Menu Plan Monday-21 Day Fix Extreme

Happy Monday y'all!

I am finally back with a renewed spirit for blogging. Later today tune in as I have more details about our summer vacation, which is the reason I took quite a blogging break! I am working on a few posts about our travels around The Netherlands since we got back and the trips we have planned!

But, for now let's talk weekly menu.

For about two weeks after I got back I played around with the 21 Day Fix Extreme workout programme I bought when I was back in the U.S. For about two years now I have really struggled with diet and balancing what I am eating to fuel my body correctly for how hard I work it between extreme workouts like P90X, P90X3, Insanity, and T25. I was feeling the effects of not eating properly and had a feeling 21 Day Fix could help.

I decided to go with the extreme version because the workouts indicated they were a bit more difficult and since I've never wavered in that area I figured I would be fine...and I have been.

Last week was my first full week of 100% following the nutrition along with the workouts. I feel amazing and am really seeing a difference. So, this is week two for me and I am stoked...here is what we will be eating.

Breakfasts
Monday: Egg whites with spinach and sauteed pumpkin with onions and peppers (1 Red, 2 Green)
Tuesday: Pumpkin spice oatmeal with 1/2 scoop protein powder (1/2 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Green)
Wednesday: Egg whites with spinach and sauteed pumpkin with onions and peppers (1 Red, 2 Green)
Thursday: Pumpkin spice oatmeal with 1/2 scoop protein powder (1/2 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Green)
Friday: Egg whites with spinach and sauteed pumpkin with onions and peppers (1 Red, 2 Green)
Saturday: Pumpkin spice oatmeal with 1/2 scoop protein powder (1/2 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Green)
Sunday: Egg whites with spinach and sauteed pumpkin with onions and peppers (1 Red, 2 Green)

Lunch
Watch my Instagram this week to see what I pack in my teenager's yumbox!
Monday: Protein oatmeal with banana (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 purple)
Tuesday: Chicken salad with cottage cheese and pumpkin seeds (1 green, 2 red, 1 orange)
Wednesday: Protein oatmeal with banana (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 purple)
Thursday: Chicken salad with cottage cheese and pumpkin seeds (1 green, 2 red, 1 orange)
Friday: Protein oatmeal with banana (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 purple)
Saturday: You aren't supposed to cheat but we are doing something touristy so I'll have a Pannenkoken and a locally distilled adult beverage (one nice cheat meal keeps me sane)
Sunday:  I will scrounge around and use up leftovers

Snacks
This is where I fill in what containers I need. They usually consist of yogurt or cottage cheese and berries (1 red, 1 purple), a protein shake (1 red), hard boiled eggs and peppers (one red, one green), or a combo there of.

Dinner
Monday: Balsamic Steak Salad (hubby will have this minus the salad and with a bake potato) (1 green, 1 red, 1 tsp)
Tuesday: Tacos! (I just make regular tacos for the family and I portion out using containers so it is 2 green, 1 red, and 1 blue)
Wednesday: Omelettes or leftovers
Thursday: Beef and Pumpkin stew (1 green, 1 red) and hubby will have a grilled cheese and chicken soup
Friday: Cheese burgers in a lettuce wrap with sweet potato/reg potato wedges and broccoli
Saturday: Chicken breasts with mashed potatoes and gravy/sweet potato and green beans (1 red, 1 yellow {sweet potato}, 1 green)
Sunday: Eat at the Pure Market (YUM!) When I eat at this place, it is a paradise for a healthy foodie. I will see what they have but will focus on veggies and lean meat.

Since I'm doing the 21 day fix, it is a 7 day a week workout program with 30 minute workouts here are my workouts for this week:

Monday: Plyo fix extreme and stretching
Tuesday: Upper Fix extreme and 10 min hardcore
Wednesday: Pilates fix extreme and foam rolling
Thursday: Lower Fix Extreme and 10 min hardcore
Friday: Cardio Fix Extreme and stretching
Saturday: Dirty 30 Extreme and 10 min hardcore
Sunday: Yoga Fix Extreme and foam rolling

On my agenda this week:

• Rijksmuseum (done)
• Get the kiddo's phone fixed (done)
• Zaanse Schans
• Get Cologne Itinerary settled
• Start on artwork for the walls (yes, sadly after a year we still have nothing on the walls, need to fix that)
• Complete all 7 21 Day fix extreme workouts, 1 week down, 2 to go.
• Do some home repairs like fix light bulbs that are out but aren't easy to repair, plus get one light switch fixed that is "stuck".

What do you have going on this week? Anything fun?

Linking up with I'm an Organizing Junkie, Mommy Runs Fast, and Jill Conyers.

Weekly Menu #20 +T25/P90X3 Schedule Week2

Last week was a great week in terms of following my menu and workout schedule. I managed to get a lot of other workouts in by going on quite a few biking trips with a couple of friends around town!

Last week's completed workouts:
I didn't stick to the doubles. I thought I would, but with all the biking I fell off, but did complete one workout everyday.

Sunday: Rest
Monday: Speed 1.0 and Agility X-these were killer together and I was sore the next day it really snuck up on me
Tuesday: Total Body Circuit-I realized about 5 minutes into this just how sore I was from Monday! ha!
Wednesday: Ab intervals and a solid 15 mile bike ride
Thursday: I wound up doing that 15 mile bike ride again but with another friend this time.
Friday: P90X3 yoga and I walked a ton seeing different museums
Saturday: P90X3 Isometrix...I really deviated from my plan here but I was tired so didn't want a lot of impact but wanted deep muscle work...I forgot how deep this one gets in your muscles! haha

Workout Schedule:
Sunday: Rest/Stretch
Monday: T25 Alpha Cardio/P90X3 The Warrior
Tuesday: T25 Lower Focus/P90X 3 MMX
Wednesday: T25 Ab Intervals/P90X3 Agility X
Thursday: T25 Speed 1.0/P90X3 Pilates
Friday: T25 Total Body Circuit/P90X3 Dynamix
Saturday: Blogilates 100 Burpee Burnout/T25 Cardio

Goals

• Get gifts mailed out (one is really belated, so I really have to get to the post office)
• Stick to workouts and menu
• Get the courage to list a few items I've made in my Etsy store
• Visit two more museums on my list
• Take two bike rides

Menu

*Note on my meals some things are a bit general, like: salad, fish, fruit, etc., because my market day is Monday and I don't know what fresh fruits and veggies I will be getting :)

Breakfast

• Veggie hash and eggs X3
• Acai bowl with hard boiled eggs X2
• Saturday: Big breakfast: French toast, eggs, bacon

Lunch

• Hubby: protein box everyday: two hard boiled eggs, cheese, pepperoni, and lunch meatP
• Kiddo the day she eats at school: chicken and cheese wrap with fruit and almonds
• Other days: Leftovers/Salad
• Saturday: We will probably eat late so will just snack through lunch

Dinner

• Sunday: cereal and oatmeal...we totally lazed out after a busy day
• Monday: Veggie pad-thai (thug kitchen cookbook) with shrimp
• Tuesday: Loaded baked potato and chicken casserole with broccoli
• Wednesday: Zucchini shrimp scampi with a side of lentils
• Thursday: leftovers
• Friday: Homemade pizza and salad-I'm ridiculously hopeful my husband might make it home to actually enjoy a dinner with us. :P
• Saturday: Tacos/taco salads with corn-again I am insanely optimistic the husband will be home to eat with us, if he won't be we will probably just do leftovers
• Sunday: Will cook whichever meal from Friday or Saturday that doesn't get made since one of those nights I know hubby won't be home. 

Snacks

• Avocado pudding
• Healthy Popsicles..maybe a chocolate covered strawberry
• Almonds
• Hard boiled eggs
• Walnut/Cranberry/Coconut mixture
• Edemame

We are supposed to get some really warm weather this week. I am looking forward to having some popsicles and acai bowls to look forward to! How about you, what are you up to this week?

P.S. I'm linking up with Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, Single Mother Ahoy and I'm an Organizing Junkie, come on over and join the party! 

Currently, Vol. 8, plus Weekly Menu #18

The last week and a half have been super busy and incredibly draining. Hoping to get back to some sort of routine today. Vacation always throws me off a bit, I need to figure out how to jump right back into my routine...maybe I need more checklists! ha!

Anyway, let me tell you what is happening currently in our little neck of the woods...

Supporting....fantastic small businesses like this antique china shop...I'm not sure if it is called The Golden Bend or if it is in The Golden Bend...either way there is a gold bike and it says "The Golden Bend" so I'm going for that.

Yes, everything was on the floor...the stuff you see in Europe!

Also supporting my best friend who is going through the best of toddler-hood!

If I could, I really would help her with this! haha

Crafting....these cute mosaic type sheets that I will frame and put up in my Etsy shop.

Relaxing...have taken a few walks through the park across the street from our house this past week. Really enjoying the last of the flowers that are blooming and am enjoying seeing the trees come to life.

Exploring...the Jordaan. My friend and I went for a photography walk through her neighbourhood yesterday and we had such a great time. One thing we are trying to do is take more photos of one another. She is much better at it than me, I get a bit of sensory overload trying to see everything and often forget to take photos of her! I will remember for next time.

Quote of the Day...after a great day yesterday, for some reason my mood turned sour...just got grumpy for some reason so trying to remember that even though I got grumpy the whole day wasn't a loss!

Source

Goals...
Goals this week

• Get a few crafts done
• Get some of our older clothes we are clearing out up on the local board and sold
• Complete all workouts

Workouts..

Sunday: Rest

Monday: Wound up resting, took long walk through the Jordaan, but I was very tired.

Tuesday: P90X2 Yoga

Wednesday: T25 Cardio, P90X3 Agility

Thursday: Long bike ride through Museumplein/Vondelpark; P90X3 Yoga/T25 Stretch

Friday: 2 mile run, strength work on the stairs

Saturday: 2.5 mile run, P90X3 Yoga, T25 Stretch

Menu

Breakfast

• Sunday: Granola
• Monday: Scrambled Eggs and Milk/coffee
• Tuesday: Egg, chicken, and cheese sweet chili wrap 
• Wednesday: Berry protein oatmeal (we only use natural protein so it will have PB and egg whites, new recipe I am trying...)
• Thursday: Egg, chicken, and cheese sweet chili wrap
• Friday: Acai Bowl
• Saturday: Omelettes with toast and strawberries with whipped cream

Lunch

• Sunday: Scrambled eggs with cheese, light since we are going to a food festival
• Monday: Caprese toastie's with chicken
• Tuesday: Leftovers
• Wednesday: Peanut butter and jelly with fruit smoothie
• Thursday: Ladies lunch
• Friday: Boiled eggs, cheese, bread and butter, blueberries, and nuts (picnic style)
• Saturday: We will just snack: smoked meats, boiled eggs, fruit, and nuts

Notes about lunches: everyday hubby takes a variation on the same thing: boiled eggs, cheese, lunch meat, and maybe a small dessert. The kiddo with her new schedule gets out pretty early most days so instead of burdening herself with a million things to take she just takes a small snack and then eats a light late lunch at home. Not ideal, but it is what she prefers and makes it easier on me because then I can just make one nice big lunch and not have to worry about everything getting put together the night before.

Dinner

• Sunday: Rolling Kitchens food festival...it was awesome!
• Monday: Lemon Parmesan Broccoli Pasta
• Tuesday: BBQ Chicken Breasts with mashed cauliflower and brown rice
• Wednesday: Stuffed squash with honeyed carrots and leftover brown rice
• Thursday: Fried rice with whatever leftover veggies are in there
• Friday: Grilled steaks with french fries/veggie fries and corn/squash
• Saturday: Fried chicken wings, french fries

This week has been quite a strange week. We are really looking forward to being back on a schedule. We are now at the 6 week countdown for school to be over. Really looking forward to summer! How about you, what are you up to this week?

Join the rest of the parties over at Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, I'm an Organizing Junkie, and Choose Happy!

Menu Plan Monday #17

Wow! What a week we just wrapped up. I sit here on my couch, utterly exhausted. Started off the week sight seeing around Amsterdam, flew to London, then spent an entire day just relaxing and watched way too many episodes of Gilmore Girls. Saturday I went to pick up my race packet and had dinner with some lovely ladies that are the wives of people my hubby works with. Sunday I ran a 10k and hubby surprised me with a boat trip around the canal's of Amsterdam. Check back later this week for more!

Workout
Sunday: 6 mile run (signed up for this not realizing it was mother's day and that I'd be coming off two big trips), but overall it was a great run I was surprised at how in to it I was!
Monday: Yoga and 2 mile walk
Tuesday: 2 mile run, piyo
Wednesday: 1 mile run and some stair exercises
Thursday: 3 mile run, stretch
Friday: Yoga
Saturday: 100 Burpee Burnout and outdoor exercises

Goals

• Workout each day
• Stick to the menu
• Finish Hawaii part of the scrapbook

Menu

• Breakfast
• Sunday: Granola
• Monday: Bullet proof coffee, scrambled egg whites, banana
• Tuesday: Banana, scrambled egg whites, broccoli
• Wednesday: Banana, mushroom and cheese egg white omelette, broccoli
• Thursday: Acai bowl
• Friday: Egg white oatmeal bowl
• Saturday: Scrambled eggs, toast, strawberries and cream
• Lunch
• Sunday: ate at running expo
• Monday: Sweet chili broccoli egg white scramble (everyone else will eat out because I was unorganized and didn't arrange all the proper stuff for today)
• Tuesday: Carrot chicken bowl for me, protein box for hubby, chicken sandwich with apple slices for kiddo
• Wednesday: Carrot chicken bowl with red lentils for me and kiddo, protein box for hubby, 
• Thursday: Egg white oatmeal bowl for me and the kiddo, protein box for hubby
• Friday: Veggie scramble with red lentils for me, sandwich, apple slices, and nuts for kiddo
• Saturday: snack on smoked meats, cheese, and bread
• Dinner
• Sunday: Mother's Day eat out
• Monday: BBQ Bacon cheese burgers/black bean red lentil burgers, broccoli, and fries
• Tuesday: Chicken quesadillas with corn and broccoli
• Wednesday: BBQ chicken with rice, corn, and squash
• Thursday: Tacos/veggie tacos
• Friday: Homemade pizza with salad 
• Saturday: Chicken wings and fries with carrots

I'm looking forward to getting back in to cooking this week. I've actually missed it the last couple weeks. 

What about you, what are you up to this week?

Btw, I am linking up with Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday 2015 #12

Wow! It has been a while since I have written one of these! I wasn't feeling well there for a while and fell a bit off the wagon...but, I'm back!

So...on the menu this week...

Breakfast
Sunday: Cereal
Monday: Same; applewich for kiddo; cereal for hubby
Tuesday: Apple cinnamon oatmeal
Wednesday: Applewiches
Thursday: Peanut butter banana toast
Friday: Apple cinnamon oatmeal
Saturday: Egg sandwiches

Lunch
Sunday: Avocado toast with fried egg
Monday: Leftovers/eggs/smoked meat
Tues-Friday:
Kiddo: Sandwich with egg and fruit or leftovers
Hubby: Hard boiled egg with cheese and nuts
Me:
Tuesday: Avocado toast with egg
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Ladies lunch...still not sure what I will make yet
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Broccoli rice noodle soup

Dinner
Sunday: Easter...eat out
Monday: Tacos
Tuesday: Chicken legs with potatoes and broccoli
Wednesday: Hamburgers with rice and squash
Thursday: Rotisserie chicken with potatoes and broccoli
Friday: Pizza and salad
Saturday: BBQ chicken with rice, salad, whatever leftover veggies there are

Snacks
Hard boiled eggs
Cheese
Apples and pb
Pepperoni
Nuts

Workout Schedule

• Sunday: 5 mile run, challenges, and stretch
• Monday: Warm up, quick sweat workout, 5 minute workouts, challenges, stretch
• Tuesday: 2 mile run, challenges, stretch
• Wednesday: 3 mile run, challenges, stretch
• Thursday: Warm up, quick sweat, quiet apartment workout, challenges
• Friday: 5 mile run with a boot camp in the park
• Saturday: Stretch and challenges, possible bike ride
• Sunday: Challenges and yoga

Goals

• cut final bit of added sugars {my one cube of sugar in coffee is all that is left *le sigh*}
• no processed foods {gotta get off the cereal, which is a recent reintroduction and I do not feel well after eating it}
• finish Hawaii section of scrapbook
• get balcony set for spring
• organize craft supplies...don't have many but the few I do have are a bit out of control ;)
• make packing lists and itineraries for Berlin and London
• keep up with A to Z Challenge

Weekend Fun

• Saturday: Bike ride to enjoy the sun and 60 degree temperatures
• Sunday: *possible* trip to Keukenhof, but may put this off until next weekend

Doesn't look to be an incredibly busy week, but should be relaxing and full of getting stuff done! What are you up to this week?

P.S. Linking up with Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday 2015 #9

Welcome back to another Menu Plan Monday! I probably should change the name of these since I am often publishing them on Sunday's now. Anyway, this weekend was one for relaxing, for me anyway. I've had the never ending cold as I told you about last Wednesday, but am finally nearing the 100% recovered point.

This past weekend we didn't do a ton. Friday night we all relaxed around the house and had a nice family dinner together. Saturday the kiddo and I did some shopping at the Albert Cyup Market. We had an impromptu stop at Starbucks because it decided to start pouring rain, then hail, then snow, then it stopped haha But how pretty does she look here?

Completely sums up our Saturday, cocoa and trains.

Once we made it to the outdoor market I found fresh, only peanuts as the ingredient Peanut Butter. I know some of you out there will understand.

My favorite food purchase was this dried bunch of lavender. I intend to make some bath salts with it as well as trim up the stalk part for fresh lavender tea. Anyone else have some ideas? Please share them with me in the comments! They had a lot of these so I am fine with going back and buying more!

Saturday night we did something we hadn't done in ages and ordered pizza since I was exhausted and we decided to cancel our date night.

It was terrible and I doubt we will order pizza in again.

Sunday the kiddo headed off to cheer and coffee with her friends. I did the grocery shopping and meal prep.

In the evening hubby had a dinner with some work friends and the kiddo and I decided rest was on our agenda so we relaxed and watched Gilmore Girls.

This week coming up is "Early Spring Break" for the students here in the Netherlands so we will be doing a lot of sight seeing in our city as well as going to Brussels for a day, my workouts will be light since I am still recovering and we will be doing so much walking I figure as long as nutrition is on point I should continue to rest.

Workout Schedule:

• Monday: Fit Tutor, week 3
• Tuesday: Pull ups/pull up training, squats, stretching
• Wednesday: Foam rolling after sight seeing
• Thursday: Fit Tutor, week 3
• Friday: Jog/walk to get back in to things
• Saturday: Fit tutor, week 3, stretching
• Sunday: Pull ups/pull up training, squats, stretching

Weekly Life Goals

• Finish updating resume
• Apply for a few jobs
• Get Etsy shop ready to go live on Mar 1
• Finalize Berlin itinerary, making appointments at monuments that need scheduling in advance

My goals this week are fairly simple since we have such a busy planned with the half term break going on. I can't wait to post all about the things we will be seeing during this break. My menu will look a little weird this week too as we will be eating out a little more than usual.

Breakfast

• Monday: Eat out
• Tuesday: Smoothie bowls
• Wednesday: Oatmeal power bowl
• Thursday: Leftovers
• Friday: Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes (from Thug Kitchen cookbook)
• Saturday: Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes and eggs/sausage
• Sunday: Cheesy crescent rolls (these have become a family favorite)

Lunch

• Monday: Sandwiches for a picnic
• Tuesday: Eat out
• Wednesday: in Brussels, will stuff our bellies with waffles and chocolate ;)
• Thursday: Soup and panini's
• Friday: Potato leek soup
• Saturday: Eat out
• Sunday: Snack on bread, smoked meat, cheese, fruit, and leftovers

Dinner:

• Monday: White bean and red lentil burgers/regular burgers for the hubby, with root veggie fries
• Tuesday: Chickpea and broccoli burritos(from Thug Kitchen Cookbook)/tacos for hubby and salads
• Wednesday: Veggie pad Thai with Tofu (from Thug Kitchen cookbook)/teriyaki beef and rice for hubby
• Thursday: Leftovers or breakfast for dinner
• Friday: coconut lime rice with red beans and mango (Thug Kitchen Cookbook)/smothered chicken with fries and corn for hubby
• Saturday: Date night for us/leftovers for kiddo
• Sunday: Chicken wings/cauliflower with peanut sauce, rice, veggie sticks

Snacks

• Maple-oat banana bread
• Rosemary sea salt almonds
• Earl grey lattes
• Hard boiled eggs
• Raspberry breakfast bars

During our travels I am going to bring along as many snacks and lunches for us as possible. I purchased a great mini-rucksack for traveling that allows me to carry two water bottles and is completely waterproof. Details to come after this week, I hope it is a winner and really helps us in our travels.

Are your kids on Spring Break yet? Or thanks to all that crazy weather in the US did they just get an impromptu break?

Check out these great parties over at Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday 2015 #6

Week 6 of 2015! Hard to believe. How is your year coming along? Accomplishing all you'd hoped?

I am and I'm not, so we will see where this year goes.

Goals

Last week I set the following goals:

• Continue Dutch try and go for 5 times this week.-Nope
• Get Etsy shop designed and live-Nope
• Follow menu and go for 7/7-Mostly but cut out two days and ate leftovers because there was so much food! haha
• Start to get some running miles in, despite the cold.-Nope lol It snowed people, I am a Floridian.

I will say this about my running goal, I hate running, I loved it so much in FL because I had my best friends in this world to run with, without that camaraderie running sucks. I am looking into a running group. I hate paying for stuff like that but it may be the only option to find some running buddies...that ya know, don't come from Craigslist haha

Anyway, this weeks goals:

• Actually do some Dutch. I've gotten much more comfortable with basic phrases and even did exact change today when the woman told me the cents in Dutch and I was able to figure it out, after accidentally giving her 5 cents instead of fifty she said the word twice more and I had it, won't make that mistake again. She was sweet though and was patient. 
• Get that Etsy shop up and going
• Stick to the menu

Fitness Goals

• Complete all days in the Fit Tutor
• Get some running in, find a running buddy, possibly join a running club
• Stretch & stick to healthy eating.

Breakfast

• Oatmeal
• Apple Tart
• Blueberry Squares
• Acai bowl
• Weekend: blueberry muffins

Lunch

• Eat out
• Hubby comes home I will make us teriyaki chicken, mine will be served over spinach with peppers, his with rice; kiddo took a mix of apples and peanut butter with snap peas and peppers
• Rest of the week for me will be a variation on spinach salad each day except Thursday when I meet friends for lunch
• Veggie panini with salad and leftovers rest of the week for kiddo
• Weekend: we will probably eat a late breakfast so will snack for lunches

Dinner

• Vegan Red Pepper Pasta with spinach
• Regular/black and white veggie burgers with sweet potato buns, green beans
• Quinoa stuffed peppers with salad
• Teriyaki beef with rice and salad/veggie fried rice and salad
• Soup and sandwiches for hubby and kiddo, I have a ladies night out
• Date night, kiddo will heat up leftovers
• Chicken wings/cauliflower "wings", potatoes, veggies

Snacks

• Granola
• Pumpkin pancakes
• Fruit

So, that is what we are cookin' up this week. What are you making? 

Also, I am linking up with Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday 2015 #5

So, do y'all realize this week is the last week in January?! Last. That means there are only 11 more months left in this year people. I need to check back over my goals and seriously reassess. Get some balls rolling as the year is just disappearing!

Life Goals

Speaking of disappearing, how is your goal planning going if you do that sort of thing? Last week I set the following goals:

• Last week
• Last week I reevaluated some business goals and instead of playing catch up I set new, more manageable goals. 
• Worked on Dutch 3 times-getting some of the basics. 
• Stuck to my menu 6/7 days, not too shabby...the one day I didn't follow the menu we really needed to use up leftovers!
• This Week
• Continue Dutch try and go for 5 times this week.
• Get Etsy shop designed and live
• Follow menu and go for 7/7
• Start to get some running miles in, despite the cold.

Fitness Goals

• Vertical Plyo +1 mile
• Back to core, 2 miles and relief
• Vertical Plyo and relief
• Speed and agility, 1 mile
• Game day, 1 mile, relief
• Rest/Relief
• X-Trainer (Asylum Vol. 2)

Anyhoodles. We are back at menu planning. I feel like I did great at sticking to my menu last week. I am pretty sure it is all due to the prep. Easy, healthy meals were had and there was no "oh-mi-gosh it is 5pm what do I eat now?!". So, that prep will be happening yet again.

Breakfast

• Apple banana quinoa cups with potatoes x3
• Acai bowls x2
• Apple and spice breakfast lentils
• Leftovers...we have a cheer competition so it will really all depend on the times there.

Lunch

• Me:
• I will prep these ahead then eat them all week changing out the protein and other additions on my salad all week.
• Make a big batch of kale and quinoa minestrone
• Big spinach salad and dressing 
• Kiddo
• PBJ on leftover sweet potato pancakes with chopped fruit and kale x2
• Leftovers x2
• Eat out one day
• Weekend
• Vegan pizza buns and salad
• Sunday will depend, I will try and bring stuff for us but if there will be restaurants nearby the venue we will just eat out.

Dinner

• I'm really going for cleaning out the pantry and freezer here so most of this stuff I already have on hand, grocery trip will be small and easy on the budget!
• Maple baked lentils
• Vegan fried rice  (this will use up any leftovers and any veggies that are about to go bad)
• Stamppot (I've been seeing stuff for this in the grocery store. It is a dutch dish that I will post more about later)
• Lentil-bean tacos with steamed veggies (this dish uses up the triple lentil soup I made two weeks ago and froze and some black beans I've had in the freezer)
• Soup and panini's...we will use up the kale and quinoa minestrone I made for lunches earlier this week
• Roasted red pepper pasta with spinach
• Sunday will be leftovers. Just raid the fridge and pantry and eat whatever, I doubt we will be hungry if we eat while we are out, so going simple here.

Well, that is it for me this week, what do you have going on?

P.S. Join the rest of the party over at Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and I'm and Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday 2015 #4

Last week' meal plan was fairly successful. I managed to cook all week, somedays doing just leftovers, but following pretty well.  Also, this past week I feel like I made some strides toward reaching some goals and plan to make this week even better!

Weekly Workout Plan

• Monday: Game Day and 2 mile run
• Tuesday: Vertical Plyo
• Wednesday: Back to Core and 3 mile run
• Thursday: Relief/Bike ride or easy run if it is nice
• Friday: Speed and Agility
• Saturday: Strength and one mile run
• Sunday: Game Day

Last week I really enjoyed the Relief DVD. This was the first time I had done it and it really stretches the hamstrings which is always my tightest area besides my right hip. Most looking forward to Vertical Plyo this week, that is my favorite DVD because it does the craziest moves...I feel like a total bada$$ when I do that one. ;)

Life Goals

• Last week I managed to complete one goal and finished Flawless by Jan Moran this week, so 11 books to go in my around the world in books series.
• Stayed pretty close to my meal plan, canceled out a few meals and used leftovers
• This week I need to evaluate a few of my business goals and play a little bit of catch-up
• Focus and work on Dutch
• Review all goals and make sure I'm on track
• Continue to stick to menu

Breakfast Options

Acai Bowl x2, Sweet potato pancakes, mushroom "sausage", and apple sauce x2, vegan donut holes, cereal, and leftovers

Lunch

I am going to go a little easy on myself this week I made a big pot of Vegan Paleo Tomato Soup it is seriously amazingly delicious and I will make a large salad to serve with the soup throughout the week and homemade veggie burgers.

Kiddo

Monday: Leftover wrap (I will just throw in some leftover triple lentil soup and peppers) with an apple and some tomato soup (I don't wanna share but she's going to make me lol)

Tuesday: Veggie burger wrapped in kale (yes, my kid loves raw kale), with mix of orange and apple slices, and potatoes

Wednesday: Leftovers...not sure what yet but will throw something together

Thursday: Same as Tuesday

Friday: She usually eats out with her friends

Weekend

Saturday: Panini's and Soup 

Sunday: Snacks, use up any leftovers

Dinner

Monday: BBQ Chicken for hubby and bbq shredded mushrooms and cauliflower for the kiddo and I with rice and salad

Tuesday: Quinoa stuffed peppers with salad

Wednesday: Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf with apple pear sauce and spinach

Thursday: Chicken burgers/chickpea fritters with potato/sweet potato rounds and apple/pear slices

Friday: Pizza burgers (regular for hubby, veggie for kiddo and I) with salad and garlic bread 

Saturday: Chicken wings/cauliflower wings and mini-pizza's
Sunday: Chinese at the moives

Snacks
Banana-coconut slices, apple and pb with raisins, smoothie/smoothie bowl, leftovers, baked apples

I went ahead and prepped various items to make this week easy:
400 grams of quinoa
Apple-pear Sauce
Sweet potato pancakes
Vegan mushroom sausage (made last week and froze)
Overnight oats
Pizza sauce
Ketchup
Lentils
Tomato Soup
Salad of mixed lettuce (I cheated, I bought bagged lettuce)
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
Pumpkin Granola
Paleo Coffee Creamer
Chickpeas (in freezer)

That seems like a lot of stuff but it only took me about 2 hours to get all the prep work done and it will make all my meals a breeze to fix. The only thing I have left to make tomorrow is the veggie burgers.

So, what are you making this week?

Linking up at: Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday 2015 #3

Happy Sunday y'all! I was slacking last week...we had company in town, I got to catch up with friends. It was a great week but left little time for me to do my usual weekly stuff!

I will say we are starting the 2nd full week of the year and I do NOT feel like I have done much toward reaching the goals I set forth for myself this year and it is making me totally anxious! So, this week, I change that.

Last Week Workout Review
Monday: Speed and agility
Tuesday: Back to core
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: Vertical Plyo
Friday: Off (I did do a lot of dancing and walking though)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: Game day and relief

This last week was just a bit off. I felt off. Today though I am back at it, pulled a double with Asylum game day and the stretching dvd relief. I even ran two miles...I did a warm up of one mile, then before relief I went out and did a second mile.

This week's planned workouts:
Monday: Back to core plus 2 mile run
Tuesday: Strength and 2 mile run
Wednesday: Relief plus 2 mile run
Thursday: Speed and agility
Friday: Vertical Plyo
Saturday: Strength and 2 mile run
Sunday: 2 mile run and relief

This week I have lots to accomplish.

• 2 projects I want to complete for the blog 
• 2 projects to complete to get me a step closer to a businessish goal
• I will pick back up on studying my Dutch, at least an hour a day
• I will start reading The Poet's Wife

Breakfast

Acai Bowl x2 (recipe to come)

Sweet potato pancakes and mushroom sausage x2

Oatmeal

Leftovers or omelettes

Oatmeal

• For prep I have the acai juice frozen already so it just has to be taken out in the morning. Sunday I will make granola, pancakes, the mushroom sausage, and a big pot of oatmeal. I will divide it all up into smaller containers so it is all ready to go.

Lunch

Apple/pb wrap (recipe to come)x2

Veggie Stir Fryx2

Leftovers

Soup and sandwiches

Snacks of smoked meat, bread, cheese

Salad

• I will prep one big salad ahead for the week, plus one flavored salad I've been interested in trying. The veggie stir fry will be put together after Sunday dinner from leftovers this past weekend. The apple/pb wrap will be made fresh those mornings so the apple doesn't brown too much.

Dinner

Monday: Broccoli fritters, burger sliders, rice, healthy fried apples

Tuesday: Maple baked lentils and sweet potatoes with toast, baked potato and chicken for hubby

Wednesday: Triple lentil soup with quinoa bites

Thursday: BBQ chicken/bbq mushroom cauliflower mix with rice

Friday: Chicken fingers/veggie fingers with fries

Saturday: Tacos and salad

Sunday: Chicken wings/cauliflower "wings" and pizza

• The kiddo and I are going mostly meatless. Hubby is not, so there will always be a protein cooked at each meal. All my dinners I make fresh the day of as I feel that dinner is a special meal time and want everything to be as fresh and as warm as possible.

The other day I was talking to a friend about feeling down about taking care of the house. A few years ago, right after we moved to Canada I was feeling off when it came to taking care of the house. Just lazy and not really wanting to do much, basically I felt overwhelmed by all the things to do. Well, one day when I was browsing the library, I found and checked out the book: Hip Home Ec: Get Crafty. This really viewed the way I took care of my home and my family and really was an inspiration to me. If you aren't feeling totally into organizing and doing all those home improvement things check out this book, I bet it will really change your attitude!

Well, that is what I have going on this week. What about you?

Linking up over at Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday #64

This weekend was a full one! We honestly thought we were going to have a nice quiet relaxing weekend, but it sort of took on a life of its own! 

Friday started with a visit from Sinterklaas...

Then a crisp, slow 2 mile run where I found this beautiful canal. But it was the slowest 2 miles of my life.

Then, since work and school ended early we headed to the hubby's work to see Sinterklaas visit all the kiddies and bring presents to them. We don't have little ones but it was even fun for the teenager to watch all the excitement. 

Isn't Sinterklaas a regal looking fellow?

Then, as hubby finished up work we went shopping and stopped at Europe's largest Starbucks and goofed around.

After shopping and much goofing around we headed Graceland BBQ to bring lift back to New Restaurant Friday...like much the rest of the food in Amsterdam we quickly realized why we don't eat out much anymore. It was too far out, service was terrible (I will say though we were late to our reservation but they still fit us in which was kind, but after that the service was horrendous), and food was mediocre. But, we did get in a nice walk as a family and even got stuck on a drawbridge hehe

Saturday we participated in the production of a little promotional video about a cheerleading competition coming up next year. This is my crazy mini-me:

After the big production we had to downtown for hubby to pick up some work stuff and I caught this stunning photo with my phone, the clouds clearing away from that full moon was amazing! But, explain the crazy bikers! haha

Sunday we had more cheer and after the kiddo and I relaxed all night and watched elf and made some delicious hot cocoa using a Tony Chocoloney bar! It was slightly amazing. 

This week has filled up to be a fun and busy week! Here is what I've planned for my workouts:

• Max Interval circuit and a one mile run
• 2 miles and max cardio conditioning
• 1 mile run and max interval plyo
• 1 mile run and max recovery
• 1 mile run max interval circuit
• depending on weather a 4 mile run or max interval plyo
• 4 mile run and stretching

Exercising everyday has really helped me deal with the cold and cloudy weather. I'm staying positive and motivated to get out and enjoy the goings on in the city!

Now, food. Must have food this week. The people of the home demand it. So, here it is.

This week I am linking up at Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and I'm an Organizing Junkie.

We are in our last week before Christmas holiday's so I am stoked for some days to sleep in!

Breakfast Options

Smoothies, hard boiled eggs, toast, cereal, pancakes.

Lunch Options

For me everyday this week will be some sort of ginormous salad. I've really enjoyed putting salads together so I will keep up that trend this week.

Kiddo: 

Grilled cheese and apple slices and tomatoes X2

Peanut butter and honey sandwich with a clementine and tomatoes

Box of leftovers

Dinner:

Monday:Roasted root veggies and kabocha squash

Tuesday: Meatball sliders with a big salad

Wednesday: Honey balsamic chicken tenders with roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes and sugar snap peas

Thursday: Burrito bowls with creamy chipotle sauce

Friday: Steaks with salad and corn

Saturday: Chicken wings with pizza and a big salad.

Sunday: If it is nice we will go to the market across the street and have a picnic there otherwise I will put together some sort of soup from all our leftovers and make a loaf of bread.

Like I said our experience eating out this past weekend was so horrendous that I am not making that mistake again! 

So, tell me, what is your most horrible dining out experience?

Menu Plan Monday #62

Man, can y'all even believe it is the last week of November?! Where in the heck did 2014 go?! I was starting to think back on all the things that happened this year and no wonder it seemed short, but that is a post for another day. Today, I want to tell y'all about the weekend and what we have planned for the upcoming week!

So, again for us this weekend pretty much started on Thursday. We went to Turn on the Lights in Dam Square. From what I could understand of the Dutch being spoken this is a tradition in Amsterdam as well as other major cities in The Netherlands. It was an interesting show, but a ton of fun!

After the performance above was done this famous shopping mall lit up for the season!

Friday I went to lunch with a friend, did some Christmas shopping, then walked to the grocery store to enjoy the weather. This photo I felt you could pretty much see the cold! It was amazing.

Saturday night I had a ladies night out with some of the wives of guys my hubby works with. I love this dress and was even more excited because I am loving the way it fits these days. All those workouts are doing a body good!

My belt is now on the 2nd to smallest hole, where as before it was on the 2nd to largest hole and by the end of the day I'd have to move it to the last hole. So, progress! Woohoo!!! Fat is melting away...I am starting to see a bit of ab definition too! (which is my goal)

Sunday, I went for a run while the kiddo was a cheer, nearly 4 miles from what I calculated when I got back to the gym! Felt so good! We saw this fab Christmas Tree at the Airport on our way home.

Then we made some amazeballs pizza. So good!

A photo posted by Kate (@diaryofanurbanhousewife) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:31am PST

This week coming up I am focusing on making cards, Christmas gifts, and getting those gifts shipped over to the US. We are also going to hold a little Thanksgiving celebration. I am really looking forward to getting some party food going on, although we will not be having a turkey as those are too expensive so we will have Thanksgiving Chickens. Ha!

Linking up with Mommy Run Fast and I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Monday:
Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs
Snack: Banana and pb
Breakfast: Cereal/overnight oats
Lunch: Tuna salad over spinach/pizza and spinach salad
Snack: Avocado with an egg baked inside.
Dinner: Panini's with soup

Tuesday:
Workout: Cardio Power and Resistance +2 mile run
Snack: PB and Banana
Breakfast: Paleo pumpkin pancakes
Lunch: Out most likely or smoothie with hard boiled egg/toastie with marinara to dip and spinach and apple salad
Snack: Granola and yogurt
Dinner: Teriyaki beef with fried rice and mixed veggies

Wednesday:
6am workout for me: Plyometric Cardio Circuit
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Leftover bowl
Snack: Apples and PB
Dinner: Chicken Breasts with potato spears and broccoli

Thursday:
Happy Thanksgiving to my American Friends!!!
6am workout for me: Cardio Recovery; later in the day 3 mile run
Breakfast: Paleo pumpkin pancakes
Lunch: At a friends house
Snack: Smoothie
Dinner: Pizza burgers with rice and sugar snap peas

Friday: 
Workout: Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs
Snack: banana
Breakfast: Cereal or anything that may be leftover from earlier in the week (like pancakes)
Lunch: I will put together a leftover salad
Snack: Finish up any leftovers or a smoothie
Dinner: Reinstating New Restaurant Friday

Saturday:
Our Thanksgiving Celebration!
Morning 2 mile run and some piyo
Breakfast: omelets
Lunch: snacks
Dinner (will be earlyish): turkey with all the trimmings and lots of desserts of course!

Sunday: 
4 mile run and stretching
Breakfast: overnight oats
Lunch: Leftovers/snacks
Dinner: pizza and wings as usual

We have a lot going on this week. I haven't scheduled any rest days as I figure I will see which day I am feeling the most run down and take the day off of working out then. If I feel energized and think I don't need it I may just go on as scheduled! We shall see where the week brings me!

So, how are you fitting in some activity this week? What are you doing for thanksgiving?