Apps to motivate your buns off!

     As we are going into Memorial Day weekend I wanted to give everyone some positive reinforcement!
Here are some Apps and songs I like to keep me motivated to be healthy! Even better for this penny pincher, they are all free!!!! I am using all of these and I love them.  I hope they are helpful to you as well.  If you have a health or music related App you love please share with the class!

Health Apps

Running through sprinkler totally counts as exercise!

My Fitness Pal - You can enter all of the food and water you consume in a day, as well as exercise.  You put in your information and it tells you calorie wise how much to eat based on your info and goals.  Very easy to use as it has a database of foods that is extremely extensive!
My Fitness Pal app

Nexercise - This is one you log all of your physical activities - including playing with your kids or house cleaning!  Easy to use and you get points that go toward Mpoints.  If you have not used Mpoints you are missing out!  There are tons of apps that you can get points for using that you can redeem for gift cards, stuff, or to give to charity!  I love it so much I am practically addicted! I guess I better share a link to that too!
Nexercise app                   Mpoints

Everymove
I like this reward related app better than some of the others I have tried.  It is a little limited on the rewards at this point but motivating none the less.  I am using it to donate to The Make-A-Wish Foundation!
Everymove app

itriage 
This one is a great way to keep track of your health information!  I have to admit I have not spent too much time entering my info into this but it could come in really handy if you were in an accident or something and someone needed to get your info.  My hubs could really use it since he would never remember all my health info!  Remember that Spencer, if I am unable to give my info get on this app!
iTriage app

Music Apps

Just a little shot from my seat last year at a
Dave Matthews Band concert!!!!!!!

Songza
I love this app for a go to playlist for any occasion.  It has been a great way to play children's music since we don't have a lot that we own.  It has many different ways to find just the music you need to get through any mood or activity!  I really wish I could be using the playlist for Lying on a Beach right now (I could but since I am not lying on a beach it would depress me), then I could be listing to artist like Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, and Donavon Frenkenreiter!
Songza

Spotify
This is my hubs go to app for music!  You can rock your face off to your favorite artist  or I can listen to a playlist based on my husband's profile! That might earn me bonus points (I think I have plenty of points racked up) but I think I would probably just go ahead and listen to Dave Matthews Band instead!!!!
Spotify

Freegal music
Who doesn't wanna download and keep music!  You have to have a library card but then you can download 3 free songs from their catalog each week!
Freegal Music


Playlist - these are a few I think to keep my motor running right now!

Roar - Katy Perry
Born This Way - Lady Gaga
Video -India.Arie
Stand Up - Dave Matthews Band
Hey Mama - Black Eyed Peas

Have a great weekend and if you haven't already joined me on Facebook for more good stuff and crazy posts do it!  You won't regret it like I regret telling my son I would make him an Octopod from the Octonauts cake!.  That oughta turn out special!

Pin with me on Pinterest too!

Today choose love!!!
Kristin

Pinterest success and failures take 2

Well I have complied a list of my recent Pinterest adventures and what kind of results I had. Check them out below. I would love to get some input on Pinterest Pins you would like to see me attempt. So if you are already a member of my group "See Kristin Attempt This" please start pinning things you would like for me to try. If you are not and would like to let me know!

A little something for the kids: Small Town Driving Mats

Source: between3sisters.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I printed these two pages out and whipped out my laminator (man I love using that thing!) The kid loved having something new to drive his "Little People" car and "Hot Wheels" cars on. I have decided though, I think I need two more and some Velcro to attach them and then it will be magnificent!

 

S'mores Dip - yep you read that right!

 

Source: whatmegansmaking.com via Kristin on Pinterest

  

This recipe is perfect!  My hubs and I ate half of the bowl of it in one sitting - probably not so good.





Homemade creamer!

Source: mrshappyhomemaker.com via Kristin on Pinterest

This recipe is great.  But let me give you two tips.  You don't have to add the vanilla.  If you use syrups with your coffee for different flavors you won't want it and then it will be more versatile.  Second, save a decent plastic creamer container from the store and make it and store it in that.  We did the jar and it was difficult to pour without making a mess.  Plus then you reuse!  Definitely a keeper and cheaper than store bought!






















Personalized Baked Oatmeal Cups - eh.

Source: sugarfreemom.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Well these had such promise but tasted pretty blah.  I even ramped up the sugar content but they were just so dense and flavorless to us.  In order to eat the 2 dozen that I made we topped them with Ready Whip and that helped.  I made them in butterscotch chip, chocolate chip, raisin, and blueberry.  Butterscotch was the best by far.  I don't think we will make these again, the 1 1/2 year old would not touch them and that was sort of the point - easy go to breakfasts.


Homemade deodorizers - not so easy.

Source: onegoodthingbyjillee.com via Kristin on Pinterest

So I made this up in no time and let them dry for the 24 hrs.  I did not have a silicone pan so I used a mini muffin pan as suggest.  Yeah, those suckers were not coming out whole.  When I tried to "pop" them out with a knife, they just started to crumble.  I was a tad upset as I am cheap and ended up throwing it all away - oh the wasted time, money, and resources!  I might give it another try if I get my hands on the right sort of pan.  I really wanted them for my son's cloth diaper pail that smell worse than death. 

DIY Dishwasher detergent - Maybe there is hope?

Source: kingdomfirstmom.com via Kristin on Pinterest

This worked...sort of.  Most of the dishes were clean but a few still had some gunk.  However, the inside of the dishwasher has never looked cleaner.  May have to give it another try with a shot of vinegar in the rinse spout.


Dr. Bonner's Sal Suds in the Dishwasher - Not so hot in ours!

Source: passionatehomemaking.com via Kristin on Pinterest

This was very watery as you can imagine a solution of Sal Suds, water,  lemon juice, tea tree oil, and
white vinegar would be.  Most of the dishes were clean but not as clean as a commercial detergent would clean them.  I am starting to wonder if my dishwasher is more the problem.  But none the less this one did not work for me.

Okay so there is another round of Pinterest success and failures.  If you want to see another round give this post a like and follow/Pin to my board on Pinterest.
See Kristin Attempt This - Pin items for Kristin to try out and blog about!

Today, choose Love.
Kristin

Did I hear the word "Muffins"?

So I never used to eat breakfast at breakfast.  I was the kid - into adulthood who lived through the morning on nothing but liquids.  My mom would get some nutrition in me with good ol' Carnation Instant Breakfast.  Every great once in awhile I would eat more - if donuts or some other sweet treat was involved.  Then even into my early twenties I would have a yogurt smoothie and coffee.  Don't get me wrong I LOVE breakfast foods.  I just hated to eat in the early a.m.   This all changed when I learned how blood sugar dips and without a steady supply of healthy food energy you get that "crash" feeling and then you eat more than you would and chances are worse than you would have -if only you would have had breakfast.  I became a breakfast fanatic!  I love trying out new healthy recipes for breakfast and all the better if they stretch for several breakfasts!  So today I bring you a combo post of Pinterest success and what came out of it - a recipe of mine.

See I took this woman's idea of a base recipe and then came up with this amazing muffin recipe that my son cannot get enough of and my husband asked to share at a work meeting!

Source: compwalla.wordpress.com via Kristin on Pinterest

 

Source: compwalla.wordpress.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Her basic Muffin Mix is a great way to start experimenting with ingredients.  I did a first version that was pretty good with apples and cinnamon but these are what I would like to think of as coffeehouse good!

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

For 2 dozen

Preheat oven to 400 and spray muffin tins with non stick flour spray.

2 cups of whole wheat flour

2 cups of quick cooking oatmeal

2 Tbsp of baking powder

scant 1/2 tsp of salt

1 cup of skim milk

1 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt

2 eggs

1/3 cup of applesauce

1/3 cup of vegetable oil

2-3 mashed bananas

2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

2/3 cup of packed brown sugar

1 Tbsp of honey

Mix dry, add wet, add the rest. Mix until just moistened. Fill muffin cups nearly full.

Sprinkle with brown sugar. (This gives it a great slightly sweet crunchy top!)

Bake for 18 minutes.

Let cool for at least 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

If you wanted to go healthier (sad for you - just kidding - I should be healthier too!) you could substitute raisins for the chocolate chips, egg substitute for the eggs, and Splenda for the brown sugar.

 

Pinterest successes and maybe a little failure



Okay by now you have probably figured out that I am fairly obsessed with Pinterest.  I probably spend way too much time pinning things I will more than likely never do but hey we can all dream right? Well today in honor of the fact that my kid is sleeping like it is only a suggestion, I thought I would share a few easy recipes and other items you can do with little to no sleep with success!

Okay, lets get this out of the way.  Yes, I give my kid sugar.  Yes, I give him sugar at breakfast sometimes.  I enjoyed sugar as a kid and grew up fine.  Moderation is the key with anything in life and we should all get to enjoy sweets now and then!  Phew I feel better. On with the show! 

Cinnamon Roll Waffles rock my face off!

Source: healthymealpins.com via Kristin on Pinterest

    So here is how mine turned out:

So good I could lick my monitor a little! They are crispy on the outside but not hard like they are from the oven, and so soft and good on the inside!  I obviously put 4 in at time because I used the generic original ones.

 

And here is my son enjoying them! He ate two of the four!

 

Next up Quinoa! Okay if you are like me you were saying, "what is this quin-oo-wa stuff and why do I want to eat it?"  Well first let me help you with how it is said, because it took me forever to get it right.  It is pronounced "keen-wah"  and it is stupid easy to work with and delicious.  With that said be careful when measuring and pouring - these little suckers want to run everywhere and if you spill them you will be finding them for potentially years.

So I thought I would start out simple and found this recipe on Pinterest (have I mentioned my love affair yet) but adapted it just a smidge.



Source: whatsfordinner-momwhatsfordinner.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa - adapted from Mom What's for Dinner

1 cup quinoa, well rinsed
2 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
2 cups  shredded cheddar cheese

Add quinoa, broth and broccoli to a large pot.

Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the quinoa is tender (tiny taste test).  Add the cheese - in my world I do not ever measure cheese - I add until I am happy about the cheesiness! Let it melt into the other goodness and enjoy!

The hubs was very skeptical about quinoa but liked this so much he finished what was left in the pot!  Just think of the possibilities with this recipe!  I am thinking next time quinoa, diced onions, and chicken broth - then add diced Italian style tomatoes and mozzarella (by the way I was so sure there was a "t" in mozzarella - dang it spelling is hard!).

Okay and for one non food item - DIY bows

 

Source: bhg.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Used this to make a nice bow for my Christmas wreath and it turned out great! I used pens instead of dowels - on hand - no cost!!!
Finished product:

And just for fun one Pinterest item I tried and failed.
I made this and it was not addicting and the caramel topping got really watery and pretty gross. This was what someone else said,  "Also known as Apple Crack Dip because it's THAT addicting!"  It was however, not too shabby when I went at it with the immersion blender and then it was pretty decent but looked NOTHING like this!

Source: fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

So that is a little taste of my Pinterest trials.
Please post your Pinterest success and failures!
Oh and if you have any good quinoa recipes please share with the class!

2013 what am I going to do with you?

So I do not do resolutions so much as I do not like setting myself up for failure (I prefer for failure to happen naturally as it was intended).  I more like to think of them as a list of To Do's or goals for my life and I really don't set timelines of, in the next year.  Okay so that was all along the lines of vague, so I am going to put myself out there and announce some of my goals or to do's for the year and how I plan to work on them - cuz lets face it, when you are working on a major goal it is an evolving and changing thing.  Okay enough preface lets get down to it!

• Continue to "Green" my family's lifestyle - I recycle, donate what I can, I have even started using less chemicals but I know I can do more. 
• My goal here is to phase out all chemical based cleaners in my life.  I have got a start using vinegar and baking soda to clean the toilet!  I know many people think without the smell of bleach it isn't clean but I am here to tell you it bubbles and scrubs great.  Don't worry I will share all of my progress and tips!  The key is to think a little bit ahead of when you will run out of cleaner.  For example, I am not a fan of the detergents for dishwashers so I have been researching alternatives.  This is my favorite and I plan to test it this week!

Source: kingdomfirstmom.com via Kristin on Pinterest

•  Now let me be honest I want to do this as much for the environment and my family as I do for the ability to save money!  But sometimes I have to go with what is easy.  I have a serious love affair with Charlie's Soap for our laundry.  We cloth diaper (see I am saving money and the Earth) and this stuff is AMAZING.  I might have to do a longer feature on it in a Products I love post, but until then check them out!

                            Safe, non-toxic, biodegradable soap | Charlie's Soap

• Buying more foods from local farmers and organics.  This maybe a little more expensive but in the long run I am making a difference in what my family eats and our health so it is totally worth it.  In order to make this happen I am now ordering from http://www.greenbeandelivery.com/indianapolis/ and boy is it worth it.  We get fresh produce delivered weekly and feel more incentive to use it. 

There is so much more I want to do but you don't want to be reading this forever so I will check back in on my "greening" soon!

• Care for my body - We can all take better care of ourselves in many ways but this year I am focusing on being healthy.
• Make an appointment for skin check.  It is that simple.  Something we take for granted is so important - take time to make the important appointments for your health.  Some Dr.'s will let you schedule up to a year in advance and with most health insurance carriers and the new health care act prevention or wellness checks are free!  So get with it all ready!
• 30 minutes of movement at least 5 days a week.  Yes, I know that is vague but it is that simple too.  Maybe one day I go walk the mall with the kiddo and the next I vacuum and dust for 30 minutes.  It all counts. 
• 7 hours of sleep each 24 hrs.  Okay I have an 18 month old so sleep is never a guarantee but it is important so I will nap more if I need to and go to bed earlier if I need to.  Sleep is so important to everything we do.  I know my patience is much shorter with my son when I don't get about 7 hours.  So sweet Tempurpedic bed, lets snuggle up more!
• Cut myself some slack
• No one is harder on me than me.  I will admit it here and I now I am not alone, I want so badly to be perfect at everything.  It is not about how others see me but how I see myself.  This caused me a huge amount of anxiety for the first year or so of my son's life.  I really felt that I had to be the perfect mom who made everything from scratch, worked really well part time from home, and had a successful jewelry making business.  Oh did I mention a spotless home, perfect body, and happy husband?  Would I ever expect even half of those things from a friend?  Absolutely not.  Why should I expect them from me?  It has only been in about the last month that I have started to change my perceptions and be proud of everything I accomplish. 
• So how will I do this?  Yeah, how?  Well I really think only time will tell and everyday will be a chance to be kinder to myself.  So when I do mess up, it is just an opportunity to "hug" myself a little tighter, maybe do a little "Brightener", and try again.  At the end of the day it is about enjoying the simple moments more.

                                                            

Okay I could go on and on but then no one really wants to hear all about me.  I encourage you to write down some goals and ways you can work on them.  We will revisit this in the future to check in on how I am doing and maybe how some of you brave souls who are willing to share are doing!  My biggest piece of advice on any goal is to break it down into smaller pieces and only take one piece of one goal at a time.  You cannot say I am going to lose weight and give up all sugar, cut 1200 calories, and run 15 miles in the first day and expect you can keep it all up.  Take small bites and you are less likely to choke - good advice for life!
Remember it is about doing better but mistakes and taking a different path than planned can end in results you never expected!
Happy journeys my friends!

Put the credit card down - new toys are everywhere Part 1

Your house is filled with toys - that you already own. No, not the crazy loud toy with all the buttons and lights. But to the penny pincher's delight, there are so many things you can use as toys! I have turned around a toddler tantrum with some of these gems and you can too!

We all know about the beauty of cardboard and kids. But it never hurts to look at it in new ways. I have pinned many a new idea on my Pinterest page and I have kept more boxes than my hubs would like. In fact when I see something I need to throw away I start thinking, "Hey nut job what else could you do with this before you throw it out?" (Yes I call myself names, it's cool,  me and the "others" are just like that.) You will see what I mean as you scroll. Just please don't call Hoarders, by not buying toys (that is a Grandparent's job right?) and using everyday stuff I have kept my house just out of the range of natural disaster.

Standard disclaimer - don't try suing me. I may be a penny pincher but I still have no money - see my career choice! Anyway, always supervise your kids as needed, make sure items are appropriate, yadda yadda - aka use some sense and if you don't have any... well may Mr. Rogers be with you!

 

1.  Laundry Basket - are you kidding me this is a standard for years of fun. I remember my brother and I pushing each other down the icy ramped driveway in a laundry basket in high school. Yes, you read that right - never stop playing! But early on it is great to put a kiddo in with warm towels out of the dryer - start teaching them to fold and sort! Push them around in it like it is a go cart - add a steering wheel by giving them a large plastic lid. Sock balls are fun to play with but if you wanna spend a little, take your sweet buns to Target and pick up a bag of 150 plastic balls for $14.99. Instant ball pit!! Hours of fun - dumping the balls, picking up the balls, diving for hidden objects in the balls. You could also use the good ol' laundry basket as a cage like I liked to do with my brother, but some frown on that.

2.  An old wallet and "credit cards" - you can use those fake cards you get in the mail, used, empty gift cards, reward cards you know you are never gonna use but you signed up for because that girl behind the corner was pushy and you felt trapped, shoot my kid loves a good business card. They love to take them out of the slots and try to put them back in. Older kids love to think they have cards like their parents.

3.  An old wooden foot massager makes a great musical instrument either a drum stick or use something else to run up and down the ridges - great sound.  It can also be used as a phone or microphone as my son loves to do.

4.  Egg carton (cardboard is the best) - fun for sorting items, storing small toys, and best if you have some of the plastic Easter eggs.  I like to put small snacks in them.  He loves to shake them and find out what's in there!  Snack time and play time all in one!!!!  It's fun for pretend cooking too.

 

5.  Paper- Yep I give this kid all junk mail, printer paper to recycle, wrapping paper scraps, magazines, little pads of paper from hotels (you know you take them too).  Wrap up boxes with a snack or old toy in the box - some of the fun is unwrapping anyway.  Paper airplanes - My kiddo loves to chase them and then run back with it for me to throw again - until the day I first tried this I forgot how much fun it can be to fly paper airplanes!  Magazine are fun because they love the bright colors and even better if it has pictures of kids! Paper ball fight, laundry basketball, or volleyball. Oh the possibilities of paper!

Trust me I have many more and I will share but this is getting long!  Use your imagination and you are teaching your child to use theirs!  See what everyday items you can turn into great new adventures and share with the class!

 

Brighteners

There are just those days. Days when you are pretty sure a gloomy rain cloud is following you around a la Eeyore. Ya gotta get outta that funk and fast!

One day when I was in a particularly dumpy day, I had an idea to write a list of things that make me feel better. I call them Brighteners. They just brighten your day. They can be whatever makes you smile, laugh, or feel better. Some people like a little retail therapy - some not so much - I'm a penny pincher so I will not be seen at the Coach store anytime soon. For others it is volunteering. Even just the thought of helping others less fortunate can make you feel better.

So what is on my list? Well these are some of the things I came up with. I am sure there are many more and some may not even make sense to anyone but me, but hey that's why it’s my list!!!

·      Making lists - yes I am that person - judge all you want - it soothes me!

·      Organizing - chucking stuff, putting stuff away - it clears my mind - ahh so Zen.

·      Pinterest - okay this is more an addiction but it's like dreaming with virtual Post-its. 

·      Crafts - creating something feels so good! All the better if it is recycled from stuff lying around!

Shameless plug for my company - Musing Tree Creations

·      Exercise - yeah I hate to exercise but I love to dance, take a walk, and play with my dog and kiddo - it all counts!

·      Dive into another obsession - Dave Matthews Band. So this might mean some light Internet stalking, listening to their music, watching their concerts, anything DMB works for me!!!

·      Pampering - okay I cannot afford the spa (see penny pincher note above) so I like to do mini home spa stuff. A foot scrub, a microdermabrasion at home - you can get those handheld dealies and a little of my fav. face scrub St. Ives Apricot Scrub - works wonders and so much cheaper than the real deal! In essence, whatever makes you feel fabulous and pampered. I like to think of the episode of The Middle when Frankie put the pad over her eyes like an eye mask, lit a candle, and relaxed in the car dealership bathroom!

·      Give! - give your money, time, stuff you want to pass on, a hug, a nice note, whatever makes your soul smile! This can be a whole other list in and of itself. - Ohhh perhaps a post for another day!

·       Dog time - Oh my sweet Gracie. Just cuddling with her on the couch makes me so much happier. She doesn't judge me - even when I am eating my 8th cookie of the day. She doesn't demand things of me other than a little food and love. Done and done my friend!  And since my son was born we don't always get the time we need. This has resulted in her trying to chew her toe off, and me making her wear the sock of shame but it is all in love! Time, just her and me - so precious! 

·      Cuddles with my sweet Coen - cuddles with a wiggly 1 1/2 year old are somewhat fleeting. You gotta soak them in when you can and if that doesn’t make me feel good - time to check my pulse!

·      Reading - if you have kids you know this is a luxury! At this point I am excited if I get through a page in a magazine. A chapter in a book would be bliss!

·      Nap - what more do I need to say people?

·      Sing - I love to crank up the music and sing at the top of my lungs like I am The Next Top American Voice Idol! Am I any good? Eh. I can sing but I am not winning any awards. I like to think I can sing Christmas music and Country songs pretty good but that might just be in my head. I have not yet been booed by my son or the dog so... yeah I am pretty good!

·      Date night with my husband! - yeah it doesn't happen often enough but even looking forward to it just does something to make me turn my mood around!

I could probably go on but that is more than enough! I hope you have been inspired to write your own list. Post it somewhere you will look at it often and put a little bit more of those things in your day! It could spread - hopefully like Nutella and not like a fungus! I encourage you to share your brighteners with me!!!!