12.31.2012

New Year's Traditions, Resolutions and Superstitions

Happy New Year's Eve all!  I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season, and are ready for what the New Year has in store, I know I sure am.

We had a beautiful Christmas.  There is nothing better than seeing your kids eyes on Christmas morning!  Each and every gift is a surprise and excitement, it makes me feel like a kid again.

One of my favorite things about the new year is reading superstitions, celebrating traditions, and saying that I have resolutions, most of which I break before days end.  I'm going to try really hard this year to stick to my resolutions, which I'm going to share, I figure if I write them down, I might have a better chance of following them.

Let's start with superstitions.  Here are a couple of websites I look at every year to refresh my memory of the things I should and shouldn't do,  Snopes.com and Happywink.org.  Some of the superstitions I have done for years because they were passed down as a tradition, others I have picked up as an adult and added to the traditions.

Kissing at Midnight, well that goes without saying.  I've also heard that whomever you are with at midnight is who you will spend the year with.

Nothing goes out, this is one we read last year, and figured what would it hurt to try?  I'm all about trying new things, and sticking with what works.

New Clothes, I really like this one.  I like saving one thing I received for Christmas and wearing it on New Years Day, it's usually a piece of workout clothes, since I usually start my eating better and getting on the treadmill on New Year's Day.

Food, this one has been passed down for years.  We always eat Pork of some sort, my uncle's cabbage recipe, and black eye peas, I found a new recipe to try this year.    Each helps with luck, money or good fortune, all of which I'll be glad to have.

A couple of traditions that I do myself is clean, I mean really clean.  I make sure I donate anything I don't need anymore, clean every nook and cranny, including cabinets,  scrub everything, and wash all our clothes.  I like the thought that if the house is clean going into the new year, it might have a chance of staying that way, but with three little boys, it's just wishful thinking.

I burn a bayberry candle into the new year, here is a little history into that and there is always money placed outside to bring money into the new year.

This years Resolutions aren't much different than years past, I want to lose weight and make better food choices.  I've been trying to lose weight for a while now, but fell back into old habits over the holidays, and I know it's nobody's fault but my own.  I have actually started today, I figured, why wait until tomorrow to do something good for myself that I can start today?  I've been tracking my calories in My fitnesspal and went and got on the treadmill, granted I didn't jog, but it was better than nothing.  I plan on running at least one 5K this year, but would love to train for a half marathon.  I need to work on getting out of my own mind, I let my mind take over and tell myself that I'm tired and can't do it, when I know I can!  That will be my true test this year, to not listen to my head.

I would love to have the chance to write more.  I miss blogging, and all of you.  I plan on writing at least 3 times a week, that's the goal, if I get a chance to write more, I will, but something is better than what I've been doing.  Somedays it's just really hard with the two little ones, they want no part of me sitting at the computer when I can be playing with them.

My biggest goal this year is to pinch pennies more.  I'm a pretty good couponer and thrifty shopper, but I want to be better.  I want to save more money so that we can enjoy the things we do more.  I'm really bad at not wanting to go anywhere or do anything when we are on vacation, but we need to do more, let the boys try new things and I need not worry about the money, but I do.  I'm really bad at spending money on the boys, and not myself.  If you were to look in my closet I can tell you that I have had clothes in there for years, yes years, some over six.  That's pretty bad!! I would rather buy the boys clothes than myself.

With that being said, I hope that you all have an amazing New Year's!  Be safe, have fun and be ready for what's to come in the New Year!

Love always!! BJ


12.20.2012

Best Peppermint Mocha Ever!!!

Holy geez friends, I'm totally in love with Dunkin Donuts Peppermint Mocha coffee.  I received a bag for my birthday the other day from my beautiful sister, and I'm addicted!!  Now don't get me wrong, it's delish brewed fresh by itself, but today, I thought I would give it a little something extra, and BAM, there is no turning back!

Grab a bag of Dunkin's Peppermint Mocha coffee
and
Your favorite hot chocolate powder mix

Add the powder in your cup and pour your coffee over, mix and enjoy!

Seriously, best cup of Peppermint Mocha you'll ever taste, and you don't have to leave your house, or spend $4.00 a cup {wink}


12.18.2012

Moshi Monster Prize Pack Winner!!!

What better way to celebrate my birthday than to spread some holiday cheer and announce the winner of a cool new game and prize pack?!!!
Congratulations to Ashley from Wanna Be Green @AshCuesta for winning the Moshi Monster Prize Pack!!!

I'm sure she is going to have a couple super excited little ones!! 
Congrats!!!

Hope everyone has a SUPER Day!


12.11.2012

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Does everyone have all of their Christmas shopping done and ready?  For a change, I'm ahead of the game, I'm finished shopping and wrapped!  It is so relieving to be done.  I have to worry about is the baking and cooking.

I thought I would share with you all one of the ideas I used this year for a holiday present.  I've found a lot of people are making sugar scrubs this year, so I thought I would try it out.  I used what I had around the house for the first batch, then went in search of better products and ideas!

The first time I tried I used vegetable oil because one recipe said you could.  That was definitely a fail! It was gross, and didn't mix well with the sugar.  I put the finished product in mason jars that I had and put it by my sink, grant it, it still made my hands softer than before use, but I wasn't really happy with the outcome.

The next batch came out amazing, worthy enough to give away as gifts!


What you'll need
1 cup of Almond Oil (best thing to use!) Health Food Store
1 tbsp of Vitamin E Oil
20 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
2 cups Sugar
1 jar of choice

Mix all ingredients together
For Candy Cane effect separate 1 cup out and add food coloring

If you want the candy cane effect, you need red food coloring, about 20 drops
Put enough scrub in bottom of container to fill bottom
Pat down with back of ice cream scooper, or whatever you have around the house

Layer
Seal and add a cute little label.  The back of my label has the directions for use.
Enjoy!





12.06.2012

Prancer's Punch

Here is a great recipe for a punch this holiday season!


What you'll need
1 quart raspbery sherbert
2 quarts ginger ale
1 quart cranberry juice
1 (32 oz) can pineapple juice

Soften sherbert in punch bowl.  Add ginger ale, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice; mix gently.  Enjoy!

If you're looking to make it a little more adult, add some Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay!  Yummy!


12.04.2012

Moshi Monster 3DS prize pack

Happy Tuesday all!  I thought it would be fun to have a giveaway to celebrate my birthday!!!  I love to give as much as receive, and what better way to celebrate my birthday in a few weeks than to give you all something to win!

One Lucky winner will win this!

A Nintendo 3DS Moshi Monsters Moshlings Theme Park Game (not compatible with DS)
A 3 Day Membership to Moshi Monsters
and
Moshi Monsters Magazine

Cool, right?  It's rated E for everyone, so it's for the little ones to play without worry!
***It does say for Ages 7+ for 3D mode.  3D images by children 6 and under may cause vision damage

Activision is making more and more games for the little ones and everyone to play, and some of the hottest games this holiday season!  Be sure to check out their website for more information.

Contest begins today, and will go through the 17th, the winner will be announced on my birthday, the 18th!!  so get busy, and good luck!!

If you still need a gift or two for Christmas, check out my shop, it's all customizable just for you!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

12.03.2012

Weight loss


How many of you are or have been on a weight loss journey?  I've been trying to lose weight since the baby was born, but I guess you could say I don't try really hard.  What is the line between trying and trying really hard?  Knowing that when you put those Cheetos or donut in your mouth that you could have made a better choice, but by the time you realize it, the damage is done.  I been trying to put all my calories into my fitness pal, but there are days I don't feel like it because I'm just to ashamed to see how many calories I go over.  I've been on the treadmill again 3-4 days a week, but it's even half assed. I walk at 4.0 on a 2 incline, I guess that's better than not at all, but I know that I could be running at a 6.0 for those 30 mins, really getting a burn.  Why do I choose to just do it halfway?  Sometimes I know it's just like a mental block.  I talk myself out of running, not because my body can't do it, but because my head says I can't.  It is so frustrating!  I use to run 4 days a week before my middle guy, and loved it!  I had no problem turning down bad food or drinks.  So what has changed?  Why can't I do it?  I have some really great support from MFP friends, but I still just can't get past the mental block!  I'm also not into taking pills or drinking shakes, or any of that other stuff.  I like doing it the old fashion way, exercise and healthy eating.
I my birthday is in 15 days, I would love to lose 15 pounds by then, but I know that's to many, to fast.
I'm looking for ideas, suggestions, support, anything you can offer.  I'm all ears.   Today, so far, I'm doing well.  I've had my eggs and a banana, I've even started drinking my coffee black again.  I know if there's a will, there's a way, I just need to see my will again.

I hope you all are having an amazing day, and a wonderful weight loss journey!  xoxo BJ