{Lessons from Spring Break - Day 5} On Disappointment

I won't even TRY to explain this as a healthy breakfast.  I won't.  It's also not NEW.  But some days, just call for it still.

This morning...

Ladies and Gentlemen...BISCUITS AND GRAVY.

Billy loves gravy.  BUT HATES THE IDEA OF MAKING IT WITH GREASE.  Any kind of grease. Bacon grease.  Sausage grease.  Broccoli grease.  It doesn't matter.  He's not a fan of grease.

So, instead, I brown some sausage, DRAIN IT and use this...

Mix it with water, and wal-lah!  Deliciousness.

***

Billy got some disappointing news this week at work.  

We aren't strangers to disappointment.  Neither are you, are you?

Truthfully, we could write a book on it.

Most significantly though is what you decide to do with it -- and even MORE significantly -- what you decide to do with it as a couple.

We gave ourselves a few moments to catch our breath.  We contacted people who cared.  Who cared about the situation and more importantly -- who care about us no matter what our situation.

Do you have those people in your life?  If not, it would benefit you to stop everything RIGHT NOW and seek them out.  Everyone, EVERYONE, needs friends.

We made a decision to be patient with each other's reaction.

We spoke truth over each other and our situation.

And, we found reasons to quietly celebrate our life -- in our small corner of the universe -- just for a few moments, just the too of us -- even in the midst of disappointment.  

We recounted what we had learned.  Talked about the feed back from others we were FORTUNATE to get -- even if it didn't feel great.  How that makes us stronger candidates the next go around.  We talked about how we'd pleased God with right hearts (even if we'd had stupid heads) and that we were happy with our life as it was.  We would try to fix the "stupid head" problem, and we restated our resolve to continue trusting God in all situations.  Our conclusion is always the same.  Our life is one amazing, scary, wild, awesome ride.  And we are fortunate to be living it.

People, even in difficult seasons, you can find reasons to celebrate.  Even if it's a quiet celebration.  Even in the midst of disappointment and sadness.  The human heart is great and vast.  Capable of joy and pain -- all at the same time.

Just look.  The reasons to celebrate are right there, in the midst of your real actual life.  For couples, shared moments of gratitude and joy will not only ease disappointment (until it comes back around again), it will fuel your marriage and make it stronger.

Finally, a nod to wives when it's your husbands disappointment.  There are some things only you can do.  Be generous.

Today, I speak over you the same words I am currently speaking over the RamFam...

"Yahweh your Elohim is with you.  

He is a hero who saves you.  

He happily rejoices over you, 

renews you with His love, 

and celebrates over you with shouts of joy."  

Zephaniah 3:17

Blessings and Peace,

{Lessons from Spring Break Day 4} - Scheduling Family Time

HEALTHY BREAKFAST #4 -- QUINOA WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND BANANA SLICES

Why can't I get this  right?  I mean seriously.

I've tried Quinoa a couple of times now.  

This was "plain".  I cooked it for 12 minutes exactly then let it set off heat for another 5.

The texture seemed right.

And, still...

Terrible.

I've enjoyed this as a savory dinner food, but sweet - for breakfast - it was GrOsS.

I like Oatmeal 1,974,209,234,234,487,456 times better.

I'm not giving up on this one however -- so if you have a recipe you like, do share!

***

We've had so much QUIET this week, I thought we should try to fit in at least one, loud, obnoxious FAMILY ACTIVITY.  When you have a family of 7, it's not always easy to get everyone together.  I mean, it used to be.  When our kids were all little, we could have friends over for dinner on a Thursday night.  We could have dinner on the table early and do family movie night on a Tuesday.  But as they all got older, got cars and jobs -- it got trickier.

When Elizabeth moved into Jr High School -- and subsequently got more involved with extra curricular activities and with various groups of people, I mentioned to a friend that getting all my family together on one night seemed impossible.  I am a "Quality Time" love language person -- and when I go long periods of time without seeing my kids or my husband, I feel "off".  And, by "long periods of time" I mean a matter of a few days.  

My friend suggested that it might be time to start "scheduling" family time, vs waiting for the moment to just happen as it had in years past. She suggested I simply put a date on the calendar for a couple of days away and give everyone notice.  

GENIUS. 

Make no mistake about it.  Sometimes, I require the help of others to think of the most simple ideas. Birthing 5 kids does that too you.  That and a lack of caffeine.

So, we decided to do this...

I won.  Except the opposite of that.

Today, I also read this to Eli....

Have you read it?  It's DELIGHTFUL.  I can't believe I haven't heard of it until now! 

Miss Rumphius is charged with making the world "more beautiful".  So, she carries flower seeds in her pocket and scatters them everywhere she goes.  Wonderful I tell you.  I think it's based on a true story.  At least, I hope it is.

We also read selections from ...

We ended our day by enjoying an adults only dinner with our inlaws.

It became an "adults only" experience when child #C and#D decided to make the world a more miserable place and started arguing with each other.  Again.

Sad for them.  Splendid  for me.  

Spring Break is almost over!  But only 9 more weeks until summer!  Almost time to make my Summer Play List!  Counting down!

Blessings,

{Lessons from Spring Break Day 3} - Inspiration, Positive and Relaxed Doesn't Just Happen

HEALTHY BREAKFAST DAY #3 was based on this picture...

Except I had no blueberries, and no avocado...

So, I did a bed of slightly sauteed spinach, chicken, strawberries and goat cheese.  All with a drizzle of Light Raspberry Vinaigrette.

And, for the first time all week...breakfast was VERY tasty!

Obviously, this dish also works for lunch and dinner.

On that note, to those of you trying to get VARIETY, don't be afraid to eat "lunch" and "dinner" foods at breakfast.  It works.

If you have left over meat for instance (roast or pork in particular), I like to saute onions and green peppers -- add the meat and some mozzarella to the saute and wal-lah!  A Philly Cheese Steak Bowl.

That's a freebie.  :)

Today everyone was gone.  A TOTALLY quiet house.  For 6 straight hours.  This never happens.  Ever.

Billy had an important meeting planned this evening and decided to disappear into the mountains.  To pray. To hike.  To sweat.  To fast.  To seek God. 

By 5:30, he needed to be focused and in inspirational mode.  And just so you know, FOCUSED and INSPIRATIONAL (as well as POSITIVE and RELAXED) -- doesn't always just happen around here.  

We believe in presenting ourselves to others -- truthfully.  As true as we can.  

And, presenting true in situations that may also involve stress, or a feeling of pressure (a job interview, a speaking engagement, landing a new client, reconciliation) -- sometimes involves more for us than just preparing notes on a page. 

In B's case it often involves a trip to the mountains.  To pray.  To hike.  To sweat.  To fast.  To seek God.

In my case, it involved being in a quiet house.  For 6 straight hours.  

Time.  To.  Think.

It also involved a 20 minutes Pilates DVD and an At Home Crossfit Workout.

This one in particular...

Body weight exercises should not be underestimated apparently.

Ouch.

And, that's all I'll say about that.

Anyhow...are you in a situation that requires you to be at your best?  Take the time you need.  Get up right now and PUT THE TIME ON YOUR SCHEDULE.

Feed your body what it needs.  

Sweat.  

Pray.  

Then, Go. 

And present yourself true.

Many blessings friends,

{Lessons from Spring Break, Day 2} - Changing Gears When You Have Too

My mom carries 2 driver's licenses in her wallet.  The EXPIRED one with the CUTE picture.  As well as, the CURRENT one with the NOT-SO-CUTE picture.  No makeup, hair in a pony tail, not smiling. Basically, what ALL my driver's license pictures have always looked like and probably yours as well.

When the clerk at the grocery store asks my mother to "see her license" she pulls out the one...

You guessed it.

...with the cute picture.

No point.  That's just funny.

***

My license expired in January.  Of course, how often does a person pay attention to that?  So...I just found this out last week trying to make a deposit at the bank.

Teller, "Are you aware that your license has expired"?

Me, "Is anyone EVER aware that their license has expired"?

Truthfully, I've never lived at one address long enough for anything to expire.

I made an appointment at the DMV.  The large one.  WAY down Union Blvd.  Where ALL the grouchy people in Colorado seem to be gathered at on any given day.

You know the only thing WORSE than having to be up early on the second day of Spring Break for an appointment at the DMV?

It is getting to said DMV only to discover your appointment was schedule for the DAY BEFORE.

DMV Lady, "You can take a number.  It's a 4 hour wait."

No.  I.  Can't.  Thanks.  Anyways.

Changing Gears.

You know what...

Over the past few years, I've worked hard at being able to "change gears" -- in my mind, in my plan, in my emotions.  I am seeing the fruit of that work -- and freedom is a glorious thing!

Hear me world!  FREEDOM IS A GLORIOUS THING!

I gave myself one whole minute in the car to be annoyed at the mishap, then disciplined my mind to START THE DAY OVER.  My emotions follow suit.  This is a GOOD thing.  A very good thing.

Home to this...

Enter:  Cantaloupe Protein Shake

NEW HEALTHY BREAKFAST RECIPE -- TAKE 2.

And still, a NO GO ON THAT.

I'll blame pinterest.  Yea, pinterest fail.  

I LOVE blending frozen fruit in my Ninja -- and with just a little bit of liquid (water, milk, juice), it's just like Sorbet.

I LOVE blending frozen cantaloupe.  

I DID NOT however like the taste of the vanilla protein mix added in.

So, on this one, I recommend getting your protein from another source and just eating the blended fruit as a snack.  It's awesome that way.  Like summer in your mouth.

After cleaning up, I grabbed my man child and headed out for a hair cut.  

Once our hair looked awesome again, I decided to run into the DMV on Research (as B suggested to me 100 times.  And I had ignored him 100 times.).

With no appointment, I was doubtful, but the nice lady informed me the wait would only be 10 minutes or so.  10 minutes?!?!  Only 10 minutes?!?!?!  Wait?  What?

I'll never doubt B again.

New Driver's License Acquired - check!

Now, it's 12 noon and since 1/2 my day was spent with less than perfect Spring Break activities already -- I decided to just dedicate the rest of the day to my work list.  I mean, instead of spread my "have too" chores and errands out over the whole week -- I decided to cram them into 1 or 2 days -- so a higher percentage of the other days could be filled with more "appropriate" Spring Break activities.  Like blogging and doing nothing.

So, the rest of my afternoon was spent picking kids up, going to football practice, carpooling to slumber parties, picking up groceries, lesson plans, April budget meetings for work and home, invoices, the mall and reading with Eli.

Hey, it's not always a party around here.

And, when it's not, 2 things work for me.

1.  The mental discipline to "start my day over" at any given moment.  Shifting gears, turning a corner, being flexible -- these are freedom gifts.  And, they haven't come easily for me.

And...

2.  Getting a lot of "have toos" out of the way early -- so that I can have more time for "want toos".  Then making sure I ignore the "should dos" and prioritize the "want toos".  :)

This evening I did manage to fit in a trail hike with Billy.  Where we solved all the worlds problems in 65 minutes.

Listen, if you have a spouse that can help you solve all the world's problems in 65 minutes, be grateful.  Just be very grateful.

Then, another Bubble Bath, Summer Hits of the 80's and the movie Gravity.

Did you guys see that on the IMAX?  I hope not.  My head was spinning just watching it at home.

Would love to hear about your Spring Break plans...and see your ugly driver's license pictures!  Haha

Many blessings,

{Lessons from Spring Break Day 1} Not Perfect, But Really Good

This week has been Spring Break.  Glorious Spring Break.  Love it.

Not because the weather all of a sudden becomes so warm and perfect we can FINALLY get back outdoors.  It doesn't.  In that regard, Spring is the one season Colorado doesn't do well.

I don't love Spring Break because we go on some grand vacation.  Or any vacation for that matter.  Besides the occasional day trip to Breckenridge, we stay home.

We stay home.

Did you hear that?

We stay home.

We do NOTHING.

And by NOTHING, I mean NOTHING that isn't life giving.

Of course, spending an entire straight week doing nothing but what I enjoy is as impossible for me as it is for you.

And I have learned, it is impossible.

Perfection -- having things exactly the way I want them all the time -- is always a wrong expectation.

Things will not be perfect, but I know that they can be really good.

During Spring Break, we sleep alot.

It's quiet.  Calm.  As calm as our house can be.

Glorious.

SPRING BREAK DAY 1

1.  Sleep in.  Check.

2.   Make something NEW, HEALTHY and DELICIOUS for breakfast (which I plan to do every morning of Spring Break because I want too) .  Check.  Well, sort of...

I tried these...

PALEO BANANA PANCAKES.

They look good right?  Trust me.  If you haven't eaten a pancake IN A YEAR, they look AMAZING.

I found the three ingredient recipe through pinterest on the blog Haus of Gerz.

Just three ingredients.  How could I mess it up?

And yet...

In all fairness, I think it was the ALTITUDE.

The texture was all wrong.  The entire family hated them.

For the second batch I added 1 scoop of Protein Powder.  And it helped.  They looked like they were suppose too.  Still -- we were already tainted.  We'll try it again on another day...

Cooking bacon in the George Foreman Grill however was genius.

7 minutes.  Delicious.  Easy clean up.

Mix a little protein mix in with my coffee -- and all was not lost.

3.   DISCIPLINE TEENAGER.  I said our day was good.  Not perfect.

Listen, a week (actually ANY given amount of time) is TOO LONG to be at home with a child who is for lack of better term IGNORING you.

Me, "When you enter my spotless kitchen to make food -- I expect you too completely clean ALL of your dishes and wipe off the counters.  Did you hear me?  ALL of your DISHES.  Wipe off the counters."

I was clear.  The task was not too hard.  The child does not have a hearing problem.

And yet.

And yet...

Well, you know.  

There the dishes and the crumbs were -- an hour later.  

Mocking me.

So, my reaction was quick and concise.

Me, "You aren't going to practice today.  You can't go be your best in public and ignore me at home. Ignoring me is the SAME as disrespecting me.  I can't be at home all week with you, enjoying spring break with you AND be being disrespected by you.  Something has to give.  That something is YOU.  If you want to go to practice TOMORROW, I'd suggest you practice cleaning the kitchen all day."

My kitchen (and sanity) has thanked me for that move for the last 3 days.

My future daughter-in-law will thank me for it as well.  :)

4.   Play Play-Doh with Eli.

Lest you think somehow by my career choice that I am that mom who naturally LIKES to sit down and play children's games when I am home, our conversation went like this...

Eli, "Mom, I wish you'd play play-doh with me."

Me, "Eli, I don't like to play play-doh."

Eli, "Well, you used too."

Guilt.

It worked on me.

TA-DAH!

5.   Have Eli read to me. Check!

He's reading!

Did you hear that world?

He's reading!

Both Braille and REGULAR PRINT!  With his one seeing eyeball!

It's a miracle.  Seriously.  It really is.  You don't even know.

He read this to me...

And, I read these to him...

We are working on covering the CLASSICS.  :)

I read to myself too.  I am enjoying this...

And this...

(Her sensibilities on diet, exercise and loving and caring for your body are remarkable -- and easy to understand.) 

And this...

Someone asked me why I was reading "her".  The answer is simple.

Because I want too.

It's funny.  No points.  Just fun.

Confession:  I don't just read Christian authors or subjects.  I enjoy (and even find it valuable) to read things written by all kinds of various people who are shaping our culture.  Especially those who are different from me.  It's ok if you don't follow suit.  Or, it's ok if you do.  I don't mind either way.  :)

6.  Workout.  Check.

I really want to start Crossfit.  But because I'm a little bit chicken, I've committed to 6 weeks (or between now and summer) of doing At Home Crossfit Beginner Workouts I collected from Pinterest.  Thankfully, B and Ben decided to try it too.  Made it lots more fun.  Also, blare dubstep.  Definitely, blare dubstup.

 Finally, I ended the day with a Bubble bath and Italian Opera on Pandora.  Because I'm diverse.

It wasn't perfect, but it was really good.

And, whereas perfection is my enemy -- I've learned to raise my glass to really good.

Blessings,

What's for Dinner?

So...

Sunday didn't go as I'd planned.

I worked hard last week to make sure that everything that had a "Monday Deadline" be completed before the weekend.

Because...

Friday night we hosted the Legacy Sports JV Volleyball Team's End of the Season Party for our girl, Victoria, and her friends.  What a blessing the league has been to us!  Full of good people -- INTENSE and COMPETITIVE.  Great coaches.  If you live in the Springs, you should check them out!  They are worth every penny.

Saturday morning was Eli's official birthday party at Whit's End at Focus on the Family.  We had to choose the 9:30am spot in-order to secure the Fire Station Room. 

Ya see, this year, Billy was at a conference for Eli's actual birthday.  So, I took him and a friend to the YMCA's Trunk or Treat and to get FoYo that evening.  He thanked me like 100 times.  Seriously, the most thankful kid ever.

The very next day was B's birthday.  We had a family dinner.  Throw in V's 13th bday party in the same week -- and well, this is why I say we just need to narrow things down to 1 party only.  By the time the actual birthday, the family birthday, and then the FRIEND birthday party were over -- I was pretty exhausted.

Birthday "weeks" only work well for me -- if it's my birthday week.

Read more about that here if you'd like...

Anyway, immediately after the party ended at 12, we headed to Fort Collins, Colorado (2 hour drive) so that B could work on college kid's Jeep.  We took the in-laws and it's just a lovely drive really.  Fort Collins is simply beautiful.

And, I won't lie.  It's always, ALWAYS been a blessing to me that Billy's parents are so interested -- or at least willing -- to listen to us pour over the agonizing details of our big life.  We held them captive for 2 straight hours.

It took B an entire 10 minutes to fix the car.  He was a hero. 

We had a nice dinner all together and headed home.

College kid is doing GREAT by the way.

Sunday, I would have spent the day in Canyon City with Billy at Living Word Church -- BUT son woke in the night throwing up his guts -- and well -- that meant I needed to change my plans and be mom for the day.

Being good at changing plans has only RECENTLY been my thing.  Vacations for instance.  Once I've done the research, mapped it all out, decided on what's good and best -- I don't want the kids to declare they aren't interested in visiting the M&M store and would rather swim in the pool instead.  I like to stick to the plan. 

And, that's just the tip of the iceberg.  Really, I like things to go my way.

My life however, doesn't particularly care how I like everything to go.  On a regular basis.

So, for survival, I am adjusting.

I've discovered that when my plans need to change -- if I quickly make a new list, focus on the positives and throw in a little happy -- it all works fine.

In this case, I started the fire place, put on my fuzzy socks, committed to work out for an hour (because I wanted to) and reasoned that NOW it was the perfect day to work on November's Grocery Trip (never mind the kid hacking in the bathroom).

So -- that's what I did.  My day consisted of organizing our finances, wrapping up last months budget, doing November's budget, cleaning the pantry, both refrigerators, all 3 freezers, making a list of a month of dinners plus easy lunch ideas for me to obtain variety while staying on track, generating a grocery list, a coupon list, clipping coupons -- and by golly once all that was done -- I had might as well go to the store and buy the dang groceries.

THAT didn't leave much time for cooking as I'd planned -- and even if it had -- I was spent.  I was toast.

I took a bubble bath, continued to help sick kid and snuggled up to B and fell asleep to National Treasure 2.

So, the upside.

Now, I don't have to SHOP this week -- I can work out, and meet other demands without the hassle that a GIGANTIC grocery trip affords me.

This week's menu...

Grilled Steak, Baked Mac N Cheese, Salad

 

Turkey Burgers

 

High Protein Chili

 

Ribs, BBQ Beans, Salad

 

I am asked regularly concerning once a week cooking, "What about things that don't keep well?"  Who wants to eat gross leftovers?  Not my family, not yours.  So, the simple answer is I try to plan things that keep well.  Ta-Dah!

STEAK does NOT keep well in my opinion.  But, my son requested it, I found it on sale and since he's thrown up everything but the kitchen sink over the weekend -- I will try to accommodate his wishes.

Yesterday, I mixed up these turkey burgers.

 

 

 

These are OPRAH'S FAVORITE TURKEY BURGERS.  You can find the recipe here.  And, frankly, I don't know how many people Oprah is trying to feed -- but I should have cut this recipe in 1/2.  It made 15 patties -- all 6 - 8oz each!  Totally more than my family will eat.  I plan to share with my in laws.  

Last night, B grilled the steaks and burgers all together while I was at work.  If you can find a "B" your life will be easier.  ;)

They are tasty and moist!  They will keep well!

Next, I whipped up some Baked Mac N Cheese.  In general, I am willing to do 1 splurge item for the family per week.  This was it.  Whole wheat pasta, low fat cheese, skim milk.  This recipe is DELICIOUS.  I don't eat more than 1 bite, because I don't feel well when I eat pasta, but my family thinks it's love in a 9x13 inch pan.  It won't last long.  The recipe is here. 

Finally, I did My Momma's Chili - super easy...just like my mom makes it.  Or at least the way I remember her making it...and then I added a few things.  But, it's still really easy...makes in a matter of minutes.  Can be doubled to feed a crowd, and is economical too!  I threw it in my crockpot., let it simmer all day..and placed the crock pot in my extra fridge.

2 lbs lean ground hamburger, browned.
2 cans diced tomatoes (enough to fill 1/3 of my crock pot)
1 can each kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and black beans
1 package chili seasoning (whatever you like)

That's it!  So easy!  So good on a cold night.

B likes to eat his Chili on whole wheat spaghetti noodles.  The rest of us think that is wrong and like it just as it is with grated cheese!  (And, I think with diced avocado.  I'm on an avocado kick.)

My favorite lunch currently (and I confess I eat it for breakfast too) is shredded meat (chicken, pork, beef, turkey burger -- whatever we are having), with grated cheese, black beans, and diced tomato, onion and avocado.  It's just really that great.  Here's a pic.  So easy if the meat's already cooked.  Flavor in a bowl I tell ya!

Finally, I put a slab of thawed ribs in my OTHER crock pot.  Added a chopped onion, 2/3 bottle of BBQ Sauce (I chose a low sugar option) and a can of Dr Pepper.  They will cook through the night, on LOW.  Tomorrow, I will drain the liquid and add the rest of the BBQ sauce.  They will be falling off the bone good.  If you aren't a member of the Facebook Group I Love My Crockpot, yes I do well, it's this kind of yumminess you are missing out on!

So, NOW, when I come home late from work -- when my family asks WHAT'S FOR DINNER, when I need convenient, protein options, and for the sake of VARIETY...the answer is...

Turkey Burgers, Chili or Ribs.

 

 

Smile!  And be happy!

 

Blessings,

 



What's for Dinner?

This past week, was a great one.

It was Fall Break here in Colorado.

For my Florida family, "Fall Break" is exactly like "Spring Break" except it's in the Fall.

Trees everywhere are yellow, orange and red.  Pike's Peak is covered with snow.  We've reluctantly packed up our flip flops, and to soothe the loss of summer, we've busted out the hot cocoa and turned on the gas fire place.

Last week I worked less.  Wore my fuzzy socks more.  Read.  Wrote.  Cooked.
RESTED.

In keeping with my current tradition of "Once a Week Cooking" --

For dinner, this week, I made the following menu on Sunday afternoon:

Tacos
Pot Roast, with Hashbrown Casserole and Green Beans
Chicken Noodle Soup
Fettuccine Alfredo, with Caesar Salad

Pictured here just like I'll store it in fridge.

When asked "What's for dinner"?  I answer, "Mexican, Italian, Soup or Pot Roast.  

Help yourself."  They love me.

The Fettuccine Alfredo, salad and garlic bread were left over from Victoria's birthday party.

The Hashbrown Casserole left over from last week too.

So, today, getting a week's worth of meals together involved cooking a LARGE pan of lean hamburger with taco seasoning and prepping the veggies, putting a roast in the crockpot that cooks on low through the night, sauteing the green beans I froze last week,  and adding left over roasted chicken to Bear Creek's Chicken Noodle Soup Mix (we haven't been crazy about ANY other flavor, but THIS one is really good).

And, in an hour and a half, meals for the week!

Including a few items, single packaged for me -- like greek yogurt with frozen fruit!

As well as the ingredients to make my current favorite lunch:

2 oz roasted chicken (with various seasonings)
Grated Cheese
Roasted Peppers
Diced Onion and Tomato
Sliced Avocado and Spinach
1 T salsa
1 T fat free sour cream

Flavor in a bowl I tell ya!

So, here's to no more cooking this week!

Be blessed!

Grocery Shopping 101 {and other REALLY boring things}

Alright, here's the deal.

You've heard me say it before.

Martha Stewart is boring.

Whereas her aesthetic can't be beat, no one, NO ONE really wants to read Omelettes 101 or an article tracing the history of Brooms.

Besides, there's pinterest.

So, if you are prone to boredom when reading about VERY mundane, domestic things.  Turn back now.

This is your warning.

Here comes the mundane.

Truth is, we aren't 19 Kids and Counting.

We're just a simple family of 7, with some specific dietary needs, trying to be healthier, who stays on a budget with coupons, tries to do only 1 large shopping trip a month, hosts various families and groups of people each month, birthday parties, packs our lunch, seldom goes out to dinner, and has absolutely, positively no time during the week to cook anything.  Ever.

Really, it's not that complex.

First, let's all agree that a shopping/cooking plan for any family has to be organic.  No, I don't mean grown without pesticide (although that is a good thing).  I mean your plan has to be real - living and breathing - able to change from time to time too meet your families needs.  The plan serves you, you don't serve the plan.

Repeat that often and you'll have a happier life.

Currently, my plan involves cooking 3 LARGE meals a week, on the weekend, and having those meals in the fridge at my families beck and call.  I do not cook during the week.  At all.  Ever.

It's not that I HATE cooking.  It's more, rather, that I loathe it.

Actually, that's not it at all.

I hate cooking when I feel like I HAVE to cook.  Don't get me wrong.  It's right that I take care of my family -- and that THEY are my highest priority.  But, Billy and I are both able to play the "Get up and do it because you are responsible for it regardless of how you feel " card until we've literally sucked all of the joy out and life feels like there's nothing left but work, work, work.

3 years ago, I wrote this into my journal in reaction to the phrase MY LIFE:

"Always striving.  Always working.  Always responsibility."

At the moment, that was reality pouring from my EXHAUSTED heart.  I needed more joy.  More enjoyment.  More whimsy.  More of what I LOVED to do built into my weeks.  I am glad to say, I (ironically) worked hard at it -- and accomplished that goal.  These days, I protect that part of my life.  You'd be hard pressed to get me over committed.  But, that's kinda deep.  And, this blog is about how I go to the grocery store and cook food.  Zzzzzzzzzzzz

GROCERY SHOPPING FOR 7 PEOPLE IS BORING AND TIME CONSUMING AND NOT FUN.

Soooooo, inorder to accomplish my goal (which essentially to feed my large family by cooking no more than 4 days a month -- and grocery shopping only once), I plan (1) LARGE shopping trip at the beginning of the month.  The kind of trip I can't do alone.  I need AT LEAST one other family member with me to push a second buggy.  As you can imagine, my peeps FIGHT over who gets to go with me.  No, they don't.  But it's most often Billy, Victoria or Hosanna (in that order).  My other three should feel no guilt that they aren't mentioned.

Beyond that, I will check the couponing website once a week (Unless I get too busy or just don't want too BECAUSE THE COUPONS SERVE ME, I DON'T SERVE THE COUPONS) and plan to ONLY go to the store if there is some deal I can't pass up, and to replenish our produce.  BTW, we EASILY go through 30 apples, a bunch of bananas, a few pounds of grapes, a watermelon, a bushel of fresh green beans, a container of baby peppers, a head of lettuce, a box of baby spinach, a tomato and at least 3 packages of frozen veggies a week.  Selah.

And, this is a plan I can live with.  At the moment.

This whole (2) day endeavor starts with a quick inventory of my fridge and pantry.  I want to use up what we have.

Then, I sit down with my computer to build my lists.

While at my computer, I have readily available to me my cookbooks, my calendar, my pinterest account, the "We need this next time we buy groceries List" from the side of the fridge and my brain filled with things I've tried, want to try, blah, blah, blah.

And, if that's not enough, I yell out things like, "Ben, what do you want to eat for dinner?"  And, "Really Billy, I need more to go on than mac-n-cheese!"

Now I'm boring myself.

Trudging on...

For October, my meals list ended up looking like this....

1.  Ribs,  BBQ beans, scalloped potatoes*
2.  Spaghetti, garlic bread
3.  Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, Asparagus
4.  Cheeseburger Soup
5.  Tacos
6.  Chili
7.  Chicken Cor Don Blue, mashed potatoes, green beans
8.  Steaks, red potatoes, salad
9.  Roasted Chicken, Asparagus
10.  Chicken Noodle Soup
11.  Pot Roast, carrots, green beans
12.  shredded pork for sandwiches
13.  soup and sandwiches
14.  Montery Chicken, frozen veggies
15.  Homemade Pizza
16.  Hamburgers

The meal list also included some ideas of meals I could grab at a moments notice that are high protein and easy for me to eat:

Chicken Salad (made with grapes and pecans)
Shredded chicken with avocado, onion, black beans, and tomato
Egg Salad
Protein Bars
Greek Yogurt with Frozen Fruit

* A NOTE here about HEALTHY EATING:  For me, this is truly a process.  I have progressed through a series of "goals" given me by my Gastric Bypass Surgeon, and I have taken them very seriously.  Currently, I need things that pack a high protein punch in a small serving.  At least 10 g of protein in a 2 oz. serving is ideal.  Since I can eat a 1/2 - 3/4 cup serving at a time, this allows me to met my protein goals by the end of the day AS WELL AS include trace amounts of fruit, veggies and whole grains.  That's called VARIETY.

Where as a baby bell pepper, stuffed with mozzarella cheese isn't "healthy" for everyone, for me, at this time, it is.

Another thing, when my husband specifically asks for something, like "scalloped potatoes", it is also healthy (albeit in a different way) for me to oblige his desire (especially since he only occasionally requests things like this).

Our conversation went like this...

Me, "What do you want to eat"?

B, "I'd really like to have scalloped potatoes."

Me, "You mean those nasty dried out potatoes in the little box we ate as children?"

B, laughing, "Yea, that's what I mean."

I couldn't bring myself to buy the nasty little box.  So I searched pinterest and made them homemade in the crock pot.  Everyone was happy.

Once my meals list, and subsequent shopping list are generated, I clean out my pantry, 2 refrigerators and 3 freezers.  After all, I have to have a place to put all the stuff.  If you are going to ONCE A MONTH SHOP for a large family, you're gonna need 2 refrigerators.

This is a great way to identify duplicates and move those dusty cans from the back to the front.  To REALLY save money, you have to EAT the stuff you BUY!

Traditionally, at this point in the 2 day process, I threaten my family that if they mess up my cleaned out fridge or pantry -- I'll refuse to actually buy the groceries.  They like food.  So, this works on them.

Next (I don't know about you, but this feels like step #547 to me), I sit down with my coupons.  I have a love/hate relationship with coupons. I do it to be a good steward of our money.  I like getting free stuff.  And, there has to be someone for all you people who willingly give too much of your money to the grocery store chains to make fun of.  So, I volunteer.

I don't clip them ahead of time.  I keep about 3 months worth in a drawer.  And, well, all this is for another blog.

The just of it is, I don't JUST use coupons.  I go to a website that matches coupons with current sales in my store.  For instance, when Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is on sale at King Soopers for $1.00 a bottle, my website tells me that in the Smart Source section of the Sunday Paper on 10/6 there was a coupon for .50 off Dawn Products.  Since my store doubles all coupons up to $1.00, I will get that item FREE.  Since I happen to have (5) of those coupons, I will get (5) free.  5 is my stores limit.  EXTREME COUPONING is fake.  At least in Colorado.

Along with produce, this is what I grabbed this week...

(5) Cliff Bars FREE
(5) Think Thin Protein Bars FREE
(5) Brawny Paper Towel Single Rolls FREE
(5) Dawn Dishwashing Liquid FREE
(5) V8 Veggie Juice FREE - will be a donation to our church food pantry

(5) Men's Deoderant for .29 (each)

All that for $1.45.

For those who question if you can really save money doing this, I will just say that first you have to know how much money you normally spend.  Then, you have to have a couponing plan...and PRACTICE.  Couponing is a skill, and most people don't "get it" right away.

A NOTE ABOUT PREPPING:  Couponing and couponing "stock piles" are not the same thing as PREPPING.  Prepping for an emergency is an ADVANCE SKILL.  Trust me.  They are different.

Now, I'm off topic.

Once I have my lists (meal plan, grocery list, and couponing list), I head to the store.  I go to King Soopers (East Coasters this is the closest thing to a Publix we have) and Sam's.

Once the groceries are put away, I drink a protein shake for dinner and soak in the hot tub.  AND I have earned that, yes?

If you are interested in how I prepped this weeks meals, then I'll humor you.  All boring people can click here.

In the meantime, I'll reiterate that just the planning, shopping and unloading takes me TWO FULL DAYS.

But once it's over, I enjoy 28 straight days of NOT thinking about it!  Those 28 days are what make the work WORTH IT!

Many blessings

All in a Days Work

When I don't HAVE to cook...

When I can do it on my own terms...

When I'm not coming in from work at 7pm and thinking, "If I don't cook for my family, no one else will think about it, and they'll just order pizza, and then they'll be unhealthy, and I can't afford for all of them to get gastric bypass surgery, and if I don't cook I won't have anything to eat either, and I'll have to have yogurt for the rest of my life"...

When I can cook WHEN IT'S A BLESSING TO ME then it feels like a creative endeavor vs a drudgery.  And that's important to me.  Very important.  More creative.  Less drudgery.

6 months later, weight loss surgery has taught me this:  Whereas it may be my  responsibility to provide healthy food choices for my children, IT IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY TO COOK FOR 4 TEENAGERS EVERY EVENING.

Since I've taken the weight of HAVING TO COOK off my own shoulders (because after all Greek Yogurt with Fruit, a salad, or a protein shake can all be fine dinners)...I've had more time in my life for things I enjoy doing -- and my family has become more grateful for my efforts.

A recent statement by Hosanna, "Mom, thank you for cooking for us -- even though you can't even eat it!  It kinda makes me want to cry."

Yup.

I usually set aside 2-3 hours for cooking on the weekends.  Today, I had a little more time.  So, I choose 3 meals that were a little more creative (read "intensive").  Again, most weeks, my meal plan is less work, but here goes...

This week, my family will eat:

Cheeseburger Soup
Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce
Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops with Carrots, Green Beans, and Spinach

Also, for my lunches, left over from last week, placed in small, single size serving containers there is...

High Protein Chili

Chicken Salad (made with Grapes and Pecans)

Roasted Chicken with diced tomatoes, avocado and onion

In a quiet home, with soft music playing, fire place going and my "fall leaves" candle burning...

I started by browning 3 lbs lean hamburger meat.

Next, I made the veggie base for the soup.

My recipe (given to me by friend Debbie Northway - an AMAZING cook in her own right) calls for 3/4 cup each of onion, carrots and celery.  I double that.

I boiled 4 cups diced potatoes about 10 minutes, then assembled the soup in the crock pot.

If you have a large family (or even if you don't), having 2 crock pots and 1 large roaster is a real bonus.

I also HATE when produce goes bad in our fridge.

I took this opportunity to cut that off at the pass, sooooo to speak.

To save the produce, I did the following:

I blanched a pound of fresh green beans and tossed them in the freezer.

I sliced up the carrots NOT put in the soup, and tossed them with olive oil and sprinkled with orange zest.  Roasted in the oven for a few minutes, they'll be delicious.

I cut open the remaining 4 mini peppers, stuffed with mozzarella and placed under the broiler for a few.  Yum.

Then I took a little break to pick up the kids up from our church's fall retreat.  A break to hug my birthday girls neck and watch her open a couple of gifts.  A break to visit with some friends who got their messages crossed and thought the football party was at my house.  It was funny and I loved the spontaneous moment of visiting with them!

I took a break to run to the grocery store with B to get a bunch of things FREE with our coupons.

Once I returned home, I did some Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops.  They smelled good, but I HATE FRYING THINGS.  This was more work than I will ever do again.

My family will enjoy them with the orange zested carrots, as well as with the green beans and scalloped potatoes left over from last week.

The pan smelled so good after cooking these, I couldn't help but wilt a container of baby spinach to eat as well.

Finally, I made this homemade sauce and tossed it all together...

And, TA-DAH!  Gourmet (to us) meals for a week (or more) -- and NO MORE COOKING!  

No more cooking -- that's the very best part!

Blessings,