i'm losing it.

 Yes, you read that right. Now the question is, do I mean I'm losing weight or my mind?

Both.

Things are crazy over here with 2 kids under 2 1/2 - how do y'all do it?! I always dreamt I'd be Supermom, but apparently, I can't handle all this crazy.

I digress.

SO...a few weeks ago I decided that I'd start eating right and trying hard to lose weight. Then we all got super sick, and I lost motivation. Just this week I've started writing down what I'm eating and trying to stay under 1440 calories. (Don't ask where I came up with that number - I calculated it somewhere, but I don't remember where...) I'm still nursing so I'm supposed to consume more calories than if I weren't nursing.

I think things are going good. I weighed myself at the beginning of the week and haven't weighed myself since. I'll update you when I decide to step on that scale. *shiver*

Some tips that I've found helpful so far...

- PLAN WHAT YOU WILL EAT FOR THE DAY, AHEAD OF TIME! That way, when mealtime comes, you don't have to think about it - just grab it and eat. Given the choice, most of us would choose something we shouldn't necessarily be eating...at least, I would!
- Give yourself a Cheat Meal. That way, you can eat the foods that you've been "craving" at that meal, but continue to eat right. (Some people have a Cheat Day - I don't think you need an entire DAY to Cheat, but whatevs.)
- WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH! Calories add up fast, yo. That "bite" of peanut butter? That ish was probably almost 200 calories!
- Don't weigh yourself everyday. It can be tempting. But don't do it. Set a date with your scale every week, once a week, at the same time of day. (I like to do it on Monday mornings, right when I wake up. And naked. TWSS.)

That's all I can think of for now, but I know there's more! I'll update as I remember them. Now for some pictures!

Love these little meals! I got mine at Target on sale. All the food is super yummy and it's a complete meal in a cute little box. Love.

One of my favorite dinners to make & eat - veggie stir fry w/quinoa. Doesn't look pretty, but it tastes great!

Love this issue! It's probably my favorite issue of the year. Very inspiring. I'd like to think that one day I could be on the cover! :)

This is why I heart the dollar store! Smelly good hair detangler and eucalyptus epsom salt soak. Oh yeah. (And I use the haird detangler for myself, not my kids.)



Fave in 5 - breakfast sandwich

This has been a fave of mine for a long time. I've already posted the recipe, but if you missed it, it's here.

I know, this is a repeated post. But hey! The breakfast sammie is really good and there are only THREE ingredients!

TIP: You can make a bunch of these sandwiches ahead of time. I make 5 at a time to keep in the fridge for the fiance so he can reheat them in the morning before work. Just prep the sandwiches by slicing the English muffins, put on the cheese and sausage, and wrap in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. Microwave when you are ready to eat! (Did that make sense? I'm typing this as I watch a show about fast food dangers...sorry!)

Fave in 5 - sweet treat

This fave makes a great treat or even a great homemade gift! My mom loves it, the fiance loves it with ice cream, and I'll eat it any time of day. Truly.

Salted Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark (for lack of a better name)

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
bag of mini pretzels
12 oz bag semi sweet chocolate chips
sea salt

Cover a baking sheet with foil. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spread pretzels on the baking sheet. (You want 1 layer of pretzels and you may not use the whole bag.)
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir. Heat mixture until it begins to bubble, but do not let it boil. Let it bubble for about 3 minutes.
Once the butter and sugar have caramelized, pour it quickly over the pretzels. Bake the caramel & pretzel mixture in the oven for 5-7 minutes.
Meanwhile, set up a double boiler. (Look it up if you don't know what that is - that'd be better than me describing it, honestly.) Melt the semi sweet chocolate chips.
Once the pretzel & caramel mixture is out of the oven and the chocolate is melted, pour the chocolate over the caramel mixture. Even it out with a spatula if necessary. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the bark and place in fridge to set.
Once bark is set, break up into pieces and enjoy!

Not healthy, I know.
But a delicious treat if you need/want/crave one.

Fave in 5 - toaster pizza!

This is one of my favorite weeknight meals. I started making this just over a year ago. Sometimes I serve this as a snack to share with my family, and sometimes it's my dinner. It's pretty versatile and you can add whatever toppings & flavors you enjoy or have in your kitchen!

Toaster Pizza*

whole wheat tortilla
can of crushed tomatoes
shredded mozzarella cheese
Italian seasoning

On a whole wheat tortilla, spread a few tablespoons of crushed tomatoes. (This is the "pizza sauce", and the tortilla is the "dough".)
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Top with mozzarella cheese.
Pop in the toaster for a few minutes until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese has melted.

There ya go! Toaster pizza. I know, it's not the most amazing recipe you've ever read, but I'm telling you, it's good! I like to add carmelized onions or roasted veggies to the pizza - usually whatever vegetables are left over from dinner the night before. YUM!

*For BBQ Chicken Pizza, top the tortilla with BBQ sauce, add cheese, chopped cooked chicken, sliced red onion and cilantro.
For White Pizza, top the tortilla with alfredo sauce, add cheese, chopped cooked chicken and some roasted garlic cloves.
For Margarita Pizza, top the tortilla with cheese, add sliced tomatoes and fresh basil.
For Chicken Pesto Pizza, top the tortilla with pesto, add cheese and chopped cooked chicken.

Those are just a few variations, but the options are endless!

National Margarita Day.

 

 

Apparently it's National Margarita Day. Oh, Happy Day to all of you!

 

And I SOOOOOOOOOOO need one right now. Or 25.

Let's just say it's been a rough day full of snot, tantrums, blood, spills, and whining. More on that later.

 

For now, I will drown my frustrations in the largest vat of margaritas I can manage. (Or not, since I'm nursing and not drinking.)

SOMEONE HAVE ONE FOR ME! :) K, thanks.

 

Fave in 5 - low calorie treat

I've made these for a while now. They are chewy, crunchy, sweet, and salty. Perfect combo, right? Oh, and it doesn't hurt that they are only 55 calories each!

Chewy Chocolatey Apricots

dried apricots
dark chocolate chips
sliced almonds, toasted (you can toast them in the toaster or in a dry pan on the stove, but be careful, they burn fast!)

Melt the dark chocolate chips. (I've had trouble doing it in a double boiler, so I do it in the microwave. Follow the instructions on the bag.)
Dip each apricot halfway into the chocolate, then dip in the almonds. Place on parchment paper and allow to set in refrigerator.

Voila! Little tasty chewies of goodness.

*PICTURE TO COME SOON!

First Fave in 5!

I love to make this for a quick lunch. I usually have all the ingredients in the fridge, it's tasty, and it takes about 2 minutes.

Cheesy Avo-taco

white corn tortillas
shredded Mexican cheese blend
avocado
favorite salsa or hot sauce ( This hot sauce is AMAZEBALLS!!)

Heat a nonstick pan on medium heat.
Place a corn tortilla in the pan, sprinkle a few tablespoons of shredded cheese on top. Heat until cheese is melted.
Remove tortilla from heat, add 1/4 chopped avocado and drizzle with salsa or hot sauce.
Enjoy!

See? That was easy! And it's SO. GOOD. Of course you could add any number of things to jazz it up, like roasted veggies, or eat it just like this.
Sometimes I just eat one.
Sometimes I eat two.
And sometimes I could eat 100, but I don't. Willpower, people. I try to pretend I have some.

*PICTURE TO COME SOON!