Keeping Up With...Food (Menu Plan 2/8 - 2/14)

Last week didn't go anything like I planned because the stomach bug that I thought was over hit me like a ton of bricks.  I was basically out of commission Weds and Thurs.  Thankfully we had a lot of leftovers and fresh fruit and veggies so the guys survived while I was down.

This week is a marathon around here!  Both Zak (tomorrow) and Daniel (Weds) have birthdays.  We also have their party next weekend as well as my niece's party & one of Daniel's friend's party.  Plus throw in Valentine's Day and the Super Bowl and there is a lot of partying going on over here!  Then add in our normal life, plus a four day weekend for the boys so they are off on Friday.  And just for good measure we have a few doctor appointments and a preschool screening for Zak.  If I survive the next seven days & everyone gets where they need to be with everything they need it will be a miracle!

Our menu plan reflects this craziness.  It is a mix of easy meals, leftovers, take out and using up all the fresh veggies and meals I had planned for last week that I never got around to making.  Wish me luck!

Monday - Asian Crack Slaw with Sausage Egg Rolls in a Bowl - carry over from last week
Tuesday - Taco Tuesday
Wednesday - Buffalo Chicken Chili - carry over from last week
Thursday - Pizza Casserole
Friday - Jets Pizza (the boys request for their birthday)
Saturday - Leftovers (we have 2 parties this day)
Sunday - Leftovers (we have our party this day, plus church & swimming lessons)

Water Infuser Flavor - Strawberry/Lemon






I am doing some food prep this weekend.  I already set up my infused water for the week and cut up all the fruit I bought on Friday.  Today I am making chicken salad with the leftover chicken from last week's whole roast chicken and broccoli salad.  I'll eat both of those for lunch this week.  I am also hard boiling some eggs and possibly doing some of the prep for tomorrow's dinner. 

As always, I'm linking up with Laura at Mommy, Run Fast.  Go check out the other blogs on the link up for some more yummy recipes!  Have a great week!!  Enjoy the Super Bowl today!!

Keeping Up With...My Fab 40! - Jan review

So Jan has been pretty up and down in our house, but I have managed to stay very focused on my goals for this year.  I think I've got a pretty good start on this year, now to keep the momentum up!  Here is where I'm at after about one month.  I have broken them down into two categories (on-going & one time) so it's easier for me to update.  I'll be adding a third category (finished) in upcoming months.  The goals are in black and my current month comments are in red.

On-Going
1.  Lose 40 pounds - one for each year - Lost 5 of the 40 lbs
2.  Read 12 books - I was so close last year! - Read 2 of the 12
3.  Go on 12 dates with Adrian - Went on 1 of the 12

4.  Get rid of 12 bags of stuff - Donated 2 bags and threw out at least one.  I'm going to say 2 of the 12 are gone.
5.  Take 1 picture every day for the year - Up to date on this 33 of 366
6.  Go on 2 special dates with AJ - Went on 0 out of 2, but he wants to see Kung Fu Panda 3 so we're doing that soon.
7.  Go on 2 special dates with Daniel - Went on 0 out of 2 
8.  Go on 2 special dates with Zak - Went on 0 out of 2, I'll be saving these for the 2nd half of the year when he's in preschool everyday.
 9.  Do a 365 day exercise streak - 23 days of 365, every day from Jan 11-Feb 2
10.  Finish the 30 Day Shred - Did 0 days of 30
11.  Attend one class each week that isn't mine - Did this 3 weeks out of 52
12.  Teach an average of 5 classes each week - Did this 3 weeks out of 52 
13.  Menu plan and prep our dinners each week - Did this 3 weeks out of 52  
14.  Go to church every Sunday - Did this 5 weeks out of 52.  We didn't let the stomach bug stop us this past weekend, Adrian & I went to different services so we both still got to attend.
15.  Do one blog post each week - I did 6 posts in Jan and this is my second so far in Feb. 

16.  See 2 movies that aren't animated - Saw 0 out of 2
17.  Pay off our Best Buy card and not incur any new debt - No new debt so far, and on plan to pay off best buy card in 5 months
18.  Have a family board game night once per month - Did this 1 out of 12 months
19.  Have a family movie night once per month - Did this 1 out of 12 months
20.  Have a family video game night once per month - Did this 1 out of 12 months
21.  Go to 4 Zumba jams this year - Signed up for my first one in Feb!
22.  Make one homemade breakfast for us each month - I made 2 (muffins & bars) in Jan and already did 1 (breakfast burritos) in Feb

One Time
23.  Go on a family trip to Dallas - Planned for March
24.  Go on a family trip to NJ
25.  Go on a family trip to Tennessee - Planned for July
26.  Go zip lining
27.  Go on a family hike in Hocking Hills
28.  Get 1 fitness certification - Signed up for Silver Sneakers in March
29.  Go to the doctor for routine check up and tests - Make appt is on my to do list for this week
30.  Go on family camping trip
31.  Host an alcohol exchange with my girl friends
32.  Power wash and stain our play set
33.  Renovate our downstairs bathroom
34.  Conquer the Lynd's corn maze in the fall
35.  Tour Dallas Cowboys stadium - Planned for March
36.  Go to Dollywood - Planned for Aug
37.  Go to Six Flags Great Adventure
38.  Go to Six Flags Over Texas - Planned for March
39.  Renew our Zoombeezi Bay passes and go at least once every other week over the summer
40.  Do something special to celebrate mine & Adrian's 10 year wedding anniversary

So all in all a pretty good start.  I'm pretty much on track with everything so far.  And I'm enjoying doing all of this!  Here's to month two of the celebration!!

Keeping Up With...Family (Updates)

So it's been nearly a month since I caught you up on what's been going on with us as a family.  I was going to do a recap of our Christmas break but we really didn't do anything super exciting and I ran out of time so I never did one.  The past month has been incredibly busy but also not much going on.  It's that weird time for us between all of the Christmas craziness and the multiple February birthdays (2 of my boys & my niece).  So I figured I'd just do a quick, bullet-style list of updates for the past month or so in the Jones house.  Check back tomorrow for an update on My Fab 40 goals!

- AJ, Daniel & Zak have all started back up with swimming lessons.  We go every Sunday to the Gahanna YMCA.  They are all making great progress, including swimming unassisted at times!
- AJ and Daniel are back in a bowling league.  This may be AJ's last league with the bumpers.  Their scores seem to have regressed from where they were, but they are using the bumpers less so I know that is progress.
- AJ has about one month left of ice hockey.  He will be taking the spring off to focus on baseball but will probably go back to hockey camp this summer.
- Daniel competed in his first Pinewood Derby with his Cub Scout pack.  His car looked pretty cool and he placed 9th out of 12 boys.  He was thrilled!!
- Zak is still playing soccer and loving it.  He has decided to take a break from ice skating for now and will do baseball & football (and probably still soccer) in the spring.
- Daniel will also be trying baseball in the spring.  I have no idea how we're getting all 3 of them where they need to be.  Thankfully AJ & Daniel will be on the same team.
- Adrian has joined a basketball league at our church and is enjoying getting back to playing.  He's also enjoying spending time with other men.
- All five of us went to a Columbus Blue Jackets game this month.  It was Zak's first hockey game!  We planned on only staying for the first 2 periods but it was a great game so we stayed until the end, which ended up being overtime.  So fun!
- We had a head cold and a stomach bug come thru the house recently.  Tis the season for germs!
- We had two snow days this month, one for snow and one for it being too cold to start the buses.  We spent both days keeping warm and relaxing around the house.  We also had a holiday (MLK) and did basically the same thing.
- Adrian took a few of my Zumba classes this month and he loved them!  He's hoping to get back once in a while.  He liked regular Zumba more than toning, he said it was much more fun.
- AJ & Daniel got their 2nd quarter report cards and both are still doing great.  AJ got all A's & B's and made the honor roll for 2nd quarter.  He is working very hard to try to get all A's this quarter.  Daniel is right where he should be and continues to be a role model in his class.  He earned an award for demonstrating being Responsible during the 2nd quarter.

I think that's about all from here.  I'll leave you with a few pictures from the past month.  Hopefully it won't be another month before I update all of you!

Hockey Selfie

Enjoying ice cream

Daniel's award for Being Responsible

AJ & Daniel swimming

Couch Selfie

Cub Scout Pinewood Derby

Keeping Up With...Food (Menu Plan 2/1 - 2/7)

So after a great week, a not so great week of following my menu plan.  But we didn't eat out at all so that's a win.  We had a few unexpected things happen this week including a stomach bug and a work happy hour for Adrian.  There were nights I just didn't feel like cooking so I was very thankful for leftovers and for a casserole I made over winter break and stuck in our deep freeze.  Hoping to get back on track this week.

This week will be a little different for us.  I joined a group of women who are doing a 5 day clean eating challenge.  They provided the menu plan, recipes and shopping list - yay!  Adrian and I are really excited about the dinners they suggested.  I'll also be trying out some of their snack and lunch ideas.  The breakfasts will be harder since I can not stand oatmeal.  They also gave us a recipe for breakfast burritos so I'll be making those on Tuesday and freezing them for future days.  The other mornings I'll be sticking with my protein bars, these muffins and my daily half of grapefruit.

Here's what we'll be eating this week:
Monday -  Vegetable soup made with broth from the chicken bones from last week & all the leftover veggies in my fridge, plus some beans & chicken.  I'm flying by the seat of my pants on what I put in this!  Food prep done for this - I already made the broth.
Tuesday - Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
Wednesday - Lemon Thyme Crockpot Chicken (and more broth - yay!)
Thursday - Honey Dijon Pork Chops and Broccoli Salad
Friday - Wild Berry Crepes - My first time attempting homemade crepes, wish me luck!
Saturday - Asian Crack Slaw with Sausage Egg Rolls in a Bowl - carry over from last week
Sunday - Buffalo Chicken Chili - trying to be somewhat healthy for the Super Bowl

Water Infuser Flavor - Mango - thanks to Giant Eagle for the free one!!

As always, I'm linking up with Laura at Mommy, Run Fast.  Go check out the other blogs on the link up for some more yummy recipes!  Have a great week!!

Keeping Up With...Food (Menu Plan 1/25 - 1/31)

Wow, for the first time in a long time I cooked everything that was on my plan last week!  And everything was delicious!  We enjoyed all of our meals this past week, have a bunch of leftovers coming into this week and kept to our healthy eating goals.  I also made these granola bars yesterday that were intended for breakfast but I think will probably be an afternoon snack for me.  I had one last night for "dessert" - so good!

We did a pretty good job of getting back on our normal routine last week even though we had a holiday and a sick day for Daniel.  We also have a slight cold going thru the house.  It started with Zak and now Daniel and I seem to have it.  It's a head cold with lots of coughing and stuffy noses, but not sick enough to keep us down.  I'm on the mend and feel like as long as I get a good night sleep tonight I'll be good to go this week!

I once again didn't meal prep this weekend, but I feel ready for this week.  I have most of the grocery shopping done for the week already thanks to great sales last week.  And I have all of our fruit cut up and ready to snack on.  I have the granola bars and hard boiled eggs also for snacks.  And cucumber water is already infusing.  I'm also thankful the blizzard switched paths and here in OH we didn't even get a dusting!  Sending prayers to all my friends back East!!

Here's what we're eating this week:
Monday - Pizza Casserole
Tuesday - Taco Tuesday!
Wednesday - Keilbasa with saurkraut and pierogies
Thursday - Roasted Chicken with roasted veggies & potatoes
Friday - Vegetable soup made with broth from the chicken bones & all the leftover veggies in my fridge, plus some beans & maybe orzo.  I'm flying by the seat of my pants on what I put in this!
Saturday - Asian Crack Slaw with Sausage Egg Rolls in a Bowl
Sunday -  Leftovers or a freezer meal, we have a very busy day!

Water Infuser Flavor - cucumber - thanks to Aldi for having them for a quarter!  I'll be adding spearmint essential oil to this water most days because it's so good!  And maybe some citrus oils at the beginning of the week to help my throat and keep my immunity up against other germs.

As always, I'm linking up with Laura at Mommy, Run Fast.  Go check out the other blogs on the link up for some more yummy recipes!  Have a great week!!

Keeping Up With...Food (Menu Plan 1/18 - 1/24)

As I mentioned in my last post, one of my goals for this year is to continue planning our dinners each week.  We did OK last week sticking to plan, although we have quite a few carry overs to this week.  Our schedule shuffled a little due to snow days and Adrian getting stuck at work.  The meal I planned to make this weekend for lunches this week got bumped to a dinner last week.  And then we got a surprise date night on Friday so we decided to give ourselves the night off and go out to dinner.  So thankful to have a babysitter our boys love!!

This week will be week two of getting back to our normal routine.  I'm hoping it's a little more routine (read: no snow days!) than last week.  I also hope it goes as smooth as last week did, although there are some extra things on the calendar this week so we will see.

Yesterday I got to use my new favorite cooking utensil, this spatula from my boys for Christmas.  It was for sale in the Secret Santa shop at Daniel's school and I made sure to get it before it sold out (for the second time!)  It was a hot item this year for sure!!

Here's what we're planning on eating this week:
Monday - Beef & Spinach Lo Mein (bumped from today as I just don't feel like cooking it tonight)
Tuesday - Butternut Squash & Sausage Casserole
Wednesday - Thai Chicken Wraps
Thursday - Sausage Kale & Sweet Potato Soup and Salad
Friday - Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Saturday - Broccoli & Cheese Soup and Cheddar Biscuits
Sunday - Waffle Crusted Chicken with Kung Pao Cauliflower

Water Infuser Flavor - Mango

I didn't do much prep this weekend since we all have tomorrow off and I have a very light day on Tuesday.  I think I'll be OK for the week.  I am hoping to make these muffins either tomorrow or next weekend to eat for breakfasts/snacks.

As always, I'm linking up with Laura at Mommy, Run Fast.  Go check out the other blogs on the link up for some more yummy recipes!  Have a great week!!

Keeping Up With...Goals 2016 (My Fab 40!)

So in just over 2 months I'll be 40!  While I dreaded my 30th birthday, I am beyond excited for my 40th.  My 30's have been amazing and I finally feel like I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing with my life.  So I've decided to spend most of the year celebrating me and my 40 years on this planet.  :) 

In the spirit of resolutions, I decided to come up with a bucket list of 40 things to do this year.  Some of them are fun, some more mundane but need to get done.  Some are going to be easy, others very tough.  Some are already planned and some need some work.  I'll update once a month so I can keep up on my progress.  Hope you enjoy following along on this journey!

40 Things in my 40th Year
1.  Lose 40 pounds - one for each year
2.  Go on a family trip to Dallas
3.  Go on a family trip to NJ
4.  Go on a family trip to Tennessee
5.  Read 12 books - I was so close last year!
6.  Go on 12 dates with Adrian
7.  Go zip lining - probably either in TN or Hocking Hills
8.  Go on a family hike in Hocking Hills
9.  Get rid of 12 bags of stuff - We need to declutter again.  Starting with the play room this month.  This will include both trash and donations.
10.  Get 1 fitness certification
11.  Take 1 picture every day for the year - This will run from Jan 1 - Dec 31
12.  Go to the doctor for routine check up and tests - Boring but necessary!
13.  Go on family camping trip - Probably to the Jelly Stone in Amish Country we were supposed to do last Oct but it was too cold.
14.  Go on 2 special dates with AJ
15.  Go on 2 special dates with Daniel
16.  Go on 2 special dates with Zak
17.  Host an alcohol exchange with my girl friends - like a cookie exchange, but with alcohol and in March not Dec when everyone is busy
18.  Do a 365 day exercise streak - I will be doing a streak of 10 minutes of exercise per day from Jan 11, 2016 - Jan 10, 2017.  I know that I need rest days and some days will only be 10 minutes of walking or yoga.  But I think it's cool when people do run streaks and since I'm not a runner, I can't do that so I'm modifying to this.
19.  Power wash and stain our play set - Again, not glamorous but really needs to be done
20.  Renovate our downstairs bathroom - Probably just a coat of paint and some new towels.  But the whole house needs sprucing up so I'm starting small.
21.  Finish the 30 Day Shred - It won't be 30 consecutive days, but I want to do 30 days of it, 10 days on each of the 3 levels.
22.  Attend one class each week that isn't mine - This will be a stretch
23.  Teach an average of 5 classes each week
24.  Menu plan and prep our dinners each week
25.  Go to church every Sunday
26.  Do one blog post each week
27.  Conquer the Lynd's corn maze in the fall
28.  Tour Dallas Cowboys stadium
29.  Go to Dollywood
30.  Go to Six Flags Great Adventure
31.  Go to Six Flags Over Texas
32.  See 2 movies that aren't animated
33.  Pay off our Best Buy card and not incur any new debt
34.  Renew our Zoombeezi Bay passes and go at least once every other week over the summer
35.  Have a family board game night once per month
36.  Have a family movie night once per month
37.  Have a family video game night once per month
38.  Do something special to celebrate mine & Adrian's 10 year wedding anniversary
39.  Go to 4 Zumba jams this year
40.  Make one homemade breakfast for us each month - I'm great about dinners but breakfast is normally a granola bar or cereal

So there it is, 40 things to do this year.  I'm already started on some of it and am so excited for this year!!