Meal Prep - Doesn't have to take a lot of time or money !

I went to Sam's Club earlier this week and purchased a beautiful looking salmon. It cost me 14 and change for about 2 lbs or so. 

I came home and cooked it for dinner for our our family of 5. 

I measured each piece on the food scale 3 to 5 oz. I gave my husband a 5 oz one. 👍 I served it with brown rice and steamed broccoli. 

And I still had 5 pieces left over . I packaged up 3 of them so they would be ready for meals. Now my husband and I both have lunch ready for tomorrow. Bonus because I cooked once, and I am able to bless my family with a quick and healthy meal and not break the bank !! 

I know eating out is convenient, but when it cost 6 to 10 bucks that sure adds up !

Getting back on Track - after a CELEBBRATION

I came back from my 4 day trip to Oregon. It's good to be home and it was good to go. I had a chance to do a lot of thought and reading while I was in the cabin. Since we had no internet connection, I had to force my mind to SLOW down.

On Saturday after dinner we did go see the fireworks and stay the night to attend church.

That gave me an opportunity to check myself back in to what the rest of the world was doing... But after church we headed back up to no civilization again. Which was a good feeling.

It's funny to me because while I was in the woods there were so many times that I had to calm my mind. Calm myself from the to-do LIST that we constantly bombard ourselves.

I had to remind myself that doing nothing was ok. That just relaxing and diving into some books was perfectly fine. It wasn't until Saturday that I was really feeling that I could relax.

I also fell down the stairs. I fell while holding my son. It was quite frustrating since I sprained my ankle while doing so. I knew i shouldn't of held him. But, of course as a mother you want to carry your child. You want to help him. And so I did.

The sprain is healing nicely, and I am already attempting to do exercises to strengthen my ankle.

I also learned that I have a lot of negative talk that goes on my head. Not sure if any of you can relate. Everything from ...

- why would she do that 

- how rude of her 

- I try to give so much and get nothing back from them 

- why is she trying to make me feel bad 

- they prefer them over my child

- they really don't love me 

I learned this. People are not out to get you. People are busy with their own lives, and not worried about HOW to get YOU. And I think the most vital ahhaaa that I need to remind myself of - I can NOT change the way other people behave, or feel towards me. I can ONLY change myself. 

The best part from all of this stinken thinking is that you can dust yourself off and being today with a NEW attitude. New take on LIFE  and how you feel towards people.

Start by having a grateful heart. Grateful that I am surrounded by people that LOVE me. Like my husband and children. Grateful that I have kind neighbors that reach out to me. Grateful that I HAVE desire and motivation. Grateful that I do have friends that want to spend time with me. 

Sometimes, we allow the negative thinking to take over. To allow us to think for us. But, don't let that happen. Start thinking of all that you have and are grateful for. 

With love, ME 

It doesn't matter about yesterday - Focus on TODAY (UPDATE )

I have still been exercising. Been pretty diligent about it. And I have kept up with sharing on my like page Balanced Fitness. But, I have completly fallen off the wagon about writing and posting here on my blog. 

It just seems like my mind is always busy trying to tackle household chores, church callings, and most importantly my family. I do everything for and in behalf of my family. And now that kids are out of school it seems like my life was turned upside down and shaken several times. 

I realized that there are too many distraction in life that pull me away from the things that matter the most. I had an ahh haaa moment the other day that has made me realize I need to focus... LASER focused on the things that matter most. 

What Im still learning : 

As a mom it seems like we need to wear several hats - from cooking, to time management, to organization, and YES even conflict resolve management. It's just crazy to me when I think about all the different things moms occupy our minds with. 

So here's my golden nugget - Every single day is an opportunity to TRY ! Yes, if yesterday you burnt dinner and the whole house smells like black tortillas then guess what ?? Tomorrow you can try again. ( uhh perhaps I speak from personal experience :) 

Or if you yelled at your children and went over board on the words that you used and then you felt awful. Then guess what you apologize and vow to do better when that child is acting out. 

I don't believe that just because we have 1 bad day or moment that it will define us. 

I remember talking to a friend about this very thing. I said you know what I had a not so good mommy moment the other day. It lasted 5 - 10 minutes. But, just because I was quick to react doesn't mean I can't make up for it.

 My kids have many many years ahead of them to build, grow and gain many more memories. So, get up and dust off the frustration and move forward with your day.

That's to me what life is about- pushing Forward and realizing that life will have it's ups and Downs.

Well, I will stop rambling now... 

I hope you know you are AWESOME ! 

Crockpot Lettuce Wraps - Perfect for those HOT days !!

I LOVE lettuce wraps!! I love the yummy taste that comes with asian  chicken and the crunch you get from the lettuce. It all just makes my mouth... oh so happy !!

This recipe comes from Domestic Superhero - 

Ingredients

1. 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
2. black pepper, to taste
3. 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (tamari for gluten-free)
4. 1/4 cup honey
5. 1/4 cup tomato paste
6. 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
7. 2 cloves garlic, minced
8. 1 tbsp water
9. 1 tspSESAME OIL
10. 1 tsp onion powder
11. 1 tsp sriracha hot chili sauce, or more to taste
12. 1HEAPING tbsp cornstarch
13. 1/4 cup water
14. 1/2 tbspSESAME SEEDS
15. 2 medium scallions, chopped for garnish
16. Lettuce for lettuce cups (I used bib lettuce)

Instructions

1. 1. Place the chicken in theSLOW cooker and season with black pepper.
2. 2. In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, vinegar, garlic, 1 tbsp water, sesame oil, onion powder and sriracha hot chili sauce. Pour over chicken and cook on LOW 3-4 hours.
3. 3. Remove chicken, leaving the sauce in theSLOW cooker. Shred chicken with two forks; set aside.
4. 4. In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in remaining 1/4 cup water; add to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH until slightly thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes; return chicken to the slow cooker and mix well.
5. Serve chicken and sauce in lettuce cups and top with sesame seeds and chopped scallions for garnish.
6. This could also be served over rice if you prefer that over the lettuce cups.

Easy Tomato Soup Recipe

I love to make soup for the family, especially soup that is made with veggies and without HIGH fructose corn syrup.

Here is a quick Tomato Soup Recipe that you will love

Ingredients
- Garlic
- Onion
- 3 cans of tomato sauce
- 2 roma tomatoes
- Chicken Stock
- Cumin

Start by sautéing your garlic and onion in olive oil. Then toss your roma tomatoes in the oven to broil for a bit. Get them toasty. Add a little bit of Balsamic Vinegar if you have some.

Then when your garlic and onion are soft, go ahead and add the tomato sauce to the pot. Let them get all happy and YUUMMY !

Take the Roma tomatoes out and add them to the pot, along with your chicken stock.

Season with salt and pepper. and then Add a little bit of Cumin.

I let it simmer for 15 mins. But no longer than that.

Add to your blender, but make sure to leave enough room to let it expand.

I placed a towel on top, just in case it exploded .

Then pour back into bowl add cream if desired and heat thru.

Pour into bowls and ENJOY !!

This would be a great meal to have for lunches or for dinner, pull out of fridge reheat and serve !

Update on my progress - April 2015

The other day when I picked my son up from preschool, I spoke with his preschool teacher about it being the last day of school. She confirmed to me that May is their last month of going to school.

When she said that to me I thought WOW! I can't believe that the year is just zipping by us! It seems like it was just January and I was setting my goals for the year.

What this said to me is that TIME is going to pass weather you are ready or not. So, soak up everyday! Make the most of your time! We all have the same 24 hours, what are you doing everyday  to be productive and reaching your goals ??

One of my goals for the year was to be in better shape. I have problem areas that I needed to tackle a little bit more. Such as my thighs and muffin top. It's amazing to me how quickly these areas can get out of control if you allow them to.

And that is what I did during the holidays. Slacked on my workouts and my eating !!

I want to stress though that I am happy with all that my body can do. I am grateful that I have a healthy body. I am grateful that God has blessed me with the ability to use my body to work, walk, run and be a productive human being.

That being the case, I feel more comfortable and confident when I am taking care of myself.

Right now I am working out 6xs a week. Running 3xs and trying (ha) to watch what I eat.

It's not always easy, sure there are days when I WOULD like to just flop myself on the catch and see what's on the TV. But, I prefer to keep moving and to be active.

The way I see it, everyday is a new day to try.

Prepare your day.
Prepare your mind and you can overcome those difficult moments.

Hope you are reaching your goals everyday and even if it feels like you are slipping- Keep going!!

Homemade Almond Milk

I decided to make almond milk from scratch the other day. Why?? When I can purchase it already made at the store ?  I enjoy learning how to make things from scratch and I wanted to see how time consuming it would be to make.

I found the recipe on Wellness Mamma, but I had to watch a video of one of my favorite Youtube channel - What's up Moms. I am a visual learner, so I have to see it in action !

Ingredients 

-1 cup of almonds
- Filtered water 4 cups 2xs
- sweetener vanilla ( optional cinnamon But I would say leave it out)

Step 1 -

Soak 1 cup of almonds in 4 cups of filtered water. I used my Blend-tec to pour my liquid and almonds in.
Then I let it sit/ soak for 12 hours. I threw it together at 8 pm.You know it's one of those things that you keep putting off and then you think for crying out loud just get it done :) So I did!!!

Step 2

This is where I had to watch a video because the directions were a bit unclear. I will do my best to explain how to do it. Take a strainer and drain the almonds and water ( keeping the almonds of course)

Step 3

Add the almonds BACK to the blender PLUS add 4 cups of FILTERED water

Step 4

BLEND on HIGH until nice and smooth!!

Step 5

Now this is the MESSY part. You will need a cheesecloth and strain the liquid.Yes! Dump the milk mixture in the cheesecloth and the liquid should come out into the bowl. (I should add to make sure your hands are clean) Now squeeze the excess liquid out of the cheese cloth... watch as it squirts all over you. Oh... is that just me ?

Step 6

Now I added my cinnamon and vanilla, or your choice.I would like to omit the cinnamon next time and add a different sweetener like dates

Step 7

Place in Fridge to chill. This made approximately 36 oz, which goes by pretty fast in this house especially if you are using it to add to your shakes.

I will definitely be making this mixture more often !!

Have you made almond milk ? Did you enjoy it ?