A New Beginning

I'm back! At least, I hope I'm back. Around the time of my last post in April 2012, my life started changing so fast that I just could not keep up with this blog. This time I'm hoping (although not promising because life happens) that I will stay dedicated. It helps me immensely to write, and I am hoping that I might help others as well. So now I am back where I started last year on New Year's - making resolutions.

I love New Year's Resolutions. Like I said on last year's list, I love the idea of having a goal with a year to complete it.So did I accomplish my resolutions from last year? Yes and no. I made progress with most of them but I admit to getting off course at times. For example, as soon as Prairie Babe was born (who will be referred to as "Prairie Boy" from now on! Yeah!), I  failed at following through with homeschooling Prairie Girl. But she is only 3 so it's not necessary right now anyway; we are just trying to form good habits. And I had to stop trying to lose weight since I was pregnant, but I did continue to exercise. I did feel like I grew in my relationship with God, and I did a lot more Bible studying than in previous years, but that can always be improved upon.

What are this year's goals? Well here they are, along with my plan.

1. Continue to devote more time to studying God's word
    *Learn with my daughter through her homeschool lessons from ABCJesusLovesMe
    *Complete the devotional book The Busy Mom's Devotional
    *Look up and study the passages used in the Christian fiction books I read
2. Make each member of my family feel special and like they have my full attention
    *Spend one-on-one time with each person on a daily basis
    *Plan special activities and outings for each person
3. Get back to focusing on my "life skills" I have studied throughout the years
    *Prevent clutter by limiting my shopping and selling/donating what I no longer need
    *Be conscious of my plastic consumption and avoid bringing in new plastic
    *Use natural products and avoid chemicals and packaged foods
4. Lose my baby weight plus 5 pounds
    *Track calories every day for every food
    *Resume my previous gym activity

And here's a little different list of measurable goals that can be "checked off"
*Complete at least 5 5Ks and 1 10K by the end of the year
*Help Prairie Girl complete 1 Complete Curriculum Pre-School Book
*Create checklist cards for the kids' daily routines and my housekeeping
*Read 12 books (children's books don't count!)
*Log 500 miles on my exercise bike
*Go on 12 dates with Prairie Dad (not just family outings)
*Complete baby books for both children
*Take at least 1 picture each day
*Write down what our family does each day even if it is only 1 line

And there you have it. I have no plan of perfection, and life happens, so I know I'll get off track. But I have something to strive for. And I'll probably add to the list throughout the year. But for now, I feel good about this.

Happy New Year to you and yours! Now tell me about YOUR resolutions!

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 4/22 thru 4/28

We're linked up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

This is a super-busy week for us. Prairie Girl has her big end-of-year dance recital on Saturday which means extra practices and an out-of-the-ordinary schedule, so we're relying a little on leftovers and like any "normal" family, we have to sneak in a couple of fast food trips too.


Breakfasts
Oatmeal
Raisin toast with peanut butter or cream cheese
Hot rice cereal

Lunches
Smoothies
Leftovers


Dinners
Monday:
Pork chops
Mashed potatoes
Maple Roasted Green Beans

Tuesday:
Taco Tuesday at the local Taco Casa

Wednesday:
Pan grilled chicken
Lentil & vegetable soup with dumplings

Thursday:
Leftover soup

Friday:
BLT's on homemade bread

Saturday:
Post-recital pizza party

Sunday:
Crockpot chili

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 4/15 thru 4/21

We're linked up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

This week Prairie Babe has me craving fruit, so it's smoothies for lunch! I loaded up on frozen fruit on my recent trip to Whole Foods, so I am prepared. Smoothies are a great way to get in multiple servings in one glass, and even picky eaters will down smoothies, especially if you convince them it's "ice cream" (I might have told this to Prairie Girl).


Breakfasts
Oatmeal
Pancakes
Bacon

Lunches
Smoothies
Leftovers
Kashi pizza

Dinners
Monday:
Leftover steak and chicken kabobs
Baked potatoes
Broccoli

Tuesday:
Hamburger patties
Sweet potato fries
Green peas


Wednesday:
Slow cooked pinto beans
Kielbasa
Spinach

Thursday:
Whole roasted chicken
Mashed potatoes
Creamed corn

Friday:
Veggie Loaded Beef Tacos

Saturday:
Errand day! Prairie Dad's pick

Sunday:
Eggs
Bacon
Biscuits
Gravy

New Life: How This Pregnancy is Different

When I found out I was pregnant, I was filled with joy and dread at the same time. I am not dreading the baby by any means - I truthfully cannot wait for those 2 AM feedings, countless diapers, and the cutest little smiles imaginable. I think infancy is magical, so that part is a blessing. The part I dreaded with the morning sickness, weight gain, lethargy. After working so hard to lose 60 pounds, I just knew I'd automatically blow up like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloon. But that wasn't so!

So far I am 14 1/2 weeks, and this has been a far different, and much better, experience from my last pregnancy. I am not dealing with the constant morning sickness. I have learned that if I eat carbs and protein every 2-3 hours, I can avoid the nausea and keep my energy up. There were a few days before I learned all this when I didn't feel like leaving the couch, but I got over it quickly. I also feel like my diet has made this pregnancy better. Throughout my 1st pregnancy, I was addicted to Dr. Pepper and had at least one every day. The constant blend of caffeine and sugar gave me the great sugar rush and crash that only made lethargy  worse. This time I am drinking tons of water and trying to eat as many fruits and veggies as possible.

I'm also keeping my weight in check. My doctor told me that as long as Prairie Babe is gaining, everything is fine. I did automatically raise my calories up to 2000 a day to ensure Prairie Babe and I get enough but not too many. Of course if I have a treat every once in a while, I don't worry about it. I know this is the one time I am getting help at burning off calories, so I am taking advantage of it. Having a few, limited indulgences also keeps my mood up so I don't feel deprived.

With Prairie Dad after our 5K race

The big surprise during this pregnancy is how active I am. My doctor told me I'm like a different patient, and she's right. On Saturday, Prairie Dad and I ran a 5K. I did about half running/half walking, but it was still a 5K! The next day, I biked 6.5 miles on our recumbent stationary bike. That certainly didn't happen last time. The last time, a workout consisted of me walking around Wal-Mart to get groceries. Keep in mind that my exercise is being monitored by my doctor, so we are being safe about it, but she told me not to slow down anytime soon - the more I exercise the better off Prairie Babe and I will be.

More than ever I am so thankful for the changes I've made in my life. Changing my diet and building exercise habits in advance is making this pregnancy easier than I imagined. And by sticking with my lifestyle, especially when it would be so easy to give it up, I know that my recovering will be easier.

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 4/8 thru 4/14

As always, the menu plan is linked up Org Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

God bless my husband. The man loves leftovers. Ok, maybe love is too strong of a word, but he does like them and will eat them without complaint or question. Since he is so willing, I try to cook larger meals so we can have enough leftover for lunches or dinners. Simply put, leftovers save us time and money, and they help us eat healthier because there's no excuse to go for take out if there's food in the refrigerator. This week, leftovers will make their way into our menu plan.


Breakfasts
Oatmeal
Crock Pot Applesauce
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Lunches
Tuna sandwiches
Kashi pizza
Leftovers
Fruit

Dinners
Monday:
Leftover pork roast and noodles
Fresh steamed broccoli
Toast

Tuesday:
BBQ ribs
Mashed potatoes
Creamed corn

Wednesday:
Hamburger patties
Sweet potato fries
Green peas

Thursday:
BBQ turkey meatloaves
Maple roasted green beans

Friday:
Grocery shopping smorgasbord - more to come about this tradition!

Saturday:
Slow cooked pinto beans
Kielbasa
Steamed spinach

Sunday:
Leftover beans
Porkchops
Broccoli
Cornbread

Reverse Shopping

One of my resolutions this year was to de-clutter my house to the extreme while avoiding bringing new items in. By de-cluttering, I mean I want things OUT of my house for good - not just packed up into storage. When we pack things away, we aren't getting rid of the problem; we're only shuffling it to a new location and hiding it in a container.

A lot of people suffer buyer's remorse when it comes time to part with items. We have those pangs of guilt -
"But I spent my hard-earned money on it!"
"I needed it at the time."
"I might need it again!"
All of those may be true, but so what? I suffered from all of those claims, and I finally came to several realizations. That money is already gone, you don't need it anymore, and if you do need it again, you can probably scrounge up another one.

Right now my family is very blessed by the fact that my husband has a secure job with a predictable paycheck, but we've been through enough times when that wasn't the case, so I hate the idea of wasting money, especially when I've already spent it. Rather than donate half the contents of my house, I decided to sell what I could to try to earn back some of what I'd spent. I call it "reverse shopping," and it's become rather addictive.

I used to do the standard yard sales - load it all up on tables, mark it cheap, and watch it get hauled away. But in the past couple of years, I've discovered Facebook garage sales. I just have to photograph everything, list it with a price, and meet the buyer who claims it. So far my transactions have been very smooth, and over 2 years, I've had about 300 transactions. I usually meet people at the grocery store, or if I know them, they stop by my house. I get more publicity since there are 11,000+ people in the garage sale group, and I can get a better price, especially for new items or groups of similar items.

I'm not money-hungry though, so I don't sell everything. In fact, I give a lot away to family and friends. I have also donated a lot to help local organizations. I'd rather see things really help someone than for me to get a few bucks from it. Selling so much has also helped me really learn the difference between "need" and "want," so items I think people may "need" often get donated first.

So how is this affecting my house? I've been clearing out every room and making space. I've even tackled the storage rooms I used at my parents' house, and I've cleared out almost everything from there except some Christmas decorations and baby clothes. And I haven't missed a thing. I had so much stuff that wasn't used on a daily basis, that I never fully realized I had it anyway. Now I'm down to a select number of clothes and kitchen utensils, and I use what I have every day. If it's in our house, it has a value. This reverse shopping has also helped decrease my desire to go out for conventional shopping. I don't want to bring things into my home if there's a possibility I'll have to get rid of it later.

How do you get rid of your things? Do you sell or donate?

Recipe Box - Baked Caprese Salad

My husband's favorite homemade dish is, without a doubt, Baked Caprese Salad. He can eat a whole tray of it by himself in one sitting. But honestly, it can be expensive, especially when we don't have our own fresh tomatoes and basil growing in the garden and when I can't make the bread. For that reason, the dish is usually reserved for special occasions, such as his birthday last week.

Now don't let the name fool you - there's no lettuce in this salad. The recipe is simply based on the well-known Italian dish Caprese Salad which is a blend of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. I use Giada de Laurentiis's original recipe with a few modifications. I won't go through the whole recipe since it's a click away, but here are my changes.

While the recipe calls for a baguette, I use a loaf of whole wheat French bread. We love whole wheat, and we try to avoid white flour whenever possible. Instead of Roma tomatoes, we use Campari tomatoes. Campari are smaller and more flavorful. I have found that sometimes Romas can be a bit bland, especially when they are off season. Campari usually taste sweet and juicy. My last modification is to use marinated mozzarella. Marinated mozzarella is usually preserved in a bowl of oil/vinegar with spices. The cheese has a little burst of flavor and is more exciting than plain mozzarella.

Prairie Dad LOVED having this for his birthday, and I loved that it was easy to make. My final tip to choose good olive oil - good olive oil will make your bread golden and delicious, and you will enjoy every mouthwatering bite.

The Choice

This month I had to make a choice. The library is writing the budget for the 2013-14 school year, and I had to decide if I wanted to work more or less. My choice? No work at all.

When my contract expires in June, I will be a full time stay at home mom.

In my mind, the choice was easy. I can be home with my children, supervise their education, nurture and love them, and ensure they have the best care. I'm not staying home for a break or relaxation time, that's for certain. But I chose to bring these children into the world, and I feel like it's my responsibility to raise them, not daycare workers and not grandparents, but me.

So why am I taking a beating?

Almost immediately I heard remarks about how I was giving up my career and would never be able to get it back. Stay at home moms don't make money. They don't get promotions. They don't make a name for themselves.

My response: so what?

Being a stay at home mom is not about me, it's about my children. If I wanted fame, power, and money, I certainly wouldn't have had kids. The choice I am making is about what will give my children the best possible life.

Then there's that word over which I've suffered abuse: choice.

People assume that I must be a pampered housewife with a rich husband since I can so willfully "choose" to stay home. That is far from reality. In fact, for most of our marriage, our income was at or below the poverty line. Only recently have we been able to move up a little, and by adding a 2nd child, we've taken a step back. Don't get me wrong, my husband has what I consider to be a good job with insurance. And by good, I mean we can pay our bills and put back a little extra. But I know many families who make much more than we do who claim that both parents have to work in order to have enough money.

And that's my problem with the argument: money.

It doesn't take a lot of money to survive. More than money, it takes careful planning, and that's where a lot of my work is. I have to plan meals, budget for trips, plan out project funding, and somehow compensate for those emergencies that were never in the plans. I've learned how to take little and turn it into something. So when I say I choose to stay home, I'm not saying I choose to give up a paycheck. I'm saying I'm making changes in my life.

I'm also choosing to teach my children about a certain way of life. I believe that having too much money can be a bad thing. I don't want to see them spoiled and selfish. I want to see them resourceful and appreciative. I love the look in my daughter's eyes when she discovers that Mommy can bake muffins with her instead of buying them at the store, and Daddy can plant seeds that will grow vegetables. She can learn by doing, and in the process I hope she sees that the world needs much more than money.

Now I know there are cases when both parents have to work, and of course there are single moms without a choice. And I commend them for doing what they have to do. Both of my parents had to work. My grandmother was a single mom. I get it. But I think the idea of money gets used as an excuse too often.

As a mom who's been on both sides of the equation, don't hate on those who have to work, and don't hate on those who stay home. We've all had to make choices, and in both cases there are often sacrifices. But we're doing what we can for our children, to provide for them, to care for them, and to raise them up as responsible people.

Techno Prairie Menu Plan - 3/25 thru 3/31

I try to keep my meals as unprocessed as possible. I like to rely on simply dishes and lots of vegetables. But at this season in my life, sometimes I have to stretch the boundaries a little bit to accommodate both my cravings and my time.  As the months progress, and I transition into being a full time stay-at-home-mom (more to come on that later), I am hoping my meal plans can make the jump from mostly natural to completely natural.

One thing I do love to do is cook up food in advance so we can eat on it through the week. It saves me time and money, and there's less of a chance I'm going to end up in the kitchen stuffing cookies in my mouth for breakfast. So this week, anything with a * has been prepared in advance and is waiting for me to take it our of the refrigerator.

Breakfasts
Pancakes*
Sausage*
Applesauce*
Oatmeal
Cereal

Lunches
Steak*
Macaroni and Cheese*
Tuna sandwiches
Leftovers
Bananas
Apples
Pineapple
Strawberries

Dinners
Monday:
Baked Ravioli - using spinach ravioli, organic marinara, and 2% mozzerella
Sauteed chicken breasts

Tuesday:

Hamburger patties
Roasted corn
Baked potatoes


Wednesday:
Southern Stir Fry made with brown rice and organic veggies
Smoked kielbasa

Thursday:
Prairie Dad's birthday - his choice!

Friday:
Pan grilled catfish
Pasta salad
Baked zucchini

Saturday:
BBQ Easter buffet
Strawberry cake with chocolate and cream cheese dipping sauces

Sunday:
Leftovers

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 3/4 thru 3/10

And...I'm back! Just like with my first child, I have been extremely nauseous during my pregnancy, so only the most necessary things have been getting done. But I am trying to be diligent with this blog, so hopefully we will have several updates this week!

At this time more than any other, my menu plans are subject to change, but I do have an idea of what the week will hopefully look like. I say hopefully because who knows when the pregnant lady will get a craving that is not on the menu!

Breakfasts
Cereal
Homemade pancakes
Milk
Orange juice

Lunches
Leftovers
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
Brown rice with butter
Frozen pineapple
Apple sauce

Dinners
Monday:
Healthier Stuffed Peppers

Tuesday:
BBQ pork ribs
Bake potatoes
Green peas

Wednesday:
Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Rice - made with organic cream of chicken and basmati rice

Thursday:
Leftover buffet

Friday:
Hot dogs with relish and cheese
Potato salad
Baked beans
White Cheddar Cheetos

Saturday:
Spinach quesadillas

Sunday:
Hubby's Choice

New Life: Myfitnesspal.com - the easiest way to lose!

MFP button tracking pounds lost

Losing weight is hard - don't let anyone tell you any different. It takes dedication to maintain lifestyle changes, and before that, it takes dedication to a plan. Through my weightloss adventure, there is one tool that absolutely changed my life. Myfitnesspal.com is a web tool or app that allow members to track their calorie intake and their exercise so they can meet their goals, and best of all - it's free!

From the beginning, I have used My Fitness Pal (MFP). When I set up my account, I simply added in my stats, like weight, height, age, and activity level, and told the program how much weight I wanted to lose (back then it was 2 pounds a week). After compiling my stats, it gave me daily calorie goal.  I logged every bite that went into my mouth (no cheating here!). I also logged all of my exercise, even if it was just a short walk. If I needed to eat more calories, my number was green. If my number turned red, I knew it was time to stop for the day.

MFP has a huge food database, so most of the foods I recorded were already there. If they weren't, I could add the nutrition information for them. Likewise, it already had the information for exercise and figured approximately how many calories I burned based on my estimated metabolism. However, if I had used a heart rate monitor at the gym and knew my calorie expenditure, I could override the pre-calculated results.

One thing I love about the MFP program is that I can "eat back" all of my exercise calories because the base calories are figured as the lowest amount your body can function on for a normal day. If you have more activity than normal, you need to eat more. For example, if my daily allowance is 1500 calories, and I burn 500 at the gym, I get to add those 500 calories for the day for a total of 2000 calories for that day.

MFP report tracking my weightloss

Throughout the year, I have changed my calorie goals to meet my needs. After initial huge drops, I lowered my weightloss to 1 pound a week, and MFP adjust my calories. Also, as I lost more weight, it adjusted my daily calories based on my new needs. Now that I am pregnant, I still track all of my calories, but I use the Maintenance setting, meaning I eat enough so I don't lose weight. As my pregnancy progress, I will raise it so that I gain enough weight to support the baby.

MFP is fantastic because it is so customizable. There are no special foods or plans - you just have to be honest with your food journal. It also provides reports about your nutrition, exercise, and weightloss so you can easily see where you need to make adjustments. Feel free to leave comments or questions for me if you'd like to get started on MFP today!

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 2/18 thru 2/24

While menu plans are largely about being organized and prepared for what may come, they are also about flexibility. If something comes up during the week, you can easily bump one day's meal to the next day, or you can swap out days depending on how you feel and how much time you have. I never experience a week when I strictly adhere to my menu plan. There are days when family drops by and they bring over food, there are days we have so many leftovers that there is no need to cook, and there are occasions when we just feel like going out, such as Valentine's Day. So if your week doesn't go by the schedule, it's still a success because you had a plan, even if you didn't get to follow it to the letter.

Breakfasts
Cereal
Toast
Eggs
Orange juice
Milk
Coffee

Lunches
Leftovers
Tuna sandwiches
Cheese and crackers
Apples, Peaches, Pineapple

Dinners
Monday:
Peppered pork meatloaf
Baked potatoes
Green peas

Tuesday:

Stir-Fry Chicken and mixed vegetables
Brown rice
Egg rolls


Wednesday:
Pork tenderloin
Black bean quinoa salad (watch for the recipe!)

Thursday:
Beef stroganoff
Noodles
Green beans

Friday:
Baked salmon
Buttered brown rice
Spinach

Saturday:
Whole roasted chicken
Mashed potatoes
Creamed corn

Sunday:
Breakfast for dinner - eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy

Recipe Box: Veggie Loaded Beef Tacos

We love tacos. LOVE them. We can eat them at least once a week, and while I do love them from our favorite fast food place, I feel much better about them when I can make them at home. I knew they are only made from wholesome, natural foods, they will be healthy, and the flavor will be amazing.

I love convenience about as much as I love tacos, and to me, that means a dish that is quick and simple. The base for the tacos is super quick which means I usually have plenty of time to make homemade tortillas. My go-to tortillas recipe is from thehappyhousewife.com. They turn out great every time!


Two clarifications: I know the recipes calls for canned tomatoes and beans. When I say canned, I usually mean what I've grown and/or cooked at home. I don't purchase canned goods if possible. However, if you like them, they will certainly work! Also, our ground beef is provided by my in-laws from their grassfed cattle ranch. I know that all my beef is organic and the healthiest available. I know this isn't possible for everyone, but I encourage you to investigate local options instead of chain stores. The quality will be much better, the nutrients will be higher, and you will be helping local ranchers.

Veggie Loaded Tacos
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1/2 c. water
1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
Tortillas
Cilantro
Lime juice

Combine beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Brown until cooked thoroughly. Add tomatoes, pinto beans, water, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Simmer until water reduces to thick sauce and all veggies are tender and cooked. Add to tortillas, top with fresh cilantro and lime juice and add your favorites - we love shredded cheese and sour cream. We also like to add a little corn, either on the side with butter or on top for a little texture.

Enjoy!

DIY Easy Valentine Wreath

I love Valentine's Day, and so does Prairie Girl. I love any holiday associated with love. I'm a generally bubbly person anyway, but a day devoted to hearts and flowers and romance sends me over the moon. Prairie Girl thinks it's a day just for her family since pink is my favorite color (and hers too!) and red is Prairie Dad's favorite.

Even though I love it, I'm not the kind of person who's going to cover the house in balloons and glitter to celebrate. I like simple decorations. And you can't get much more simple than my V-Day wreath.

I bought a a heart-shaped wire frame at Hobby Lobby. At $3 it's a steal, but a 40% off coupon makes it even better. Picking the tulle was easy - pink and red with a little white filler.  I picked up the tulle at Hobby Lobby too when it was 50%. I did not use all 3 spools, but since I paid for all of them, we'll say the total cost for this project was about $10.

Then came the hardest part of the whole project - cutting dozens of strips of tulle! I highly recommend using a cutting mat and rotary cutter so you can measure each strip and so the cutter won't get snagged like scissors can.

After I had all of my strips, I tied them around the wreath, alternating the colors as I went. A word of caution: tie all of your knots identically so your tulle is going the same direction. I used simple slip knots to make the tulle lay evenly.

After I tied all the of the knots, I fluffed out the wreath and used scissors to trims it up to make it more even. It is now hanging on our back door to welcome all who enter.

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 2/11 thru 2/17

Today I'm linking up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. 
This past week has been wild! In case you missed it on my Facebook feed, I found out that I am expecting! Prairie Babe should make his or her arrival in early October. As with my first pregnancy, I am constantly nauseous, but this time around, I know how to make better food choices. What little I can eat has to be nutrient dense, so we're going to have some compact dishes on the menu plan this week.

Breakfasts
Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal  - definitely Prairie Girl's fave breakfast lately!
CranBran VitaTops
Oatmeal
Milk
Coffee

Lunches
Leftovers
PB&J Sandwiches
Eggs
Apples, Peaches, Pineapple

Dinners
Monday:
Roasted Potatoes, Chicken Sausage, and Peppers

Tuesday:
Southwestern Turkey Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries

Wednesday:
Stir-Fry Chicken and mixed vegetables
Brown rice

Thursday:
White Cod Filets
Baked Potatoes
Broccoli

Friday:
Veggie loaded taco meat with homemade tortillas (watch for the recipe!)

Saturday:
Prairie Girl turns 3 - pizza party!

Sunday:
Hubby's Choice

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 2/4 thru 2/10

Today I'm linking up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. 

I was a bad girl this weekend. We had our annual Super Bowl party, and I ate my way through it. On top of that, I skipped the gym because it was being renovated and I didn't feel like fighting for the few available parking spaces. This week I'm making up for it by eating light and healthy. I'll have some heartier dishes that Prairie Dad can enjoy, but I'll be sticky with mostly veggies on my plate.

We were mostly successful with last week's menu plan, although we did have a few off days due to activities, so some of our meals are carrying over.We also managed to eat up some of the snacks from last week's menu, so we have a more limited selection this week.

As a special treat, here's my "skinny techno latte" recipe!

Skinny Techno Latte
K Cup of your choice - I use a reusable K Cup and Starbucks Caramel coffee
1/4 cup whole milk
1 T. Grade B maple syrup

Brew your coffee, mix in the milk and syrup, and enjoy! Only 90 calories per cup, and much cheaper than buying your coffee from the shop.

Breakfasts
CranBran Vitatops
Oatmeal
Milk
Coffee

Lunches
Pinto beans
Leftovers
Eggs
Bacon
Apples
Raisins
Crackers

Dinners
Monday:
Crockpot roast with potatoes onions and carrots

Tuesday:
Southwest Turkey Meatballs with Creamy Cilantro Dipping Sauce
Maple roasted green beans

Wednesday:
Whole roasted chicken
Mashed potatoes
Corn

Thursday:
Chicken fajitas

Friday:
Pork ribs
Quinoa black bean salad

Saturday:
White cod filets
Baked potatoes
Broccoli

Sunday:
Hubby's choice

Reaching the Resolution - February

At the beginning of each month, I'll check in with my progress with my new year's resolutions. While this is mainly to keep myself accountable, I hope that my readers will consider their own life goals and evaluate their progress. 

When I made my new year's resolutions, I was filled with optimism. After a hard month has gone by, that optimism is still there, but the drive behind it has dwindled. But I am not the kind to lose hope. I didn't make resolutions for them to be forgotten - I made them to better myself and maybe even to inspire others. Here's my progress (or lack of).

1. Devote more time to studying God's word and prayer
I admit, I feel like a failure on this one. While I knowing I've been praying my heart out all month, it wasn't the way I had really intended. We've had struggles this month. I lost my grandmother, my husband was very ill, and I went back to working nights at the library. While I skimmed through my Bible for comfort, I didn't devote time to studying it or reading my devotional books because I felt like I didn't have time. This is my biggest regret this month.

2. Establish a homeschooling routine for my daughter
This may be my most successful resolution this month. I have been working with Prairie Girl as many days as possible, and we've developed a curriculum that works for her so far. We're using a combination of materials from ABC Jesus Loves Me and letteroftheweek.com, and we both love it. She loves the routine and learning new things, and giving her that has made her much more calm and focused, even when we aren't having our school time. My hope for February is that I can incorporate more art and science into the curriculum.

3. Make our home more eco-friendly by eliminating plastics and using more natural products
This has also been a success this month. I've been reading Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too by Beth Terry, and it is changing my life. I've eliminated almost all of the plastic storage food containers in my kitchen, given up frozen dinners, and diligently used my reusable shopping bags. I've also been able to find more natural body care products for myself and Prairie Girl, and I've found ways to eliminate some plastic packaged items from our lifestyle. I am loving all of it, and I feel like my house is a healthier, happier place because of it.

4. Avoid buying things I don't need while de-cluttering excess from my home - to the extreme!
Also a success. I greatly down-sized my shopping habit and have been running errands just one day a week. I've resisted purchases and walked out of stores empty handed when I didn't find what I needed (as opposed to settling for some second rate product I didn't need). As for de-cluttering, I've donated several huge bags to charity, given away items to friends and relatives, and sold items online. I'm in no way done, but I've made significant progress, and as I get rid of more, it's easier to let go and discover how little I need.


5. Finish the craft projects I started in 2012 and use up my current supplies
Another failure. I completed about 5 rows on a potholder I'm knitting, and that's it for this month's craft projects. There just wasn't time.

6. Lose the last 13 pounds so I can finally achieve the 120s for the first time in my life
I wouldn't exactly call this one a failure because I didn't gain any weight this month, I just didn't lose any. But I didn't try. After losing weight for 8 straight months, I gave myself a little break. I couldn't handle the stress of life and scrutinizing every bite I ate, so instead, I gave myself a little flexibility. I feel good about it though and will hopefully be back to losing in February.

7. Limit my computer usage so that I can accomplish more
I did limit myself when I thought about it. I refused to take my iPad out of town with me, and I purposefully logged off some sites so I wouldn't be so tempted to check them throughout the day. I am planning to start measuring my time at the computer so I better gauge how to limit my usage.

Overall, I think I had a pretty good month for progress. Like I said, it was a hard month that was far from the norm. February may be short, but I think it will bring good things. At least I am starting with good plans.

What were your successes and failures this past month? Feel free to share so we can help and encourage each other.

Recipe Box: Maple Roasted Green Beans

Once a week, I'll open my recipe box and share one of my favorite healthy, tasty, low calorie recipes. Use them to spice up your menu plan and find a delicious way to maintain a healthy weight.

Growing up, I thought green beans came from cans, they were a drab olive color, and they were all squishy in texture. I was so wrong! Fresh green beans are bright, flavorful, and can be anywhere from crisp to chewy depending on how they are cooked. My favorite way to cook them is to slow roast them in the oven to bring out the best flavor while helping them retain their nutrients.

Maple Roasted Green Beans

2 cups fresh green beans with stems trimmed

2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp. maple syrup (grade A or B is acceptable)

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients and toss the green beans so they are well coated. Spread them on a foil covered baking sheet and put them in a preheated 350 degree oven. Let them roast for 20-30 minutes - it really depend on if you like them more crunchy or more dark roasted. Stir them a few times while they roast to prevent burning and sticking.

And that's it!

A half cup serving is only 63 calories and packs 2 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. The maple syrup is also loaded with antioxidants, and unlike sugar, it helps balance insulin levels. This simple side dish will make any meal feel like a fine dining experience. Enjoy!

New Life: Exercise - Striving for Improvement

When I started my exercise regimen, I weighed almost 200 pounds and I had reactive asthma, sciatica, and uncontrollable back pain. Even more disconcerting was the fact that I couldn't pick up my 20 pound child for more than about 30 seconds or walk to the park that is 2 blocks from my house. I was truly out of shape. But when you're starting at the bottom, the only place to go is up.

We'd had our Wii Fit for about 4 years, and most of the time, it just collected dust. I wasn't convinced it was a great workout, but at the time, I figured it was all that I could handle. I dusted it off and stepped on only for the cheeky little voice to tell me I was obese. Maybe the point is for it to make you mad enough to work off the weight. The first time I was on it, I did 20 minutes of the free step workout which is basically stepping on and off of the 2 inch platform. I burned 94 calories, and I thought I was going to collapse.

The next day, I did it again. It was a little easier, but it was still giving me a workout. Besides the 20 minutes of free step, I added a couple of 1 minute games that burned an additional 6 or 7 calories. It wasn't a lot, but it was an improvement.

And that's the idea. Improvement.

I didn't start out with goals of running 5K races and climbing hundreds of flights of stairs, but I accomplished those things because I only had 1 goal: For every workout, I was going to get a little better. I would do more minutes or increase my intensity or try something new. It didn't matter what I was doing as much as it did that I tried as hard as I could and tried to better myself.

I worked my way up from the Wii Fit and started visiting a gym when my husband's company gave us memberships. When I walked that first half mile on the treadmill, I felt the same way I did taking those first steps on the Wii FIt. But again, I just kept making it better. I would raise the speed, incline, or duration every time. I started off walking 3 mph for 10 minutes at a 0 incline. Now when I need a "quick" workout, I can go at 3.8 mph for 30 minutes at a 15% incline with no trouble. But that has taken almost 10 months of work!

Yes, work.

Exercise isn't easy, and it's not always fun. It takes dedication and persistence. But it does get easier. The best thing you can do is to just start moving and find something you can tolerate for a few minutes a day. Find out what works for you even if doesn't work for anyone else. So go ahead and walk around your block, jump on your Wii Fit, or do some jumping jacks in your living room. And tomorrow, do a little more. Just keep improving.

Relief in the Dry Winter

Winter can play havoc with our bodies and our homes. The cool, dry air can cause houses to pop and shift, heating bills to jump, and skin to dry out. It can also cause static build up that can make laundry a pain, literally. The people of the prairie knew how to overcome this burden, so here's my techno twist on some prairie wisdom.

Even a small humidifier can add needed
moisture to your home with little
maintenance. 

1. Use a humidifier - Ever notice that in movies about "the old days" that there is always a pot of water boiling on a log stove? Nothing dries out a house faster than pumping heat into. Replenishing the moisture is necessary to maintain the humidity level. While we can still boil water, running a humidifier is a quick and easy to way to fill your home with moisture. It will help prevent the house from shifting and settling, and it will also help your home heat faster and more evenly so there is less of a need to raise the thermostat. Adding humidity to your home will also ease respiratory ailments. Many new humidifiers have monitors that check the humidity of your home so you can adjust it up or down. Remember that too much humidity can induce mold, but keeping it at 40-50% is ideal.

2. Use 100% cotton towels and clothing - Ever pick up a microfiber towel only to discover an "icky" feeling? Microfiber and fleece are made from recycled plastic bottles. When they are washed, they break down so they can absorb fats and pollutants. That "icky" feeling is the microfiber absorbing the oils from your skin.  Using cotton towels and wearing cotton clothing will help you keep the natural oils on your skin and allow your skin better air exposure. Cotton also does not build up static charge like polyester does.

3. Drink, drink, drink - Just make sure what you drink is water! Prairie people depended on water for their primary beverage, and this should still be the case because the body hydrates best from the inside out. Since the skin is the last organ to receive water and nutrients, it takes more water to make sure the skin gets enough. Caffeinated beverages like soda act as diuretics, so it's important to flush out the caffeine with an extra glass of water.

4. Use natural products to moisturize - Synthetic lotions and creams are not the best at moisturizing because in order to prevent bacteria growth, they contain alcohol which in turns increases the drying effect. To get the full benefit, use a natural moisturizer like coconut oil which can be applied to your skin to sooth dry spots and hair to prevent frizzies. A little dab will go a long way!

5. Greenify your surroundings - If you love plants, this is the perfect time to get some. Keep plants indoors helps to prevent static in your home by adding moisture. As an added benefit, certain varieties, such as Boston Fern, palm varieties, and spider plants, can help purify the air, and they are safe around pets and children.

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday

Today I'm linking up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. 

Menu planning is an essential tool for busy moms. By planning the week's meals on Sunday evening, I don't have those midweek moments when I panic and think "Oh no! What's for dinner?!" I can also plan around work and activities and figure out what I need to pick up at the grocery store.

This week my meal plans are about using up some things I found stashed in my kitchen. I'm still finding some pre-packaged foods and foods in plastic containers (remind me to tell you some day why I hate plastic). I'm also preparing for a big grocery shopping trip in a couple of weeks to fill the freezer, so I want as much as possible cleaned out so I can defrost it before the trip. With all that said, this week's menu may be more "techno" than "prairie" thanks to those modern foods, but waste not, want not!

Since Prairie Dad works during the week, he takes his breakfast and lunch with him and Prairie Girl and I pick whatever we want from our lists. I work at night, so I have dinners prepared early and take mine and PD and PG eat theirs at home. Since this is my first meal plan on this blog, I have no photos, but as I cook up some dishes, I'll post recipes and photos. Enjoy!

Breakfasts
CranBran VitaTops

Even "healthy" pre-packaged foods don't have a place
in my kitchen anymore. I don't need the plastic waste
or added unnecessary ingredients.

Oatmeal
Scrambled eggs
Bacon
Milk
Coffee

Lunches
Leftovers
Salad
Peanut butter sandwiches
Yogurt
Apples
Canned peaches
Juice

Dinners
Monday:
Hamburger patties
Baked potatoes
Broccoli

Tuesday:
Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Rice
(Made with the yellow rice and organic cream of chicken I found in the pantry)

Wednesday:
Mini BBQ turkey meatloaves
Maple green beans

Thursday:
Crockpot roast with potatoes, onions, and carrots

Friday:
Baked white cod fish
Quinoa black bean salad

Saturday:
Whole roasted chicken
Mashed potatoes
Whole kernel corn

Sunday:
Hubby's choice from a restaurant

Snacks
Cereal
Cheese
Frozen fruit
Crackers

Prairie Style (Lack of) Shopping

One of my new year's resolutions was de-clutter my home "to the extreme," and I've been doing just that. For years now, I've been doing annual de-cluttering sessions in my home to get out all the excess. But just as soon as I clear it all out, it starts piling back up. This year is different. This year I'm breaking the cycle by preventing things from coming in while I'm sending them out.

Why am I de-cluttering? After all, my house is pretty tidy, and it's pretty small, so we don't have junk rooms or junk drawers because every square inch of our house has to be usable. I am de-cluttering for a move towards simplicity because I feel like my life is ruled by stuff. Sometime around the new year, I realized that a good portion of my time is devoted to buying, cleaning, and putting away stuff. A lot of it is stuff I don't need.

How did I get all of this stuff? Shopping. I love(d) shopping. My mother and I used to hit clearance sales ever week. Nothing gave me a greater thrill than finding clothes 75% off and dishes 90% off. Who could refuse such bargains?  After all, I used coffee cups on a daily basis and wore clothes everyday, so I'd put everything to good use, right?

Wrong.

I had 20 coffee cups in the cabinet, and we barely used over half of them. Clothes would get worn just a few times. Christmas decorations never got used because I had too many. These things weren't "needs," so I didn't make much of an effort to ensure they got used.

About a month ago, I had a revelation. While falling asleep one night, I had the phrase "you need less but you need more" on my mind. I don't remember hearing this anywhere, and honestly, I'm not sure if God implanted it my head or if it was just my subconscious dwelling on some things I'd read, but either way, I knew God would agree with it. I had placed too much emphasis on stuff in my life and I had ignored how it affected my family. I should have recognized there was a problem when Prairie Girl always requested to go to Wal-Mart when I asked her what she wanted to do for fun.

I'm taking steps to reduce my shopping habit. I try to only go shopping one day a week, and on that day, I try to visit as few stores as possible. When I go into a store, I have a list and the necessary coupons in hand. That list has been carefully prepared at home and only includes things we don't have at home and things we need. We have a running list of things we want, and we're taking time to contemplate the and find the true need for them. Currently on that list are things like stainless steel water bottles, a couple of books, and dress pants. I don't spend time lingering in stores either. I get what I need and get out. Looking at things may not be the same as buying them, but too many times I have found myself coveting dishes or dresses, and that's not something I want to do.

So far I've drastically cut down my shopping. I've only bought absolute necessities like food and medicine. We haven't bought toys or clothes or gadgets. I even returned some things that I'd bought before Christmas because I realized we didn't need them. The great news is, we haven't suffered a bit. Since I've been spending less time shopping, we've spent more quality family time together. Instead of shopping, Prairie Girl and I have worked on projects, watched movies together, and cooked together. And Prairie Dad loves that we're not spending every weekend at a mall.

Something else has happened since I cut back on shopping. I've realized how much we have that we don't need. And as less stuff comes in, more stuff is going out, probably because I don't have new stuff covering up the old stuff. I'm simplifying routines and routines are becoming easier. We're discovery how, much like people who lived on the prairie, we don't need multiples of a lot things, and there are a lot of things we just don't need at all.

Bringing home lots of stuff did not bring us happiness. Time is bringing us happiness. More time is what we needed. Time to love, time to laugh, and time to live.

New Life: Grocery Shopping - Prairie Style

I know some of you are wondering where the "Prairie" part plays into my life. There are two answers. One is that when my parents moved us to the country, my mom said she felt like she was living in Little House on the Prairie because we lived in a small, one bedroom house on a sparse piece of land. I loved my prairie home, and I lived there up until I got married. The other part of my prairie life is that I love all things associated with the old-fashioned prairie life style. I love the combination of hard work and simplicity. Throughout my days, I find that I often ask myself "is this what people would do on the prairie?"

One of those things I often question is grocery shopping. I was once a convenience food addict. And sometimes I still slip up with a bag of cookies or a frozen pizza. But for the most part, my grocery shopping is guided by the simple question "Could this be found on the old-fashioned prairie farm or in the general store?" By asking myself this question, I can rule out most unhealthy foods pretty easily.

I start with the basics like fruits and vegetables. I buy as much fresh and organic as possible because I'm pretty sure that Laura Ingalls didn't have a freezer or DDT. The key to buying fresh produce that is affordable is to consider what is seasonal. Seasonal produce will taste better, be more nutritious, and cost less. It can also help to prevent that dreaded burn out effect from eating the same thing too many times. This time of year, there is less of a selection, but things like potatoes, spinach, broccoli, apples, sweet potatoes, and carrots are still good choices. In the summer, I like to buy a lot of whatever is cheapest and freeze it myself to put back for winter. I still have frozen goods like tomatoes and peppers that we grew in our own garden last summer.

When it comes to meat, I admit that we are blessed. We come from ranching families, so we can still get beef from my in-laws, and we know that it is organic and farm-raised. I know that many people can't do this, so I always advocate buying local and talking to the butchers to find out where the meat comes from and how it is raised. I do buy chicken at the grocery store, but it must be hormone and antibiotic free, and when possible, free range. In the fall, my husband deer hunts, and we usually have a good stock of frozen venison.

Meat is expensive though and too much is not healthy. It eats too much of our budget just like we eat too much of it. To supplement our protein, I cook a pound of some type of beans in the crock pot at least twice a month. They are cheap, nutritious, and filling. Even though I buy organic, $2.99 for a pound of dried beans can feed us for 3-4 meals.

When it comes to dairy, I have to stretch my definition of prairie-style a little bit. We buy milk, butter, and a little cheese, but sometimes I do buy cottage cheese and yogurt if I feel like our diet is lacking. Eggs are a staple in our house too, and I hope we can someday have our own chickens.

Besides milk, the beverages in our house are tea and coffee the old-fashioned way. We make tea on the stove or in a cup with tea bags or infusers. While we do have a Keurig to make our coffee (Praire Dad and I never can agree on a flavor), we have bagged coffee that we use to refill a reusable filter for the machine. I admit though that this part was a recent switch, so we still have a stash of K Cups in the cabinet, but they will be gone soon enough. We do keep some glass-bottled juice on hand to flavor water for Prairie Girl, but one bottle can last a long time.

As for our baked good, it's mostly prairie-style there too. I buy the necessities like flour and salt and I try to sweeten with things like honey and maple syrup instead of sugar. I keep my recipes simple to save money and time, and we avoid nasty preservatives and artificial flavors and colors. Our grains are kept simple too with plain containers of oatmeal, rice, and quinoa that I cook and season myself.

And that's about it. I don't load down the cart with bags of chips or pretzels or cartons of ice cream. I avoid frozen dinners, and we stay away from almost all canned varieties of food. If we're really going for a treat, we might get some dark chocolate or a box of crackers for Prairie Girl. Instead of keeping treats at home, we like to have fun experiences, so we will go out for ice cream or cupcakes at some place we can enjoy.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking I spend a lot of time in the kitchen sweating over a hot stove to cook everything. You're wrong. I actually spend less time than I did when I bought convenience foods. How? Well that's a post for another day.

Never Trust the Asparagus

I should have known better. I should have followed my instincts. Where were my instincts?

I can't stress enough how important it is to read food labels. No matter how innocent you may think a food is, it can have plenty to hide. I was reminded of this tonight.

A while back I purchased a simple bag of frozen asparagus. While I hate buying anything in plastic, I make a concession for frozen vegetables when my local selection is lacking. Now when I looked at the package, I knew it said there was sauce on the asparagus. This should have been my first tip off. Sauces are typically filled with preservatives and strange ingredients. But for whatever reason, I ignored the warning signs and purchased it anyway.

Tonight I was scrounging for a green vegetable to take to work. I grabbed the asparagus, and looked at the boiling directions (don't cook food in plastic in the microwave! Just don't!). As I was reading the directions, I found an unusually long list of ingredients for what should have been a simple food. To my horror, I saw things like high fructose corn syrup, alcohol (yes! it said alcohol!) and chicken fat among many other unsavory things.

Now let me clarify that chicken fat isn't necessarily a bad thing - I've used it in my home cooking. But I'm pretty sure they didn't use a hormone, antibiotic free free-range chicken like I would prefer. Also, those cute asparagus tips in the picture? I'm still not sure where they were in the bag.

What did I do? I ate some of the asparagus. The taste was ok, but even if I hadn't read the bag, I would have sensed the chemicals. And it didn't really give me the pick-me-up that my fresh veggies always do.

My point here is you cannot assume you know what is in your food. You have to read bags, labels, search websites, watch documentaries, and above all, talk to people who actually grow food! Know where your food comes from and what's in it. Just because it looks healthy on the outside doesn't mean it's good on the inside.

New Life: Baby Steps to Healthy Eating

While exercise and other factors contribute to weight loss, the greatest factor is diet. When I use the term "diet," I'm talking about your daily eating habits - not a sporadic program that you try for a few weeks to lose a few pounds. Your diet should be a lifestyle because you won't see permanent results unless you make permanent changes.

Food is a priority in my household. We believe in buying good quality food, preparing it with love, and receiving it with enjoyment. We try to avoid processed foods, artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners, and most importantly, refined sugar. But it wasn't always like this. If you've been following along, you know we used to eat all of those things, and keep copious amount of them in the house. Our transition to healthy eating didn't happen all at once though - it has been a slow, steady process on which I am constantly working.

I think the most important thing I have learned while losing weight is that to make great changes, a person has to take baby steps. Too many transitions too fast will only lead to confusion and failure. I am constantly tweaking my eating and exercise plans to make them cleaner, healthier, and more effective, and this has produced the best results.


Let's put a myth to rest right now: all calories are not created equal. Eating 1200 calories of junk is not the same as eating 1200 calories of healthy food. The types of calories we eat great affect how we process, store, and burn fat.

My lifestyle changes officially started April 1, 2012. On that day, I made a few promises to myself and my family of things we would avoid.

Soda - This was a big one for me. I had been consuming 500-1000 calories a day in pure sugary beverage. Soda has absolutely no nutritional benefits. The phosphoric acid depletes calcium levels in the body and causes bone erosion, and the levels of sodium, sugar, and caffeine affect the liver and metabolic functions. Diet soda is not any better, and many scientists believe it is worse because the artificial sweeteners cause formaldehyde build up in the brain and digestive system.

High Fructose Corn Syrup  - Contrary to what the HFCS companies would have you believe, it is not natural nor is it healthy. HFCS does have corn in it, but it also has several chemicals that if consumed in even small amounts by themselves would be toxic. HFCS is also metabolized differently by the liver. Since the molecules are already broken down, the liver has little work to do and can immediately store it as fat. Natural sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup require the liver to work and break them down.

Partially hydrogenated oils - Partially hydrogenated oils are man made byproducts that are used as a fat source. They are very similar to plastic in composition, and like HFCS, they are metabolized differently than their natural counterparts. They also contribute to heart disease and inflammation in the body.

You're probably thinking "so what's left to eat?" Well - a lot! Instead of soda, I had a lot of water. I also discovered the world of tea. Flavored teas (I'm talking about those made with plant leaves - not artificial concentrates) can be left unsweetened, and they are loaded with antioxidants. And best of all, they are calorie free! Instead of cookies and crackers loaded with oils, I found other things to munch on like homemade sweet potato french fries, fresh fruit dipped in natural peanut  butter, oatmeal with maple syrup, and homemade muffins made with applesauce.

The most difficult thing to eliminate was HFCS. It's in everything from children's juice boxes to frozen dinners. The most popular place to find it is in desserts. So, we simplified. Instead of cookies and candy bars, we keep a bag of natural dark chocolate chips. Just a few can satisfy a craving. I only buy 100% juice for my daughter. As for all the other "stuff" - we don't need it.

Reading labels is key to a good diet. Know what's in your food, and know how it affects your body. If you don't feel like you can cut out several things at once, start with one. Make a vow to remove one toxin from your diet, and when you've accomplished that, you can move on to another one. It's all about baby steps.

New Life: Overcoming the Old Life

I've struggled with my weight since I was 9 years old. 2 days after my 9th birthday, I had my tonsils and adenoids removed. For the first time in my life, I could swallow normal sized bites of food. And even better, I could taste every bite of food, something that had been a challenge since my airways had been so obstructed. So I ate. And ate. And ate. I remember being teased in 4th grade by a boy who referred to me as "big butt." In high school, there were more jeers at my weight as my peers commented on how certain boys couldn't lift me for show choir dance routines. Every comment  broke my heart.

When I started college, I felt like I had a new beginning. I had friends who exercised, so I joined a gym, picked up some aerobics classes, and started doing Pilates and weight lifting. I slimmed down and was in great shape. And as could be expected, I fell in love and got married in 2005. And then the weight starting creeping up as soon as the stress did.

I was still in school finishing my Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and I worked two part time jobs. Then there was a new husband, a new house, and bills quickly followed by graduate school and eventually a baby. Over 6 years, I gained over 50 pounds. I'd been a size 10 at my wedding, but I wound up in a size 22.

But the question is how did I get here?

Before you can begin losing weight, you have to identify your triggers and know what got you to where you are now.

I had my share of sodas, fries, and burgers.

1. The couch and the bag (or box) - I developed a nasty habit of plopping down on the couch with a whole bag of cookies or candy or chips or box of ice cream. I would munch while I wrote papers, paid bills, and watched movies. I am not sure if I was ever really hungry, but it was a habit. Thousands of mindless calories were consumed.

2. Bottomless soda - On a dare in college, I'd given up soda, but at a family reunion in 2006, I decided the dare was over, and I took a drink of soda. I remember it didn't taste that great after a long abstinence, but I was hooked on the sugar and caffeine. From then on, we kept soda in the fridge, and I had it every time we went out. I'd order a large and refill it once or twice. I could easily consume 500-1000 calories a day in the sugary drink.

3. Living like hobbit - I rarely left the house. My husband and I worked different schedules, and we had little money, so we rarely went to recreational activities (aside from eating fast food). Gone were the days of ice skating, miniature golf, and volunteer projects. I was bound to my computer, writing and grading papers for my education and career. Sitting burns few calories.

4. Poor nutrition - As a new wife, I bought into whatever the television wanted to sell me. You've read about my couponing downfall, and that greatly contributed to my weight gain. My freezer was stocked with cheap frozen dinners, pies, cookie dough, and ice cream. The cupboards were full of white pasta, white bread, white sugar, and anything else refined that I was told I had to have. I didn't realize nutritious food was just as affordable, probably because the television never told me it was.

5. Pure gluttony - I worked hard, so I felt like I was entitled to every morsel of food I got. I saw food as a reward for finishing my work early or getting an "A" on a paper. When Prairie Girl arrived, I saw food as a comfort, much the way she did as a new baby. But mostly I was just gluttonous. If I wanted it, I ate it. If we didn't have it, and I wanted it, I went out and bought it. I didn't pay attention to how much I ate because I thought I deserved it.

Do any of these sound familiar to you? Make your own list of what your downfalls have been that have caused you to gain weight. Feel free to post them in the comments. The more we talk about problems, the easier it is to find solutions!

The Beginning of my New Life

It's ok. I can admit it. I was fat. I was considered obese. I ached all over with no clear reason why, I had no energy, and I was a nervous wreck. Let's add that I was covered in acne, my hair was falling out, and all I could think about was food. Donuts, cookies, chocolate, pizza, ice cream, cheeseburgers - all of those "bad" things. And I ate them. I ate a lot of them. And I kept getting fatter.

In February 2012, my husband and I visited a museum in Fort Worth. I was hoping to do a write up for the library blog I manage at my job. I found the perfect setting for a publicity picture - a 1st edition of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Prairie Dad snapped the pic, and I didn't give it a second thought until we got home. I anxiously scrolled the the photos on my laptop until I came to that one. I was instantly in tears. All day I'd been under the impression I looked "little and cute" as my husband used to call me. With a sweater dress and knee high furry boots, I thought I was the picture of youthfulness. But a picture is worth 1000 words, and this one was yelling at me to lose weight.I jumped on the scale, and it confirmed my fears: I weighed 199.6 pounds.

The picture that started it all

For a month I contemplated the idea of dieting. I even managed to lose 2 pounds just by saying no to second portions. But on April 1, something in me just clicked. I was motivated. I told Prairie Dad I'd had my last soda, and I signed up for myfitnesspal.com (or as we call it, MFP). MFP tracks your calories and exercise and basically tells you how much you can eat for the rest of the day. I started logging calories and jumped on my Wii Fit board. Day 1 was logged, and I felt great. Then came Day 2.

On Day 2, I was hungry and sore. I'd gone from eating (as best I can figure) 2500-3000 calories a day down to 1200, and I hadn't had a real workout in years, and 20 minutes on the Wii Fit almost did me in. But I persevered. By Day 5, I was feeling good. I'd adjusted to the calorie drop, and I was already feeling stronger.

Flash forward to today. I've lost 57 pounds and counting. I'm hoping to lose the last 13 by summer vacation. I'm still using MFP every day (even on splurge days), but my workouts have greatly improved. I even ran a 5K in October. And I've learned a lot, and I plan to share it all with you. So stick around while I talk about diet, recipes, good vs. bad calories, exercises, and even how sometimes you have to eat more to lose weight.

I love questions, so post them all! I'm going to tell you the whole story, but if I'm not getting there soon enough, just let me know, and I'll do my best to help.

DIY Organic Coconut Lotion

I hate chemicals. I don't like them in my house, the air, my food, or on my skin. I try to avoid them whenever possible, but a lot of them can be hidden. I've learned a lot in the past year about reading labels to avoid chemicals in my health and beauty products. Just because something says "natural" doesn't mean that it's good for you. In fact, in the health and beauty industry, there is no regulation of what the word "natural" really means. Sure, it could have natural oils in it or oatmeal or honey, but it could also have nasty things like sulfates, ammonia, parabens, and even petroleum.

When I'm forced to buy ready-made products, I like to check the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database to find the safest products available to me. But when possible, I like to make my own. Since winter is a harsh time of year for the skin, I need a good moisturizer, especially after washing dishes and shaving my legs. My little Prairie Girl also has very sensitive skin and eczema, so I need something to help her too. So instead of turning to the cosmetics counter, I turned to my kitchen.

The benefits of coconut oil have long been touted for everything from weightloss and blood pressure to skin and dental care. It is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal. When used for skin care, it can help heal cuts, bruises, and abrasions, and it can relieve problems like eczema, psoriasis, and infections. This makes it a perfect base for homemade lotion.

There many brands and types of coconut oil on the market, but my choice is always organic. By choosing organic, I know that it has no added chemicals, and that it was produced without pesticides. The two types of organic oil are refined and virgin. While the overall benefits of each kind are heavily debated, I chose refined because it is made from dried coconut rather than fresh like virgin oil. I have an internal allergy to fresh coconut, and by using refined oil that is void of coconut scent and taste, I thought I could avoid all reactions. However, if you are not allergic, I strongly recommend using virgin oil

To make the lotion, I whipped 1 cup of coconut oil, 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil, and 5 drops of peppermint essential oil on high for 10 minutes. Experiment with other essential oils to create your own favorite fragrance! The lotion should be smooth and creamy. Altitude and temperature will determine how fluffy the mixture is after it is whipped.

Coconut oil is very temperature sensitive. If it is too cold, it will turn solid. It will also liquefy if it is too warm. This will not affect its benefits.  When using it, just be sure used a small amount and to rub it in completely and allow a minute or two for all the oil to absorb. There should not be any oily residue on your skin.

I've only used it for a few days, but I've already seen great results. My skin is smoother, and all of the red, rough patches on my hands and legs have cleared. It erased my "dish pan hands" and my winter's itch eczema.

When "Free" Is Too Good to Be True

You've heard about "extreme couponing:" people go into grocery stores armed with stacks of coupons and leave with carts full of groceries for just pennies. I used to do that. In fact, I used to be rather addicted to it.

After a year of marriage, we were cutting it close with our finances. We were able to pay our bills on time, but just barely. In my desperation one day, I Googled "how to live for free." Couponing sites started popping up, and I wondered how one could possibly live for free on coupons. In the 80s and early 90s, I had watched my mother clip coupons from the Sunday paper. She'd save 25 cents on potato chips or 15 cents on paper towels. That surely wasn't enough to pay my mortgage. But I looked into it. And the more I learned, the more I wanted to try it.

Using coupons today is a far cry different than it was 20 years ago. Today, coupons are often over $1, and they are everywhere for all major brands. Companies know that if someone tries a product purchased with a coupon, they can get hooked on it, so even when coupons disappear, the person will still want the product. They also know people love free things, so they intentionally allow customers to get items for free. The coupon usually won't say "free" on it, but if you have a $1 coupon for toothpaste, and that toothpaste is on sale for $1....you get the idea. But back to my story.

One of my "free" shopping trips in 2009.

I started gathering up coupons from friends, family, and neighbors. I would check the recycling bins for coupons that were carelessly discard. I'd even order them from coupon clipping sites and eBay. In the beginning, it seemed great. I was getting free popcorn, plastic baggies, cleaners, deodorant, cat food, candy, soda, cereal, soap, flavored water, and more. If I coordinated my coupons with sales just right, I could easily get $100 worth of groceries for under $5, and I did it often. I knew the sale cycles and I watched the coupon previews. My house, and my mother's storage building, was brimming over. I'd get so much that I would give it away to family. I knew so much about couponing, I taught classes about it to try to help others. The couponing project was going great. But other things were happening.

For one thing, it didn't affect my grocery budget very much. I was getting more but spending the same amount of money because there aren't many, if any, coupons for fruits, vegetables, and meat. I was also gaining weight faster than a new baby. In 6 years of marriage, I put on 55 pounds. My skin was sensitive and drying out, my hair was ragged and breaking off, and my allergies were constantly going crazy. My husband wasn't in much better shape. Even the cat was having health problems and was put on a prescription diet.

Here's the problem with couponing: nothing you get is healthy. The food is loaded with salt, sugar, and chemical preservatives. The health and beauty products are full of sulfates, chlorine, ammonia, and parabens. And we won't even go into what's in the cleaning products. All of these things were making me, and my husband, sick. There is a lot of truth in the statement "you are what you eat," and eating a diet full of free Hamburger Helper and Chex Mix was turning me into something I didn't like. Couponing also complicated my life.I had to plan for hours just to go on a shopping trip. I had to research sales and drag my family from store to store. It was a job, and I didn't feel like I needed another job.

I never officially gave up couponing; I just did less and less as I realized what products were a danger to me. I still carry some coupons, but they are mostly for natural products that I feel are still beneficial. I've found new ways that make me feel better and really do save money. And I will be writing a lot about them very soon.

Where is my Underwear?

Before: Too much stuff that not in its proper place

I de-clutter my house at key times in the year. I do one good sweep at the beginning of the year so I feel more prepared for new possibilities. But I don't dive in and do it all at once. I start with small projects that can be effective yet done quickly.

This time around, I decided to start with the chest of drawers in my bedroom. It's all mine, so I can go through it by myself and rather quickly. I like to start at the top and work my way down. The top drawer is devoted to my underwear, slips, socks, perfume, and the phone and iPad chargers since the drawer is next to the outlet.

When I opened up the drawer, I found a HUGE mess. Despite my organizers, nothing was in place, and there were things there that didn't belong. Not to worry though! I have an easy way to sort through these kinds of situations.

1. Empty the drawer - Get everything out, wipe down the drawer, and replace the organizers to start with a clear workspace.

2. Purge the unnecessary items - It was easy to pick out things that didn't belong - Scentsy cubes, birthday cards, hair bows. Next came things that were worn out like old gym socks. Finally came things that don't fit. Since I have lost so much weight, I had to eliminate some underwear and slips.

3.Only replace what fits - Folding makes a big difference. I love the Youtube videos from Linda Koopersmith, the Beverly Hills Organizer. If things are properly folded, they can fit in the organizers. Organizers also help you know when you have too much. My sock organizer holds 32 pairs, so if is overflowing, I know I have too much.

After: Tidy and de-cluttered. Everything fits!

4. Carry it all away - Things that belong in other places were promptly put away. Things I discarded went in a donation bag. Now don't lose it here - I don't expect anyone to wear my old underwear. But I do know of a local thrift store that recycles anything they can't sell. Fabric can be recycled, and I'd rather see it go on to a new life than go in a dumpster.

When I was finished, I was happy that I'd worked on my resolution to de-clutter and simplify. Now I know what I have and where it is, and I know that I don't need to buy anything, so I won't be tempted when I see pretty fuzzy socks on clearance.

Take 10 minutes, and go de-clutter a drawer!