to share so we picked something we wouldn't normally be able to get -- a mickey mouse shaped rice krispy treat coated in chocolate.

After wards it was time to take Sean to the airport so we went to dinner first just the three of us (Him, I, and Rylee). We went to T.G.I. Friday's and it was pretty good. Rylee enjoyed the lemon from my water.

Once we dropped Sean off at the airport we headed back to the house. Once Rylee goes to bed I think I'll go for a night time swim.

Until next time...

The beginning of a lifetime...

Yesterday was the wedding that we came to Florida to attend. Sean's couzin Kari was getting married so we made a family trip of it.

As I previously mentioned the weekend started off with a kick off kick ball game on Thursday night. Friday night was the rehearsal dinner. It was at a golf and country club. Rylee hadn't pooped since Sunday and we had been feeding her prunes to try to get things moving for her and no sooner had we pulled into the venue and we heard the poop. When we parked and pulled her out of her car seat --OH BOY! It was up her back, all over the car seat, it was a full blow out (and of course she was already in her outfit). So we stripped her down, cleaned her up, changed her clothes, and washed her outfit in the sink. 

When we got into the room is was SO pretty. Kari's colours were dark purple and silver sparkle, and it looks great! I wish I had gotten a picture of the centre pieces because they were SO pretty but we were caught up in talking with people. For dinner there was a salad bar, pulled pork, chicken, flank steak, mac n' cheese, green beans, and brown beans. What I had was really good:

I went back up for seconds of the salad bar because it was so good. I had a brownie made by the groom's grandmother, and it was very good. There were speeches and then the bride sang a song she had written for the groom it was pretty funny and very much the brides personality.

Saturday morning when we got up Melanie and I (my sister-in-law) went to get our nails done and then we went with our mother-in-law Kathie to all get our hair done.

The wedding was really nice and the bridal party looked great. After the wedding we went to the reception. When we got in the room is was all purple and silver sparkle and looked really nice and well done. We were all very hungry and were high anticipating the food. They had 5 food stations. Salad bar, sliders, french fry station, taco bar, and mac n cheese bar. I started at the taco bar, tried a bit of the mac n cheese, then salad, then a slider, then the fries. They had FUNNEL CAKE FRIES. Oh wow -- they were SO good. It was like a mini stick of an elephant ear. It was a great way to have a little bit of it without having a huge amount. The cupcakes were filled with frosting and they were very good as well. I didn't go way over board but between the two events my extra points are gone (it was all SO well worth it, because it was all very yummy).

                     

I had no idea how much Rylee liked music but during the dance part of the evening she was having SO much fun! She was laughing and laughing as we were all taking turns dancing with her! As Will and Kari began their life together they ran out of the hotel down a sparkler line -- super fun. Over all we had a great time. The theme was pulled together so well from the invitations to the rehearsal dinner, to the wedding, to the reception -- even the washroom was decorated with purple stuff!

                                 

                               

Today I got up and had a shower and we are going to have a lazy day before having our thanksgiving dinner. Sean leaves tomorrow to come home so we are spending as much family time as we can with him.

I'll leave you with a picture Melanie took:

Florida

Sorry for being MIA the past week or so but I was running around trying to get stuff done and didn't think to post. I have a few updates:

1. I found an add on Kijiji and went to see the guys baby stuff. I got a jolly jumper exersauser, baby swing, leap frog play table and little computer thing for Rylee all for $80. Super score! We borrowed the exact same jolly jumper from a friend and she LOVES it so I had to get it when I saw it. It was all REALLY dirty though and took me about an hour to clean and sanitize but it all looks brand new now! 

2. My sister, Tara, and I spent all Sunday afternoon making apple crisp with fresh apples and it was very yummy!

3. Rylee had blueberries on Saturday night and did a big blueberry poop on Sunday. She poops every morning like clock work but Monday...nothing...Tuesday...nothing. All the way until today! I have her a few jars of prunes and that got things going for her! You know your life has changed ALOT when you become very enthrawled with baby poop. 

4. We made it safely to Florida! We got here yesterday afternoon and went for a swim and got unpacked and settled in. Then we went to the wedding "kick off" event which was a kick ball game followed up by dinner on a patio. 

I was SO happy when it was time to go to bed because I was sleeping on an air mattress again. I love sleeping on air mattresses even more than my own bed at home. 

Today we went and got groceries (lots of healthy stuff to ensure I will stay on track) and then went for a swim again and had a hot shower. It feels nice to just kick back and relax. Plus it helps having so many extra hands to play with Rylee -- perhaps I might even take a nap one day! 

Tomorrow is the wedding and we will probably get our hair and nails done just for fun -- I can't wait to see how Kari has decorated everything! Not to mention how cute Rylee will look in her pink dress! 

I'll leave you with this photo of Rylee in the pool:

The Weight of the Nation

A while back I was introduced to a documentary that was put together by HBO called The Weight of the Nation. It is a four part documentary with each segment being just over an hour in length.

I had wanted to watch it but never really made the time, it was just kind of on my list of things to do someday.

When I got back from my crazy trips and Rylee was trying to adjust to our time zone we had lots of short naps and I wasn't really getting much accomplished so I decided to watch the segments in pieces when I could.

To watch it I went to http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/. I started at segment one and went from there.

I liked how the segments were broken down and the facts that were given. I could relate to what a lot of them were saying. It was also near to read all of the facts and information about different stats. Granted they are based on the American population, but the fact is that we Canadians are not far behind them, in fact we are right on their tails.

Obesity in adults has been a growing problem for a few decades now, but the growing obesity rates in children is becoming alarming. Our children don't know any better, they only know what WE teach them. The problem is that WE as adults don't always know all the facts. Sure, we know that McDonald's isn't healthy for us, but do we know WHY? We need to educated ourselves so that we can teach our children how to make healthy choices. We need to get our kids out playing and exercising and joining sports, instead of glued to the TV.

I know that eating healthy ALL the time is not realistic, but I also know that our kids deserve to have healthy meals and learn about nutrition in it's basic form. Giving them a chance to get outdoors and move will go a long way to helping them obtain this active lifestyle right from the beginning. 

We also need to stop using food as a reward. Good grades on a report card? Let's go to dinner. Behave well at the doctor? We'll get an ice cream. I'm not saying that going out to dinner or getting ice cream is wrong, but it's the context. 

I know a little boy who saw apples as treats (he was given them regularly but if he had a choice over a cookie or an apple, he chose an apple). His parents instilled in him healthy choices by always having them available. 

Ahhhh. But my kid is picky you say. So...involve them! Change the standard for which they are eating. Don't remove chicken fingers from the household menu, instead pair them with a salad or vegetable, not french fries. Or make them at home, letting your child help instead of buying processed ones. Take them to the grocery store with you (a daunting task I know) and let them pick a new fruit or vegetable to try. Make going grocery shopping a change to teach them about health and reading food labels.

AGAIN, I know this is not realistic ALL THE TIME but we need to be teaching them good healthy and nutrition and what is good for our bodies from a young age.

We also need to stop feeling guilty. Sometimes going through a drive thru to get dinner is needed -- but as long as that is not your norm IT'S OKAY! They are not going to be obese by having a Happy Meal once in a while -- especially when you balance that meal choice with some extra activity!

One thing that I got from the documentary was how much sugary drinks add to our caloric intake. But I drink diet pop you say so it doesn't count for me. Well friend, I thought the exact same thing. Yes we know how much sugar is in regular pop so we try to stay away from it, but there is nothing and I repeat NOTHING in pop that is good for you, both diet and regular. It messes up your glucose levels and does much worse to other body organs.

Ahh -- but my child only drinks apple juice. Still full of sugar. In fact it only has 1-2 teaspoons less sugar than pop per serving.

I am not claiming to know all and my information is my own opinion that I have gathered over the past few years of learning in depth about nutrition and from this recent documentary so don't take my word for it...read about it on your own! If you find an article that shows you scientifically that pop or juice (both regular or diet) are good for you...please pass that on as I would be intrigued to read it. 

If you are interested in being part of the movement of getting healthy and helping others get healthy send me a message or leave a comment. 

Here is a preview for the documentary if you are interested in knowing more about what it is about: