Outfit Round-Up

So, if you're someone I've talked to in the past few weeks, chances are I've mentioned my upcoming (very minor!) surgery.  And, since I love talking about it so much (that's sarcasm, people), I figured I would let you guys know as well.  I'll be taking a couple weeks off from blogging while I recover in my bed with a stack of Stephen King novels and some doctor-prescribed painkillers.  In the meantime, here's a round-up of outfits I've worn in the past few months that I never got around to posting (until now, obvs.):

Outfit 1:

Fair Trade Friday - Hope Outfitters

Okay, it's time for a personal question: what legacy are you hoping to leave?

That vitally important question can shape the whole trajectory of your life.  That question is what prompted Ryan Welch, co-founder of Hope Outfitters, to step down from an entrepreneur group he was a part of, and start a company that gives back 100% of its' profits to the Kingdom of Christ.  He and his family left a life where the goal was to "build businesses and get rich," and instead decided to follow this most important truth: "The only thing that truly matters in this life is whether or not we love Christ and love others!" (from their "About Us" page.)  Every four months, the volunteer team that runs Hope Outfitters launches a new campaign for an aspect of social justice, and the current one is a cause that is close to my heart: supporting women that have been set free from a life of trafficking in Cambodia.

Thankfully, I married a man that shares the same heart, so when I sent him a link to Hope Outfitters explaining their 'Forever Free' campaign, he did some shopping.  And, I even convinced him to 'model' his purchases for today's post, along with a couple other tiny members of the family.

"Set Free" tee

OOTD - Silly and Sweatpantsless

Hey guys!  I missed Monday's Meal Plan this week, I'm still recovering from a bug I caught from my kiddos last week.  Thankfully, we're all mostly on the mend, and are even well enough to share some silly pictures with you!

...apparently, she's a kitty

Monday Meal Plan - 3/28

Hello everyone!  I hope you all had a great Easter weekend, we ended up having a low-key day at home, which was just what we needed!  Here's this week's meal plan for our family:

(Don't forget, in addition to this list, I also eat an early 'pre-breakfast' of Triple Zero Oikos yogurt and coffee with added collagen [favorite brand here].  I skip Sundays since we usually just eat yogurt in the morning, and leftovers later in the day.  All page numbers are from the new edition of the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook.)

Monday (3/28)
B: Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, and sliced tomatoes (S)
L: THM Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole (S)
D: Pearl's Chili (p.101), I make a 1/2 batch and use ground turkey (E)
Snacks: Pay-Off Day Candies (p. 381) (S), Apple with PB dip (GY, PB, and stevia) (CO)
Drinks: the 'Shrinker,' Iced (decaf) Mint Mocha {pour cup of coffee over ice, then blend (separately) almond milk, cocoa, 1/2 scoop protein powder, a dash of cream, stevia, and a few drops peppermint extract, add to glass, stir and enjoy!}

Tuesday (3/29)
B: THM Pancakes (p. 359) with SF syrup, strawberries, and bacon (CO)
L: Lemon Herb Drummies (p.51), baked sweet potatoes (CO)
D: (out - bringing dessert to small group)
Snacks: Peanut Butter Whip (S), veggies (carrots, snap peas, cucumbers) and hummus (E)
Drinks: GGMS made with La Croix, B.P. Chai Tea (S)

Wednesday (3/30)
B: Protein Shake made with frozen peaches, GY, stevia, protein powder, 1/4 c oats, and almond milk (E)
L: wrap made with turkey, LLC, and low-carb tortilla, leftover Pay-Off Day candies (S)
D: (out - bringing salad to small group)
Snacks: Apple and cheese (CO), popcorn and hot tea with collagen (E)
Drinks: Orange Vitamin Water Zero

Thursday (3/31)
B: Creamy Maple and 'Brown Sugar' Oatmeal (E)
L: Philly Cheesesteak in a bowl (S)
D: Tuna Quesadillas (with low-carb tortillas), sliced bell peppers (S)
Snacks: veggies and hummus (E), Butterfinger Bars (S)
Drinks: the 'Shrinker,' Iced (decaf) Mint Mocha {pour cup of coffee over ice, then blend (separately) almond milk, cocoa, 1/2 scoop protein powder, a dash of cream, stevia, and a few drops peppermint extract, add to glass, stir and enjoy!}

Friday (4/1)
B: Scrambled Eggs and bacon (S)
L: Butter Chicken, brown rice (CO)
D: THM microwave 'Pizza' (S)
Snacks: Apple Oat Cakes (E), Cheese Crackers (p. 449) with ranch dip (ranch mix and sour cream) (S)
Drinks: GGMS made with La Croix, B.P. Chai Tea (S)

Saturday (4/2)
B: leftover Apple Oat Cakes, GY with stevia and berries (E)
L: wrap made with turkey, LLC, and low-carb tortilla (FP)
D: (either out or leftover Butter Chicken (S))
Snacks: Apple and Cheese Crackers (CO), leftover Butterfinger Bars (S), popcorn and hot tea with collagen (E)
Drinks: Lemonade Vitamin Water Zero

I hope ya'll have a great week!

Hey guys!  I'm taking a break from the blog for this week due to some sickies in our house, but I'll be back next Monday with another Monday Meal Plan.  Until then, have a great week!

OOTD - Pantsless Wonder

Monday Meal Plan - 3/14

I keep glancing at the clock, and thinking it's earlier than it is, so you can blame Daylight Savings on this meal plan being late today.  (...and no, my procrastination has nothing to do with it!)  Of course,  I tend to put off grocery shopping as long as possible, too, since it's not my favorite thing to do, so that may have factored into my putting off my meal-planning-and-shopping-list-making as well.  I have found, though, if I can put off my grocery shopping until Tuesdays, I'm able to save our family a bit of money.  And yes, some of that money might end up being used to feed (ha ha) my thrift shopping habit!  The best money saving tip I've found is to peruse the meat section early in the mornings on Tuesdays... that's when a lot of items get marked down in our local store, and then I'll stock up on meats to stick in the freezer for the next week's meals.  This week, I'll be using up some chicken breasts and salmon that I snagged last week for a few dollars less than the original price.  Plus, I've been really craving sweets this week (more than normal, anyways), so expect to see a lot of on-plan desserts this time!

(Don't forget, in addition to this list, I also eat an early 'pre-breakfast' of Triple Zero Oikos yogurt and coffee with added collagen [favorite brand here].  I skip Sundays since we usually just eat yogurt in the morning, and leftovers later in the day.  All page numbers are from the new edition of the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook.)

Monday (3/14)
B: THM Pancakes (p.259) with SF Syrup (E)
L: Taco Salad made with ground beef, lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream, and cheese (S)
D: Quinoa Chicken Nuggets (spray with coconut oil) with baked sweet potatoes (E/CO with oil)
Snacks: Pay Off Day Candies (p. 381) (S), Veggies (carrots, snap peas, cucumber) with Hummus (E)

Drinks: the 'Shrinker,' Iced (decaf) Mint Mocha {pour cup of coffee over ice, then blend (separately) almond milk, cocoa, 1/2 scoop protein powder, a dash of cream, stevia, and a few drops peppermint extract, add to glass, stir and enjoy!}

Tuesday (3/15)

B: Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, fresh strawberries (S)
L: Spinach Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken, Green Beans with butter (S)

D: (out - bringing salad to small group)

Snacks: Apple Oat Cakes (E), Butterfinger Bars (S)

Drinks: GGMS made with pineapple strawberry La Croix, B.P. Chai Tea (S)

Wednesday (3/16)

B: Apple Oat Cakes, Smoothie made with GY, fresh strawberries, stevia (E)

L: wrap made with turkey, LLC, and low-carb tortilla (FP)

D: (out - bringing dessert to small group)
Snacks: leftover Pay Off Day Candies (S), apple and cheese (CO)

Drinks: Vitamin Water Zero, Wonderland Sip, iced (p. 405)

Thursday (3/17)

B: Chocolate Waffles (p. 265) with strawberry 'syrup' {frozen strawberries (thawed), a bit of water, stevia, and a few dashes of glucomannan blended together} (E)

L: One Pot Garlic Pasta (I add shredded rotisserie chicken and use Dreamfield's pasta), fresh veggies

D: (out - family birthday TBD: I'll order lettuce-wrapped burger or grilled chicken salad)

Snacks: Berry Crunch Bars (p. 392) (S), leftover Butterfinger Bars (S)
Drinks: the 'Shrinker,' Iced (decaf) Mint Mocha

Friday (3/18)

B: Scrambled Eggs and Bacon (S)

L: Big Salad w/veggies topped with Salmon sauteed in coconut oil (S)

D: leftover Chicken and Rice soup (frozen/thawed from two weeks ago - I just throw shredded rotisserie chicken, chopped celery, onion, and carrots, parsley, bay leaves, and garlic powder, salt, and pepper into some chicken broth in the crock pot and cook on low until all the flavors have blended... like 6 hours maybe?  then stir in some pre-cooked brown rice) (E)
Snacks: leftover Pay Off Day Candies (S), veggies and hummus (E)

Drinks: GGMS made with La Croix, B.P. Chai Tea (S)

Saturday (3/19)

B: Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal, Smoothie made with GY, fresh strawberries, stevia (E)

L: wrap made with turkey, LLC, and low-carb tortilla (FP)

D: Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bowls (I'm using jarred spaghetti sauce) (CO)

Snacks: leftover Berry Crunch Bars (S), apple and cheese (CO)

Drinks: Vitamin Water Zero, Wonderland Sip, iced (p.405)

{If you're wondering, "hey, Grace, what's up with all those crazy abbreviations after your meals?" you can check out my first Monday Meal Plan for an explanation!}