Menu Plan Monday Healthified

meal plan fall2 300x117 Menu Plan Monday Healthified

We are making some changes in my home as a family and trying to eat healthier.    We are watching our portions and following a new eating program which I will share with you sometime this week.  We won’t be completely eliminating any food but learning how to enjoy things within reason.

  • Quarter pound extra lean burgers on light wheat buns with all the veggie fixins, cauliflower and choice of fresh fruit.
  • Whole wheat rotini with marinara and meatballs and side salads.
  • Baked crispy fish and homemade potato wedges.
  • Salsa chicken and black beans with brown rice
  • Taco salads (this can be so healthy with the right toppings and portion control)
  • Ham egg bake
  • Leftovers and soup

Winners Galore!

It is time for a winners round-up.  Thanks so much for entering contests at My Red Apron and keep coming back as more are soon to hit our blog.

NutraSalt Winner:

Christina S

January 27, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Texas BBQ- I would use it on Steak to bbq over the grill.

BeemsterLite Cheese Winner:

 Nancy S.:
I subscribe to your feed.

Country Bob’s Sauce Winner:

 Marie:
I am a follower.
You all have bee notified via email and have 48 hours to respond!  Thanks for playing.

Thrift Store Finds (Plus Sizes & More)

I wanted to get this up yesterday so badly but I was down with a migraine and it wasn’t pretty.  So a day late and a few dollars saved you still get to see my latest treasures.

My first find was a Diana Buchman sweater with the tags still on priced at $175 on sale at the Salvation Army for $1.25! The sweater is basic black and it made a great gift for a friend since I can’t wear wool unless I want hives.   This picture really doesn’t do it justice. Sometimes it pays to stop while you are on vacation and out of your area.  I am sure we will drive this back way to Chicago more often just because of the conversation I had with the great sales lady!

dianabuchmansweater 225x300 Thrift Store Finds (Plus Sizes & More)

The other things we found at this location were new DVD and CD wire mesh crates which were brand new for $3 (I got three of them) and a sharp knife for $.50.  We had brought a block of cheese along on our vacation and forgot a knife so we found a nice one so we didn’t wind up stopping to get a new one.  Hey you have to wash it either way.

bins 200x300 Thrift Store Finds (Plus Sizes & More)

Next we stopped at a small thrift store in the burbs of Chicago and I got this great Maggie Barnes jacket which would retail for around $75 at Catherines.  I paid $.50 and gave it to my friend to wear with that great sweater!  She was so excited and I was thrilled to give it to her.

maggiebarnesjacket 225x300 Thrift Store Finds (Plus Sizes & More)

But my favorite was purchased this week at the Goodwill locally.  I got a Franklin Covey laptop bag.  This will surely come in handy for Boy Scouts which I grab my laptop for each week and when I travel to Mexico in 2 weeks for that mission trip.  I searched online to see it’s value knowing either way I got a steal but was in shock to see comparable bags at $169.  I paid only $2.  For Christmas I got my son a Swiss Gear bag at Walmart for $40 and it is pretty basic not much compared to my new “used” bag.  Here are some pictures of all the pockets and such it has way more than a standard laptop bag.

FCbag3 300x225 Thrift Store Finds (Plus Sizes & More)FCbag4 300x225 Thrift Store Finds (Plus Sizes & More)FCbag5 300x225 Thrift Store Finds (Plus Sizes & More)FCbag2 300x266 Thrift Store Finds (Plus Sizes & More)FCbag1 300x225 Thrift Store Finds (Plus Sizes & More)

I saved at the very least $432 over the retail price.  The items I purchased were either new with tags or so gently used you can’t tell I didn’t buy them new.  If you don’t shop at thrift stores you might want to find an afternoon and give it a try.  Be prepared for digging and really looking items over but it pays off.

Facebook Can Help You Shop

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of CSNStores. All opinions are 100% mine.

Most of us at this point have purchased something online.  But the world of online shopping is changing and social media such as Facebook can easily help you find a deal.  You can easily sign up for a Facebook page at facebook.com.  Once you have a page search for your favorite brands and stores.  Many of them offer freebies, giveaways, coupons or just deal updates. 

I recently signed up for CSNStores.  If you  haven’t heard of CSNStores it is a great online site with participation in over two hundred stores.  You literally could do almost all your shopping in this one location.  Stores are catorgorized and these are some of the store categories you will see.

  • Furniture
  • Home Decor
  • Housewears
  • Home Improvement
  • Outdoor
  • Babies & Kids
  • Shoes, Bags & Luggage
  • Health & Fitness
  • Pet
  • School & Office Supplies

This is just a start to what you will find at CSNStores.  I encourage you to check it out today if you are doing any shopping for yourself, friends, family or gifts.  Make sure to take a few minutes to sign up as a fan at Facebook also to get the latest deals and giveaway information!
post?slot id=172622&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsocialspark.com%2Fimages%2Fdisclosure badges%2Fdisclosure badge red three Facebook Can Help You Shop

Respite Care for Special Needs Children

If you have been following me long you know my oldest son is special needs.  I love him dearly but if you have had the experience of living with or been close to a special needs child you understand how much work whether that is physical or emotional that child can take.  Often it is a struggle to find adequate care for these kids.  I am very blessed to have my son on a waiver program provided through the state.  Part of his waiver includes respite care for my family.  Today our new worker Pam came to visit.  I can tell that she is going to work out very well for our family!  Hi Pam if you are reading icon wink Respite Care for Special Needs Children   I look forward to the time when I am going to be able to enjoy myself or just do the dishes uninterrupted.  If you have a special needs child and don’t have the ability to get a break I highly encourage you to call your local human services department and ask about respite care.  In most states there is a waiting list but the wait might be well worth it.  You might be able to find a low cost alternative with a referral as well.  As hard as it can be sometimes you need to learn to take a break and care for yourself a bit!