Menu Plan Monday-21 Day Fix Round 2

Happy Monday y'all! These last few weeks have been hectic but, I am back with my menu plan for my second round of the 21 day fix! 

Workout Schedule

Monday: Plyo Fix Extreme

Tuesday: Upper and Lower Fix Extreme (this round combining these so I can have one full day off for recovery)

Wednesday: Pilates Fix Extreme

Thursday: Dirty 30 Extreme

Friday: Yoga Fix Extreme

Goals

Not too much this week:

Focus and stay on track with 21 day fix

Clean out the foyer closet & my laundry room

I am also looking to get two Christmas projects started today

Menu
Breakfasts
M-W: Protein bowl with banana and coconut (1 red, 1 purple)
T-H-F: Eggs with spinach, peppers, and onion with pumpkin and sweet potato (1 red, 2 green, 1 yellow)
Sat: Protein Crepes (1 red, 1 purple)
Sun: Breakfast pizza (1 yellow, 1 purple)

Lunches:
These vary from day to day and mostly consist of leftovers as that is just easiest.

Dinners:
Monday: Lettuce Wraps with sweet potatoes (green, red, and yellow)
Tuesday: Beef and Butternut stew with a side salad (red, 2 green)
Wednesday: Taco lettuce wraps with brown rice (red, green, yellow)
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Chicken burgers in lettuce wrap with whipped butternut (red, 2 green)
Saturday: Twice baked sweet potatoes, side salad (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green)
Sunday: Leftovers

Snacks:
Like lunches, snacks will fill in the gaps of containers I am missing. Will usually be apples with peanut butter, grapes and cottage cheese, peppers, pumpkin, etc.

I am really looking forward to this second round of 21 day fix. First one was super easy and I felt amazing after. Look for my results post later today to see my full opinion! :)

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

Menu Plan Monday 21 Day Fix Extreme +Weekly Recap

Happy Sunday y'all!

So, this last week I've really worked hard at getting a few posts together, here's a look at last week:

Last week's Menu Plan Monday, I was starting week two of 21 Day Fix Extreme.
My second post of the week was a recap of my summer holiday in St. Augustine.
Sixteen things I've learned in 16 years of marriage...this post has been incredibly popular.

Coming up this week:
A list of things I do when hubby is gone
What I Ate Wednesday, a recap from my holiday (can you tell I'm not ready to let go of summer! ha!)
How we keep busy on long plane rides
A recap of our overnight layover at London Heathrow Airport
Plus a day trip recap to Zaanse Schans, just outside of Amsterdam

This should be a busy week and I am so excited to share these with y'all!

So...first up..workout schedule.
This is my last week of 21 Day Fix Extreme. So far from week 1 to week 2 I lost 2 cm all over. I don't weight myself on a scale so I have no idea how that's going nor do I care but I can see all sorts of all over definition so far, raised booty, and thinner thighs.

Monday: Plyo Fix Extreme +10 min hard core
Tuesday: Upper Fix Extreme
Wednesday: Pilates Fix Extreme+10 min hard core
Thursday: Lower Fix Extreme
Friday: Cardio Fix Extreme+10 min hard core
Saturday: Dirty 30 Extreme
Sunday: Yoga Fix Extreme+10 min hard core

I will add for most of these workouts you need weights, I don't have those so where I can I use my bands, where I can't use bands I just do my best to kick ass and use my own body weight to give me a good workout.

Goals

• Complete Workouts
• Stick to competition prep eating plan all week
• Finish Cologne Itinerary
• Start Milan Itinerary and make reservations for hubby's birthday

Weekly Menu

Breakfast

Monday: Egg whites, spinach, peppers (red, green)
Tuesday: Oatmeal with pumpkin puree and pie spice, egg whites (yellow, green, red)
Wednesday: Egg whites, spinach, peppers (red, green)
Thursday: Oatmeal with pumpkin puree and pie spice, egg whites  (yellow, green, red)
Friday: Egg whites, spinach, peppers (red, green)
Saturday: Oatmeal with pumpkin puree and pie spice, egg whites  (yellow, green, red)
Sunday: Egg whites, spinach, peppers (red, green)

Mid Morning Snack
Will be a protein shake with water everyday. That won't change; boring but necessary post workout.

Lunch:
To make it easy on myself I will just make two things to choose from for the whole week. The kiddo will take dinner leftovers in her thermos or a yumbox full of goodies...stay tuned to my Instagram for photos of that.
Monday: Ground chicken with peppers and broccoli (red, green)
Tuesday: Chicken breast and green beans (red, green)
Wednesday: Ground chicken with peppers and broccoli (red, green)
Thursday: Chicken breast and green beans (red, green)
Friday: Ground chicken with peppers and broccoli (red, green)
Saturday: Chicken breast and green beans (red, green)
Sunday: Ground chicken with peppers and broccoli (red, green)

Snacks
Afternoon snacks will consist of fruit pumpkin seeds since I will be making quite a bit of pumpkin puree I want to use those up. I will also use this time to make up for any containers I may be missing, while avoiding any foods that bloat me like my afternoon coffee. ha!

Dinner

Monday: Salad with cottage cheese and whipped butternut squash on the side
Tuesday: Beef and butternut stew with a side salad
Wednesday: Cauliflower fried rice with chicken and sweet potato
Thursday: Beef and butternut stew with a side salad
Friday:Cauliflower fried rice with chicken and sweet potato
Saturday: Eat out at the food festival
Sunday: Leftovers

This week's meals are a bit boring but the hubby is out of town and I plan on really focusing on diet and eating right so I plan on cooking in bulk and eating from that. Right now shredding is what means the most to me, so keeping it simple!

Tell me, what are you up to this week? What are you eating?

Have a great week!

Linking up with I'm an Organizing Junkie, Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and Moms Small Victories Sunday.

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, #21 +T25/P90X3 Schedule Week 3

Before I get on to business I feel like this weekend's epic-ness deserves a little recap..

Friday I wasn't at home all day. I started it off with a 5 a.m. bike ride picnic with the teenager. It was the best. Next time we do this we are going to bike all the way downtown to see it over the Ij. The teenager thinks I'm a little insane but deep down I know she loves it. 

Then, I rode a total of 36km +/- with my friend to Muiderslot Castle. 

After that the teenager and I headed to the beach. Still pretty epic, but as soon as we got there the skies opened up on us. We still enjoyed the opportunity to sit in the ocean-front restaurant and enjoyed watching the storm. 

We did manage to put our feet in the ocean before we left though!

Saturday we went to a polish-style housewarming. I brought my typical Dutch treat housewarming gift/what I lay out for guests when they come to our house the first time and are new to The Netherlands. It consists of Vla, these s'more's -ish waffles, and stroopwafels, usually I put some haggelslag in there as well, but I forgot sadly.

Sunday was Amstelanndag which was a festival highlighting all the fun stuff to do near my house. This is the same area as I take you through in my post from last week, a Spring Bike Ride through the Dutch Countryside.

It was a packed weekend, I am hoping to make this next week a little more low key, but since quite a bit of sun is predicted I doubt that will happen! haha

One more thing before moving on..if you haven't linked up your travel posts with our #Reasons2travel link-up please to so here!

Last week was very successful. I joined a group of ladies who are determined to work out everyday this month, even if it is just an easy walk or stretching. Just doing something everyday to keep in the fitness groove and remind us why we aren't hogging down on hot dogs and m and m's! haha So, even though my workout schedule wasn't exactly like I had planned here is what I did do...

Sunday: Rest/Stretch-Yoga
Monday: T25 Alpha Cardio/P90X3 The Warrior-Piyo Sweat (late, late, late at night) plus 10km biking running errands
Tuesday: T25 Lower Focus/P90X 3 MMX
Wednesday: T25 Ab Intervals/P90X3 Agility X + 50km biking and sight seeing-I was exhausted
Thursday: T25 Speed 1.0/P90X3 Pilates-Workout with the teenager-HIIT Run and a half hour stair workout
Friday: T25 Total Body Circuit/P90X3 Dynamix-36+km bike ride sightseeing...I decided to sleep when I got home to recover after being in the hot, hot, hot sun all day.
Saturday: Blogilates 100 Burpee Burnout/T25 Cardio-Yoga. I was really sore and my hips were all out of whack.

I've learned a bit about myself this past week. I am going to keep up the double workouts as I've been completing a lot, but I do need to focus and start getting up earlier to get my workouts completed before I start going for the day. I hate working out late in the evening, so getting up with the sun will be helpful for me I think. 

This week's workouts:

Sunday: P90X Stretch

Monday: Dynamic core/MMX

Tuesday: Speed 2.0/Accelerator

Wednesday: Core Cardio/Decelerator

Thursday: Pilates X/Cardio

Friday: Total Body Circuit/Agility X

Saturday: X3 Yoga-then we are sight seeing so keeping it short :)

Goals

Last week: 

• Get gifts mailed out (one is really belated, so I really have to get to the post office)-Done!
• Stick to workouts and menu-Done!
• Get the courage to list a few items I've made in my Etsy store-Still not done :(
• Visit two more museums on my list-Done! I managed the Hermitage and Amsterdam Museum
• Take two bike rides-Done! One to Amsterdam Noord, the other to Muiderslot.

This week:

• Visit two more museums on my list
• Sight seeing trip to Enkhuizen
• Stick to menu and workouts
• Increase unique page views by 100 this week
• Actually list the items in my Etsy shop
• Find at least 3 link parties to link up to each day
• Post more content on my Facebook page, increase interaction

Breakfast:

• Sunday: Granola with banana slices
• Strawberries and cream oatmeal x2
• Acai Bowl x2
• Friday: Egg scramble with toast
• Saturday: French toast with berries

 Lunch:

• Sunday: Omelettes, toast (homemade bread), nectarine slices
• Monday: Half a baked potato topped with mixed veggies
• Tuesday: Sandwiches
• Wednesday: Leftovers
• Thursday: Sandwiches
• Friday: Leftovers
• Saturday: Picnic of hard boiled eggs, bread and butter, fruit, cheese

Dinner:

• Sunday: Tacos/taco salad
• Monday: BBQ chicken breasts with sugar snap peas and brown rice
• Tuesday: Lentils topped with BBQ chicken (leftover), and mixed veggies
• Wednesday: Hubby's last night here so we will eat out
• Thursday: Coconut crusted fish with mango rice
• Friday: Veggie pad thai with any leftovers
• Saturday: Eat out...will be doing a lot of sight seeing so hope to find some where scenic and unique to eat dinner.

That is it for me this week! Tell me, what makes for the perfect weekend for you?

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

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! 

Weekly Menu #19 and P90X3/T25 Workout Schedule Week 1

Happy Sunday y'all! How was your weekend? Have fun? Our kiddo was gone all weekend with her cheerleading team in Germany so it was just hubby and I until Sunday evening.

Friday night we had a nice dinner of chicken wings and fries. Then we just watched a movie.

Saturday we slept until 10:30! I woke up at 7:15 and grumbled all I want to do is sleep, I woke up like what felt as though it was a few minutes later but it was really 3 hours later! It was awesome and I totally didn't feel bad about it. We didn't leave the house on the cloudy rainy day and it was fabulous.

Today we didn't get up much earlier. But we have been more productive. Made it out to buy some local honey so I can keep my allergies tamed down, I've made a bunch of crafts and hubby is working his way through Witcher.

Tomorrow is a holiday here Whit Mandaag. It basically marks the end of the Easter cycle. I think the kiddo and I will just cycle around seeing some things around town we haven't seen, check the Van Gogh see if they have anything new there, and maybe have a picnic.

Just in case you missed it this past week here are a few must-see posts:
Three Days in Berlin
What I Ate in Berlin
The Berlin Bears and pop up wall art

Workout

Recap:

• Sunday: Rest
• Monday: Rest
• Tuesday: Walk
• Wednesday: 2 mile run plus 20 minutes of strength work on the stairs
• Thursday: Bike ride, walk
• Friday:Rest day mostly, lots of walking
• Saturday: Raining, we spent an entire day in bed pretty much. I feel like a bum.

This week's goals: I think I will restart a double workout with T25 and P90X3, on days it is nice I will also fit in a short run.

• Sunday: Rest/Stretch/Cycle/Walk
• Monday: Speed 1.0/Agility X
• Tuesday: Total Body Circuit/X3 Yoga
• Wednesday: Ab Intervals/The Challenge
• Thursday: Lower Focus/CVX
• Friday: Dynamix/Cardio
• Saturday: Rest/Stretching

Last week I literally did one workout and I feel like crap. I loved when I had a full workout schedule back when we lived in California so I figure I will fill my mornings like that again. It might be a little difficult since I don't have weights or a good band, but I will make it work...at least I have a pull up bar! 

Other Goals

• Visit one museum I haven't been to yet, and revisit two others as they have some new exhibits.
• Make sure I keep the house stocked with food-this may seem like a no brainer but things come in such smaller quantities here I have to go to the store at least every other day and it is soooooo annoying...I am so sick of going to the freaking grocery store you have no idea.
• Work on some of the crafts I have planned to use up some of these supplies I have!

Menu

Breakfast

• Acai Bowl X2
• Veggie egg bowl with brown rice X3
• Pancakes, eggs, bacon (Saturday)

Lunch

• Hubby: protein box
• Kiddo: only takes two days: ham and cheese sandwich 
• Me: two days kiddo doesn't eat with me: no pasta salad with grilled chicken
• Monday: (holiday) open face toasti with apple sticks
• Two days kiddo eats with me: leftovers

Dinner

• Sunday: BBQ Bacon cheese burgers on these really tasty buns from our grocery store with sugar snap peas and french fries
• Monday: Teriyaki beef with fried rice/mixed veggies/reg rice for hubby
• Tuesday: black bean burgers with veggie fries and squash
• Wednesday: Lentil veggie stew 
• Thursday: Leftovers
• Friday: Rotisserie chicken, veggies, potatoes
• Saturday: BBQ chicken sandwiches, sauteed veggies from the market, any leftovers

Snacks

• Cheese
• Homemade bread
• Leftovers
• Fresh fruit
• Boiled eggs

So, tell me, what are you up to this week?

What is the latest you've ever slept in since having kids?

P.S. This week I will be linking up with Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and I'm an Organizing Junkie.

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 #16

This last week was a pretty darn hectic one. We spent the week in Berlin and then after we got home the teenager and I just could not sit still so Saturday we used our Amsterdam travel book and did a walk of the Jordaan area.

Preview of Berlin:

Preview of Jordaan Walk:

Sunday everyone but me had work so I cleaned like a mad woman then we decided a movie was in order so we finally checked out the new Avengers movie.

This upcoming week is our last week of May break so we are headed to London for a day and a half and then we will do a Holland day trip on Friday to an outdoor museum called Zuiderzee, and Saturday we will finally really check out the Stadelijk Museum and will take a bike ride around the Vondelpark. Sunday my plan is to just relax and get ready for the upcoming week back to school.

Workout

Last week I didn't do any real workouts. I planned them, but once I started to really enjoy the week with my loved ones it just wasn't at the top of my priority list...I did stretch everyday because we walked a solid 8 miles everyday...at least. I didn't record it but we walk the city of Berlin a number of times and took no public transit...so I'm gonna call that even ;)

• Sunday: Stretching
• Monday: P90X3 MMX
• Tuesday: P90X3 Yoga
• Wednesday: Sightseeing and stretching
• Thursday: PIYO Sweat
• Friday: T25 
• Saturday: 2 mile run and stretch (6 mile run Sunday)

Goals

None for this week, just to enjoy what is ahead in our travels.

Meals

Breakfast

• Sunday: Strawberry stuffed crescent rolls
• Monday: Monkey salad
• Tuesday: Veggie scramble with homemade bread
• Wednesday: Provided by our air bnb hosts
• Thursday: Provided by our air bnb hosts
• Friday: Veggie scramble with homemade bread
• Saturday: Oatmeal

Lunch

• Sunday: Leftovers
• Monday: Pancakes
• Tuesday: Peanut butter and jelly with apple slices
• Wednesday: Picnic-will pick up some sandwiches and fruit most likely
• Thursday: Eat out
• Friday: Soup and salad
• Saturday: Homemade pizza

Dinner

• Sunday: Chicken wings, fried rice with peppers 
• Monday: BBQ Cheese burgers with broccoli and corn
• Tuesday: Eat out
• Wednesday: Eat out
• Thursday: Rotisserie chicken with broccoli and rice
• Friday: Taco/taco salad
• Saturday: BBQ Chicken breasts with broccoli and potato slices

Nothing super exciting this week on the menu but tried and true things that are quick to whip up. 

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

Menu Plan Monday #15

I'm not really going to do a weekend recap because the posts I have coming up this week are all from the super fun things we did this past weekend. Hubby has finally recovered from his 3 weeks straight of work (although he may be going right back into that) and since this past weekend was a three dayer for us thanks to Koningsdag on Monday I took advantage and dragged him and the teeanger to the Keukenhof, Elfia, and my friends house for some King's Day celebration in the city center.

This past week I wrote a few great posts about traveling, make sure you check them out:

Packing Tips
Road Trip Planning Tips
Suit Case Organization
Travel Essentials

Also, our friend Stacey Grice had the debut of her second book, Tapped this week...go check out the post I did for her blog tour, then buy the book because it was awesome!

Workouts
Sunday: Rest day
Monday: Yoga
Tuesday: Quiet apartment workout  coupled with some glute bridges, planks, and stretching
Wednesday: Yoga
Thursday: Same as Tuesday
Friday: T25 Cardio and T25 Stretching
Saturday: 4 mile run and stretching

Goals
Not really setting any goals for this week but to explore Berlin and make some fabulous memories learning about another country/city with my teenager.


But, despite all this excitement we must continue to eat. The menu will be abbreviated because the kiddo and I are traveling and the husband will mostly eat whatever work is providing for all the over time (ha!).

Breakfast:
*Lately my breakfasts have consisted of Bullet proof coffee (with 1 T coconut oil, 1 T butter, and 50ml of real fresh cows milk and a banana, I never thought this could fill me up but it really does the trick!)
Sunday: Cereal
Monday: Egg and cheese croissant sandwiches
Saturday: Same as Monday

Lunch:
Sunday: Lunch at Ren Fayre (meat on a stick was awesome)
Monday: King's day will probably just feast from the food vendors
Saturday: Soup and Sandwiches

Dinner:
Sunday: Leftovers
Monday: hamburgers, rice, and carrots (if we come home for dinner)
Friday: Pizza with salad
Saturday: either Monday's dinner if we don't eat that or tacos with salad

This week I will be linking up with Mommy Run Fast, Jill Conyers, and I'm an Organizing Junkie...come check out the rest of the party for some other great ideas!

We are on our second round of spring break here, ready to wind up this school year, when do your kids get out?

As a side note, have you ever been to Berlin? Have suggestions on must see/eat places? We mostly have our itinerary set but are willing to add a few "must-do-see-eat" places to it!

Have a great week, everyone!

Menu Plan Monday #14

So, lately I have really enjoyed the Sunday to Sunday planning. I find I am actually prepping a lot more and when Monday Morning rolls around I actually have food to pack lunches so we are starting off on the right foot, it is great!

This weekend was a lazy one, the calm before the storm if you will. 

Saturday it was gorgeous and the kiddo needed to get a birthday present so we took a nice long bike ride to enjoy the weather and keep our travel costs low! 

Then our friend came over to do some professional portraits for the husband. We wound up taking a bike ride through the forest and having a meal together. It was a wonderful day!

Sunday the hubster and I mostly relaxed. Aside from a trip to the grocery store we mostly cuddled on the couch and watched Episodes I and II of Star Wars. 

I really love these calmer weekends, especially when your husband has worked basically three weeks in a row. Next weekend will be the kicker....can't wait to fill y'all in on that! If you follow on Instagram you can follow along to all our shenanigans :) As a preview I will just say there will be tulips, a fantasy fayre, and the huge King's Day celebration! This.Will.Be.Epic!

Goals

Last week, I was fairly unproductive so besides keeping off the added sugar and processed foods I didn't accomplish anything really (haha) so nothing to report there...this week:

• Seriously, finish our freaking itineraries. Vacation is NEXT WEEK! and I have no solid plans, I'm not making a walking path this time but I do want to have names of places we should see and the history of each marked on my phone or iPad so we can read up on them on the train ride.
• Keep at the tougher workouts, been feeling really good so want to keep working hard.
• Keep eating well..again, I am feeling amazing. I've been keeping a higher good fats and higher protein diet and am feeling really great!
• Finish my Hawaiian scrapbooking. It really, really, really needs to get done so I can move on to our move! 

Workout Schedule

I stuck to my schedule pretty good last week, let one extra rest day creep in on Thursday and Friday I only did half my workout. This week will be stronger though...

• Sunday: Rest, I was tired, we did a mild errand bike ride and took a walk
• Monday: 3 mile run and PIYO
• Tuesday: Long bike ride to try and find some Tulip Fields, yoga
• Wednesday: 4 mile run with Bootcamp
• Thursday: Ride to North Amsterdam...rumour has it there could be Tulip fields there too, MMX, Stretching
• Friday: Double PIYO, walk if it is nice or bike ride to find the baby goats
• Saturday: 100 Burpee Burnout, sightseeing

Trying to get some really solid workouts in this week as next week will be off and on because of our traveling.

Menu

Breakfast

Sunday: Egg and cheese crescents with strawberries and kiwi 

Monday: Açai bowls with egg whites or oatmeal with egg whites

Tuesday: Same as Sunday

Wednesday: late start so will make a big breakfast: omelettes stuffed with veggies and cheese with cinnamon raisin toast and blood orange slices

Thursday: same as Monday 

Friday: banana, blood orange, and coconut fruit bowl with toasted cinnamon almonds

Saturday: sightseeing big breakfast before we leave: same as Wednesday

Lunch

Sunday: snack: bread and butter, smoked meat, fruit

Each day hubby takes two hard boiled eggs, nuts, cold cuts, cheese, and every once in a while a slice of bread. He gets fresh fruit provided by work. Once per week he does eat out.

Kiddo: 

M-W: tomato and cheese panini with Apple slices, and nuts

Tuesday-Th: leftovers 

Me: 

M-W: No pasta salad with half panini

T-Th: Leftovers
Friday: fried egg tostadas with a side salad

Saturday: sightseeing we will have a late lunch/ early dinner out

Dinner 

Sunday: Tacos/taco salad

Monday: Triple lentil stew with salad

Tuesday: BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with carrots and rice

Wednesday: Triple lentil quesadillas (chicken and cheese for hubby if he is here) with peppers and leeks

Thursday: Breakfast for dinner

Friday: Burgers/veggie burgers (will be made with leftover triple lentil filling, peppers, and leeks) with broccoli, corn, and leftover rice

Saturday: late lunch/early dinner out, will snack In the evening if hungry

This week I am on a pilgrimage for Tulip fields near Amsterdam. I know there has to be some so our meals are going to be super simple and utilize as many leftovers as possible so there isn't any food to get stinky while we are gone. I will be making some meals to freeze for hubby so he isn't eating out. Here is some of what I will be making and freezing:
Rotisserie chicken and rice
Burgers with twice baked potato
Taco filling (made Sunday night, already in the freezer) with cheese and corn
I'm sure he will eat out one night, but this at least provides him options

Snacks
Homemade cinnamon raisin bread
Apple slices with peanut butter
Soaked and toasted almonds
Hard boiled eggs
Homemade bounty bars

So, I think that covers us for the week. What are you up to? Are your kids almost out of school?

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

Menu Plan Monday #13

This week's menu is comin' atchya a little late today...with the time change and having the sun up so much later I have been in a groove to move, move, move my little behind and am not having the want I normally do to sit down and write! But, I did a bunch of meal prep and have a plan in my head, but should get it down on "paper" so I don't forget!

Workout Schedule:

• Sunday: rest day; did a little biking, a little walking, some stretching and that was about it.
• Monday: 2.5 mile run, P90X3 Isometrix and PIYO Sweat
• Tuesday: 3 mile run, T25 speed, T25 ab intervals
• Wednesday: Start the day with Blogilates 100 Burpee Burnout, sightseeing day so lots and lots of walking and biking, end the day with T25 Stretch
• Thursday: Quiet apartment workout; PIYO Drench
• Friday: 4 mile run, at the halfway mark will be at a park so will do a little bootcamp of squats lunges, jumps, pull ups, etc., evening P90X3 Yoga
• Saturday: Rest, sightseeing day, stretch

Goals:

Last week:

• cut final bit of added sugars {my one cube of sugar in coffee is all that is left *le sigh*}-done! :D
• no processed foods {gotta get off the cereal, which is a recent reintroduction and I do not feel well after eating it}-done! :D
• finish Hawaii section of scrapbook-Work in progress!
• get balcony set for spring-cleaned it off, still need to find furniture.
• organize craft supplies...don't have many but the few I do have are a bit out of control ;)-completely forgot about this lol
• make packing lists and itineraries for Berlin and London-work in progress
• keep up with A to Z Challenge-work in progress haha..didn't completely keep up last week, but I am still posting, so as long as I get them all posted within the next month I will be ok with that. 

This week:

• Finish the rest of the Hawaii Scrapbook
• Get the lists and itineraries finalized
• Keep going with the A to Z challenge
• Remember to take my camera on our sight seeing tours this week because we will be seeing some amazing things and I would like higher quality photos than my iPhone photos.

Breakfast

• Sunday: cereal
• Monday: oatmeal and hard boiled egg whites
• Tuesday: apple cinnamon oatmeal
• Wednesday: Toast with peanut butter and bananas
• Thursday: apple cinnamon oatmeal
• Friday: Toast with peanut butter and bananas
• Saturday: Big breakfast scramble with lots of veggies, toast, and apple slices

So, today I made this amazing oatmeal with water, oats, peanut butter, ground flax seeds, honey, cinnamon, butter and a touch of milk..it was amazing and pretty much all I want to eat now, I will post the recipe over on Instagram tomorrow so make sure you follow! :D

Lunch

• Sunday: at a party so snacked on pot luck snacks
• Kiddo and hubby: all week they will mostly take a variation on hard boiled eggs, half a sandwich, cheese cubes, fruit, raw veggies, and lunch meat.
• Monday: Chicken legs, broccoli, and a little spaghetti
• Tuesday: Same as monday, but with mushrooms
• Wednesday: sight seeing day, eat out
• Thursday: Mushroom egg white omelette with brown rice
• Friday: Leftovers
• Saturday: Eat out, sightseeing day...late lunch/early dinner

Dinner

• Sunday: Cereal (lame, but after food prep and a variety of foods to choose from I let the kiddo pick what she wanted us to eat since hubby was at work and she chose cereal haha)
• Monday: Spaghetti with broccoli
• Tuesday: Leftovers-attending a going away party, so will be pot lucking it again
• Wednesday: Rotisserie chicken, brown rice, squash
• Thursday: Tacos (regular for hubby, will freeze half, lentil tacos, will freeze half for the kiddo and I) served with cucumber/tomato relish
• Friday: Soup and paninis
• Saturday: Will eat a late lunch/early dinner so will snack in the evening

Snacks

• over night oatmeal
• hard boiled eggs
• string cheese
• carrot slices
• apples and peanut butter
• toasted almonds
• peanuts
• homemade bounty bars (for that sweet treat)
• Banana cappuccino
• Tea

So, this is what my week looks like. How is the time change affecting you? One of my Australian friends was complaining about how dark it is getting and how drained she feels, yet I am total opposite being above the equator! How about you, where are you and how is the time change treating you?

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