It's October, and means it's finally beginning!
Let's get going with our 31 Days Topic.
Today I thought I'd kick off 31 Days of Frugal Paleo by explaining what I mean by "frugal paleo."
What is it?
Like Paleo, you still stick to the basics.
Today I thought I'd kick off 31 Days of Frugal Paleo by explaining what I mean by "frugal paleo."
What is it?
Like Paleo, you still stick to the basics.
Before we get to this weeks menu be sure and check out my two most recent posts for 5 Minutes for Mom: Using Pinterest to Meal Plan, and 5 Easy Food Swaps to Help You Get Healthier.
[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
Read More
: Using Pinterest to Meal Plan, and 5 Easy Food Swaps to Help You Get Healthier.
[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.
With October starting tomorrow, which also means 31 Days begins tomorrow, MPM will take short form for 4 weeks as I share my Frugal Paleo meal ideas for the entire month. Still link-up with us, I'll just post the day's recipe instead of the whole week on Monday.
Monday - Mom's Chili & Jiffy Corn Muffins
I posted this last year as part of 31 Days, so before Paleo kicks in for every week night meal I'm celebrating fall with a family favorite. Hopefully I'll remember to photograph it so I can update that post.
Stay tuned for tomorrow when I kick off Frugal Paleo and explain what I mean by that exactly!
Don't forget to share your menu for this week!
A few of the verses we studied in our women's bible study this week really got me thinking.
Or maybe I should say, caused me to reflect a bit more.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11
I immediately thought, well self-controlled isn't something I'm good at during the school year. My patience runs thin, and I can only take so much before fully speaking my mind. It's something I have to pray about all the time.
As if that wasn't enough for me.. show hospitality.
I'm a recluse by nature.
I like to be alone and am quick to go home after an event and not hang out with people. Jeremy has been really good about getting me out of that and dragging my out the door.
I end up having fun, but I just long for the darkness and quiet of my bed.
It's funny that it's this way actually and not the other, Jeremy is much more reserved than I am, I tend to speak out more. When we are out I'm social, while he sits quietly for the most part. To look at us you would think I had no problem with hospitality.
Truly it looks like I don't, but I really do.
It's not a matter of actions for me, it's my thought pattern. I mentally grumble.
On Friday's I do everything thing I can to prevent seeing people or participating in any activity. Jeremy always drags me out, and I spend the whole time trying to make sure we don't stay out too late, I need my sleep.
I always end up going along, and having fun, but the mental part of that is that I have grumbling thoughts about be hospitably to others, spending time with people, or doing anything for that matter that cuts into "my time"
It could be a problem, but I really think God set me up with a man who had a totally opposite personality as a means to break me of a few habits I could afford to lose.
My need to be a hermit being one of them.
Like the verses at the beginning of this post say, we've all received a gift.
What is your gift though?
I actually do get a lot of joy out of serving others, even if it is just helping an older man at Wal-Mart find tin foil. I walk away with a feeling that I helped someone, and it's a joy no one can take away.
Where I get joy out of helping others, and even having people over and cooking for them and just hanging out, my selfish tendencies can ruin that and allow me to think that I deserve alone time.
I put myself first.
Putting myself first does nothing for my joy. I leave the comfort of my bed with the same to-do list I had before, and the same mood I walked in with.
However, when I'm actually serving God, at church or just being helpful to someone else, I walk away with the same to-do list I had before... but with a sense of peace and joy I could not have gained wallowing in my "me time."
So the next Friday night, or any night for that matter, that I want to be alone and "do nothing" I need to think back to these verses and remember what my purpose is.
To serve and show Christ to others the best I can.
What are some of the selfish tendencies you struggle with?
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Or maybe I should say, caused me to reflect a bit more.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11
I immediately thought, well self-controlled isn't something I'm good at during the school year. My patience runs thin, and I can only take so much before fully speaking my mind. It's something I have to pray about all the time.
As if that wasn't enough for me.. show hospitality.
I'm a recluse by nature.
I like to be alone and am quick to go home after an event and not hang out with people. Jeremy has been really good about getting me out of that and dragging my out the door.
I end up having fun, but I just long for the darkness and quiet of my bed.
It's funny that it's this way actually and not the other, Jeremy is much more reserved than I am, I tend to speak out more. When we are out I'm social, while he sits quietly for the most part. To look at us you would think I had no problem with hospitality.
Truly it looks like I don't, but I really do.
It's not a matter of actions for me, it's my thought pattern. I mentally grumble.
On Friday's I do everything thing I can to prevent seeing people or participating in any activity. Jeremy always drags me out, and I spend the whole time trying to make sure we don't stay out too late, I need my sleep.
I always end up going along, and having fun, but the mental part of that is that I have grumbling thoughts about be hospitably to others, spending time with people, or doing anything for that matter that cuts into "my time"
It could be a problem, but I really think God set me up with a man who had a totally opposite personality as a means to break me of a few habits I could afford to lose.
My need to be a hermit being one of them.
Like the verses at the beginning of this post say, we've all received a gift.
What is your gift though?
I actually do get a lot of joy out of serving others, even if it is just helping an older man at Wal-Mart find tin foil. I walk away with a feeling that I helped someone, and it's a joy no one can take away.
Where I get joy out of helping others, and even having people over and cooking for them and just hanging out, my selfish tendencies can ruin that and allow me to think that I deserve alone time.
I put myself first.
Putting myself first does nothing for my joy. I leave the comfort of my bed with the same to-do list I had before, and the same mood I walked in with.
However, when I'm actually serving God, at church or just being helpful to someone else, I walk away with the same to-do list I had before... but with a sense of peace and joy I could not have gained wallowing in my "me time."
So the next Friday night, or any night for that matter, that I want to be alone and "do nothing" I need to think back to these verses and remember what my purpose is.
To serve and show Christ to others the best I can.
What are some of the selfish tendencies you struggle with?
Today is Sugarcane Festival... which is also staff development.
Normally I wouldn't care all that much.
But we get to wear comfy clothes.
You can bet I'm going no makeup with yoga pants on.
Now before I roll up to work dressed like a SAHM with a house full of babies in diapers that cry all night, let's recap the week.
1. If you haven't tried the Seattle's Best Frozen Coffee you definitely should. I hunted it down for a month after winning a coupon from A Dollop of My Life's blog, but it was so yummy. It would have been better had I had milk on hand, but the only thing in the cabinets was a can of evaporated milk... so I went with it. Jeremy was slightly confused by the milk situation.
2. Ellie is cracking me up in her old (ish) age. Granted 7 isn't old for a weenie dog, she has just decided to assert herself a bit more. She constantly is trying to hide from Rudy, my bathroom or the guest bedroom doggie bed are her favorite hiding spots. Yesterday morning I had to break the two of them up, Ellie had her fill of Rudy's antics and sounded like she was literally going to rip him open. Explain to me why they do this in the dog box every single time!
3. Some mornings I just can't get it together. I should rephrase that. Every morning this week I could not get it together. Yesterday was no different, but I did everything I could to lose my breakfast. It started when I sat my cup on the roof of my car and started to drive off, then I spilled it on my coffee cup, only to finalize the deal by sticking my lunch bag handle in it. I'm just good like that. Just so we're clear, it didn't go to waste, I licked it off the coffee mug.
4. I had an unexpected break at work. It couldn't have come at a better time this week, I had hit a wall. The type where you would have zero remorse for quitting. But nope, my week ended well. God new I needed it, had he not already known I made it clear that morning that I was at my wits end and could not live in that mood. Praise him for releasing me from that horrible attitude I was trapped in all week. I literally walked around school smiling like a fool and had no clue why. I was just happy.
Prayer works people.
5. I ventured into the art of pressure cooking this week. Jeremy's step mother gave me her's last year when we visited and I finally got the nerve up to break it out. I'm proud to say I survived it and the food turned out pretty good, if I might say so myself. If can be done, you can in fact pressure cook and not kill yourself.
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Normally I wouldn't care all that much.
But we get to wear comfy clothes.
You can bet I'm going no makeup with yoga pants on.
Now before I roll up to work dressed like a SAHM with a house full of babies in diapers that cry all night, let's recap the week.
1. If you haven't tried the Seattle's Best Frozen Coffee you definitely should. I hunted it down for a month after winning a coupon from A Dollop of My Life's blog, but it was so yummy. It would have been better had I had milk on hand, but the only thing in the cabinets was a can of evaporated milk... so I went with it. Jeremy was slightly confused by the milk situation.
2. Ellie is cracking me up in her old (ish) age. Granted 7 isn't old for a weenie dog, she has just decided to assert herself a bit more. She constantly is trying to hide from Rudy, my bathroom or the guest bedroom doggie bed are her favorite hiding spots. Yesterday morning I had to break the two of them up, Ellie had her fill of Rudy's antics and sounded like she was literally going to rip him open. Explain to me why they do this in the dog box every single time!
3. Some mornings I just can't get it together. I should rephrase that. Every morning this week I could not get it together. Yesterday was no different, but I did everything I could to lose my breakfast. It started when I sat my cup on the roof of my car and started to drive off, then I spilled it on my coffee cup, only to finalize the deal by sticking my lunch bag handle in it. I'm just good like that. Just so we're clear, it didn't go to waste, I licked it off the coffee mug.
4. I had an unexpected break at work. It couldn't have come at a better time this week, I had hit a wall. The type where you would have zero remorse for quitting. But nope, my week ended well. God new I needed it, had he not already known I made it clear that morning that I was at my wits end and could not live in that mood. Praise him for releasing me from that horrible attitude I was trapped in all week. I literally walked around school smiling like a fool and had no clue why. I was just happy.
Prayer works people.
5. I ventured into the art of pressure cooking this week. Jeremy's step mother gave me her's last year when we visited and I finally got the nerve up to break it out. I'm proud to say I survived it and the food turned out pretty good, if I might say so myself. If can be done, you can in fact pressure cook and not kill yourself.
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October starts Tuesday and that means a new 31 Days series is on the verge of debuting.
I healthied them up, and cooked cheap all month.
This year I'm going a step farther.
I'm doing paleo... but the furgal way.
Here's the banner I made up for the occassion, I'd love for you to check in with us everyday that month and cook along!
I love beauty products.
While I am by no means the girl who can spend $50 on an eyeshadow palette, I still love a great product.
Just at a lesser price.
Today I'm sharing 5 of my current loves that I use every single day!
1. e.l.f. Makeup Brushes - For the longest time I seriously thought I only needed a plain Jane makeup brush, well recently I splurged (a whole $1) and bought a few from e.l.f.. Let me tell you, it's worth it. I don't like spending $7 on multiple brushes, but a dollar I can handle. I happened upon mine at Target.
2. Maybelline AgeRewind Primer - I've had this little diddy sitting in my makeup bag for ages, completely unsure what to do with it. I watched videos, but just didn't get the results I thought I would get. Well, for the past few months I've been using a little pea sized dollop of it on my eyes before I even apply my beloved B.B. Cream. It helps my eye makeup stay all day... and the best part is when I go to remove my makeup at night it comes off much easier. Serious, in the past my eye makeup basically stained my eyelids, not anymore.
3. e.l.f. Zit Zapper - I've used Clinique and Proactive forever, but this is my new favorite (it was either $2 or $3 at Target). It's carries easy, and fits great in my purse! The best part though, I had one of those awful oily breakouts on the crease around my mouth this week, I put some of this on twice during the day and when I got home from work the breakout was no longer swollen and gross. It was a little red, but all the swelling you get with those awful hormonal oily breakout had vanished.
4. NYX Love in Florence - Meet My Romeo - While I won't spend the money on a Naked palette, NYX is definitely catching onto the Urban Decay trend with the Meet My Romeo eyeshadow. I've mainly been using the top 3, the others are too dark for work and church, but they seriously stay on and have great color. NYX has seriously impressed me.
5. Grape-seed Oil - Now for my favorite! I saw someone using this on a blog a few months back and had to go for it. I picked mine up at Whole Foods, in the baking/oil section. Nope, this isn't sold as a beauty product. It's salad oil. However, it had a ton of vitamin E, and take off my makeup better than anything else. I've also used it as salad oil and I must say, it's the best makeup remover/salad oil I've ever eaten. Why do I love this more? Well, when I was 21 my Nanny told me to start using Cold Cream to take off my makeup and wash my face at night, only problem was that (years later I realized this) the mineral oil was causing my skin to break out. Grape-seed oil though, only soothes my skin, removes my makeup, and leaves me salad dressing fresh. (I kid!)
What are some of your favorite beauty products right now?
Happy Hump Day!
To celerate link up your Instagram videos from the past week! It's super easy, either blog your videos and embed the codes or simply link up your actual account. You don't have to be a blogger to participate:)
Rudy strikes again!
This time he wanted Jeremy to throw him.
If you slow-mo it, it's even funnier!
Did you do anything IG video worththy this week?
Link up and share it with us.
Here are the rules ::
-link up a blog post or your IG account
-follow a few new Instagram-ers
-like their videos
-have fun!
Now it's your turn!
I'm always looking for snacks I don't have to feel guilty about.
I mainly love cakes, cookies, and chocolate.
Oh and ice cream, we can't forget ice cream
I got inspiration for this from a paleo brownie recipe using pumpkin, plus I currently have 3 cans of pumpkin in the pantry in celebration of the beginning of fall this week.
What better way to get the comfort of eating cake without the flour, seriously my discover that pumpkin could sub for stuff in cake mix last year was revolutioary.
Remember the Pumpkin Better Than Cake from last year?
Well, these brownies are just as yummy without all that unhealthy stuff.
I did have to add a few chocolate chips to this for good measure, I can't call something a brownie without chocolate in some form. Granted it wasn't as much chocolate as Jeremy would prefer in a brownie, but it gave me my pumpkin fix with a great peanut butter taste.
Oh, I realize either I'm just self concious of my coffee, or you're already wondering why it's so white. I like my creamer, which happens to be Pumpkin Spice at the moment.
Which was perfect with the brownies, by the way.
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Brownies
serves 16
adapted from The Delighted Momma
Ingredients:
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie mix)
1 cup natural creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup raw honey (or you could use Spelnda to cut the calories)
1/4 cup chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat overn to 350. Spray a 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray (I used glass). Mix all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips in a bowl and spead evenly into the baking dish. Sprinkle on the chocolate chips. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check with a toothpick, when it comes out clean they're done!
What's your favorite fall dessert?
Before we get to this weeks menu be sure and check out my two most recent posts for 5 Minutes for Mom: Using Pinterest to Meal Plan, and 5 Easy Food Swaps to Help You Get Healthier.
[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
Read More
: Using Pinterest to Meal Plan, and 5 Easy Food Swaps to Help You Get Healthier.[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.
Monday - Pork Chops with Braised Cabbage
Tuesday - Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken and Sausage
Wednesday - Dinner at Church
Thursday - Pressure Cooker Pork with Onions, Tomatoes, Green Chilies, and Cauliflower (I'm using beef) with Cauliflower Biscuits
Friday - Date Night/Flourless Pumpkin Brownies
Saturday - PW's BBQ Chicken Pizza
Sunday - Eating Out/Leftovers for Dinner
Breakfast - Green Monster Smoothie (without yogurt)
Lunch - Salad with Pearl St. Dressing and Hard Boiled Eggs
For the pups - Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Be sure to follow Louisiana Bride on Pinterest for many more dinner ideas!
Now it's your turn! Link-up and share your weekly menu with us::
I hate being that person that can't wait for the weekend, but there is seriously nothing nicer than the leasiure of Saturday.
Sleeping in.
No real agenda.
I can drink coffee out of a cup and not a mug.
Heaven.
1. Last Friday night I went with some girlfriends to La Madeline for the first time. Being served a latte, that I didn't make, out of a real coffee cup was enough to make me want to set up shop at a table. It's funny to think I use to hate coffee, but after marrying Jeremy I can't get enough of it.
2. We tried out a new (new to us) restaurant in Lafayette Saturday, Johnson's Boucanerie. It was the most amazing Cajun take on BBQ. I normally judge a place on 3 go to BBQ joint items, pulled pork, potato salad, and baked beans. I went with my normal sides, but strayed for my first time and got the chicken. It was heavenly, and served on a heaping mound of jambayla. I seriously ate until I felt like I was going to burst.
3. My blog business cards came in. I think I blogged about it Tuesday. I'm so geeked out over the Type-A NOLA conference you wouldn't beleive it. I don't think I'm a legit enough blogger for Type-A, but what the heck, gotta start sometime. Especially since Blissdom shut it doors, and that is where I was planning to go.
4. I know a lot of teachers buy new clothes all the time and rarely re-wear from year to year. I just can't do that though. The cheap side of me holds onto things for as long as I love them. This top for instance, I got it at Target ages ago but just love it so much. I layers so well, and makes my fall loving self so happy.
5. Hello hormones! Nothing says "Emily is losing her marbles," quite like a spoonfull of Biscoff with chocolate chips. Then again nothing hits the spot like Biscoff.
Speaking of which, I need to get some more actual cookies.
Have you dipped their cookies in coffee? It's utterly amazing.
Read More
Sleeping in.
No real agenda.
I can drink coffee out of a cup and not a mug.
Heaven.
1. Last Friday night I went with some girlfriends to La Madeline for the first time. Being served a latte, that I didn't make, out of a real coffee cup was enough to make me want to set up shop at a table. It's funny to think I use to hate coffee, but after marrying Jeremy I can't get enough of it.
2. We tried out a new (new to us) restaurant in Lafayette Saturday, Johnson's Boucanerie. It was the most amazing Cajun take on BBQ. I normally judge a place on 3 go to BBQ joint items, pulled pork, potato salad, and baked beans. I went with my normal sides, but strayed for my first time and got the chicken. It was heavenly, and served on a heaping mound of jambayla. I seriously ate until I felt like I was going to burst.
3. My blog business cards came in. I think I blogged about it Tuesday. I'm so geeked out over the Type-A NOLA conference you wouldn't beleive it. I don't think I'm a legit enough blogger for Type-A, but what the heck, gotta start sometime. Especially since Blissdom shut it doors, and that is where I was planning to go.
4. I know a lot of teachers buy new clothes all the time and rarely re-wear from year to year. I just can't do that though. The cheap side of me holds onto things for as long as I love them. This top for instance, I got it at Target ages ago but just love it so much. I layers so well, and makes my fall loving self so happy.
5. Hello hormones! Nothing says "Emily is losing her marbles," quite like a spoonfull of Biscoff with chocolate chips. Then again nothing hits the spot like Biscoff.
Speaking of which, I need to get some more actual cookies.
Have you dipped their cookies in coffee? It's utterly amazing.
Happy Hump Day!
To celerate link up your Instagram videos from the past week! It's super easy, either blog your videos and embed the codes or simply link up your actual account. You don't have to be a blogger to participate:)
Another week of weird things Rudy does.
This week, if I sit in the floor he insists he is hand fed. I blame this on the fact that my sister got me this pup as a birthday gift and needless to say any dog she lays hands on has odd quirks.
Ellie is all me, and totally bossy.
However, Laura's dogs are all slightly wacky.
Speaking of pups in our family. If you get a chance, say a prayer for my sister Laura. Her dog Annie (a spaniel mix) was running Sunday and had a disk rupture. It's apparently common for that breed, but she is now paralyzed on her back-end. Annie hasn't eaten since Sunday and the only way she can go to the bathroom is if Laura takes her outside and holds her up. The vet gave her a few shots and what-not, and sait it could heal itself, but after going back yesterday it is about Stage 4 and it's likely to fix itself.
Little Orphan Annie (I named her that because she had red curly hair and was a rescue) is a super sweet dog and has been my sister's companion for 7 years. The poor girl has gotten to a point where she is crying at night wanting Laura, because of the pain, and Laura has some tough decisions ahead of her. Plus her son adores that dog. If you get a chance to pray for comfort for her and Annie, she'd probably really appreciate it.
Did you do anything IG video worththy this week?
Link up and share it with us.
Here are the rules ::
-link up a blog post or your IG account
-follow a few new Instagram-ers
-like their videos
-have fun!
-follow a few new Instagram-ers
-like their videos
-have fun!
Now it's your turn!
I didn't have time to photograph my recipe for this week, so it'll have to come at another time. Instead today I thought I'd talk about a few thing.
Seeing as how I never do that anymore.
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I've threatened for about 6-8 months now to get blog business cards.
After working with Susan from 5 Minutes For Mom all summer I decided I had to bite the bullet, especially after signing up for the Type-A NOLA Conference.
Plus it didn't hurt that a two weeks ago at a food truck thing I met a cooking store owner and it would have been beneficial to have a card then when he gave me his.
Cheesy, yes. But necessary.
I had initially created my own so it matched my blog design, but when printing wasn't going as planned I hoped over to Tiny Prints and created one in a template I've been eyeing for a long time.
Can I be totally honestly with y'all?
I really wanted to use my Paleo Macaroons recipe, because I love it so much. However, the photo just wasn't colorful enough and didn't show up well. So I went with my Caramel Marshmallow Frosting recipe.
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Passionfruit was yet another reason I had to change my card design.
I had designed my business card when Passionfruit was still free and set up a code for anyone with the business to advertise for free on Louisiana Bride for one month.
Needless to say, their recent "let's make more money off the bloggers" caused me to have to give them up. I hated to, simply becasue it was a great way to share other blogs with you and allow them to advertise, for free of course.
I just couldn't stomach paying for something I was using as an easy way to allow other bloggers to advertise for free here.
Seriously, I either had to take the hit, or make bloggers take the hit.
I want to always be that person who is more than happy to help out a newer blogger, I'm not one to scam them. If ever I do become "that" blogger please someone remind me of this.
What do y'all this of the Passionfruit changes? Are you still using it?
I know a lot of bloggers used them to make advertising easier so I'm curious as to what everyone thought.
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Seeing as how I never do that anymore.
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I wanted to wait until closer to October, but I can't contain myself!
I decided the theme for 31 Days in October for Louisiana Bride this year would be...
31 Day of Frugal Paleo.
I've been trying to move that direction and cut out a lot of processed foods for quite some time, and considering how well my body responded to a Whole 30 I thought it would be a fun series to do.
Honestly, when I eat really clean I feel a whole lot better, plus all my digestive problems tend to resolve themselves.
Jeremy is even on board! Which never happens with such things.
I've slowly started taking us to a all Paleo dinner plan, and I think for the most part this week's is.
Point being, 31 Days of Frugal Meals did so well last year that I thought "Why not try to do frugal Paleo?" We all know how expensive Paleo can get, so I'm taking it down a knotch and eating Paleo on a budget.
So, we'll see how I do.
Before we get to this weeks menu be sure and check out my two most recent posts for 5 Minutes for Mom: Using Pinterest to Meal Plan, and 5 Easy Food Swaps to Help You Get Healthier.
[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
Monday - Samosa
Tuesday - Paleo Waffles with Balsamic Goat Cheese and BBQ Chicken
(recipe to come)
Wednesday - dinner at church (jambalaya & white beans)
Thursday - Grilled Chicken with Butternut Squash & Sauted Cabbage
Friday - Date Night
Saturday - Creamy Pesto "Pasta" with Spring Veggies & Grilled Chicken
Sunday - Eating Out
Breakfast - Banana Nut Porridge
Lunch - Salad with Grilled Chicken
Be sure to follow Louisiana Bride on Pinterest for more meal planning ideas!
Now it's your turn! Link up & share what you're cooking this week::
Read More
: Using Pinterest to Meal Plan, and 5 Easy Food Swaps to Help You Get Healthier.[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.
Monday - Samosa
Tuesday - Paleo Waffles with Balsamic Goat Cheese and BBQ Chicken
(recipe to come)
Wednesday - dinner at church (jambalaya & white beans)
Thursday - Grilled Chicken with Butternut Squash & Sauted Cabbage
Friday - Date Night
Saturday - Creamy Pesto "Pasta" with Spring Veggies & Grilled Chicken
Sunday - Eating Out
Breakfast - Banana Nut Porridge
Lunch - Salad with Grilled Chicken
Be sure to follow Louisiana Bride on Pinterest for more meal planning ideas!
Now it's your turn! Link up & share what you're cooking this week::
... in teacher land.
Trust me teachers love two, wait 3 things. 1) Jean day 2) free coffee 3) actual planning periods
Now let's discuss the highlights from this week.
1. This isn't exactly a highlight. Lord have mercy, it rains a lot in South Louisiana during Hurricane season. This is season 3 and I don't think I'll ever accept the fact that I have to bathe muddy dogs this much.
2. Tuesday was quite the Murphy's Law day. I was rushing like crazy, I didn't sleep well the night before. Jeremy and I used different refillable Keurig filters, for his you have to remove the insert. Well I forgot to put it back in... and my Kcup blew up all over creation. Just one big coffee mug full of grounds. So I went to Starbucks to get a Pumpkin Spice Latte. It didn't end there though, I went to the gym that evening and had a spaz attack and knocked the head phones out of my ears on the elliptical, subsequently knocking my phone into oblivion. Y'all, just imagine me crawling around on the floor unable to find my phone while a group of juiced up Jersey Shore looking boys watched without asking to help. I had knocked it so far under a machine the manager had to come help me. Chawed is the theme of Tuesday in case you were wondering.
3. After a busy Monday, Rudy needed some serious cuddle time. This from a dog who never sits still, and rarely cuddles. What's he doing at the moment? Not cuddling... instad he is tormenting my 7 year old dachshund.
4. Coola tinted sunscreen is so nice, I'll talk more about it in my Birchbox review for this month. Yes! I finally got my beloved Birchbox subscription back. PTL there is light at the end of the graduate school tunnel! That nail color is by Ruffian by the way. It's so shiney purple I'm afraid if I get to close to a body of water that fish will attack me.
5. After the week I had the only thing to make it better was an ice cream float with Praline Cream Soda Swamp Pop. It tasted like heaven and made me forget what I had my Master's degree in. Sometime I need to forget that and pretend I did what I like and went into PR. Oh Emily, hindsight is 20/20.
Read More
Trust me teachers love two, wait 3 things. 1) Jean day 2) free coffee 3) actual planning periods
Now let's discuss the highlights from this week.
2. Tuesday was quite the Murphy's Law day. I was rushing like crazy, I didn't sleep well the night before. Jeremy and I used different refillable Keurig filters, for his you have to remove the insert. Well I forgot to put it back in... and my Kcup blew up all over creation. Just one big coffee mug full of grounds. So I went to Starbucks to get a Pumpkin Spice Latte. It didn't end there though, I went to the gym that evening and had a spaz attack and knocked the head phones out of my ears on the elliptical, subsequently knocking my phone into oblivion. Y'all, just imagine me crawling around on the floor unable to find my phone while a group of juiced up Jersey Shore looking boys watched without asking to help. I had knocked it so far under a machine the manager had to come help me. Chawed is the theme of Tuesday in case you were wondering.
3. After a busy Monday, Rudy needed some serious cuddle time. This from a dog who never sits still, and rarely cuddles. What's he doing at the moment? Not cuddling... instad he is tormenting my 7 year old dachshund.
4. Coola tinted sunscreen is so nice, I'll talk more about it in my Birchbox review for this month. Yes! I finally got my beloved Birchbox subscription back. PTL there is light at the end of the graduate school tunnel! That nail color is by Ruffian by the way. It's so shiney purple I'm afraid if I get to close to a body of water that fish will attack me.
5. After the week I had the only thing to make it better was an ice cream float with Praline Cream Soda Swamp Pop. It tasted like heaven and made me forget what I had my Master's degree in. Sometime I need to forget that and pretend I did what I like and went into PR. Oh Emily, hindsight is 20/20.
It's high time for another VoxBox, and Influenster delivered this month with The Good Life VoxBox!
Health and fitness is something we love, it's a constant give and take to find balance. All in all though, it's definitely a way of life worth pursuing.
read more...
Read More
Health and fitness is something we love, it's a constant give and take to find balance. All in all though, it's definitely a way of life worth pursuing.
read more...
Happy Hump Day!
To celerate link up your Instagram videos from the past week! It's super easy, either blog your videos and embed the codes or simply link up your actual account. You don't have to be a blogger to participate:)
While I'm writing this post the crazy puppy in the video is right next to me nesting the the blanker on the couch. It probably doesn't help that it's down, he's just that much more obsessed with comfort!
Oh this little dog. I swear if he doesn't get his loving he gets crazy. Monday was a busy day and when I got home from work Tuesday he just wanted to lay in my lap, and Rudy never lays anywhere, he is all energy.
Honestly, this pup and his love of "outside," Tuesday afternoon after walking he ran straight to the backyard and laid in the nastiest puddle you could imagine. Then in true Rudy fashion he sat on a lawn chair and barked at things.
There was literally a muddy trail from the puddle to the lawn chair. I wish I know what I'd see ahead of time so I could video him acting crazy.
Did you do anything IG video worththy this week?
Link up and share it with us.
Link up and share it with us.
Here are the rules ::
-link up a blog post or your IG account
-follow a few new Instagram-ers
-like their videos
-have fun!
-follow a few new Instagram-ers
-like their videos
-have fun!
Now it's your turn!
I've tried for the past several months to cut out all the grains in our diet, at least with cooking our weeknight meals.
Since we live in Louisiana and grocery stores that readily sell such luxury items, like coconut an almond flour, aren't available I've taken up making my own.
After a few trial runs I finally found a method I really enjoy, and a by product of it is almond milk.... so it's win-win.
My love of non-dairy milk started in college, I've always been lactose intolerant, and the emergence of soy milk in the early 2000's was glorious. Then, after we were married I started seeing almond milk at the store.
It tasted even better, and I could actually find it unsweetened.
I actually love cooking with unsweetened almond milk for savory dishes and only use the vanilla unsweetened for sweet things.
It only took making corn muffins once with vanilla almond milk that I vowed to never do it again.
While almond milk is easy to buy here, almond flour just isn't.
I'm not one to make things that cost more than buying it, so unless you're the person that enjoys that I suggest buying almond milk if you can. One almond flour makes the scene here I won't make it anymore either, because at nearly $6 for a 6 ounce bag you can't exactly call that cheaper than buying.
If you can find cheaper almonds go for it, Louisiana just ain't the place.
Maybe I should try making pecan milk and flour?
How to Make Almond Milk & Flour ::
for 6 ounces of almonds
Ingredients ::
6 oz almonds
6 cups of water
What you need ::
baking sheet
wax paper, cling wrap, or parchment
large bowl
food processor
Blender
cheese cloth or thin dish towel
fine mesh strainer
The Process ::
- Soak almonds in a large bowl over night, cover with water. About 4 cups, enough to cover the almonds.
- The next day, drain the almonds, and place in blender with 2 cups of water. Blend until liquid is white and all of the almonds are ground up.
- Place fine mesh strainer over a bowl and line the strainer with cheese cloth, leaving enough over the sides that you can easily grab it. Once the majority of the water has drained off of the almond meal pick up the cheese cloth and and squeeze to drain off any extra almond milk. Store milk in a container. Flavor to your preferences.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper, cling wrap, or parchment and spread out almond meal (from the cheese cloth) in a thin layer. Leave in a cool, dry place. For the next three days stir the almond meal one to two times a day.
- When the almond meal feels dry to the touch, and is noticeably dry (mine shrunk in size after drying), place in a food processor and pulse until it is a fine flour consistency. Store in a dry container.
Read More
Since we live in Louisiana and grocery stores that readily sell such luxury items, like coconut an almond flour, aren't available I've taken up making my own.
After a few trial runs I finally found a method I really enjoy, and a by product of it is almond milk.... so it's win-win.
My love of non-dairy milk started in college, I've always been lactose intolerant, and the emergence of soy milk in the early 2000's was glorious. Then, after we were married I started seeing almond milk at the store.
It tasted even better, and I could actually find it unsweetened.
I actually love cooking with unsweetened almond milk for savory dishes and only use the vanilla unsweetened for sweet things.
It only took making corn muffins once with vanilla almond milk that I vowed to never do it again.
While almond milk is easy to buy here, almond flour just isn't.
I'm not one to make things that cost more than buying it, so unless you're the person that enjoys that I suggest buying almond milk if you can. One almond flour makes the scene here I won't make it anymore either, because at nearly $6 for a 6 ounce bag you can't exactly call that cheaper than buying.
If you can find cheaper almonds go for it, Louisiana just ain't the place.
Maybe I should try making pecan milk and flour?
How to Make Almond Milk & Flour ::
for 6 ounces of almonds
Ingredients ::
6 oz almonds
6 cups of water
What you need ::
baking sheet
wax paper, cling wrap, or parchment
large bowl
food processor
Blender
cheese cloth or thin dish towel
fine mesh strainer
The Process ::
- Soak almonds in a large bowl over night, cover with water. About 4 cups, enough to cover the almonds.
- The next day, drain the almonds, and place in blender with 2 cups of water. Blend until liquid is white and all of the almonds are ground up.
- Place fine mesh strainer over a bowl and line the strainer with cheese cloth, leaving enough over the sides that you can easily grab it. Once the majority of the water has drained off of the almond meal pick up the cheese cloth and and squeeze to drain off any extra almond milk. Store milk in a container. Flavor to your preferences.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper, cling wrap, or parchment and spread out almond meal (from the cheese cloth) in a thin layer. Leave in a cool, dry place. For the next three days stir the almond meal one to two times a day.
- When the almond meal feels dry to the touch, and is noticeably dry (mine shrunk in size after drying), place in a food processor and pulse until it is a fine flour consistency. Store in a dry container.
Have you tried making your own grain free flour before?
It's officially 52 weeks, that's one full year of posting our meal plans on the ole blog! If you haven't downloaded our free meal planning printable at the end of the post I've included it.
Before we get to this weeks menu be sure and check out my two most recent posts for 5 Minutes for Mom: Using Pinterest to Meal Plan, and 5 Easy Food Swaps to Help You Get Healthier.
[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
Read More
Before we get to this weeks menu be sure and check out my two most recent posts for 5 Minutes for Mom
: Using Pinterest to Meal Plan, and 5 Easy Food Swaps to Help You Get Healthier.[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.
Monday - Sunday School Dinner/I'm taking my Tangy Coleslaw
** Instead of yogurt I'm making my own mayo.
Tuesday - Zoodles and Meatballs
**except with spaghetti squash becaue I've yet to find a spiralizer.
Wednesday - Dinner at Church
Thursday - BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato with Green Onion and Acocado
Friday - la Madeleine with the girls
Saturday - PW Mom's Muffins, yogurt, & fruit
Sunday - Lunch Date
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