21 days later

On January 2nd, my very noticeable muffin top and I committed to the 21 Day No Junk Food Challenge.  I really approached this as a commitment that would require me to drink something other than water, and my initial thoughts were, "I can live without Pepsi, no problem."  So began my journey.  But right away, I realized that my weakness was not "an ice-cold Pepsi", but a bag of Lay's potato chips (Doritos, Tostitos, etc). I LOVE CHIPS.  I eat chips with dip, chips with sandwiches, chips with hot dogs, chips with Pepsi, chips with movies... you get it.  So for me it seems that the 21 days without chips snailed by, but it forced me to find healthier snacks and to make better choices about the foods I put into my body.  Honestly, I feel like I have been hungry for a month, but only for chips. I haven't missed much else. For instance, I did not eat out for 21 days, and I did not miss it. I may have missed the convenience of ordering a pizza or Wendy's drive thru, but I did not miss the food.  In fact, I became a better meal planner as a result of not being able to eat fast food. Needless to say, 21 days later, I have a "less" noticeable muffin top, and I happy to report that I survived!  I do plan to continue on with no fast food and no white bread.  All other items can be continued but with strict moderation because too much of anything is not good for anyone.    

The Snacks I Ate: 

Celery Sticks- No dip

Almonds/Cashews

Craisins

Fresh Fruit

Yogurt

Popcorn

Energy Trail Mix- Fisher

Snacks I Plan to Incorporate:

Granola

Walnuts and Grapes

Edamame

Ips Chips (Egg White Chips)

Hummus with Cucumbers and Tomatoes

Apples with Cinnamon Dip

Turkey and Cheese Rolls

I love to save money just as much as the next person.  Saving money feels good, and it makes me happy.  Unfortunately for me, saving money is one of those occasions that I tend to celebrate by spending more money (no discipline).  But I mean, if I find a good deal, I should buy more, right?  Amazingly, some people are actually able to buy more and spend less. What's the secret?  Let me in on it!  

Whatever the secret, be it clipping coupons, great budgeting, or white magic, I haven't quite found a system that works for me.  Why not?  Well for one, with my addictive personality, couponing, while helpful, would overwhelm me and become my next obsession (not good). Budgeting is tough for me because, as I stated above, I have no discipline. And therefore, with no real chance of gaining magical powers, I stand alone trying to figure out how to save money, buy what my family needs (not stockpile), and maintain my sanity (somehow).  

Here's where I'll start...

Shopping goal for 2015:  Buy what I need and save where I can.  

My Strategy (work in progress):
1. Download these apps: Target (Cartwheel), Harris Teeter (e-Vic), Wal-Mart (Savings         
    Catcher).  Are there more?
2. Use WRAL Smart Shopper to find deals and for printable coupons.
3. Clip coupons and separate into categories.  
3. Preview all weekly sales ads online to generate a list per store (Harris Teeter, Food Lion,     etc.)
4. Create a weekly/bi-weekly meal plan (Slow Cooker Saturdays)
5. Make a shopping list based on items needed for the weekly meal plan (sale items) and 
     place a star* beside items on list for which I have a coupon.  Don't deviate from list.
6. Use coupons for items on list.
7. Shop at Aldi for some items: fruit, veggies, and staple items (flour, cooking oil, sugar).

How am I doing?  So far, I have been successful.  How?  Two words: Harris Teeter (HT).  I love HT, and so does Tamia.  She thinks it's a restaurant, especially on Sundays when they offer lunch all the samples.  Most people think "the teeter" is too expensive, but I don't. Since I only shop there for sale items and Meal Deals, I feel like I am always saving.  For instance, this week, HT has great deals all around.  I was able to stock my freezer with meats for the next 3 weeks for under $45 (meat budget).  I bought 5 packs of chicken breasts, a chuck roast, and a pack of stew beef for $43.67 (before taxes).  I'm super excited about this!  I just have to stay the course and refine my system.  I am always looking for ways to become a savvier shopper.  Your tips are welcome here, so share them!

finding purpose

My route to and from work takes me past a church.  I always look over at the church when I pass for no reason other than it's a beautiful church; it's big with traditional steps and a steeple.  So I look at it.  Well, one day on my way home I noticed an older gentleman (I assume older than 50) cutting the lawn, and I was immediately agitated.  Unsure why I was so bothered by such a common act as is cutting grass, it dawned on me that I was annoyed by the fact that someone younger wasn't cutting the church lawn.  I began to question where are the younger men who are next in line?  They should be cutting the grass! I was genuinely upset, and so naturally I did the only thing I could do, I went home and lashed out at the first young man I saw-- my husband.  He had no clue why he was being attacked.

What's my point?  I often think back to what I observed that day, and I am still bothered by it.  I am bothered by the fact that there aren't enough young people willing to take the place of their elders.  And that includes myself.  Sure, for all intents and purposes, I am a law-abiding citizen, but I do not give back to my community the way I should, and ashamedly, I haven't instilled this particular trait in my own children or even challenged my husband to do so.  Instead, I make excuses for why I don't do more.  But I know better.  You see, when I was in college, I volunteered my time on a regular basis, and it was very rewarding.  I distinctly remember my sorority volunteering at a retirement community.  We did a cakewalk with the residents, and it was fun.  It was also an eye-opening experience about a part of life that I had not begun to think about.  Now I wonder, who will be next in line to do a cakewalk with me?  

So what's my plan?  Well, this year, I made a goal, as you know (in 2015), to volunteer my time, and I plan to start on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, a day designated to honor and celebrate a selfless man.  As much as I know about MLK, Jr., I am still learning about the many things he did and said to ensure a better life for so many people he did not know.  He endured more than I, with my hot-headed self, can begin to imagine.  I am awestruck.  I have many reasons to be thankful for the opportunities he afforded me: 2 college degrees, a job teaching ALL children, and a voice to lift up, but I am most grateful for his purposeful decision to fight in a civil manner. While many believe that it was his best and only course of action, I believe he did so for a far greater reason.  For if he had taken a violent approach like his oppressors , he would have lost his humanity and that would have been a loss for us all. For his sacrifice, he deserves the utmost respect.  

Where will I begin? I plan to volunteer with United Way of the Greater Triangle, and I am looking forward to helping others.  United Way has challenged us to "Make it a day ON, not a day OFF", and I am going to do just that.  I am both encouraged and motivated to participate in the 2015 Day of Service, and I am excited to take my first step to "Pay it Forward" in his honor.  I have to start somewhere.  I have to show my children how to be better for all mankind.  

Join me or leave a comment to let me know how you plan to celebrate. Do something.  Just start.  "A waterfall begins with only one drop of water."

#Marsala Madness

Why wallow around in shades of Grey when you can come to life in Marsala? Exactly what color is Marsala?  Well, it's what I call the new burgundy, but then again, what do I know? Nevertheless, the world of fashion is all abuzz about Pantone's 2015 color of the year.  Why so much madness for Marsala?  For starters, it's rich, radiant, and seductive; everything I want to be in 2015.   Plus, Marsala sounds so much sexier than burgundy.  See for yourself. What do you think?  Is Marsala your color for 2015?

in 2015

The task of setting goals and making sure they are accomplished is no easy feat for most people- myself included.  Who am I kidding, I suck at it! I am particularly weak when it comes to being distracted, and my distractions can range from shiny objects or gadgets to Monk or Bones marathons.  I am easily swayed.  So when the time came for me to create goals for the new year, I had to really think about the areas of my life in need of restoration. This is the result.

"The Restoration of Tamara"

1. Be honest with myself and learn to trust myself.

2. Speak wisely or remain silent (we all have this right).   

3. Have dinner with my grandparents once a month.

4. Gather ALL of my debts, and one by one, make them disappear (ongoing).

5. Contact one old friend each month and set a meet-up place and time.

6. Complete my National Board Certification Renewal process (banking on this).

7. Participate in the Pay-it-Forward initiative. 

8. Complete a 5K (specifically Run for the Roses- Click here to join me).

9. Enroll my 4 yr old in a gymnastics class (suggestions welcome), and send my 19 yr old a surprise package (shh, she can read).

10. Choose optimism over pessimism whenever possible.  I will share my "uh oh" moments.

11.  Volunteer my time.

12. Find a church home.

I chose goals (some easily attainable and some challenging) that will make me better than I was before.  I chose goals that will strengthen me. Because at 40 yrs old, I realize that being a better person means to create better habits. 

 


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on the eve of new year's eve

Today, like most days, I'm busy thinking.  Today, my thoughts lead me to a place of reflection about the year past and to place of inquiry about what the new year will hold. With the latter in mind more so because, unlike Jay Gatsby, I know that no one can repeat the past, I began to do one of my favorite things- search the web.  Fortunately, my search brought me to an interesting blog- The Art of Simple, which is interesting because I am anything but. However, Tsh ("pronounced Tish") captured me with her post "20 questions for a New Year's Eve reflection".  Just what I needed- an assessment (teacher joke). Interestingly enough, I found it to be quite on point.  Which is why I take the time to share it with you now on the eve of New Year's Eve.  Let me know, as well as Tsh, what you think! Happy Inquiry and Happy New Year!

Click here, assess yourself/kids, and meet Tsh!

By the way, Tamia (my 4 yo), has some resolutions of her own. 

1. No wetting the bed anymore.

2. Sleeping in her own bed all night.

They both sound good to me!