Meal Planning Helper!

Well, here we are! I took the pictures to make this tutorial on my blog over a month ago. Actually, it may have been over two months ago. I think I was mostly nervous because it has been so long since I have written anything longer than an Instagram caption.

It used to be my favorite part of the night, to sit down my with laptop and write about what was going on or what I was using in my classroom. And while things have changed considerably, I do still love sitting down to write every night. Except now I am writing in my planner or catching up in my Memory Keeper - basically doing something at my desk.

I wanted to share one of the things I made for my planner to help me out in the meal planning department. (Y'all know how much I love that!)

I was going to make this a video instead of writing about it, maybe the next time I make something I will think about the filming before I get started. 

This little tool that I made for meal planning has come in so handy! 

Like many of you, I shop once a week for groceries. And also like many of you, I am a lone ship on the ocean of meal planning. They are not much help, especially since I have taken out so much of the bad food that we used to eat. They know I am going to say "NO!" so they don't bother. 

These cards that I made are not only adorable, but they have really been helping me out for the last two months. 

Let's take a look at the finished product first:

I made these cards with meal ideas of things we ALREADY like and eat. Some of them are Whole 30 and some are not (but you can see that). I used a  Happy Planner photo insert to set the cards in. They live right next to my grocery list in my planner. That way when I am planning for the upcoming week, I can get ideas without having to ask everyone in the house. It makes planning for week so much easier. On one side of the page, I have Whole 30 meals and on the other side I have, you guessed it, Not Whole 30 meals.

It really was super simple!

First, I went through all of my old meal plans and made a separate list of entrees and sides. Things that repeated themselves often were obviously going to make it onto the cards.

I set the list aside, and cut a 4x6 photo card into 4ths, The size is important because we want these to fit into the photo page when we are done. 

Now the fun part: STICKERS! 

I used stickers from the Happy Planner Food Value Pack to decorate the bottom of the cards. I was trying to go all healthy, but the burger and the mac and cheese were just too cute!

Ok, the next part gets a tad techy- but not really. It was just a matter of scanning these four little cards on my printer/scanner. I scanned them as a photo, opened a Google Slide and placed the scanned picture in the background. I was then able to type the headings and lists. When I printed the page, I just cut out the cards separately and placed them in the photo holder. 

If that sounds like too much work, then I have a link for you! Now, using this means you will be skipping the sticker step and your cards will look just like mine. But if you are in it just for the functionality, then this is just what you need! 

After you click this link, it will tell you to make a copy- that's so we all aren't writing on each other's meal cards 😉

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yehEdy0fR5aAP0iN1hhBY0vdr8W2JArqctMT60_ZRdk/copy#slide=id.p

Once you open it, you can change the headings, the lists, the fonts- make it what works for you- and I'm telling you, this really works for me! I've been using it since the beginning of February this year and it has made a big difference!

After you print your "cards" on card stock or regular paper (and it doesn't really matter because they will be in the protector), you place them in the page next to the pages you meal plan in .

I have placed a few post-its on the page in my planner since I have done this, And I make a note that I need to go back into the computer, add a meal, and reprint. This will be really simple to do, just a matter of editing and reprinting.

I never in a million years thought that one book would be so important or serve as many purposes as this one does for me. I do have tons more to share. Whether or not I will share them with via video, instagram, blog, tweet- who knows-?!!? It all depends on the time of day, the amount pictures I took and whether or not I am having a good hair day! 🤣

Below are some of the materials I used while making this tool for my planner! Let me know in the comments if you are able to use this, too! And also, if you have any questions about how I set it up- I would love the feedback!

Also, check out my Amazon Storefront for other items I constantly use for Planning and Memory Keeping!

A Grocery List I Don't Hate

It is just amazing to me how much grocery shopping has changed now that we are making better choices. Don't get me wrong- I still HATE going to the grocery store, and I still hate planning the meals, and blah blah blah. But at least I am organized and not wasting a boat load of money while I'm doing it.

Just click on the picture below to get the editable Google sheet that I made for my grocery list. When you click it, it will prompt you to make your own copy (that way we all aren't writing on each other's lists).
When you get ready to print pay attention to how many pages- you only need page 1.

And if you are printing this to insert into a Classic Happy Planner, you can set the custom printing size to 87% and it makes a perfect size- you just have to trim a little off before punching!

Happy Meal Planning! 

XOXOXO

Half of Thirty

Before I get started on writing this post about the first half of my Whole30 journey, let me preface by saying that for the last 20 years I have treated my body like a garbage can. So there is a very distinct possibility that the start of ANY healthy program would show great results for me.
Also let me say that there aren't any affiliate links in this post. I'm not trying to sell you anything or profit in any way by sharing with you.
I am just overwhelmed at how things have changed for me.

Let me tell you (in one paragraph or less, please) why I even chose to start the Whole30. For years I have had issues with my stomach. Pretty much everything I ate affected me in a not so positive way. It got to the point this school year that I was taking two water bottles to work in the morning and not eating anything until I got home for the day.....just in case. Yes, I went all day without eating for 8 months. And I gained weight. I wasn't active and when I did eat, it was not a  good choice. Ever.

I started hitting the walking trail pretty hard at the beginning of Feb this year, and I was putting in some serious steps. But there weren't any changes in my body- not how I felt or how I looked. The Dr wanted to run a series of tests.Wanted to say that it was IBS and that I should take this little blue pill (not that one) 20 minutes before I eat to prevent the issues..

I decided I don't want to live like that. I needed to do something different.

So I searched and read several reviews and results from different programs. I needed to find something that was going to change the way I eat. I also needed to find something that he was going to do with me. I told him about the program and ordered the book.

When the book came, I read it from front to back. I made notes, marked recipes, and made copies of pages for him to carry in his lunchbox as a reminder.

And on May 9th we officially started the Whole30.
I'm going to tell you our results "so far" before I tell you what we have gone through.
As I am writing this, it is Day 14 and I have lost 24lbs. He has lost 37lbs. (And by doing so I have broken the ONLY rule that I had no willpower against....the scale. I was changing so fast, I had to know! You are not supposed to weigh yourself for the 30 days. I would like it known that I did hold out for seven days).

Did that grab your attention? I figured I'd hit you up with some numbers before I got to the end to keep you reading.

What Are Rules?
They are pretty simple. Until you figure out that these seven things are in everything we normally eat.

For 30 Days:

NO ALCOHOL
NO GRAIN
NO DAIRY
NO SOY
NO LEGUMES
NO CARRAGEENAN (I didn't know what that was until I started either).
NO SUGAR

The book gives you some great recipes to start with. And also a 7 Day meal plan- to give you an idea of how to incorporate last night's dinner into breakfast. And then there's google and pinterest for finding more. I was most worried about the alcohol and the sugar. The alcohol really isn't that big of a deal. (But have you met me)? And I really don't mind not having "sweets". But it's not just sweets- sugar is in EVERYTHING. Ketchup, taco seasoning, dressing. And if there's no sugar, there's probably soy. Tuna, some hot teas, most seasonings I wanted to try. It is pretty restrictive when it comes to seasonings, but I am cooking with a lot of garlic, ginger, lemon, and regular old salt and pepper.

If you have done the Whole30 or you know someone who has, you know that while the results come fast, they do not come without a ton of work. I think it's worth it though, for us to see what we WERE putting in our bodies and to change the relationship we had with food for so many years. I thought I would list a few things that have been the best AND the most trying for the last two weeks.

One of the hard parts in this house is NOT EVERYONE IS DOING IT. So while I am planning and prepping and cooking and storing all this wonderfully delicious food, I am also making regualr dinners for the crew! We have come to a compromise, though. There WILL be repeats in the same week. Since Moose and I aren't eating the share of those meals that we used to, there's plenty for leftover. I was very frank and told them this was going to happen when we started. I refuse to throw out perfectly good food (as was visably noticeable by the weight I had gained).

On the same vein, they are trying the new recipes that we are having for our meals and liking a lot of them. So that means those meals can come back  when the 30 days are over. And Schmoopie has been eating fruit like crazy. There has been so much more in the house than before. And so much less of the junk that used to fill the pantry,

I have been IN the kitchen for two solid weeks. No joke. There's is not a convience factor at all. I cook/prep his breakfast and lunch for the following day every night. His containers have a special place  on the shelf. And I make my breakfast and lunch fresh everyday (because  I don't like cold eggs). And then there's making sauces- homemade mayo. homemade dressings. homemade kethcup.

To go along with all the cooking, there is a buttload of clean up! (That's where the kiddos come in)

You TALK ABOUT FOOD ALL THE TIME.You have to talk it over with you partner to see if they like the food that you're having,

You will READ MORE LABELS in your life that you ever have! The disappointment in both of our eyes when we see something that will taste devine but inevitably has sugar or cane sugar in it!

We had SEVERAL days in the first week where we were pretty grouchy. And there were a few headaches, but it all passed pretty quickly.

Those are some of the things that have been a little aggravating. BUT there have been so many NON SCALE VICTORIES. My skin feels and looks great. I have a boatload of energy. My clothes are way too big and that means I get to do a little shopping before we leave for the beach! Neighbors and friends who don't know we are doing the Whole30 are noticing and commenting on the changes. And we are changing the way we think about food! (I think that is going to be key).

And it's important to note that we have also upped our movement during this time. I am walking a few more miles everyday and I added resistance bands and yoga (courtesy of Youtube and Amazon Prime Video) .

It is our plan already to incorporate this new way of eating into our everyday when the 30 days are over. We just have too- plus I think I would miss all the fruit!

My plan is to get back on here at the end....I have a pic in a dress that I bought for a trip we took in the beginning of the month- I can't wait to try it on at the end! Maybe I'll even post a pic!

Have a great Holiday Weekend!

Shopping with Squirrels

Everyone loves a little giggle now and then and that is exactly what I am thinking with each cozy that I create. I like to think that every time someone takes one out to use it, they are not only using them for their purpose, but they also getting a little chuckle out of it.  And I get especially giddy when I think of the conversations they start! 😊

The profile link in my Instagram has all the information that you would need to get some coffee love on it's way to your mailbox. The problem is, they are all different links. And if you aren't exactly sure how you are wanting to purchase, it could get confusing. Until now!

Click to go to the Shop

You can always head directly to my shop. Every cozy that is currently available is listed in the shop.HERE

Each cozy has it's own listing. Be sure to read the descriptions because sometimes you can SAVE when you buy more than one. If this is the case, it will be noted at the top of the listing and there will be a separate listing for the bundle.

When you purchase from the shop, the cozies are between $10-$12 (depending on which one you order). Shipping is an additional $3.

Click to Read More !

A Calendar of Cozies

Yep! The whole Calendar! We're talking turkeys, snowmen, rainbows, hearts, and so much more! This option has one themed cozy AUTOMATICALLY coming to your mailbox EVERY month for an ENTIRE YEAR! Yep! That's 12 cozies! AND you even get a surprise during your birthday month! 😉 This is done just like any subscription service! You sign up using the secure PayPal link and will be automatically billed $12 a month for 12 months. And the SHIPPING is INCLUDED!

Click to read more about Seasons!

This is the NEWEST way to have some coffee love each month! I've listened to feedback and now I offer SEASONS. The SEASONS are smaller 3 month subscriptions. The months that are in that season are listed. The main difference between a Season and a Whole Calendar is the Seasons have start and end dates for signing up for them- the Whole Calendars are available all the time. A Season can be paid for two ways: 1) through a secure PayPal link that automatically bills $13 a month for 3 months or 2) save $3 and do a one time payment of $36 through a PayPal link. Again- SHIPPING is INCLUDED!

Pretty easy, right? The best way to get all the info is to sign up for the newletter. I swear I'm not spammy. Just a couple emails a month to let you know which ones are coming or going. I also send out coupon codes to newsletter subscribers FIRST ! And sometimes are there are FREE items - and there are also giveaways from the shop that subscribers are already entered into automatically- just for being a subscriber!!! 

As always, if you have any questions at all..... you can DM, IM, use the convo on ETSY- or drop it here! 

Hope you have fun shopping!

See you at the mailbox 📪

💗 Squirrels

A Change of Plans

This post is a hard one. I haven't published one since May 31, 2016.A whole year. Even though I sat down to write one August 26, 2016. I started it, and then clicked "save" instead of "publish". I just couldn't do it. I couldn't finish it. I have been gearing myself up for sometime to complete it.

And then I thought, "Well, I'll just write a different post to keep my blog active." But I couldn't do that either. Everytime I logged in, the draft was there and I felt like if I just skipped over it to write something else that I was leaving something undone. Not really for the readers, but for myself. And there was no way that I could delete it.

Below is the draft. Untouched and unedited from August 26th. I don't know what I am going to add. I don't know what else to say. But I know that today I am ready to say it.

CHANGE OF PLANS Aug 26, 2016
This summer was going to be a very productive one.

I had a list a mile long of all the things we were going to declutter. And right after the end of school, the boys and I got started.

I started in our bedroom and got our closet cleaned out. It was pretty awful.

The next thing on the list was to get that garage cleaned out. There hasn't been a car parked in there in 5 or 6 years. It seemed like anything anyone ever didn't want was getting stacked in there with the claim that "one day it was going to go to the dump or to Goodwill". Well, it didn't.

The boys and I were making great progress on the garage. We actually took NINE trips to our local transfer station. There were some larger pieces of furniture, old decorations, and boxes of stuff that had not been opened since we moved here in 2003.

It was all going to go. The goal was to get the garage finished, take our yearly beach vacation, and then when we returned we were going to attack the attic. That was going to mean a lot more trips to the transfer station, but it was going to get done!

At least that is what we thought. Except we had a change of plans.

Instead of gutting out the top floor of the house, I was walking to my father's garden and taking pictures of it to bring back inside to show him. I had to show him the picures of the blooms on the cucumber plants and tiny cabbages that were growing out there because he couldn't go outside. The garden that he had labored over in the same spot for almost 30 years could now only be seen from the kitchen window. Maybe. If he was able to get up and walk in there.

Instead of sitting on the floor with the kids and going through old albums and yearbooks and toys that everyone thought they needed to save up there, I was sitting in his living room with my sister watching 3-hour westerns. The ones he had seen a million times before, but because he wanted to watch them again, we did.

Instead of waking up early to beat the heat up there, I was waking up on his couch. We asked the Hospice home health care people to put his hospital bed in the dining room. That way he could see out of his favorite window all day long if he wanted. The couch was only a few feet away and from there and I could hear him when he needed me.

And instead of making plans to lighten our load of all the things we had at one time declared a necessity, I was sitting in the funeral home helping my mother choose the urn that his ashes would be placed in before they were interred in the Veteran's Cemetery wall.

Six weeks. Just six very short weeks.

He was already sick when we left for the beach. We had mulled it over and over, trying to decide if we should still go. My sister had the same dilemma the week before. She had an out of town trip and had contemplated staying home because he was in the hospital at that time. I told her to go- I would be here to take care of him. And when it was my turn for our trip, she would be here. It was all planned out.

He was out of the hospital when we left for the beach but about half way through our trip my sister called. She didn't want to, but had figured that she would have wanted to know the latest news. He had to go back in and the pulmonary specialist had deteremined that it was not just pnemonia or COPD like they had thought, but instead it was pulmonary fibrosis. And there is no cure. And it's worse than they thought. And medicine is just going to "keep him comfortable". And we need to have the "family talk".

Devestated. I was 1,000 miles away from him and there was nothing I could do.

By the time we got back home I was down to just 3 weeks. Three even shorter weeks.

We started cooking whatever it was that he wanted to eat. His medicines had taken away most of his appetite and even more of his taste buds. He said everything had that same bland flavor. However, ice cream, puddings, and pies seemed to all still taste amazing. So if that was what he wanted, that was what I was going to make. Meatloaf and Salisbury Steak sounded good, too- so they immediately went on our family's menu so that we could take some to him. 

He was in and out of the hospital for the next two weeks. I was so thankful to be off for the summer and to be able to be there for him when he needed something. I was trying to plan out in my head how I was going to balance that when school started back. How was I going to be able to be at work all day and take care of the kids, the house, and help my mom and sister care for him? But his need for more oxygen was increasing. His ability to be mobile was decreasing. He was so thin and tired. And scared and angry. He just couldn't believe that he was THAT sick THAT fast. He was worried that he wouldn't make it to his birthday. He started talking about his advance directive. He said he didn't want to stay on machines. When I went to visit him the day before he got released from the hospital, he showed me his "new bracelet". It said DNR.

One week. There was no way to know that I only had one week. 

The call was made and hospice started. They brought him a hospital bed and walkers and larger oxygen concentrators. She said there wasn't any need for him to take all those medications that were making his stomach hurt and his food taste bad anymore. She gave us a folder full of booklets and pamphlets to read about what to expect. To be prepared. Nothing could have prepared us. 

I stayed every night after he went into the hospital bed. I bought a huge bag of yarn, thinking I could make him a special blanket while we watched tv together. I started a new series on Netflix, thinking I could get through it while he was sleeping. I never finished either. 

The evening of July 15th he had an "episode", which caused lots of coughing and required him to have more oxygen. More than the two concentrators could give. The hospice nurse came to evaluate him. She was concerned and was very candid when we walked her out. She said she wasn't always comfortable with giving time frames but she was pretty sure that we were looking at just a couple of weeks left with him. 

The next morning, the morning of his 69th birthday, he was gone.



And that is where I stopped. I have come back to that sentence over and over for the last nine months and I just could not think of what to say after that. What do you say? And why? I thought again and again, "what is my motivation for finishing this blog post"?
I still haven't  completely figured that out. I just know that writing about it felt right at the time, and there is something theraputic about coming back to complete it.

These next couple of months are going to be hard ones. They are going to be full of sentences that start " it's been a year since..." and all those sentences are going to end with something sad. I am dreading all of those sentences, whether they are spoken or just stay with me as thoughts.

There isn't a day, or a half a day for that matter, that I am not thinking about him. It could be his picture, a song he liked, a saying he was famous for, a joke that he would think is hilarious, or a moment that he's missing because he isn't here, whatever it is, it takes me a second to regroup my thoughts.

I am grateful that I have this outlet for myself to share my thoughts. I am thankful for the family and friends who will read them and know that this was something that I needed to finish.