I am a quitter. I rarely finish what I start.
Weight Loss Goals Personal Accomplishments School Blog posts (25 days of cookies? I think it was more like 14! Sorry dear readers!) Decorating Plans Buissness Plans I'm sure there is more I'm forgetting, sometimes it seems like I come from a family of un-finishers, unfinished room renovations, unfinished projects, we all have things in our house that are only well begun, but half done. It's kind of a sore spot for our family. We all have PhD's (projects half done) in some area of our life The good news is things are changing. We are all starting to find things with stick with and are working on finishing the projects around the house that were left before. And making commitments to others and ourselves to stick it out and finish something for once. Today is day 3 of a 30 Day blog challenge that I have commited myself to, when I'm finished it will be one of the first 30 day challenges that I have successfully finished. And I WILL feel good about it, and hopefully it will break the streak of unfinished things.... Are there areas of your life that are half done or unfinished? Here are a few tips that have been helping me finish.
Have a wonderful day, and whatever you start, finish strong!
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So you wanna lose weight? get rid of that belly pouch or those flabby arms? I'm proud to announce, I've found the secret, & the great news is there is nothing extra to buy. No pills, shakes or wraps. I wish I could give you some super simple formula and a promise that 10 minutes a day 5 days a week will get you ripped, but it's really not that easy, it didn't take you 10 minutes a day 5 days a week to put the weight on, and it won't take that time to take it off. Sure you can spend money for the pills, shakes, and wraps and you may initially lose weight, but unless there is a change in your thinking and your habits you most likely won't see lasting results.
As a former "coach" for a popular shake & fitness company I can say that these shakes, and supplements make great tools, however I also don't believe they are needed- maybe it was this thinking that made it impossiable for me to sell- I just didn't want people to believe they NEEDED a special product to make their health & fitness dreams come true. While I had seen success by using the products, I'd also seen success without them, so I never could really passionatly sell the product as if it was someones last hope for a healthy lifestyle. No need to spend hours at the gym and no buying diet foods! Infact avoid diet foods! You don't need them, they are filled with chemicals, and just taste like crap. Stick to real foods. As a family on a limited budget we can't afford to buy and cook all fresh, organic, non gmo, non nitrate, local farm foods, and I know there are many out there who are the same. We do the best we can with what we can afford. We eat foods that many "dieters" say to afford. Right now there is a juicy rack of dry rub pork ribs sweating it out in a slow roast oven, and they will meet their friends baked potato (with butter and sour cream!) and canned corn to boot. While I try to avoid nitrates, gmos, and chemical laden foods, we do use them on occasion. Our lives are healthier then they used to be, So if you are just starting on your weight loss journey, or just wanting to get healthy, start simple. So many people jump all in thinking they are going to give up soda, sugar, carbs, ect and they wind up failing because it was too much. A 5 minute walk, skipping the 2nd helping of pasta at dinner time, cutting down on the soda, and drinking more water are are easy ways to start a new healthy life without spending any extra money, or having to put forth too much effort. Sometimes being a mom can make you want to lose your mind. Weather you work inside or outside your home, or like me have been blessed to be able to stay at home with your precious little people, being a mom is perhaps one of the hardest yet most rewarding things you will ever do. Before my son was born I never looked around at a mess that was made and thought "what did I get myself into?" and then in the same thought "my son is my dream come true!" sometimes I think I'm crazy, there are moments when I think I'm the best mom in the world, and then there are the times when I think I'm the worst mommy there could ever be. It doesn't matter what I think though, when all is said and done, the most important is that of my son, when he grows up and thinks "I'd be proud to have my wife be the kind of mom you were" then I know my job was done right :)
To help me get through mommy-hood with my sanity intact I've made a list of reminders for myself: 1. Choose your battles: does it really matter if he wants bright orange shorts and a red shirt with green socks and his sandals? I'd rather get weird looks from strangers then cause a tantrum over control over clothing. 2.Yelling doesn't work: When my son was born I looked at his little face and vowed I'd never yell, then he learned to walk.....This is one I battle with over and over. I have to remind myself that yelling does nothing. It doesn't curb his curiosity about how daddy's xbox tray moves in and out as he pushes the button 100 times, yelling doesn't make shaking his cup and making it "rain" any less funny, All it does is make me lose my voice and get frustrated at the fact that it's not working. (if you are trying to give up yelling visit THE ORANGE RHINO for some tips and a 30 day no yelling challenge) 3. Tantrums are a natural ( and developmentally healthy) part of toddler-hood: my son is 2 1/2 and boy can he throw a fit! Instead of throwing the mommy towel in the ring or waving the white flag, try working things out with your children. They aren't adults, they haven't yet figured out how to manage their emotions. Let them know it's O.K. and that you understand that they are angry or upset over the situation. Suggest alternatives, redirect their attention or just hug it out..*Hugging it out is my favorite- studies have shown that a hug can reduce stress levels, which helps you and your child! 4. Dance It Out!: Kids are amazing balls of unending energy, if it seems like my son is just into everything, and just runs from one thing to the next, it means it's dance time, turn up the tunes and DANCE! Bonus points: Dancing burns calories and can be logged as exercise! 5.Embrace the Chaos!: No one expects you or your kids to be perfect (you are the only one putting that expectation on yourself). You are going to do things you vowed you'd never do. You are gonna mess up and yell, you are going to give in and give them the lolli they wanted at the store just to get them to be quiet, there will be at some point be a mess that you just don't feel like cleaning, but it's ok, you have another chance, your children are not going to be nutritionally deficient because they had cheese balls before, or maybe even FOR dinner. They aren't going to be forever scorned because their clothes didn't match, and their brain isn't going to be fried because you let them watch TV while you took 30 minutes to cook dinner. It doesn't matter your parenting style, as long as you are doing what is best for your family, you dear reader are the best mom for your kids! Hello Mason Jar Family!! Sorry I haven't been around much lately, I have been trying to get a new business venture off the ground and I didn't realize how much work is involved. Anywho Halloween parties and get togethers are upon us so here is a quick mix you can put together in a jiffy! Stop by your local scrapbook aisle and pick up a few pieces of Halloween paper, get a spool of organza ribbon and if your really feeling adventurous you can get a spider die cut at Joann's or Michael's with a 40% off coupon. Remember if you have a cell phone you can bring the coupon up on that. I got the app so now I always have my coupons..Got to love cell phones for that!
So here is the recipe and some pictures for you to check out..Enjoy your weekend! I made the mason jar lids from some scrapbook paper I had here. I just traced around the lid and cut them out. Added some orange organza ribbon a few spiders and voila! a beautiful gift! This is the ingredients I used: 5 cups of Rice Chex 2 cups of mini marshmallows 1 box of 1 oz Craisins ( They usually come 6 to a pack) 2 boxes of 1 oz raisins (they usually come 6 to a pack as well) 2 cups of candy corn 1 1/2 cups of m&m's 1 cup white chocolate chips Of course feel free to add your own ideas. Coconut, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, ect.. The recipe above made 2 quarts and 2 pint jars. It's national dessert day and this little bite of peanutbuttery deliciousness had been on my mind for over a week now. It's a bit warm and rainy here today, and just not the kinda weather you want to go outside in, my 2 1/2 year old was getting restless, whats a mom to do?!? Make a snack! Mike & Sully had to help too.
DIRECTIONS 1. In large mixer bowl combine peanut butter and butter. Beat on medium speed of electric mixer until well mixed. Add crushed KELLOGG’S JIF-Peanut Butter Cereal and powdered sugar. Beat until well mixed. 2. Place sprinkles in shallow dish. Shape peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll in sprinkles. Place on wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator. Recipe taken from: Kelloggs Cereal Recipes Last night was the season premiere of The Walking Dead. Here at Mama Aprils House we dig Zombies, so this was a big night for us. While dinner was cooking I prepped some Zombie Brain Popcorn, which is a wonderfully tasty candied popcorn that is easy and can be made in a variety of colors and flavors. But we had to eat dinner first. I was in the mood for some fall comfort flavors dancing on my tongue, so with a little bit of this, and a dash of that, I put together something delicious (so delicious in fact, that it's my lunch today!) Cranberry Orange Chicken Bake2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 1/2 Can Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce 1 Box Corn Bread Stuffing 1/4 C Dried Cranberries 1/2 Orange (Juice & Zest Only) Prepare stuffing according to package directions mix in dried cranberries and layer on the bottom place chicken on top and pierce chicken with fork to create a few small holes squeeze orange on top of chicken. Cover chicken with cranberry sauce and zest orange on top, cover with foil and bake at 375 for about an hour. (Chicken cook times will vary according to size and thickness of chicken breast.) During last 20 minutes remove foil and let stuffing brown. Serve with maple brown sugar carrots. Zombie Brain Candied Popcorn
1. In a saucepan, stir to combine the butter and corn syrup over medium heat. Once the butter is completely melted, add in the Jell-o powder and 1/2 cup sugar. Stir well to combine. 2. Turn the heat up slightly and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn to low and simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Immediately pour the jello syrup over the popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Stir to coat the popcorn. 4. Turn the popcorn onto a cookie sheet cover in parchment paper. With your stirring spoon, smooth into a single layer or popcorn. 5. Bake in a preheated 300 degree oven for 10 minutes. 6. Allow the popcorn to cool until it reaches room temperature. 7. Break into bite size pieces and enjoy! Recipe taken from: Cute As A Fox |
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Photos used under Creative Commons from clkohan, Dyanna Hyde, Michael's Cookie Jar, B*2, ohsarahrose, HannahWebb, rocknroll_guitar, bochalla, ccharmon, Ashley Coombs, Ava R., swambo