August Meal Planning

I have posted a short and sweet post on meal planning previously...here.  I have continued with my meal planning like normal but haven't done it quite to the best of my abilities lately.  As Summer winds down and I'm fixing to go into my busy season of school, hunting, work, and just LIFE the easiest way to stay ahead and use my time to the max is by planning and preparing as much as possible for the knowns.  As we all know there are plenty of unknowns that will throw a kink in your plans so the less I have to rack my brain for supper then the better.  That leaves more time for cleaning, homework, brainstorming, and general trashy TV watching. ;)  The last few days of the month I prepare my grocery list, meal plan, and organize my budget for the upcoming month.  This month went awesome and it only took me a couple hours.  I went a little overboard and I'm sure I'll have meals left over but again that works well for next month and is less preparation.  I was sort of in a slump this past month on my cooking and really needed some inspiration so I turned to none other than Pintrest.  I cruised my own Get in my Belly board found HERE and then surfed the food genre to find more yummy recipes to try now and pin for later. 

Here is my list of possible meals, my planner to decide what day needs which meal, and then my grocery list to ensure I have the needed goods.

I try to leave at least one day a week for leftovers.  With cooking so much we are always bound to have a bit of leftover to clean up because there's nothing worse than throwing out food.  I also try to list my meals out before I pencil them onto the calender so I can get a good variety of dishes for every week. No one wants to eat Mexican themed dishes for a week straight...it can really mess up your month.

I'm super impressed with my meal planning for the month of August because it got me really motivated to cook again and try several new recipes.

Here's what we have:

1-Aug	Grilled chicken, grilled vegetables, baked potato
2-Aug	Echkards sausage, homemade mac-n-chz, green beans
3-Aug	Go out
4-Aug	Slow cooker chicken and broccoli fettuccine
5-Aug	Chicken fried steak, scallop potatoes, green beans
6-Aug	Left overs
7-Aug	Homemade hamburgers and fries
8-Aug	Beans & Cornbread, sauteed cabbage
9-Aug	Cajun dirty rice
10-Aug	Tuna Casserole
11-Aug	Quesadillas and Queso
12-Aug	Go Out- Dr. Appt
13-Aug	Homemade corn dogs
14-Aug	Chicken kabob, baked potato
15-Aug	Enchiladas
16-Aug	Left overs
17-Aug	Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, brussell sprouts
18-Aug	Fish fillets, broccoli, rice
19-Aug	Cajun chicken pasta
20-Aug	Chicken strips, mac-n-chz, corn
21-Aug	Left overs
22-Aug	Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli
23-Aug	Homemade Pizza
24-Aug	Grilled chicken, potatoes, corn on the cob
25-Aug	American Chinese
26-Aug	Left overs
27-Aug	Honey garlic pork chops, zucchini, rice
28-Aug	Chicken spaghetti
29-Aug	Beef and broccoli stir fry
30-Aug	Salmon patties, mashed potatoes, peas
31-Aug	Oven baked chicken, mac-n-chz, fried okra

At the end of the day when I'm updating my week/days I mark through the meal I used and if I didn't cook the planned meal for some reason all together I circle it so I know that I can use it later in the month if I need to or in the next month.

I hope this help anyone who needs a little inspiration or motivation or good o' organization!

Insta Dump #4

The past month from my Instagram account...follow me HERE!

  

 

top L to R: Baby Jett on board// Nasi for dinner, Dutch food// Working my muscles hard// bar pic from Hyrdrostream// farm love// motivation at the gym//old school throwback// Hoss slept in the truck// 5 o'clock Friday in the middle of July it was 68// muscle Monday's// floating at Hydrostream// pedi at lunch// my man working hard chopping corn//coffee and mags// sweet dreamer// last of the vegetables//canning// meal planning// sweet tea// hot bath for sore muscles//

Pamper Yourself

Although I do love to get things done and mark items off my to do list I also love to pamper myself.  I don’t mean go all out even though every once in a while I do but just weekly or daily pampering that help me unwind.  Here are a few things that I do that I enjoy and do JUST FOR ME!

 

Soak in a hot bath- as frequently as possible....There is nothing more relaxing that a piping hot bath after a long work day.  I am able to just sit relax and clear my head before bed.  It's also a time that I can read a bit of a magazine or book.

Lounge all day or the majority of the day in bed or on the couch and indulge in some good ol’ TV- I used to do this one more often but these days I just really don't have the time. It seems there are always chores or errands that are calling my name but usually these types of days happened on a Saturday during the school when I really should be doing homework. ;)

Treat myself to a favorite meal like basil and garlic pesto over a bed of any kind of pasta- This is one of my go -o indulge girlie meals.  I love it and it makes a ton so there's always enough for leftovers for lunches.  This is one that could be for two but Hendrik isn't crazy about pesto so really it is my treat to myself.

And for those times when I really want to indulge I book a massage with Vickie at the Copper Leaf for 90 GLORIOUS minutes and possibly a little pedi or facial thrown in.  I do that about once a quarter or twice a year depending on the time and monies I have available. This past weekend I had a great late morning session at the Copper Leaf.  I had a sea salt glow followed up with a 30 minute massage complete with sauna and a shower.  It was glorious.  I had never had a sea salt glow but have been wanting to try it for years.  My skin feels so soft and smooth it was awesome.  It's one of those things that really twice a year would be great to hydrate and get old, itchy skin off.  I've been going to the Copper Leaf for 8 years now and they never disappoint.

No matter the relaxation method I use be it big or small I love those minutes of solitude.

Compatibility

So this weekend, Saturday in particular, I pulled a whole day off of doing NOTHING but what I WANTED to do. 

Yes that still consisted of a tink of house and yard work but I really did want to get it done...otherwise I would have just put it off.  After that my Mom and I went to the pool for the afternoon until 4ish.  Once I returned to the normal climate of home I parked myself on the couch and watch TV, read magazines, and shopped for some new workout gear. 

 

Once I got to the end of my Cosmo and read my horoscope I thought....oh I'm going to look up me and Hendrik's sign compatibility.  I don't put a lot of stock in that sort of thing it's just fun to see what it actually says and to compare how true it really is...sort of like a fortune cookie.

 

Well I was impressed by what it said but not necessarily surprised.

According to Astrology.com here is our love compatibility.

 

 

When Virgo and Sagittarius join together in a love match, the result is a well-rounded couple. Sagittarius is an explorer who loves to socialize, while Virgo prefers to analyze Sag’s discoveries. Both enjoy talking about it with one another. Virgo may demand perfection too soon for Sagittarius’s taste, but over time Sagittarius will appreciate a steady and reliable lover whose head isn’t always in the clouds.

Virgo and Sagittarius have unique approaches to life; Virgo is more practical and less distracted, while Sagittarius is the energetic explorer. It can be hard for Sagittarius to go along with the pragmatic realism of Virgo. Virgo may have a hard time accepting the Sagittarian energy. Virgo can offer Sagittarius a secure base and keep them on track with their dreams and ambitions. Sagittarius can add variety and new excitement to Virgo’s day.

Virgo is ruled by Mercury and Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter. Mercury is about communication, and from Virgo’s perspective, analyzing. Jupiter is philosophy, higher learning and travel. These two are about interpersonal communication and can sustain one another. Virgo and Sagittarius can amuse each other by discussing a film or a book in great depth, Virgo focusing on the particulars and Sagittarius commenting on the overall picture.

Virgo is an Earth Sign and Sagittarius is a Fire Sign. Sagittarius wants freedom, while Virgo needs financial strength and domestic stability. Sagittarius is motivated by pure feeling, while Virgo is more of a thinker. As long as they reassure each other that their love for one another is solid and real, their discords can usually be resolved.

Virgo and Sagittarius are both Mutable Signs. They can be spread themselves out over many different tasks, if necessary. It’s easy for these two to become interested in the things that the other does. Each has no trouble granting the other the freedom to enjoy things external to the relationship. They have a wonderful, complimentary style of interaction and have no trouble working together.

What’s the best aspect of the Virgo-Sagittarius relationship? It’s the security they can give one another once they discover their similar lifestyles. They make a wonderful couple once they can teach one another to look at the world through new eyes. As long as they communicate and appreciate what they can learn, theirs will be a stable and happy relationship.

I would say that this is about 99% true.  Of course we all have our bad days and stray from there norm but it's pretty neat seeing the sign analysis and comparing it to how I already see ourselves...it's pretty spot on.  Yet another perfect symbol of our love LOL!

Mid Year Wish List

I have had a few things on my mind that I would really like to splurge on or even better get gifted so I figured I'd make a little mid year wish list to tide me over until my birthday and Christmas. Pretty much all my items are workout related except the awesome Go Pro that has been on my wish list for over a year. 

 

 

 

THIS workout bag from Lululemon

 

 

 

THIS workout bag from Nike

 

 

THESE new trainers also from Nike

 

 

 

I've had my eye on a GO PRO for over a year now.  It would be great to have to take on the boat, vacation activities that are more adventure then pleasure and just to capture those unforgettable action moments.

 

On top of all that I also need all these things in pretty much every color possible to help me workout better!!!! All things found at the Academy. Over the past 2 months I've really enjoyed being back in the weight room and have really loved the changes I've seen in my body.  New/ more workout clothes would only motivate me to get into the gym earlier and put them to good use.

 

 

 

 

 Comment for my address if you'd like to send me any of my wanted tems...otherwise I'm sure I'll be purchasing myself the majority of these things over the next few months.

A Couple Dates

If it is one thing that Hendrik and I love it's sushi and hibachi.  Not only are these two things just super delicious but they are also things that are out of the norm from where we come from.  When we go eat it we are usually at least an hour away from home and is spawned either to have just a date out or we are making a trip to Sam's or some other big city adventures like that. LOL  Almost all our date nights are centered around hibachi because neither of us would consider a quick run to SS to eat at Chili's a date! 

 

Here are a couple date nights we had last month.

 

 

 

This was a multi party date night complete with my Mom and Elizabeth.  We all go to the same chiropractor who is in Rockwall so it is always an outing once a month.  In June we tried the newly opened Mellow Mushroom.  Brandon, my carpool friend from last semester, RAVED about how he had it in Florida and it was so awesome!!!!  I love me some pizza so I was excited to try it.

 

I would say lots of things after we left like....weird decor, total hippy vibe, huge space, tons of people, and mainly that I did enjoy the meal. 

 

We all got different types of appetizers and pizzas for the main meal so we all got a pretty good feel for what they had to offer.  I wouldn't want to go back for a long time because it is a real specialty type of restaurant like your not going to find just a pepperoni and cheese pizza on their menu but it is good for a once in the blue moon date or something just totally out of the ordinary.

One

I don’t know where to begin on this post so I’m just going to jump in there….

One year ago Hendrik and I became inseparable and romantically linked all while knowing that although we hadn’t had the official its only you talk for a couple more weeks we both new that we were together, we had been wanting, and waiting for the perfect time to do this and now is it….done deal.  On that note I’ve just dedicated July 4^th as our anniversary because even before we knew…we knew and everyone around us had known for quite some time (years if I tell the truth) so I find it worthy the first “date” be our official anniversary. 

This past year has been nothing but ups and although I know it isn’t always like that in relationships and I don’t expect ours to always be like that I can honestly say that this year has been.  I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know the man I’ve called my best friend for years on a whole other level and the closeness that has followed is just amazing.  I

’ve never been so happy in my life and he is the man for me, no doubt.  I love that we have so much in common but still balance each other out.  He is so open minded can put up with me no matter my mood and listens to me.  Hendrik is also so thoughtful and caring. 

I can’t stay mad at him even if I want to be and that pisses me off.

I still feel like we’ve only been dating a month when in reality it’s been a whole year and we’ve been living together for over 2 months now.  We share equal parts ambition and fun and those things are what my life is all about. 

I cannot even imagine the great things that this life has in store for us but I know that as long as we are together they are going to be just that….GREAT!

I came across this article on a blog and just found it fitting and I related to a lot of those things listed…I can say that after reading that I feel like Hendrik and I have a healthy relationship….but before I read it I knew that LOL it was fun seeing someone else’s perspective

From the conservative Charlotte on SATC… (1^st movie) 

Carrie asks Samantha after Charlotte’s baby shower how much she’s happy in her relationship and it goes around the circle…when it gets it Charlotte she says

"everyday…not all day every day but every day."

  I believe her and I understand her.  I am happy every day that I’m with Hendrik and every day I wake up knowing that we have a strong, trusting, and secure bond with each other.

Here’s a glimpse of moments from the past year! 

 

To many many many more pictures and years………..