A New Year

Doesn't everyone ponder new beginnings in a new year? What habits can I dump and which new behaviors should I embrace this year? If you're like me, often times even the best laid plans fall to the wayside about mid-January. Yeah?

I've really tried to do better about keeping the house clean in the past few weeks. While I still have room to improve here, I don't allow things to get as behind as I once did. Perhaps that is partly because son #1 is doing sports through school and his schedule is much thinner than in years past and son #2 is off-season right now. Maybe it's because work, while always a steady force in my life, isn't overwhelming at present. But even though those things are true, I honestly believe it's because I've been really consistent with taking my daily Plexus regimen. My blood sugar is better regulated, I don't have constant sugar cravings, and instead I have sustained energy all day. Those things contribute to better sleep at night. I can see a tangible difference in my life because I want to do more things.

For example, several weeks ago I had a day off while the kids were in school. I used my day sitting on the sofa, playing on my phone and just sitting there. I don't even remember turning on the tv. I'm not saying that there doesn't need to be the occasional 'veg' day, but I just didn't want to get up all day. I remember feeling at the end of the day what a waste it was. I didn't feel better about myself or that I 'rested.' I felt lazy and bored. I felt like I should have at least gotten up and done something.

Fast forward to this weekend. I've had moments where I rested, yes for sure. But I didn't want to sit and waste my day doing nothing. I prepped meals for the week to save time and money (also much healthier). I took lunch to my son at school across town. I volunteered to take food for a funeral of a friend of a friend (and I relished in the recipe that took nearly 2 hours to make.) I cleaned my house joyfully while listening to stand up comedy routines in my headphones (my family totally thinks I'm crazy because I was cleaning and laughing hysterically, seemingly for no reason.)

I'm not saying I'm a different person or anything crazy - I just see a difference in my life. To me, the benefits I get from taking Plexus is worth the cost. In a day and age where we spend our money on frivolous things that don't matter much (pedicures, fancy coffee, excessive designer clothes, to name a few), I think looking out for our health is okay to do. As for me, it's a new year. I'm already looking forward to it!

Three hours and $45

Here is my latest meal prep plan. It actually only took me 2 hours to put the meals together, but I'm counting the hour it took me to grocery shop. MOST people who do these meal preps recommend shopping and prepping on different days. HOWEVER, I think I must be lazy because I don't like to put all my groceries away if I'm just going to get them all out again. SO, I just factor in shopping time. Here you go!

Hamburger Veggie Soup (I doubled this and made two)

1 lb ground beef
1/2 bag of matchstick carrots
1/4 onion
1 can diced tomatoes, somewhat drained
1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
Large Dash of garlic powder
Large Dash of Italian seasoning
Small Dash of Pepper
1-2 beef bouillon cubes
2-4 red potatoes, chopped
Handful of fresh spinach (optional)
1/2 zucchini

Instructions to write on the freezer bag: Add 4 cups water, L: 4-6 hours


Lemon Pepper Chicken

Chicken breast, cut into cubes or strips (enough for your family)
3 TBSP lemon juice
Large Dash of pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Small Dash of salt
Handful of fresh spinach

Instructions to write on the freezer bag: L: 4-6 hours (serve with rice and/or broccoli)


Hawaiian Chicken

Chicken breast, cut into cubes or strips (enough for your family)
1 can pineapple chucks with the juice
2 TBSP brown sugar
2 TBSP soy sauce

Instructions to write on the freezer bag: L: 4-6 hours (serve over rice)


Roast

1 Roast (sized to feed your family)
1 small bag of chopped carrots
2-3 chopped potatoes
2 beef bouillon cubes
Large Dash of Salt
Large Dash of Pepper

Instructions to write on the freezer bag: Add 1 cup water, L: 6-8 hours


Potato/Sausage Chowder

1 large sausage link, chopped into small bits
1 bag of frozen corn
2-3 red potatoes, chopped
Dash of garlic powder
Large handful of chopped celery
1/4 onion
Salt
Pepper
1 chicken bouillon cube
Handful of fresh spinach

Instructions to write on the freezer bag: Add 4 cups water, L:4-6 hours, Add 1 can evaporated milk after cooking and mash a few potatoes in the soup to thicken it


Sausage

1 large sausage link, chopped into small bits
1 large can of green beans, undrained
3-4 potatoes of your choice (I used red potatoes)
1/2 onion
2 chicken bouillon cubes (OR you can use ranch dressing powder inst if you prefer)
Salt
Pepper
Handful of celery

Instructions to write on the freezer bag: Add 1 cup water, L: 4-6 hours


BBQ Pork Chops

Pork Chops (enough for your family)
3 TBSP Worcheshire Sauce
2-3 TBSP Brown sugar

Instructions to write on the freezer bag: Add 1/2 cup water, L: 4-6 hours


THAT'S IT!! Notice I use several of the same groceries in the recipes... I do this on purpose to save money and to prevent having a ton of leftover, unused groceries.

Christmas Lunch

I don't know about you, but holiday meals in my home can sometimes get away from me. I research recipes, make all of these super big meal plans, purchase all the ingredients, and then by the time I get it all prepared, I'm too pooped to really enjoy it. Almost always I need a nap after lunch on holidays because it's so much WORK to get everything just perfect.

So this year, I kept it simple simple simple. And I'm totally OKAY with that. I mean, what is even the point of Christmas? To remember the birth of our Savior, to spend time with our families, to rest and just enjoy one another, right? So I didn't slave over the meal for hours this year. I didn't even make a huge trip to the store... I tried to use up some of the things already on hand and made a quick trip through the express lane for the few items that I did need.

For anyone who wants a super simple holiday meal suggestion, here goes:

Jello cups (I made red to go with the Christmas theme)
Roast beef, carrots and potatoes in one baking dish (325 degrees for 3 hours, 15 min; Seasoned with spices, bouillon and onion; Add 1.5 cup water; Cover with foil) - I actually threw this together the night before and then it was in the oven while we opened presents. It worked out nicely.
Rolls
Apple Crisp (My MIL actually made this and brought it over. YUM!)

We had a ton of rolls left over for some reason. So after the company left, I used the rolls to make a delicious bread pudding with items on hand. My family enjoyed sitting around the table for the evening dessert that I hadn't planned. I spent the majority of my day with family, just hanging out. Exactly the way I prefer my holidays, as opposed to getting crazy tired in the kitchen. Good day!!

More Energy, Yes Please

Before you read further you must understand, I'm not really a 'jump on the bandwagon' kind of person. I like to try something, ponder it, research it and make decisions for myself. That being said....

A few months back I saw a friend's post on Facebook asking for people willing to try a product she was selling for 7 days - The Plexus Slim Pink Drink. The product promised to help me lose weight, gain energy and control sugar cravings. I had even heard of it before. Never had I researched it, but I had heard of it. So I figured...why not?

So I tried it for 7 days. The first few days I tried it faithfully and experienced no changes. I had to use the bathroom more because I was drinking more water than I usually did. But no added energy. I didn't bother weighing myself; It didn't seem necessary. The best things about the first few days were the taste of the drink and the knowledge that I was healthily drinking more water.

Then on Day 5, I noticed more energy. Noticeable. After work on a Thursday, when I'm usually pretty tired, I started a 4 hour project that I finished completely the same evening. After I was done, I still had energy. Seriously? No way... Then on Day 8, (after I had completed the week) I weighed myself. 'Why not,' I thought? I had lost 3 lbs, literally by doing nothing but drinking an enjoyable tasting drink each morning. So weird!

So then I took quite a long time researching this product and company. I have found that many people claim it does more than just the initial things that my friend claimed on her post. Apparently, some people believe this product is responsible for helping with a whole slue of heath issues. I can't scientifically claim that to be true, but it's really encouraging to see how excited people are in their testimonies and how it's changed their lives. I've since bought a month's worth and am having the same results. In fact, if anything, for me it works too well, and it takes me longer to wind down in the evenings.

I've decided to start selling this product... If it can help me gain extra energy, then it's totally worth it in my crazy, busy schedule. I am not telling you this so that you will buy from me - I'm telling you this so that you will research this product and company for yourself. ARE YOU WILLING TO TRY IT?? I would encourage you to give it a try for 30 days and see what you think.

If you DO want to buy some to try, here's the link: shopmyplexus.com/beckyhamilton/

Clean Sweep

No seriously... Do you remember this show? For people who had some serious disorganization, the show would come into your house and make you clean up and get your house organized by force in like 2 days. I so need this! I actually don't have serious disorganization, but I'd like someone else to come and do all the work. hehe

But, alas, since that's probably not going to happen this week, it's time for my own version. I encourage you to get cracking on your own winter cleaning, too. You know, before we are all stuck indoors with the colder weather...If we are going to have winter cabin fever, it's better to be in a cleaner version of our houses, right?

My suggestion is to do one of these a day until they are all done. Or be like me and try to get them all done in one weekend!

1. Go through your closet and take out everything you haven't worn in the last year and things that don't fit well. If you can't remember when you last wore it, it's outta there! Donate it, have a garage sale, or better yet - sell it on eBay.
2. Wipe down baseboards, dust ceiling fans and sweep under all your furniture. YUCK! I know, I know. But it's gotta be done SOMEtime. Otherwise you'll move your sofa when a friend is over and you will. be. embarrassed. when she sees how much yuck is under there. Yeah, that happens.
3. Take everything out of your fridge and your pantry. Expired stuff just goes AWAY. Wipe out your cabinets and fridge shelves. Stop ignoring that mystery sticky substance that's leaked in the fridge. Yeah, you see it. Clean it up.
4. While you're there in the kitchen, scrub the cabinet faces with bleach water. (1 TBSP bleach, 1-2 gallons water) Self clean your oven and wipe down the microwave. Wipe down every other surface.
5. Sweep and mop and vacuum your house. Mix a little bleach into your mopping substance if it won't damage your floors.
6. Spend some time deep cleaning your bathroom. Throw out all your old shampoos you're hoarding in the shower and toss old razors and toiletries. Clean out your bathroom cabinet and get rid of items that you haven't used in the last year.
7. This one is the scariest in my house so I started with it first, actually - Help your kids go through their rooms. Get rid of stuff that is just taking up dead space. It might mean taking out furniture that no longer makes sense in their rooms.
8. Lastly - the one I hate the most - GO THROUGH the piles you have set aside for later. It's later. Toss stuff or file it. Don't allow another pile to exist simply because you don't know where to put it. If in doubt, file it and get on with your life already.

I'm determined to have a fully enjoyable and clean living space ASAP. I'm already working on my list. BAM!

Homemade Uncrustables

I've been a while between posts because a) football season ended for one kid and I found extra time on my hands. So what did I do?? I filled it with furniture restoration projects. Yeah... I can't sit still long, obviously.... And b) my computer is cranky and won't let me post pictures on here. So I've been trying to post this one for several days including a picture. Maybe I'll get the picture on here at some point.

Ok here's the deal on this one. This will actually take you about 10-15 minutes to do. So in terms of saving you time, it's kind of half a dozen of one and six of another. But the beauty of this recipe for me is that you'll save time in the crazy busy mornings getting ready for school and you'll save some dough, too. (BTW, is it just my house that does the 'mad dash' before school? I tell myself we are going to get up 10 minutes earlier to avoid the hurriedness, but that's yet to happen. haha)


Homemade Uncrustables


Loaf of Bread (I buy the cheap store-brand kind for these, wheat)
Jelly (Flavor of choice)
Peanut Butter (Creamy or Crunchy)

Make a PB&J sandwich, only putting the PB&J in the center of the bread, in about a 1.25' circle. Using a very fat lipped cup, press down firmly and hold for 30 seconds, making a deep, round impression on the sandwich. Tear away the crust and gently remove the now round sandwich. Place the sandwich on a cookie sheet. Once your cookie sheet is full of sandwiches, place it in the freezer, sandwiches uncovered. Flash freeze for 2+ hours. Remove sandwiches from the freezer and place them in individual sandwich baggies. Store in the freezer until you are ready to pack them into lunches.

TIPS: Make sure you have a really fat lipped cup, otherwise the PB&J will leak out. Once frozen, the sandwich will thaw nicely in a lunch box for a few hours and will be soft and taste fresh. Since you are cutting off the crust, it is most cost effective to purchase the cheapest bread. You likely won't tell any difference between the breads.

I purchase store-bought Uncrustables for about $2.25 for 4 sandwiches, sometimes more. That's over .50 for each sandwich. When I make them myself, they taste fresher and, since I prefer wheat bread, just better overall. I spend about $1.00 on an entire loaf of bread and I keep PB&J on hand always. So I'm spending less than .10 per sandwich doing it this way. SO WORTH IT!!

Mississippi Chicken

Ok I don't even know why people in Mississippi make chicken like this, or if it's even a real thing in Mississippi, but this is a super easy, super yummy recipe that I want to share. I found it on Pinterest and changed it up just a little. I've also made it with roast beef (do everything the same, except use roast beef instead of chicken.)

I personally freeze my meal beforehand and then make it in the crock pot; It can also be made 'fresh' in the crock pot without being frozen first.


MISSISSIPPI CHICKEN

Chicken legs and/or thighs (enough to feed your family)
6-10 Pepperoncini
1 Envelope Au jus gravy mix (or brown gravy mix)
1 Envelope Ranch dressing mix
1/2 Stick Butter
1 cup water

Low: 4-5 hours

I serve this with instant mashed potatoes and microwave steam-able veggies to be quick.