Wordless Wednesday

It just seemed appropriate!   I'm ordering one right now! 

DarDarsGifts.com

Menu Plan Monday

Here we are at yet another Monday.   Although this week isn't too bad because Thomas is home from school for Spring vacation.   Sleeping-in.... YAY!!
We don't have any plans to go anywhere or do anything special.   I think we are going to try to relax and do a few fun things together.    

 
Do you menu plan?  I would love to check out your post if you do one.   I always like to "steal" dinner ideas!

Hanging Out at "The Corner of Happy and Healthy" with Walgreens, #BalanceRewards #cbias

It's been a long, cold, snowy winter here in Connecticut and that does not make it easy to stay on a healthy eating or exercise plan.   But now the warmer weather is just around the corner and that means shorts,
t-shirts and the dreaded... bathing suits!   The thought of all that  puts a  fire under my butt to get back on track with eating healthy and getting outside to walk.

This year I have a little extra fuel to that fire.  I am planning my 25th High School reunion in October and would really like to look and feel my best for that as well.  

I had just heard about Walgreens new Steps With Balance Program  and how you can earn points on your Balance Rewards card that you can in turn be used to purchase whatever you want at a Walgreens store or online.  It's a win-win in my book!
It's a great way to keep yourself on track and earn a reward at the same time!

It's so easy (and free) to sign up for.   You can even do it right on the Walgreens App like I did.

Here's a quick video from Allison Sweeney, the host of The Biggest Loser explaining the program and the rewards!

As if getting healthy and earning rewards isn't enough, Walgreens is also giving you a chance to win a trip to your choice of one of the four Biggest Loser Resorts.   Wow, that could be a LIFE CHANGER!  

You can log on everyday for your chance at an instant prize.  And let me tell you, the instant prizes are no joke!  They are awesome!  

I don't know about you, but I'm heading to Walgreens right now to find some stuff to help me get going on this plan of mine!  I've only got 70-something days until Summer and about 180-something days until my High School reunion.  YIKES, I better get going! 

To check out what I found at Walgreens you can see pictures from my whole shopping trip on Google+.  For other real stories by real people in the Social Fabric Community you have to check out the Fun page on AisleShare.  If you want to, you can also "like" Walgreens on Facebook or "follow" them on Twitter to get the latest on everything you need to stay Happy and Healthy!  
I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Walgreens. #cbias #SocialFabric #BalanceRewards

Wordless Wednesday - Don't Judge Me

It's my guilty pleasure.   I LOVE this show.  Don't judge me. 

 

Do you have a "Wordless Wednesday" post you'd like to share?  

Head over to  5MinutesForMom.com  and link up, then go check out everyone else's.  

It's always a lot of fun! 

Meal Plan Monday



Since it's been a crazy few months for me, I'm trying to get myself organized and back on to somewhat of a schedule.   The best way I know how to do this is to make lists, lots and lots of lists.

The first list of this week is my meal plan.   After writing this out I realized it seems to be all about ham and cheese!  

Instead of the traditional ham dinner for Easter, we have brunch at my mom's house.  I did go out and buy a spiral ham on sale thinking I would make it Sunday night when we got home but I just didn't feel like going through the whole ordeal.   Not to mention we were still STUFFED from all the yummy breakfast souffle, bacon, sausage, fruit, muffins and ice cream cake at brunch.

I'm making the ham tomorrow and then will use the leftovers to make two other dishes.    

Tonight we had pizza because I had to drive my son Nick back to college and didn't get back into town until after 7pm.  

The chimichangas are a new thing for me.   I love to eat them when I go to a real Mexican restaurant but I've never made them myself.   Honestly,  I'm not even sure what the difference between a chimichanga, enchilada, and a burrito is actually.    I figured I'm going to be adventurous and do something more then just  regular ol' tacos.  

Also, I'm going away this weekend with my mom and sister for my mother's 70th birthday, so I'm making easy dishes those days that Chris and Thomas can just heat up.     Sunday will be a "free for all" because I know I'll be getting home late and will be tired from the 4+ hour drive.  

Do you meal plan?  Do link up anywhere?   I'd love to check out other people meal plans to get new dinner ideas!  

It's Been a Rough Couple of Months Around Here

To say this winter has been a long one,  is the understatement of the year!    

I wanted to write a post about why I haven't blogged in forever and what's been going on with me and my life.    I decided ..... nah

It's too sorted, long and just plain depressing.   I did make a word cloud with some of my feelings and going on's, but that's where I'm leaving it.     

It's time to pick myself, dust myself off and move forward.   It's all any of us can do, right?   

Celebrating International Women's Day with The Walmart Bakery and Starbucks #DeliciousPairings #Cbias

Friday March 8th was International Women's Day.   I think as a women we SHOULD be celebrated and appreciated way more then we are.

Last week I was able to spend the day with a very special woman in my life, my friend Cheryl.   Between her busy family's schedule, my husband having surgery and the snowy winter we've had here in Connecticut, we haven't been able to get together in a long time.
  
Originally we had planned a lunch at my house to celebrate her birthday, but because of the threat of yet another snow storm we had to change it up a bit.   We decided to meet for a little shopping and lunch halfway between our two towns so that if the weather got bad, we could each quickly get home.  
It actually worked out perfect.  I was able to run into the local Walmart SuperCenter, which is like having a Walmart and a full grocery store all in one place.
Cheryl loves her coffee and baked goods, so I knew I could pick her up a little gift before meeting her for lunch.
First stop.....  The Bakery!    
 

 The bakery is full of yummy treats everywhere you turn and can I tell you, the smell was fantastic.  While walking around drooling over all the baked goods I came saw these Atlanta Bread Brownie Bites.    What woman doesn't love some chocolate?!
I grabbed a box of the plain for Cheryl.   I knew my husband wouldn't forgive me if I didn't bring him box of the walnut brownie bites and my son is a peanut butter lover, so those were coming home with me.

Cheryl LOVES her coffee, even more then she loves chocolate!  Starbucks is one of her favorite brands.  I don't normally go for Starbucks because they tend to have bold flavors.  I like a light roast, so it was always a turn off to me.    I had been hearing about this new roast from Starbucks called Veranda Blend Blonde.  It says it's mellow and soft.  (funny, I'm neither of those things)  So I grabbed a box of K-cups for Cheryl and a bag of grounds for myself.    From what I understand there was suppose to be a display about pairing the coffee to the bakery items, but unfortunately this store didn't have one of those.

 This is the reason I love Walmart, all in one stop I can buy coffee, baked goods, flowers and ribbon to put together a quick gift.

After a great lunch, I sent Cheryl home with her coffee and baked goods.    It was perfect we could both share a treat while snowed-in on Women's Day.

I couldn't wait to try the new Blonde Roast from Starbucks, so when I got home I brewed a much needed cup of coffee and opened the box of brownie bites.  I was pleasantly surprised that the coffee was not overpowering.  At that point I thought it tasted just as good as the coffee I had been buying until......

The next day I made my regular morning coffee and out of habit just grabbed the brand that was in the fridge.    I instantly knew the difference.   I honestly didn't think that a brand of coffee mattered that much because I add flavored creamer.   Well, I am now a convert.  

Did you celebrate International Women's Day?  Did you even know it was a day?  It's not too late, It's NEVER too late to celebrate a special women or even celebrate yourself!  Girls Rule!


I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric #DeliciousPairings