Closet shopping

Lately I have been able to go shopping in my own closet, finding things I am fitting into once more that I haven't worn in a while.

This week has been nice - I've been on vacation from work, so I'm working around the house and cooking and eating really well. The 2 lbs I gained are already gone again.

The next step in my cleaning routine, though, will be to go through my closet thoroughly. I am going to find all the clothes I can fit into again and all of the clothes I will fit into again soon and have them ready to go. Anything that is now too big will be set aside for Midalah as she loses weight, also (although not the pants. They'd be clam diggers on her, since I'm short and she's not!). The one drawback of losing weight is, unless you already have clothes in your new size, it can be expensive to buy things that will only fit you for a short while as you continue to shrink.

This came about because today I am wearing a shirt that used to stretch across my stomach when I was in slacks. I am running errands in jeans and the shirt is hanging so loosely from me that it is easy to see it is now too big.  That's a happy happy thing!

So this eating right and getting some exercise thing? It's working! Slowly, but surely - getting there.

Weight Watchers on a budget

So, I've been off-plan for a bit and it shows in the 2 pounds that have crept back on! With Midalah training for a zombie run and Roo wanting to get back in shape, the 3 of us (4 on the nights Roo's boyfriend joins us), have to get back on track.

I'd like to start training again, too, and getting back to a closer goal weight is part of that!

This week is based off the sample menu from Shrinking On A Budget Meal Plans. Their tagline is: "Family Approved Weight Watcher Inspired Meal Plans for a Points+ Friendly Kitchen".

The cost is $ 12 for a 3 month plan. I do love that they've given a sample menu, though. I'd like to see how the recipes go over first before committing to a subscription (they do have a money back guarantee, too).

I'll let you know how it goes!

Monday:
Fiesta Grilled Chicken (4 pts)
Creamy Ranch Salad (2 pts)

Tuesday:
Everyday Easy Macaroni and Cheese (6 pts)
Marinated Cucumbers and Tomatoes  (2 pts)

Wednesday:
Chicken Burritos (4 pts)
Carrot/Apple Salad (3 pts)

Thursday:
Slow Cooker Italian Sausages (7 pts)
Cole slaw (1 pt)

Friday:
Apricot Glazed Ham (4 pts)
Baby Spinach Salad (0 pts)
Rice (2 pts)

Saturday (brunch for dinner):
Individual Fritattas (4 pts)
Fruit  Salad (0 pts)
English muffin (2 pts)

Sunday:
Cheesy Mini Meatloaves (8 pts)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes (2 pts)
Zucchini Sticks (1 pt)

Weekly menu - Week eleventy-something?

I need to figure out what week we're on again. I lost track!

Back to budgeting, both calorie and dollar wise! Money is tight again this week (who isn’t it tight for these days?) and all three of us are making efforts to eat better and continue to lose weight.

Points and cost per serving are estimated using 4 servings as the standard.

This week’s menu:

Monday

Open faced tuna and artichoke melts (8 pts / $ 1.63 per serving)

Tuesday

Turkey burgers with salad (8 pts / $ 1.62 per serving)

Wednesday

Tilapia with bacon, pilaf, asparagus (7 pts / $ 2.22 per serving)

Thursday

Crockpot chicken with potatoes and green beans (8 pts / $ 2.25 per serving, possibly less due to leftovers)

Friday

Grilled pizza (No idea yet for points / cost per serving – depends on what we put on it)

Saturday

Caprese risotto ( 6 pts / $ 1.88 per serving)

Salsa!

Someone emailed me earlier today, looking for a recipe I had shared with them back in 2003. Took a little digging, but here it is. Why I haven't used it in years, I don't know - this was wonderful!


1/4 c tequila
1/2 c dried currants 
2 pints cherry tomatoes 
1 medium red onion, diced 
3 garlic cloves, minced 
3 jalapenos, seeded and chopped 
1/2 of a small can diced chiles 
cilantro, salt, pepper to taste

Soak currents in tequila.  Put all into food processor and process. Serve with chips.

Beef barley stew

Tonight's dinner: Beef barley stew (serves 6)
Price breakdown:

1.5 lbs beef cubes (on sale): 3.48
3/4 c. barley: .50
2 carrots: .15
1 stalk celery: .25
tomato paste: .59
mushrooms: 2.00

$ 6.97 for 6 servings

French Toast BLT

And I'm back! Hanging in there - still down 21 lbs. Not really making much headway weight-loss-wise, but with the way life is right now, that's not a surprise. I'm happy to be maintaining!

Tonight's dinner is something Midalah found: French toast BLT. Surprisingly good! The bread we used was full of all sorts of yummy goodness. Probably added to the points, but today was my "bad" day, so I think I can deal. Tomorrow - new day, new dedication to losing the last 33 lbs!

Price breakdown:
Bread: 1.59
Bacon: 1.75
Tomatoes: .75
Lettuce: .50
Eggs: .65
Milk: negligible (2 Tbl.)

Total: Approximately $ 2.67 per person (2 people)

Very filling. Actually, this would have easily served 4 people. I know Midalah couldn't finish her dinner, it was too much!

This week will include lemon chicken and rice as well as sausage, peppers and orzo. Not sure what else just yet. Next week, back to menu planning!

Slowly but surely

No menu plans recently - between work, school and just general life insanity, planning has been difficult.

Still, I'm down a bit. I hit 20 lbs gone, so I'm not complaining!

There will be posts later this week. I'm heading out to Michigan with Midalah. MediaWest starts later on in the week, and we will be packing French press and crock pot. The better to save money and eat healthy, right?