It has started off well as I got up and got breakfast (1 egg and 1 slice of whole multi grain toast with a touch of peanut butter and glass of water) and then off on a walk. I’m including those food details because some are just now joining us in this challenge since I also am having to watch my blood glucose levels in the last weeks of my pregnancy and would want to know. If that’s boring for you ZERO challenge folks just skim. 😉
I got a walk in!
Ben was out the door to help our cousin move and then this afternoon I’ll be putting lots of energy into making several dishes for a friends get together tonight. I am making pumpkin pie, rolls from scratch, hot cider, tapioca and green bean casserole.
After nap we headed to help whip up some gravy and off to our gathering. So fun!!
Then tomorrow we have plans to hit up church and the free Harvest Festival put on by Crista Camps at Miracle Ranch. We plan to take a picnic lunch (although resisting their BBQ that’s a great price will be hard) – they have so many fun things we can do with the boys that are free. This is our third year heading out there so we are excited to keep on with the tradition.
I also will be collecting some fun things in the next couple of days for our baby boy’s nursery – from my Buy Nothing group. I decided to keep color scheme the same (third time!) but to change accents.
What I did buy…
1. $15 on butter (and the sneak cheat my hubby got at Safeway Starbucks)
2. $0.15 on bulk Italian spice (I didn’t even have the necessary spices to make up a blend myself and this is a key ingredient in my cheesy-herb rolls)
1. We ate everything else at home.
2. We brought home awesome leftovers and I’m using what I have to bless multiple families with turkey soup tomorrow!
3. Family activities today. Ben helped my cousin move and me clean the kitchen, kids played at home and Cashel got to bake cookies and play at grandmas today.
Tips…
1. The hardest grocery part of this challenge was foreseeing what we might use up. So I volunteered to bring certain things to this gathering in early October knowing I had what we needed but then we ran out. That’s tough. Most other times I waited to volunteer what we could contribute until closer to the event. But this has been true for certain things on my meal plan too. We’ve had to make some adjustments.
2. Another thing I’m learning through this is that we all have strengths and weaknesses and it’s important to work the situation to our strengths. Whether that be partnering with a co-host when entertaining or just between Benjamin and I with a challenge like this one. For example – I’ve learned I should go to the store. I’m less likely to cheat there. But he had incredible self control today when he was done helping my cousin move and he and another cousin were doing one last run. The guy drove through Sonic drive thru and Ben didn’t buy! I was impressed. Not sure after a long day of working I could have resisted. Just knowing yourself and your partner will help when you are setting challenges or goals like this one that take you both working together.
3. Be okay with your “chosen cheats.” Just like this challenge and in my new low-carb diet I am learning that when you cheat you have to be okay with it. Either do it intentionally and allow yourself the cheat or if you really regret it, let yourself feel bad and re-decide what to do next. But then move on.