Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Things today

I am sure that many of you have seen the youtube video of the kid getting beat up and fighting back. It has been spreading like wild fire. This video and a few other news stories got my mind racing. Mainly asking WHY! Why is it that kids today think it is ok to bully to this level? Why is it that kids think that it is funny to tape beatings like these? Why are there so many kids killing themselves over things in their lives? Why is there such a need for anti bullying campaigns at schools now? Why , Why why!?
Growing up I was bullied. I was picked on for any thing and everything I did. My name, my hair, my clothes, my glasses, my speech, you name it I got teased for it. I had used tampons and maxi pads stuck to my locker at school, I had people trying to beat me up all of the time. Now my clothes were not an issue .. well they should not have been but because they were not name brand enough they were wrong, My hair was not anything that should have caused and issue, my glasses well I hated them as well. My speech .... no speech impediment no accent, nothing that should have set me apart. My name was plain there was nothing that should have cause this issue.
Now I did nothing to bring on the torment that I faced all through school. I was just the designated kick toy. I kept to myself, I cried, I had no real social life. I was called a liar among other things.
But wait I am still here.... I did not kill myself, I did not best anyone up or fight back like we are seeing.
SO I am confused! Why is it that what was once a few punches on the playground is now beating someone to near death? That is right way back in the olden days when I was a kid even the bully did not want their parents to know what they had done. They would not have dreamed of taping it and sharing it with everyone. This would have gotten them into trouble! Now well let's be honest.. parents do not care! Kids will be kids. Or I took my licks when I was a kid it is just part of growing up are the responses that are given. Or my favorite one... My sweet so and so would never do anything like that ... Your kid must have started it.
We as a society have turned into a bunch of violence loving, law suit happy, responsibly ducking cowards. We do not discipline our kids when they act out.... noooo that would be wrong... they are just expressing them selves. We do not tell them no because God forbid little billy or little Suzie do not have everything they want. We do not pay attention to them because we are too worried about what we need to do next. We are so self absorbed in our own lives that we do not have time to pay attention to them.
I know I know!!! Not everyone is like this! But sit and think for a minute... I bet you it will not even take you that long... Name a kid you know that gets everything that they ask for. Now name a kid that's parents try harder to be their child's best friend than they do to be their parent. Name a child that you think God my parents would have killed me if I dressed like that. Now name the parents that buy them the clothes to dress that way. Name a teen that has had a child. Better yet name 2! Bet you can! Now name a kid that has killed themselves because of things at home or at school.
Bet you could come up with names for almost all of those.
Now think for a second and name a kid who is respectful to you when in your home. Name a child who acts age appropriate. Name a child who is on the honor roll. Name a child who does things for the community.
That one may have been a little harder.
The fact is most parents use the new electronic leash to parent their children. They have their cell phones by first grade. They are texting before they can write well. If there is a problem they can text me. I know where they are because I can GPS them...
Who lets their children watch movies or shows that are not age appropriate? How many 5 year olds have sat down and watched R rated movies... because it can not be that bad. Do you know children that can out cuss a trucker? I do!
Those of you that have children.... Ask yourself these questions. If you can not answer them I think it might be time for some good old fashioned family time! Conversation.... with spoken words... nothing typed on facebook or in text or email.
Name 5 of your children's friends... first and last names!
Now name at least one of their parents names and phone numbers for each of the 5.
What is your child's favorite color?
What is your child's favorite subject?
If they are of dating age who is their Boy/ girlfriend? Parents?
What does your child watch on tv? The computer?
How many of your child's facebook friends do you know?
What does your child want to be when they grow up?
Was that harder than you thought it should be?

Why are the kids of today acting like animals? The answer is simple. Parents are not parenting! Teachers are asked to be more a parent than educators. We allow our children to watch things that we would never have been allowed to watch. We allow our children to disrespect us and others. We allow our kids to "be who they are" in place of raising them to be successful productive members of society.
What will it take for us as a society to stand up and say enough! Become active in our children's lives and start to swing things back to where they should be! Teach your children morals, ethics and values! Teach them right from wrong. Teach them to respect others and themselves.
Be a part of their lives. You are not supposed to be their friend! You are supposed to raise them! This means they might not like you from time to time. It happens! Stop being afraid to parent! Let your child know that you are there no matter what. Do not assume that they know! Let them know that they can tell you anything. Not without discipline when wrong has been done but with love for the honesty.
Get to know your children's friends. Let them know they can come to you as well!
You never know who you might save in the process. It is more important to be a good parent than it is to be the Cool Parent.



Thursday, January 20, 2011

One week meal plan for 2 people 1400 calories

Now I know that yesterday I mentioned that most plans are for 2 -4 people and that I normally make mine for 6. Well I had a request for a meal plan for 2 people and figured that I would put it up here for you to see what it would look like. Most of the dinners however will feed 4-6 people so the adjustments that would need to be made would be done only on the lunches where leftovers are used.

As the title said this is a meal plan for someone that is looking to have an intake of 1400 calories or less. I allowed some fudge room on the meals to make way for snacks when wanted. With out snacks the meals alone per day work out to be between 1074 and 1185 calories a day! I think that you will see that this is not so little food that you would be hungry all the time. However there are some tricks that help you to think you are full sooner. My favorite one is to use a smaller plate!! Yes it can be that simple. If you are use to loading up your plate with a full meal and you have an 8 to 10 inch eating surface on your plate you are going to over eat! If you switch to a plate with a smaller surface such as a 6 inch plate you will fill your plate and still see that you are getting a lot of food. Try it you might be surprised!
On to the menu!!!!!

Saturday~ Total intake from meals 1042 ~ Snack calories for the day 400!!

Breakfast -
406 calories
Toasted English muffin w/ 1tbs peanut butter spread on each half, top with 1/4 cup sliced bananas
Side of 20 blueberries

Lunch
260 calories
Fiesta Grilled Chicken Lean Cuisine

Dinner
376 calories
Turkey Meatloaf with Mashed potatoes

Sunday~ Total intake from meals 1088 ~ Snack calories for the day 350!!

Breakfast
391 calories
Omelet ( 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites) Filled with fresh spinach, tomatoes and 1/4 cup low fat mozzarella cheese (shredded)
2 Slices of toast (no butter)

Lunch
376 calories
Left over serving of Turkey meatloaf with mashed potatoes

Dinner
321 calories
Pork tenderloin with Cabbage apple slaw

Monday ~Total intake from meals 1105 ~ Snack calories for the day 300!!

Breakfast
407 calories
Koshi Go Lean Cereal ( 1 cup) 1 cup blueberries, 2 tbs walnuts, 1 cup low fat milk

Lunch
403 calories
Lean Cuisine Tuscan Panini with 3/4 cup grapes

Dinner
259 calories
Chicken with Spinach and mushrooms

Tuesday~Total intake from meals 1094 ~ Snack calories for the day 350!!

Breakfast
409 calories
2 whole grain frozen waffles topped with 1/4 cup non fat plain yogurt, 1 tbs slivered almonds, 1/4 cup raspberries and 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

Lunch
321 calories
Left overs from Sunday's dinner! Pork tenderloin with Cabbage apple slaw

Dinner
364 calories
Pork chops with Mustard Sauce

Wednesday~Total intake from meals 1124 ~ Snack calories for the day 300!!

Breakfast
431 calories
Large Raisin Bagel with 2 tbs light cream cheese

Lunch
295 calories
Left over Chicken with Spinach and mushrooms

Dinner
398 calories
Chicken and vegetable pot pie

Thursday~Total intake from meals 1158 ~ Snack calories for the day 300!!

Breakfast
406 calories
Toasted English muffin w/ 1tbs peanut butter spread on each half, top with 1/4 cup sliced bananas
Side of 20 blueberries

Lunch
364 calories
Left over Pork chops with Mustard Sauce

Dinner
388 calories
Chicken with Sweet Potato salad

Friday~ Total intake from meals 1074 ~ Snack calories for the day 400!!

Breakfast
407 calories
Koshi Go Lean Cereal ( 1 cup) 1 cup blueberries, 2 tbs walnuts, 1 cup low fat milk

Lunch
398 calories
Left over Chicken and vegetable pot pie

Dinner
269 calories
White Bean Chili with Jalapeño Bulgur

So there you have it! Now for the shopping list!!! Make sure to check your pantry before going shopping! Some of these items you may have in your home already!!! Watch your sales ads and coupons for more savings on some of the items. Many grocers have meats at reduced prices on a special day each week... check with your meat market to find out if they do! You can score some deals for as much as 1/2 off the original price!! Just freeze any meat that you will not use right away!
Breads~
1 package English Muffins 1 loaf Whole Wheat Bread
1 package of Large Raisin Bagels

Produce~
2 Bananas 4 white onions 4 bunches spinach (or 3 bags )
2 lbs Red Potatoes 2 tomatoes 1 small head cabbage
1 apple 1 small bunch of grapes 1 lb Mushrooms
1 Red Bell pepper 1 green bell pepper 2 shallots
1 small head lettuce 1 lemon 4 carrots
2 sweet potatoes 1 red onion 2 cloves garlic
2 scallions 1 Jalapeño

Dairy~
1 dozen Eggs Buttermilk( small) Low fat Milk
Non-fat plain yogurt small container heavy cream light cream cheese

Frozen ~
Lean Cuisine Fiesta Grilled Chicken Lean Cuisine Tuscan Panini
1 bag blueberries 1 bag raspberries
1 bag peas 1 package pie crusts

Meats~
1 1/2 lb ground turkey 1 1/4 lb pork tenderloin 4 pork chops
Chicken breast ( boneless and skinless) 2 packs of 4 6 oz breasts and 1 1 lb pack

Canned and packaged goods~
Peanut butter Walnuts Bread Crumbs Dry White Wine
Slivered almonds Dijon mustard pure maple syrup salt
pepper flour thyme ketchup
lime juice Extra virgin olive oil wheat bulgur
Marinara sauce cumin rice vinegar chili powder
honey cilantro tarragon lemon juice
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes kashi go lean cereal 2 15oz cans cannellini beans

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Menu Plans

So many of you have been asking what some of my menus look like and how many calories I am eating a day. That is why I am doing this post. Here is the history on this one! When I first started trying to loose weight I fought the idea of counting my calories at all! I knew I could get the weight off and not think about it. Boy oh boy was I wrong! I tried every diet plan out there so that I would not have to personally count the calories or come up with menu ideas. That worked as long as I was only cooking for myself!
I know I am not the only person out there that needed a menu plan that was cost effective and would feed more than 2 people. Have you noticed this?? Almost all plans figure on one to two people needing to eat! Hello world I have a family of 6! Yes I can do the math but lets be real it is not just the math on the portions that needed to be figured out but the adjustment on the cost! Once this was done I realized that it did not matter what plan I was working on it was far to expensive! Not to even begin to mention that it was hard to find things that my family would be willing to eat. Yes world there are picky eaters out there... I guess you could say that I am one of them because I do not like to eat fish! Oh that is right almost every plan in the world has fish 3 out of 5 days! Wait most plans give you only Monday through Friday... guess I am just to not eat the other days!!!!
If that was not enough I found that cooking the menus equaled me cooking all day! Having kids that need to get on buses I found that to make that menu work I needed to be up an extra hour before them just to make the breakfast so that the food would not go to waste. Never mind the lunches because there was no good way that they could have what was on my plan so extra money to lunch meat and other such items for them!
My solution... Make my own menu plan! Now this is just listings of the meals. I do make full menu plans based off of a persons likes, family size and budget as well... yes it is a little side business. Ask me if you would like me to do it for you and I will give you the information! :)

Ok on to what you are really reading this for! The Menu!!!

Most people need to eat between 1050 and 2100 calories a day. You also need to eat at least 3 meals a day. I personally do not eat a ton of snacks and follow the 6 small meals idea. (I can figure those menus as well) The menus I am going to show you are for one day. I normally plan for a week to two weeks depending on budgets etc.
We will start with a menu for 1050- 1200 calories for the day
Breakfast~
One egg, scrambled ( no added milk)
One slice of american cheese
1/2 an English muffin
Coffee
Calorie total 130 If you go for the full English muffin the calories jump to 190

Lunch
Chef salad knock off~
1 serving of mixed salad greens
5 cherry tomatoes
2 slices turkey breast lunch meat ( shredded)
1 oz cheddar cheese grated
1 hard boiled egg
2 tbs light ranch dressing

1 8oz glass 2% milk

Total calories ~ 372

Dinner

Pizza Burgers
(from the Biggest Loser Family cook book)
Applesauce
8 oz glass of milk
Dinner total ~ 620

Day's grand total of calories ~~~~ 1122~~

Now for a higher intake of 1200-1300 your day could look more like this

Breakfast
1 packet maple brown sugar instant oat meal
Coffee
Apple small chopped

Total 227

Lunch
Turkey breast sandwich
2 slices lunch meat
lettuce
1 slice of tomato
1 slice american cheese
2 slices white bread
1 tsp mustard

1 8oz glass 2% milk

Total 357

Dinner
Hungarian Goulash 190 calories per serving
1 cup green beans
1 cup apple sauce
8 oz glass 2% milk

Dinner total ~ 540

Desert~
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

Total~ 140

Day total ~ 1264~~


Now for a high end calorie day! If you are looking to have the full 2,100 calories a day ( top level of calories that is recommended for any level intake your day would look something like this!

Breakfast~
2 large hard boiled eggs
Steel cut oats 1/2 cup
1 med banana
Coffee
8 oz glass Orange Juice

Total~ 522

Lunch
Turkey breast sandwich
2 slices lunch meat
lettuce
2 slice of tomato
2 slice american cheese
2 slices white bread
1 tsp mustard
1 med apple
1 8oz glass 2% milk
1 serving mixed salad greens
2 tbs light ranch dressing
Total ~ 583

Dinner
1 Cup apple sauce
1 oz shredded cheddar cheese
4oz salsa
1 chicken breast grilled (skinless)
1 cup green beans

Total~ 650

Desert
1 2 inch brownie
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
Total ~ 252

Day's total 2007 calories


I hope this gives you some idea of what a day's break out can look like.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Long Weekends

While I love having my kids home and being able to spend time with them, there is something to be said for a regular weekend! I like to sleep in on a Monday do not get me wrong but that extra day home is an extra day of fighting for my kids. Stress for me with the arguing over everything!!! There are times like today where you would swear that we were on a road trip! Mom he's looking at me, His feet are touching me!!!!! Mommmmmmmmy I don't wanna , he just, she just, mom mom mom mom MOM!!!!!!
Nothing makes me happier on days like today than well BEDTIME! lol The peace and quiet. No more complaining about looking ats, breathings at, moving lips at!
See on a Saturday morning we can all sleep in, watch some cartons and have a lazy morning together. This is followed up by getting some chores done and then lunch. Later we can play games, watch movies or what ever.
Sunday the tension can be mounting but still bearable. Same sleeping in , cartoons, breakfast. But no chores! Something that you would think would make everyone very happy... but alas no. By the end of Sunday we are all ready for school on Monday!
Now Give them that Monday off and by the end of the day I have 3 kids more than ready for school on Tuesday! One that does not want to go because he wants to stay home with mommy! 2 parents that are ready for all of them to get out and life to get back to normal!
Again I love my kids and I love to spend time with them .... But 3 WHOLE days in a row... What!!! lol Far far too much time!!!
Well Time for me to get going ... the fighting is starting to escalate again! Yea Me!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Back to Reality


So life got crazy and blogging fell of my radar! Sorry for that. Trying to get everything back up and running! So Since I last posted I have moved across the country to Rhode Island. Very happy to be out of California! More to the point out of Monterey! If you ever have the chance to go and visit there do it! If you ever have the chance to live there... Well.. RUN! Or email me!!! There are some ins and outs there that military families need to know before the settle on anything out there!
Since being here in RI we have gone through 2 good snow storms! My kiddos are thrilled! Hailey and Will had never seen real amounts of snow so this was awesome for them!
If you reread my profile you saw that I am now a Zumba Fitness instructor! Not teaching just yet but once we move back to VA BCH I will be teaching so watch out y'all!!!!!
As I said i am going to be getting this back up and running so.... Hold on and let's see where this goes!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Tastefully Simple Black Friday Sale

Tastefully Simple Black Friday Sale


Shop for your holiday groceries and gifts at a discount!!


Friday, November 27, 2009: 5 am to 5 pm


5-7 am PST: 20% off your product total
7-9 am PST: 15% off your product total
9am – 5pm: PST 10% off your product total


One lucky person will be chosen as the “host” of this sales event. He/she will receive FREE FOOD based on the total sales from the Black Friday event. Everyone who orders will have a chance to be chosen as the host. The winner will be notified on Saturday to select the freebies. All orders paid by December 10 will be guaranteed for pre-Christmas delivery.

Here are the guidelines for this sale. . .

All orders must be placed by email, direct message (Facebook/Twitter) only! Emails must be sent to:

beckithompson01@gmail.com

Orders place directly from my Tastefully Simple website do NOT qualify as I cannot apply the discount after the fact.

Invoices will be sent immediately to process your order. Orders will be placed with Tastefully Simple as soon as payment is processed.

Please include your name, complete mailing address, and phone number with your order. All products will be shipped via FedEx to your front door.

Everyone who books a catalog or taste-testing party during the Black Friday sale will receive a free dessert after their party closes. Just include a note in your email that you want to be called to set a party date. All parties must be booked in December 2009 or January 2010 to qualify.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Thanksgiving hints

Ok so it is that time of year again! The same questions get asked every time as well.
how big of a turkey do I need? When do I thaw it out? Put the stuffing in the Bird or not? Just to name a few.
So here it is the best guidance that I can find to all of the traditional questions!
Here are some guidelines for buying turkey in various forms:

Ready-to-stuff turkey, fresh or frozen: 1 1/2 pounds per person.

Stuffed turkey, frozen/uncooked: 1 3/4 to 2 pounds per person.

Breast of turkey with bone in, fresh or frozen/uncooked: 3/4 pound per person.

Boneless turkey, breast or thigh and leg, fresh or frozen/uncooked: 1/2 pound per perso
n.
First the thing that needs to be kept in mind is the "Danger Zone" between 40 and 140 °F — at a temperature where foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly. This is why we preach careful thawing of any poultry. While yes you can kill some of the bacteria with cooking there is no promise that you can kill it all! It is your health and the health of your guests so do not let your meal be the talk of the town because you filled the ER.
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave oven. No matter what your Grandmother or Great Grandmother did the counter is not the place to let this bird thaw out!!!!
So here it is:
When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator:
  • allow 24 hours for each 4 to 5 pounds in a refrigerator
  • Place the turkey pan to prevent the juices from dripping on other foods.

Here is the Key to when to start thawing!
Refrigerator Thawing Times
Whole turkey:
  • 4 to 12 pounds = 1 to 3 days
  • 12 to 16 pounds = 3 to 4 days
  • 16 to 20 pounds = 4 to 5 days
  • 20 to 24 pounds = 5 to 6 days

Always best to air on the side of more time than the side of less. Remember that a thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 days before cooking.

Cold Water Thawing
Please make sure that sure the turkey is in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and to prevent the turkey from absorbing water, resulting in a watery bird. Not Juicy!!! Remember there is a huge flavor difference here! Submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed.
Cold Water Thawing Times
  • 4 to 12 pounds = 2 to 6 hours
  • 12 to 16 pounds = 6 to 8 hours
  • 16 to 20 pounds = 8 to 10 hours
  • 20 to 24 pounds = 10 to 12 hours
Unlike the refrigerator method a turkey thawed by the cold water method should be cooked immediately.
Microwave Thawing
Follow the microwave oven manufacturer's instruction when defrosting a turkey. Cook it immediately after thawing.
Now on to the STUFFING~~~~

If the stuffing is not cooked and handled properly, food borne illness could occur.

NOTE: The USDA has come up with a one-temperature-suits-all for poultry safety: 165 degrees F. For safety and doneness, the internal temperature should be checked with a meat thermometer.

After the estimated cooking time has elapsed, a meat thermometer should be inserted in several places, including the innermost part of the thigh and the center of the stuffing, to check the temperatures," Berry explains.

Once the turkey meat and the stuffing have reached the proper temperatures, the turkey should be removed from the oven and allowed to "stand" for 15 to 20 minutes before removing the stuffing and carving.

Here are some other important food safety guidelines to follow:

  • Prepare stuffing safely. Mix the stuffing just before it goes into the turkey. If more convenient, the wet and dry ingredients can be prepared ahead of time and chilled. Mix the ingredients just before placing the stuffing inside the turkey or in a casserole.

  • Stuff the bird properly. The turkey should be stuffed loosely about 3/4 cup of stuffing per pound of turkey. This will help allow the stuffing to reach the proper 165 degrees F internal temperature whether the stuffing is in the bird or in a casserole. Use a meat thermometer to be sure. The stuffing should be moist, not dry, since heat destroys bacteria more rapidly in a moist environment.

  • Cook at the proper temperature. The stuffed turkey should be placed immediately in a preheated oven set no lower than 325 degrees F. Cooking overnight in a "slow" oven is not recommended since food borne bacteria can form under these conditions.

  • Storing leftovers. Leftovers should be stored within two hours of cooking. Cut the turkey off the bones. Refrigerate the stuffing and the turkey separately in shallow containers. Use leftover turkey within four days; stuffing and gravy, in one or two days.


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