The Intention of My Blog


Welcome, my beloved readers!

In case you're wondering, it's not a typo up there for you see the definition of goodly is:

used as an adjective to describe something
1. of ample or good size, ex: a goodly amount.
2. of a fine appearance, ex: a goodly young man.
3. Archaic. of good quality, ex: a goodly gift.

I am a mother who home educates her children; I would be pleased if you'd look around. You never know if I might have something to your liking. I've blogged about different topics. I hope you enjoy your stay here. May God bless you with peace, a renewing of your mind, and rest as you read my posts.

Please remember to subscribe to my blog, using any variety of methods, which are below to the right, including Facebook.

Thanks to all for your patience as I have been on the mend. I had double heart bypass surgery in February of 2013, and I needed to focus on my recovery, which has been in steady progress. Thanks for your kind consideration.


Thanks for visiting!



Showing posts with label takeout. Show all posts
Showing posts with label takeout. Show all posts

Monday, August 8, 2011

Updates and a Wishlist

These are bell pepper cut up.

Today, I am mixing it up with updates and a wishlist.  I am wanting to record our progress as a family, within several areas.  

Updates:

First of all, I think the weight has stayed level.  It's kind of hard to tell at times because I weigh myself at different times of the day.  I do think that I have stayed at a good number.  I think as long as I stay away from potato chips and soda, I will not gain extra weight.

Second, my sanity hasn't left me.  Our chores are coming along.  We are on our second week.  I must admit that I didn't keep up with signing them everyday like I wanted.  Still, the kids did most of their chores.

Third, we had takeout only once last week.  It was hubby's birthday.  I was exhausted.  Hubby didn't want leftovers.  Let's just say I didn't enjoy our pizza.

Fourth, I cut up some veggies for the coming weeks.  I cut up some bell peppers of all colors and stored them in the freezer.  Wow!  They were so pretty.  I went ahead and cut carrots, zucchini, and cucumber, too.

Here's my wishlist for the coming weeks:

1. Get more sleep.  Quit seeing Netflix at night.  That makes the hours pass by so quickly that I forget to go to sleep.  Must change that!

2. Prepare for school.  Getting the chores going is likely to help transition into schooling.  A sort of schedule is already emerging.  This past weekend, we bought some material for my eleven year-old's sixth grade.  We also bought a student planner for my high schooler.

3. Research cooking methods.  I want to find ways to cook safely.  There are always alternatives.  Perhaps I should cook with better pots and pans.  Boiling and steaming over grilling is healthier.  Information like that is what I want to compile for a possible ebook.

4. While on the subject of compiling, yes, I want to compile lists like for our food pantry and/or household cleaners; we already have some running lists.  I need to get uber-organized.  I never know what's up ahead.  I'm thinking of writing a romance novel in November.  Hopefully, my organization will help me squeeze some time for that.

Well, thanks for reading our updates and my wishlist about things I would like to accomplish.  I appreciate it very much.

How about you, my readers?  How are you all doing?  Have you struggled with organizing yourselves?  Or are you comfortable with your household management?  I encourage you to consider bite-size changes in your life, gradually accumulating the better habits in your life.  If you need to improve your health, in any form, please ask God to help you.  Surely, He will, if you pray for His guidance.

This is an entry for Medical Mondays.  For past entries, click here.




Friday, July 29, 2011

No Takeout Challenge Update #4

I've kept my slow cooker busy these past few weeks.

This week was definitely a challenge.  I am tired.  I've made more meals this week than I have in a long time.  I took a day off on Wednesday.  Hubby had to pick up the slack.

 Normally, we would have bought takeout.

Hubby heated a pizza and steak fingers.  I had made a gravy out of a can of cream of mushroom.  He also made macaroni.  It was like a cafeteria.  Seriously, that's the way he cooks.


Chicken cooked in crock pot.

Earlier this morning, I set some chicken tenders in cream of mushroom.  I added a can of carrots and a can of potatoes.  I had a seasoning packet of herbs for a chicken meal.  All I had to make was the brown rice that would accompany my crock pot compilation.  We ate it for dinner tonight.

As we have moved away from buying takeout, I am planning other changes.  I'm thinking of what we can remove from our diet.  I'm thinking what to add to our diet, too.  All these baby steps are for the benefit of my family's health.  The incremental changes have been easier to digest.

Hubby is the only one still drinking his Pepsi.

Since we've had no takeout for a month, my kids have drank no soda.  That's a plus because I don't need their bones to go brittle.  Also, I have controlled what fats they are digesting because I use olive oil.  I would like to move towards coconut oil, but it's expensive.  Still, I want to incorporate it.

I have been drinking orange juice instead of soda.

Another change, at least for me, is to get away from "orange juice."  I'm hearing about flavor packs being added to orange juice.  I don't need any more chemicals in my body.  It will be hard on my kids because we all like cranberry juice.  My oldest loves apple juice.

We are still drinking lots of water.

All of my kids are extremely slim.  I am thankful to God that they are not overweight.  I do want them, though, to be at a healthy weight.  Buying fresh fruits and vegetables is my goal.  Being able to afford to buy them is another; no matter what, we need to keep buying them.

My kids love bread.  White bread is bad for us.  We buy Iron Kids bread.  I would like to buy more whole wheat bread.  Is it possible for my kids to eat wheat bread?

I also want to buy more grass-fed meat.  It's also expensive.  I do want to eat this meat, though, because it is healthier.  I want to eat meat free from antibiotics and hormones.  I've felt healthier after eating such meat.

I want us to move away from buying processed snacks.  Goldfish and cookies are delicious, but we don't need the empty calories.  We need nutritious foods.  I'm thinking that alternatives like carrot sticks are in order.

Those are some of the plans for the next month of August.  I pray that God will keep helping us in our resolve. 
Thanks for reading this update.  I appreciate all your tips and prayers.  I hope to share more tips in the coming weeks to aid others in this challenge of going without takeout.  Stay tuned!

I've accepted this no-takeout challenge, which began Friday, July 1st to December 31st.  It is not easy, but I know it is worth it.  I want the many benefits that can come from not eating out.  If you want to know more about this challenge, you can visit the SIX Month Money Challenge Facebook page.  If you would like to join, please "like" the page and join the yahoo group that accompanies it, as well.


How about you, my readers?  How often do you buy takeout?  Have you ever tried not buying takeout?  What's the longest you've gone without takeout?  I encourage you to see how you can cut out takeout.  I think it's worth a try.  The benefits are endless.
May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry has been part of the Family Fun Fridays series.

Friday, July 22, 2011

No Takeout Challenge Update #3

Goldfish--a family favorite

We are chugging along in our No Takeout Challenge.  It hasn't been easy.  I've been craving brisket and potato salad from Bill Miller's.  I will have to buy some brisket and place it in the slow cooker.  I've heard one can also make barbacoa with brisket; I could make several meals with such a large portion of meat. 


Baggies labeled for reuse

Our portioning out of snacks is working greatly.  The snacks are lasting longer.  I still have one of two boxes of Goldfish in my cabinet.  Of course, the cabinet is in my room!  I have been holding onto snacks in my room for a few years so my kids won't overeat them.

Last night, I put beans in the slow cooker.  I then made some flour tortillas this morning.  I wanted these two ingredients for some good meals over the weekend.  I can make refried bean tacos.  We can also make potato and egg tacos.

I can't make tortillas all the time.  Hubby asked me to make the tortillas for the weekend; the tortillas are too fattening.  I just wanted to change things up a bit as I have been craving tacos.  I know that making the tortillas is labor intensive.  I do think, though, that my arms get some good exercise.

We keep running out of milk.  We already buy 3 to 4 gallons.  That isn't enough.  I'm gonna have to buy the powdered milk again.  It worked in the past, but it takes time to make.

Lastly, I hope to create a unit study about cooking and health.  I have some notes that I had written up months ago.  It might be time for me to put it together.  It would be fun to start the new "school year" this August with a family fun-packed study about how to put a nutritious meal together.  It goes without saying that I would love to share it with you, my dear readers.


Thanks for reading this update.  I appreciate all your tips and prayers.  I hope to share more tips next week to aid others in this challenge of going without takeout.  Stay tuned!

I've accepted this no-takeout challenge, which began Friday, July 1st to December 31st.  It is not easy, but I know it is worth it.  I want the many benefits that can come from not eating out.  If you want to know more about this challenge, you can visit the SIX Month Money Challenge Facebook page.  If you would like to join, please "like" the page and join the yahoo group that accompanies it, as well.


How about you, my readers?  How often do you buy takeout?  Have you ever tried not buying takeout?  What's the longest you've gone without takeout?  I encourage you to see how you can cut out takeout.  I think it's worth a try.  The benefits are endless.
 
May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry has been part of the Family Fun Fridays series.

Friday, July 15, 2011

No Takeout Challenge Update #2

I shopped in the freezer section of my house.

The No Takeout Challenge that I started this month has been that--a challenge.  It's an exciting time for me.  Little by little, I have done away with certain junkfoods in my life this year.  I have stayed away from potato chips and soda for over two months.  It has been by choice because I have determined to get healthier.

Unfortunately, and I have to be honest here, I don't feel healthy.  I have been suffering with pain.  Yes, I have to go to the doctor, and I will.  I wish I could truly enjoy this challenge.  I am now also dropping down to one juice drink per day; the rest of the time, I drink mostly water, except for the occasional tea or coffee.

The results:

On Monday, I posted Moderation to Aid Health.  In it, I explained about the need to portion out snacks and cereal.  I did that for several reasons.  For one, I wanted for my kids to stop over-eating junk food.  I also wanted the snacks and cereal to last longer.  Guess what?  It worked!

Another thing I did was shop inside my freezer.  We had eaten beef stew last month and placed the leftovers in the freezer.  We ate the leftovers yesterday.  I also used some former chicken soup for chicken soft tacos.  I simply added taco meat powder to spice it up.

We also made our desserts.  I made some pudding pies, which I will post about this Saturday.  My son also made his Nestle cookies.  I had to make sure that we didn't need to go out of the house to buy donuts.  I hope to make healthier desserts soon, but I am proud of our baby steps.

We have managed to stay away from buying takeout for two weeks so far.  My hubby did buy me some peanut M&Ms at the convenience store this week.  We talked yesterday about our shopping list.  He said if we could buy a large bag of the M&Ms for me.  

My teen daughter asked if maybe we should buy the big bag of little serving sizes of the M&Ms.  I responded that I can eat quite a few of those little bags in one sitting.  I think it's also more expensive to buy the bag that way. To be realistic, I don't need more junk food, but my hubby is the one who wants to buy them for me.  Sometimes, I think he wants me to stay overweight.

I think for this challenge to work, our family needs to keep up the discussions.  Hubby and I have gone to the groceries together.  As we are there, we make decisions about what and how much to buy.  After dinner, we, as a family, don't get up from the table right away.  My kids know that I might want to have some kind of discussion with the whole family.
 
Goal for next week: Cook more dinner meals.
 
Next week, I will have a bigger challenge.  I'll need to work harder.  I will need to make more dinner meals.  I will eventually need to rev up the shopping to make specific meals.  I need to eat my meat everyday so I usually buy three raw chicken packages and at least two pounds of ground meat to last me one week.   
 
Recap of week:

1. Reduced junk food intake.

2. Portioned out snacks and cereal.

3. Shopped in my freezer.

4. Made our own desserts.

5. Had family discussions about meal planning.

 
Thanks for reading my update.  I appreciate any tips and prayers.  I hope to share more tips next week to aid others in this challenge of going without takeout.  Stay tuned!

I've accepted this no-takeout challenge, which began Friday, July 1st to December 31st.  It is not easy, but I know it is worth it.  I want the many benefits that can come from not eating out.  If you want to know more about this challenge, you can visit the SIX Month Money Challenge Facebook page.  If you would like to join, please "like" the page and join the yahoo group that accompanies it, as well.


How about you, my readers?  How often do you buy takeout?  Have you ever tried not buying takeout?  What's the longest you've gone without takeout?  I encourage you to see how you can cut out takeout.  I think it's worth a try.  The benefits are endless.
 
May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry has been part of the Family Fun Fridays series.

Friday, July 8, 2011

No Takeout Challenge Update #1

Making a delicious-looking meal can help a no-takeout challenge.

We did well this week because we ate lots of leftover.  There is so much more to say about this challenge.  I hope to organize it as best as possible.  Here are a few things that I have discovered we need to do in this first week of going without takeout:

1. Define takeout.  To me takeout is ready-made food.  Hamburgers, tacos, and fried chicken fall into this category.  One night I told my hubby that I was craving donuts.  I almost sent him to buy donuts from Dunkin Donuts.  The next morning, I realized the donuts could be considered takeout.

2. Develop a plan.  I plan to discuss with hubby about what I think takeout really is.  I think takeout includes junk food from the convenience store.  I think it's a waste of money to buy candy, chips, and soda.  I think money could be spent much wiser.  Junk food is bad for our health, and gasoline is wasted on the trip.

3. Determine what to buy.  I have devised grocery lists on a regular basis.  That's been helpful to know what to buy at the grocery store.  I just need to rev it up a bit.  I need to devise a menu plan.  Mealtimes has always been a challenge because I don't have some, especially for breakfast and lunch, planned out.

4. Keep the resolve.  We can succeed in this.  I feel very optimistic.  I know that it will take some time to see the fruits of taking on this challenge.  Knowing that hubby and I are in this together is necessary and promising.  If I need to reach out to others, I know that there is also a group on Facebook, with an accompanying yahoo group.

I hope to share some more tips next week to keep up this challenge of going without takeout.  Stay tuned!

I've accepted this no-takeout challenge, which began Friday, July 1st to December 31st.  It is not easy, but I know it is worth it.  I want the many benefits that can come from not eating out.  If you want to know more about the challenge, you can visit the SIX Month Money Challenge Facebook page.  If you would like to join, please like the page and join the yahoo group that accompanies it, as well.

Thanks for reading this entry.  I appreciate any tips and prayers.  

How about you, my readers?  How often do you buy takeout?  Have you ever tried not buying takeout?  What's the longest you've gone without takeout?  I encourage you to see how you can cut out takeout.  I think it's worth a try.  The benefits are endless.
May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry has been part of the Family Fun Fridays series.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Seven Reasons to Accept the No-Takeout Challenge

Cutting cost of food by cooking instead of eating takeout.

I have been thinking about buying less takeout.  It's been a big challenge.  I recently found out about the No-Takeout Challenge through Facebook.  I joined up with other participants.  Finding support is vital to accomplishing such a goal, and I hope to help others, as well.  

Here are some reasons why I have finally decided to take the plunge:

1. Save money.  I like to have money for emergencies.  I know they come up all the time.  Take, for example, the breaking down of a small appliance, like the toaster.  I'd like to be able to replace it, without worrying about what won't get paid.

2. Go on vacation.  I like going to the coast.  I like staying in a decent motel.  I like having enough money to get to the coast.  I like having money to buy food, while at the coast.

3. Pay down debt.  I would like us to pay off some of our small debts.  My hubby is still paying for the laptop I use.  I would like to have a few less bills to pay.  Getting one debt paid off at a time is a manageable goal.

4. Eat healthier.  With takeout food, we never know what is used.  What oils are used?  How much salt is added?  What is added into the taco meat?

5. Buy better food products.  With the savings, I can afford the grassfed cattle beef.  I can choose meat that has no antibiotics or hormones.  I can buy the raw milk and fresh eggs.  I can buy more fruits and vegetables, too.

6. Work on house projects.  Maybe we can finally finish some of the home improvement projects.  How about the trim for the walls?  How about painting some rooms?  How about making the utility room more homey? 

7. Gain more discipline.  I know that the savings from avoiding takeout will not be very large.  It can be substantial enough, though, to improve our health.  One friend said she and her family lost weight after avoiding takeout for three months.  More than anything, I wan to prove to ourselves that we can accomplish a goal.

I've accepted this no-takeout challenge beginning today, July 1st to December 31st.  It is not going to be easy, but I know it will be worth it.  I want the many benefits that can come from not eating out.  If you want to know more about the challenge, you can visit the SIX Month Money Challenge Facebook page.  If you would like to join, please like the page and join the yahoo group that accompanies it, as well.

Thanks for reading this entry.

How about you, my readers?  How often do you buy takeout?  Have you ever tried not buying takeout?  What's the longest you've gone without takeout?  I encourage you to see how you can cut out takeout.  I think it's worth a try.  The benefits are endless.
 
May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry has been part of the Family Fun Fridays series.


LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...