WOW! What a week....

I would like to find a stew that will give me heartburn immediately, instead of at three o'clock in the morning.  ~John Barrymore

This week has not gone to plan by far! Trying to get back into a routine from having the kids home from school a whole week because of snow was not easy. And to top that off, They have another snow day today! So, since winter break, they have had 13 days of classes which they only attended 7 because of snow...

Enough venting!

How has your week gone?

Are you still doing the Pantry Challenge?

Speaking of Pantry Challenge, we have not really stuck with the menu plan this week. It went a little something like this...

Monday: BBQ Bacon Sloppy Joes

Tuesday: Fried Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes and Salad

Wednesday: Pasta with Red Sauce 

Thursday:  Chicken Bites, Pasta Salad and Salad

We were going to have fish Wednesday night instead of Goulash but the fish ended up being to mushy and didn't look right, so when in doubt, throw it out. Luckily, I had a stocked pantry and was able to throw a dinner together. 

Thursday night was the only night that I actually went and bought chicken. I forgot to lay something out that morning and the kids were getting out of school early due to snow and I was in a hurry. I know, but it was on sale and I got a good deal! 

Tonight, we are having homemade Pepperoni Pizza!! Yes, this is completely from my pantry! I made a batch of pizza dough last week and froze 3 of the crust dough! My hubby and kids (and I) LOVE Pizza!!!! We could eat it everyday, well, I could!! Homemade just makes it better!! 

As for this weekend, we are having some friends over for dinner tomorrow night. What was planned before was BBQ Chicken Sammies left over from the Roasted Chicken during the week. Since that never got cooked, I am going to make it Saturday night...with Baked Potatoes and Green Beans! I will let them bring the dessert! I might even make some homemade rolls! 

As for Sunday, We will eat out for lunch and for dinner I will stick to the original plan and have Grilled cheese and Soup!

Starting next week, I will be adding in some new topics!! I hope you join me!! Don't forget to follow and refer me to your friends! 

Have a blessed weekend!!

~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

Menu Plan for week of 1/17

We load up on oat bran in the morning so we'll live forever.  Then we spend the rest of the day living like there's no tomorrow.  ~Lee Iacocca

I know its a day late. I have been meaning to post this! Going along with my Pantry Challenge, I am using only items found in my pantry, freezer and fridge for this weeks menu! I am going to the store today though to pick up milk, bread and some other essentials. Our local Kroger is having a good sale this week so I will be doing a little shopping for those items that I can get at rock-bottom price and/or free!! 


Monday: (posted recipe last night)
BBQ Bacon Sloppy Joes, Mac-n-cheese


Tuesday:
Pork chops w/Mushroom Gravy and Brown Rice, Green Beans, Rolls and Salad


Wednesday: 
Roasted Whole Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes, Mixed Veggies, Salad


Thursday:
Goulash, Veggies, and Salad


Friday:
Leftover Goulash, Veggies, and Salad


Saturday:
BBQ Chicken Sammies (leftover Chicken from Wed. meal)


Sunday:
Dinner out after Church, Soup and Grilled Cheese that night.


Once a month we eat out after church on Sundays. And we will occasionally eat out on the weekend, not every weekend, maybe once or twice a month. 


I have not planned out our menu for the week of the 24th yet, but once I do I will post. 


I will also post recipes on the days that I make the meal planned! 


Are you menu planning? Do you have any menu ideas? Comment below and leave a link to your blog!

~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

BBQ Bacon Sloppy Joes

BBQ Bacon Sloppy Joes

New Recipe! 

I found a similar recipe in a magazine and thought I would revamp it to make it my own. When I first read it, I thought, BBQ and Cheese???? How is that going to taste. Well, surprisingly, it was DELICIOUS!!!

1lb ground beef (You can use turkey if you like)

2 Carrots, peeled and diced finely

1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 cup BBQ Sauce

4 slices Bacon, diced

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, I used the Ragu Cheddar Cheese Sauce in a jar but the original recipe called for Velveeta.

salt/pepper

garlic powder/onion powder

Italian Bread or Hamburger buns

Saute Carrots in EVOO over med-hi heat. Add bacon and cook 5-6 minutes. (I used Laura Lean Ground Beef so I didnt have to drain bacon fat or beef fat off) Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Add BBQ sauce, Water, and Cheddar cheese. Add seasonings and stir until warmed through. Serve over Italian Bread slices or hamburger buns!! Really Good! 

One might think that this will have a strong BBQ taste or Cheddar Cheese taste. You must try this recipe. Neither one is strong. They blend very well to make this a must have dish!! I served mine with Annie Organic Mac-n-cheese!

 Sorry No Pictures, it got gobbled up!!

~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

Running Time!

My First 5k

In April 2010, I ran my first 5k. I finished in a little over 44 minutes. That is 3.1 miles. I had trained in the gym, inside, on a treadmill. I had it down to 3.1 in 38 minutes. I get outside... and I can't breathe! The air is so different! Not to mention that it had stormed right before the run. I also didn't take into account that the run, was mostly up hill. It was hard, one of the hardest things I have had to do as an adult. I had to push myself. My oldest sister ran with me and pushed me all the way. The middle sister was going to run with us but she had just had a baby.I started running in December '09. In February, encountered a leg injury. What one Dr thought was tendinitis, actually turned into something more serious. The first Dr put me on 1800 mlg of Ibuprofen, and told me to take it easy on the treadmill and come back after the 5k if it hasn't gotten better. So I ran, and I ran hard. The day of the 5k, I wore my shin brace, and prayed. I had my mp3 player blaring in one ear and my sister in the other! We are in the "crowd" at the start line. Then suddenly, the gun shot was heard and we were off! Little over 44 minutes later, I crossed the finish line! I finished in front of one of The Biggest Loser contestants, Liz Young.

I could not believe that I finished before her, but I did! She was one of my motivations to run! 

      This is me and Liz! Make sure you go to her website and check it out! 

After I ran my 5k, I was still having problems with my leg. I went to a different Dr for a second opinion. And boy, am I glad I did! I ended up having a stress fracture. I ran a 5k with a stress fracture. I was put in a boot for 4 weeks. Not fun. Needless to say, that was the death of my desire to run. I tried several times to run again but with no avail. I felt like my body was broke and it didn't want to run again. Having not ran for over 4 months, I decided to try it again. My mom gave me her treadmill. We cleaned it up (had been in the garage collecting dust and spiders), and I ran on it for the first time last week. It was an awakening. I realized just how out of shape I was. I then realized how much weight I have gained since I stopped running. UGH! SO, why am I telling you all this....Not sure!

But I do want to share with you my weight-loss goals for this year! I joined weight watchers before Christmas...bad idea, but I am back on track! Not telling how many points I get but its a bunch! I sometimes have a hard time eating all them. Weight Watchers online is what I am doing. If you haven't given it a try, do so!! I am planning on loosing 65 lbs this year! I think I can do it!! That will put me at what I weighed when my hubby and I got engaged! ! My ultimate goal is to loose 80 lbs! But, I will get the first 65 off first! 

Also, today I started back on the treadmill. I am starting slow this time. Last week I did 10 minutes. I ran for a few of those minutes. Today, I ran a few more but off and on (20 min total). I am trying to condition my leg so I don't end up with another injury. I found a program that I am going to try and follow to see how it helps me. Here it is.

Week 1: Walk 5 min. run 2 min (repeat 2 more times) Walk 5 min
Week 2: Walk 5 min run 4 min (repeat 2 more times) Walk 5 min
Week 3: Walk 4 min run 6 min (repeat 2 more times) Walk 5 min
Week 4: Walk 3 min run 8 min (repeat 2 more times) Walk 5 min
Week 5: Walk 2 min run 10 min (repeat 2 more times) Walk 5 min
Week 6: Walk 1 min run 12 min (repeat 2 more times) Walk 5 min
Week 7: Walk 1 min run 20 min (repeat 2 more times) Walk 5 min
Week 8: Walk 1 min run 30 min Walk 5 min.

Slow and steady wins the race!!

~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

Valentin's Day is quickly approaching. Hop on over to www.colieskitchen.com and enter her contest for a $25 giftcard to Walmart! There are more then one chance to win!! 

Good Luck!!!

A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat.  ~Old New York Proverb

~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~