@dogperson11 I get bad anxiety, and crazy planning sessions are a sure fire way to calm me down. So the fact that I genuinely love to do it helps, lol. I also plan the month around like 3-4 proteins and buy those in bulk to freeze. I recycle the same dinners that DH and I love, then look online for some new recipes with those proteins to add in. Also, I do a lot of planning around what coupons are available that week.
Ok I have another FFFC since I'm doing it right now. I plan out all of our dinners an entire month in advance (in excel) and make one epic Costco run to encompass the whole month. I love the planning and I love that I only have to make very occasional grocery runs for fresh produce and milk. I also love Costco. #winning #controlfreak
Holy cow. My goal for the past few weeks has been to meal plan for the week and I can't even get myself to do that. How do you think of meals for an entire month?! I need to learn your ways.
And also can you upload a sample to the group files???
i'm a millennial and i dont like them. i do think there is a difference between the majority of us millennials (born 80s/early 90s even) and late 90s/early 2000s. i agree that every generation has beef with the next. but who doesnt have beef with anything in life? that is how you recognize your faults and try to improve. i have "flaws of the millennial" like i hide behind a computer at work, i rarely pick up the phone. which for work life i should improve that. i saw some FB video flying around a couple months ago that outlined the problem with millennials in the workforce. and from experience they are very valid true points. i do think they offer something really good, like they care about change for the better and are willing to express that and fight for it. which is really refreshing. but the entitlement is strong.
If you buy beef, steak and chicken (and/or fish if you like that) in bulk and freeze it, you will be off to a great start. Those are my bases along with rice, frozen veggies, pasta and pasta sauce (buy the big jars, you can freeze the excess and it's a better deal), the pantry essentials like oil, etc, and a good amount of frozen meals like lasagna, and you're off to a great start. You could do that and not even worry about planning a whole month of specific recipes, a meal will present itself with either little or no grocery shopping involved.
Obviously this results in a lot of meals from pantry and frozen ingredients. Could we eat healthier by shopping exclusively in the fresh grocery sections, yes. Do I have the patience to grocery shop every couple days, no.
@carries2018 that is me too. I try to plan for a week and then every night I just want pizza or tacos. "luckily" with DH's low carb diet we don't get any pizza or tacos. He just makes a protein with some low carb veggies every night.
@dogperson11 I'm not judging the entire generation of millenials. I'm speaking from experience that so many of them expect things for little to no effort. But you're right that the older generation does tend to judge them as a whole. Especially when it comes to technology. If I hear one more older person make a negative comment about how my kids use computers and tablets for school work and how my kids knew as toddlers how to operate a tablet, I could rip them a new one.
@carries2018 there really is a huge difference between me and the people that are 10 years younger. So many of them are horrible at work. Go into any retail store and just watch them. They complain about work, fart around and ignore customers. But then they turn around and complain about how they can't make a living with working that job. Well, dear, you COULD. If only you put forth the effort to advance in that business, you could make a living. A nice one too. I have a friend who worked her way up from minimum wage at a pharmacy all the way to a store manager making $60k+. You get what you put in, but so many don't see it that way
@bluejeanbabi05 My soul sista! I just went on a massive shopping trip yesterday to stock up for tons of meals. I got a big thing of hamburger from Sam's club and am going to divide it up into freezer bags. Each bag will be enough for a night of tacos, which we are big on around here since they're so easy and its one of 2 meals everyone will eat. I stock up on the kids staples when they're on sale (basically lunchables, ramen and mac n cheese). I'm so looking forward to Thursday when the memorial day sales start so I can stock up on hot dogs at super cheap prices, I'll throw a bunch in the deep freeze. Oh and chips. And soda. Even though I'm the only one who drinks it.
My fffc: I don't understand the flaming of moms for scheduling elective inductions after 39 weeks. If it was truly as big a deal as these sanctimommies make it, then doctors wouldn't allow it.
Not every doctor cares enough. My sister smoked through both her pregnancies, and was induced early just because she asked the doctor and complained about being too uncomfortable. I can't say for sure that my sister actually told her she was a smoker, but I truly doubt that a doctor would allow a smoker to induce early. Thankfully both boys were ok, but in my opinion it was totally irresponsible on my sister's part, and on the doctor's if she knew my sister smoked.
FFFC inspired by @bluejeanbabi05's amazing meal planning: we go to the grocery store at least every other day. Even when we meal plan, we usually don't buy ingredients ahead of time. It's a total pain. DH does 95% of the grocery shopping though, so not my problem.
October 2017 June Siggy Challenge -- "You Had One Job!"
@beezeemarie I definitely go through phases where I'm like that, too. This is probably another FFFC, but it concerns me how dependent we are as a country on grocery stores that carry just-in-time inventory levels. If supply to the grocery stores was cut off even a week or a couple days, the shelves would be bare and people would be starving. This makes me nervous, lol, especially since we live in a hurricane area and that's not completely an outlandish scenario.
FFFC we go to the grocery store at least every other day too. DH doesn't eat meat so there's not much we can prep/freeze in advance because frozen veggies are bleh. If I can meal plan 3 days in advance I call it a major win for the week. I am in awe of @bluejeanbabi05's level of planning.
I would also love to be the kind of person who preps freezer crockpot meals and casseroles for post-baby, but I've accepted that I'm just not. We live within walking distance of a ton of restaurants and takeout places so that's my fallback plan.
We meal plan weekly and sundays are our grocery day. Sometimes we have to go midweek to get something we forgot or more fresh fruits, but usually we try not to because we end up spending even more.
Like today....I went for the sole purpose of making a breakfast casserole to take to a friend's house tomorrow morning (she's watching our son for a few hours while we both have to work), and walked away with those ingredients along with two packages of cookies (thanks @natleilynn) and a bag of white cheddar popcorn. So yeah, midweek runs are bad for us, haha!
Costco is the shiz. I hate shopping so the more stuff we can get in bulk, the better.
My FFFC is tame (maybe more of a bitch-fest?), but I'm really freaking tired and we're going over to the SIL for dinner and then jet out to see a movie for her birthday. I'm not going the be able to squeeze a nap in beforehand either. I love her, but I'd rather spend my Friday night in bed.
ETA: I've fallen asleep in the movie theater before. Twice.
June 2017 Siggy Challenge: "You had one job to do!"
I'm so sick of older people complaining about millenials to my face. I've pointed it out before and they're always like "well I don't mean you. You're not like that." But I am. I mean I am a millennial so still kind of insulting. When my mom complains about millenials i remind her that she raised four of them.
I'm trying to budget and save a lot better, so I had cut out my spray tan membership back in February since I didn't plan on going while pregnant. But I'm starting to feel super down about myself with the stupid pregnancy acne and starting to gain weight, so I just rejoined with a 1 year commitment. I feel like me having this one thing that I know will make me feel better about myself is totally worth spending money every month that I probably shouldn't be
If we're on topics of diaper bags. This is my love right now
@canonmom413 I'm obsessed with Lily Jade! I have this exact bag on order, receiving it in July I'm part of the Chat & BST group on Facebook and its so bad for my wallet!
If we're on topics of diaper bags. This is my love right now
@canonmom413 I'm obsessed with Lily Jade! I have this exact bag on order, receiving it in July I'm part of the Chat & BST group on Facebook and its so bad for my wallet!
@sjohns908 I had a spray tan membership a couple years back too and loved it. It got pricey though so I switched to L'Oréal sublime bronze lotion and I actually like it way more than the spray tan. Much faster and the color is good, although not as dark.
Its amazing how much better I feel about myself when I'm tan, so I completely feel you there. Stomachs look thinner when they're tan for some reason.
@bluejeanbabi05 I looked at getting some lotion instead but I had bad luck with a foaming bronzer back in high school and have been a little terrified of doing the self bronzer stuff again lol. I feel like I'm bound to completely eff up and miss spots or overdo it in some places. Do you have issues with that? How do you get your back covered well enough? Make DH do it? Lol
Lol @sjohns908 I have definitely had DH help me in the past. With some practice, though, I'm good now. It took lots of experimenting with lots of different brands before I found one I'm happy with. Another good brand is St tropez, but it's pricey. The lotions are way easier than the foaming stuff, and since your skin is shinier with lotion you can see where you put it
I have a dumb diaper bag question. Is a shoulder bag or backpack style easier to manage? I get a lot of neck and shoulder tension so I try to avoid carrying a heavy purse/bag. But I also plan to wear the baby sometimes, and I'm thinking a baby in front and backpack in back may be difficult to manage.
FFFC: I proudly rock a fanny pack whenever possible.
I so want that diaper bag! Didnt even think about shopping for one until now. Thanks mamaz.
SFFC to make you laugh a little(a lot maybe) : H and I spend at least one night a week like this (with timers) : dance to dancehall music for an hour, then dance to slow music for an hour... Finaly kiss for an hour, and go make babies (that last less than an hour lol).
I have a dumb diaper bag question. Is a shoulder bag or backpack style easier to manage? I get a lot of neck and shoulder tension so I try to avoid carrying a heavy purse/bag. But I also plan to wear the baby sometimes, and I'm thinking a baby in front and backpack in back may be difficult to manage.
FFFC: I proudly rock a fanny pack whenever possible.
I would think the back pack will be easier to manage because it stays put. Every time I wear a shoulder bag, it slides down on me. I have a crossbody bag and it works well, but could put a strain on your shoulder depending on what you put in it.
Ok I have another FFFC since I'm doing it right now. I plan out all of our dinners an entire month in advance (in excel) and make one epic Costco run to encompass the whole month. I love the planning and I love that I only have to make very occasional grocery runs for fresh produce and milk. I also love Costco. #winning #controlfreak
I'm gonna need a copy of that excel spreadsheet, thanks
@roo_baby the diaper bag I just ordered has the option to be worn as a backpack or shoulder/crossbody. I think there are several out there that do the same. I think it'll be nice to have options.
October 2017 June Siggy Challenge -- "You Had One Job!"
I have a dumb diaper bag question. Is a shoulder bag or backpack style easier to manage? I get a lot of neck and shoulder tension so I try to avoid carrying a heavy purse/bag. But I also plan to wear the baby sometimes, and I'm thinking a baby in front and backpack in back may be difficult to manage.
FFFC: I proudly rock a fanny pack whenever possible.
I had the shoulder style last time and I hardly ever carried it because it was such a PITA. Last summer we went to the Seahawks training camp and I bought a cheap back pack to carry everything easier, I was like wow why did we not get the back pack style, it was so much easier and more comfy. I plan on buying one that DH will also be willing to wear because I wore DS pretty much everywhere we went.
Oh another diaper bag question- does it replace a purse? Or do you carry both?
For me the diaper bag was a replacement. I don't really carry much in my purse anyway so I throw my wallet in the diaper bag along with a small organizer bag that has chapstick, hand sanitizer, tissues, etc.
Deft replaces, but make sure you have a nice wallet you can just grab out of it if you decide not to bring in the bag or have to give the bag to someone else for a little.
Re: FFFC 5.19.17
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
@carries2018 there really is a huge difference between me and the people that are 10 years younger. So many of them are horrible at work. Go into any retail store and just watch them. They complain about work, fart around and ignore customers. But then they turn around and complain about how they can't make a living with working that job. Well, dear, you COULD. If only you put forth the effort to advance in that business, you could make a living. A nice one too. I have a friend who worked her way up from minimum wage at a pharmacy all the way to a store manager making $60k+. You get what you put in, but so many don't see it that way
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
eta: FFFC: I'm a bit of a prepper
I would also love to be the kind of person who preps freezer crockpot meals and casseroles for post-baby, but I've accepted that I'm just not. We live within walking distance of a ton of restaurants and takeout places so that's my fallback plan.
Like today....I went for the sole purpose of making a breakfast casserole to take to a friend's house tomorrow morning (she's watching our son for a few hours while we both have to work), and walked away with those ingredients along with two packages of cookies (thanks @natleilynn) and a bag of white cheddar popcorn. So yeah, midweek runs are bad for us, haha!
My FFFC is tame (maybe more of a bitch-fest?), but I'm really freaking tired and we're going over to the SIL for dinner and then jet out to see a movie for her birthday. I'm not going the be able to squeeze a nap in beforehand either. I love her, but I'd rather spend my Friday night in bed.
ETA: I've fallen asleep in the movie theater before. Twice.
I'm part of the Chat & BST group on Facebook and its so bad for my wallet!
Oct. '17 June S.C. "You Had 1 Job"
Its amazing how much better I feel about myself when I'm tan, so I completely feel you there. Stomachs look thinner when they're tan for some reason.
I do think spray tans last longer, though.
**June Siggy Challenge: You Had ONE Job!**
LO#2 EDD October 18th
BFP in September 2014, DS born June 2015.
TTC x2 months.
BFP January 2017.
FFFC: I proudly rock a fanny pack whenever possible.
SFFC to make you laugh a little(a lot maybe) : H and I spend at least one night a week like this (with timers) : dance to dancehall music for an hour, then dance to slow music for an hour... Finaly kiss for an hour, and go make babies (that last less than an hour lol).
I had the shoulder style last time and I hardly ever carried it because it was such a PITA. Last summer we went to the Seahawks training camp and I bought a cheap back pack to carry everything easier, I was like wow why did we not get the back pack style, it was so much easier and more comfy. I plan on buying one that DH will also be willing to wear because I wore DS pretty much everywhere we went.
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails