by Ruth Ann -

$25 Meal Plan – Sept 16

Here is this week's $25 weekly meal plan. We are sharing ideas for meals that cost approximately $5 each, in these meal plans. Some week's I get them under $25, like this one foe $22.80, and some weeks are a few dollars over. It is a great guideline and idea starter for your meal planning efforts!

by Ruth Ann -

$25 Meal Plan – Sept 2nd

Here is this week's $25 weekly meal plan. We are sharing ideas for meals that cost approximately $5 each, in these meal plans. Some week's I get them under $25 and some weeks a few dollars over. It is a great guideline and idea started for your meal planning efforts!

This Week's Menu includes French Onion Soup, Honey Garlic Ribs, Sheet Pan Chicken & Veggies, Spinach & Mushroom Omelet and Chicken Fried Rice!

by Ruth Ann -

It’s A Date, Our First Night Out In Ages!

*this date was sponsored by Lotus Vietnamese Restaurant. All opinions and wording are our own.

This past weekend my husband, Doug, and I managed to go out for a date. Other than work related night's out, I can not remember the last time the two of us actually went out without the children. In the past we have always relied on family to babysit, but our oldest is perfectly capable to babysit now, so we decided it was time to have an evening together, out of the house, and away from the kiddos!

by Ruth Ann -

Sunday Meal Prep January 29

Sunday Meal Prep January 29

Meal Prep To Match This Week's Meal Plan

I have decided to start a separate weekly Meal Prep post with pics and details, here is the list of what I did. If you want to see my Meal Plan, CLICK HERE. I spend roughly 3 to 4 hours on Sunday prepping food for the week. This makes meals during the week so quick and easy. It is worth it to have everything ready.

by Ruth Ann -

Chicken “Pot Pie” Wreath

Chicken "Pot Pie" Wreath

Here's my take on an easy Chicken Pie! Crescent rolls were on sale a few weeks ago for $0.99 a package. I picked up 4 and here is what I did with 2 packs.

Over the holidays, my mom was visiting and when we have company, I like to serve more planned meals that are easy to throw together. This was one of the meals I made that is quick and super easy....and delicious.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 pk Crescent Rolls
  • 2 cups cubed cooked Chicken
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas & Carrots (cooked)
  • 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
  • Salt & Pepper to taste.

 

- Place crescent roles in a circle to form a "sun". Using floured fingers, press the dough flat around the center of the wreath, giving you about 2 inches of solid dough all the way around the ring.

- In bowl, combine remainder of ingredients and stir.

- Scoop spoonfuls around the dough wreath. Create a full circle around the  wreath shape.

- Fold the points of the crescent rolls up over the chicken mound and connect to dough at inside of the ring.

- Bake at 375 degrees for 20-22 minutes.

Makes 4-5 servings

 

by Ruth Ann -

Hosting A Cookie Exchange

Hosting A Cookie Exchange

cookieexchange

I love baking, and Christmas tends to be my favourite time of year for baking, and being creative. That being said, it also gets very expensive to buy all the supplies to create all these little nuggets of goodness!

Wouldn't you rather be spending the money on having fun with your friends and family? I know I would. So let's chat about a fun way to spend time with those you love and share some goodies to use over the holidays.

Cookie Swaps or Cookie Exchanges have been popular for decades, but honestly, I have only participated in a couple. One through a workplace and one with friends. It is a fabulous way to try new cookies and treats and to grow you recipe list as well.

Here are some tips for hosting a successful cookie swap:

Have a theme

Perhaps you want to host an Ugly Sweater Party, Fancy Dresses, or Slippers & PJs! You can get very creative with a theme and it will take the cookie exchange to another level of fun for the evening.

Pick a type of cookie or treat to exchange

Simply pick a type of cookies/treat to share, such as No Bake Treats, or Sugar Cookies. Trust me, there will be a variety no matter what type of cookie or treat you choose. If you select sugar cookies, gingerbread or shortbread, ask that they be decorated in some way with icing or candies.

Send out an invitation

Send an invitation to your friends and family outlining the evening. Be specific with what you are requesting for # of cookies and what they need to bring. You can create the invites and send via email or traditional mail. You could even create a facebook private group and invite the people you are having.

Ask what people  are bringing (about a week in advance)

You don't need to have the specifics, but knowing the types of cookies or treats that are coming will help you ensure there will be a variety for people to take home.

Ask guests to bring samples of the treats

In addition to the amount of cookies required for the exchange, ask your guests to bring a few samples, or smaller versions of the cookie they brought. Set this number according to # of guests attending. This will allow everyone to have a treat at the party and also try the cookies they will be taking home.

 Notify guests of any food allergies

If anyone attending has a food allergy, be sure to request the treats are free of the food they are allergic to.

Share the Recipes

Ask guests to bring their recipe printed out for other guests to take home. If you are into being uniform, you could ask guests to send you the recipes and then print them out together. You can create a yearly Cookie Exchange Recipe Book! Wouldn't that be fun?

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We all have our favourite cookies and holiday treats, participating in a cookie exchange allows us to have a larger variety on hand over the holidays, without having to do all the baking!

I am headed to a cookie exchange with a friend tomorrow night and will be taking my Red & Green Crinkle Cookies. If you are looking for more inspiration, be sure to check the link below for a huge list of holiday cookie ideas!

Need ideas for what to make?

Check out this amazing list shared with me by other Canadian bloggers.

34holidaycookies

by Ruth Ann -

My #80lbJourney – Food, Fuel & A New Perspective

sept15_2016

The 8 week challenge was provided to me in exchange for honest review. All wording and opinions are my own.

This week it is time to take control of the FOOD I put in my body. I always thought I ate okay, except evening snacks. But I started the 8 week challenge with Deborah Hann and Journey to Wellness.  Well, let me tell you, it has been eye opening to say the least.

It is no longer about eating when I am hungry...it is about deliberately refueling my body throughout the day.

I don't even get hungry anymore, because I am giving myself the right food at the right times.

I am only on my 4th day doing this, but I can see such positive changes already!

No headaches, more energy and this morning, I didn't even notice I missed my coffee!

If you are following me on Facebook or Instagram,  you probably saw me post this picture.

August 2016 vs September 2016

The second shot is from Monday this week, its my "Before" pic for the 8 week program. I also did a fitness test and took measurements. I am most excited about how I am already feeling though.

If changing my food and increasing my water intake is making me feel this great so far...7 weeks from now I will be one happy lady, on a continued journey to get healthier each day by making the best choices for my body.

I am so very excited to see what changes will happen between now and the end of the challenge and beyond. Thanks for reading and I look forward to continuing to share this journey with you all.

Watch for recipes, meal planning and meal prep posts coming up as I continue to make positive changes for myself and my family.