Favorite Things- Dieters' Edition

When am I ever not on a diet?  Answer? NEVER.  Currently, I am watching my caloric intake and drowning myself in water...literally.  Today, I've already had around two liters.  Since my new found motivation has arrived and I am attempting once again to conquer the seemingly inconquerable, I have come across a few new favorite things that I wanted to share.

1.  Parmesan and Tuscan Baked Lays

These taste incredible!  I have always been a Baked Lays fan, but these are way different than the others.  I can't describe the flavor. You will just have to trust me and find out for yourself.  You won't regret it.

2.  McDonald's Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

This isn't just any yogurt.  I honestly would rather have this than one of their ice cream sundaes.  The granola adds the perfect amount of crunch and the fruit in the middle tops it off.  It's only 160 calories and well worth every.single.one.

3.  Chick-fil-A's Chicken and Fruit Salad

This has definitely become a new favorite and I can thank my sister for introducing me a few months ago. I had completely forgotten about it until I re-started this diet.  I am  a huge fan of fruit on my salad.  This one is perfect.  It's grilled chicken, oranges, apples, and mandarin oranges, with granola and berry balsamic dressing. 

4.  Chili's Carribean Salad

Again, this is another salad with fruit.  They've included pineapple as well as red bell peppers to this one.  The best part is the Honey Lime Dressing.  Click the link and scroll down for the recipe.

5.  My Fitness Pal App

Thank you, Haley, for this recommendation!  It's a total life saver!  Unless the calories are marked on the box or package, I typically don't know exactly how many to count.  With this app, I don't have to.  There is a search engine inside and you can look for any and every food possible.  There are restaurant menus, also.  Not only does it tell you how many calories, but also gives COMPLETE nutritional facts including fat, cholesterol, sodium, vitamins, etc.  At the end of the day, it gives you a summary of what you've eaten and also lets you know what you need to eat more of, less of, etc.  The best part...it's FREE!

Hope you enjoy!

Wreath Tutorial

If only I could be a full-time Pinterest "tryer-outer".........That's where I got this idea.

It's SO easy and didn't take much time at all. First things first...your supplies.

I bought a large straw wreath at Hobby Lobby. It was priced $6.99 but I used a 40% off coupon, so it was basically free. I got 1/2 yard of fabric, four sheets of felt, and some straight pins.

First, cut your fabric in strips about an inch and half wide. Begin wrapping the fabric pieces around the wreath. Pin them into place until the entire wreath is covered.

Next, cut several circles (any size you'd like) using the felt. Mine were about two inches in diameter. Fold the circle in half once, then again.

Begin pinning these felt flowers side by side on your wreath until you've covered as much as you'd like. I only did a small section, but feel free to do more. At the end I decided to "bling" it up a little, so I added a few pearls with the glue gun. I didn't take another picture, so use your imagination. :)

Super easy, super cute, and super fast! What more can one ask??

Fall Break and a Yard Sale

I'm telling you, off days from school are one of life's biggest blessings. It's 1:23 pm and I'm still in my pajamas. You just can't get much better than that! We got out of school at 12:30 Friday and are off all day today. We won't mention that today is a national holiday, some schools are out anyway, so it doesn't really count as fall break. No, we won't mention that. I'm just thankful to be on my couch right now instead of going over the difference in prepositions and adverbs with 19 fourth graders.

Because I got an extra day to sleep late today, I was okay with sacrificing Saturday morning to go to a few yard sales. I haven't done this is FOREVER and just on a whim, asked a couple friends who are yard sale veterans to accompany me on my quest for a deal or two. To say I had the time of my life is an understatement. If I could yard sale for a living, I would. I had a blast and found several great deals.

Our first stop was actually in my mom's neighborhood. I found a brand new, never-worn, chocolate brown and white polka dot outfit for Sarah Taylor....for TWO DOLLARS!

I also found a like new, wooden handled, polka dotted umbrella for two dollars. Our next few stops were productive, also. I found a hardback copy of one of my favorite children's books, "I'm Gonna Like Me" for....wait for it...TEN CENTS! I bought a charger for my phone with an extra long cord, which I have been looking for for weeks, for TWENTY FIVE CENTS! Our last stop served to be great, as well. I found a brand new, still in box, Pampered Chef oval stone casserole dish and mini serving spatula for $10. My mom jumped on that one!

I have definitely found a new hobby. I didn't find a firescreen or cool bookshelf for the still empty wall in my living room, but I had tons of fun. I can't wait until the next time!