Calling all of my readers in need of some relaxation!
Be sure to check out Live365′s site, as they offer thousands of hours of free relaxation, meditation, yoga, studying, and healing music from around the world and nature!
This is one of my favorite sites to check our while studying, sleepless nights, and when needing to unwind! Y0u can check them out, here!
Enjoy!
Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes! All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!
Today I am 31 years young, I am 5’6”, and weight 191 lbs; I am down tw0 pounds since last week. I walk my dogs but beyond this am not terribly active. My lifestyle causes sedentary behaviors; I work-from-home, blog, run two internet businesses, and perform advocacy work online as well. I am an internet-based excuser! Today finds my continued yoga, meditation, walking my dogs, using a pedometer, portioning my meals, and now I also measure myself monthly, using seamstress tape!
For today’s ninth installment in this series, I want to discuss a way I Have found to push through the pain of exercising. If you are anything like me, then losing weight was as much an aesthetic change, as a needed, life affirming chance. One thing that has hindered me is the physical pain, the exhaustion, and the sheer effort that occurs from exercising. Here is a list of ways I have found to push past the pain while exercising:
1. Count To 100: Focus on the steps you are taking, the vaporous breaths, and concentrate on nothing else. Count to 100 over and over again. This mental exercise can be extremely helpful during times when workouts never seem to end.
2. Find A Catchphrase: Find a mantra that resonates with you. It can be one word or a whole paragraph. Something that you find soothing to repeat over and over again until your workout is through or you get a true second wind; my keyword is happy, as in, “I am exercising to get back my happy.”
3. Picture Your Goals: You must have a reason for exercising. Call on those goals when you’re at your breaking point. Think about the pants that you can’t wait to fit into or the health gain you will receive, and even the way you will be able to just live, longer, better, and without pain and difficulty. Think small, attainable goals.
4. Put It Into Perspective: Compare your workout time to the rest of your day. Let’s say your exercise session is 45:00 minutes long. That leaves 23 Hrs and 15 Min out of your day that you haven’t dedicated to exercising. Your workout session really isn’t a lot of time in comparison to the rest of your day. Next time you want to drop a workout for one day to the next, consider that every time you workout you are losing the negative seconds, minutes, hours, and days that you spend in pain, in discomfort, and in a body less than you deserve. Learn to make the most out of your time, so you can make the most of your life.
Here’s to your health!
Hello again, savvy savers! I wanted to end my weekly posts by bring the week to a close with a post about the reflections on this past week.
The highs for the week:
Starting to add new crafts to my online ETSY store!
Finishing two review novels; these reviews can be found here!
Losing two pounds.
Trying to expand my family!
The start of painting and redecorating my living room, dining room, and kitchen.
Continuing a daily devotional.
A visit for Memorial Day’s from the MIL & SIL!
Celebrating being out of graduate school for the next three months!
My lows for the week:
The trials and tribulations of a family members dementia, and eye surgery.
My quote for the week:
“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” –Thomas Jefferson
My inspiration for the week:
Being able to not shop for any groceries, and living off of our stockpile!
My humor for the week:
My ability to take the changes that have come with being in my 30′s with a grain of salt!
Goals For The Coming Week:
Lose 1 pound, organize my basement, craft room, and stockpile, walk the fur-babies a 1/2 mile a day, have all blog assignments done on time, finish four product and boxed subscription reviews, oil paint for a few hours, take one hour for myself each night, and sleep 7 hours nightly!
Happy Sunday!
Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes! All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!
Today I am 31 years young, I am 5’6”, and weight 191 lbs; I am down tw0 pounds since last week. I walk my dogs but beyond this am not terribly active. My lifestyle causes sedentary behaviors; I work-from-home, blog, run two internet businesses, and perform advocacy work online as well. I am an internet-based excuser! Today finds my continued yoga, meditation, walking my dogs, using a pedometer, portioning my meals, and now I also measure myself monthly!
For today’s seventh installment in this series, I want to discuss a way I help myself maintain positive portion control, with children’s plates and snack cups. Some time ago, when I started my quest to lose weight, in hopes of maintaining a more healthy lifestyle, I noticed that one of my biggest challenges was not that I ate too frequently, but my portion size was exaggerated. I found myself eating too many carbs, too little lean protein, and not enough fibrous foods. It dawned on me, that in addition to measuring out food using measuring glasses, perhaps I needed a better visualization of correct portion sizing at meals, especially dinner, and so I changed the plates and snack cups I use! I purchased inexpensive children’s plates and cups, from the Dollar Tree. Each pack contains two cups and plates, and also comes in an assortment of fun prints, patterns, and in my case animals; I opted for the happy, hungry-looking bear set! Each plate is seven inches, and holds two one-cup portions for side items, and a one cup main section, for lean proteins. I also use the snack cups to pre-pack fruits, nuts, and low-fat dairy for myself throughout the day. I have found that knowing just how much I can have forces me to both eat better portions, but be smarter in what portions I chose to eat from the get-go! I just bought two new packs, as seen above, for extras and back-up packs as well!
This solution has helped me greatly! Maybe it will for you as well!
Here’s to your health!
Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes! All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!
Today I am 31 years young, I am 5’6”, and weigh 201 lbs; I am down three pounds since last week. I walk my dogs but beyond this am not terribly active. My lifestyle causes sedentary behaviors; I work-from-home, blog, run two internet businesses, and perform advocacy work online as well. I am an internet-based excuser! Today this changes! Spring has sprung, and so shall I! I have taken up yoga, and have started working out with a pedometer on as well!
For my fourth post, I wanted to discuss a new measure I have implemented to help in my food portion control, measuring cups. This may sound very rudimentary, but I have found this very effective. I use a 1 and 2 cup pyrex measuring glass to measure out the portions of food I eat each meal at home. I purchased my cups, for free, on Amazon.com using survey-derived gift cards, but similar versions are available at the Dollar Tree.
Here is a guide I use in doing so:
1) Foods that should be served in 1 cup servings: Raw vegetables, cooked or raw fruit,
2) Food that should be served in 1/4 cup servings: Cooked vegetables, Dried Fruit, Waffles,
3) Foods that should be eaten in 1/2 cup servings: Whole Fruit, Canned Chicken or Tuna, Prepared Salads, Meats, Poultry, Eggs.
4) Foods that should be eaten in 2/3 cup servings: Fruit Juice, Yogurt, Milk, Potatoes, Cereal,
5) Foods that should be eaten in 1/8 cup servings: Cheese, Bread, Pretzels, Potato Chips,
6) Foods that should be eaten in 1/3 cup servings: Rice, Couscous, Quinoa, Cooked Pasta,
7) Foods that should be eaten in 1 teaspoon servings: Oil, Butter, and Spreads.
8) Foods that should be eaten in 1 tablespoon servings: Nuts.
Here’s to the Journey!
Hello again, savvy savers! I wanted to end my weekly posts by bring the week to a close with a post about the reflections on this past week.
The highs for the week:
Starting to add new crafts to my online ETSY store!
Making new friends on my blog, through SITS Girls, Bloggy Moms, and Linky Parties.
Finishing two review novels; these reviews can be found here!
Losing two pounds.
Trying to expand my family!
The ongoing repurposing of two rooms in my home.
Continuing a daily devotional.
Surviving the a week full of pollen rain, and chest allergies.
Celebrating Mother’s Day With My Grandmother; despite her dementia she is still a blessing!
My lows for the week:
Preparing for a MIL visit, with two weeks notice!
My quote for the week:
All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his. -Unknown
My inspiration for the week:
Being able to recycle 90% of my weekly trash!
My humor for the week:
My husband singing Lambert The Lion song to my Shih Tzu, Sassy, scared over thunder this past week; those two are quite the pair!
Goals For The Coming Week:
Lose 1 pound, organize my insurance records, organize my will, walk the dogs 1/2 mile a day, have all blog assignments done on time, finish four product and boxed subscription reviews, oil paint for a few hours, take one hour for myself each night, and sleep 7 hours nightly!
Happy Sunday!
Hello again, savvy savers! Happy Cinco de Mayo! Today, I wanted to post again about on of the diet strategies I have implemented into my new diet and healthier lifestyle, eMeals! The folks at eMeals have graciously allowed me to partake in a free one-years subscription of their service, and I will be including these meal options into my current healthy lifestyle strategy, and I also wanted to bring you, my readers, information on their services as well!
Here is an interview-style feature of eMeals.com:
eMeals, was founded by Jane DeLaney & Jenny Cochran in 2003. Both Jane and Jenny are typically very busy moms! Jane was frazzled over trying to pull off dinner for the family week after week. Her meal plans were scribbled on napkins and lost in her purse. So she went to work creating a better way to make meals happen. Jane recruited Jenny, a fabulous cook, and her sister to help her with the everyday operations of the company. Working with a talented team of meal planners, they developed eMeals to feed their families and preserve their sanity. Hundreds of thousands of partnerships, friendships, and business relationships later, Jane and Jenny built a way to make moms’ lives easier, by bringing manageability back to America’s dinner table.
What is eMeals?
eMeals is an email based service, which offers over 50 weekly meal plans based on a user’s preferred food style, family size, and grocery store. Food styles, or prepared eating habits, include classic meals, clean eating, paleo, simple gourmet, low fat, low carb portion control, natural and organic, vegetarian, gluten-free, slow cooker, and our new 500 calorie plans. eMeals also provide 7 simple to follow recipes with corresponding grocery lists each week. Meal plans are tied to the weekly sales and seasonal specials at selected grocery store chains. The result is our mass following of loyal customers who save time, money, and their sanity while providing delicious and healthy home cooked meals for their families.
Can you really save money by using eMeals?
The average eMeals customer says they save around $1,000/year on groceries, and that doesn’t even include all the time they save. And we all know time is money! Over 50% eMeals subscribers have a targeted weekly budget for their grocery spending. As well, keeping this in mind, eMeals structures meal plans around seasonal specials and in the case of specific stores such as ALDI, Kroger, Publix, Ralphs, Safeway, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods!
Does eMeals have any new promotions?
We just released our new 500 calorie plans, a new Publix Portion Control Meal Plan, as well as a new COSTCO Meal Plan. We are always looking to expand our meal plans to what our community tells us they need! We are happy to offer The Lady Prefers To Save readers 15% off with the coupon code DINNER15.
Are you involved in any charity work?
For five years, eMeals has been one of the largest funding sources for the Haiti Nutrition Project which is a program that curtails and reverses severe malnutrition within infants and children in Haiti. This program distributes Medika Mamba, which is a Haitian term for “peanut butter medicine,” a daily food supplement that provides complete nourishment needed for the growth and health of young Haitian children.
What should new customers know about your company?
We are a company based on the ideals of having dinner together as a family. That is such a valuable gift you can give to your children, your spouse, and anyone else that joins you at your table. We want to make it easier to facilitate dinner together as a family where connections and memories are made.
How can your customers get the most out of eMeals?
Sporadic grocery spending and multiple trips to the store is money down the drain. Having a plan, period, is what saves people the most money and controls spending. Having a consistent plan at your fingertips, ready to be shopped at a moments notice is GOLD. In comes eMeals. Forgetting to bring your list to the store is also money down the drain. Eliminating that problem is gold too. In comes the companion eMeals app. Your list is always on your phone – ready when you are.
Useful tips:
1) Determine how many meals you need for the week. There are seven meals on each week’s menu.
2) The app can skip any of the meals you choose to not cook and it will automatically delete those items from the grocery list.
3) Shop your stockpile first and delete items you may already have from the grocery list
4) Be sure to purchase the pantry staples that you may not have that are required for the meals you choose to cook.
5) Stick to the list!
We also have not only dinner plans, but breakfast, lunch and dessert to help you get all your meals planned out with minimal effort. Use this tool to your advantage!
Is there anything else that you would like for The Lady Prefers To Save readers to know about eMeals?
eMeals is always adding more plans to meet the growing eating lifestyles that emerge. Paleo and Clean Eating are examples of that and happen to be two of our most popular plans! We would love to have The Lady Prefers To Save’s readers sign up for eMeals with the discount code DINNER15 for 15% off.
Also in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, be sure to check out this sample Cinco de Mayo themed menu from eMeals!
Here’s to the Journey!
In accordance with FTC Guidelines: I hereby disclose that I received complimentary products from the company being reviewed above, in exchange for my honest opinion and review of my experience. I was not compensated for this review, but received a free membership. All opinions in the post are 100% my own. Individual results or experiences may vary. Please consult your physician, dietitian, or diabetes specialist before starting any diet. You can obtain more details information about the company, its products, and policies by visiting their respective websites, which will be linked above.