Weight Watchers Saturday

I had really high aspirations as this week started and somewhere, those disappeared about Wednesday.

I think I only tracked one day - I kept saying I needed to write things down, than the day would be done and I hadn't.  Amazingly, I did get some exercise in - I mowed the entire lawn (we have just a regular mower - not self propelled so it is a lot of work!), we took the kids for a walk, and I pulled them around and around the yard in the wagon.  I completely forgot about reading Reshaping it All!!

This Weeks Goal:

Tracking: Once again, I want to track Sunday-Friday.  My goal is to stay within my points for each day.  We were also challenged in meeting today to try and eat the "healthy plate" guidelines for all three meals one day.  I'm not sure what day I'll try that - maybe Monday while the fridge is still full!

Exercise: This week I'm going to look for ways to move - Wagon rides, taking things up and down the stairs (we are in the middle of cleaning out the basement so there are TONS of trips up the stairs), Vacuuming every single day for 15 minutes - my floors will be CLEAN.  I guess I'm trying to be creative with exercise so I actually get something in right now.

Mental: Read one chapter in Reshaping it All

Weekly Weigh-In

Weekly Weight Loss: +.8  I'm actually ok with that because we ate out ALOT last weekend.  I am hoping to see numbers go the other direction soon.  One thing I've learned is that it is a whole lot harder to stick to this when I have three kids to take care of all day than it was when it was just me I had to worry about! 

I mentioned earlier that we talked about eating the "Healthy Plate" guidelines put forth recently by the government - this concept replaced the Food Pyramid.  As my leader was talking about it, I started thinking - for my basic family of 4, to do one serving of fruit and one servicing of veggies at every meal, I would  have to buy enough fruits and veggies for 24 servings a day.  I don't think I can afford that!  Even buying frozen/canned to use along side fresh stuff - my budget isn't that big; that is just crazy!  So, I'm working on trying to get more creative with these things and put in as much as possible.  The protein and grains seem to be a little easier to get in :-)

Finally, I tried another great recipe form Gina's Skinny Recipes for Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil.

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Gina's Weight Watcher RecipesServings: 26 • Size: 1 slice bread with tomatoes • Old Points: 1 pt • Points+: 1 pt
Calories: 49.6 • Fat: 0.6 g • Carb: 9.1 g • Fiber: 0.5 g • Protein: 1.1 g • Sugar: 0.2
Sodium: 2 mg (without salt)


Ingredients:

• 6 or 7 ripe plum tomatoes, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 small red onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• olive oil spray
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 16 oz baguette or French bread
• 1-2 garlic cloves, peeled

Directions:


Combine tomatoes, chopped garlic, red onion, vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, and basil. Set aside.

Slice bread into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place on a tray and spray lightly with olive oil. Toast bread under broiler, until golden, watching closely not to let it burn. When bread is toasted, rub each piece with whole garlic clove.

Place bread on a platter and top with tomato mixture. Serve immediately or the bread will become soggy. Makes approximately 26 small slices

Notes:  As you can see from the photo, I also added some fresh sliced mozzarella - just adjust the points accordingly.  I ate this for lunch several days, just toasting up some sliced french bread each morning just before lunch.  This is so fresh and yummy!!! 

"Remember, no matter how slow you go, you are still moving faster than the person sitting on the couch" 

Tot School - Get Ready for our first weeks of preschool

I haven't posted about Tot School the last few weeks only because . . .I haven't done much!  But, with only a few weeks until I want to begin lessons, I figured I had better get moving.  (and, oops . . I meant to post this on Thursday but realized today that it never posted!)

I'm using the following curriculum for our studies:

ABCJesus Loves Me is a website that has several pre-school age curriculum's which are free to download OR you can purchase the binder.  I am downloading my own as I'm not using everything from each lesson.  We are using the 3-Year Curriculum this year as my main focus is Josh (who will be 3 in October).  This curriculum is what I'm using for Bible, some Literature ideas, and than just some misc ideas for numbers, letters, songs, and memory verses.

Confessions of a Homschooler has a great ABC program.  Lots of ideas, worksheets to print and more.  We are trying to work on one letter a week and I plan on using her plans to stay consistent.  1+1+1=1 also has some great ABC units that I may use one some weeks for variety.  I'll be using these ideas for ABC/123 teaching as well as Math.

Totally Tots has great weekly posts on so many great areas.  I will be using this site to help with Literature and Math ideas as well as some misc other ideas to throw in to the mix as well.

I've thought a lot about our schedule as well as paid close attention to how our days have progressed over the last month and think that this idea will work:

10:00-11:00 - Bible and ABC/123 time.  Both Josh and Nate will be involved in these lessons.  We'll have snack time as well which fits in nicely since many snack ideas I'm using relate to our lessons.

During lunch - Circle Time.  I originally was going to do this in the morning but my kids don't get up at the same time and, right now, I don't want them up.  Instead, during their lunch, we do our circle time.  Once I get it set up - I'll share what we are doing.

1:30-2:30 - Math or Literature - This will be time with just Josh while the other two boys are down for naps.  Most of the time I'm sure we won't use a full hour but this gives us time to play math games or read extra books. 

After dinner:  Once or twice a week I have a family activity planned - sometimes it is something outside like practicing soccer skills or baseball skills or it could be a game inside or even making a special treat together. 

Finally, I wanted to share a few things I've worked on this week!  Our first Bible lesson we'll be studying will be Creation so I made these Creation stacking boxes.  I got this idea from Blessings for Bible School Teachers and my numbers from lessons 4 Sunday School.

Secondly, to coincide with our ABC learning, I'm creating letter photo books.  I saw the idea over at Lines Across My Face and knew I had to do one of my own.  I'm creating one for each of the boys (duplicates) and they will be in there fun boxes (I'll share more about those when I finish them up this week) to look at when ever they want.

I have week one all ready to go and will be finishing up weeks 2-4 this week.  I also plan on writing up weeks 5-8 this week as well.  My goal is still to have everything planned and organized through December by the end of October.