5 Meal Planning Tips to Save You Time!

I have to say meal planning has become sort of trendy...and somewhat glamorous. Every site I go to has some meal plan with amazing menus and grocery lists. I don't know about you but as a busy mom it can be somewhat overwhelming. Don't get me wrong, I love a good meal plan, but I tend to do the same tricks over and over again to get our grocery list prepped and planned for the week. 
These are my top tips that can save you time in the long run. They aren't rocket science, but a nice reminder that it doesn't have to be complicated!

Save recipes ahead of time.  
I have a folder in my inbox that is called "recipes", every time I find something I like online or a blog, I email myself with the link. I know there are fancy apps that do this for you, but for some reason email just works for me. When I'm in a pinch. I just scroll through the list. I also make boards on Pinterest.  Some of my favorites are below.  Break them up by category so its easy to find what you are looking for.

--> Clean Eating Machine
--> Breakfast Club
--> Smoothies
--> 21 Day Fix

Don't recreate the wheel.
There are lots of amazing sites, blogs, magazines etc. that will do the planning for you. You don't need to start from scratch. Here is where I get some of my inspiration.

-->Fitnessista: $60 of daytime eats for the week
--> Skinnytaste: Weekly Meal Plans
--> 21 Day Fix 
--> Weekly Meal Prep Example (2200 Calories)
--> Weekly Meal Prep Example (1500 Calories)
--> Shop once, eat all week!

Know your Schedule. 
I make our grocery list on Thursday night, we shop on Friday and then I prep/cook on the weekends for the upcoming week. This spaces it out so its not so overwhelming on one day. When you make your list, know your schedule. Are you going to have time to cook every night? If not plan a meal the night before where you can use the crockpot or have leftovers. How many nights do you need to plan dinners for? How many days do you need lunch and breakfast for? Thinking through who will be eating and when saves time in the long run.

Write it Down. 
Write down each meal that you are buying ingredients for. Even if you don't make it on the day you have planned you won't forget that you have the items.

Use a List App.
I do use a bit of technology for my list making. We use Wunderlist to make our grocery list but I am sure there are a lot of other apps that you can use. Everyone in the family has the app and can add items to the list as needed. That way whomever goes to the store can double check last minute and make sure we didn't forget anything!

Last but not least, have fun. I always pair grocery list making with a glass of wine at the end of the week. :) And then I celebrate it being done with an episode of Scandal. Reward yourself for planning! I try to get inspired by making yummy food and reset my goals for eating healthy for the week.

Hope these help!

Sugar Free Toddler Easter Gifts!

Everyone loves a good Reese Egg. Myself included. I pretty much just stare at them all day at work and repeat...do not eat. Do not eat. As a way to distract myself from over indulging this weekend, I picked up some sugar-free presents for the girls on Amazon Prime to stuff their Easter Baskets with.

Color Wonder --> This is the most genius invention ever. We are stocking up!

Stickers --> You can never have too many. For under $8 you can get 500! (As if I need another reason to like Prime!

Melissa and Doug --> This is a great brand and their products have really held up well for us. I picked up some mini yard tools and a broom/mop set for the girls. Ironically they LOVE cleaning and are in a phase where they like to do everything we do. So I figured, why not let them REALLY help! :)

Books --> We are slowly outgrowing the baby books so I picked up some in between ones with some awesome messages. They encourage creative thinking and big dreaming!

Bunnies --> Yes, you have to have a stuffed rabbit. As they would say. He has big ears, a big nose, big toes and a big tummy!

Our visit to the Easter Bunny on the other hand did not go so well. We just like to look from a far and then come home and talk about it. Maybe next year!!

And don't worry, we didn't leave big sister out. She just can handle her sugar a little better! :) 

Two peas in a pod :)

Happy Easter!

I Heart Trader Joes!

We go to Trader's Joes so often that the cashier's there know the girls and their favorite stickers. lol. I made a solo trip this week and thought it would be fun to share my finds! Seriously, I cannot get enough of this place! I actually did a paper on them in graduate school and learned all the behind the scenes tips on their amazing customer service.

#1 - You can take anything back anytime.
#2 - They area always changing the stock. Their goal for the customer? To make the shopping experience like a treasure hunt. Mission accomplished.
#3 - And this is just personal opinion. The wine and chocolate section is worth the trip even if you don't get anything else! (And if you want to even it out, the organic frozen fruit and veggies!)

Some of our favorites!

FROZEN

- Frozen fruit and veggies (great for smoothies!)

- Frozen waffles and pancakes. Organic and super easy for busy weekday mornings

FRESH

- Cold pressed juice (100 calories per bottle!)

- Fresh blueberries! (They have the best deal on these almost all year round!)

- Yogurt! (0% and a ton of flavors!)

- Flowers (They are great to pick up for parties and super cheap!)

PANTRY

- Nuts and trail mix 

- Cereal bars (They have awesome granola bars too!)

- Ancient grain and super seed mixes (Think oats, chia seeds and all the yummy cereal mixins)

- Wine

- Dark Chocolate raisins (A great treat for the girls!)

- Chocolate "kitty" cookies (We are sort of obsessed with kitty cats right now!)

- Olive oil

- Balsamic Vinegar

- Coconut Oil Cooking Spray (AMAZING)

Enjoy! And get inspired! They always have something yummy (and healthy) to try!

I used to be a Runnner --> 7 Day Cross-Training Plan

I used to be a runner. :) In fact I have ran 5 half marathons (all before twins) and one 10k after twins! Running has always been therapeutic for me and centers me when stress takes over. There is something about being about to breathe fresh air and a good play list that just sets you off on in the right direction! So... every time spring comes along I get this little itch to get outside and get running...just not sure I am ready for a marathon (or half yet)...lets just start with a a few miles! I love being outside and I love the fact that the weather is finally getting warmer. Plus the girls are getting big enough where they can come with me! (Mini-marathoners in the making!)

In my effort to dust off those running shoes, I put together a 7 Day Cross-Training running plan based loosely on Hal Higdon's training program which I have used in the past.  (It rocks. When I follow it 100% I always get my best personal record!)

Now I will be honest and say the downside of running for me is the amount of time it takes...which is why I have had so much success with cross-training and 30 minute workouts. I also know that its always beneficial to change it up and not become sedentary in your routines. This is my way of merging the best of both worlds.

MONDAY: Cross Training 

(21 Day Fix - Total Body Cardio)

TUESDAY: Run + Cross Training 

(p90x3 - Total Synergistics)

WEDNESDAY: Cross Training 

(Autumn Calabrese - Kill Cupcake)

THURSDAY: Run + Strength

(PiYo - Sweat)

FRIDAY: Rest or Cross Training

(P90x3 - Dynamics)

SATURDAY: Long Run

SUNDAY: Yoga / Cross Training

(Jericho - 50 / 50)

So get outside and try it! Then let me know what you think! 

Workouts assume subscription to Beachbody On Demand streaming service. Click HERE for a 30 day trial for FREE. 

Shamrock Shake --> The Skinny Version!

Everyone LOVES McDonald's Shamrock Shake. So I figured why not make it a little bit healthier with an extra boost of protein?

Ingredients

1 serving of Vanilla Shakeology (or other brand vanilla protein powder)

8 ounces of skim milk (may use almond or coconut as a substitute)

1/2 banana

⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract or mint extract

5 drops green food coloring

2 packets Truvia, Stevia, Splenda or your favorite sugar substitute (optional)

3-4 ice cubes

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth.  Pour into a glass. Top with light whipped cream, if desired and enjoy immediately.

Enjoy!

Twin Day 2016

Today is twin day in the Haynes household. A day that didn't exist 3 years ago or I didn't think would ever exist. A day that I will forever remember every second. Its the day we went for an 8 week checkup with my OB GYN a nervous wreck and left with our world changed forever. The day that Scott turned a pale white in the Dr's office and I am pretty sure I had a complete panic attack in the car on the way home!

Every time when I feel overwhelmed, stressed or down, I think about how lucky we are that we were blessed with two amazing, healthy babies at one time. I will forever call it our miracle.

We weren't sure if were going to get pregnant and it was a journey to get there. I had no idea twins actually happened naturally AND that they would happen to someone that doesn't have twins in their family. But guess what. It does. And just like that our world changed.

My point of sharing this story is you never know how things are going to work out or what god has in store for you. I am in a big believer in things happen for a reason. I would have never imagined in a million years our life the way it is today but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Oh yeah, and trust your gut. Because I had a dream we were having twins the night before and talked myself out of believing it was true!

Happy Twin Day :)
p.s. They have a pretty fabulous big sister too!

3PM Sugar Buster! --> Peanut Butter Protein Cookies!

I am not sure about you but everyday at 3pm I am ready for some M&Ms, candy or some sort of sugar pick-me up. For some reason I can do great the entire day but then 3pm hits and I am ravenous for sugar and a snack. I call these my "sugar busters" because they taste like a treat but are not. They are made with protein powder, oats and bananas. Its the kick of protein and energy you need to keep going for the rest of the day! (They are also great for breakfast too!)

These are super easy to make and are a great substitute for that sugary snack when you are craving something sweet. The best part is there is zero sugar added. I make them on the weekends and then freeze them to pack in my lunch for work. (I think they taste better frozen or in the fridge...Kids and toddlers love them too!) Savannah and I made some this weekend. :)

Ingredients:
1 cup Chocolate or Vanilla protein powder. (I used vanilla Shakeology)
2 servings of PB powder. (I used Honeyville Organic PB powder from Costco)
1 cup of quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup raw honey
2 ripe bananas
Dash of cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat over to 350 degrees.
Combine all ingredients and mix well in large bowl.
Scoop out 1 tablespoon size balls onto a cooking sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until brown on top.

The cookies will still be somewhat gooey when you take them out. I let them sit for 10-15 minutes and then put them in a large bag in the freezer.

If you do not have PB powder you can substitute 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter. I count 2 cookies as 1 serving. (1 yellow on the 21 Day Fix / Hammer and Chisel plan).

Enjoy!