Monday, April 2, 2012

Food waste, menu, goal updates and some goals for April.

Pin It    Last week I did not create a menu. I just didn't feel like it. And I really missed it!! It's nice to have a plan and to know what we are going to eat every night. So I'm back to menu planning. But first,my food waste this week:



   Yes! I have none! I'm so excited. I have some salad that needs to be used tonight and a bag of potatoes that I barely bought had a few that need to be used ASAP. But nothing that I can't save!  So here's a menu for this week:

Mon.- shepherd's pie, salad
Tues.-leftovers Chinese from this weekend
Wed.-chicken bean enchiladas
Thurs.-tuna patties, salad
Fr.-dump-everything-in-one-pot soup
Sat.-spaghetti with tomato sauce, broccoli
Sun.-honey garlic pork chops, mashed potatoes, veggies (Easter dinner)

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   I also wanted to quickly update on my March goals. We ended selling a bed set and a toy organizer on KSL and made $145. It really helped to outweigh some of our medical bills. We still need to have a few to come through but it looks like we might not need use our EF to pay for any of them. It's quite a relief! I did manage to stay below budget on almost everything.And I actually have $7 left in our grocery budget that I will roll into April :)

   And when it comes to my weight loss goals, I didn't achieve them :( I only lost two pounds instead of four but I'm surprised I even lost anything considering how sick we all were! On the other hand, I lost two inches on my waist (and my goal was 0.7"!), and my dress that I bought from Target fit perfectly for our special dinner last Friday:



   I'm going to keep working on my weight loss in April. Actually, my Hubby and I have a friendly competition this month. We set up some personal goals for ourselves, and we will update on them every week. We aim to achieve 100% in our goals, and whoever does the best, wins 20 bucks to use for whatever. So these are my goals:

1. Lose 3 more pounds
2. Take vitamins every day
3. Drink 8 glasses of water every day
4. Do full-body exercise (including 25 min. on a bike) 3 times a week
5. Do plank 5 times a week ( I really need to keep working those after-baby-two-years-later muscles...sigh!)

The chances of us having a tie are very slim. Even a glass of water makes a difference. But I have an advantage over him- all of you, my dear friends!! :) I'm so so grateful for your support, encouragement and friendship. And I'm grateful that you keep accountable :)

   As for financial goals, I'm not really sure what our plans are. This morning I found out that it's going to be my last week babysitting. The Mom that I sit for didn't even have a decency to tell that to me personally- she just sent me a text!! I know they are going through a lot, and it looks like he might've lost a job but how hard would it be to just honestly tell me that?? I would understand! We know what it's like to be on a tight budget. I feel kind of bumped right now. So for the month of April, I think, we'll try even harder to stay within a budget. And we will see if I need to start looking for a job. I love to be home with my kids, and we can survive on my Hubby's salary but we don't save at all, and we can't stay forever in a stage of survival.

  But even with  all that, the sun is shining, and I do believe that April will be better than March was!! I don't know why but I have a very good feeling...

24 comments:

  1. I love the idea of setting goals. You've inspired me to try and write a post with my goals on, hopefully making them public will make me more likely to stick to them.Rx

    http://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Setting goals definitely and posting them here really pushes me to achieve them. I really don't want people to see me failing :)

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    2. And I don't need "definitely" there :)

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  2. You look beautiful and happy!

    Good luck with all the changes, sounds like a lot!

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    1. Thank you and thank you, dear! I know it's not going to be easy but we'll make it! We always do.

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  3. How do you make your chicken bean enchiladas?
    Meal planning makes everything SO much easier! I feel like we eat better, food doesn't go to waste, and I spend less at the grocery store!

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    1. Oh, it's very simple. I usually have some cooked shredded chicken all the time in a freezer. I buy a bulk when it goes on sale, bake, shred and freeze it. So I use a pound of cooked chicken, 1 pack of softened cream cheese, a few spoons of salsa (to taste) and a can of rinsed and slightly mashed pinto beans. Put it in tortillas, then cover with salsa or enchilada sauce (I prefer salsa) and a sprinkle with cheese on top. Bake at 350 F for about 15-20 minutes. Very easy, and my boys love it!

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  4. You look great in the dress! So glad it fit perfectly. It's so much easier to enjoy an evening out when you feel confident and your clothing fits comfortably. I'll keep my ears open for opportunities for extra income for you.

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  5. you menu is perfect...yum!!!
    and you are styling!!! and ready for spring!

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    1. Oh, I'm So ready for spring! Even if my wardrobe isn't!

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  6. Don't you just hate it when, as a private contractor relying on the income, people don't think to give you a decent notice when they no longer require your services? As a self employed individual, that would happen to me too at times and was definitely a downer.

    Your dress looks really nice on you btw!

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    1. I know! I think I'm more annoyed with the fact that I babysat for her for more than a year, and she couldn't at least call, than that I don't have a job any more!

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  7. Hi Lena. I'm so glad that you commented on my blog as it enabled me to discover yours, which I love :) Your diaper cakes are absolutely gorgeous. Pity you can't deliver to Australia (I know it would cost too much) as I know a pregnant girl who would love one.
    Your menu sounds yummy. I didn't get one done this week but it does help when I do one. love the outfit too.
    I've put your blog in my Reader so that I can keep up to date :)

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    1. Yeah, shipping to Australia would, probably, be hard! :) And welcome! Thanks for following me and for your support!

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  8. Wow, look at you!! You look great! It's important to celebrate ourselves and our bodies at every stage, no matter what. I think a "friendly competition" is a great motivator - I'm on YOUR side :)

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  9. You look great Lena and I love your menu plan this week :)

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  10. So much going on. I really did miss a lot in one week.

    First off, I'm glad you are no longer sick. That's a blessing all on it's own.

    Next, you look beautiful in the dress. It looks like it fits perfect.

    I'm also happy to read you might not have to dip into the ef to cover the medical bills. That's always awesome, I always try to use my ef as a last resort.

    And lastly, I'm sorry to hear you will lose the babysitting gig but like you said. April should be awesome.

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    1. Thank you! I have high hopes for April, no matter what!

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  11. Good job with no food waste! And congrats on your weight loss!! :-)

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  12. The weight loss competition with your husband reminds me of one with my husband. When I first became pregnant, my husband said he would lose as much weight as I gained. However, by the time my son came, he had gained weight. He claims that he misunderstood the deal. He said he thought he was supposed to GAIN weight with me.

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    1. Hahaha...I swear, my Hubby gained a little weight while I was pregnant with each of our boys. Hence, the competition-we are both loosing the baby weight :)

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  13. Great menu, Lena! And, you look awesome!! LOVE the dress!

    I was trying to figure out what the pic was of your food waste....LOL...then I read a bit further!

    Sorry to hear about your babysitting gig...They were probably too embarrassed to talk about it to you..When my kids were really young things were very tight, so I worked part time jobs here and there. It all works out in the end, staying at home with the kids is a blessing...I hope you'll be able to do that!

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