Extreme Couponer (in-training)

After much coupon clipping and planning today was finally my day. The list was LONG. including groceries, toiletries, medication etc. As the cart got more and more full I was just like the people of Extreme Couponing my heart was beating out of my chest...Just unloading the cart my mind was going crazy. I completely filled the belt and needed more space. Going over some (expensive) things Trevor had added to the cart, looking at all the fresh produce and meat. I did end up finishing the way I wish I would have but was very happy to discover in coupons alone, just those "useless pieces of paper" I save NINETY EIGHT DOLLARS! First step was using Trevor's Target discount, instant $19.55 removed. Phew. As I'm watching some coupons come up "coupon not found accept anyway" I'm thinking pleaseeee lady, accept anyway. 16 of the items were on sale as well so I felt pretty good about it. Here was my final haul:

8 lbs of chicken
2 lbs italian sausage 
4 lbs fresh fruit
6 lbs fresh produce
5 lbs fresh cheeses
 deli meats
frozen pizza
yogurt
butter
almond milk
almonds
steel oats
eggs
6 cans of soup
2 bottles of v8
fresh tortellini
several more items...


2 boxes of heartburn medication orig. $10.49/each for $3
toilet paper
Kleenex
Paper Towels
2 boxes tampons
heat pads
Trevors expensive mouthwash (cough cough)
4 Nivea lip balms for less than $2
toothpaste
glad containers



GRAND TOTAL: 7 bags of groceries/toiletries= $115!

I will bow now. I was aiming for more like $80 but still feel very accomplished in today's shopping haul! SO next time you go to throw away those coupons stop and remember $98 savings and I clipped for mayyybe 20 minutes. When you throw those ads you're throwing money out the window, take 20 minutes out of your day and keep that $ in your wallet and fill those cupboards/bellies!!

 p.s. I DO apologize for my failure to blog and give you my word I will continue to keep you posted on my recipes and savings as I am trying out two new recipes today!

XoXo Em :0)

Sky Rockets in Flight, Mediterranean Delight!

A little bitta this a little bitta that. I'm not a very big follower of actual measurment...so you'll come to find when I give you recipes I'll say "however much you want of..." but it all depends on how much you want, if you want leftovers etc. I'm a "single" gal with no kids, so I tend to make about 4 servings, depending on if Im cooking for my roomies, my super cute bf, or if Im meal planning for the week and making leftovers. This would be one of those times where I tell you "however much you want..."

Mediterranean Chicken Pasta

 2 Cups whole wheat penne

1 can quartered artichoke hearts

2 cans market pantry diced tomatoes w/onion and garlic

1 cup Kalmata olives

2 cups rotisserie chicken (torn into bite size pieces)

1/2 cup feta cheese (or however much you like :-)

* I added a little white wine to make it that much more delish!

Boil noodles. While doing so, toss chicken in frying pan with diced tomatoes and olives. Simmer. Splash in the white wine. Add noodles and artichokes once pasta is cooked. toss and top with feta cheese on top!

Before I liked tomatoes I always omitted them, now that I love them it makes this dish that much yummier!

Enjoy! :0)

*ps if any of you out there are making my recipes I'd love to hear your feedback. Did you like it? Did you add something to it? Do you have healthier substitution ideas?? Let us all know!!

4-1 = 3 lbs lost...

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
Thomas A. Edison

Well people. I've lacked in this blog writing stuff, it's been a few days, in those few days I gained one pound back which brings my total weight loss for the week to 3 lbs. I think my problem this week was actually that I wasn't eating ENOUGH. Unruly concept I know but it's true! Have you started? Have you stayed on track? What has helped you the most? The other thing is I havent yet gotten back into my workout routine. It's a good thing Express keeps me running around like a maniac for the 6 hours Im there every day. Had I been working out though and not just watching what I eat, I'm sure my numbers would've been different. I shall post a new healthy recipe later today and tomorrow....wait for it...STATE FAIR BLOG! This is my "cheat" day. It's the best day in all 365 because not only do I get to eat delicious, guilty whatever I want food that day, I get to spend it with my best friend in the whole wide world, my Papa!! I love our annual Daddy/Daughter day and I'll make sure to post pics, do's and don'ts...although, im sure you wont find a "dont" at the Great Minnesota Get-together...well minus Deli Express sandwiches...who even gets those there?? Adios Amigos, until later.
XoXo

Skinny cooks can't be trusted.
American Saying

The Miracle of 4lbs

Welp. i'm not weighing in every day, but I did "cheat" and do it today. Down 4lbs since my 1st weigh-in 2 days ago! Booyah. Some people may think 4 lbs? You can't tell. Oh but contraire! When I started at Express They had a huge jeans sale and I got to use my first 50% off discount(i need to look the part right??), so I bought 2 new pairs of jeans. One that fit just right and one that was going to need a littttle wiggle room, and a little weight loss. I was scrounging around my room before work to find the other pair and they were nowhere to be found. So I picked up the other ones thinking, theres no way....bingo! Fit perfect and even a little extra room! Horray! And so I thank you all, wether you are commenting or not, I know you're "there" watching me, my page views tell me so ;-) I appreciate the silent support as my motivation to not let me or you down is keeping me on my weightloss track!

How are YOU doing on YOUR goals? do tell! :0)

Dont "start on Monday," start TODAY

Food blog/weight loss blog, Oxymoron??
Practice what you Preach.
I surely can't be on here blogging about yummy (healthy) food if I'm not following my own advice all the time. I also believe you can be a foodie and be in shape. I can say that I've always been pretty comfortable with myself no matter what size I am. Was I happier skinny? Not neccessarily. Do I like being overweight? Not in the least. I may be "fat and happy" but most important is the health aspect. Im a pretty active person, both jobs I run around for a good portion of my day, I play ball for a little over half the year, I get in good habits of mall walking with Daddy in the winter, but what about summer, there are times where I ROCK at working out, but Id be lying if I said Im diligent always. There needs to be a routine I don't break with eating and staying active. So here I start the weight loss journey part of this blog. I know I need to want it for it to work, but I also know when I have people who believe in me holding me accountable Im a zillion times more motivated to do so, I hate letting people down. I will weigh-in once a week and give you guys the news, good or bad. If you all have workout tips or healthy recipes you'd like to share with me, Id love to hear your thoughts! As I go about my journey I'll share tools that work for me as well. I guess this is where I leave you with my "before" picture and challenge you, if you'd like to join me, on the blog, at the gym, cooking healthy recipes, to do so. Even if you decide you dont have the time to give imput to help motivate me, I'll always be here for you cheering you on in any aspect of life. So load up that ipod, go for a run/walk, read a good book and ponder what YOU would like help with, if anything and get back to me or start taking the steps if you'd like to take a "journey" on your own.


"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare."



Song of the Day: Matt & Kim "Dont Slow Down"

Buy bulk. Portion yourself. Save big bucks.

If anyone knows anything about me they know I 1) love to cook 2) LOVE saving money 3) i like convenience!! There's a few simple steps I take to save myself money when it comes to food and today I'll share some of my secrets with you. Especially when it comes to eating healthier, portion control is a MUST. If theres one thing I could share with you about dieting in my 26 years it is that DIETS DONT WORK. Lifestyle changes however are the key steps to losing and keeping off weight. It's ALL about portion control. I know that for the most part I don't need to give up any of the foods I love, but take everything in moderation. I'm always craving pizza! Always. Does that mean I have to give that up when eating healthy? of course not. I simply eat a salad beforehand and eat 1-2 pieces or I make flatbread/english muffin pizzas and still satisfy my craving for pizza.

So heres where I get into the actual act of portions and the money you save. The stores are always going to get you with their cute little portioned out just for one servings of things. But theyre getting you in TWO ways. A) bc of packaging you pay that extra cost for convienence  B) sometimes you eat it and dont realize that whats in the package is actually more than one serving which throws off all your hard work to loose weight.

One of my favorite "desserts" on following the Weight Watchers is jello fruit cups. Well I could go to the store and buy some...Do you know how many come in a 90 calorie each, 26carbs, 50g of sodium almost $4? 2-4 cups!! So I came up with a different idea to get much more for my money....

Glad ware containers (1 time price) $4 for 12
Jello .69/each
fruit $1.06/each

GRAND TOTAL: $7.50- 12 cups of jello w/fruit with only 50 calories a container
subtract the $4 from gladware containers for next time $3.50 for 12 cups of homemade, healthier jello.

I could go on and on about buying in bulk and repackaging, but for now I'll just leave you with this simple tip. Until next time my friends! BULK. SELF PORTION. SAVE BIG BUCKS.

<3

I'll Key Lime if I want to!

I'm not usually a sucker for desserts. I love cheesecake and ice cream but it's not something I need to have all the time. One thing I found very helpful, and scrumptious, while trying to lose weight was my very own personal key lime invention! I LOVE Key Lime pie especially in the summer, but again, not so healthy my low-fat key lime option is as follows:

1 Yoplait fat-free Key Lime yogurt
1 keebler mini graham crusts

pour the yogurt in the graham crust and BAM! Simple (ww pt 2) dessert. It tastes JUST like a real key lime pie to me, and you know me, I like my food to be good...Happy Sweet-toothing all! :0)

Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces.  ~Judith Viorst

Start your day the healthy way! (with breakfast sammies and mochas??)

"Never work before breakfast; if you have to work before breakfast, eat your breakfast first.  ~Josh Billings"


I was never one who liked to eat breakfast bc sleep was always going to win over anything, including showering, sorry people. But honestly, I know it's the most important meal of the day, so for the last several years I always eat something wether it be yogurt or fruit. But when I REALLY want breakfast there's nothing I love more than a good old fashioned Sausage McMuffin from McDonalds. However do you know how awful they are for you, just that little sandwich alone, without the greasy hashbrown and juice?? When I was on Weight Watchers I found out that just the sandwich alone was almost more than I could eat for an ENTIRE day! This little fact has kept me McDonalds free for 5 years now, yuck and halleljuah! There's also nothing better I like in the morning than a nice cup of coffee. Even better a delicious mocha, but theres HOW many calories in that and you want me to give you $5 for a little baby cup?? No thank you. Through great foodie minded people I have recently discovered the quick, easy, delicious way of getting my breakfast and mocha in under 5 minutes. It take some prep work but it'll save you time in the long run, 1,000s of calories and keep that money in your pocket! So here's my breakfast combo recipe of the day for you my dear friends: Healthy Breakfast Sammies w/an iced mocha!


 Make-Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches:

You will need:
Glad Press n Seal
Big freezer baggie
Reynolds tin baking cups

Ingredients:
12 100 calorie english muffins (the fiber is what helps make this sandwich healthy)
12 total of a variety of Morningstar sausage patties, canadian bacon, turkey bacon (pre cook)
12 eggs
12 kraft singles

Cook meat ahead of time. Spray 12 reynolds tin baking cups w/pam. crack one egg into each tin. Place in shallow pan of boiling water (this process will take a while-as you can only fit about 4 tins in each pan without them tipping). Cook until the yolk is firm. Halve the english muffins and lay them out to assemble the sammies. place one slice of cheese on one half of each muffin. Assemble as you would any other sandwich with meat then egg.

*note: for the Morningstar sausage patties I cut them in 1/2 and evenly layed both in each sandwich, to make it easier to eat and not so big.

Wrap in Press n Seal and Store in a big bag in your freezer. Take out of freezer the night before and place in the fridge. Ive found this the easiest way to re-heat it evenly.

They are delicious,, easy and way better for you than stopping somewhere on your way to work!

Iced Mocha:

* this is my mocha in a Starbucks cup


Ingredients:
2-4 cups of strong coffee
1 tablespoon agave natural sweetner or maple syrup
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
ice

I like to make the coffee ahead of time, like the night before (easily store in a pitcher), as you will find if you make it the day of the ice will just melt and water down your coffee. so in your mug mix the cocoa and sweetner fill mug with ice. Pour the coffee over the ice, stir and voila! Instant healthy mocha!

I hope you guys enjoy these recipes. As I start my school year soon I want to start it off right. I know these recipes will come in handy so Im not spending so much money at Starbucks, its good for me and most importantly I get to SLEEP MORE! Happy trails my friends! :0)

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.  ~Voltaire

Adventures in Breakfasting!

I'm not sure how often I will be able to (financially) do so but Id like to start a blog "chapter" entitled "Adventures in Breakfasting" after obviously one of the best movies of all time...

-------->

...this part meaning a search for the perfect Minnesota breakfast. I shall do it once a week or once a month depending on my bank account (feel free to send donations ;-) haha). Currently my favorites are The Uptowner, off Lexington and Grand in St Paul as it is around the corner from my super cute boyfriends house, has portions the size of Texas (thus creating more breakfasts for the price of one) oh annnnd it's delicious with a great staff. While my mom was away in Canada me and my papa had our own little breakfast adventures, my favorite he introduced me to being Hot Plate by Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. The atmosphere is what I would call "creepily fun." Yes, creepily, is TOTALLY a word. The walls are surrounded with weird Paint by Number pictures, sad faced clowns, little ballerinas, Lassie dogs and most importantly lots of Jesus'...I have only had one breakfast there bc after eating it you too will decide, why even look at the menu? The Mexican Omelette people. Stuffed to capacity with Chorizo sausage, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, onions (which remember I omit, blah), topped with their own Chipotle sauce and a dollop of sour cream. It's amazing. Theres no other words for it. I made it official the first time I had it and stick to my word as calling it THE best breakfast I have ever had. Complete with a huge white frothy topped mocha, this place is to die for. So I shall continue my happy breakfast trails and inform you all of these delicious locations, maybe even bad ones...and you in turn shall make suggestions to continue me on my search for the best breakfast in Minnesota. Carry on and breakfast on my friends! :-)

This is "THE" breakfast and "THE" mocha....Mmmmmm

Salsa! Ole!

I realize I already blogged a "recipe of the day" but this is my blog and I do what I want, so heres another one. (I did in fact make both today).This is what I like to call the "Salsa that has most of the things I hate in it mixed all together which in turn creates delciousness??" But seriously. I HATE onions, despise them as a matter of fact. This salsa, has TWO different kinds of onions in it. So while any other recipes I always omit onion, just dont do it people. The best thing about this recipe is that every summer my neighbor grows lots of fresh produce so not only do I get the best ingredients, but theyre free! I got hooked on this salsa last year when a district principal gave a jar to my mom. I just kept asking for it and he kept giving me more, to the point where the recipe just HAD to be given. To my delight, I found out it was not in fact a "secret family recipe" and it would soon be in my grasp! So now Ive been granted the rights to share it with you lovely people as well so herrrrre it is!

8 large tomatoes washed and diced into small pieces (add a few romas to make it thicker)
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped green onions
1 cup chopped bell peppers (I use a bit of each stoplight peppers)
6-8 jalapeno peppers
2 bunches cilantro
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp salt
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup minced garlic

*my added touch to make this "my own" is a grate lime zest into the salsa, gives it a little extra zing!

This salsa is AMAZING with the Food Should Be Good brand lime chips! Hope you all love it as much as I do! :0)

Recipe of the Day: Southwest Chicken and Bean Soup

Southwest Chicken and Bean soup

This recipe was INCREDIBLY easy and delcious (and HEALTHY yay!). I altered it from the original I was given and you can most definitely do the same.

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 tblsp. taco seasoning
4 cups chicken broth
1 can great northern beans (mash 1/2 the can for soup thickness)
3/4 cup salsa verde

*my added ingredients
1 cup chopped red peppers
1 can corn

top with:
light sour cream
cilantro

Mix all ingredients together in a stock pot. simmer and enjoy!

Food Frenzy!

Ive decided not only do I need to start keeping tabs on my everyday life by blogging but also to start my "food journal" if you will. I'm always posting pictures of new recipes Ive tried and people often ask for the recipes. So on here is where I will give them out. I will enter tonights recipe and picture a little later in the show here. Stay Tuned Folks!! :0)