Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Mamavation Monday

I had planned to write this post on Monday, but by the time the day settled down, I had no motivation to write. So, here I am, once again sharing my Mamavation Monday thoughts on Tuesday.

Last week was a great week for me. The scale didn't reflect it, but that is okay, because I know that it was a great week anyways.

Last Monday, I couldn't pull myself out of bed early enough to get much done, but starting on Tuesday, I finally got back into the routine of working out again in the mornings. It felt so good! It really made me wonder how a few days of not being able to work out could completely derail me, when I know that I feel so much better when I am working out. I stuck with walking last week, doing an assortment of Leslie Sansone Walk At Home DVDs. I actually think that I did a 5-mile, 4-miles, 3-mile and 2-mile workout over the course of the week. Two of the walks also included the use of the bands and one hand weights.

I would like to start to add back in some of my other workouts as well, but for now the walking feels great and really, I'm just anxious for the sunrise to creep forward so that I can have predawn light at an hour that works for me to walk outside. Once that happens, I am going to start to work back up to running. I love being able to run in the morning, it really makes me feel energized.

Eating was better for the most part, up until Saturday night. I resumed tracking mid-week, so I had 'extra' Weekly Points and seemed to forget that as I enjoyed a night out with friends on Saturday night. I shared an appetizer of boneless hot wings with my husband and then, I should have skipped it, had a bowl of soup. For my meal, I had a Greek Chicken Salad. Incredibly tasty, but even with the dressing on the side, it seemed to pack a wallop with all of that Feta Cheese.

This week is off to a good start. Lunch out on Sunday was a bit of a challenge - I asked for the nutritional data before I ordered and the best meal option on the menu was 11 Points. I was only able to eat about 1/2, which was good. I did however, enjoy some bread - but the whole loaf was only 150 calories, so I don't feel too bad about that (4 Points), except the butter I put on the bread was another 3 Points. So, lunch worked out to be about 15 Points. Dinner was just a yogurt, as we had lunch in early afternoon, so I think it balanced out in the end.

I'm hopeful that with a continued week of morning work outs and continued better eating, that the scale will respond favorably this week.

This post shared at Mamavation Monday, where the question of the week is "What steps have you made so far this year to improve your quality of life?". My answer would be that I have put a renewed focus on trying to eat right and stay active.

No compensation was received for this post. I was provided with a trial subscription to Weight Watchers. All opinions expressed are my own. This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

Breakfast, anyone?

If you are in the mood for pancakes and have an IHOP nearby, be sure to stop out for National Pancake Day, where you can score a free short stack of pancakes and make a donation to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

    "Flip for Free Pancakes!
    February 28, 2012
    Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $8 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. On February 28, 2012, guests from around the country are invited to celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes.* In return for the free pancakes, guests are asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals© and other designated local charities."

You can find a IHOP using their locator page.

Offer is good at participating restaurants for dine in only, while supplies last. As always, I recommend calling before you go to make sure that they are participating.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Menu Plan Monday

What a weekend. We had little planned, and as such, I got a lot done. Friday evening was a quiet evening at home. Saturday I spent time getting things done around the kitchen. I clipped the stack of coupons that was sitting on my counter. I turned all the 'leftover' bread in the freezer into homemade bread crumbs. I cleaned the kitchen, including the fronts and sides of my appliances - love Magic Erasers on all those surfaces. I made a snack to take to the Bible Study on Sunday night. Then, we had a date night on Saturday night, where we hung out with several couples and had a great time. Sunday aside from the normal we stopped at Great Clips to take advantage of their $5.99 haircut sale, we did grocery shopping, had lunch with friends, my husband and son watched a magic show, my daughter and I went shopping for my niece's birthday present and finished the day with our Bible Study group.

I am trying out a few new recipes this week. If we like them, I will come back and link up to them.

Sunday
Leftovers

Monday
Pizza

Tuesday
Baked Penne

Wednesday
Pierogie and Sausage

Thursday
Chicken Florentine

Friday
Tilapia Vera Cruz

Saturday
TBD

If we like the recipes, I will try to share them and will come back and link mid-week. If there is one you want to know about, leave a comment and I will send you an e-mail when I link up.

Breakfast is cereal or oatmeal each morning, although sometimes at school my daughter will have pancakes or french toast. For my son, lunch is either the menu item at school or a packed lunch with some type of sandwich. Lunch for my husband and me is typically sandwiches, frozen meals or leftovers.

This post shared at Menu Plan Monday.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

CVS Scenarios week of 2/26

I wound up skipping CVS last week. The deals just weren't for things that I had to have, so it was easy to make a trip to CVS a non-priority for the week.

Transaction #1
2 - Colgate Senstive Pro Toothpaste

-$.75 Colgate mfg coupon
-$.75 Colgate mfg coupon
-$2 $2/2 Colgate Toothpaste CRT (or use two of the $1 coupons from CVS Reinventing Beauty)

Total $7.48 OOP, earn $8 ECBs.

Transaction #2
3 - BandAids
2 - Mars Easter Singles

-$1 Bandaid mfg coupon
-$1 Bandaid mfg coupon
-$1 Bandaid IP (Facebook)


Total $8.17, pay with $8 ECB and $.17 OOP. Earn $3 ECBs.

Transaction #3
2 - Mars Easter Singles
1 - Sweettarts Easter
1 - Swedish Fish Eggs
2 - Robin Eggs

Total $9, pay with $3 ECBs and $6 OOP. Earn $3 ECBs.

Total OOP of $13.65 OOP, with $3 ECBs to roll, for $31.15 in product at sale prices. A savings of 60%.

For more deals and scenarios, check out Deal Seeking Mom and Money Saving Mom.

CVS $5 Challenge

Transaction #1
1 - Colgate Sensitive Pro Toothpaste

-$.75 Colgate mfg coupon
-$1 Colgate coupon, Reinventing Beauty Winter

Total $3.24 OOP, earn $4 ECBs.

Transaction #2
1 - Colgate Sensitive Pro Toothpaste
2 - Mars Easter Singles

-$.75 Colgate mfg coupon
-$1 Colgate coupon, Reinventing Beauty Winter

Total $4.24 OOP, pay with $4 ECBs and $.24 OOP. Earn $4 ECBs.

Transaction #3
1 - Thermacare
1 - Mars Easter Singles

Total $4.29, pay with $4 ECBs and $.29 OOP. Earn $3.79 ECBs.

Total OOP for the day is $3.77, with $3.79 ECBs to roll, for $15.27 in product. A savings of 80%.

For more $5 Scenarios, check out the CVS $5 Challenge.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Samples and Freebies

Requested:
Tide Pods sample (Facebook)
Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash (CVS)
$1 Coupon for Lipton Tea Superfruit - had thought it was a sample offer, but like coupons too! (Facebook)

Received:
$5 CVS Gift Card (Theraflu gift offer a few weeks back)

Free Pretzel Day

Head over to your local Auntie Anne's on Saturday, March 3rd from 10 am - 3 pm to participate in Free Pretzel Day. You can receive one complimentary Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel.

As always, I recommend checking to make sure your store is participating before heading out.