Great day

Happy Monday! Today was a great day. I woke up on my first alarm. NO SNOOZE! 👏. My husband made me breakfast.  I took my vitamin. I had time to drink my tea and read my devotionals. Got dressed and had my bags packed for the most part the night before. I was on the road before 7:15am. 

I had time to fix my head covering nicely. I got a lot of compliments on my outfit. It helps to have compliments. 😃

I had plenty of energy to get all I wanted done at work. I was proactive at meeting the new patients. And I really felt in my groove giving my activities spiel. 

Count your victories.

Focusing on things you didn't do can be discouraging. Lets count our victories to show what we do right not wrong!

Developing daily habits, routine,  and mental health habits, and "adulting" responsibilities. 

 Things I did today that are victories. 

(Sunday)

1. Cleaned both bathroom toilet sink and mirror 
2. Cooked dinner
3. Cooked on the go breakfast cookies (so I don't have to buy at work)
4. Folded baby clothes that had been clean for awhile 
5. Swept the kitchen
6. Pumped breast milk, I have a tendency to put it off
7. Took care of the baby. Because I deserve credit for that even though it's a given

Things I accomplished in my nightly routine:

1. Took by medicine at 9pm
2. Took sleeping aid before 10
3. Washed bottles 
4. Loaded the dishwasher and set it to run
5. Took a shower AND shaved 
6. Cleaned up dishes from dinner

Didn't make it to bed until 11pm but I am happy I got a lot done to be better prepared for the morning. 

Goals this week 

1. Wake up at first alarm and do not go back to sleep
2. Arrive at work and clock in at 8am
3. Make it to the gym at least once 
4. Try exercising in the morning at home once 
5. Limit carbs and sugars

Chai Masala- Indian Spiced Tea recipe

I wanted to share my adapted recipe for Chai Masala 

Masala Chai is my favorite type of tea. It is comforting, spicy, creamy, All the things I love. I drink it year round. When I am in a rush I use pre made tea bags. But if I want a special treat for the *real thing*. I make a pot on the stove to share with my guests. This recipe is simple enough that anyone can do it. The only special equipment you really need to a sieve or strainer, or a tea infuser. If you do not have that you can use individual high quality black tea bags.  I prefer to pour the whole pot through the strainer but I am sure you could improvise with a coffee pot basket and filter. (If you try that let me know how it turned out.)

First you need to make your spice blend.

This is a recipe that uses ground spices, you can grind your own, or use already ground. I like to use ground so that I can store the spice blend and use it over time. Or sprinkle on other desserts. It's great on Greek yogurt or toast. You could brew your tea with whole spices as well using a different recipe. This recipe is not just for one serving of spice mix (makes about 4oz jar), so you will definitely have enough to brew another batch of tea later or sprinkle on coffee if that is your thing. 😉 

Chai Masala Spice Blend Recipe

Ingredients

2 tbsp ginger powder

2 tbsp cardamom, ground

1 tsp nutmeg, grated

1 1/2 tsp cloves, ground

1 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground

3 tbsp cinnamon, ground

1/4 tsp saffron (optional)

*Link to recipe I used 

The Tea

Next you need to buy your tea. Assam black tea is traditional for Indian chai. It is actually not considered a high quality tea, like a full leaf tea. It is typically tiny rounded ball like texture, even after it is brewed. This tea will give you the signature dark brown almost orange color you will find in chia tea. It is stronger brew so it lends itself better to milk. I like tea India brand you can buy it at their website here  Tea india link or on Amazon here Amazon Tea India. These are bulk quantities of plain black tea and they do not contain the spices. Tea India also sells tea bags with the spices in it (Amazon link here) and instant chai latte (Amazon link here) which has the milk [powder] in it already. But we are using the pain black to to make our own more authentic recipe. I use the Chai Masala bags  from Tea India regularly but when I want to make a strong milky homemade chai I use the loose leaf and spice mix. It is more special. And it tastes better with the tea brewed in the milk with the spices.  

Tea India is available locally in some ethnic groceries as well. If you have that locally, check your stores. 

***Now to the recipe of how to make traditional Chai Masala (aka chai latte)***

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cups milk (I use whole you can add more milk and less water if it is lower fat or nondairy) Evaporated milk is also commonly used (may want to add less)
• 3 tsp loose leaf black tea (You can use  high quality plain black tea bags if you do not have a strainer)
• 1 tsp spice mix (more if you are a spice girl like me)
• Sugar to taste - 3 teaspoons for 3 cups is a good regular amount of sweet or zero calorie sweetener or honey 

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan bring the water to Boil on high  
2. Add the milk and tea and spices and sugar*
3. Turn to medium heat bring back to boil
4. Turn to level 3 simmer for 3 min to 5 min depending on how strong you like it. You will notice the color should turn a milky orange. Be careful to not let it boil over. Give it a stir so the milk doesn't burn. 
5. Strain into a tea pot or another pot/ bowl and let cool to drinking temp
6. Pour or ladle into individual tea cups *(you can add your sweetener at this stage if each cup wants different type or amounts of sweetener) 
7. Enjoy! 

* Adapted from this website https://indiaphile.info/chai/

Developing a Routine

One thing that helps reach my goals and live a optimal lifestyle is to develop a routine. I have never been good at keeping a routine and that is part of why I created this blog. I tend to slack off and let things slide. Finding excitement in the mundane, get excited about doing every day ho hum activities that add up to create a healthy and happy lifestyle.

There is a morning routine a get home from work routine and a nightly, before bed routine.

I now have a newborn to take care of which adds another layer to my routine. More responsibilities and more tasks to complete. 

I also want to get in the habit of working out. Whether that be at the gym after work or an at home exercise before work. Another option is exercise at the gym before work and after I drop the baby off. The daycare and gym open at 6:30 so that is enough time. But I am not a morning person so I'm not going to try that now. 

Let's start with the morning routine. My baby has gotten to where he can sleep through the night, but usually wakes up around 5:30 am wet and hungry. So I change him and feed him. My first alarm goes off at 6am. Lately I have been laying back down to sleep and it makes it more difficult to wake up on time. I need to stay awake and start my morning routine then. I want to be on the road by 7:10 am and get to daycare around 7:45 so I can make it to work by 8am. 

Morning Tasks:

1. Feed and Change baby at 5:30 am (20min)
2. Make and drink tea and or eat breakfast while watching a morning show or reading devotional (15min)
3. Exercise (30min)
4. Get dressed
5. Pack bag for baby and me
6. On the road by 7:10am
7. Drop baby off at day care by 7:45a
8. Get to work by 8am

I have more flexibility on the after work routine. Some times I need to run errands, have a counseling session, or go to the gym. 

After work routine with exercise at gym:

1. Clock out at 4:30p
2. Move my car to gym
3. Change clothes
4. Start exercising by 4:40pm
5. End exercise by 5:10pm
6. On the road at 5:15pm
7. Pick up baby at 5:25pm

Home from work routine:

1. Relax watch some TV have a snack or tea
2. Pump/Nurse
3. Do some chores
4. Cook dinner at 7pm
5. Eat dinner around 7:30pm
6. Clean up from dinner
7. Get ready for bed (start below)

Making sure I get to bed on time is the number one thing to help me stay mentally stable. It also helps me get good sleep and prepares me to wake up on time. Getting my tasks done the night before helps me prepare to be more easily ready for the day. 

Night time tasks:

1. Clean up dinner dishes
2. Pump or Nurse baby
3. Put baby to bed by 9pm
4. Clean bottles and breast pump
5. Pick out my clothes and baby clothes for tomorrow 
6. Take meds at 9pm
7. Wind down caffeine free tea/watch TV or browse phone (this could also be after dinner)
8. Shower
9. Go to sleep by 10pm

This is a set plan to help guide me in my process to develop a routine. Following this will help me be better prepared in the mornings so I am not late to work. Help me maintain my kitchen so I have clean dishes to cook and eat with. It will help me get in the habit of exercising. And help me to feel better and do better. I will keep you updated on how it pans out. 

Finding excitement in the mundane. 

Sausage Skillet

We often cook sausage onion potatoes and bell pepper for an easy affordable dinner. I started cooking it from watching Simplified Saver on YouTube. But I was out of bell pepper tonight, but we had some cabbage left over from last week's groceries. It was still good and I was glad to find an opportunity to use it. I knew it would go well with the sausage because Irish meals often eat sausage with cabbage. My husband loved the meal so much he ate 75% of the whole pot, and was licking the plate. He thought it was revolutionary, and thought it must be shared with the world. So here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

• Turkey smoked sausage
• 1 onion
• 1/2 Cabbage (I used nappa cabbage, so I can't say if regular is just as good)
• 3 medium russet potatoes
• 1 - 2tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 pats of butter
• 2 Tbps Oil

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium high heat
2. Rough chop onion put in pan
3. Dice potatoes and put in pan
4. Sauté onion and potatoes for a few minutes
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and 1 tsp coriander
6. Cut turkey sausage length wise then chop in other direction down the sausage
7. Put the sausage in the pan and cook until it starts to get brown you can let it sit for a while for it to darken
8. While it is cooking chop your cabbage first separate the leaves and clean them and cut into one inch pieces
9. Stir up the pan and then put in the cabbage top with 3 pats of butter and garlic powder and another sprinkle of salt.
10. Cover and cook until cabbage is wilted.
11. Stir and taste to see if you need to add more seasoning.
12. Enjoy!

Chocolate Greek Yogurt Pudding - Empowered 30 approved

I discovered something magical...

Chocolate (Greek yogurt) Pudding.

Since plain greek yogurt and honey are approved on the empowered snack list (other dairy or other sweetener is not approved) I thought wouldn't it be wonderful to make a chocolate pudding out of greek yogurt. This also works with chocolate protein powder for a meal replacement but this is more for a dessert. 

Based on this recipe: 

Chocolate Greek Yogurt Recipe Link

Modifications: sub teaspoon of honey, add pinch of salt and a dash of vanilla extract. If you are a spice girl you have the option of adding cinnamon or cayanne. I added chai spice because I have that on hand. 

Enjoy! 

One Pot Yellow Rice with Chicken and Veggies

I was looking for a recipe for a one pot yellow rice with chicken and veggies using the packet but I couldn't find one online, so I thought I would publish the recipe after I made it successfully on my own. 

This recipe is really adaptable, so just use what vegetables you have on hand. 

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (you can make it with frozen like I did) 
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 1 onion diced (I was out of onion and it was fine without it because the rice has onion in it)
• 2 carrots peeled and diced 
• 1 ear Corn (I had an ear on hand that I cut off) 
• Or you can use frozen or canned peas corn and carrots 
• 1 packet of yellow rice and seasoning packet (2.5 serving size)
• Water according to package directions
• Oil 
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat oil in pan on medium high heat sautee onion bell pepper and carrot until they have softened (carrots will soften more later) 
2. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper and brown or if it is frozen cook until it is thawed through
3. Add water according to rice package directions if you are using frozen or canned veggies you can add those now or add the fresh corn 
4. Once the water has come to boil add the rice and cover and simmer on medium for 20 min 
5. Towards the end of cooking shred the chicken with two forks, Stir. If there is extra water take the lid off and lower the heat to very low 
6. Enjoy 

$1 30 day Challenge Conclusion (Week 4 Recipes)

Caprese Spaghetti Squash Boat 

(I added red bell pepper)

These were surprisingly really good. So simple but tasty, vegetarian too. Hubby approved. (This was actually from week 3 recipes)

No left overs so I had to order out for lunch the next day, chose a healthy option.

Spicy Salmon with Cauliflower Rice (I added red bell pepper)

Such a simple recipe just seasoned with paprika and garlic. I ate the left overs the next day with salad and a homemade dressing I had saved.

Chia pudding for breakfast

This turned out really good I added the frozen berries the night before with vanilla almond milk honey and chia seeds and nuts and gave it a shake. As the berries melted it created a flavorful sauce. Best chia pudding I've made yet.

Chicken Burrito Bowls 

Served with plain Greek yogurt and salsa, garnished with fresh jalapeno and cliantro

Spaghetti Squash Hashbrowns (from week 2)

Wanted to use up leftover spaghetti squash. Seasoned with larwys seasoning salt. It was very tasty. A little sweet I don't know if it was the seasoning or the squash. 

Vegetable Cauliflower Fried Rice

This was SOOO good. I even went to the trouble of getting the gluten free soy sauce alternative coconut album and seseme oil. This was delicious. I will definitely have to make this again. I was quite full with it too, even though it didn't have any meat. 

Bonus recipe: Strawberry Milkshake/Soft Serve 

Refrigerate a can of coconut milk. After it is cooled give it a shake. Blend half a can with frozen strawberries and a little honey. Just use a ratio enough so the blender doesn't get clogged. So delicious 😋

I didn't make the chicken avocado salad and sweet potato egg bowls. I think I made the berries and greens smoothie but I didn't take a picture. I remember it being too green. Maybe I didn't get the ratio right or didn't get it mixed up good enough. 

I think I'm going to wait to go grocery shopping and try and use up some stuff I have before I jump into returing to week 1 that I skipped. I still have some ingredients to make smoothies. And some chicken and eggs. As I have ended week 4 recipes I have been ordering out and eating bars for breakfast. It really is nice taking my lunch to work. It is also better on the wallet. I have been making healthy choices. I'll talk more about some of the things I have been eating off plan on my next post. 

At the end I have lost about 13 lbs and about 1.5 inches in each of my major areas. 

Week 4 (Week 3 meal plan) $1 30 day challenge

I did week 3 meal plan this week. Even though my count is on week 4. I will be doing week 4 recipes next week. So I will be going over the 30 days. I might even go another week after that and do week 1 meal plan that I skipped, because I did the welcome package meal plan first. Go to the bottom to see my results this far.

Monday (Day 24) I made turkey quinoa stuffed peppers. Sorry no picture.

Tuesday (Day 25) I made spaghetti squash pizza casserole. A recipe from a previous week. I made a larger portion. Chris ate half the pan.

Wednesday (Day 26) I made Balsamic Chicken and vegetables.

Thursday (Day 27) I made roasted vegetables and fish salad. It called for shrimp but I don't eat shrimp, so I used Pollock.

Friday (Day 28) morning I made the Banana Cinnamon Pancakes

I was surprised it was basically just banana and egg. It reminded me of French toast. 

For Friday Dinner I made Southwest Chicken and quinoa. I think it was supposed to be a sauce over quinoa, but I made it into a soup. I put the quinoa in uncooked doubled what it called for, and a whole carton of broth. It turned out like a chowder. It also had coconut milk milk in it that made it creamy.

I exercised Wednesday. It was really difficult. But I was proud I actually exercised. I did exercise 4 from week 2. Hip taps, wall situps, hip dips, Mason twists 20-15-10.

I have lost 10 pounds since I started the detox. And about one inch on each of my measurements.

Looking forward to loosing more as I move on to two more weeks. I need to get in the mind frame of being Determined2bdetermined in getting my exercises done. 

I was off from work Friday. I was really happy I was Finding Excitement in the Mundane and got some housework done. The shower and tub, sink and toilet are now white white after being dirty. I also did some laundry and put away clean clothes that was laying around. Washed the sheets. It was nice to take a shower in the clean bath and get into a clean made bed. It was a true prep day. Now to rest for Sabbath. 

Week 3 -$1 30 day challenge

This post is technically week 3 for me but I am at the end of week 2 recipes and improvised before I got a chance to buy groceries for week 3. 

Wednesday (Day 19) chicken butternut squash chili. I made it on the stove top till the chicken shredded. (Pictured below top)

Thursday (Day 20) I made chicken curry with red peppers and tomatoes. I served mine with cauliflower rice and my husband's with regular rice. This meal was not on the menu I was just done with the recipes from week 2 besides the avacado chicken salad. I still had some chicken left though, so I used it to make the curry. (Pictured above bottom)

Friday (Day 21) I was off work and went to the doctor. I had to fast in the morning, but after I got a smoothie bowl.

I got the dragon bowl with chia seeds and almomds no chocolate syrup no granola. I also got freshly ground peanut butter from there too. For snacks later.

I stopped by the mall to get my ring cleaned but they were closed. I was temped by the food court and bought a squewier of Mediterranean chicken. I saved it for dinner.

I also bought some grab and go food from Newks. I got steak, homemade coleslaw, and their version of cowboy caviar. I couldn't resist their homemade pimento cheese, but mainly was for my husband. I did taste it though. I was really pleased with the grab and go from Newks. I don't think I got any pictures of dinner. 

Saturday (Day 22) I mostly ate leftovers. 

Sunday (Day 23) I worked Sunday and ate the rest of the curry chicken for lunch. We were waiting for money to come in to buy groceries, so we ordered to go food for dinner. I got brisket enchiladas with black beans, it also came with a salad but I didn't eat it. It did have cheese which was not approved. But I did do gluten free.