2013 Homestead Goals

Hey y'all!  Long time no talk...  Lots going on around our little urban homestead and all sorts of neat stuff in the works for the future; but that's another post.

I've been thinking a lot about what I'd like to accomplish this year, so I put together a little list.  I'll keep you updated along the way as I do/try each of these, as well as why the heck I wanna do it (see #15...).

Source



 

2013 Homestead Goals

 

1. Switch from disposable napkins to paper napkins
2. Build a chicken tractor (using as much scrap wood/stuff as possible)
3. Buy some Rhode Island Red hens to put in the new chicken tractor (for eggs)
4. Build a rain water collection system
5. Review the things we buy repeatedly and cut out as many "disposable" things/items as possible, or find sustainable options to use in their place
6. Stop using the city trash service
7. Recycle
8. Start a raised garden
9. Grow flowers from seed indoors to transplant to the front flower bed
10. Transition my kitchen/pantry to all "whole" and "clean" foods/NO processed or boxed foods
11. Eat more veggies
12. Make/raise more of the basic items we buy weekly (bread, eggs, yogurt, cereal, english muffins, jelly/jam, fruit, veggies etc.)
13. Buy as many LOCAL any items as possible; that I cannot make/raise/grow myself
14. Stop using Kleenex (I don't know if Hayden will go for this one...)
15. Use a DivaCup or GladRags for my lady needs (TMI, I know, sorry)
16. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle as much as humanly possible
17. Research bee keeping to see if it's something we could do (I'm allergic)
18. Crochet more
19. Cut down the dead trees on the property for fire wood
20. Use the fireplace to heat the house (it's a wood stove with a blower) in the winter months
21. SAVE $$$ for a bigger homestead
 

Do any of you have any other suggestions for things we should try?  I'd love any advice you can give me if you have tried any of the things we're looking to do this year.

 
 
 
 



Weight Loss Update

I know...I know...long time no talk.  I won't even try to make up some lame excuse for why I've been so MIA lately.

Anywho...

Thought I'd give you all an update on my weight loss.  Things are going good!  I did REALLY good January-April, then I pretty much slacked off for a few months, but now I'm back in my groove and have been for about 6 weeks.

I still track all my food on My Fitness Pal (join and be my friend!), and I try to hit the treadmill for 3 miles at least 3 times a week.  I shoot for 5, but 3 seems to be more realistic.  You know...life happens and what not.

I've also tried to do more "clean eating".  That seems to really make a huge difference.  I feel SO good!  I'm not nearly as tired as I used to be.  I've also added in some vitamins and supplements.  We'll talk more about that later.

I drink about a gallon of water a day.  Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less.  And I swear, my skin looks even better than it used to.  And I've always gotten a ton of compliments on my skin.  If you're tired, wrinkly, or have so many zits you've started naming them...DRINK MORE WATER!  I swear, it works like you'd never believe. 

Now the good news...I've lost 45 pounds!  WHOOO!  Still have 95 to go, but I'm not in a huge hurry.  I'm trying to get healthy, not skinny.  I REALLY hope skinny comes with healthy, but only time will tell.  I have an idea of my goal weight, but I know my body will tell me when I'm done losing.

So we all remember this disgusting photo, right?  Hard to believe that was 18 months ago.  In some ways it seems like a lifetime ago.

 

Well here are some updated pics from the last month or so.  I've lost about 5 more pounds since these were taken.

 

Getting closer to my goal!

 



Homemade Honey Nut Granola

Yeah, yeah, I know...I said in my very first blog post that even though I was trying to make some big changes in my life, I wasn't going to "give up make-up, wear Birkenstock sandals or eat an abundance of granola", but apparently I lied.  Partly.  Not only do I eat granola almost daily, I even make it myself now!  Oh.Em.Gee.  Don't worry, I still wear too much make-up and wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of Birkenstock's.

If you're new to the granola world, let me tell you...it's is a tad pricey.  Thankfully, it's not hard to make at all.  But, you do have to check your Adult A.D.D. at the door.  How do I know this?  One burned batch too many...  Don't ask.

I haven't tried this recipe as a "cereal" yet, since it has a lot of nuts.  I think I'll make a batch with 1/2 the amount of nuts (or none at all?) and try it as a cereal.  I bet it'll be delish.

Honey Nut Granola
4 c oats, uncooked (slow cook / old fashion type)
1 c chopped pecans
1 c sliced almonds
1/3 c olive oil
1/3 c honey
1/3 c brown sugar
1/3 c boiling water
1 t salt
1 t vanilla
1 t almond extract
1 t cinnamon

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, combine all other ingredients.  Pour liquid mixture onto the dry mixture and stir until coated.  Pour on to 2 greased cookie sheets & bake at 400*, stirring every 2-6 minutes (DO NOT let it burn...stirring is key!) until evenly dry and toasted.  I usually have to do about 5-6 stirs before it's fully toasted, but every oven is different.

I stir 1/4 cup of this into my homemade yogurt for breakfast or a quick snack.  Oh man, it's good!  Nearly as good as a bowl of ice cream, if you ask me.  If I tried fruit in there (a la the McD's "Fruit & Yogurt Parfait") too, I'm sure I'd pass out from it's sheer deliciousness.  {I'm really trying to keep my sugar intake as low as possible, so not doing much fruit right now.}

It's really good, and only 90 calories per serving.  If you want to cut the calories down even more, reduce the amount of nuts you use or cut them out completely.  Just remember to increase the amount of oats, to compensate for the nut reduction.

Let me know what you think, if you try it out.  Any other granola converts out there?  Are there any other ways to use dry granola that I should know about?

"Skinny" Mocha Frappuccino

I'm not really a coffee fan, but those Mocha Frappe things from McDonalds are delicious.  I used to grab one when I'd swing by for my super healthy (ha!) breakfast in the mornings.  Now, let's not forget that I'm cheap, so I REFUSE to pay the outrageous Starbucks prices...but I'm sure theirs are even more amazing. 

Before we all run out and buy one this morning, let me slap you in the face with some calorie info...

Starbucks Venti Mocha Frappuccino: 500 calories (OMG!)

Starbucks Venti Mocha Light Frappuccino: 190 calories

McDonalds Large Mocha Frappe: 680 calories (Are you kidding me!?)

Ouch, right!?  Who wants to blow half their daily calorie limit on a drink at 8am!?

At least Starbucks offers a "light" option for most of their drinks...but we still have the little issue of me being cheap.  Er, let's say frugal.  You know...the whole High Maintenance to Homesteader mantra!

Obviously I'm not having a fast food breakfast anymore, but I do miss those frosty-chocolate-caffeinated cups of happiness.  So, when I ran across this recipe on Pinterest, I knew I had to try it!

Here's my version:

"Skinny" Mocha Frappuccino (20 oz)
1 1/2 T instant coffee granules
2 T French vanilla creamer (powdered)
1 T cocoa
1/2 C skim milk
1 packet Truvia
1-2 C ice

-Throw it all in a blender and hit GO!
-Drink up

Not only is the homemade version delicious, it's a fraction of the cost!  And...ONLY 150 calories!  Go make this - right now!  I'm serious...it's that good!

Let me know what you think if you try it out.

Fatty, Fatty, 2x4...

We all know the song...sing along with me now...  "Fatty, fatty, 2x4...can't get through the kitchen door!"  Childish?  Yes.  Mean?  Yes.  True?  Pretty dang close.

It's no secret, I've packed on some pounds in the last 2-ish years.  Stress, depression, financial problems, change, attempt at refusal to accept said 'change', relationship failure, BFF moving a billion miles away, etc...you name it, I fed it.  I fed it a lot.

I was always a "solid kid" (as my very loving Mother likes to say), the biggest girl in my group of friends in high school/youth group, and even at my lowest adult weight, I was still overweight.  And, oh Lord, can I yo-yo with the best of them!  I've gained and lost the same 50 pounds more than I care to say.

But, like many of you...2012 is my year to get the weight off [and keep it off this time!].  I'm putting these very personal and embarrassing facts on here so you all can help keep me accountable.  We can do this!

This is a pic from my birthday last year (2/2011).  The big 3-0.  I was depressed.  I hated a large portion of my life, and my weight was a big factor in that, yet I fed my sadness with food.  I weighed more at this time than I did when I gave birth to Hayden.  Yikes.

I've no clue how, but when I weighed 1/1/12, I found that I'd lost 10 pounds from when that pic was taken.  Hello diet jump start!

In 2009 I did a low-carb (South Beach / Atkins kinda thing) diet, and dropped about 40 pounds in about 6 months.  Here are some pics from that time.  That was the lowest adult weight I've had...still not my goal weight though!

Holy crap...I wanna look like that again!!!  Every time I wanna shove some cake in my face, I think of these pics.  And how happy I was at the time.  Not because I was thinner, but because I loved my life.  I'm working very hard to get back to that place...all around.

Since I know lots of us are working on our weight, I thought I'd also share some sites that have been helpful for me.  I know a ton of people doing Weight Watchers, but I'm too cheap and busy for that.  I did some research, and WW is just tracking your intake, exercising, and having a support system.  Duh, I can do that.  I'm the type of person that'll eat 900 calories at lunch without even realizing it (salads are so deceptive!), so it's really important for me to "track" my food.  It keeps me accountable and lets me splurge if/when needed.  I ate out twice this weekend and I only went over about 50 calories one day...the rest of the weekend I was below my calorie max!  WHOO!

How do I track my food, you ask?  With a F R E E app/website called My Fitness Pal.  I LOOOVE it.  It's like Weight Watchers for cheap peeps!  Go join...right now!  Then tell me you joined so we can be "friends" on there.  ;)

Now, second major issue for me is what the heck to eat when I'm trying to lose weight.  Uh, thank goodness for Pinterest.  I have found more ideas on there than I even thought possible.  The "why didn't I think of that" doesn't just apply to crafts, folks.  You should follow me and steal all my pins!

Here are some other sites I like for food/recipe ideas:
Skinny Taste
Hungry Girl
Weight Watchers
Cooking Light

Need snack ideas?  I found tons on Pinterest, but here's a few I love:
100 Calorie Cup-Cakes
Chocolate PB Banana Bites
100 Healthy Snacks

Since I started watching my food intake and exercising {more on that in a later post} I've lost 15 pounds (25 since that HORRIBLE picture was taken!).  I have a LOT more to lose, but it's a great start for my first month.

Are any of you trying to lose weight and/or watch what you eat?  Exercising?  Any great sites, ideas, recipes, you wanna share?  I need all the help and encouragement I can get - so please leave me some comments!

Love you all!

New Weekly Menu

Between the move, painting, decorating, Thanksgiving, Christmas, basketball season starting and work...you could say my weekly menu planning has fallen to the bottom of my to-do list.  And I can't even tell you the last time I cut a coupon.  I KNOW, I'm so ashamed!  Don't judge me.

But, things are slowing down...finally.  Work is still nuts-o, but that's typical.  {Still looking for Mr. Right that won't be happy unless I'm a SAHM...haha!}  My Christmas shopping is done, and I plan to get most of it wrapped this weekend.  Tree has been up for weeks...and I'm not stressing that the outside lights didn't make it up this year [Santa has GPS by now, no worries].  I know what I'm doing for Hayden's class party, and his friend/teacher/staff gifts.  I got this, yo!  Our upcoming weekends are full of family, friends and parties, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

With that said...it's time to get my butt back in gear and start cooking again.  And freezer pizza doesn't qualify as cooking!  Do NOT let me tell myself that anymore.  Just because we aren't eating out every meal doesn't mean I'm cooking what we should be eating.  Toast for breakfast isn't as good for H as oatmeal or a sausage biscuit.  At least he's not eating McDonald's or anything, but still...I can do better.

I love the Eat Sheet I used when we lived at Dad & Bonnie's, but that was when I was only really in charge of dinner and we all just did our own thing the rest of the time.  I really feel like I need a full breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack schedule now.  If it's not planned and on paper, it won't get done.  Believe me, I know me better than anyone...we're totally on a first name basis...

Self and I did a little googling and found this bad boy...

Cute, right!?  You can get the FREE printable here.

Hayden and I have had some discussions about what he'd like to eat (he can be a tad picky...) so I don't hear "WAAAHHHH....but I wanted Mazzio's!" 3 times a week, like I have lately.  Crest has some good sales too, so I plan to make some time to go by and stock up on some necessities.  Pretty sure the Aldi ladies will see me this weekend as well.

I'm going to plan my menu out for next week, and get back to it!  Stay tuned for updates!

Move Over Swiss Miss

Today is our annual office cookie swap.  We all bring cookies and exchange the recipes while we put up the office tree and decorations.  I look forward to it every year...because, duh, I love cookies and Christmas!

Typically I bring a big pot of homemade apple cider. But this year, I can't find whole allspice to save my stinkin' life, so I had to come up with another drink idea.  I'm not a huge hot chocolate fan, but I figured homemade has to taste better than that crap you get in a box/packet.

I scoured Pinterest and got some general ideas, and came up with a veeerrrry complicated recipe...solely based on what I had in my pantry.  Hello, it's cold and dark when I get home...no way I was going to drag Hayden the store last night for some random ingredient that some chick on Pinterest said was a "must have".  So not my style.

I personally thought it was okay, but again, I'm not really a good judge since I don't really love the stuff.  However, Christie (our "new girl" at work) loves hot chocolate AND she used to work at a coffee shop.  Totally qualified to critique my recipe!  She filled her mug, and I promptly got an email from her with the subject line, "OH MY GOSH!!!!".  Yeah, she liked it...just a tad.  She said it was better than what she made when she worked at the coffee shop!  SCORE!

Here's the uber complicated recipe...

Merissa's Bomb-diggity Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
1 half pint of whipping cream
1 c milk chocolate chips
3 c milk
1 t vanilla
1/2 t cinnamon
{marshmallows / whip cream for topping}

*Dump everything in a 1.5 quart crock pot and whisk often until everything is melted.  Let cook/simmer for 2 hours, then put on "warm" setting.  You can also double this and make a 4 quart batch. 

If you try it - let me know what you think!