Meal Planning 101

A few people have asked me recently about meal planning. I've been doing it for years, mostly because that's what my mom did. When you grow up in a town with one or two restaurants for takeout (pick up only, no delivery for us) eating out wasn't ever really an option anyway. So knowing what was for dinner was crucial to my mom's sanity. 


Many bloggers have tackled this topic. Recently, Sarah did a great post on it. Her and I tend to have the same philosophy. Although, mine only involves planning for 2, not 4. 


If you're trying to lose weight and/or save money, planning your weekly (or biweekly) menu ahead of time is really the way to go. That way, you'll know what you're having, have the ingredients on hand and it will take the guess work out of "What's for dinner?" and also avoid a pizza/fast food/Chinese take out dinner (although, we totally have those nights now and then.)


I use my planner to jot down our meals, as well as put in ideas for meals for the future. And I also print out recipes from Pinterest so I have them on hand. 

I realize this picture is upside down, but Blogger is being a bitch and not uploading the right orientation. Please, cock your heads. 

Usually, I'll sit down during the week, ask hubs if there's any meals he desires, take a look at the sale papers, my coupons and plan the meals accordingly. My grocery list consists of what we need to make meals for that week, plus extras (stuff for lunch, snacking, etc.) 

And, for the nerd in me, I also have a spreadsheet on Google docs of our favorite meals. Split into beef, chicken, fish, pasta, vegetarian. It's on Google docs so hubs can reference it as well. And honestly? It's nice to have them all in once place. Because sometimes, I make dishes that are a TOTAL fail. Those don't make it on the list. Only our go-to meals.

Once it's all planned out, I'll write it down on our fridge menu planner. Because hubs always needs to know what we're having for the week...and if he's cooking, what he'll be making.

And anything I need that I forgot during the week goes on our message board. This whole fridge system was a part of my resolution to become better organized in 2012. 

I do my shopping on a weekly basis. I wish I could do it on a bi-weekly basis, but with the amount of fresh produce we eat, we typically run out by the end of the week and/or it goes bad. 

We allow ourselves one night out. It's usually a Saturday, unless we're going out with friends during the week. So, I always plan for 6 meals. 

If your grocery store is like mine and runs meat sales periodically, use this time to stock up. I always buy chicken breast when it's on sale. Then come home, separate it into half pound portions, wrap it in foil and label it. Thanks to my sister for turning me on to the foil method. I was using freezer bags, but was still getting some freezer burn. Using the foil really helps. 

I also always have staples on hand. You'll always find in my kitchen:

• Onions and garlic
• Potatoes
• Brown Rice
• Chicken Stock
• Diced Tomatoes
• Tomato Sauce
• Canned Beans
• Hot Sauce (duh, Hubs is kind of obsessed)
• Soy Sauce
• Lemon Juice
• Vinegar (balsamic, rice wine, red wine)
• Olive Oil
• Whole Wheat Pasta

Tonight? We're have ribs in the crockpot! Hope this was helpful!

Pantry Organization

Like I said yesterday, one of my resolutions is to get my crap organized. There are a few areas in my house that are in a sorry state of chaos. Like...

My pantry.

THE HORROR! Seriously, that's embarrassing. 

I decided this was going to be my first project. I needed to maximize my space, get rid of some expired items, and for the love of all things spicy, get hubs' hot sauce in order. He only has 12 bottles. Seriously. 12. 

After a big 'ole trip to Walmart for some containers, I finally have somewhat of an organized pantry. 

Better, right? I still have some more containers to get, and some labeling to do, but I'd say it's on its way. Happy day!

Basement Renovation: Complete!

It's been a long time coming. Months in the works. But, the basement is finally done! What does that mean for me?


1. No more Gears of War blasting in my living room.
2. No more living room clutter of 1028374 remote controls.
3. No more cursing at the Chiefs on Sundays within my earshot. 
4. 2/3 of the house free to decorate and arrange in whatever way I desire.
5. 2 floors between my bed and the surround sound. 


Yes, the basement was mostly for hubs, but we all benefit here. Plenty of space for entertaining. A bar. Space for working out. Watching movies. Spending quality time. And a lock at the top of the door in case he pisses me off. Ha! I kid. Kind of. 


Let's look at the before photos:

 After wall demolition.

Who doesn't like "salmon" carpet? Oh, right. Everyone.

 Progress= 5 quarts of "Silky Bamboo" from Behr, 7 paint brushes, 6 rollers, several bottles of wine, several 6-packs of beer.

 Free Home Depot hat. Why? Because we're loyal customers. And because hubs had issues getting paint in his eyes.

Now, the BIG REVEAL!

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 Don't mind Peanut. She's hazing a nap.

 Big screen and the World Series. 

Happy hubs at his computer nook. See above his head? Surround sound. The first movie he tested it with? The Matrix. 

Lazy Boy with heat AND massage, cup holder and built-in booklight. Someone went all out for comfort. And bonus Wiggles in the background.

And the bar. Ah, yes. Complete with mini-fridge. Classy.

There it is! On it's way to being complete. We have some more furniture and WAY more organizing to do, but it's coming along. Next? I'll post pics of the rest of the house. Now that we can actually move around in it. Happy day!

Home Projects

I love owning a home. I really do. But the endless list of things to do can really catch up to you. 


We've been in a constant state of disarray since taking on the basement renovation. There's furniture everywhere that it shouldn't be. Clutter that's taking the form of piles, bags, etc. But I know it will be worth it in the end. When I can kick hubs downstairs and he can finally have his own little oasis. Because as much as I love him, I don't love the fact that I can sing all the songs on the Madden 2012 soundtrack. Or recite repetitive lines from Gears of War.


This weekend we took on the tedious, time-consuming task of staining and sealing the deck. Although the deck is relatively in good condition, we figured we would get it sealed up for winter. We don't want it to start graying and falling apart like the deck in our previous rental house. 


Though it took about 6 hours of labor, several gallons of stain/sealant and a few stinkbug casualties, the results were worth it. 

I also got some items together for the front porch to make it festive for the Fall. 

Now left on the list? Oh, you know, things like painting the dining room, painting the ugly gold electrical covers throughout the house, shampooing the carpet...and so it goes on. 


But I guess the home is always a work in progress. 

Source: suziebeezie.tumblr.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Basement Renovation

It's been 5 months since we moved into the new house, and we're finally getting around to getting stuff done. More specifically, the basement ("man cave") is now being renovated. 


When we first moved in, it housed a small stage in the corner which took up huge amounts of room. Hubs, 2 friends, and the help of a power saw ripped that thing right out. Here's where it used to be. 

We still really haven't figured out it's purpose. The people before used the basement as the playroom for their kids, so the stage held a tiny table and chair set. Perhaps the people before them had big dreams of stardom? Broadway? Stand up comedy?

You'll also note the lovely shade of salmon carpet we're dealing with. Oof. It's U.G.L.Y. We'll be getting that ripped out and replaced when this thing is complete. 

The design of the basement is weird. It houses a fourth bedroom and has a HUGE laundry room. Way bigger than is needed. And it ate up a lot of room. So we had that whole wall taken down and new one built.

Those cabinets in the middle were all in the laundry room. We'll be reusing them for storage and a bar! 

And, although the paint color isn't too bad, it's too dark for a basement. We opted not to have the wood paneling removed/dry-walled over (to keep the budget down), so we are painting it a nice off white. Officially called "Silky Bamboo." 

This was before I got paint all over me. Hair, clothes, arms, face. I'm so messy. 

I can't wait until this reno is done, so I can banish hubs to the basement for video game playing. And I can get back to watching copious amounts of trashy reality TV. And I can FINALLY get my house back. Right now, everything is just spread out upstairs until we can give it a permanent home. 

A Refreshing Dip in the Pool

This weekend, the temperature dropped to a brisk 96 degrees here in the great state of Maryland. High humidity and a 100 percent chance of me sitting my rear in the AC. I'm not made for outdoor activities, unless there's something to significantly cool me down. Like, say, a pool.


Hubs and I made the executive decision this weekend that it was high time we got one of our very own. So we did. 

See! Our pool! Do you love the rainbow and ladybug as much as I do? This cost us a whole $10 at our local Walmart. We thought for some reason it was smaller. But turns out, it was big enough to fit the whole family. Hubs, me, Peanut and a reluctant Wiggles. We all hung out on the deck, sitting in our pool. What do you suppose the neighbors thought?

It was just a warm up to the real pools we'll be lounging next to in Costa Rica in t-minus 3 days! 

Our Invisible Fence

When hubs and I moved into our new house, there was one thing I knew we were going to be missing. A fence for the dogs. Not because we necessarily like the looks of a fence, or the maintenance, or the weedwhacking, but because we have an OCD pug who takes about an hour to find the perfect place to poop. And quite frankly I don't have that kind of patience...or time to piss around in the morning. 


So we went and got ourselves an Invisible Fence. Now, before you go reporting me to PETA for animal cruelty, hear me out. Our dogs like their freedom. I like their freedom. It's nice that they can run around the yard without worrying about them getting hit by a car or humping the neighbor's leg. I read the reviews. The good, the bad. And as of a week ago, we were the proud owners of this fence. 


We started the training exactly like we were told. And Saturday was their first day of freedom in the yard. Sure, there were some shocks...literally. Both dogs attempted to go out of the yard to chase birds, but they learned quickly. And the statement, "this hurts me than it hurts you" is so true. Hubs and I cringed every time they got close to the boundary. 


And as good pet parents, hubs and I decided we needed to see exactly what we were doing to our pets. So we strapped the collars onto our arms and ran through the fence ourselves. It only seemed fair. And honestly? It wasn't too terrible. More surprising than anything. Kind of like when you put a 9 volt battery on your tongue. 


So, two thumbs up for the new fence. The pups have a new found sense of freedom, as do hubs and I.

New House Tour: Part 2

Let's continue on the new house tour, shall we? Come on in.

Our second living room. To the right when you walk in. Still not unpacked.

Dining room

Another view of the living room and entryway. Complete with a Wiggle butt. 

New House Tour

Some of you have been asking to see pics of the new house. Ask and ye shall receive!


I have to do it in pieces though. Because I don't want to overwhelm you with pictures. And not everything is unpacked (and might not be for a few more weeks, ha!)


Today, I bring you the kitchen and the main living room!

Yes, that's Iron Chef on the tube.

 Check out my new pet on the shelf. My beta fish!

View from the dining room through the kitchen into the main living room. We have an eat-in kitchen AND a dining room. Love.

More to come!