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.