February: I will try

My word for 2015 is try. You can read more about that here. I've decided that each month I'll focus on the things I'm going to try. January was pretty much trying to stay sane and all a big blur. There was lots of planning and moving parts in January so I've decided February would be a good place to start this new plan out. 

• I will try to drink 4 "cups" of water each day at work. 
• I've got a tumbler which I'm going to try and refill 4 times a day. The winter weather really dries out my skin and some extra H2O is always a good thing.
• I will try to work out at least twice a week. 
• This is a huge commitment for me seeing that I currently work out about zero times a week.
• I will try to make 1 new healthy recipe each week. 
• I seem to be on a theme this month so why not involve the whole family to get them to eat better.

And since more than 3 goals for the month seems overwhelming to me that's where I'm stopping. 

What will you try this month?

Meal Plan Week #4

This week will be a bit different for meal planning since I only have 3 days to plan for. As I mentioned last week the girls and I will be taking a trip to Florida to see my mom. So this meal plan is short, sweet and to the point. Let's go!

MONDAY: Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
I'm totally cheating, and my gal Marie (Calendar) is helping me out on this one.

TUESDAY: Quesadillas with Beans & Chips

WEDNESDAY: Breakfast for Dinner
I'll probably make pancakes and eggs unless something else is requested

Enjoy the week, I know I will!

Travel Bug

Our family is catching the travel bug this year. We've got tons of ideas of where we'd like to go and some trips are already planned. Here's our 2015 Travel Bucket List.

Girls Trip to Florida
My mom moved to Florida last year so the girls and I are headed down for a weekend near Sarasota. We are hoping to visit Legoland since the girls have heard all about it from their cousins who went over Winter Break.

Western Caribbean Cruise!
We are taking a Disney cruise that leaves from Florida and makes stops in Cozumel Mexico, Falmouth Jamaica, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands and of course Disney's own island Castaway Cay. It will be 7 days of awesome adventures!

Niagara Falls
Since we will have gotten our passports for the cruise, we thought we'd head up to Niagara Falls and then we could venture into the Canadian side. 

North Carolina
It's been a few years since we've made a trip down to NC to visit my Dad who lives there. Maybe we'll have a little mountain adventure while we're there. 

Of course we'd love to go more places, but this is what's on the list for this year. 

Getting out of Indiana is always a good thing in our minds and we try to go to new place each time. Last year we managed trips to Disney World (Florida), Chicago, Mammoth Cave (Kentucky) and Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN. We also made our standard trips to Indianapolis and Pentwater, MI to visit family.

Where are you going? Where do you recommend we go next year? 

A whole lotta yum!

I'm having a hard time eating healthy right now. Here is the number one reason for that ....

Yes my friends that is a chocolate and peanut butter spread. And it is AMAZING! As a little sweat treat to myself each night I've been indulging in some of this spread paired with pretzel thins. All I have to say is OMG. 

My jar of Reese's Spreads is almost gone, I may have a problem. I've also tried this spread on toast in the morning. I love peanut butter toast so this is like an extra little bonus in the morning.

What would you pair with this peanut butter chocolate spread? I'm thinking of trying some apple slices next! That counts as a healthy choice right?

DISCLOSURE: I received this product complimentary from Influenster for my honest review. All opinions and calories consumed are my own.

Meal Plan Week #3

So last week's meal plan was lack-luster but hey everyone needs a break now and again. Especially moms who cook all the meals.

MONDAY: Gingery Chicken and Broccoli
I get a bunch of magazines each month so we're trying this one from February's Family Fun

TUESDAY: We are winging it tonight
The husband's Grandpa died last week and tonight is the Memorial Service. I know there are snacks planned at the service but not sure how the whole dinner thing will go down. 

WEDNESDAY: Pot Roast with Potatoes, Carrots & Onions
I'm using my stand-by recipe which is super easy. Salt & pepper the roast, put in crock pot over the potatoes, carrots and onion. Pour one can of cream of mushroom over everything. Cook on low while you are at work. Come home and eat your deliciousness. 

THURSDAY: Taco Stoup
Our Mexican meal of the week usually occurs on Tuesday, but we are pushing it to Thursday this week. I have a few Rachael Ray cookbooks and this one is from her 30-minute meals collection. And no that's not a misspelling, stoup is thinner stew but thicker than soup :)

FRIDAY: Mac & Cheese
It's date night for the husband and me. So we'll leave the babysitter with some Mac & Cheese for the kids :)


What's for dinner this week at your house? I love suggestions!

Meal Plan Week #2

Well I'm a little late to the party this week. It's Friday and I'm just now posting the meal plan for this week. I've been busy, so let's get on with it!

MONDAY: BLTs (I had chicken, red potatoes and green peppers. Mama no likey the bacon)
TUESDAY: Baked Tacos

WEDNESDAY: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
THURSDAY: Spaghetti
FRIDAY: Burgers & Fries

And after all that anticipation, it's not even an exciting meal plan. A bunch of our favorites all in one week. Easy-peasy, just the way I like it! I promise a much more exciting meal plan next week.

Meal Planning Week #1

Meal planning was such a success for me last year that I'm continuing it this year. So here's week 1 of the New Year with a new meal plan!

MONDAY: Tortellini & Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce
This is a one pot meal. Less dishes - sign me up!

TUESDAY: Tacos with chips & salsa

WEDNESDAY: Refrigerator clean out
We've got leftovers to clean out and I've got a late meeting tonight so this will be quick and easy.

THURSDAY: Snickerdoodle Waffles & Fruit
Breakfast for dinner is always a winner and these snickerdoodle waffles sound amazingly delicious.

FRIDAY: Tangy Chicken, Bell Pepper and Red Potato Packets
These packets are meant to go on the grill, but we are going to make them in the oven instead.

What are you eating this week? How do you decide your meals?

2015 in one word

Last year I picked a word to live by in 2014 and that word was "live". I enjoyed having one simple goal or rule to follow all year so I've decided to do it again for this year. There's so many good options out there but this year I'm going with ...

You don't know if you don't like something or can't do something unless you try. So this year I'm going to try. 

Try being patient when I'm feeling overwhelmed
Try new foods
Try a trip with the family with no destination in mind
Try to stop drinking so much Diet Coke
Try to work out more
Try to be a better mom, wife and friend

I'm not going to accomplish and succeed at everything that I try but that's the point. I may find a new favorite workout or a new way to get my kids to clean up that doesn't involve yelling. I may find that I fail at giving up Diet Coke, but at least I tried and in the end that probably means I'll end up drinking less Diet Coke and more water which is always a good thing. 

So what will you try this year?