Loving the Challenge!!!

I am ready to start my second 90 day Challenge with Body by Vi and am so excited!!  I'm a bit slow posting, but that's because I've been so busy!  As of today, I have lost 29lbs and almost 3 pants sizes! I do have a couple of complaints about the Body By Vi Program...#1.  Wearing baggy clothes is miserable, maybe more so than tight ones! I hate pulling up my pants and I don't want to buy new ones, b/c they will be too big soon too!!!  #2. Even my wedding ring is too loose?!?!?  Ugh, those ring adjuster things pinch my finger, I don't think Billy will understand if I tell him that Visalus caused me to NOT wear my ring anymore! lol!  It literally fell off my finger in Walmart, so I'll have to have it resized.  #3. I am missing my tv shows...I have way too much energy to sit down and watch a show!  My dvr is full with things I want to see, but end up making use of my extra energy by doing things that are a bit more constructive! 

I am gonna rock this second challenge because I now have a system that is working for "me".  I absolutely love my vi shakes, they are a real "treat" for me to get to have.  I wake up each morning and have my cup of coffee (with honey & half and half), sometimes I have two cups.  Then, I make my morning shake...it usually consists of 8oz skim milk, 2 scoops vi mix, handful of spinach, 1/2 cup frozen bluberries, and 2 Tbs ground flax.  This is so yummy!  I sip that as I run around getting kids and husband off to work, or as I drive to gym.  I immediately start on my water.  I flavor them with raspberry neuros for the gym or an occassional Crystal Light packet, I am using a 32oz rubbermaid container (helps me measure my intake).  I usually have one container down before I even think about a snack, I eat big snacks that are around 200-300 calories, you can see some of them HERE!!!   I refill my water, and usually eat something when the kids have their lunch. My lunch is usually a salad with leftovers, grilled veggies, or turkey/cheese rollups. Sometimes I have breakfast food, cuz I love eggs! I have another shake around 2pm.  This shake is usually just the cake mix flavored regular one, i still just love it plain, it gets me through the afterschool routine and energy to cook dinner for everyone, I am usually not even hungry for dinner, but at least it makes me cook healthier, no big cravings to change my menu plans! lol!  Anyways, somedays I don't get my afternoon shake because we have dinner early or lunch late, whatever, then I just have my 2nd shake as a dessert with dark cocoa powder and mix ins from Kassi's Recipe FB Page!  I try to get 3-32oz containers of water down...it's getting easier and I feel full all the time too!

So, you see...I do not miss a meal, I am just happy that my mind is on something other than FOOD!!  I am busy being healthy, getting stuff done, and being involved with the best company ever!  It feels so good to hear how great a friend or family member is feeling, their health is so important!  If I stopped losing weight on Visalus, I would continue my shakes just for the healhty way it makes me feel, the weight loss is just a mega bonus for me!!  I'm getting ready to start this next challenge, so come one and join it with me!  Contact me for a free sample...100% money back guarantee, what do you have to lose, but inches!

Weekly Grocery Shopping 4 Less

I had this weeks menu planned and had Wal-Mart on my errand list to get everything I needed in one place..you know...the way Wal-Mart always sucks me in!  My gym is very close to our local Aldi's store so I glanced at my list and decided that most of what I needed could be gotten there, maybe I'd save a buck or two, why not?!? 

I strolled through, getting what was on my list (mostly dairy and produce) along with a few extras.  I even picked up a spiral cut ham in place of smoked ham for sandwiches.  My cart was overflowing, I always spend $100 on a weeks worth of groceries, but guess what?  I only spent $66.70 and since I even bought a whole ham and extras.....WOW!!!  I guess the pennies really do add up, back to shopping different stores for different deals!  I will not have to go to a store for an entire week, so I am thrilled! 

GO ALDI'S!!!!

Veggie Beef Soup

THIS is one of my all time favorite meals from growing up!  Mom would make this soup on a cool autumn day, or when we were sick.  So, this is what's for dinner at my house tonight, because we all have our first colds of the year.  This recipe is simple, and very inexpensive.

Beef stew meat, cut into 1" chunks. (I buy roasts in bulk and use the ends for soups)
Beef stock (optional, the meat cooking creates juice and flavor) or water
Onion soup packet (also optional, I rately use this...it has enough flavor without)
1-2 cans each of:  corn, green beans, carrots, stewed tomatoes with juice, peas, and any veggie or bean you love. You can even add small pasta if you wish.
Potatoes diced

I cut my beef roast into chunks, heat a crock on high with 1 Tbs. vegetable oil, sear the meat for a couple minutes, add beef broth or water, tomatoes with juice, potatoes,and seasoning if desired.  Simmer for 20 minututes, then add all the other canned veggies!  Heat well...  DONE!!  Easy and "oh so yummy" !!!!

Snacks under 200 calories!!!!

Since I started a 90 day "get healthy" challenge with Body by Vi, I have my shake for breakfast and lunch, but healthy snacks are needed and super important!  I found these yummy snacks on the Dr.Oz show and am so excited to share them! While they may not save you money, they will certainly save you some calories...that's important too!  are all 200 calories or less!  They are also put together with their health benefits in mind!  These snacks keep me from feeling deprived or hungry....so yummy!

Antipasto Power Plate
This easy-to-assemble snack packs a protein punch with the proscuitto, and there's plenty of fiber in the chickpeas and zucchini.

Ingredients
1 thin slice prosciutto or thin sliced ham
One 2% mozzarella string cheese
2 olives
1 cup grilled zucchini/squash
1/4 cup chickpeas (feel free to season with herbs..yum!)

Directions
Wrap the prosciutto around the string cheese. Enjoy with the olives and veggies on the side.

Mini Pizza Pocket
The vegetables bulk this snack up, without adding any extra fat. The lycopene in the tomato sauce is fat soluble, so the cheese helps with the absorption of this nutrient.

Ingredients
1 mini 100% whole wheat pita pocket or wheat sandwich thin
1 oz of 2% reduced fat mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp pasta sauce
1 cup spinach
2 onion slices plus any additional veggies
Directions
Assemble and place in toaster oven until cheese is melted.

Skinny Dip & Chips
The black pepper and hot sauce kick your metabolism up a notch. The Greek yogurt and walnuts are full of protein that'll help you stay fuller for longer.

Ingredients
For the dip:
1/2 cup of 2% Greek yogurt
1 tsp walnuts
Garlic
Black pepper
1 tsp hot sauce

What to dip:
1/2 oz blue potato chips (8 chips)
1 cup cherry tomatoes or favorite vegetable

Directions
Mix all dip components. Enjoy the dip with 8 blue potato chips and the cherry tomatoes

Cheesy Apple Sandwich
The apples are full of water and keep you feeling full, while the lemon juice regulates your metabolism and regulates your body's sugar absorption.

Ingredients
4 apple slices (these act as the "bread")
3 tbsp low-fat ricotta cheese (sometimes I use almond butter)
10 almonds
Lemon juice

Directions
Core apple and slice in thick pieces. Spread cheese and almonds on top of the apple slices. Sprinkle with lemon juice.

Peanut Butter & Banana Quesadilla

Ingredients
whole wheat tortilla
1 Tbs peanut butter
banana
cinnamon
Directions:  Spread pb on tortilla, top with sliced banana, sprinkle with cinnamon...you can even grill if you want it warm...so satisfying and delicious!! 

No Bake Truffles

Ingredients
5 dry dates
11 dry apricots
1/3 cup cacoa powder
1/2 Tbs. vanilla
1 Tbs. vanilla
1 Tbs. agave or honey
pinch salt
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions:  place in food processor, pulse, form into small 1 inch balls, then roll in chopped nuts or additional cocoa powder...you have a yummy chocolate snack!

Pizza Popcorn
This will make 8 cups of popcorn for only 200 calories.

3 Tbsp of un-popped kernels
1 Tbsp of grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of paprika
1 tsp of oregano
1 tsp of salt
1tsp of chives

Directions:  place in small brown paper lunch sack, fold opening over twice to close, microwave for 2-3 minutes on high, listen for the popping to slow down!  YUM, cheap, easy!!!!

My FAVES were the antipasto plate, apples with ricotta, and the pb banana quesadilla!!!!

Less is More for Valentine's Day!!!

I was reading the most recent issue of All You mag and realized that we save money around Valentine's Day too, and really get to enjoy it at the same time...

Instead of Going out to Dinner....plan a special dinner at home with or without the kiddos.  Heart-shaped grilled cheese with tomato soup, picnic style by the fire, s'mores over the fire, etc...be creative!

Instead of giving Boxed Candy...make your own together with your love or invite the kids to help and make it a fun and creative family occasion.  Cut an assortment of fresh yummy fruit and dip in melted dark chocolate or white chocolate, add pink/red sprinkles to make it special.  Dip pretzels, popcorn, crackers, or fingers!!!! YUM!!

Instead of spending a small fortune at the Florist...consider this:  Personally, I am not a "flower loving" type of gal...seems like a waste of money because they die...I prefer a live plant...I have dropped the hint that I'd love some small herbs for my kitchen window, something that can be used for a long time.  Flowers or decorations can be added to a live plant to make it seasonal and pretty! 

Instead of spending money on a card....write your own...it's soooo much more special and you don't have to dig through the card section, reading tons of cards, trying to find "the one" that says what you feel...nothing is better than your own words!  OR, better yet, we have the same two cards that we gave to eachother 10 years ago, we dig them out and write a special addition to it each year, it's fun to read the previous year's comments to see how we have changed and what has stayed the same....our love!  lol!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Healthier Meatball Subs

Here at Money Saving Momma, I'm all about saving money, but if I can save calories too....that's a bonus!

For these yummy meatball subs, I hollowed out the hoagie rolls to cut some carbs/calories. ($2.00 @ aldi's)  I saved the crumbs that I dug out, drizzled them with olive oil & garlic salt to save for a salad...homemade crunchy croutons! 

I bought turkey meatballs from Aldis for $3...healthier than the alternative and inexpensive!  I put them in a saucepan with Aldi's all natural spaghetti sauce (no high fructose corn syrup and cost $1.20).  Let it simmer.

I toasted the buns, added the meatballs and sauce, topped with mozz cheese, then popped them back in the broiler for 2 minutes...nice and melty!  YUM!  I sliced some green bell pepper & white onion for added veggies on top.

This recipe is kid approved...my son ate 1 1/2 sammies...that's huge for him.  My 3 year old asked for more and more meatballs.  I served this with a simple spinach salad, drizzled with evoo & lemon juice...love it!  PLUS, there is plenty leftover to make some pasta and have spaghetti tomorrow! If I add in the price of tomorrow's pasta, I will have spent a total of $10.50 for two complete dinners for all four of us!  That's pretty good!

Visalus Body by Vi !!!!!

So..this is a post from my Family Blog...I held off posting on this blog because I try to keep it dedicated to SAVING MONEY...now this product fits the bill!!  I am saving money and adding years to my life..i think it's time to blog about that!!  I am blogging about VISALUS or Body By Vi !!!


"My sister and I have been going to the gym for 13 months, pretty regularly, like 2-5 times per week.  We even hired a trainer to kick our butts.  We altered our diet to reduce fast food, increase veggies, and even started juicing!  We journaled what we ate, tried to cut carbs out after 4pm and definitely felt better, more healthy, though a bit deprived of evening snacks!  Anyways, I am so glad that we started this journey, but to be honest...I lost some weight, gained some back and kinda did the roller coaster thing...at the end of an entire year of being conscious and exercising, I have lost 13lbs. 

I went to the doctor for a check-up, maybe there is something else going on that is making weight loss so difficult, but nope, thyroid, blood pressure, cholesterol...all great!  I'm glad, but was kinda hoping that there was a "reason" that all my effort wasn't enough. 

Around that same time, my sister kept telling my about one of her friends on Facebook...claiming she was losing weight, getting her health back and really changing her life with a product called Visalus.  I didn't have much interest...I doubted it would help "us", plus I didn't know this friend of hers...my sister was so amazed at the transformation of her friend that she bought us some shake mix to share.  We loved the taste, especially since we were trying out different protein powders in our smoothies...yuck!  This stuff tasted delicious, I figured I could at least try it.  We loved the energy we felt, the way it kicked my carb/sweets cravings, and we started to see the scale inch it's way DOWN!!!  Really?!?!  I thought it might be "in my head"...still trying to doubt this product!  We refused to tell anyone about it until we had proof!  We started our official 90 Day Challenge on November 30th....and the numbers are in!!

I have lost 11 lbs and 5.5inches, I keep thinking that I could have done better, but let's face it....it was over the holidays and the numbers moved in the right direction!!  I should be thankful that I didn't gain, I doubt there has EVER been a holiday season that I didn't gain!!  I feel great and can't wait to get back into the routine of working out and continuing my Visalus Challenge!  First month down and 2 more to go!!!" 


I will blog more about this because we have decided to become promoters and are already getting checks in the mail!  YES, we are actually getting paid to help people get healthy...this is like a dream come true for me!!!

Best chip I've ever had!!!

Last night I roasted some kale...it was the best crunchy snack I have ever had!!!  Now, I do love most veggies when they are roasted, but this was simply delicious!  If you crave salty, crunchy snacks...this is for you!  I bought almost a pound of kale for 89cents!  So inexpensive and SOOOO nutrient rich. 

To make KALE CHIPS:

kale
olive oil
sea salt

Cut away rough stalks from kale.  Evenly spread the curly leaves onto a large cookie sheet, in a single layer (do not crowd pan or they will steam) and drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt or whatever seasonings you like.  Salt lightly, as you can always add more at the end.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, keep checking for desired doneness, I cooked mine longer because I like extra crispy, almost burned!  I heard that you can keep them in an airtight container for a week or longer and they stay crunchy,  I personally wouldn't know because mine NEVER last that long!! Sometimes they don't even make them into a bowl...I munch them right off the baking sheet!

French Onion Soup

I made French Onion Soup from scratch tonight....so simple, cheap, and oh so yummy!

Melt 1/2 cup butter in a large pot.  Thinly slice 4-6 white or yellow onions and drop in pot with butter.  Add salt & pepper to taste, several chopped garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp of thyme, and saute until onions are translucent.  Add 3 heaping spoonfuls of flour and saute a few more minutes.  Add 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite red wine (depends on how much you like the taste of red wine), then add 2 quarts of beef broth.  Bring to a boil and simmer until ready to eat. 

Let's not forget the most important part....the cheesy floater!!!  Slice your favorite bread thickly (I used whole grain French bread that was on the clearance rack), drizzle with olive oil, top with Swiss cheese (i used store brand sliced cheese) and broil until nice & bubbly.  Place on the top of your hot bowl of soup to meld together, you can add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to add depth of flavor.  Serve with red wine, after all you need to finish that bottle!!

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

This was the first time we had ever roasted pumpkin seeds...I thought I didn't like them, so we always threw them away, turns out....they're YUMMY!!!!

Remove your seeds, rinse them and remove what stringy flesh you can, boil them in salted water for 15 minutes, then drain and lay out on cookie sheet in single layer.  I let them sit out overnight.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees, place seeds in bowl with 3 Tbs. olive oil or melted butter, mix well to cover them all.  Add your favorite seasonings like, salt alone, or I added garlic powder, cayenne, sea salt, and Cajun to mine!  (you could add brown sugar and cinnamon to create a sweet snack)  Roast for 30-45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  Cook them until they are the desired crispiness!   I like mine crunchy and almost burnt...but however you do it is fine!!!  They are nutty, salty, and absolutely worth "not wasting" !!!

Even he liked them!!! yay!

USDA's MyPLATE is super helpful

The  USDA'S new MyPlate  makes it easier for us parents to create a more balanced meal for our kiddos! 
Visit their website for links on : Healthy eating on a Budget, getting your own personalized diet plan, weight loss options, ways to prepare fruits and vegetables, and countless other informative pages to access.

Cheap Eats

Super Simple Chicken Noodle Soup

Made this soup because the weather is cool and rainy, plus my little girl has a cold...what better dinner to make than...  Chicken Noodle Soup

All you need is: Bone-In Chicken
                        Carrots
                        Celery
                        Egg Noodles
                        Salt & Pepper

I use whatever bone-in chicken I have on hand for this soup, this time I used two leg quarters, but a whole chicken is great too! (I like to cook extra and save for an easy meal the next day!)

I placed my frozen chicken in a soup pan, covered with water, let it get to a rapid boil, cover and then turn down to just a bubble and cook until done. 

Remove chicken and let it cool so you can debone it.  Meanwhile, chop up some peeled carrots and celery (leafy part too, it adds tons of flavor, you can even leave it in big pieces and remove it later if ya want).  Add the carrots, then 5 minutes later add the celery and a bag of egg noodles, boil 7-10 minutes, put chicken back in and you are ready to serve.  Salt and pepper to taste! Yummy!

 

Cheap Eats

This dinner on a budget is super simple...

Kielbasa & Cabbage! 

I bought turkey sausage in a two pack for $1.87, you can buy kielbasa or polish sausage, then slice thin (so it goes a long way), brown real well in large crock or pan.  Remove and set aside. Chop up fresh cabbage (i paid $3.44 for a large head), place in pan that you used for your sausage (all the bits from the browning will give lots of flavor!)  I drizzle a bit of olive oil and saute my cabbage. (thanks to my sis, who talked me into frying it!  Yummiest thing ever!)   You can also add water and boil it with salt and pepper.  You can add diced potatoes to make it stretch further too!  When the cabbage is done to your likeness....dinner is served!! 

Usually this is way more than one meal, save the leftovers for a side dish!

Pork Roast = 3 Dinners !!!

I love a 3-in01 dinner!  I put a large, still frozen,  pork roast (4lb roast bought on sale for $9.87) in my crock pot.  I set in on a stool in my garage...YES, I am trying to keep the heat out of my kitchen!  It was almost 100 degrees today and the last thing I want is a crock putting out more heat in my house! 

#1 Dinner
Frozen roast in crock, salt, pepper, cup of water...done by 4pm. I usually cut up some potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and sometimes onions, drizzled with evoo, salt and garlic powder and roast at 400 degrees for approx. 20 minutes or until caramelized and soft.  But, this time, b/c I didn't want to heat up the oven, I steamed carrots and potatoes in my pampered chef microwave dish.  Add em all together and you have a classic roast.  You could do mashed potatoes instead!

#2 Dinner
Pulled pork BBQ sammies.  This meal just consists of heating up some of the pork, piling up on a wheat bun, and covering in your favorite sauce.  You can add a drop of liquid smoke to meat as you heat it up to add more BBQ flavor.  Don't add it to ALL of the meat though, there is still another night to change up for!  Serve with Kettle Chips, Slaw, or Baked Beans

#3 Dinner
Mexican Salsa Verde Burritos.   Season the pork roast with some cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder, reheat.  OR pour in a can/jar of Salsa Verde or green enchilada sauce.  Serve on top of wheat or regular flour tortillas with sliced avocados and cilantro.  You can add lime juice to Greek yogurt for a nice flavor in place of sour cream.  Add your favorite toppings and salsa.  I serve with a side of black beans and sometimes Mexican rice.  Enjoy! 

Skip the sandwich bags...GO reusable !!

I pack my both my husband's and my son's lunch for school so I use alot of baggies.  I really wanted to get away from throwing so much plastic and money away, so, after an entire summer of reducing usage and testing out other options, I found one!!  I bought some  Ziploc divided containers with sealing lid.

 
You can buy a two pack for approx $2.40.  They are washable and reusable.  Mine have lasted more than 3 months without any leakage.  I pack my husband's lunch in them almost everyday.  The large section holds a large sandwich or entree, the side areas hold the pretzels or snack, and a fruit or yogurt.  They do not leak into each other as they seal around each individual compartment. 

I even bought Blake's lunchbox according to whether it would fit this container.  I found this lunch bag at TARGET for $12...it was the largest "back to school" purchase!  Hopefully worth it since you can carry it upright or sideways, it fits my reusable container, AND has a place for his thermos.  It even has an outer pouch for dry snacks or napkin and plastic wear.  It is made of an anti-microbial fabric. 

The Great Steak Debate

Some friends and I were discussing steak the other day...

She thought it was easier to just go out for dinner and pay for a good steak,  she couldn't get the steak grilled the way she wanted...

Well, here's my trick and I cannot take credit for it, my Dad fixed steaks all the time and ALWAYS made them just like this:

Sprinkle uncooked steak with garlic salt, using a fork, stab it all over, then splash vinegar over it and repeat on the other side.  Heat grill to searing temp (Super HOT), Slap the steaks on, don't move them until they are ready to flip...for a 1 inch think steak, usually 4 minutes.  Then flip and don't move them again until it's as done as you like.

This method makes for a tender, slightly flavored steak that's juicy as ever!  I rarely order steak out, we can fix it at home on our grill better AND cheaper !!!  I guess I just need to invite that "nameless" friend over for steak dinner to prove it!!!!  Huh, April?!?!?!?

Goodbye Plastic, Hello Cash

I have started doing my grocery shopping with cash...it is saving me, BIG TIME!!!  Using my credit or debit card is so much easier to hand over to the cashier, but THAT is the problem!  When I have a limited amount of cash to spend, it's harder to "let it go"  Plus, actually handling the REAL money is helping me and my kids realize the true value of it!  Put your plastic away this week and use real money, let me know if it helps you too!

Healthy Food on a Budget

This list of foods offers maximum nutritional bang for the buck$$$

dried beans
cabbage, broccoli, and carrots
ground turkey
whole chicken
bulk whole grains-oats and brown rice
quart size plain low-fat yogurt
Thin crust pizza dough, add tomato sauce, veggies, ground turkey & cheese

(list as per PARENTS nutrition and fitness for life program)

Kid Friendly Banana Pudding

When we have a banana or two that gets too dark, we will make banana bread or pudding with it to keep from wasting fruit.  Today, we decided to make pudding:

1-2 boxes instant vanilla or banana pudding
1/2 box vanilla wafers
bananas

I usually put 1/2 less milk than the pudding instructions call for when using two boxes.  Sometimes I put the pudding and milk in a zip loc bag and let my kids shake it til it's ready, or it's fun to let them do the 5 minutes of whisking!

I let the kids cut the bananas with butter knives or plastic knives.

Placing the vanilla wafers all over the bottom of the dish is fun for the kids too! 

Place the wafers in the bottom of the dish, layer some bananas, then cover with pudding...you can layer all ya want!  I like to end with wafers because it's pretty!!

My Mom never used instant pudding, so we would cook our pudding and have it warm...that's the way I REALLY like it!  With the kiddos involved, I just use instant, it's good too!   :)

Save on EATING OUT!

Before you head out to grab a bite to eat, check out http://www.restaurant.com/  You can score gift certificates for half price...Why NOT grab one before you go???