DRUM ROLL PLEASE.................................

JANUARY MONTH END STATS!!!!!!!!!!

SPENT $543.48 ON GROCERIES (656.00 LESS THAN LAST MONTH!)

RAN 19 DAYS, 123 MILES AND LOST 6 LBS

GOALS MET....100%


We All Have A Special Roll We were meant to Play in this Lifetime. In Order to Realize Your True Purpose, You Must Embrace Your True Self By Letting Your Light Shine Forth, No Matter the Consequences!

Peace!

IF YOU LOOK WITH AN OPEN, CREATIVE MIND YOU WILL FIND EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED!

As the cupboards become more bare the creative wheels in my brain are spinning full speed ....I have to admit it's a roll of the dice what may happen.....for example, what I failed to mention and was a little embarrassed to admit was, when I served that amazing Venison the other day...I served it with freeze dried potatoes that I found in the cupboard...I must have had it for a year and got it on sale and thought I'd try it.....well, at least I tried, that's all I can say positive about that because it was pretty disgusting....we didn't even want to feed it to the dog. However, with every mistake comes a lesson and sometimes a laugh, so, it's All Good! Yesterday however, was a success. While digging through the cupboard I found 2 boxes of Matzo ball mix! I had 4 lbs of "store manager special" chicken thighs on sale for 2.86 in my freezer! Added all the fixings for homemade chicken stock and you guessed it the BEST Matzo Ball Chicken Soup! It was seriously so good. So, start getting creative, with the boxes and packages and the condiments because you could have a hearty, delicious, complete meal just begging to get served:) This Meal was about $6.00!!


Here's how it's done:

Buy a box or 2 of Matzo ball mix of your choice and follow the instructions. Leave in the pot until the chicken stock boils

Approx of 2 to lbs of Chicken....I had thighs, use what ever is on sale w/ the bones!
Put in a large pot w/ approx 8 quarts of water.
1 1/2 c celery
1 med onion
4 cloves of garlic diced (or however much you like)
1 c carrots
sea sale and pepper to taste
simmer until it boils then take out the chicken and shred or cut off all the meat.
Toss the bones, put the meat back in the pot and add the Matzo balls! Serve Mmmmmm!

CREATIVLY SPEAKING.......

The title says it all! I'm going to have to get pretty Creative the next few days because...I'm due for a trip to the grocery store but, I'm holding strong to my Budget goals and I'm determined to stretch the Dollar in order to come through with flying colors, bells and whistles!! I cant wait to tell you what I have spent so far!! Dont be surprised if you see a lot of variations of rice in the next few days!

Speaking of goals......the Running is going Awesome! Up to 7 miles each day. I Highly suggest getting a running partner to run w/ or work out with...makes the time go by so fast and it's extra motivation! Thanks Leslie! Waking up early has definately broken my bad pattern of putting it off until I have time. However, although I KNOW there are No Such Things as Unrealistic Goals, Only UNREALISTIC Expectations..........well, guess what??I'm just a little impatient!! I want it and I want it now:) Meaning, I Really want to fit in the cute jeans NOW although I know I AM in better shape...

So, Here's my plan to help w/ that and I'm going to share with you... a link to a website that has helped me track my calorie intake...because clearly, More Calories are going IN then Energy going OUT in my case! here it is: www.livestrong.com it's Awesome!!

Finally, here's a few tips I got that I have taken advantage of!! Coupons.com Awesome savings! download and print at home before you go grocery shopping!Thanks MOM! And did you know that you could go on some grocery store websites and register your club card to DIGITALLY download coupons onto your card?? Yup, I did it..so easy! Thanks Lynne!

Again, Nothing Is Possible without an Attitude of Gratitude! The Universe does not hold back...Everything You desire is out there for YOU!


Thanks for Reading:)

GAME ON PART 2.......AND FOR APPROX $2.00!

Unbelievable, the recipe was a hit! My kids reaction to the Venison Meatloaf was pretty similar to Christmas Morning! They raved about it, ate seconds and I was looking pretty good in the "Mom's a good Cook" category!! Here is what I did...

2 eggs
8oz tomato sauce
1 medium chopped onion
1 cup bread crumbs
1-1/2lbs ground venison
salt
pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons spicy mustard
2 tablespoons vinegar

In a large bowl, mix together eggs, tomato sauce, onion, bread crumbs.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add venison and mix well.
Press mixture into ungreased loaf pan.
Combine brown sugar, mustard and vinegar.
Poke a few holes (I use a wooden spoon handle for this) into loaf and pour mustard mixture over loaf.
Bake uncovered @ 350 for approx 60 minutes

****THE SECRET...NEVER TELL ANYONE WHAT IT IS!! IT IS SO MENTAL...NO MATTER HOW GOOD IT IS..IT'S SO HARD TO DO WHEN YOU KNOW!!

ALSO, I GOT THIS RECIPE FROM GROUPRECIPES.COM

THANKS FOR READING:)

GAME ON!

Literally! Yes, my father in Law went Hunting.....need I say more? My thoughts on Hunting...Well, Let's not go there...I think that is an entirely different blog. Sooooo, with that being said, I have been on the hunt(no pun intended!) for a Venison Recipe....remember, the blog is inexpensive meals.so when someone is giving you food..Take It:) And figure out any details later! Funny, I was a vegetarian for many years and now I'm cooking Venison...Nothing Lasts forever and Change IS Good:) Alright...so the meal is cooking...AND.........

To BE CONTINUED..............................

Chicken Broccoli Casserole! EASY, FILLING, AND APPROX $5.00!

I have always Loved this. However, when I heard what the ingredients were, I never wanted to eat it again MAYONNAISE!! I later learned that there are many variations to this but, not before I changed it up myself:)

You Will Need~

2 14 oz. cans of Reduced fat cream of mushroom soup (or broccoli, or chicken)
1 1/2 cups white or brown rice (or more if you prefer)
1lb chicken breast or tenderloins cut in 1/2 inch cubes
approx 1 cup shredded LIGHT cheese of your preference ...I like cheddar
1 bag frozen broccoli
salt and pepper to taste

What to Do~
cook the rice as indicated on package
boil chicken until pink is gone but, not longer
layer the broccoli on the bottom of baking dish 9 X 12
then the chicken and then cover with entire contents of 1 can of soup
then layer the rice and cover the rice with the second can of soup
finally top with cheese Mmmmmmmm
bake on 350 for approx 35 to 40 minutes!

***You could use less soup but, I tried and think it's Tooooooo Dry! Everyone Likes this in my family and I feel great because it is low calorie and VERY INEXPENSIVE:):) xo

Family Dinner & A Fresh Perspective! And A LOT of RAMBLING ON!

Yesterday had to be one of the most fun dinners we have had as a family in a while! I'll admit, I have said many times before "I'm going to serve dinner in the dining room and we will eat together as a family" However, the bar in the kitchen w/ all the chairs around is just sooo much easier! Unfortunately, when I serve everyone there...no one really talks much and there is a sense of disconnect...However, lately, I'm happy to say that in the past 3 weeks we have done a much better job of it! Last night was so fun. I decided I was going to ask everyone to share something about their day or something that is going on in their world. I had planned that I was going to share about my blog and invite them to give me recipe ideas of what they would want to see me cook! Yeah, Success! Everyone seemed to really like the idea, I could really see more and more how important it is to sit down together. I'm not saying It will happen every night but, I aiming for at least 3 nights a week...with the teens, sports, etc...
My Fresh Perspective .......Lately, things are really falling into place for me. I wish I knew exactly what it is but, I do know what has changed that could contribute to it. I have always had a Very Optimistic Positive Attitude..however, I also have had a strong Fear of Failing and Disappointing Myself or Other's...So, I often would stay in a safe place as an Observer. To Sum it up.....I Faced the Fears! I'm Blogging to ANYONE who wishes to read it And, I was probably one of the Most Private people I knew! I'm Running w/ my friend and have given Up My "I Run SOLO Attitude" And It has been the Best change I could have made. Also, I have always said to myself " I'm supposed to do something Bigger, I'm just not sure what it is" Well, I have had so much Positive, Supportive, Inspiring, comments, questions, feedback and Thank you's for this blog AND for my Positive words of encouragement... I have decided maybe it could be a step in the right direction to the "Bigger" thing I'm supposed to be doing...Do I think these recipes are anything special ...not really and I know you could research and get them online yourself(except for the one's I make up)...However, what I do think is that people want to identify with someone who is not perfect, someone trying to change for the better, make positive changes and who is facing a lot of the similar challenges life brings along the way YET, finds a way through Positive Attitude and Love and Support to Make each Day the Best. So, what is the fresh Perspective?? It is that I am Learning just how much we all need eachother and nothing can Really, Happily be Accomplished Alone. I think my first thought about this blog was "I'm Giving something to You, the Reader" But, the Reality is that By reading, You are giving Something to me... Motivation, Encouragement, Support and Positive Energy which helps me to continue reaching my goals and the desire to Challenge myself and to make more goals. I'm sure you have heard before "We are all in this together...I believe we truly are connected and there are no coincidences...So, I'm Rollin' with it! This is pretty therapeutic..you should try it!