Healthy Living Tips: Planning Ahead

At the beginning of the year, I bought a marker board and it changed my life. True story. I have everything in one place--my meal plan for that week, grocery needs that come up so I don't forget to put them on my main list, upcoming events, etc, etc. I'm learning that to eat the way I want and need to, it doesn't just happen. I have to plan out how my week will go.
 For instance, I have music practice once a week on Tuesdays at 6:00pm. That means I have to be out the door with the kids at 5:30 and this interferes with us eating dinner at a normal time. If I wait until afterwards, I'll be starving and tempted to pull through a fast food drive-through and blow it on a burger and fries. So Tuesdays is my Crockpot or soup day. I make a meal in the morning and it either cooks in the crockpot or simmers on the stove all day. That evening, we'll eat a little earlier than normal but this way I know dinner will be ready, I can get out the door when I need to and stick to the food that I want to eat.
 Sunday's are the same way. We eat a big lunch after church and then leave for the evening service around 5:00. At that time, I'm not hungry, but after church I'm famished and more than willing to eat the first thing that comes along! So I've started snacking on the way to church. It might be veggies and dip, fruit and some cheese or crackers with peanut butter. It's always small, but it's something to curb the hunger so after church I can eat a normal sized meal rather than gorging on everything in sight. ;)
 Eating and living a healthy lifestyle is not always convenient. It's way too easy to grab pre-packaged, processed foods to snack on or run through a drive-through and have a meal in 1.8 minutes. Making a well rounded, nourishing meal takes planning and time, but if we are willing to think and plan ahead, it will be well worth it in the end!

Memorial Day, 2011

The morning after big party days are always a bit sluggish around here. We sleep in and the morning is slow as we try to recover from picnic food overload and clean up the aftermath. Yes, having big groups of people over is a lot of work--before, during and after--but so worth it for the fun times, the laughs and lots of memories made. Our Memorial Day was filled with all of those, but also a spirit of remembrance of those who have given their lives and are still serving our great country.

I hope you enjoy a little peek into our day yesterday, and I hope you all had a wonderful one as well!

(Remember you can click on any picture to see it bigger and clearer!)

Cousins decked out in Patriotic wear

My sweet decorating skills came to life on the food table. 3 flags, a bandanna and a vase? Bet you didn't know I had it in me!

Getting a little patriotic with the brownies 

My cute little Kiddos enjoying their meal

Trying to stick to somewhat of a healthy meal--turkey burger on a whole wheat bun, strawberry spinach salad, cherries and whole wheat macaroni salad. Yum! 

Too Many Cheetos!

One of the Grill Masters (My hubby was the other one and he did a great job!)

He (above) made these gourmet Hot Dogs that he saw on a cooking show that morning! They were amazing!

Wearing the same shirt from last year...she's grown a few inches this year but only gained 3 pounds so not much different! ;)

 Love that Man!

We are blessed with a yard big enough to play volley ball in, great for big groups

Cousins and best Friends

Pretty like her Mommy :)

More Volley Ball!

Of course he had to be patriotic too!

Peek-A-Boo!

And last, our little family at the end of the day. We are so thankful for our country and the wonderful freedom to celebrate with friends and family because of so many who sacrificed their lives! God Bless America!