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My Summer 2017 Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe

If you’re anything like me then the start of each new season signals the need for a wardrobe change. Especially for someone like me, because when it comes to fashion and style, I’m all about practicality. Which is why as part of my zero-waste, minimalist home I maintain seasonal capsule wardrobes. Specifically a plus-size capsule wardrobe.

For those who may be wondering, the concept of a capsule wardrobe was first coined by London stylist Susie Faux in 1972. Faux’s original minimalist capsule wardrobe sought to turn a modest number of four-season wardrobe staples into a budget-friendly, utilitarian, classically-styled wardrobe. The original capsule wardrobes consisted of under 33 wardrobe pieces for the entire year.

Decades later sites such as Un-fancy and Project 333, extrapolating upon Faux’s original capsule wardrobe model created capsules which now contained 33 and 37 pieces per season. Newer models contend that users can change out, replace, maintain, or add new pieces seasonally, allowing the individual style of users to emerge within four capsule wardrobe changes. For this reason, I went with Project 333‘s model for capsule wardrobes.

Still, the most compelling reason for capsule wardrobes? Each piece of the capsule wardrobes stands to make the wearer look their everyday best. Capsule wardrobes completely de-stress you. Image getting dressed each morning without having to second guess yourself one single time. Oh and you save a lot of money- think not having to go shopping for three straight months! With that said, in my experience the modern Capsule Wardrobes have not only helped me re-think my wardrobe, they have completely changed my outlook on getting dressed each morning. No longer do I dread outings, fearing I will have nothing to wear. Now I look forward to getting dressed for my day. I now have a WAHM wardrobe for success. Amazing. Epic. Change.

So, let’s delve a little more into the capsule structure:

What’s in a 37-piece wardrobe: tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and shoes.

What’s not included: workout wear (items that are strictly worn to the gym, walking, running, etc.), pajamas, loungewear (again items only are worn around the house), hosiery, bathing suits, socks, foundation garments, unmentionables, accessories, jewelry, and handbags.

What does a capsule wardrobe represent: We’ve all done it. We buy fun new clothes, but end up wearing old favorites? Me too. Ever go to your closet and feel like you have nothing to wear, even when your closet is filled with clothes? Me too!

Capsule Wardrobe End Game: To me, a capsule wardrobe represents more time and energy in your morning for what really matters, and less time spent deciding what to wear, more money spent helping others, and most importantly, more personal contentment happiness, and positive body-image.

How to start a capsule:

I start with my shoes. I feel like shoes are the foundation pieces each outfit should be built upon. Typically each season I like having about 7-9 pairs of shoes per season. Typically I’ll have three pairs of flats, three pairs of heels, and three pairs of boots, if seasonally appropriate.
I plan my bottoms. I like having nine bottoms in each capsule: three pairs of jeans, three pairs of capris or skirts, and three pairs of slacks. I use the “rules of 3,” because I like having one casual pair, one statement pair, and one in-between pair, per category, per season.
I then add in my tops. I allocate room for 15 tops. Again, I utilize the Rule of 3’s for Fall and Winter each year. I will have three sweaters, three t-shirts, three button-up shirts, three tank tops, and three-hankie vests. This changes in Spring and Summer as I live in the deep south and utilize lighter layers and tees on a more consistent basis through October each year.
Sprinkle in outerwear. I leave room for four jackets, coats, or dresses, which of course seasonally changes- in winter I might have four jackets, and in summer I encapsulate one jacket and three dresses. For summer capsules, I use those spaces for extra accessories such as hats and clutch purses.
I end with accessories. Whatever room I left I add in those many numbers of accessories to my capsule.

Prep and clean your space:

I start by cleaning out my closet. Every last piece comes out. I then dust my shoe sleeves, closet rod, and sweep out my closet doors and floor.
Then it’s time to purge. I go through my clothes, donating or selling back to Thredup all items that were not used nor longer fit correctly.
All remaining clothing is sorted into two other piles, love it and will wear it again next season.
Each item in the keep pile is laundered, folded, and stores according to fabric requirements.
At this point, anything left in your closet should be your LOVE IT clothes. Clothes that fit just right for a church, vacation, work, and social outings.
You should then reaccess what you have and what you need to purchase. Buy only what you need with lasting, classic wardrobe staples.
Finally, hang up your 33 new seasonal items in your closet.
After this point, a shopping hiatus is in place for the next three months.

Two quick tips:

Use all matching hangers to make your wardrobe look more cohesive.
Arrange all items by order of length. With longer items toward the left side of the closet, descending in length to the farthest right side of your closet. This creates clean visible lines for your wardrobe.

When to start a capsule each season: Typically for me, I start planning my capsule two weeks prior to the start of the next season. I write down the pieces that will be in my new capsule and to make sure I have everything on my list. Should I need to acquire a piece, I give myself two weeks to purchase the items, as most of my clothing is purchased online. Give yourself time, and grace, to form each new capsule wardrobe. Especially starting out.

With the official start to Summer just around the corner, I recently switched over my Spring Wardrobe to my Summer Capsule and I wanted to share my current 33 pieces. So, here’s what currently in my Summer 2017 Plus-Size Capsule Wardrobe:

Tops:

8 graphic tees (some not shown; stored in dresser)
2 babydoll tees (coral and mint)
1 white poplin shirt
2 white short sleeve tees (not shown; stored in dresser)
1 pink tank
1 white short sleeve light-weight sweater.

Pants:

1 pair white cotton capris
1 pair white boot cut jeans
1 pair light wash ripped jeans
1 pair light wash ripped denim capris
1 pair khaki capris
1 pair wide leg linen slacks
1 pair dark wash jeans
1 pair dark wash wide leg jeans
1 pair black slacks

Shoes:

White and jute espadrille sandals
Coral wedge sandals
Snake print thong sandals
Tennis shoes
Brown flip flops

Accessories:

Coral 3-in-1 scarf/coverup
Summer Straw Hat
Canvas tote
Vera Bradley wristlet

That’s my wardrobe, and so far I love it. I can honestly say that the once minimalist experience is now a lifestyle—and I’m all the better for having done so. While I’m still in the process of losing 80 pounds, I know that each season’s capsule will vary greatly, as my weight loss journey continues. I love that each capsule gives me the ability to look great while my body size changes over time.

Now, friends, I have to ask, have you tried capsule wardrobes? I’d love to hear about what you will be wearing this season below!

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2017 Father’s Day Gift Guide

Disclosure: For this post, I teamed up with The Hopping Bloggers for this Father’s Day Gift Guide! I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine. Read full Disclosure Policy here. Thank you.

Whether he’s the man who raised you or the father of your children, each dad in your life is a special being. Truly deserving of adoration, appreciation, and a little swag too! So with Father’s Day quickly approaching on Sunday, June 18, it’s currently time to think about getting all those dads in your life something sensational on their special day! Now, since your dad, husband, or significant other has probably given you years of sage advice, I’m here with some sage advice of my own for you: it’s time to trade in that tie you get him every year for some out-of-the-box gift ideas.

Here are a few tips to help you in choosing the right Father’s Day Gift:

Budget: If you’re stumped on what to get your favorite guy for Father’s Day, remember that showing appreciation doesn’t have to have to break the bank. It really is the thought that counts. Be realistic and stay within your means. Especially important should you if you find yourself celebrating several exceptional men Father’s Day.
Type Of Dad: What does your Dad love? This is the type of question you need to be exploring. Is he a music buff? Consider getting him a pair of hip new headphones. Is he an avid runner? He may very well enjoy a fitness tracker. Whatever it is, make sure you take his interests into account while you shop. Think of what he likes, not yourself.
Personalized: Consider a personalized gift to make it extra special. Whether it’s with an engraving or a monogram, personalizing a gift can help make him feel exclusive on Father’s Day.
Last Minute: We get it. Life gets hectic. So consider shopping online to save time over shopping in-store for Father’s Day this year.

Now with these tips in mind, I’d love to share with you a few of my personal favorite Father’s Day gift ideas for the men in your life at home. I’ve put together a list of need-to-buy Father’s Day gift giving ideas to help get you started.

Here’s are just awesome new Father’s Day gift giving ideas:

Homesick Father’s Day Gift Baskets:

Homesick Gift Baskets, featuring city and state scented candles that smell like dad’s hometown, cutting boards shaped like your home state, and a special Father’s Day gift basket. The basket retails for $69.95 and is filled with locally sourced products from small businesses that Dad will love, such as charcoal soap, Thompson Prohibition Popcorn, and NutButter Nation Packets. Each item is made in the USA, naturally derived and uses premium local ingredients. Purchase at: www.homesick.com!

Tasting Room Wine Profile Kit:

Tasting Room offers 6 sample sized bottles all neatly packaged in a kit so Dad can try a few multiple wines without committing to drinking a full sized bottle. Once he’s sampled all the bottles, he’s able to rate each one through Tasting Room, thus creating his own personalized Wine Profile, which will help identify his likes and dislikes. Available as a subscription service or a one-time shipment for Father’s Day, this is the gift that’ll make wine fun and accessible for everyone, whether they have basic wine knowledge or they’re a sommelier at heart. Purchase at The Tasting Room online.

Edifier Powered Bookshelf (R980T):

Incredibly easy to connect and start playing. Built-in amplifier lets you connect to power any source with an RCA or AUX cables that are included in the package. The R980T has a volume and bass knobs located on the back to let you adjust how you want the sound. Purchase at Edifier.com / Coupon Code: 25Off to save 25% off your purchase!

Dollar Shave Club:

This Father’s Day, give Dad a gift he can use: the Dollar Shave Club Father’s Day Shave Set. It includes everything he’ll need for a fresh-from-the-barber shave from start to finish. It’s got the 6-blade Executive Razor, Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter, and Dr. Carver’s Post-Shave Cream. Choose a 3, 6, or 12-month Membership and they’ll keep the fresh blades coming, so Dad can shave with a fresh blade any time he wants. Purchase at DollarShaveClub.com.

Trunk Club:

For the sharp dressing daddio in your life, a Trunk Club gift card will certainly up his style game. The service will set him up with a personal stylist who will take care of packing and shipping for a trunk full of premium clothing to his doorstep. Upon arrival, he’ll get 10 days to try on the goods and send back anything he doesn’t want (shipping is free both ways). Purchase at Trunkclub.com.

Edifier Foldable Puresound Headphones (H850):

The Edifier H850 headphones feature large over the ear style that has a soft faux leather cushion for resting your ears on. The detachable cable also makes these easy to pack and replace if the cord gets cut. Listen to high-quality sound in both comfort and style. Purchase at Edifier.com / Coupon Code: 30Off to save 25% off your purchase!

The BioLite BaseCamp:

If you can think of a cooler marriage between the future and the past, we’d like to see it. The BioLite BaseCamp is a portable cookstove that transforms the heat from its fire into energy you can use to charge your phone. With a 138 square inch grill surface that easily fits 8 burgers. Safe and energy efficient outdoor and off-grid cooking and heating. Uses solid biomass (twigs, firewood, wood chunks, etc.) to fuel all the BaseCamps’ fun! Purchase here on Amazon.com.

Aer Drone:

A man-powered vehicle for his GoPro camera: Dad can throw this lightweight launcher to get aerial images on hikes, at soccer practice, or even while lounging by the pool. The drone comes packaged in it own convenient drawstring bag so it’s easy for Dad to transport it wherever he goes. Purchase at: aervideo.com

Wireless Sports Headphones (W295BT):

For the dad who stays in shape. The W295BT are sweatproof wireless earphones that give you the freedom to workout without getting caught up in wires. Equipped with Bluetooth v4.1 aptX technology for the highest quality Bluetooth playback. Purchase at Amazon.com / Coupon Code: 9JJ7TK48 to save 30% off your purchase!

weber-igrill-thermometer

Weber iGrill 3 Thermometer:

If your father considers himself a grill master, this meat thermometer will modernize his grilling game. When this hi-tech thermometer, Dad can remotely monitor up to four meat probes via a free app. An alert will buzz when his target grilling temp is reached, so the chef won’t have to miss the party while he’s busy manning the grill. Purchase at crateandbarrel.com.

olympia-provisions-salami-bouquet Olympia Provisions Salami Bouquet:

Nothing says I love you like a bouquet on your special day. While flowers may not really be your dad’s thing, this salami bouquet may be more his style. Order an arrangement of three or six pork sausages, all wrapped in butcher paper and tied with a red ribbon. A set of three includes one French, one Spanish, and one Italian salami, so the bouquet doubles as a European tour for Dad’s taste buds this Father’s Day. Purchase at food52.com.

SprezzaBox:

Now, dad can wake up, look good and you can save money. SprezzaBox’s stylists will keep him dapper with a new box each month that is guaranteed to have a retail value around $100. How it works is simple! After you sign up, a stylist will handpick 5-6 different products, all yours to keep. Typical items will include ties, socks, pocket squares, grooming products & more. This is a great way to give dad some fashion sense, without letting him know he needs it. Choose a monthly or yearly plan. Subscribe Here

So, everyone, that’s my 2017 Father’s Day gift guide. I encourage you all to take a look at all these offerings and see if there is something for all those special dads in your life this year. There’s a little something for everyone, and if you’ve got ideas for your fellas at home this Father’s Day weekend, I’d love to hear about them below as well!

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Monday Meal Plan (5/29-6/3/17)

Happy Monday, everyone! This week is starting off to another sunny, windy, and wonderful start here in Dixie. Thankfully, with the start of each new week’s, there’s the pleasant certainty of a well planned, money-saving meal plan. A plan I am ever so grateful to have!

This week’s menu again reflects our need to eat down our food stockpile. As we are having to consume everything we have on-hand first, though we did purchase several items food and home consumables, each of which garnered us back online app rebates, which will give us groceries and products that can help us in the weeks to come for our family of three as part of a minimalist meal plan.

While I’m sure most of my readers will already know what a minimalist meal plan consists of, here’s a recap of the five categories I use to help me create minimalist meal planning for the past three weeks for those looking to create such a plan for their families at home:

Consistency: The goal of minimalist meal planning is to consistently prepare and present my family with home cooked, healthy meals each day this month.

Cost: Posted meal plans are based on seasonal sales cycles with attention paid to both frugality and minimalist efficiency. This week’s menu reflects our budget of $160.00 monthly for a family of three.

Power Consumption: I wanted to plan meals that do not require vast amounts of energy zapping stove-top and range preparation. A little food for thought: did you know that it costs an average of 18-24 cents an hour to run a gas range, 24-30 cents an hour for an electric range, 16-20 cents an hour for a microwave oven, a mere 3-5 cents an hour to run a toaster oven or convection top. With this in mind, I will be gearing this month’s meal planning to encompass dishes that utilize minimalist power consumption standards. Meals this month will utilize my toaster oven and convection stove top for all my baking and needs.

Streamlining: I was a little apprehensive about whether or not my family will be turned off of the idea of food simplicity. I quickly realized that my family loves whatever I cook them, and with this, in mind, extreme food plan simplicity will give me an extra hour each day to devote to spending time with my family and not in my kitchen. In order to streamline my meal plans, to have a true minimalist food strategy I am going to assign each day of the week with a single meal.

Here’s what I purchased this week:

Sam’s Club:

2 10-lb. bags of Nature’s Path Organic Black Beans, $2.81 (regularly $9.98 each)
Driscoll’s 2-pound Strawberry tub, $2.51 (After $2.00 instant savings)
Total: $8.31
Saved: $16.16

Winn-Dixie:

Tazo Organic Chai Tea, $3.81 ($1.00 rebate from checkout51)
Tazo Earl Grey Tea, on clearance, $1.81 (regularly priced $3.81)
Winn-Dixie Brand Espresso, clearance priced, $0.89 (regularly priced $3.38)
Total: $5.51 after rebates
Total Saved: $5.49

Walmart:

Bradford Pear, $0.69 (submitted for 20% Saving Star Rebate)
Organic Kale bunch, $0.98 each (submitted for $0.25 iBotta rebate)
Seventh Generation Dishwasher tabs, 24-count, $4.98
Submitted for $0.25 iBotta any receipt rebate)
Total: $6.01 after rebates
Total Saved: $0.65

Weekly total: $19.81

Weekly Total Saved: $22.31

To create your own minimalist meal plan, think about which dinners are your family’s favorites that don’t take too much effort to prepare.
Consider which do you prefer to cook?
Think comfort meals. Think simple and keep it basic.
When creating your meal calendar this week assign one meal to each day of the week, taking into account school, work, and activity schedules. Leave your least busy days for meals that take the most amount of time to prepare.
Leave one day open each week for creativity in the kitchen, for ethnic, slow-cooked, heavy on the ingredient, new to you from Pinterest meals for weekends or Tuesday and Thursdays when poser usage rates nationally tend to be 20-30% lower on average. Focus on energy, your own and your household power usage as well!
Themes can be your best friend in minimalist cooking plans. Think Meatless Monday’s, Meatball Monday’s, Taco Tuesdays, Tofu Tuesday’s, Stirfry Wednesday’s, and Slow-Cooker Sunday’s!
Adjusting two meals a week to meatless options can help lower your grocery budgets by a quarter each month. This month we will be trying to expand Meatless Monday’s to also be Meatless Thursday’s as well.
This month breakfast, snacks, and lunches will be standardized. We will be having sandwiches for lunch, cereal, and smoothies for breakfast. And yes you could do without snacks and increase lunch and breakfast portions, but I find smaller meals several times a day work better for my health, and so that’s how we will be rolling.

So what does this leave me with? My monthly minimalist meal plan will consist of default meals streamlined around items already on hand that requires less than a half hour to prepare, and cost under $5.00 per meal to create. Also worth noting, before I venture out to the market I first shop from my pantry and cabinets, only add weekly sales that are 60% or more below cost, and then create easy meals. With this in mind, you’ll find my menu for this week below.

Monday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Grilled Turkey Burgers, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Kale, Walnut, and Greek vinegarette salad.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Tuesday.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken, carrot, broccoli quinoa bake, with Crystal Light lemonade.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Thursday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Bakes Zucchini, Greek yogurt, and quinoa gyros, with Crystal light lemonade.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Friday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Meatball hoagies, side salad with Greek Yogurt dressing, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Saturday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snacks: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Sunday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crockpot cheddar, chicken, and broccoli rice, with green beans and Crystal Light lemonade.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Cost of food shopped from pantry and freezer: $26.45

So that’s all, everyone! I’m hoping that this streamlined plan into my weekly meal planning will help me be a few steps closer to realizing my minimalist dream. That said, if this streamlined plan doesn’t work for my family this month I can always change my plan again!

I’m ready to take back an extra hour from my day, each and every day this month. I’m ready to devote more time to creative endeavors, taking advantage of work opportunities, spending time with my family, and not slaving over a hot stove.

So, that’s what we will be having this week. I’d love to hear what’s on your menu as well!

Here’s to Monday meal plans,

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Sun Basket Meal Delivery Service Review

Disclosure: This post was made possible by MomsMeet and Sun Basket Meals. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine. Read full Disclosure Policy here.

If you’re anything like me, you love effortless, uncomplicated meal planning and prep. There’s nothing better than having healthy gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, or paleo meals already prepped and on-hand. Especially during hectic weeknights at home. Which is why I was so excited to try the new meal delivery service from Sun Baskets.

Sun Basket Meal Kit delivers meal kit options with busy, modern, eco-friendly family and couples in mind. With products that proudly include sustainably sourced, hormone-free meats and seafood, free-range poultry, organic, non-GMO vegetables, and gluten-free spice and seasonings. Sun Basket kits come in a wide range of food options including kits specially designed for Paleo, Gluten-free, Vegetarian and even a family-style, larger portion options. Sun Basket also offers kid-friendly breakfast options as well.

As with most meal delivery kit services, you pick your meals based on weekly meal options. Each week Sun Basket offers customers options that include Gluten-free, Paleo-friendly, Vegetarian and Chef’s Choices. So there’s something for everyone each week to try.

Unboxing the meals:

In terms of delivery, my Sun Basket kit arrived at my home within it’s emailed time slot. Sun Basket Also packs their meal kits quite well. My kit contained ample ice packs ensuring that each item contained remained at safe food temperatures, for up to eight hours, and each item was also packaged in compostable or recyclable containers, making this kit completely zero-waste in nature.

Within each kit, staples are divided by recipe. So you will initially be presented with your recipe and instruction card followed by your organic produce, meat products, and finally your compostable ice packs. This method of storage is repeated on each side of the kit. My kit contained both the Vietnamese Steak Stir-Fry meal and the Turkey Kebobs with carrot-snap pea hummus salad and lemon couscous.

Meal preparation:

The first meal we decided to make was the Vietnamese Steak Stir-Fry. This was super easy to prepare. To prepare this meal We started by processing our vegetables and garnish, which was then pan fried in a provided sesame oil.

While stir-frying, we cooked our jasmine. Finishing up this meal was as simple as plating, garnishing, and enjoying.

The second meal we made was the Turkey Kebobs with carrot-snap pea hummus salad and lemon couscous.

Cooking the turkey kebobs was simple. I simply chopped the mint and parsley, added it to a waiting bowl or ground turkey and breadcrumbs, combined the mixture, created balls, skewered, and friend until browned.

While the kabobs were browning I placed my couscous on to boil. I also prepped my carrot and snap pea salad, and whipped up my hummus salad sauce, and dressed my side salad.

To finish up this meal, we simply arranged our kabobs atop our couscous, added our salad, and dressed by squeezing fresh lemon over the entire plate. This was a fresh tasting meal I would gladly enjoy again!

Review of service:

Both dishes were very simple to follow and generally, most of the meal prep for each meal was finished for you as well, making the time to cook each meal under 30-miuntes each. Everyone in my family enjoyed both meals. I also loved that after eating both meals I was able to dispose of the entire meal kit in a completely zero-waste manner, and as this is the first meal kit that has allowed me to do so, it’s one I would definitely order from again.

I love the convenience of not having to meal plan and shop. I loved how tasty both Sun Basket Meals were. I’m happy that the packaging is 100% recyclable and compostable and Sun Basket offers instructions on how to recycle packaging within each kit. I was also impressed at the attention to detail Sun Basket places on ensuring that each meal is kid-friendly as well. And who doesn’t love 30-minute meals developed by award-winning San Francisco chefs delivered right to your door?

Cost:

Sun Basket meals are also relatively inexpensive, in terms of meal kits. Meals cost $11.49 per person, which considering the ethical, organic sourcing of each product puts them in line with many national chain organic grocery stores in terms of pricing. While continuously purchasing meal kits may not be in line with my weekly grocery budget, I would definitely consider purchasing kits for entertaining or during the holiday season.

Friends, I encourage you to take at look at Sun Basket meals today. You can visit their site for all the details! Want to find out more? Visit Sun Basket at sunbasket.com and get your first three family meals delivered right to your door half off! So now I have to ask, have you tried Sun Basket Meal Kits? Or any other meal kits? I’d love to hear about it below!

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Meal Plan Monday & Shopping Haul (5/8-5/15/17)

Happy Monday, everyone! Well, it’s time for another Meal Plan Monday! For us, this week is starting off to a sunshiny start here in Dixie. This past weekend was very easy and laid back. We finished our tackling a new weekend warrior project, and this past weekend we cleared off the last of fall and winter debris from our tired garden.

This week’s shopping haul:

Walmart Neighborhood Market:

4 packs bathroom tissue, $0.69 each
8 ears of corn, $0.25 each
Mushrooms, $1.78
Mint, $1.00
Cilantro bunch, $0.88
Italian Parsley bunch, $0.88
Carrots, $0.88 (Submitted for $0.25 iBotta credit)
Pineapple, $1.48
Asparagus bundle, $1.98 (submitted for 20% back with Saving Star App)
Bananas, $0.48/ lb. (2 lbs.)
Cantaloupe, $0.99 each
Cucumber, $0.58 each
Grapefruit, $0.50 each (Submitted for $0.25 iBotta credit)
Green pepper, $0.88 (Submitted for $0.25 iBotta credit)
Strawberries, $1.99 (Submitted for $0.25 iBotta credit)
Butter Crisp Lettuce, $1.99
4 Italian Loaves, $0.57 each
Pint Light Sour Cream, $0.88
Luzianne Tea, $1.98 (submitted for $0.50 MobiSave rebate)
Twinings Irish Breakfast Tea, $1.98
Palmolive Eco-Fresh Dishwashing Detergent, $1.98
Total: $19.97 after rebates

Save-A-Lot:

1 bags of oranges, $1.99
Frozen green beans, $0.50 each
1 lb. sausage rolls, $0.69 each
Total: $9.39

Sam’s Club:

Sabra Hummus 2 lb. tub, $4.98.
Coffee Cake (for Teacher Appreciation Week), $5.00
1 Gallon of 2% milk, $2.38 each
Half and half, $1.88
Organic Coconut Oil, $7.81
Chobani Greek Yogurt, $2.81
Total: $22.05

Dollar Tree:

Dish Soap, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Lime Juice, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Canned Fruit, $0.50 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Jennie-O Turkey Bacon, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Tortillas, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Pictsweet Frozen Brocolli, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Himalayan Pink Salt, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Horseradish Mustard, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
9-Volt Battery 2-Pack, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Instant Potatoes, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Mis en Place glasses, 3-pack, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Pepper, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Vanilla Extract, $1.00 (submitted for $0.10 MobiSave rebate)
Total: $11.20 after rebates

Winn-Dixie:

Smoking Wood Chips, $0.89 closeout
Polar Seltzer $1.99
Bleach gallons, $0.89 each
Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Castille Soap, $7.99
Mojo Marinade, $1.00
Avocados, 2/$1.00
Total: $14.65

Vowell’s Neighborhood Market:

6 Tomato Paste Cans, 3/$1.00
4 Tomato Sauce Cans, 2/$1.00
Rice, $0.69
Marshmallows, $0.69
Sweet Potato, $0.39/lb.
Pasta, $0.50
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, $0.99 weekly special
Soy sauce, $1.00
Ketchup, $1.00
Almond extract, $1.00
Maple Syrup, $1.00
Dressing, $1.39 weekly special
Grape Tomatoes, $0.89 weekly special
Total: $12.85

Grocery Total: $90.11

Also, I wanted to mention that since the holiday’s I have been using my new favorite menu planning resource, Plan to Eat, and I really think you all might benefit from it as well. It allowed me to better digitize my home recipe binders and I just can’t say enough about this service. Now this week’s meal plan!

what we're having this week

Monday
Breakfast: Strawberry, blueberry, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Almonds, celery, carrot sticks, and Crystal Light
Snack: Almonds, and Gala Apple Slices.
Dinner: Smoked chicken breast wraps, with Roma mottoes, spinach, feta, and Greek dressing.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche pudding cups, with strawberries.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Cereal, with Almond milk.
Lunch: Chicken taco roll-ups; in lieu of taco shells I use Romaine Lettuce Sheets; served with crystal light.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Freezer Cooking Chicken and Dumplings (modified using smoked chicken); served with steamed broccoli and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Gluten-Free Brownies (modified using stevia and Earth-Balance spread).

Wednesday
Breakfast: Baked Frittata Cups (chicken substituted for sausage); served with Almond Milk.
Lunch: Chicken salad, with walnuts and grapes; served with diet cola.
Snack: Grapes and string cheese.
Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Curry; steamed peas, steamed rice, and crystal light.
Dessert: Gluten-Free brownie sugar-free ice cream sandwiches.

Thursday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt topped with Strawberries; served with Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Chicken salad, with walnuts and grapes; served with diet cola.
Snack: Almonds, and Gala Apple Slices.
Dinner: Stuffed smoked chicken breast sandwiches (breasts split open, stuffed with sliced provolone cheese single, and grilled); served with sweet Potato Fries and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Brownie flurries with leftover brownies.

Friday
Breakfast: Baked Frittata Cups (chicken substituted for sausage); served with Almond Milk.
Lunch: Chicken taco roll-ups; in lieu of taco shells I use Romaine Lettuce Sheets; served with crystal light.
Snack: Strawberries and two pieces of Sugar-Free Chocolate; candy is used as melted drizzle for berries.
Dinner: Crockpot Orange Chicken with Almonds, Steamed Peas, and crystal light.
Dessert: Mandarin Orange slushies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Cereal, with Almond milk.
Lunch: Crockpot Orange Chicken with Almonds, Steamed Peas, and crystal light.
Snacks: String Cheese and grapes.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Sunday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt topped with Strawberries; served with Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Stuffed smoked chicken breast sandwiches; served with sweet Potato Fries and Crystal Light.
Snack: Almonds, and Gala Apple Slices.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Lemonade slushies.

This week’s meal plan cost: $37.05

This week’s Sunday prep:

Again this week I wanted to make room in my deep freeze for the upcoming cyclical sales and to get us to the no-spending challenge in place in the next few days. With this in mind, set out to make several new crock pot ready freezer meals, made from stockpiled veggies, pork roast, and chicken breasts already on hand.
I prepped three meals; Chicken Curry, BBQ Chicken, and Cranberry Pork Roast.
Also, prepping a week’s worth of breakfasts and lunches on Sunday’s, can be another way save a half hour of time each day time during the week for yourselves; I also find that this helps with my diet as having prepped snacks, ready and on hand, deters me from reaching for not-so-healthy options.
I checked out this week’s sales ads, and made a shopping list accordingly; this also includes adding, sorting, and organizing coupons too!

So, that’s what we will be having this week. I’d love to hear what’s on your menu as well!

Here’s to Monday meal plans,

0 Comments

Monday Meal Plan (4/17-4/23/17)

Hello again, everyone! This week is starting off to a sunny start here in Dixie. This past weekend has been very eventful for us as a family. From minor plumbing issues to having to purchase yet another dishwasher, this past weekend was anything but boring. Thankfully, with the start of each new week’s, there’s the pleasant certainty of a well planned, money-saving meal plan. A plan I am ever so grateful to have!

Here’s a recap for those new to minimalist meal planning. There are the five categories I took into consideration when setting up this month’s minimalist meal plan:

Consistency: The goal of minimalist meal planning is to consistently prepare and present my family with home cooked, healthy meals each day this month.

Travel: I wanted meals that could be planned monthly in advanced and shopped for locally (I live in a small town with limited mass shopping or chain retailer options) either weekly or monthly, depending on need. As I shop in reverse, buying groceries on rock bottom pricing and then shop from my pantry, this keeps weekly food costs low. And in terms of monthly shopping as a minimalist, this week was the first week this month I purchased additional groceries which can be seen below:

Vanilla Bean Flavored Espresso, $1.00 (Submitted for $0.25 iBotta credit)
Hillandale 8-Count Eggs, $0.50
Hills Black Beans, $1.00
2 Mucinex 6-packs (each pack sells at Walmart for $4.98 each, a savings of $7.98)
Tie Farms Frozen Broccoli, $1.00 (Submitted for $0.25 iBotta credit)
2 Pict Sweet Steamables, $0.50 each
Total: $6.00 after rebates

1 bags of Celery, $0.49 each bag
BOGO Borden Shreds, $1.99 for both bags
White bread loaf, $0.49
Vowell’s Kosher Salt Canister, $0.39
10 pounds bag of red potatoes, $1.50
Oreo Singles, $0.69 each (Submitted for $1.00 off two from Checkout51)
18-count eggs, $1.50
2 Vowell’s brand gluten-free pasta, $0.69 per bag
Total: $6.43 after rebates

Value brand strawberry yogurt 4-pack, $1.00
2 bags of Carrots, $0.69 per bag
Sweet potatoes, $1.58 per bag (submitted for 20% back with Saving Star App)
2 Dr. Thunder 2-liters, $0.88 each
Value brand wipes, $0.88
Value brand Unsweetened Almond Milk, half a gallon, $2.68
Value brand toilet paper 4-packs, $0.58 each
Smithfield marinated pork roast, $5.01 (submitted for $2.00 iBotta rebate)
2 Suave body washes, $1.29 each (submitted for $1.00 iBotta rebate)
Organic Blue Agave, $3.98 (submitted for $1.00 iBotta rebate)
Ajax, $0.88 (submitted for $0.20 iBotta rebate)
Zote bar, $0.98 (submitted for $0.50 iBotta rebate)
Antacids, $0.88 (submitted for $0.50 MobiSave rebate)
Total: $17.08 after rebates

To create your own minimalist meal plan, think about which dinners are your family’s favorites that don’t take too much effort to prepare.
Consider which do you prefer to cook?
Think comfort meals. Think simple and keep it basic.
When creating your meal calendar this week assign one meal to each day of the week, taking into account school, work, and activity schedules. Leave your least busy days for meals that take the most amount of time to prepare.
Leave one day open each week for creativity in the kitchen, for ethnic, slow-cooked, heavy on the ingredient, new to you from Pinterest meals for weekends or Tuesday and Thursdays when poser usage rates nationally tend to be 20-30% lower on average. Focus on energy, your own and your household power usage as well!
Themes can be your best friend in minimalist cooking plans. Think Meatless Monday’s, Meatball Monday’s, Taco Tuesdays, Tofu Tuesday’s, Stirfry Wednesday’s, and Slow-Cooker Sunday’s!
Adjusting two meals a week to meatless options can help lower your grocery budgets by a quarter each month. This month we will be trying to expand Meatless Monday’s to also be Meatless Thursday’s as well.
This month breakfast, snacks, and lunches will be standardized. We will be having sandwiches for lunch, cereal, and smoothies for breakfast. And yes you could do without snacks and increase lunch and breakfast portions, but I find smaller meals several times a day work better for my health, and so that’s how we will be rolling.

So what does this leave me with? My new monthly minimalist meal plan will consist of default meals streamlined around items already on hand that requires less than a half hour to prepare and costs under $5.00 per meal to create.

Monday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Three bean vegetarian chili, steamed corn, and corn bread.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Cost of food shopped from pantry and freezer: $26.45

So that’s all, everyone! I’m hoping that this streamlined plan will leave me feeling anything but restricted. With my family eating well and meal planning becoming more automated, I’m thinking of bringing back Family Game Nights! Incorporating minimalism into my weekly meal planning will help me be a few steps closer to realizing my minimalist dream. That said, if this streamlined plan doesn’t work for my family this month I can always change my plan again!

So, that’s what we will be having this week. I’d love to hear what’s on your menu as well!

Here’s to meal planning success,

0 Comments

Monday Meal Plan (3/20-3/26/17)

Happy Monday, everyone! This week is starting off to another sunny, windy, and wonderful start here in Dixie. This past weekend has been very eventful for us as a family. From minor plumbing issues to having to purchase yet another dishwasher, this past weekend was anything but boring. Thankfully, with the start of each new week’s, there’s the pleasant certainty of a well planned, money-saving meal plan. A plan I am ever so grateful to have!

Consistency: The goal of minimalist meal planning is to consistently prepare and present my family with home cooked, healthy meals each day this month.

Here’s what I purchased this week:

Sam’s Club:

2 10-lb. bags of Nature’s Path Organic Black Beans, $2.81 (regularly $9.98 each)
Driscoll’s 2-pound Strawberry tub, $2.51 (After $2.00 instant savings)
Total: $8.31
Saved: $16.16

Winn-Dixie:

Tazo Organic Chai Tea, $3.81 ($1.00 rebate from checkout51)
Tazo Earl Grey Tea, on clearance, $1.81 (regularly priced $3.81)
Winn-Dixie Brand Espresso, clearance priced, $0.89 (regularly priced $3.38)
Total: $5.51 after rebates
Total Saved: $5.49

Walmart:

Bradford Pear, $0.69 (submitted for 20% Saving Star Rebate)
Organic Kale bunch, $0.98 each (submitted for $0.25 iBotta rebate)
Seventh Generation Dishwasher tabs, 24-count, $4.98
Submitted for $0.25 iBotta any receipt rebate)
Total: $6.01 after rebates
Total Saved: $0.65

Weekly total: $19.81

Weekly Total Saved: $22.31

To create your own minimalist meal plan, think about which dinners are your family’s favorites that don’t take too much effort to prepare.
Consider which do you prefer to cook?
Think comfort meals. Think simple and keep it basic.
When creating your meal calendar this week assign one meal to each day of the week, taking into account school, work, and activity schedules. Leave your least busy days for meals that take the most amount of time to prepare.
Leave one day open each week for creativity in the kitchen, for ethnic, slow-cooked, heavy on the ingredient, new to you from Pinterest meals for weekends or Tuesday and Thursdays when poser usage rates nationally tend to be 20-30% lower on average. Focus on energy, your own and your household power usage as well!
Themes can be your best friend in minimalist cooking plans. Think Meatless Monday’s, Meatball Monday’s, Taco Tuesdays, Tofu Tuesday’s, Stirfry Wednesday’s, and Slow-Cooker Sunday’s!
Adjusting two meals a week to meatless options can help lower your grocery budgets by a quarter each month. This month we will be trying to expand Meatless Monday’s to also be Meatless Thursday’s as well.
This month breakfast, snacks, and lunches will be standardized. We will be having sandwiches for lunch, cereal, and smoothies for breakfast. And yes you could do without snacks and increase lunch and breakfast portions, but I find smaller meals several times a day work better for my health, and so that’s how we will be rolling.

Monday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Kale, walnut, and Greek vinegarette salad.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.