Week long Health Nut, Weekend Fatty

Now that I-for the most part-have my office snack attacks under control, I am working on another step towards healthier eating.  My biggest hassle is leveling out my carb intake; first of all, carbs are in EVERYTHING; pretty much unavoidable.  My new rule then is for the days that I don't work out, I will not eat anything that is pure carbs from lunch on. Bread for sandwiches is okay since it is mixed with protein, but other than that, no chips, no pretzels, etc.  I've been pretty good at this so far since I've replaced these with crinkle cut carrots.  Since I make a new dip every week, my salty, spicy, crunchy craving has been pretty satisfied.

I've been subbing quinoa for rice and cous cous and dinner, so I have a more protein packed carb with my meals.  I generally try to stay away from carbs at dinner, but if I do use it, I try to keep the portions small, and try to fill up on protein and vegetables.

If I know that I'm going out to lunch or dinner during the week, I will try to eat mostly protein and vegetables for my other meals. It helps keep me full enough not to crave carbs, and still gives me some leeway for the unhealthy  meal that I will have that day.

I do let it go during the weekends, but I don't let it get to a point where my eating is obliterated.  My thing is: it's hard to go out and intensely watch every single thing that you're eating and still be relaxed and have a good time.  I've tried this; it's actually miserable and you end up lusting over your friend's french fries or dessert.  I still try to eat as sensibly as I can, but I am a little more lax about it.

No matter what time of week it is, I always try to remember to pound the water.  I go through a bag of lemons every few weeks because I cannot stand the taste of water.  Lemon water is pretty much the best thing ever: it balances your PH, adds flavor to your water, and adds some vitamin C too.

The best feeling though, after being a weekend fatty, is having my pants be super loose by Monday afternoon; on a bad week, it takes until Wednesday morning to get to that point.  I have to face it: I like food, so I have to be smart about it...relaxed eating days aren't an awful thing..maybe it will take me longer to attain my goals, but as long as I'm not having binge days, I see no problem with being a weekend fatty.

Nail and String Art from Our Mini Family

I think that we have all seen the awesome nail and string art states that have been floating around on the internet and Pinterest lately.  I finally decided to attempt this; a 5 lb box of nails and a few squashed finger tips later, I had a beautiful Texas string art ready to hang in my apartment.  It's actually super easy; after painting the wood, I traced out my state and evenly hammered the nails in along the line. The heart was the most difficult part for me since it was small, but I like the way it came out.  When you start looping the string, keep the yarn intact until you are completely finished; that way, you can make sure that your beginning and ending knot are as tiny and unnoticeable as possible.

Source: ourminifamily.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Laundry Hints: Keeping Your White Clothes Clean and Bright from Homemade Mamas

For the record, I have never dyed any of my whites pink; splotchy and blue is another story.  I extremely dislike doing laundry, but for some reason, the idea of buying and using Borax was kind of exciting.  I don't know if that's something I should admit...I think it's because Borax seems so old school and hard core.  Anyway, I found this laundry tip on Pinterest and decided to give it a shot.  It definitely gets your whites clean and bright. If you don't mind buying borax and powdered dishwasher detergent, I'd definitely suggest giving this a shot. Now if only there was a shortcut to folding and hanging laundry!!

Source: homemademamas.net via Ashley on Pinterest

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo from Iowa Girl Eats

I for one cannot resist a cheesy, carby dish.  It's my weakness and I will not apologize.  Though this dish already has broccoli in it for a healthy serving of vegetables, vitamins, and fiber, I modified it by using brown rice instead of orzo, and reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese instead full fat cheese.  It still tasted delicious and I was able to enjoy Cheesy Broccoli Orzo for about a week using sensible portions and my best friend, the FoodSaver.

Source: iowagirleats.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Adventures in Responsible Adulthood...Semi Functional: Air in the Tires

Most people learn how to do basic car maintenance and upkeep at the latest when they have a car that they drive.  Besides washing a car, the only thing I knew how to do was replace wiper fluid and pump gas up until about 5 years ago.  Being that I am my father's daughter, he did not want me to bother with learning the basics; Discount Tire, NTB, and the dealerships have been frequent "go to's" in the past 8 years that I've held my drivers license.  While that is well and good, it has definitely kept me in an extremely japtastic category of needing people to do things for me that should not be necessary.  It also made me spend money that probably did not need to be spent.  

When I was younger, I would watch my dad take tire pressure and put air in the tires with his portable air pressure machine thing.  That thing was loud as hell and kind of terrifying, but still kind of cool.  I wish I had one; did you know that air costs $1 at 7-11? It would be more convenient, but either way, it would involve me learning how to take tire pressure, make sure it's correct, and working the air pump (gas station OR crazy loud machine).

The one thing I do know about tires and air pressure is that when it's cold out, the pressure in the tires "drops" but not really.  So, when my light came on in...January? I ignored it...all the way until last weekend when I actually looked at my tires and saw that they were way low. Obviously I proceeded to whine about how I don't have time to go and get air put in my tires instead of being logical and remembering that I kind of knew how to put air in tires.  Thanks to my stepmom who taught me about 5 years ago, I actually do possess this knowledge somewhere in the practical and functional part of my brain.  My dad actually did ask her why she was teaching me since I always have access to a Discount Tire.  She responded that her daughters knew how to put air in their tires and that she could not believe that he had not taught me.  Then I learned.  

5 years later was the first time that I actually had to put air in my tires.  Obviously I doubted myself since it had been a while and I am known for making some dumb random mistake that ruins everything...So I asked my friend, Abby to help me in exchange for a Slurpee.  Let me tell you, it's a lot easier to utilize the whole 5 minutes of air that you get when you have someone checking the new tire pressure right after you put air in it.  You don't waste air time checking and you don't have to run around your car like a complete chicken with its head cut off.

So now I can add putting air in my tires to the checklist of things that I can do when I need to be a semi functioning adult.  

For those of yall who may still be clueless, here is how to put air in your tires.

0) Find a friend who will be willing to check the tire pressure of the tires you've already filled

1) Find what the tire pressure should be in your owners manual

2) Buy a pressure gauge (under $2 at a gas station for the simple ones that kind of look like thermometers-the measuring part pops out with the pressure; its kind of amusing)

3) HAVE QUARTERS!

4) pull around to the air pump station and park as close as you can; the hose will only extend so much

5) unscrew the caps on each tire-DO NOT LOSE THEM-and take the pressure-you have to push the gauge on to the thing kind of hard, but you get an accurate reading. Technically, you see how much lower the pressure is so you kind of know how long to inflate the tire for-I don't really know how this is so I just kind of guessed and eyeballed when the tire was inflating. I put the caps loosely back on until I was ready to inflate

6) put your quarters in and GO!

7) inflate all four tires; the hose extends so you should be able to reach all four without moving the car-have your friend check the tire pressure, or if you're fast, you can do it...inflate it to the number specified in your manual

8) you're done! Slurpee time!

Bark for Life, Dallas, TX: May 11, 2013

I mentioned a few days ago that I am involved with planning an event called Bark for Life.  I'm sure that you all have heard of Relay for Life-Bark for Life is similar; it's a relay for you and your dog.  It's a pretty cool event that celebrates cancer survivors and caretakers (and the therapeutic abilities of our dogs!).  All funds raised through Bark for Life go to the American Cancer Society.  I would love to see all of my Dallas/DFW area friends and readers there, so please visit the Bark for Life homepage for more information.

You can also like the event on facebook and follow it on twitter.

Eating Well's Thermos Ready Smoothie

So as I've said before, the goal in my smoothie drinking enjoyment is to make sure that I don't get ridiculously hungry between breakfast and lunch .  The best way to stay full is not with empty carbs...or 18 Tums, it's to eat (drink?) something that is full of fiber and protein.  This smoothie from Eating Well is delicious and satisfying; it's also a great midmorning pick me up.

Source: eatingwell.com via Ashley on Pinterest