3 Kids And A Geek: January 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

Sorry MIA .....

Sorry I've been MIA for a bit this week. It's been busy! I have started a Girl Scout Troop so of course that means.......

Trying to get everything figured out and ready for that, a meeting, a Early Learning Day for the capitol that I am putting presentations together, being a mom, doing house work, etc! Hopefully I will be back to it better and get caught up on things by Monday! That's my goal anyways!

What do you do to keep yourself on schedule? Is there a way you make sure you "have enough hours in the day?"

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

"Fake" Orange Julius

Our family loves Orange Julius, I mean who doesn't?! But with a family of 5, that can get a bit expensive. Plus, with allergies it's hard to make sure there is no cross contamination. (I got a banana smoothie once when I asked for peach, it was NOT a good experience!) Well, I was looking on pinterest and found a few recipes. If you know me, you know I look at 3-4 different recipes and put together my own recipe. It drives my husband crazy as for him he has to have the exact measurements and do everything precise. I keep telling him that's how I keep him from losing interest in my cooking/baking endeavors! I decided to try this as we have tried one in the past and it was just gross. I made him try it without knowing exactly what it was and he thought I had gone and gotten Orange Julius! I find that an accomplishment! I went ahead and wrote out the recipe just in case that was the case and figure I will tweak it a bit more next time I make it just to see if it can be a bit sweeter. I figure that was because I had the top of the mix so it didn't mix as well? This also makes about 4-5 servings so maybe if I do half next time?

"Fake" Orange Julius

1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Water
5-6 Tablespoons Sugar
3-4 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
10-12 Ice Cubes
1 Can Orange Juice Concentrate

Add all to blender.
Mix on liquefy until completely blended.
Pour into 4 cups half full.
ENJOY!

Transformation Tuesdays: Week 4

Wow, 4 weeks all ready AND almost February??! How did that happen? Well, good news is I think I finally got some of my mental block over with. I have been trying to dress up more, wear make up more often, actually do my hair, ACTUALLY get dressed to impress! That has definitely helped my mood lately. I still have some control and portion issues but I think they are coming along better than they could be. I also started a Bible Study of 21 Days To Be Depression. Very neat videos and then verses in the Bible to read. I think it has helped me be in a better mood and to see what God loves me for and I am special and Godly for HIM not for everyone else. Things you just need to be reminded of every day! Now for the numbers part:

Starting Weight : 278.4 lbs
Week 4 Weight: 278.8 lbs

It stings a bit to see that number but to know it has gone down, that's a plus. I really need to work on being happy and to work out. I was 262 lbs this time last year and was feeling better than ever. I really want to get back to that and I have to fight for it. The devil needs out of my head. I need to stop listening to the media. Average lady is NOT a 2!!! So with that,

Goals this week:

Go to gym at least once!
Go to bed before 10pm weekdays
Drink 64 oz or more water a day

I think that's a good start! What are you doing to make yourself feel better?

Monday, January 27, 2014

Weekly Winnings Through January 27th

This week I have won:

Robo Knight DVD

Weekly Menu for January 27 to February 2nd

Monday - Spaghetti

Tuesday - Ham and Bean Soup

Wednesday - Church Night

Thursday - Chili

Friday - Chicken Enchiladas

Saturday - Biscuits and Gravy

Sunday - Tacos

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Wordless Wednesday - Princess Can Write!!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Transformation Tuesdays: Week 3

Well, here it is, week 3. I was hoping to have good news. I was hoping to say I've lost lots of weight and have been doing awesome! I was hoping to show a picture of my greatness. Guess what? I've gained weight again this week! Between stress and horomones and excuses I gained weight. I got another cold and using that as an excuse not to work out. I have allowed my mind to take over, telling me I am worthless, that I can't do this. I have failed to overcome that demon in my life. Well guess what. I am DONE listening to this demon. I am sick of putting myself down. The only way to change this is to change myself. So, again, I am going to tell myself I am worth it. I am going to continue to eat better and if I eat too much, it's okay. I am going to go for a walk, to clear my head, to get that exercise in, to make myself feel better. I can no longer wear my fitbit as I have found out it has nickel in it and I'm allergic to nickel. Thank goodness I didn't get as bad of a break out as others! So, now I will not be able to see how lazy I have been. WHICH I think maybe a good thing! I am human. I am a mom, a wife, a woman, someone who will fall but I WILL NOT FAIL! I need to do this for myself more than any one else. I need to be happy with myself FOR myself and no one else. So with that:

Starting Weight (Jan 7): 278.4 lbs
Current Weight (Jan 21): 280.8 lbs

Yes, I know 2-3 lb gain, that's not bad. Well, when you tell yourself you will never see 280 again, you can't see it again, well then it hits you hard. I already was down to 260 this time last year. I got rid of all my "FAT" clothes and was never going to see this again. Well, I am and I am going to face it head on. I have to. Something has to change. I didn't want to share pictures, but I feel I have to. I know there are so many out there that deal with the same issues. They hate their body. No matter how much more weight they have lost, or are going to lose, they are always going to fill the same. We need to start to learn to love ourselves. Being "Bullied" my whole life, my self esteem is pretty low. I need to learn that I am who I am and no one can change that! Yes, I'm rambling but it's something I need to type out and I need to hear.

I AM BEAUTIFUL I AM WORTH IT I MATTER
I CAN DO WHAT I WANT I CAN LOOK GOOD IN WHAT I WANT
I AM PROUD OF WHO I AM I AM PROUD OF WHERE I HAVE COME
I AM MY OWN TRUE BEAUTY I AM MY OWN TRUE SELF

Yes, my face doesn't look pleased. It wasn't just the pictures, it was the kids yelling and getting in the way and some other things going on. Plus, if you know me, you know I don't smile. I need to learn to smile again. Anyways, Here are my pictures. I AM GOING TO BE BETTER FOR MYSELF! I WILL LOVE MYSELF!!! That is my main goal at the moment. Learn to love myself. Learn who I am again. Learn that I can do anything!

Monday, January 20, 2014

Monday Freezer Meal Recipe - Awesome Beef Enchiladas

I usually double this recipe, make part for one meal then freeze the other for the next week or two. It helps to do that philosophy of cook once, eat twice! This recipe is pretty easy and you can take away or substitute to your liking. My enchiladas are hardly ever the same!

Awesome Beef Enchiladas

10 Flour Tortillas
1 lbs ground beef
1 bag Birds Eye Ready Peppers and Onions
1 Can Mild Enchilada Sauce
1 Can Refried Beans
1 - 2 Cup Bag of Mexican Style Cheese

Brown your beef. Add in the peppers and onions until they are cooked through/softened from their frozen state. Add in half of the enchilada sauce. Let it get to a simmer/boil. Then take your flour tortilla and smear some refried beans on it. Add the hamburger mixture. Roll up and place into your sprayed 9X12 pan (do not do glass as it may break!) Throw away or metal cake pan is best in this case! After you have rolled all the tortillas up, dump the rest of the enchilada sauce on top. If you still have some hamburger mixture left, then add that on top too. Then take some aluminum foil, label, and freeze. DO NOT PUT THE CHEESE ON YET!

To Cook:

Take the enchiladas out and let them thaw overnight in your refrigerator *sometimes this might take 2 days* Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Take out of the refrigerator and remove the foil. *DO NOT THROW AWAY* Add your whole bag of cheese and spread it out. Replace the aluminum foil back on top of the pan and place into the oven for 30 mins or until completely reheated. Then ENJOY :D

And now for the fun part........ALL THE PICTURES! If you make this, let me know what you think! Also, any ideas of what you would like to see next? Let me know!

Weekly Winnings Through January 19th

I won a poster for Legend of Hercules, signed by Kellan Lutz!!!! :D

Weekly Menu January 20th to January 26th

Monday - Stuffed Shells

Tuesday - Hamburgers

Wednesday - Church Night

Thursday - Sweet and Sour Chicken

Friday - Tacos

Saturday - Chili

Sunday - Tater Tot Casserole

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Wordless Wednesday - Handful of Things Donated AKA OUT OF MY HOUSE!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Transformation Tuesdays: Week 2

It has not been a good week. I was doing good and saw myself down 3 lbs! Then that lovely "time of the month" is trying to show its ugly head so now I am up again!!! Grrr! Hopefully after this week I will be down again. Other issue right now is that I somehow tweaked my back on the right side and now am suffering! I can't really do anything and keep having to go back and forth from standing to sitting to laying down with no relief. The hubby checked and it seems like I pinched or pulled a muscle because he can feel the knot! Hopefully another day or two of icing and meds and I will be okay again! I told myself no excuses, but right now I can't help it with pain!

Starting Weight (Jan 7): 278.4 lbs
Current Weight (Jan 14): 279.0 lbs

Monday, January 13, 2014

Weekly Winnings Through Monday, January 13th

I didn't win anything this last week but we did get a surprise! I have no clue when exactly I "won" this as it was a giveaway I entered my address in and then it just came in the mail! My wonderful husband was more excited than the kids! In less than 24 hours, it was set up and has been going on and off all day long!!!

Weekly Menu for January 13th to January 19th

Monday - Bierocks

Tuesday - Meeting

Wednesday - CHURCH NIGHT!

Thursday - Stuffed Shells

Friday - Beef Enchiladas

Saturday - Chili and Cinnamon Rolls

Sunday - Biscuits and Gravy

Monday Freezer Meal Recipe - Tater Tot Casserole

Our family loves Tater Tot Casserole. I didn't think anyone would other than my husband who eats everything! We had it one church night dinner and EVERYONE loved it! It's not too hard to put into a freezer recipe. The added double? You can use this for the crock pot! YUM! To me, that's a double added bonus! What got to me too was just how easy it was to make! The kids could even help me!

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
32 oz Tater Tots (I substituted with hashbrowns I had gotten for cheap since we didn't have tots on hand)
1 lb Ground Beef, Browned
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
2 Cans Green Beans (I like french style best!)
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 Chopped Onion
1/4 Cup Milk
Cheese (Optional for sprinkling after baked)

Mix all together but cheese and tater tots. Put into a freezer bag, label, and put in freezer. Put tots next to it or label so your hungry husband will not try to use them for lunch!

To Cook:
Thaw bag overnight. Line the crockpot with tater tots and cover with the bag of ingredients. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hrs. Put onto your plate and sprinkle with cheese if desired.

This is just amazing! If you know me well, you know I don't eat things like this! I almost forgot to take a picture of it on my plate! I had to go and get seconds to take a picture! I give this recipe 5 stars it was that good! All of our family even ate it too which seems to never happen. I am hoping I can get tater tots on the shopping list and try it again with them to see how that would come out compared to the hash brown patties.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Muppets Most Wanted: NEW TRAILER!

Submitted without comment........SQUEEEEE!!!!!!!!! ;)

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Wordless Wednesday - Make Up Troubles When You Have Two Older Sisters.....

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Transformation Tuesdays: Week 1

I keep seeing people post different kinds of transformations and think that's a great idea. I have decided that I am going to do this once a week I to keep track of my weight loss journey! This being the first week for it, I figured I would share a beginning picture and then a more recent one, that way you can see where I have come from and where I am going.

This is my before..... yea, I still have it and keep it so I can see where I have came from. This picture was taken April 2011. Almost 3 years ago. I was 26. I decided I couldn't leave like that anymore. We decided the best the for me was to have reduction surgery. I do not recommend it as a fast fix. I was 300 lbs here, the heaviest I ever had been. Even after the reduction I was still 285 lbs. I did it for the fact that I was so "front heavy" that I couldn't stand for more than 5 minutes. I couldn't walk far at all. The surgeon said even being so big they would only remove about 5 lbs. Nope, she was wrong! It was over 35 lbs she removed. I think I hold the record! No wonder I couldn't do anything! And of course I told myself this was the beginning, I will lose weight now and be great. Well, here we are almost 3 years later and I'm saying it again.

This is a picture of me when I first was starting my work out routine and better healthy lifestyle. It did great and I was happy. I was losing inches and was feeling better with myself. Then, I got sick. I didn't just get sick I got VERY sick. I was stick in the hospital with pneumonia for a week. It was NOT fun and I have found myself being sick all the time since then. I would go maybe 3-5 days without being sick. I can tell my immune system is getting better as I haven't caught the last cold the kids had. The last time I have been sick right now was the flu on December 19th. *KNOCKING ON WOOD!!!*

Trying not to be stereotypical, my husband and I have decided to lose weight together. We decided December 31st was it. That was when we would start. It's been a week and I can tell you I feel like I have been eating less. I am eating better too. The main issue I am having is of course the evening time. I just want to snack all the time. I think now that the kids are back in school, I will want to go to bed sooner and then that will keep me from eating like I have been!

I made it to the gym for the first time in 5-6 months! I was so proud of myself! Last week I decided to give myself a deadline. I had 4 days to get to the gym. So, on Friday I finally went. It felt great! I got on the elliptical and went .5 miles in 7:43 minutes. I decided that was great and didn't want to push myself. I tried to go and walk and do some water aerobics but it being free swim on a Friday, that's when I guess parents send their unsupervised kids and a young boy decided his mission was to ask as many questions as he could to me and then to cannon ball in front of me the whole time. I lasted 5 minutes before I decided to just go to the whirlpool. Oh my goodness that was a great idea! No one was in the area and I could just relax and stretch out for 10 minutes.

My issue with the gym is I have a lot of activities in the afternoon/evenings. I also don't have the money to try and take the kids with me and don't want to leave them all the time with the hubby as that is just mean in my opinion! Also, they don't seem to have the best hours to work with a schedule to go to the gym with kids either. Hopefully I will figure something out. I know I could work out at home, but then comes in the kids and them bugging me!

So, goals that I have right now for my weight loss journey:

Start to eat better/keep tracking (I track on myfitnesspal user name yo8798 if you want to follow!)
Try to work out 3 times a week (so that I don't overdo it)
Keep up with no carbonated drinks (I am 15 months pop free!)
Only weigh myself on Tuesday mornings for this post! (so I don't drive myself crazy! I get obsessed very easily to the weight of the scale)
Don't beat myself up if I do eat bad (it could be worse! I need to remember I'm human and certain times of the month you DO NEED CHOCOLATE!)
Do not eat out! (Getting back on my freezer meal kick, then there are NO excuses!)

So there you go, the start of this journey, again. Will I fall? Yes. Will I do great? Yes. Will I give up? Yes but then I have to get back on track again. I need to do this not only for my own health but for my kids!

So for the record, here it is out for the whole world to see!!!

Starting Weight (January 7, 2014): 278.4 lbs

Flourless Monster Cookies Recipe

First off, I didn't know how these would come out....amazing!! Second, I have an allergy to all nuts including peanuts. So, instead of peanut butter I use Soy Butter. How they would turn out with peanut butter I would think would be the same but sometimes it seems the soy butter dries things out a bit more. It's not as sweet of a taste either but to me, that's better! I have accidentally had peanut butter last year by eating a Reese's egg at Easter time thinking it was a Hershey's one. To me, peanut butter is so sweet now from that little comparison between my panic attack/allergic reaction. So, just FYI all my recipes are nut free if you ever wondered! So on to the amazing Monster Cookies!!!

Flourless Monster Cookies Recipe

1 Stick Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Corn Starch
3 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Soy Butter (or your choice)
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
4 1/2 Cups Quick Oats
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
1 Cup M&Ms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugars. Add in vanilla and corn starch and mix well. Add one egg at a time until mixed. Add in Soy Butter (or peanut butter of choice) until incorporated. Add in baking soda. Then add oats until incorporated. Then add chocolate chips and M&Ms. (Add extra if you feel the need!) Drop onto a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 mins. Now this is where it might be different with peanut butter than soy butter. If you over cook them, they seem to dry out more and crumble. Leave them a bit doughy and they are perfect!!!

I have made these twice now in the last 4 days and both times I tried to measure out the same but they came out different. First batch was thicker and easier to get off the pan in one piece. My next ones I made today were flatter and gooey and would squish more and break because they were thinner. I left them on the pan about 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack and that seemed to help. Either way, they were gone by the end of the day! To me, that is a successful cookie!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Monday Freezer Meal Recipe - Cinnamon Toast Muffins

Our family has the staple of eating cereal for every breakfast. I really don't like cereal and after a while they all taste the same. I looked for recipes for muffins that could work in the freezer and came across these babies. To me, they are a mixture of a doughnut and a muffin. For the husband, they tasted like * Nom, Nom Nom* His words exactly! The great thing is after you bake them, you can freeze them and then that way you can have one for breakfast in the morning! I love the variety this will add to our breakfasts in the morning!

Cinnamon Toast Muffins
2/3 Cup (about 10 tablespoons) butter, melted
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Cup Milk
3 Cups Flour
3 Tablespoons Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Ginger
1/4 Teaspoon Cloves
1/8 to 1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg (I swear if I put this in a recipe, I can really taste it so I go lighter on it)
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

Mix together the sugar and butter. Stir in the eggs and milk.
In a separate bowl, combine all your dry ingredients.
Slowly stir them into your wet ingredients.
Put 20-24 cupcake liners into your cupcake pans. You can also spray them with non stick spray if you would like. You can also put them into a mini loaf pan if desired.
Bake 350 Degrees for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

To Freeze:
When you take them out of the oven, put them onto a cool cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes until they are cooled off. This helps to keep them from moisture escaping in the bag and them sticking if you put them in too soon. If you don't have room, you can always leave them an hour or two on the counter and then put them in the bag to freeze. Doing this though may result in your stash going down!

To Reheat them:
You can leave them out overnight to thaw or if you rather you can put one in the microwave for 30-45 mins to reheat. I believe this option makes them last a little bit more!

And now for picture overload!!! Enjoy! If you make them, let me know how they turn out for you! I think next time I might try adding a bit more cinnamon and cloves to get even more flavor dynamic!

Weekly Winnings Through January 5th

None this week! It's okay, everyone is still every much in love with the bean bag....

Weekly Menu For January 6th to January 12th

I like having a week like this! I have some meetings to go to this week so being able to have the husband make his own concoctions and try to feed the kids them is funny!

Monday - Tater Tot Casserole

Tuesday - Biscuits and Gravy

Wednesday - Church Night

Thursday - On Their Own

Friday - Taco Pie!

Saturday - On Their Own

Sunday - Pancakes and Bacon

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Do You Bake? Oh La La Garlic Bread Seasoning Review

*This post is not compensated in any way. I bought the product, loved it so much that I wanted to share it with you! All thoughts and opinions are my own*

My friend Amanda has been sharing many pictures of a new business she sells for called Do You Bake?. I kept seeing the food and drooling. All of the items are 100% natural and they do not us preservatives or additives in any of the items. That made it seem even better to try!

For Christmas, my husband let me buy a few things to try. One of them was the Oh La La Garlic Bread Seasoning. I was hooked the minute I saw the picture and had to buy it! Even better is that there is NO SALT added in the seasoning mix!! I love the garlic spread I can find at the local grocery store, but it is so packed with so much things I can't even pronounce! Not to mention how expensive it can be. It comes in a bottle just like most seasonings you can buy at the store.

You open it up and the smell just takes you away! It smells SOOOOO good!!! Then all you got to do is add about 2 tablespoons for every 1/2 teaspoon of the seasoning.

So simple! I like my things a bit more garlicy so I did add a bit extra but not too much!

After mixing it, it just slide off the spatula like it was meant to be! To make garlic bread sticks in our house, we usually shop the clearance bread at the store or go to the local bread outlet store and get hot dog buns. They make for some AMAZING bread sticks!

Don't they just look amazing?!

I could have easily made the whole pack of hot dog buns (16 total when pulled apart) with the stick of butter and the seasoning. But instead, I saved 3 buns for tomorrow for lunch time. Knowing what exactly is in my spread is wonderful! Even better the price it will save me! We hardly ever use up the tub from the store before it is bad. With this, I just need a stick of butter! The bottle should make about 9 batches of bread sticks for my family. That's about $10 compared to $3 for the tub at the store!

Again, amazing especially with my Italian Stuffed Shells!

Make sure you go to Do You Bake? and take a look around! There is more there than just seasoning! They also have different kinds of beer breads, cookies, dips and cheeseballs, and even doggie treats for your little fur babies!! They seem to add new items and have specials all the time. If you have any questions, feel free to email Amanda! She is very knowledgeable of the products. If she doesn't know the answer, she can find it fast! You can also go and like her facebook page Slim Pickens Studio! She will run contests from time to time and sometimes posts specials you can only get through her!

Friday, January 3, 2014

2014 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Slate

Walt Disney Studios just posted their slate for movies coming out this year! I am excited!! There are a few I doubt I will see but I am sure the husband may drag me to. The one I think I am most excited for is either The Muppets Most Wanted or Maleficent! What movies are you looking forward to this year?