Frugally Blonde put together a list of Top Things to Stock Up On in April.
Summer Bucket List
Classic View
Grid View
Slow Day: Week 13
Welcome to my weekly Slow Day post, inspired by Monica from The Homespun Heart. My Word for 2018 is Slow and, in the spirit of that word, I’m taking one day each week (Wednesday) off — I’ll be unplugged and offline and plan to move at a slower pace, take time to do things that refresh me, and just really focus on being present and savoring the moment.
Each Saturday, I’ll be sharing a photographic peek into my Slow Day — and I’ll let the pictures almost 100% speak for themselves, instead of giving many explanations. Enjoy a little peek into our lives!
We don’t have our room set up yet (it’s on the LONG list of house to-do’s!), but at least the bed is made! 😉
Making dinner in the Crock-Pot.
This book has been fantastic so far!
The girls were on Spring Break this past week so we all went to Dave & Buster’s as a family for half price games Wednesday and we had a fierce guys versus girls competition. Sadly, the guys won! 🙁
Not pictured: Dinner with my Discipleship small group girls and tea at Frothy Monkey with a friend. I forgot to get a picture of both!
Shared Mar 31, 2018
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Brigette’s $53 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $53 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Aldi
1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $1.59
1 gallon Whole Milk – $1.36
1 64-oz carton Unsweetened Almond Milk – $1.89
1 64-oz carton Orange Juice – $1.49
2 16-oz pkgs Egg Whites – $3.98
2 dozen Eggs – $1.96
1 pkg Zucchini – $1.45
1 Cauliflower – $1.89
1 pkg Radishes – $0.59
1 pkg Brussel Sprouts – $1.09
1 Pineapple – $0.79
1 bunch Bananas (3.20lbs @ $0.31/lb) – $0.99
1 3-lb bag Sweet Potatoes – $0.99
1 3-pk Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.49
2 pkgs Romaine Hearts – $3.18
1 16-oz bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.69
1 pkg Baby Carrots – $0.58
2 16-oz bags Fresh Green Beans – $1.88
1 pint Grape Tomatoes – $1.29
1 2-lb bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – $4.89
2 16-oz bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $4.30
3 1-lb pkgs Butter Quarters – $5.97
1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $0.65
1 pkg Sandwich Bread – $0.65
Total: $46.62
Harris Teeter
1 18-ct pkg Eggs (I was planning on buying the Eggland’s Best eggs which were on sale – but my coupons didn’t end up being a match; so I just picked up the cheapest eggs there as I knew we’d need more than the 2 dozen I bought at Aldi) – $1.79
2 16-oz pkgs Mueller Elbows Pasta – $1.68, used $0.55/2 Mueller’s Pasta or Noodles – 3-18-18 SS; Includes 12 oz or Larger (exp. 04/28/18) (doubled) – $0.58/2 after coupons
2 boxes Mayfield Frozen Ice Cream Treats – $2.98, used 2 $1.00/1 Mayfield Novelty – 3-25-18 RP; Includes 4 ct or Larger (exp. 05/31/18) – $0.82/2 after coupons
1 jar Mrs. Butterworth’s Pancake Syrup – $1.64, used $0.50/1 Mrs. Butterworth’s Lite, Original Or Sugar Free Syrup – 1-7-18 SS (exp. 04/07/18) – $0.64 after coupon
1 box Zing Stevia Packets – $2.00, used $1.50/1 printable – $0.50 after coupon
1 bag Red Grapes (2.65lbs @ $0.99/lb) – $2.62
Total – $6.95
Grocery Total for the Week: $53.57
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Everyone is responsible for making/cleaning up their own breakfasts. Choices include:
Cereal, Fruit, Scrambled/Fried/Boiled Eggs, Toast, Veggie Omelets
Bacon, Eggs, Pancakes (First Day of Spring Breakfast)
Lunches
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Pineapple and Grapes, Fresh Veggies x 2
Salad Bar (Romaine, Baked Chicken, Cheese, Craisins, Fresh Veggies and Fruits chopped, Hard Boiled Eggs) x 2
Leftovers
Dinners
Since next week is Spring Break, my husband and I are going on a 2-day getaway while my children stay with friends. We will be eating out, and our children’s meals will be provided, so I’ve only planned five days of meals for this week.
Dinner with Friends (I’m making Make-Ahead Butterhorns)
Pan-Fried Catfish (from the freezer – I posted about how a friend had given us a large amount of catfish last week), Roasted Cauliflower and Brussel Spouts, Tossed Salad, Sweet Potato Fries
Cheesy Hamburger Macaroni Bake, Green Beans, Make-Ahead Butterhorns
Build-Your-Own-Burritos (Seasoned Ground Turkey Meat, Shredded cheese, Tomatoes, Avocados from last week, Shredded romaine, Salsa, Homemade Tortillas)
Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches (ham is from the large ham I purchased last week), Sweet Potato Fries, Roasted Parmesan Zucchini, Green Beans
3 Things to Do When You’re Discouraged About Your Finances
Are you feeling discouraged about your finances? Do you feel like you’ll never get in a better financial place as a family? Does the future seem hopeless because of how difficult things are financially right now?
If that’s how you’re feeling today, I just want to encourage you today with 3 simple things you can do…
1. Remember you’re not alone.
There are millions of other people out there who are struggling financially and find themselves in a difficult place. Even if it feels like you’re the only one in your friend group who is struggling, you are not alone.
I encourage you to find other people you can connect with and identify with. Seek out community locally or find some spaces online — maybe Facebook groups or blogs — where you can connect with other people who are struggling financially.
Doing this will help remind you that you’re not alone, plus you’ll get encouragement and practical tips along the way!
2. Do the best you can do.
It’s so easy to look at someone else and let comparison take root.
I recently shared how we paid cash for our house. It was 15 years in the making of struggling and saving and working hard, but maybe you’ve been struggling for all of those 15 years and still feel just as stuck as ever.
It’s so important to do the best that you can do. Not the best someone else can do. Or the best you could have done 10 years ago. It’s the best you can do right now, in the season of life you’re in.
And then figure out what that looks like for you — this week, today, this hour.
3. Change your perspective.
Instead of thinking about how much you’re struggling, try thinking about what you can do with what you have. Get creative!
I remember when Jesse was in law school, our money was SO tight, and we had no wiggle room in our budget. We had maybe a few extra dollars every few months.
We spent lots of time at the library or park, because it was free. We checked out books and movies. We didn’t even have the money to go to the thrift store, but the library made me feel like I got a chance to shop a little — even though I really wasn’t!
We also worked so hard to stretch our grocery budget as far as we possibly could. Some weeks, we only had $17 to cover groceries for our family. I tried to find anything for free that could help us make a meal.
I turned it into a game and got really, really creative. We found free ways to do things that made us feel like we had breathing room, even when we didn’t.
(I still remember eating PB&J Sandwiches from ingredients we bought at the Dollar Store while we were on our honeymoon! We couldn’t afford to go out to eat, but we still remember our time together and how creative we had to be to make it work — even on our honeymoon!)
I say this to encourage you to find ways to enjoy what you do have during this season!
I can tell you 15 years later that all of the struggle was worth it. And that perspective has given me so much perspective today. I always think, “What can I do where I’m at right now?” I use this perspective to run my business, teach my kids, and live my life.
Changing your perspective can change your entire outlook on life.
Don’t give up. The best is yet to come!
What is your best advice for someone who is discouraged about their finances?
3 Ways to Rock Meatless Meals
Guest post from Steph of Cheapskate Cook:
You probably know that serving at least one meatless meal every week will help save you a lot of grocery money over time. Unfortunately, our family members might not be on-board with a plant-based dinner.
How do you serve meatless meals and still keep the troops happy?
I’ve found 3 easy ways.
1. Add Cheese
I know it’s the easy way out, but adding cheese is almost always a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Who can resist melting cheese?
We serve it with Meatless Nacho Dip, 5-minute Lentils & Rice, and Cheesy Lentil Pie.
Don’t forget classics like homemade pizza and 1-Pot Macaroni & Cheese.
2. Cook What Your Family Loves
If you try a meatless recipe that your family loves, SAVE IT. In many cases, you can rotate through their top 3-5 meals once or twice a week without anyone getting tired of them.
For example, my kids love Cumin Beans & Cornbread, vegetarian Homemade Chimichangas, and anything made with lentils. If I plan at least 1-2 of those meals every week, everyone is happy.
3. Make it “Mostly” Meatless
Maybe you or a family member just doesn’t like a meal without a little bit of meat — if that’s the case, try making a mostly-meatless meal.
This can be Hamburger Soup with most of the meat substituted with beans or lentils, Chicken Noodle Soup with a few more vegetables (or some white beans) and a little less chicken, or a pan of Mostly Meatless Nacho Dip.
Bonus Tip: Suck it up, Buttercup
When money is tight, we all have to make sacrifices. Certainly, we want the loved ones at our table to be happy with their meals, meatless or no. However, learning to do without builds character and keeps the bills paid.
Sometimes, we just have to suck it up and add a little extra cheese!
Find Steph at Cheapskate Cook, where you’ll get quick meal hacks, frugal recipes, free menu plans, and the tools to save money and eat healthy even without a health food store.
FREE One Week Menu Plan!
Done-For-You Dinner Recipes With Simple Ingredients and a Grocery Shopping List!
10 Ways I’m Taking Care of Me Right Now
Mamas, sisters, ladies… actually, all y’all: you need to make time to take care of YOU.
I know that there are a hundred other things pulling you in three dozen other directions. But you’re not going to be able to show up well for your life if you don’t show up to take care of you.
Taking care of you will look different for different people in different seasons. And it’s looked vastly different for me in my different seasons of life.
But I thought it might be fun (and hopefully helpful) for me to share 10 ways I’m taking care of me right now (remember, that I’m in a season of life where my kids sleep through the night and are very independent and now they mostly just need me to have long conversations with them and take them places!):
- Making 7+ hours of sleep a priority. And taking a nap on the days when I get less than that amount.
- Drinking a gallon of lemon water every day. Yes, for real. Here’s how I do it.
- Starting my day with exercise, prayer, and Bible reading. (Most days, I combine the three. I read my Bible while I do my walking warm up on the treadmill and, while I run, I pray over every aspect of my day, spend time thanking God for blessings, and pray for Jesse and the kids in earnest. I love starting my day in this way of filling myself up with Jesus, getting in a good workout, and praying over my day! I always feel so refreshed and ready for the day once I’m done!)
- Scheduling time for fun and down time everyday.
- Making sure I spend at least a few hours hanging out with a friend once or twice a week.
- Eating a big salad every day.
- Drinking decaf/herbal tea instead of coffee.
- Guarding my schedule so that I have time to be alone and recharge through quiet.
- Having a few truth tellers in my life who regularly check-in with me to make sure I’m not overloading my plate (something I am prone to do) and am taking care of my soul and health and marriage and priorities.
- Paying for help — with the business and with our home. This allows me to work full-time and run a successful business, while also freeing up the time to have space to nurture myself, my family, relationships, and other areas I’m passionate about.
Most importantly, I’m learning to give myself a lot of grace. To not be too hard on myself when I fail, when I disappoint someone, or when we have rough patches. Nobody does it perfectly and nobody has it all figured out!
How are YOU taking care of you in the season of life you’re in? I’d love to hear!
Gretchen’s $51 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan
Dillons
2 bags Kroger Potato Chips – Marked down to $0.25 each
1.94 lbs Bananas – $0.95
2 American Beauty Spaghetti – $0.49 each
4 cans Green Giant Green Beans – $0.49 each
1 Think Thin Bar – $1, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon
1 Kroger Cottage Cheese – $0.79, used $0.40/1 e-coupon – $0.39 after coupon
2 Green Apples – $0.80, used $0.25/1 Ibotta rebate – $0.55 after coupon
1 PopChips Nutter Puffs – $2.49, used $4/1 Checkout 51 rebate – Free plus overage after rebate
2 Ragu Pasta Sauce – $1.29 each, used $1/2 printable – $0.79 each after coupon
2 Chobani Flip Yogurt – $1.25 each, used 2 $0.50/1 printable that was emailed to me – $0.75 each after coupon
Used $0.25/1 Ibotta rebate for any receipt
Total after coupons and rebates: $6.65
Aldi
1 dozen Eggs – $1.44, used $0.15/1 Checkout 51 rebate – $1.29 after rebate
1 pkg Chicken Breasts – Marked down to $2.07
1 bag Mandarins – $2.49
1 Unsweetened Applesauce – $1.89
2 Cantaloupes – $0.99 each
1 pkg Flour Tortillas – $0.99
1.83 bag Green Grapes – $1.81
1 Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate – $1.19
1 pkg English Muffins – $0.99
1 Half & Half – $1.99
1 bag Green Peppers – $1.49
2.92 lbs Bananas – $1.28
1 loaf Bread – $1.49
1 bag Potato Chips – $1.79 (I bought these before I went to Dillons and saw the marked down chips.)
1 pkg Chewy Granola Bars – $1.49
1 Grape Jelly – $1.39
1 pkg Oyster Crackers – $0.79
1 gallon Milk – $1.88
1 Sour Cream – $0.95
1 bag Frozen Peas – $0.79
1 lb Butter – $1.99
1 Cucumber – $0.49
1 bag (16 oz) Cheddar Cheese – $3.29
1 Spiral Ham – $6.88 ($0.95/lb)
1 pkg Chocolate Chips – $1.69
Total after rebate: $44.37
Total for both stores: $51.02
Menu Plan for This Week
Breakfasts
English Muffins and Eggs x 2
Toast x 2
Cereal x 3
Lunches
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Veggies, Grapes x 2
Mac & Cheese, Mandarins
Cheese Quesadillas, Steamed Peas, Fruit
Cheese, Crackers, Veggies, Fruit x 2
Leftovers
Dinners
Out to eat (I’ll be gone on a girl’s overnight so my husband and kids are eating out!)
Venison Roast, Biscuits, Carrots, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Sliced Cantaloupe (We’ll be having company for dinner!)
Oven Baked Ham (I’ll be freezing the leftovers to use in casseroles and breakfast dishes the next several weeks.), Homemade Bread, Green Beans
Spaghetti, Spinach Salad (using leftover spinach from last week), Banana Muffins
Dinner with Lifegroup
Chicken Fajitas, Rice, Fruit Salad
Bring-Your-Own-Meat Grill Out with friends here (Everyone is bringing some meat to throw on the grill and a side dish. I’ll be grilling chicken and doing chips and chocolate chip cookies.)
What I Read & Watched This Past Week
Welcome to my weekly Book-ish post where I share what I’ve been reading and watching recently. If you missed it, you can see my Reading Goals for 2018 and 44 Books I Plan to Read This Year.
What I Read This Past Week
I read A Place to Land this past week and loved it. In fact, the story was so moving and beautiful that I had trouble putting it down. I’m not usually a huge memoir person, but this one was well-written and captivating.
Plus, I had a big personal connection to it since the author spent 10 years in South Africa! (You all know how much my heart loves that country!) Her descriptions of the food and terrain and people and even little bits of the language she threw in made my heart miss that country so much! (Gratefully, we get to go back in July! I can hardly wait!)
When I got finished with the book, I was thrilled to see that the author had sent me a message via Instagram with pictures of her family so I could put faces to the names and stories in the book. (She had seen me reading the book in a little mention and had reached out and thanked me. I told her that I loved her story so much that I had stalked her online to see pictures of her family — she was so kind to send me pictures because there aren’t many of her kids/family online!)
I loved the author’s realness and rawness to share how hard it was to live cross-culturally, to adopt unexpectedly, and to see her mom slowly lose her battle to cancer — all while she lived on the other side of the globe. If you love well-written memoirs and stories of God’s faithfulness even in the midst of the hardships of life, I think you’ll really enjoy this book!
What I Watched This Past Week
Jesse and I binge-watched the last three episodes of This is Us. (So good! But I’m sad we have to wait so long for Season 3. The mentions of their dad at the wedding had both Jesse and I in tears since he lost his mom to cancer when he was young and not having her at our wedding was hard.)
And then, of course we watched basketball. We had a friendly bracket competition going on amongst all five of us and I’m happy to report that, by some sheer miracle, I WON! Everyone else’s brackets are busted, but I chose Kansas and Villanova to go to the Final Four, so my bracket is still standing strong! 🙂
Poor Silas was not too happy to have been whooped in this competition by his mother who is not the most sports-savvy person — especially compared to himself! 🙁
Time to Read
People are always asking me how I find time to read. Honestly, it’s because I love to read, because I’ve chosen to prioritize it, because I don’t have a lot of other hobbies, and because I can’t not read. Also, when you love something, you usually can find ways to get creative to find time to fit it in — even if it’s in the little nooks and crannies of life.
I wrote a post on 3 ways to find more time to read — even when life is busy. And here are 7 more ways to find time to read.
What did you read and watch this past week? Any books or movies you really think I need to read or watch?
(Note: The links in this post are affiliate links, and we will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking through our links. Read our disclosure policy here.)
Shared Mar 25, 2018
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A Peek Into Our Life This Past Week (+ an update on our goals for 2018)
A Peek Into Our Life This Past Week (+ an update on our goals for 2018)
Welcome to my weekly post I share a peek into our lives, talk about things I’m loving, share links to interesting articles or helpful ideas I’ve collected throughout the past week, and just talk about whatever is on my heart! ?
This week started with Jesse coming home from Peru (yay!!) but coming home incredibly sick with some sort of bacterial infection, high fever, and food poisoning. He was SO sick and we are grateful for modern medicine because he needed a lot of it! He finally began feeling more like himself around Wednesday afternoon and we are thankful he is okay and is now back to normal again!
I read this book this week and loved it — especially since the author spent 10 years in South Africa and you all know how much my heart loves that country! I’ll share more about how this book impacted me in me book post tomorrow.
I was honored to do a short interview for the Sorta Awesome podcast — one of my favorite podcasts. My interview is the last 12 minutes and I share some really honest thoughts about fear, lies, labels, and friendships. I also talk about my hospitality goals for this year and Discipleship Group.
Also, I am just LOVING leading a group of 220+ bloggers through a 4-Week Live Blog Coaching program. You can read a little bit of one topic we covered recently here.
Silas’ class presented in front of all of the school on Friday morning. They acted out details of the Punic Wars and then talked about how God has been so faithful in the lives of so many people throughout history. Silas chose to share on Noah and I loved getting to see him up on stage and how confident he is compared to the shy little boy he used to be a few years ago.
Two years ago, I was really struggling as a mom. I was often overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed, and scared about the future.
And it was because I was parenting out of a belief that it was my job to “fix” my kids — to be their Savior and Holy Spirit. In addition, I worried a lot about my reputation as a parent.
I wasn’t parenting to point my kids to Jesus; I was parenting to make myself feel better.
I didn’t recognize this, of course, and I wasn’t intentionally doing this. But it was the path I was on.
In essence, I cared more that my kids did the right thing, than that they were seeking a relationship with God. I wanted them to look good and be good in order to make me feel good.
So long as they made good choices, I felt happy and fulfilled. But when they made mistakes or struggled (which was much of the time, since they are kids and all!), I felt shame and guilt and discouragement.
On Wednesday this week, I stood up before a group of women in our church and got to share how God has transformed my heart as a parent these past two years. And it kind of blew me away to go back and remember the stress and frustration and shame and guilt I used to feel.
I’m so grateful for the transforming work of the Gospel… that it frees me up to stop striving and stressing. It frees me to wholeheartedly love my kids and patiently walk with my kids — through the beautiful days and the brutal days, without carrying the weight of shame & guilt anymore.
There is so much freedom and joy in this place, even on the hard days!
If you can relate to any of this or you struggle with Mommy Guilt and feel like you are always failing or are never doing enough or just can’t get it right as a mom, I highly recommend reading Mom Set Free.
This book is SO good. I slowly savored it — reading just a little bit every day — to make it last as long as I could and to really soak in the truths from it.
A few years ago, one of my friends announced her pregnancy. And I instantly felt all kinds of irritation toward her.
In fact, I didn’t want to see her or acknowledge her pregnancy. Why? Because she’d “effortlessly” had two babies in a short amount of time. All while I’d experienced disappointment month after month with secondary infertility.
I realized that my feelings toward her weren’t about her; they were about ME. I desperately wanted what she had… and I didn’t have it.
Here’s the thing I’ve learned from 8 years of secondary infertility: you can’t take the pain away. It’s always going to sting a little (or a LOT). And you will always feel that sadness and longing when you see a baby or a pregnant woman.
But being jealous of her or irritated at her won’t fix anything. It will only hurt you and prevent you from beautiful connections.
It’s the same in all areas of our life. And when I notice myself feeling frustrated or irritated at someone, I now stop to ask myself, “Am I in any way jealous of this person or something in their life?”
You guys! So much of the time, that question uncovers a lot of stuff in my heart that I need to process through… and when I’m finished processing, I realize I have no reason to be irritated or frustrated at them at all!
Let’s choose connection over criticism, joy over jealousy. We were created for community, not comparison!
Photo credit: @kellybeckleyshank
2018 Goals Update
Personal Goals
1. Read 100 non-self-help books that will build me up/encourage me/inspire me/recharge me. (Fiction/story-driven/biographies/inspirational living books/devotionals.) See the list of 44 books I plan to read this year.
**Progress: 17 books read so far this year
2. Read through the entire Bible.
**Progress: I’m using the Robert Murray M’Cheyne plan and am all caught up— yay!
3. Write one handwritten note to someone every week.
**Progress: 14 notes written so far this year
4. Run 500 miles.
**Progress: 106 miles run so far
Marriage Goal
5. Go on an overnight trip with Jesse without the kids.Jesse and I went to NYC together in January.Family Goals
6. Read 10 books aloud with the kids.
**Progress: I’ve finished one book so far.
7. Take the kids to South Africa.
**Progress: We nailed down dates for our trip!
8. Go on a family road trip.
Financial Goals
9. Save up to pay cash to finish off an office for me and workout room for Jesse and me in the basement in our new house.
10. Replenish our Emergency Fund (we dipped into it to replace my car when it got totaled because of the carpet beetle infestation.)
Business Goals
11. Increase our gross income from the business by 8%.
12. Launch 5 new courses.
**Progress: 4 Weeks to a More Productive Life launched in January and Content Creation 101 launched in February. We launched the 4-Week Blog Coaching Program in March and we’re launching a few YourBloggingUniversity.com course in a few days!
Links You Should Check Out:
Hospitality on a Budget — Is it possible to show hospitality when you’re on a tight budget? Well, judging by the emails and comments I’ve received on this topic in recent months, this is something that many of you are struggling with. (I did a live video on this topic here, too.)
Ice Cream Soaked French Toast — Yes, please! (And it’s freezer-friendly, too!)
How I’m Staying Fit in This Season of Life — People are always asking me about fitness. Here are lots of details on what I do, what I don’t do, and how I keep it simple. (I did a live video on this topic here.)
P.S. Need a laugh? This gave us WAY more entertainment than I should probably admit!
Slow Day: Week 12
Welcome to my weekly Slow Day post, inspired by Monica from The Homespun Heart. My Word for 2018 is Slow and, in the spirit of that word, I’m taking one day each week (Wednesday) off — I’ll be unplugged and offline and plan to move at a slower pace, take time to do things that refresh me, and just really focus on being present and savoring the moment.
Each Saturday, I’ll be sharing a photographic peek into my Slow Day — and I’ll let the pictures almost 100% speak for themselves, instead of giving many explanations. Enjoy a little peek into our lives!
Homemade Pancakes in the car on the way to school… because some mornings, you just do the best you can do, eh? 🙂
I was supposed to teach on parenting at Discipleship Group this morning but because of Jesse being in Peru and then coming back super sick and me spending most of afternoon and evening before at Urgent Care with him, I didn’t have a chance to work much on my talk until Wednesday morning.
I jotted down some of my notes for my talk in the parking lot after dropping Kaitlynn and Silas off at school and while waiting to take Kathrynne to school (she had a later start than usual because they were going on a field trip).
I had some notes for the talk already on my computer, so I used my notebook for the first part of the talk and my computer for my second part of the talk. I had planned to print my notes, but when I went home to quickly finish doing my hair and makeup and make sure Jesse had everything he needed (since he was still sick), I couldn’t get the printer to work.
So I literally just used my computer and notebook when I gave the talk. Yet again, sometimes you just do what you have to do!
I shared some from my talk here and here. And here’s the book (Mom Set Free) I highly recommended that people read.
I met a friend for a quick lunch after Discipleship Group and then went home to check on Jesse. He was doing a lot better (thank you, Jesus, for medicine!) and I convinced him to ride in the car to school pick-ups.
I took his picture (mostly because I was so excited he was up and feeling better!) and he was pretending he didn’t want me to take his photo so he covered up his face with his phone. 😉
After school pick-ups, I dropped the girls off and then took Silas to his flag football practice. It was cold outside, so I stayed in the car and read my Bible and answered texts.
After football, I took Kathrynne to youth group at church and met a friend for tea until it was time to pick Kathrynne up. And I can’t even remember if I did anything else or went straight to bed.
I guess you could say I spent most of my Slow Day in the car! 😉
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Shared Mar 24, 2018
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Brigette’s $82 Grocery Shopping Trip, Zaycon Order, and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $82 Grocery Shopping Trip, Zaycon Order, and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Aldi
1 large Spiral Sliced Ham (12.95lbs @ $0.95/lb) – $12.30
1 pkg Penne Rigate – $0.79
1 pkg Organic Linguini – $1.09
1 jar Organic Apple Cider Vinegar – $1.99
1 jar Balsamic Vinegar – $1.99
1 can Parmesan Cheese – $1.99
1 16-oz bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $2.05
1 12-oz bag Shredded Colby Jack Cheese – $1.65
2 64-oz cartons Orange Juice – $2.98
1 gallon Whole Milk – $1.36
1 16-oz carton Heavy Whipping Cream – $1.55
1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $1.59
2 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $3.98
2 dozen Eggs – $1.96
1 jar Organic Ketchup – $1.49
1 Pancake Syrup (this was before I realized it was on sale at Harris Teeter – oops!) – $1.19
5 individual Greek Yogurts – $2.75
1 Pineapple – $0.79
1 Cantaloupe – $0.99
1 Personal-Size Watermelon – $1.89
1 bag Green Grapes (2.83lbs @ $0.99/lb) – $2.83
1 tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.79
1 pkg Broccoli Crowns – $1.45
2 pkgs Romaine Hearts – $3.98
1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $2.05
2 bags Baby Carrots – $1.38
1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.75
1 Cauliflower – $1.89
1 bag Radishes – $0.59
1 bag Zucchini – $1.49
1 loaf Sandwich Bread – $0.65
1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $0.59
Total: $68.81
Harris Teeter
2 boxes Cheerios – $3.48, used $0.75/2 General Mills Chex, Cheerios, Wheaties, Basic 4, Raisin Nut Bran, Oatmeal Crisp, Total, or Nature Valley Boxed Cereal – 3-11-18 SS (exp. 04/21/18) (doubled) – $1.98/2 after coupon
2 jars Ragu – $2.50, used $0.75/2 Ragu Sauces – 3-4-18 SS; Excludes 14 oz (exp. 04/01/18) (doubled) – $1.00/2 after coupon
1 jar Mrs. Butterworth’s Pancake Syrup – $1.64, used $0.50/1 Mrs. Butterworth’s Lite, Original Or Sugar Free Syrup – 1-7-18 SS (exp. 04/07/18) (doubled) – $0.64 after coupon
1 5-lb pkg Pillsbury Bread Flour – $1.97
2 jars Wishbone Salad Dressing – $2.78, plus receive $1 catalina wyb 2 – $1.78/2 after coupon
2 pkgs Perdue Short Cuts Grilled Chicken – $4.00, used 2 $0.75/1 Perdue Refrigerated Fully Cooked Product – 2-11-18 RP (exp. 03/25/18) (doubled) – $1.00/2 after coupons
4 pkgs McCormick Brown Gravy Mix – $2.00, used 2 $0.50/2 McCormick Gravy Mixes – 3-18-18 RP (exp. 04/22/18) (doubled) – FREE after coupons
1 pkg Tortillas – $0.89
6 cans Pinto/Black Beans – $2.22
6 cans Green Beans – $2.22
Total: $13.70
Zaycon
I’ve been purchasing all my boneless chicken breasts through Zaycon for the past several years. They are fresh (never frozen) and extremely affordable! I always wait until they go on sale for $1.49/lb. If you don’t mind purchasing in bulk, I highly recommend checking to see if Zaycon offers a drop-off in your area.
40lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – $58.59
~Used $29.78 of referral credit
Total: $28.81
Grocery Total for the Week: $82.51, PLUS a $28.81 Zaycon Order
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Everyone is responsible for making/cleaning up their own breakfasts. Choices include:
Cereal, Oatmeal, Fruit, Toast, Fried/Boiled/Scrambled Eggs
Lunches
Cheese Quesadillas, Fruit, Carrots
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Grapes, Carrots x 2
Build-Your-Own Tossed Salad Bar (Grilled Chicken, Craisins, Shredded Cheese, Fresh Chopped Veggies, Romaine/Spring Mix Dressing) x 2
PB and J on Hamburger Buns, Carrots/Cucumbers, Yogurt
Leftovers
Dinners
Pan Fried Catfish (A friend gave us 2 HUGE gallon sized bags full of freshly caught and filleted catfish! This will last us for about 4 meals, so most of it went into the freezer), Pineapple, Green Beans, Biscuits
Ham and Broccoli Quiche, Watermelon, Tossed Salad, Make-Ahead Butterhorns
Best Turkey Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Broccoli
Crockpot Italian Chicken, Tossed Salad, Easy Whole Wheat Bread, Creamy Milk Rice
Ham and Bean Soup, Cornbread (family recipe from my husband’s side), Fresh Veggies with Dip
One Pot Chicken Alfredo, Focaccia Bread, Tossed Salad, Cantaloupe
Dinner at Cracker Barrel with Friends
Shared Mar 22, 2018
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Cinnamon Raisin Ice Cream Soaked French Toast (Freezer-Friendly)
Cinnamon Raisin Ice Cream Soaked French Toast (Freezer-Friendly)
I’m excited to be bringing you another yummy breakfast recipe from my youngest sister, Olivia! If you need a winner French Toast recipe, this is it!
This Ice Cream Soaked French Toast is a Winner!
I started making this recipe a few years back when I was looking for the perfect French toast recipe to use on one of our super-sized family vacations. (I’m usually in charge of all the meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking!)
With 25+ people to feed, it can be difficult to come up with a recipe that suits everyone’s tastes. But ice cream-soaked French toast was a total hit with everyone the first time I made it, and we’ve been using it on our family trips ever since!
It’s extremely simple to make and can easily feed a crowd if you double or triple the recipe.
Ingredients for Ice Cream Soaked French Toast
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream, melted
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 stick butter (8 Tablespoons), melted
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 10-12 slices of cinnamon raisin bread
NOTE: Sometimes I substitute different types of bread if people don’t like raisins. Feel free to switch it up with the bread of your liking, but I think raisins add a special boost of flavor. 🙂
How to Make Ice Cream Soaked French Toast
1. Whisk together ice cream, eggs, butter, and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Greased your griddle and set it to medium heat.
3. Soak bread in ice cream mixture (working with a few slices at a time) and let it sit for about 20 seconds or until completely soaked through.
4. Place soaked bread on hot skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, 1-3 minutes per side.
5. Repeat with the remaining slices of bread.
6. Serve immediately with butter and warm syrup.
How to Freeze French Toast
1. Lay French toast slices flat on cookie sheets and allow to freeze for about 30 minutes.
2. Remove from cookie sheets, and place in freezer bags.
3. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat: Place frozen slices of French Toast on a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
Recipe
Cinnamon Raisin Ice Cream Soaked French Toast
Ice cream-soaked French toast was a total hit with everyone the first time I made it, and we've been using it on our family trips ever since!It's extremely simple to make and can easily feed a crowd if you double or triple the recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream melted
- 4 eggs beaten
- ½ cup butter melted
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 12 slices cinnamon raisin bread
Instructions
- Whisk together ice cream, eggs, butter, and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl.
- Greased your griddle and set it to medium heat.
- Soak bread in ice cream mixture (working with a few slices at a time) and let it sit for about 20 seconds or until completely soaked through.
- Place soaked bread on hot skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, 1-3 minutes per side.
- Repeat with remaining bread slices.
- Serve immediately with butter and warm syrup.
Notes
Feel free to switch it up with the bread of your liking, but I think raisins add a special boost of flavor. 
TO FREEZE: Lay French toast slices flat on cookie sheets and allow to freeze for about 30 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets, and place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
TO REHEAT: Place slices of frozen French toast on a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
TO FREEZE: Lay French toast slices flat on cookie sheets and allow to freeze for about 30 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets, and place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
TO REHEAT: Place slices of frozen French toast on a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 181mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 362IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
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Olivia is a music teacher, graphic designer, and event organizer. She loves hospitality, ministering to the elderly, reaching out to international students, playing harp gigs, adding beauty to everyday life, and experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. Her greatest joy in life come from knowing God and growing in her relationship with Him.
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Target Savings Tip: Double Check Prices On Your App!
Did you know you can possibly save money by double checking in-store prices in your Target app?
Simply open your Target app and scan the item. If the price is lower than what is scanned at the register, the cashier will price match it to the price in the app!
Thanks, Rachael Resourceful Road!
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MySurvey is a company that I have used in the past and earned money from. You can redeem your points earned for cash or prizes, and every 1000 points equals $10.
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Looking for more opportunities to make money from home? See my list of recommended survey companies here.
How I Am Staying Fit in this Season of My Life
Someone recently wrote in and asked, “How do you stay fit?”
While I’ve talked about fitness in previous posts, it’s been awhile and I thought it would be great to revisit this topic again and share where I’m at in my current season of life!
As I thought about how I’m staying fit right now, three strategies came to mind:
1. I make it a priority.
I was blessed to be raised by parents who made fitness a big priority. My dad was a runner in high school and college (he was on the track team) and still runs 3 miles every single day at age 64! My mom is also really into fitness and encouraged us to participate with her in various workout programs (or just long walks or bike rides) many times while we were growing up.
As I watched both of my parents make physical fitness a priority — even in the middle of their busy lives — I knew that it was possible to find time for fitness, if you made it a priority.
As with anything you want to do in life, you can’t just say you want to do it. You have to commit to it and make it a priority. For me, that means getting in exercise as early as possible in the day and making my health and well-being a priority.
When I’m fit, I have more energy, I’m happier, I’m healthier, and I enjoy my life more. I’m a better wife, mom, and business owner. In fact, I wear all of my hats better when fitness is a priority. And it’s worth it!
2. I do what works in this season of life.
Staying fit will look different in different seasons. Right now, here’s what it looks like for me…
- Drinking a gallon of lemon water every day. If you drink enough water and stay hydrated, it will help you stay healthy, sleep better, improve your skin, make you feel more energetic, take away aches and pains from dehydration, and regulate your weight and digestion.
- I eat a big salad every day, as well as other raw fruits and veggies. I try to eat good protein at every single meal and eat mostly whole grains. I feel better when I eat whole grains, and I know that it’s better for me.
- Limit desserts and sweets. I don’t completely limit them. I did for a long period of time, but now I just make sure I eat sweets in moderation.
- Get enough sleep. Getting an adequate amount of sleep makes me healthier, happier, energetic, and more productive. It also helps my stress, clears up my skin, lowers my anxiety levels, and regulates my weight and metabolism.
- Make sure I’m not taking on too much. Stress drastically affects your health. Having too much on your plate can cause your whole body to be unhealthy. This is something I’ve made a huge priority in the last two years.
- And yes, exercise. I’ve learned not to push myself too hard. My personality is the type that I can easily be too driven and I can end up pushing myself too hard. Right now I have three very active kids who need a lot from me, I have a successful blog/business and work full-time + oversee my team and the longterm strategy of the blog, and I also invest a lot of my time into my local community. Because of this, I want to make sure exercise is fueling me, not draining me. So I try not to push myself too hard. I’m doing 10 push-ups per day and a run about 1-2 miles every day. And I try to stay active throughout the day, as well.
3. I don’t compare myself to others.
I encourage you to not compare yourself to someone else. It’s so easy to look at someone else and wish you had her body type or her metabolism.
I’m blessed to have great genes from my parents. They are healthy and slim and active and they seem to have passed on their great metabolisms and love of healthful foods and fitness to all of their kids.
But I know that not everyone has the same body structure or health or metabolism that I do. At the same time, I know that I need more sleep and more down time than a lot of other people do. Sometimes I can get frustrated that I’m not as able to go-go-go as someone else is, but then I remember that I have many strengths that other people probably wish they had.
Instead of wishing we were someone else, I want to embrace exactly who I am and all of the strengths and weaknesses, abilities and inabilities, body type and structure I’ve been given. And I want to make the best choices I can with the time, energy, and ability that I have.