Happy New Year!!

We have a friend over... this is the first year he has stayed up till midnight. Can't you tell?? :o)

End of year goals - update!

I am the champion of goal setting and reaching! Woohoo to me! I would like to thank my family, my agent, the academy...

• Finish Compact Pledge - almost done, just want to fix a few things (Darn that spelling gene I inherited!) - Done!
  
• Fix the blogroll on this site - I haven't added to it in *forever* and it is about time to change it. - Done!
  
• Pack away or shred all paperwork for 2007- Done!
• Reorganize file folder and get ready for 2008 (W00t!) - Done!
• Pack away Christmas decorations- Done!
  
• Finish labels on this blog - Seriously... I think I have put it off long enough - - Done!! Woohoo!
• Check all 2007 pictures for correct labels/folders and burn onto CDs
• Clean the house - do all of that "once in a while" stuff - Done!
  

I will do the pictures tomorrow, so I can include any pictures taken tonight. As Alex would say - W00t!
(Picture from flickr)

Goals for 2008

Ok... here they are, in particular order
- Pay off half of our $17,500 debt ($8750) - I am planning to get a job, if Marty's schedule ever straightens out enough that I can count on having the van available. If not, this will have to be achieved using Marty's bonuses and pay.
- Save a moving fund of $5k by May - If we get the same sized income tax refund we usually do, we will be (at least) half way there. (We have claimed as many exemptions as we can. The reason we get money back is because they tax the crap out of his bonuses. Almost 50%!)
- Finish Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University - I am participating in an online class that starts the first week of January.
- Lose 60 lbs. - I have gained back 12 of the 24 lbs. I lost over the summer. You can imagine how happy I am with that. I plan to use Fat Smash.
- Workout five days a week - Whether it is at the gym or using the Pigsuader (as Ethan calls him)
- Send at least 1 email or card a week to someone I haven't spoken to in a while.
- Call my Grandma weekly. Send two cards a month.
- Implement as many ideas from Green Boot Camp as I can.

(Picture from flikr)

Goals

I was going to write a little about goals, but look! Mapgirl did it for me... and much better than I could.

I have been tossing my 2008 goals around in my head for a week or so, but I will be sitting down tonight or tomorrow and committing them to paper.

I will let you know what they end up being.

Can someone please explain...

Why I thought it was a good idea to go back and label all 1000+ posts? Seriously. I think I am getting carpal tunnel. I am also not sure how I came up with only having 300 left. I think I am about at 300 now.

I have come across some good things I posted years ago, though. No, not profound things I have said (as if!) but some really cool websites and resources I had forgotten about. I might just have to start a "best of" post once a week.

Today we had some friends over. They brought a game they got for Christmas - Apples to Apples - and I think I am going to have to look for it at the thrift store. (Since I am not buying new as of 1-1-08.) Which leads me to a question...

I need a knife sharpener. Mine bit the dust, and I found one I really want. Do I hold off and just use the sharpening steel (which really doesn't sharpen as much as it removes the burrs) or do I could it as a safety issue and get the darn thing?

And on that note, I am headed to bed. I am fighting another head cold (didn't we just do this two weeks ago?) and so far my usual method - Zicam and whining - isn't working.

A Major Housing Dilemma

Ok, I know I said that we would never buy a house again. I know I said it, but the housing market in Michigan has really taken a hit and there are many, many houses for sale (often, foreclosures.) We are planning to move when our lease is up, so I have started to look for houses for rent in Midland and surrounding communities. I happened to stumble across a house in a surrounding community for - get this - $19,900. I can't get this house out of my head.

3 Bed, 1 Bath - House is 1,200 Sq. Ft. - Lot is 132 x 140(0.42 Acres)

It is on a street that loops around to a lake, so there might be lake access (you know, for my huge yacht.) It is about 22 minutes from Marty's work. The estimated house payment is $94 a month.

I don't know what to do. On one hand, if they transfer Marty, we would have to sell it, and that can take a while. On the other hand, I am tired of living my life based on waiting for him to be sent to the next city. We did it in Detroit, and the end result was us living in a horrible house, in a horrible neighborhood, with a horrible landlord for over five years. Five years people.

Is it my dream house? Heck no. That house is somewhere in Hawaii. But would I live there for a few years and save a ton of money? I don't know. I don't know what to do.



Can you picture the garden I could get going in that yard?? Seriously!

Kids and their clothes

If you shop thrift stores and yard sales it is really easy to over do it on clothes. How can you pass up that shirt for $1? Easy... I decided long ago that we only needed a set amount of clothing to keep us happy and me sane.

Your list may vary, but here is mine:

Summer:
7 pairs of shorts
7 shirts (t-shirts)
7 pairs of underwear
7 pairs of socks (white to go with anything)
2 nice summer dress outfits
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of sandals
1 pair of nice shoes to go with nice outfits
1 swimsuit
1 windbreaker jacket

Winter:
7 pairs of pants
7 long sleeve shirts
4 sweaters or sweatshirts (wearing them more than once)
7 pairs of underwear
7 pairs of socks (white to go with anything)
2 nice winter dress outfits
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of sandals
1 pair of nice shoes to go with nice outfits
1 pair of snow boots (depending on where you live)
1 winter coat
1 snow suit (if necessary)
2 winter hats
2 pair winter gloves

I keep a copy of this list in my purse, along with a list of what each person needs and current sizes. That way when I am out it is really easy to see what I need and don't need.

(Picture from flickr)

Goals update and a great quote

Our children may not remember anything we have said to them as children, but they will never forget how we made them feel. - Author Unknown










Here is the update on how my year end goals are going:

• Finish Compact Pledge - almost done, just want to fix a few things (Darn that spelling gene I inherited!) - Done!
  
• Fix the blogroll on this site - I haven't added to it in *forever* and it is about time to change it. - Done!
  
• Pack away or shred all paperwork for 2007- Done!
• Reorganize file folder and get ready for 2008 (W00t!) - Done!
• Pack away Christmas decorations
  
• Finish labels on this blog - Seriously... I think I have put it off long enough - - Almost done. Only about 300 left
• Check all 2007 pictures for correct labels/folders and burn onto CDs
• Clean the house - do all of that "once in a while" stuff - Kitchen is done.
  

Better late than never...

This was on a message board I love to hang out at.

To My Democratic Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wish.

To My Republican Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Frugal Rehydration

We used to stop for soda for everyone in the car, averaging $7.75 per stop. (5 sodas x $1.45 = 7.25 + 50¢ Michigan deposit = $7.75) If we stopped only once a week - and you know we stopped more than that - we spent $403 on drinks alone! ($26 of that would come back to us if we took the bottles back.) Now, we never stop.

We rarely buy bottled water, the exception being when we are going out of town for extended periods. Bottled water is cheaper than an upset stomach, any day.

When we leave the house, we make sure to take a bottle of tap water with us. When we will be gone for a bit we fill an insulated water jug with ice water, to insure we have enough to refill our water bottles. At first the kids would "forget" their water bottles, in the hopes that I would give in and splurge for soda. After a few trips where they were dying of thirst they always manage to remember.

Food For Thought: Quinching Your Thirst

The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio ran an eight year study to study the effects of soft drink use. Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, who ran the study, had this shocking statement to say,"What didn't surprise us was that total soft drink use was linked to overweight and obesity. What was surprising was when we looked at people only drinking diet soft drinks, their risk of obesity was even higher."

The message in the (plastic) bottle is dire

The trouble is that there's no effective way to remove the plastic pollution, whether it's in chunks or microscopic bits. Researchers say the solution is keeping it out of the water in the first place. And there's good reason to do so: It's on our dinner plates.

If the potential hit to your budget, health and the environment isn't enough to convince you, read this:

Aquafina labels to spell out source - tap water

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- PepsiCo Inc. will spell out that its Aquafina bottled water is made with tap water, a concession to the growing environmental and political opposition to the bottled water industry. According to Corporate Accountability International, a U.S. watchdog group, the world's No. 2 beverage company will include the words "Public Water Source" on Aquafina labels.

(Picture from flickr)

Goals for the rest of the year

I can't believe the year is almost over! 2007 just flew by, it seems. Here are the things I want to accomplish by New Years Eve... don't forget to hold me accountable!

• Finish Compact Pledge - almost done, just want to fix a few things (Darn that spelling gene I inherited!) - Done!
  
• Fix the blogroll on this site - I haven't added to it in *forever* and it is about time to change it. - Done!
  
• Pack away or shred all paperwork for 2007
• Reorganize file folder and get ready for 2008 (W00t!)
• Pack away Christmas decorations
  
• Finish labels on this blog - Seriously... I think I have put it off long enough
• Check all 2007 pictures for correct labels/folders and burn onto CDs
• Clean the house - do all of that "once in a while" stuff
  

I think that is all. If I think of anything else I need to do, I will add it.

Interesting Information for People Who Live In Michigan

Carin posted this on her blog. Some things to think about, for sure.

Interesting Information for People Who Live In Michigan
1. Governor Granholm is the 3rd highest paid Governor in the country at $177,000 in salary. This does not count her $60,000 expense account. Only the Governor of New York and California make more than her!
2. Governor Granholm's husband has 3 assistants paid by the state. The highest paid assistant makes $117,000 a year.
3. Our state Congressmen and Senators are the 2nd highest paid at $79,650 in salary. This
does not count their $20,000 expense account. Only California legislatures make more.
4. Our teachers are the 3rd highest paid teachers in the country
5. Our cigarette tax is the 4th highest
in the country
6. Our Corporate Income Tax rate is the 7th highest.

Funny how we don't have enough money to pay our bills and the only answer is for us to pay more in taxes, when our public servants are getting fat on our sweat!

Happy Birthday Alex!

Today Alex turned 14. The plan was for him to spend the day doing what he loves the most... playing on my computer (mine is the only one in the house with Internet), eat his favorite foods for dinner, and just hang out at the house. Things started out great, but then around noon the electricity went out so we ended up going to Marty's restaurant for lunch.

We came home, Alex played on the computer off and on all day, and then we made his birthday dinner. A pretty unremarkable day, except for all of the servers who said to him "OMG! You are only 14??!!

Weekly Menu - Leftovers and a Party Edition

Lots of Christmas leftovers all safely packed away in the freezer, ready to be used this week and next. For New Years Eve we are going to have a small party... just a few friends over for a movie marathon and to watch the ball drop. Woohoo! Now when I write 2008 on everything people won't think I have lost my mind.

All meal are served with a salad, fruit of my choice, and cut fresh vegetables.


Menu Plan - Week of 12/27-1/2

12/27 - Thursday
Chicken & Dumplings

12/28 - Friday
Homemade Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

12/29 - Saturday
Baked Vegetable Stew with Biscuits on top

12/30 - Sunday
Pancakes, Spicy Potato Chunks

12/31 - Monday
New Years Eve -
Wings, Gazpacho Pasta Salad, Oven roasted potatoes, vegetable crudite

1/1 - Tuesday
New Years Day - Pork loin, sauerkraut & Potato dumplings

1/2 - Wednesday
Vegetable Lo Mein

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I know we did. Lots of good food, good friends, good presents, and we even watched Elf again. :o)

(Picture from flickr)

Christmas Eve

We had a nice Christmas Eve. We went to Marty's work for Alex's birthday dinner because Marty took the 26th off. We then came home and made some treats - cookies, truffles and rice krispie treats - brined the turkey and watched Elf.

We ended up at a friends for dinner. It was great! A house full of people, good food and good friends.

Now I am exhausted and want to go to bed but I still have a few things to wrap. Ugh!

Purple Christmas?

You Should Have a Purple Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of creativity and expression. There's no way you'd do something bland simply for tradition's sake. You are an independent person, and you definitely do the holidays your own way. And you're decadent enough to go way over the top with any unusual holiday ideas you have. Your purple tree would look great with: Purple lights and ornaments You should spend Christmas Eve watching: A Christmas Story What you should bake for Santa: "Kitchen sink" cookies - with a ton of things in them

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

Last Minute Homemade Christmas Ideas

Free Printable Stationery

Candy Coal (for naughty boys + girls)

Little felt bookmarks

Candied Nuts and a Homemade Gift Bag

Handmade Felt Food

Felt Nativity Hand Puppets

Homemade Christmas Candy

Marmalade

Critters That Keep Out the Cold

Are you kidding me??

I have a Yahoo group that is devoted to Christmas. I have had so many people over the years that post their sob story, asking for the group to buy Christmas presents for their kids, that I have had to add a warning to the home page and set the group to moderate.

It says:
Please do not post asking for donations of Christmas gifts. All such posts will not be approved and you may be banned from the group. Thanks for understanding.

Pretty straight forward, no? Apparently not. I get 2-3 posts a day asking for Christmas presents. I always copy/paste the above notice into the "reject" email, and it usually isn't a problem. And then there was today.

This is the post:
Hello im writing to you to see if there is an angel out there somehwere
before Christmas that can help make my kids holiday brighter. I am on a
fixed income and the father dont have anything to do with them so i
struggle alot to make ends meat. So if someone can help please get back
to me im in desperate need i was only able to get stockings and we
did'nt even have a tree this year :)

My standard reply:
Please do not post asking for donations of Christmas gifts. All such
posts will not be approved and you may be banned from the group.
Thanks for understanding.

The email I received in reply:
Well then what is this group for ?? Geez !!

Are you kidding me??!! I am not proud to say that I answered in a not so diplomatic way:
It is to give people ideas for how to celebrate Christmas, not to act as your social services group. If you need Christmas ideas, I suggest you 1) get a job, 2) contact the Salvation Army or 3) cancel your internet service and use that money to buy your kids presents. Don’t expect strangers to finance your Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

So now I feel like a jackass and am wondering if I should email the person back and apologize, or just let it go. Bah humbug!

Update
Before I could even decide if I wanted to apologize, she replied:
Well you know what im going to post this message from you to all the other groups i am a member if and let them know how your group is you are mean and nasty and i hope your Christmas goes as bad as your mouth !!

My reply:
Wow. That is pretty harsh. You posted to a group asking for donations where it clearly states that you aren’t allowed to. I answered you with a nice, polite email asking you to please refrain from doing so. You are the one who was mean and nasty.

Please let me know which groups you post to so I can be sure to point Yahoo in the right direction when I report you, and so I can be sure to post your emails so people know both sides of the conversation.

Merry Christmas!

I'm such a grown up. LOL

I am done with this. Sheesh.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Today was fudge day. Ten batches (20 tins) took us about an hour. (We aren't talking gourmet fudge here, people.) We will start delivering it in a few minutes.

Last night we took the neighbor out to see Christmas lights, and ended up at Santa House. How is it that I didn't go to this place last year?? It is awesome! I swear to you, it is what Santa's workshop would look like. Believe me... Christmas is something Midland gets right. We have our own Santa School, thank you very much. I of course didn't have my camera with me, but I can assure you, me and the four year olds loved it.

You are in luck! I found Santa House pictures on Flickr.

Green Boot Camp--Making Paper Recycling Second Nature

Remember when I told you about 52 Weeks to a Greener You - or Green Boot Camp? She has posted her first lesson! You know what? Its an easy one, too.

Green Boot Camp--Making Paper Recycling Second Nature

Like, OH MY GOD!

Compacting in Michigan

Yay! I heard back from the owner of Compacting in Michigan. I really think the group owner email doesn't always work. She answered me right back when I sent the email to her email address vs. through "Owner."

She is going to add me as a moderator. Hopefully we can get some conversations going!

Not only that, she had this really cool quote as part of her sig line:

"Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is."
-Mary Anne Radmacher

All right, Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close up.

Our town has its own TV station. (I think most/all in Michigan do?) The other day I was watching the channel for snow information (geek, table for one) and saw that they offer classes on how to operate the cameras, edit stuff (how technical am I?) and all that good stuff. Once you take the classes, you can volunteer for them or you can produce/direct your own studio show. I am not even kidding.

I talked to Alex to see if he would be interested in taking the classes, but told him that I would have to make sure a 14 year old homeschooled kid was allowed to.

I called today, and found out that anyone 12 and up is eligible. The woman I talked to sounded excited that a 14yo was interested.

The classes are $20 and then after we have to pay an annual $25 use fee, he can volunteer. She said that they are always looking for people to tape the football games, and school concerts, interviews with people... stuff like that.

Classes start January 12th. He is pretty excited.

(Photo by Jack of Nothing)

My favorite Christmas Card

We got a Christmas card from my brother and SIL yesterday.
How cute are they??!! Sydney is the older blond, Shelby is the younger blond (that looks like she is ready for a rumble) and Rhiannon is the tall one with brown hair in the back.

Have you seen this missing child?

A message board friend, Debbi, posted this. The mom is a message board friend of hers.

I can't even imagine what this family is going through.

My daughter, Michelle Prasek, will be missing 10 years on December 19th.

I have provided 2 links to a flyer. If anyone finds it in their heart to distribute it, it would help to take a weight off of me.

And it might produce results that could solve her case, and hopefully bring her home.

MIssing children have been found even after many more years than 10.

Mostly what we need is prayers.

Endangered Missing

Missing Child

Michelle, Age 12

Michelle, Age Progressed to 19

Make these, now!

If I can get a hold of a candy thermometer, I am going to try my hand at making marshmallows tomorrow. Marty will be here so he can bail me out when I mess them up.

Go here to learn everything you need to know to make them.

HT to Serious Eats
Picture from flickr

Weekly Menu - Ho Ho Ho Edition

Well, modified Fat Smash isn't doing a thing for me. Oh wait... yes it is. I have gained 3 lbs. What is that all about??

Each holiday the boys pick a dish to make. Christian always makes his potatoes (loaded with cheese, sour cream, bacon... the works) Ethan usually makes a pie and Alex makes whatever is easiest.

For Christmas dinner we will have our elderly neighbor as a guest and I thought doing something crazy like we did for Thanksgiving might just kill her. Traditional Christmas, here we come.

All meal are served with a salad, fruit of my choice, and cut fresh vegetables.



Menu Plan - Week of 12/20-12/26

12/20 - Thursday
Gingerbread pancakes w/ fresh whipped cream, oven roasted potatoes

12/21 - Friday
Lisa's Famous Potato Soup in bread bowls

12/22 - Saturday
Light Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches, Cucumber Salad

12/23 - Sunday
Crockpot Tortilla Soup, Quesadillas

12/24 - Monday
Christmas Eve Dinner- Boys & Adults: Dinner at Marty's work

12/25 - Tuesday
Christmas Dinner - Ham, Orange Balsamic Cornish Hens, Garlicky Broccoli Rabe, Christian's Potatoes, Ethan's homemade apple pie, Alex's Salad (lol)

12/26 - Wednesday
Alex's Birthday! - Hamburgers, homemade deep fried in lots of oil French fries

Prayers/Positive Thoughts, Please

The son of a good family friend died in a horrible accident on Monday. He was 35.

Please keep all of his family in your thoughts/prayers, but especially his seven year old daughter, Riley.

The Best. Brownies. Ever.

Today is party day. At 2pm we have the going away party for our apartment complex manager. After 14 years she decided she has had enough. Who can blame her.

We will be surrounded by 70+ year old ladies, and I always get nervous baking for old ladies, because they, you know, invented baking. That is why I always turn to Diana's (of Lisa's Famous Potato Soup fame) brownies. The Best. Brownies. Ever.

Best Brownies Ever
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt 1/2 cup butter in microwave or on stove. Add it to the sugar, eggs and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Stir to blend.

Add the cocoa, the flour, salt and baking powder and mix well. Spread batter into an 8x8 baking pan. (No need to grease pan.)

Bake for 25-33 minutes. Do not over bake; they're to be soft & chewy.

If you want to, you can frost them.
When baked but still warm to the touch, frost with 3 Tbsp. softened butter, 3 Tbsp. cocoa, 1 Tbsp. honey, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 1 cup powdered sugar.

Sometimes, I will drizzle caramel sauce on top. Toss on a bunch of chocolate chips and crushed pecans. (Because, you know, I am all about health here.)

I currently have a double batch in the oven. After the party, I will make another double batch for our Archery party. Everyone is bringing goodies. Not a bad party, in my opinion.

Jumping the Gun?

I have applied to join the " Mamas on the Compact" blog. I am going to go ahead and post the button thingy on my blog, because even if they don't pick me I think you should all check it out.

So, keep your fingers crossed that they accept me. Even though I just reread the rules for signing up and realize that I may have broken one. Doh!

I am currently working on my pledge, which will probably sound a lot like a rewording of this post.

I Vant to Suck Your... Electricity?

You all know about phantom or vampire usage, right?

From Wikipedia:

Phantom load, sometimes referred to as standby power or leaking electricity is the power consumed by any device while it is switched off.

Many domestic appliances consume power when they are nominally off. Stereos, VCRs and television sets are examples. The phantom load can be caused by miniature transformers (such as wall warts) that convert AC electricity into DC electricity... Phantom load is also caused by devices which feature small LEDs or other indicators that they still have power; these indicators obviously use power themselves.

For any single appliance the load is never very large (the most inefficient designs draw 15-20 watts [2]), however when factored over all of the appliances in a country like the U.S. the load can come to billions of watts.

Mapgirl posted this graphic to help give us a clue about what we are using/wasting with phantom loads.

Over the summer, we got rid of as many phantom loads as we could. The computer and TVs are plugged into surge protectors that we flip off when not in use. We unplug the cell phone chargers when we aren't using them.

Right now, the only phantom loads we have are the DVR box (if we turn it completely off we lose everything and it takes up to an hour to restore service. No thanks...), the alarm clock and the timer on the stove (stupid electric stove. If it were gas I would unplug it.)

I totally agree with Mapgirl. After seeing this chart, a plasma tv will never grace my doorstep.

(Photo from scottmosch at flickr)

Snow day!

Woohoo! I think most of the state has called a snow day. We got an insane amount of snow yesterday... on top of the insane amount we already had.

This morning when Marty left, I flipped on the TV and saw that the school that a friends son goes to was called, so I called her and told her to bring him here for the day. We don't normally take snow days off of school, but who has time for school when there are cookies to bake, candy to make, snowmen to build and swimming to be done??

I of course, am exhausted. I got to sleep around 2:30 and woke up at 5:30. What a fun day this is going to shape up to be!

Ethan in the foundation of his "fort". The fort is now 3/4 of the way filled in because of the new snow - and it is still snowing.

Gas and Electric Usage - November Bill

As you may or may not remember (or care to remember) we are once again working on trying to lower our utility usage. I would like to say it is because I am soooo concerned about the environment that I feel it is my duty. I would like to say that. The reality is that I don't want another $250 Consumers bill. Blah.

I got the bill today. No, we aren't special and get mail service on Sunday. I sent the boy to the mailbox to retrieve the bill that I am sure was put there on Monday or something.

Our bill for 11-09 to 12-12 is $185.70. Happy Birthday to Meeeee indeed.

November 2006
Electric 01132 kwh
Gas 00093 ccf

November 2007
Electric 00867 kwh
Gas 00087 ccf

Let me point out to you that I live in Michigan. It is insanely cold in Michigan. The funny thing is... it is colder this year than it was last year. I swear.

Now of course, any money I have saved on the gas/electric bill is probably being spent on herbal tea and hot cocoa, but thats not the point. The point was to lower the gas/electric bill and not the herbal tea and hot cocoa bill.

Out my door

Hippy Skippy

Do you remember Garbage Pail Kids? Did I just show my age with that question? Like, how totally cute is this guy?? Like, OH MY GOD!

Ahem.

This blogger is starting a series of things you can do to help develop eco-friendly habits. I hope that there are a few weeks that I already do what she talks about so that I don't feel like a complete schlub.

52 Weeks to a Greener You

Research shows that it takes 21 days or three weeks to change a habit. If you're hoping to adopt better habits in 2008 as they relate to green living, I think I can help.

I've come up with a 52-week plan to a greener you. Call it Green Boot Camp. Or 13 Habits of Highly Effective Eco-Conscious People. (Why 13? I've conceived of 13 themes, out of which I've created 52 new habits to a greener you.)

Each week I'll post a theme and to-do list for a new green habit. Some of the time, this stuff will be new to you. Other times, it will be a refresher course or a new way of thinking of an old habit. During that week I'll give you multiple postings (about three a week) that are related to that week's theme.

HT to Tread Softly at Year One

The Compact

Guess what we are doing in 2008?!

The Compact

The Compact was started by a group of people from San Francisco who made a commitment to not buy new products of any kind (from stores, web sites, etc.) and borrow, barter, or buy used.

Here are their allowable exceptions:

• A few exceptions - using the "fair and reasonable person" standard -- i.e., you'll know in your heart when you're rationalizing a violation:
  
• food, drink, and necessary medicine (no elective treatments like Viagra or Botox)
• necessary cleaning products, but not equipment (don't go out and buy the Dyson Animal, for example).
  
• socks and underwear (utilitarian--non-couture or ornamental)
• pajamas for the children
• Utilitarian services (plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, veterinarians, dog/house-sitters, fire/paramedics, dry cleaners, house cleaners, etc.) -- Support local and encourage used parts (rebuilt transmission, salvaged headlight unit, etc.)
• Recreational services (massage, etc.) & local artisanal items - Good sources for gifts, but should not be over-indulged in for personal gratification
  
• Charitable contributions (Seva, Heifer, and the like) - an even better source for gifts
  
• Plants and cut flowers - Whenever possible, cultivate from free cuttings or seeds. Ok in extreme moderation (yo, incoming oxy) when purchased from local businesses (i.e., not the Target Garden Shop)--and again, within reason
  
• Art supplies - First line of attack: SCRAP. When absolutely necessary (for the professionals and talented amateurs in the group), from local businesses
  
• Magazines, newspapers, Netflix - renewals only, no new subscriptions. Even better to consume online
• Video rentals and downloadable music files (non-material) -- freely shared and legal, please

About the only things I would add to this are pants for freakishly tall and freakishly skinny boys, shoe for freakishly large feet (seriously - if you can find used size 14 shoes, let me know) and stuff for my grandma. I always try to find clothes for misshapen children used first, but am rarely successful. I only see my grandma a few times a year, so I often send cards and small trinkets to her in her nursing home. Some are purchased second hand, but some aren't. I'm not going to stress over the "aren't" ones.

We did something like it this year, but I called it "How low can you go?" because when I mentioned "The Compact", everyone thought I had joined a cult.

Here is a post I made on my other blog way back on January 7th:

In this house, 2007 is called the "How low can you go" year. We are going to actively try to lower our costs on everything - food, utilities, school books/supplies, entertainment - everything.

As part of our plan, we are also starting our own "compact" type pledge. By "Compact type," I mean we won't be as nuts as some of the SF Bay compacters are... I will buy a new toilet brush if I need it and I won't buy things just because they aren't new. When we need something we will try to get the item used. Thrift stores, Craigslist and Freecycle are just a few options out there!

In the spirit of "How low can you go" I will be using my mad writing skills to keep you updated and bring you tips as I learn - or remember - them.

If you would like to join me, leave a comment. We can check in on (and up with) each other.

Honestly, we did pretty darn good. We just don't buy things. If we do buy things, they come from the thrift store or yard sales. Being cheap has its advantages, lemme tell ya.

I tried to join the Yahoo list for people doing the Compact in Michigan, but I only saw spam. I emailed the list oner asking if the list was still active, and offered to help moderate, because it looks like they aren't able to do it and just opened the list to anyone who wants to post anything. We will see what happens.

So, does anyone want to join me?

That will be $150, please!

We had to go back to the hospital to have Alex's stitches taken out. Not a good experience to say the least.

First, they put us in a long room divided into two by a curtain. There is a guy on the other side of the curtain coughing and clearing his throat the whole time. I whispered to Marty "Gee, I hope that guy doesn't have the flu!"

Guess what he was there for.

When the doctor came to see him he said he either had the flu or strep throat. He ran tests for both, but we weren't there long enough to hear the results. When the Doctor came to see Alex I asked him if we were now exposed and what we should do. Yeah, we are and no, there is nothing we can do. Great.

Marty thinks it was rude to ask right there where the guy could hear me. I think it was rude of him to cough his flu germs over to our side of the curtain. Never mind what I think of the hospital putting us in the room with the flu guy - a room that we had to pass plenty of empty rooms to get to.

Marty is convinced I am going to worry my way to the flu. I told him that if I could will a virus to appear where there was none, well, that might not be a bad power to have. I also pointed out that I could probably will one to pay him a visit, so he had better watch it.

After exposing us to untold viruses, they also messed up taking Alex's stitches out and split his finger open again. Now, I'm not bragging or anything, but I once took stitches out of Alex's face and didn't mess it up. I'm just saying.

The look of horror on Alex's face when they said they were going to restitch it made them decide to use steri-strips instead. The doctor decided to do it, and that is where I learned that Marty's grandma was a genius.

Marty's grandma - a Nurse - always said "Never send a Doctor to do a Nurses job" and other silly things like that. She was right. He put so many steri-strips on there that when the Nurse tried to take them off to fix them (after she peed herself laughing) they wouldn't come off. So now, he is going to have a hole in his hand, because it probably won't heal right. "Flu and disfiguration... that will be $150, please!"

After all of that we took Alex to his favorite restaurant to try to drown his sorrow in a plate of General Tso's chicken. It must have worked because by the time we got to the library he was bouncing around like nothing had happened.

We also had to go to Meijer and Super Wal-Mart, but I will spare you the gory details of those adventures. Let me just say that 1) I hate the holidays, 2) I hate people and 3) I can't will viruses onto people, because if I could the stores would have cleared out much faster.

Merry Christmas to my Homeschool Friends!

Snowflakes!

If you are not lucky enough to live in the Arctic tundra known as Michigan, never fear! You too can have a white Christmas.

Snowflake cutout templates

10 Gifts under $10 - 10 days before Christmas

As I am sure you know, I am not a big fan of gift giving just for the sake of gift giving. That said, there may be times when you need a quick, frugal gift (gift exchanges, neighbors that you want to do a little something for, landlords, etc.) Sure, you could run to the local big box store and grab something, but nothing screams "I am cheap!" like a mass produced big box store $10 piece of junk!

I am not crafty and I don't know how to knit. That is why most of my ideas will come from the kitchen. If you have any others, I would love to hear them!

1. Whole Wheat Beer Bread
You can include a 6 pack of a good local beer, or if the recipient isn't really drinker, just one bottle. To package with just one bottle, try this idea I saw at a *baby shower years ago. Cover a Burger King drink holder with fabric or wallpaper scraps. (Ask at the wallpaper store for their old sample books and the wallpaper is free!) The Burger King drink holder only has two section, so put the beer in one section and the canning jar in the other.

Mix and package in a quart sized canning jar:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Make a tag with the following instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease
a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. Empty jar into a large mixing bowl and pour in beer. Stir until a stiff batter is formed. (It may be necessary to mix dough with your hands.)
3. Scrape dough into prepared loaf pan.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.

2. Fudge!
This is my standard gift. You can package it in tins or you can try Meredith's idea of using a wicker paper plate holder.

3. Handprint Poem
Perfect for grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. I made this as a surprise gift for Marty when the boys were very young. He loved it!

4. Dish Garden
Check your garden centers for terracotta containers because many of
them are marking down this time of year. A shallow pot or tray that is anywhere from 8-12 inches round will also work well (other shapes are fine too.) Also, small garden ornaments can be used along with the plants. Just use a saw or wire cutters to trim the metal post, if needed.

5. Snowman Kits
This would be a cute gift for a family with young kids.

• Winter scarf (6' long) - You can make your own using pieces of inexpensive fleece. Just cut "fringe" into the ends, and it will look just like a scarf.
• 2 sticks (for arms)
• A pair of mittens (could be mis-matched or thrift store finds)
• 5 big buttons (to go down the belly)
• 7 lumps of charcoal (2 for the eyes, 5 for the smiley mouth)
• A carrot for the nose (Or you could take another stick of about 8" and paint it orange)
  

Package in a plain brown grocery bag. Fold over the top, and make two holes. Thread the scarf through the holes and tie in the front. Include a box of hot cocoa mix and a bag of marshmallows, if desired.

6. Scented Rice Bag
Fill a new tube sock 2/3 full with white rice. (Do not use instant rice!) Add lavender buds to the rice for a nice smell (and lavender is calming.) Sew the end of the sock closed - you want the rice to be able to shift around some. If you don't want to use a tube sock, any fabric would work, but would require more sewing. To use: First you need to test the heating time by starting at 1 minute. Once you know how long it will take to heat, make a tag with heating instructions.

7. The Twelve Days of Coffee or The Twelve Days of Tea
I made these years ago and they were a big hit.

8. Oreo Cookie Truffles
I made these last year and they are good! Instead of dipping in chocolate you can roll them in coconut (they look like deranged porcupines!), sweetened cocoa, or chopped nuts.

9. Cinnamon Peanut Brittle
This would look nice in a tin or a cellophane bag tied with ribbon.

10. Saltine Cookies
I know, something called saltine cookies shouldn't taste good, but I promise you they do.

*And no, there wasn't beer given at a baby shower! They had covered a cardboard six pack holder with fabric and put six bottles in it to give as a gift.

Spoiled little boys!

Don't tell the boys but...

Marty's brother just called. He and Marty had talked about the present that my brother got or the boys and he wanted to confirm that he did indeed get it.

Ok, Ethan is gone. I don't have to talk in code anymore. My brother ad SIL got the boys one of those XBox 360 things for Christmas. Marty's brother and SIL are going to get them extra controllers and a game. Mike (Marty's brother) wanted to know which system they got, so they could add to whatever they needed. I told him to call my brother because I am clueless about games (and many other things.)

He just called me back and said he is getting them the game they always talk about - Halo something.

This feels like a good time to point out that both uncle and aunt pairs are spending more on our boys than we are, and more than anyone has ever spent on me for Christmas. Unless you count the year that we bought our house and Marty insisted that it was my Christmas present. I'm not bitter or anything...

I feel better now

I am over it. If they are going to not renew our lease because my bank screwed up, then I don't want to live here. I love my apartment and the people who live in the complex, but honestly we have been tossing around the idea of moving when our lease is up, anyway. The amount of rent we pay is obscene. $1029.00 a month. I feel dirty just typing that. We just didn't want to move when our lease is up in May and then 3 weeks later have them decide to transfer Marty. Moving twice in one month ranks right up there with death and taxes on my list of thing to avoid doing.

I downloaded a bunch of Christmas music and burned my own Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas or else CD. Except that when I labeled the CD so that when you put it in the name pops u, and when I wrote the name o the CD, I wrote Christmas 08. Both times. About 15 minutes apart from each other. Yeah, I am losing my mind.

Christian and I also made some fudge. Really, Christian made it and I stood there holding things to hand him. This getting older and being more independent thing sucks sometimes. Sometimes I just need to be the mommy that is needed.

Marty's mom sent Christian check for his birthday. Usually she doesn't send anything. One year she sent them ornaments for Christmas that when you turned them over you could read the message that the person who gave them to her had written. "Dear Sue - Friends are forever and the miles won't change that" and stuff like that. Luckily, they were/are old enough to have figured their grandmother out. Of course, he wants the money to go right into the bank. Compounding interest is that boys best friend.

Marty is off tomorrow and Sunday. Not sure how he managed to get a weekend off, but he did. He is on day 765 or something, because when you get 300 calls or have to go in "just for a second" I still count it as a work day. I don't care what the schedule says.

I just remembered a funny story.

When we go out to eat, it is always to Marty's work. The servers fight over who will serve us. I like to think it is because of my dazzling personality, but the reality is, it is because I am a good tipper. I eat for free, so tipping 30% is not unreasonable for me. No, not 30% of free. 30% of what I would pay if I didn't have my connection. So anyway, a few weeks ago we were there and a server mentioned that during a conversation with one of the big managers, he said to her "Don't keep reminding Marty how many hours he works. We can't have him quitting."

That was funny to me.

So back to my story. Marty is off this weekend, so I think we might make our trek to Frankenmuth. We buy the boys a special ornament each year, and when you live this close to Bronner’s how could you not go there? Luckily, last year we learned or lesson and won't feel compelled to buy crappy chicken. It is really cool to go look at all of the decorations, though.

So yeah, I am over it.

I hate car payments

I can not wait to get rid of this damn car payment. Not only do I have to pay these people every month, but they totally screwed me - with the help of my bank.

I made my usual car payment the normal way - check over the phone. (The closest branch is a 30 minute drive from here.) For some unknown reason they decided to take significantly more out than I authorized. (I could say that it is because the damn customer service people don't speak English, but that isn't very nice, so I won't.) I caught the mistake before it hit my bank, but after they sent it. The only way to stop it was to put a stop payment on the check.

Called my bank. Since it was an electronic check (meaning there is no check number) and not a paper check (with a number) the only way they could stop it was to put a stop on everything from this company - an charge me $30. Ok, fine.

Fast forward to today. I have been compulsively checking my account online, because my rent check hasn't hit my account yet. I have called my bank 4 times since the 6th (rent due the 5th) and even went in to ask them what happened. They keep saying that it hasn't come to them yet. I finally decided to call the rental office and find out what happened. She called back a few minutes later.

To make a painfully long story even longer - basically, my bank put a stop on all checks. All checks. Are you f-ing kidding me?

So my rent check as returned to the management company and I am now freaking out that they will not renew our lease. The manager said that all renewals go through corporate, and is totally up to this one guy - who I happen to know is a complete tool.

The bank basically told me to "prove it" when I told them that the hold was for the checks from one company, not all checks. Yeah... like I would put a stop on all checks.

So this little debacle is going to cost me - big. Not only did I have to pay the $30 for the stop check fee but I have to pay the fee that my complex's bank charges them and a late fee.

I can not even begin to tell you how mad I am.

The Twelve Days of Tea - Part 2

The Twelve Days of Tea - Part 1

Chai Tea Mix
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
For Tag: Stir 2 heaping tablespoons into a mug of hot water.

Christmas Spiced Tea
2 ts Cinnamon
1 t Ground cloves
2 c Sugar
1/2 c Instant tea w/twist of lemon
18 oz Jar of Tang Juice Mix
For Tag: Add 2 heaping teaspoons for each mug of boiling water for tea.

Cranberry Tea
1 cup instant tea mix
1 3 ounce box cranberry-flavored gelatin
2 cups granulated sugar
For Tag: Stir 2 teaspoons tea mix into 8 ounces hot water.

Ginger Tea
1/2 cup plain instant tea mix
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup instant powdered milk
1/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
For Tag: Stir 2 tablespoons tea mix with 3/4 cup boiling water.

Green Apple Tea
1 cup instant tea mix
1 3 ounce box green apple-flavored gelatin
2 cups granulated sugar
For Tag: Stir 2 teaspoons tea mix into 8 ounces hot water.

Lime Tea
1 cup instant tea mix
1 3 ounce box lime-flavored gelatin
2 cups granulated sugar
For Tag: Stir 2 teaspoons tea mix into 8 ounce

Mango Tea
1 cup instant tea mix
1 3 ounce box mango-flavored gelatin
2 cups granulated sugar
For Tag: Stir 2 teaspoons tea mix into 8 ounce

Peach Tea
1 cup instant tea mix
1 3 ounce box peach-flavored gelatin
2 cups granulated sugar
For Tag: Stir 2 teaspoons tea mix into 8 ounces hot water.

Pineapple Tea
1 cup instant tea mix
1 3 ounce box pineapple-flavored gelatin
2 cups granulated sugar
For Tag: Stir 2 teaspoons tea mix into 8 ounces hot water.

Raspberry Tea
6 TB Instant Tea; dry
2 pk Raspberry Kool-aid
For Tag: Stir 3 teaspoons tea mix into hot or cold water.

Red Hot Tea
2 cups Tang instant juice mix
1 1/2 C sugar
1/2 C instant tea
2 tbsp. instant lemonade mix
1/2 C candy red hots
For Tag: Mix 3 tbsp. of tea mix with 1 cup hot water.

Russian Tea
2 cups Tang
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup lemon flavored instant tea
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
For Tag: Mix 3 tbsp. of tea mix with 1 cup hot water.


Spiced Tea
1 1/2 cups instant tea powder
2 cups orange flavored instant breakfast powder
1 (3-ounce) package lemonade mix
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
For Tag: Mix 2 tsp. of tea mix with 1 cup hot water.

Sugar Free Cherry Tea
1 package unsweetened cherry-flavored kool-aid
1 1/4 cups sugar-free instant tea mix (artificially sweetened)
For Tag: Stir 2 teaspoons tea mix into 8 ounces hot or cold water.

The Twelve Days of Tea - Part 1

Just like The Twelve Days of Coffee Part 1 and Part 2 I will have to post this in two parts.

First, the instructions (which are remarkably like the coffee instructions!)
1. Make the 12 different flavored teas and package them in pretty tins. (You can probably post on your local Freecycle list asking for used General Foods International Coffee tins. Just cover them with holiday themed paper.)
2. Line a basket with a paper holiday print napkin, or scrap of holiday print fabric.
3. Put a loaf of homemade bread into a basket.
4. Put the Teas around the bread.
5. Tuck in sprigs of evergreen, holly and pepperberry here and there.
6. Tie a gift tag with "The Twelve Days of Tea" to the handle, and list all of the names of the coffees. Make a small tag or each tin with the name of each tea and instructions for making a cup. I always put something dorky like "Made by the last name tea company. Purveyors of fine teas since current year" on the big tag.

To make the teas: Place all dry ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix until they are powder.

The Twelve Days of Tea - Part 2

The Twelve Days of Coffee - Part 2

The Twelve Days of Coffee - Part 1
Bavarian Mint-Chocolate Cafe
1/3 cup instant coffee
1 cup instant dry milk powder
1/2 cup powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup store-bought instant chocolate pudding mix
6 to 8 red & white candy mints, crushed
For Tag: Place 1/4 cup into a coffee cup. Add hot water to fill up the cup. Stir and serve.

Cafe´ Au Lait
1 11oz jar fat free non-dairy creamer
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup instant coffee dash of salt
For Tag: Use 1/4 cup mix to 2/3 cup hot water.

Cafe France
1 cup instant dry coffee
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 1/3 cups nonfat dry milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
For Tag: Use 1 to 2 teaspoonful of the dry mix to one coffee mug of hot water.

Cafe´ Mocha
2/3 cup instant coffee
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 cup non-dairy creamer
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
3 TBSP unsweetened cocoa
For Tag: Use 1 to 2 spoonfuls to one mug of hot water.

Café Rue d´Madelaine
1 cup instant dry coffee
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups dry non-dairy creamer
1 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk
4 Tablespoons cocoa
For Tag: Use 1 to 2 teaspoonsful of the dry mix to one coffee mug of hot water.

Cafe Vienna
1/2 cup instant coffee
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup instant dry milk powder
1/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup store bought instant butterscotch or vanilla flavored pudding mix (optional)
For Tag: Place 2 teaspoon into a coffee cup. Add hot water to fill up the cup. Stir and serve.

French Vanilla Cafe
1/3 cup instant coffee
1 cup instant dry milk powder
1/2 cup powdered coffee creamer
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup store-bought instant vanilla pudding mix
For Tag: Place 1/4 cup into a coffee cup. Fill with hot water.

Mocha Espresso
1/2 cup instant coffee
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups instant dry milk powder
1/2 cup powdered coffee creamer
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup instant vanilla or chocolate flavored pudding mix
For Tag: Place 2 tablespoons into a small coffee cup. Add hot water to fill the cup.

Orange Cappuccino
1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup instant coffee
1 tsp. dried orange peel
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
For Tag: Place 2 teaspoons mix and 2/3 cup boiling water in mug.

Spiced Mocha Mix
1 cup sugar
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1/2 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons powdered instant coffee
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
For Tag: Place 3 tablespoons mix in mug and add 3/4 cup boiling water.

Swiss Mocha
1/2 cup instant coffee
1 cup sugar
1 cup instant dry milk powder
1/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup vanilla flavored instant pudding mix (optional)
For Tag: Measure 3 or 4 tablespoons into a coffee cup. Fill it up with hot water. Stir to dissolve.

Toffee Coffee
1/2 cup instant coffee
1 cup dry milk powder
1/2 cup powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup store-bought butterscotch flavored instant pudding mix
For Tag: Combine 3 or 4 tablespoons into a mug with boiling hot water.

The Twelve Days of Coffee - Part 1

Years ago, I made "The Twelve Days of Coffee" and "The Twelve Days of Tea" sets to give as gifts. Since I mass produced them, they were pretty inexpensive. (I can't remember how much I spent per basket, I can't imagine it was more than $10 each as that was my per family budget.)

Today I will share the coffee recipe and instructions. Tomorrow, I will share the tea.

Because my blog formatting goes all wonky if I post anything long, each one will have to be in two parts.

First, the instructions:
1. Make the 12 different flavored coffees and package them in pretty tins. (You can probably post on your local Freecycle list asking for used General Foods International Coffee tins. Just cover them with holiday themed paper.)
2. Line a basket with a paper holiday print napkin, or scrap of holiday print fabric.
3. Put a loaf of homemade bread into a basket.
4. Put the Coffees around the bread.
5. Tuck in sprigs of evergreen, holly and pepperberry here and there.
6. Tie a gift tag with "The Twelve Days of Coffee" to the handle, and list all of the names of the coffees. Make a small tag or each tin with the name of each coffe and instructions for making a cup. I always put something dorky like "Made by the last name tea company. Purveyors of fine coffees since current year" on the big tag.

To make the coffees: Place all dry ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix until they are powder.

The Twelve Days of Coffee Part 2

How cute are these?

You have to check theses out. I am going to make some for our Christmas parties this year.
Tiny Sugared Christmas Trees

HT to Meredith at Like Merchant Ships

We have to do WHAT today?

I don't know why my children thought that we were taking the week off of school, but needless to say they weren't very happy this morning.

Weekly Menu - Holiday Fat Smash Edition

We are still doing Fat Smash, but a modified version because trying to stick to a diet during the holidays just isn't going to happen. Too many birthdays and too many Christmas parties. We are living somewhere between phases 2 and 3. Smaller portions and limiting trigger foods can't be bad, right?


Last week was a mess. For the first time in *forever* the menu plan went out the window. Of course, this happened after I did the grocery shopping, so I still have a lot of the ingredients on hand. Short shopping lists are always good.

All meal are served with a salad, fruit of my choice, and cut fresh vegetables.




Menu Plan - Week of 12/13-12/19

12/13 - Thursday
Boys and Adults: Fresh green beans, potatoes and ham in the Crockpot

12/14 - Friday
Boys: Pizza
Adults: Tuscan White Bean Soup

12/15 - Saturday
Boys & Marty: Lamb - We didn't get to have lamb for Christian's birthday because Marty had to work and I have no idea how to cook it.
Me: Tomato and White Bean Soup

12/16 - Sunday
Boys: Burritos
Adults: Naked burrito (Brown Rice, Pinto Beans, Salsa, FF yogurt & tomato)

12/17 - Monday
Boys & Adults: All Day Macaroni & Cheese (This is the exact recipe I use, but I never thought to put it in a crockpot. Genius!!)

12/18 - Tuesday
Boys & Adults: Holiday party at archery

12/19 - Wednesday
Boys & Adults: Gingerbread pancakes w/ fresh whipped cream, oven roasted potatoes