BREAKFAST: The most important meal of the day!

I am really trying to make sure I am eating a healthy breakfast every morning ( my goal to become healthier as posted about :here)

So this morning I made Trader Joes Steel cut oatmeal and topped it with diced apples and sliced almonds....YUM!!!!

sorry crappy cell picture (before he broke it)

and it was a good thing I did because then MONDAY set in and my son decided to break my phone and I had to run and get a replacement ordered and convert back to my old one until it arrives all the while balancing naps and other chores....thankfully it kept me plenty full/satisfied until lunch.

now if I could only get these boys to stop breaking my stuff....computer, camera and phone all within a few months......Ugh!

I'm gonna pop some tags!......YHL challenge

One of my favorite blogs YOUNG HOUSE LOVE is hosting an Unofficial Macklemore thrift store challenge....you know the song you hear it and it gets stuck in your head for days....

So the challenge is:#1-go to the thrift store with $20 in your pocket (just like the song says)

yes this is from my car window...no cash shot, I paid with debit

 

 

 

#2-spend your $20 anyway you want and photograph your spoils:

 

my spoils:(l to r) glass vase/carafe $.99 -fun for "drinks for two" or a bud vase, white oval dish $2 stamped Hall #571-(I am still researching but it looks like it is part of their food service line) great for a small snack/appetizer/dessert/jewelry catch all/soap dish-the possibilities are endless!, books: $.25 each- Hardy boys for my 10 yr old, and for me The American Girls Handy Book (mainly because I like the cover''fun conversation piece), Rice Krispie treats shape/cutters $.99-I mainly bought these for the penguin one..(my 2 yr old id OBSESSED with penguins) and lastly the Pottery Barn jar which still had the $9 store tag...I paid $2.99!!!

Total:$7.92

 

#3-find one (or more) item(s) referenced in the song and snap a picture...

 

Dukie brown coat, zebra print, gator shoes, and a fringe purse...all this can be yours for $4...that's right! green tag sale!

 

 

 

I wear your grandpa's clothes...I look incredible.....

 

Head on over to YHL to take part in the fun!

Changes....

It's time for a change...I am sick and tired of being "sick and tired" I know that I need to lose weight and start exercising again...I want to feel/be healthy and look good.  Over the past few days I have been researching alot online and via friends and I have determined that one "diet" plan is not going to work for me...I have to combine a few and make them work for my likes/dislikes.  And create a lifestyle change, some of the helpful tools I plan to use are:Dr.Oz grocery guide, Eat Clean, and Ultra Metabolism

I am the type of person that needs alot of variety and gets bored easy ( total GEMINI!) so exercise will be a combination of walking (weather permitting) Wii fit/Ps3 dance parties with my boys, and these dvd's: Denise Austin,Biggest Loser and pilates/yoga routines that I know.

I am excited to get fit and healthy! I will post often on what foods are helping me, recipes and other tips.

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

One of my favorite kitchen tools is my slow cooker...as a busy mom of 4 boys it definetly comes in handy when planning/prepping meals.  One of our family favorites is Spaghetti! in fact it's what's for dinner tonight! below is my recipe I hope you enjoy it as much as we all do!

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce:

1lb ground beef (you can also use ground turkey or ground italian sausage)
1 cup chopped onion
1 bell pepper chopped (any color)
2 cloves garlic-minced
2 cans (14.5oz) diced tomatoes-undrained
1 can (6oz) tomato paste
1 bay leaf
2 tsp dry italian seasoning
1/2tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
fresh parmesan and parsley/basil for garnish
1 # cooked spaghetti noodles

1) cook beef in a skillet drain fat -set aside

2)In a 4qt slow cooker combine:tomatoes, tomato paste,bell pepper, onions and garlic stir until combined....add the ground beef, and remaining seasonings: salt, pepper ,bay leaf and italian seasonin

3) cook on low 6-8 hrs or high 4-5

4) servr over hot cooked pasta, garnish with fresh parmesan and parsley/basil if desired

Lets try this again....

Ok so I haven't blogged in over 2 months....why? well life got busy....the holidays came and I simply didn't have time...but part of my new years resolution is to make time for me and my blogging will be a part of that...so stay tuned!

Pumpkin ( in pictures....)

I LOVE Pumpkin!!!  and the stores are certainly not in short supply of all things pumpkin right now....some of my current favorites:



             

$15 FREE......!!!

Have you heard of One Kings Lane ? Well neither had I until today.....

It is an online shopping site with AWESOME deals on unique products, and right now all new customers get $15 off any $30 purchase. I used mine for these :

I know two little boys that will be very happy on Christmas Morning! :-)

 

So hurry on over and see what kind of deals you can snag with your free credit!!!