SPI Spot

On Monday the kids did not have school due to teacher in-service. It was too hot to go outside and play so we decided to head out to SPI Spot. SPI Spot operates a discovery space for families that encompasses science and play, STEM Programming, and outreach activities. We were fortunate enough to be granted a free family membership for 1 year after Rebecca was nominated for a free membership (this was valued at over $100).

So we headed there on Monday to set up the memberships and check the place out. That place was so interesting. There was a lot of things for the kids to do and they ALL had fun. There was stuff for all ages from toddler to teen. 

It is truly a unique resource in our community and we will definitely be making the most of our membership. 

Weigh In Wednesday: moving in the right direction

Last week's weigh in was miserable. I gained weight and I just felt bad. This week the scale was in my favor! 

  My official starting weight (on 1/1/2017) was: 242.0 pounds!

My weight last week was 235.0 pounds.

My weight today is: 

So a loss of 1.6 pounds! 

Total weight loss from 1/1/2017: 8.6 pounds.

Now I just need to build on this momentum. Not sure why I lost weight as I have been trying to do low carb, but it is really hard. This weekend I ate like crap. October should be a little easier as we are going to try to do a no spend month so won't be eating out as much if at all. 

If you are trying to lose weight how are you doing? 

Apple Picking and Ice Cream for dinner?

On Saturday, we headed out early to go apple picking with the kids. We met up with my mom and to our surprise my sister came along. She was home from college for the weekend but was supposed to go with my Dad and brother to a college visit for my brother but instead decided to come apple picking with the kiddos! We decided to go early because the temperatures were supposed to reach to close to 90 degrees with heat indexes up to 100. (This is late September right?)

We headed out to Utica to Legend Hills Orchard. We go to this orchard every year as their prices can't be beat and they have a lovely farm market to go with their u-pick orchard. 

This year we ended up picking 5 huge bags of apples. We brought 3 home and my mom brought 2 to her house. My mom made crockpot apple butter and applesauce out of hers. She was also going to make a pie out of hers. Here, I have been making batches of applesauce to freeze. I will probably also make a pie (or 2) soon as well. 

After we went apple picking, we stopped and had an early lunch/late breakfast at Pioneer Restaurant in Utica. I haven't been to this diner in over 14 years. We all had yummy food! 

Then we decided to head across the street to Goodwill, as I was looking for a jacket for Rebecca (she left hers at school and someone walked off with it even though it had her name in it) and baby toys for the baby that I am babysitting. I scored on both accounts. I was able to get a jacket for Rebecca for under $3 and I got a huge box of toys for $5. When I got them home and could see what was in the box, there are a lot of toys I can use for the baby. SO yay! 

After Goodwill, we headed to my parents' house as my sister wanted to give me my belated birthday gift (my birthday is in July). She finally had finished it....and I love it. I love when she makes art stuff for me. 

That afternoon was spent just chilling at home...

Sunday, the kids had to go to PSR classes at church and I had to teach the 5th grade class. Then we had mass. After mass, Rebecca had alter server training to do while the boys played on the playground. We then went to Dollar Tree and McDonalds for lunch. After lunch, Rebecca and I dropped the boys and Bill off at home and we headed to the theatre to see a local production of "Lion King Jr." The boys had seen it for free on Friday with school, but Rebecca wanted to see it. It was very well done and very professional level.

 

That night, I really didn't want to cook dinner and at one point I even asked Bill if we could just get ice cream for dinner. He said I had to be sensible, so I made tacos. After we ate our tacos, we headed to Dairy Queen, because sometimes a girl just needs ice cream. I just had that kind of feeling.

Hope everyone reading had a good weekend. Now I must get back to processing more apples....

Nature Scenery for this Sunday

Sunday is meant to be a day of rest and relaxation and one of the ways that I rest is to spend time in Nature. I try to spend a least a little bit of time in nature each week. I have decided that I will use Sundays to share the photos of my nature adventures each week just as a way to relax and share the beauty that is God's creation with all. I hope you enjoy! 

Photos from September 21, 2017 at Ariel-Foundation Park

Photos from September 22, 2017 at The Heart of Ohio Trail

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday and gets to spend time in nature! 

Recap of Spirit Week at the Kids' School

This past week was spirit week at the kids' school. Each day had a theme that they encouraged the kids to dress as.

Monday was crazy sock day. We raided Rebecca's old softball socks from various years to come up with the crazy socks! 

Tuesday was neon day. Ben and Jacob's shirts both came from Goodwill and both shirts will probably become regulars in their wardrobes. Rebecca had her outfit already. 

Wednesday was dress up day (as it was also the day for school pictures). I just figured out that I never took their pictures at home. LOL. 

Thursday was crazy hair day. Rebecca came up with the idea for her hair all on her own. The boys wanted me to use spray hair color that I have had in our cabinet after buying it after Halloween either last year or the year before. We had red and teal. 

Friday was OSU (Scarlet and Grey) day AND crazy hat day. Friday had 2, because when the schedule was first released they had originally had crazy hair day schedule for Wednesday not realizing that it was picture day as well. LOL I will also say thank goodness for Goodwill, as I was able to get Ben and Rebecca OSU shirts for less than $5 where if I had bought them at Walmart, etc. I would have had to spend upwards of $15 per shirt!

The kids had a blast following all the themes and came up with the ideas behind their outfits. I loved seeing their creativity and having them look forward to the theme each day! 

Sausage Egg Roll in a bowl (low carb) (new recipe #13 of 2017)

I am still trying to find new recipes to make. I had some reactions to carbs this week that means that I need to go low carb from now on until I am sure I can still handle processed carbs. What that means is that some nights, I will have to make separate dinners for myself than I make for the family (ie. if they are having sandwiches, I will make something else.) That is what I did on Wednesday night. I wasn't feeling all that well and we figured out it was a reaction to an overload of carbs, so I made the family what I had on the menu--sandwiches, and I made a new low carb recipe for myself.

I had seen the recipe for a sausage egg roll in a bowl on Facebook and decided that it sounded really yummy. It is also low carb which is a win in my book. 

I followed most of the recipe, using chopped up cabbage and shredded carrots in place of the cole-slaw mix. I also used ground ginger instead of the minced ginger as that is what I had in my cabinet. I had this for dinner that night and LOVED it! My kids didn't want to try it and my husband wasn't a fan either. I guess it is something that I will make for myself. 

I wasn't sure how it would reheat, but I have eaten it over the last 2 days just heated up in the microwave and it reheats just fine and is still yummy. I also decided to not add the sesame oil to my lunch servings the last 2 days as I am not a huge fan of sesame oil and I think it was just as good. I have added fresh green onions to each serving before I ate it! 

I think this will definitely be an added dish for days/nights when I want something different or need a low-carb dish when the food I am cooking for Bill and the kids is heavy on the carbs. 

If you have any tried and true low carb recipes, please share!   

OTHER NEW RECIPES TRIED IN 2017:
Pork Chop and Scalloped Potato Bake
Tex-Mex Tilapia
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins 
Pizza Grilled Cheese
Southwestern Style Egg Scramble
Tuna Avocado Salad
Monkey Salad
Mini Mozzarella Stuffed Italian Meatloaves
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Buckeye Bars
Greek Style Green Beans and Chicken in the Crockpot

Weigh In Wednesday: One Step Forward, 2 Steps Back

So last week's weigh in was great. This week...not so much. I have n no excuse except I ate too many carbs...I overate. I ate crappy food and now I am paying for it. I also haven't been able to move. Oh well. Will move forward...

Anyhow, let's get on with this week's Weigh In Wednesday: 

    My official starting weight (on 1/1/2017) was: 242.0 pounds!

My weight last week was 233.6.

My weight today is: 

So a gain....

I just need to get back to low carb...

       If you are on a weight loss journey, how are you doing?