Weekly Menu Plan

Sunday: Italian bread & Caesar salad

Monday: Easy crockpot roast beef (makes its own gravy), mashed potatoes, cooked mixed veggies, salad

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Tacos/Taco Salad

Thursday: Chicken (I have a whole chicken to use...not sure what I'm going to do with it yet)

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Beef Barley Soup

Wrapping Up Our Kindergarten Year

Although this year has not gone quite accordingly to my original plan, I feel that despite the challenges we've faced this year, it has been an okay year on the home school front. I'd like to be finished by the end of June, but realistically I'm hoping to be completely finished everything in the next 10-12 weeks.

Finish A Reason for Handwriting (Kindergarten edition) - done

Finish our Singapore Math Kindergarten Curriculum (Book A is done...We are on Unit 22 of  32 for Book B. I paged through the units and am going to aim for at least 1 unit per week. I have found this math curriculum to be quite advanced, so we have taken our time through it as I want to be sure she really gets the concepts before moving on. It will be interesting to see what Grade 1 will be like. I am planning on sticking with Singapore again for next year. I have heard that Singapore is quite tough to switch to for the later years if a child did not start with it right away, so I figure I will start with it in the early years, and if it's not working for us, I'll switch to something else later on. So far, I'm quite happy with it.

Finish Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons (We are on Lesson 77). I have found that one lesson per day is too overwhelming for Elianna, so we are working through a bit of a lesson each day. I'm hoping to do 2-3 lessons per week to finish off the year. I'm quite happy with this choice of curriculum for teaching reading. It is completely open-and-go and has the child reading at a Grade 2 level by the end. My only complaint is that the book is a bit boring, which is probably why her attention is hard to hold for the lessons. She is a very energetic kid.

My original plan was to complete the entire Heart of Dakota curriculum (the book for ages 5-7) this year, but that did not happen. I plan to go through that more next year and just use the Grade 1 options for reading, writing, and math. That's kind of the plan for now, anyway. I have a lot of things to look into yet for next year.

So yes, we mostly focused on printing, reading, and math this year. Of course, I added in the usual days of the week, months of the year, talking about our world, weather, seasons, etc. This was done in a more informal way as we just went on about our days.

The things I really wish I would have accomplished are the chore system and character charts/routines. I just haven't gotten around to that yet.

Here's me "keeping it real." This is Debbie Downer, chiming in now. I still choose to blog once in awhile... not because I have the time for it (because I don't really) but because I still find it semi-therapeutic....and ahem, I could probably use some therapy. And thus, I blog. This has been the most challenging year of my life. I doubt it will be the worst year I'll ever go through, but so far, it has been the worst. Brielle still cries (often screams) a lot every single night. 400 plus days and probably only 5 times where she slept for 6-7 hours in a row and didn't scream for what feels like forever. Usually, her sleeping 2 1/2 hours in a row is a "good" night for her. Last night pretty typical for us...

7:00 ish - put Brielle to bed (crying, but she does fall asleep on her own within 20 minutes or so)
9-10 ish -  Brielle wakes up...starts screaming...we wait awhile in hopes she will go back to bed, but she never does. We give her gripe water, tylenol, something to drink, whatever we think she might need. Put her back to bed (usually crying again...but I try to rub her back and sit beside her shushing her and calming her down, which usually works at this point). Eventually she calmly falls asleep and then sleeps for about 2 hours. Then, "IT" begins. Yes, "IT."
12:20 a.m. - This is known as the dreaded "mighnight hour" around here. It never fails. Between 12:18 and 12:28 a.m. Brielle will wake up. It's very predictable, which is interesting. This is when the fun really begins. She wakes up screaming, and I mean screaming. Craig tries to deal with her for the next hour but she keeps crying. Ear plugs are useless because she is loud.
1:40  - Still screaming. I get out of bed. I try to calm her down. It sort of works. I put her back to bed. She cries. The rest of the night is a blur.

Between 2 a.m. and 5:50 a.m. I am up with Brielle at least 2 more times, trying to calm her down and help her get herself back to sleep. Nathanael gets out of his bed once. I put him back to bed. Elianna wakes up from a nightmare. I get her back to bed. Next thing I remember is standing in the kitchen just before 6 a.m., thinking "oh great, the sun is up and I haven't slept yet" and then going back to bed. I don't have a clue why I was even in the kitchen (probably was getting Brielle a drink of water or something). I finally get to sleep around 6 a.m. I wake up at 7:15 a.m. Everyone is up for the day. Time for breakfast. And what I mean by "breakfast" is survival...and strong coffee.

Soon I plan to eliminate dairy from her diet to see if that will help. I am also going to take her to the doctor. She will see her pediatrician in June, but I am definitely taking her to a family doctor before then (in the next few days) because things have just gone from bad to worse it seems.  I'm also considering the chiropractor or something, too.

Most nights, if I'm lucky, I get 3-4 hours of sleep total (and pretty much never in a row). Even beyond sleep deprivation, I'll just say it has been very, very difficult, and I hardly recognize the person I am. Since Brielle's birth, it has been survival mode every single day. I hate it...I hate survival mode, but it is what it is. Survival. And I have survived. We've eaten a whole lot of pancakes this year. We survived. Worst of all, I feel like I missed an entire year of my life and couldn't even enjoy Brielle's first year, which makes me incredibly sad. I am in the process of taking steps to get my health back on track. I just want to feel like myself again. One day at a time. More like, 5 minutes at a time. What keeps me going is knowing that this will not go on forever. Better days are up ahead somewhere even if it feels a million miles away right now. One day she will sleep through the night, and it will be wonderful. It will be wonderful. It will be wonderful.

Debbie Downer...out.

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday: Leftover Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Lentil Soup (left out the oil - E)

Monday: Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Alfredo (S) over Egg Noodles for family, Cauliflower for me

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Egg Roll in a Bowl with Rice (E or Crossover)

Thursday: Grilled Steak, Grilled Veggies, & Coleslaw Salad (S), Potatoes (for rest of family)

Friday: Pizza on Sourdough Bread (E)

Saturday: Leftovers or Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese (S - make mine on THM Bread in Mug)

Breakfast Choices
Oatmeal, Greek Yogurt, Fruit (E)
Cookie Bowl Oatmeal (FP)
Fried Eggs & Bacon (S)
THM Pancakes (E)

Lunch Choices
Greek Chicken Salad on Bread in a Mug (S) with Salad
BLT lettuce wraps (S)
Leftovers
Salads
Protein Shakes (FP, E, or S depending on recipe)

Snacks
Salt & Vinegar Roasted Chickpeas (E or Crossover)
Popcorn with Butter (only a little butter!) (E or Crossover)
Celery with Peanut Butter & Roasted Almonds (S)

Desserts
Chocolate Cake in a Mug (S)
Vanilla Crumble and Berries (S)
Cheesecake Berry Crunch (S)

My first half-hearted week of THM was a bust. I could hardly believe it. I skipped the chips, ice cream, potatoes, bread, pasta, etc last week (other than a couple small cheats on Sunday), and I gained. If I don't see results after this week, chances are I will be not be sticking it out for another week, and I'll be going to something like My Fitness Pal (calorie counting). This mama has some serious work to do in the health department. I have so many things I need to get a grip on (schedules, chore charts, organizing, etc.) as I truly feel like my life has fallen apart these past 2 years. I hardly even recognize the person I've become. But rather than tackling everything at once, which I am so tempted to do, I have chosen to only focus on my health for now, so if I blog about anything, that's likely what it'll be about for the next while.

Why I'm Giving Trim Healthy Mama Another Chance

Yes, as the title suggests, I'm giving the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) way of eating another chance. Here are my reasons (as pathetic as some of them may be....):

1) I have a huge container of whey protein powder in the fridge to use up...Fat Stripping Frappe, anyone?

2) Too many people are getting insane results with this plan...I want in on the action

3) The plan has exploded in popularity and is becoming much easier to follow due to

•  Tons more recipes on Pinterest and blogs (not just recipes in the book)
•  THM launching their own line of THM products (with distributors in my home province that carry their products, which also means reasonable shipping for the hard-to-find items like Dreamfields pasta)

4) Our 10 year wedding anniversary is coming up this year

5) I am so frustrated with my weight/health and want to get back to being a fit & healthy person

6) I suspect I have very high cortisol levels....insulin-resistance...adrenal fatigue (if it's a legitimate problem)....dawgone exhaustion...etc...The THM way of eating (low-glycemic) is much more conducive to addressing these problems as opposed to strict calorie-counting

7) I'm bored and I need a new hobby....experimenting with THM foods and recipes is my new hobby as is evidenced by my whipping up THM Pan Bread, Bread in a Mug, and Chunky Cream Pops this afternoon. Oh the kitchen mess, the kitchen mess....regrets.

8) Lunch today convinced me that this way of eating might actually be doable for me 90% of the time. Lunch was Greek Chicken Salad on THM Bread in a Mug with Skinny Chocolate for dessert. It was so insanely deliciously that I could hardly believe this was "diet" food...so I am becoming more convinced. Supper tonight is pizza. For the crust I will be using mostly whole-wheat homemade sour-dough (5 minute artisan bread recipe - the fermentation process eats away the carbs) and part-skimmed cheese. Okay, not gonna lie, it's not exactly the same as my typical pizza, but I know I have to make some changes in order to see progress. It's a pretty close 2nd place to my regular pizza, and it's miles ahead of the cauliflower crust pizza in pizza department. 

I know the key to me sticking with this plan is to not be too crazy strict with it and to find away to make quick and simple recipes. I am not going to worry about eating at other people's houses much or going out to eat, which we rarely do anyway. I have a few ideas on how I'm going to make this work for me, which I will try to share on the blog. 

I'll try to keep you updated on my new "hobby". Try, being the key word. I've been dog-tired lately. Trying to wean Brielle, the continual potty-training fiasco with Nathanael, and lots of screaming/not sleeping in the night (Brielle's upset tummy) is taking its toll. 

Keep on keeping on.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Egg Roll in a Bowl, Jasmine Rice, Steamed Broccoli

Tuesday: Grilled Steak, Potatoes, Salad

Wednesday: Chicken Noodle Soup, Biscuits

Thursday: Cheeseburger Pie, Mashed Potatoes, Iceberg Lettuce, Mixed Veggies

Friday: Pizza & Caesar Salad

Saturday: Leftovers or Waffles, Saskatoon Berry Sauce, & Bacon

Sunday: Leftovers or Waffles, Saskatoon Berry Sauce, & Bacon

7 Frugal Cooking Tips

I cringe when I think of how much food I threw out and wasted when we were first married. Frugal "cooking" in university days meant mac n' cheese and hot dogs. Now, I'm of the opinion that hot dogs are usually too expensive for my frugal budget. LOL. Here are a few things I do to make my dollar stretch further while serving foods my family enjoys.

1) Flavour is King

I'm a big believer in flavour. Garlic, ginger, onions, fresh herbs (grown at home), and dried spices are super cheap. Frugal and plain foods like potatoes or rice can be kicked up several notches when cooked in different ways and with different seasonings. Even humble beans and rice can be satisfying when seasoned properly. Our family loves burrito bowls. Make some brown rice and season well (make cilantro lime rice, for example). Make a pot of black beans and season with spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic, onion, etc. Top the rice with beans, diced tomato, cilantro, shredded lettuce, a bit of cheese, salsa, sour cream, guacamole....whatever you like. Frugal, flavourful, relatively healthy, and our whole family likes them.

2) Don't Throw Out Bacon Grease

This tip is related to #1. Bacon grease is immensely flavourful. Rather than throwing it out, save the grease and keep it in your fridge for a couple days (or freezer for longer). Use a teaspoon or two when frying eggs for breakfast or roasting potatoes. Use it for sauteeing veggies for soups. Use it in pasta dishes, sauces, and salad dressings. A very small amount adds a ton of flavour. Clogged arteries are overrated, anyway.

3) Make Soup Stock from Bones

In my area, a rotisserie chicken from the deli costs about $8 on sale. I know you can find them cheaper in other cities, though. I can stretch that chicken into 4 or 5 meals for our family when used creatively. My family is not a fan of dark meat. However, after we use up the white meat, I don't throw the bones and meat out. I put the whole thing in a large pot or crockpot and make soup broth. After several hours, I strain the broth to keep for soup and pick off all the dark meat to use in soups and casseroles. If I'm not in the mood for making chicken broth, I will just put the chicken carcass in a freezer bag and in the freezer until I'm ready to use it. I use beef and ham bones in the same way.

4) Don't Make Meat the Star of the Meal

If I ever have a hefty grocery budget, this might be one frugal tip I might ease up on :-). The point is you will save more money if you add just a cup of diced chicken to a pasta dish rather than serve a whole chicken breast on top of pasta....obviously. If I do make meat the star (meatloaf, for example), I make sure to add a big cheap side dish like mashed potatoes or rice to go with it. Related to that, our family does many meatless meals. Meatless pasta dishes are our favourite.

5) Find Creative Ways to Use Leftovers

Small amounts of leftover rice, pasta, potatoes, cooked meat, veggies, tomato sauce, etc. can be turned into a huge pot of soup. Restaurants do this all the time..."soup of the day", anyone? Back in our university days, little amounts of leftovers would get thrown out way too often. Now, I make an effort to put those leftovers to good use. A huge pot of soup on the weekend is one of my favourite ways to use up those little bits of leftovers. My family cannot tell the difference. I might throw some leftover taco meat, coleslaw, and rice together to make hamburger soup, for example. I have often diced up leftover hamburgers (from the bbq) that I threw in the freezer to make cheeseburger soup. The other week, I turned a big pot of leftover sticky rice into Arancini (fried rice balls) and served it with some marinara sauce I made from leftover tomato sauce.

6) Use Your Freezer For Saving Excess Food

I buy big jars of tomato sauce and freeze whatever I don't use for a whole meal in a container or ice cube trays. I also freeze leftover beans, rice, pineapple tidbits, etc. The key is to actually look in your freezer and use up what you have before buying more. When planning my grocery menu, I have a look what's in my freezer and see what I can use from there first. I will work that into my menu and maybe use that in a pasta sauce during the week. Even small amounts of tomato pasta and sauce get frozen. I use these for making pizza sauce, marinara dipping sauce, or adding just a tablespoon or two to stews, soups, or sauces.  Last week I found a container of leftover tomato sauce in the freezer that I threw in a pot, added some chicken stock and cream to for tomato soup with grilled cheese for lunch. My husband thought I had made canned tomato soup...I wasn't sure whether to take that as a compliment or not. haha.

7) Use Aged Cheddar Cheese Instead

We love cheese around here, but cheese is expensive. When using cheese in casseroles or soups, buy aged (or old cheddar) cheese instead of milder cheeses. Aged cheddar costs the same as medium or mild cheddar. You can use usually use way less cheese than the recipe calls for if you used old cheddar since aged cheeses are much more flavourful. This works well in things like broccoli cheese soup or casseroles.

10 Years

It's been an interesting couple of weeks. I've been feeling weird lately. I've been feeling old. Old and weird. This year marks our 10 year wedding anniversary. 10 YEARS. It's also my 10 year high school graduation reunion. 10 YEARS. That is one scary thought. 10 years flew by. In 10 more years, Elianna will be 15. Okay, stop it. Just stop it. It's just freaking me out way too much. I can hardly handle it.

We've had lots of birthday celebrations around here, a cold snap, and this week spring will soon feel just around the corner. The kids have had a few of their toys back and are doing a better job of cleaning up.

I am slowing working toward some of my goals for 2015. Brielle is almost sleeping through the night. This is huge for me as I'm starting to feel like a human again. I say "almost" sleeping through the night because she still wakes up around 1 a.m. every night, but after that, she is usually sleeping until 7 a.m. She has still had a few pretty bad nights, but those nights that she sleeps 6 hours are all I need to feel incredibly better. She is not weaned yet, but I'm hoping to work hard toward that this month. Nate (I've suddenly started calling him this, mostly by accident, but it seems to be sticking for some reason...) is still in the process of being potty trained but has made significant progress. I've been working on making a little bit of side income by babysitting here and there. I am hoping to figure out a way to make a little more consistent side income eventually, but this is helping out lots in the meantime. This month I am going to start tackling my health. I am frustrated by the fact that I am pretty much at my highest non-pregnancy weight ever. This past year, exercising and eating well were at the bottom of my priority list. They weren't even on my priority list. I did absolutely nothing for exercise, and my diet was horrible. This week I am starting my own "diet" plan, so to speak, but I won't say much about it until I know it's working! Don't worry, it's nothing unheard of or unhealthy. At least, I don't think so. I have at least 30 pounds to lose...hopefully I will accomplish this in time for my 10 year anniversary.
\
That's about all for now,