Note: I am NOT a coach. I am not an expert. I hired a Macros Inc coach a few years ago and learned how to understand food and how it fuels my body. I realized how much better I feel when I fuel my body correctly. I am not counting macros currently, but I do a loose/lazy version.

The other day I went to Aldi (my FAVORITE- here’s a previous blog post on why) and grabbed a few macro friendly items. All for under $100- the number one reason this mom of five loves Aldi!!

Make sure to read the blog post link above, it gives you all of my tips, tricks, and reminders for Aldi- don’t forget those quarters!!

Produce:

I grabbed a couple of bags of apples. Pink Lady is our absolute favorite apple variety and I also snagged some Sweet Tangos, which I’d never tried. Verdict: DELICIOUS. If you like tart and sweet like Pink Lady or Honeycrisp, you’ll love these.

I also got 2 bags of Brussels sprouts. I’ll chop and sauté these with some pancetta or bacon.

Grains:

Rice Cakes: I go through these like NOBODY’S BUSINESS. I just wish they would have had the caramel flavor! I like eating these with PB/honey, light cream cheese (sometimes smoked salmon), Trader Joe’s everything but the bagel seasoning, etc.

sandwich and bagel thins– these are sandwich staples. I always think sandwiches are too “bready” so these are perfect.

90 sec rice packs: Yeah. I’m lazy. TBH Busy parents can’t survive without these. The basmati is the best one, in my opinion.

GF Rice Crisps: We aren’t gluten free but I think these are so good dipped in hummus, salsa, pico, or guac. I also really like the crackers, but they didn’t have them. Remind me to get more than one bag next time, please. J eats these like CRAZY.

Proteins/Meats:

Ground Turkey: We eat this constantly. Whether in chili,  filling red peppers, or sautéed with onions and peppers over rice.

Chicken Fajitas: These aren’t the best, but it’s an easy ready to go protein for wraps, rice bowls, etc.

Chicken Sausage: I grabbed a few flavors. J loves these in rice bowls or with eggs.

Chicken Breasts: enough said

Oven Roasted Turkey: This is an easy ready made protein and the sodium isn’t too high, which is rare. And nice.

Salmon: I like to buy salmon and make in foil packets with dill and lemon and capers. Easy peasy and such good protein.

Rotisserie Chicken Lunch Meat: Again, low in sodium which is so good. I buy multiple of these because we eat the heck out of this lunch meat. Wraps, Sammies, on a plate with veggies and hummus, on avocado toast, or on salads.

Olive Oil Spray: my air fryer wouldn’t function without it.

Liquid Eggs: honestly I though these were egg whites when I grabbed them, hahah! I’ll use them for something- muffin cups, etc.

Marinara Sauce

Kidney Beans

2 Containers Pico de Gallo: We go through so much pico. We eat it with eggs, on chicken, on salads, in rice bowls, etc.

Frozen Butternut Squash: Haven’t used this yet but I’m going to try in air fryer

Guacamole: see above re: pico

Turkey, Sausage, and Spinach Omelet Breakfast Bites: I am the WORST at eating a good breakfast. I basically eat eggs or oatmeal with protein powder + honey over and over because I’m so lazy. I thought these were a good grab and go option!

Cookie Thins: These are a great option when you want something sweet.

Prosciutto: It’s the Italy in me, I LOVE prosciutto. High protein and delish.

Egg White Wraps: haven’t tried these yet, but I was intrigued!

Halloween Pasta– this one is for the little girls, I knew they’d get a kick out of it.

Whew! That’s it for today. Let me know if you found this interesting, I’m happy to share more of these!

xoxo

Stephanie

Seven years ago I wrote this post.

And then two years ago I wrote this post.

The main idea of both posts boils down to this… don’t get so caught up in “busy” that you use it as an excuse to make others feel unimportant. 

That’s basically the heart of it.

And now…I’d like to revisit the entire concept as a mom with a 15 year old, 13 year old, two 10 year olds, and a six year old.

HAHAHA. If the me of seven years ago only knew.

But do I still agree with what the Stephanie of seven years ago said? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY.

We are ALL busy. Every single one of us. We all have our own stuff going on. But telling someone you are too busy for them is….hurtful. It just is.

Being busy doesn’t make you more special or valuable than the next person. I’m sorry but it’s true.

I refuse to use the notion of “being busy” to shoot someone down when they are trying to connect with me.

Am I busy? Hell yes. I have 5 kids playing 4 different sports. I have two teenagers who have active social lives. I have social obligations and military life obligations and all sorts of nonsense going on.

But when a friend texts me to take a walk or go thrifting? I say yes. Or I say “rain check?” if I have something else scheduled at that time and we pick a date to reschedule right then and there. And I write it down.

I am 44 years old and I STILL remember the way that woman from the initial post made me feel. TEN years later and I still remember how insignificant and unimportant she made me feel.

Now. How do you stop being consumed by “busyness”?
I have one tip that works in beautifully. Schedule in No Thank You Days.

Have one day a week (for me it is usually Thursdays) where I say no thank you to volunteering, carpooling, or doing anything social. One day where I commit to staying home all day long.

If you work full time this will look different for you. It may be a “No Thank You Evening” or “No Thank You Weekends”. It’s a time to recover, recharge, reprioritize, and reevaluate. It may be a day where you do absolutely nothing. It may be a day that you do chores all day. But it’s 24 hours where you regain your footing.

And it helps so so so much.

What if you are someone who has allowed your “busy” to hurt others…and you didn’t even realize it? If you look back through your texts with someone and realize you’ve said  “no” or “sorry I’m too busy” over and over and over…just reach out and connect. Apologize. Acknowledge that you know you’ve been distracted and that you’ve made them feel less than and you’re sorry. It’s as simple as that.

Schedule time with people you love. It can be a 30 minute walk or a phone call/Facetime or a 10 minute coffee run. Ask friends to run errands with you.

Don’t let “busyness” rule your life and devalue your relationships. It will suck your soul and your joy right out of you.

Have a beautiful day, y’all! xoxo

♡This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only become an affiliate for products I TRULY believe in, love, and use religiously. Thank you so much for helping to support my little family!♡

Hi everyone and happy Friday! I hope you’ve had a beautiful week and that you are healthy and happy- I’m so happy to be back to blogging a bit!

I’m a Zulily ambassador and partnering with them has been such a joy. They are so fun to work with and one of my favorite things is sharing my favorite discounted finds with you.

Here are my favorite items from this week- I’m focusing on women’s fashion this time. But make sure to peruse the site, there are SO MANY good kids/toy deals right now.

Here we go! If you have any questions, ask in the comments. I’m happy to help!  xo

1. Cole Haan Coat-   $109.00/ regularly $400-  I bought this coat last week and it came yesterday. It.Is.STUNNING. STUNNING! It’s soft and luxurious and incredibly chic. Even Jimmy noticed and commented on how lovely it is. AND THAT PRICE!!!

2. Thinx Period Undies– up to 30% off- Listen to me. If you are a mom of teen girls, these are literally life changing. I mean that. I so wish these had been available when I was a teen. I shared these on IG and I’ve never had so much interaction. Athletes, women, in the military, women allergic to tampons and pads, and special needs moms swear that these are absolute necessities. We already have a few and I ordered three more pair. Incredible!

3. Striped Sweater– $29.99- This button shoulder striped turtleneck sweater is the perfect fall staple. I’ve had a very similar one in the past from JCrew. This is a great price!

4. Bearpaw Slippers– $59.99 / regularly $64.99- These are so so cozy. I have a pink pair and J has a brown pair that he has worn to a nub, hahahah! These would make a wonderful Christmas gift too. Everyone loves toasty toes in the winter.

5. Flare Jeans– $39.99 / regularly $79- I am so freaking happy that we have more options than skinny jeans this year. I have long legs and I’ve always loved the way a flare/bootcut trouser looks.

6. Leather Tote– $129.99 / regularly $198- I love this bag for fall. Structured but with a bit of slouch and the gold detail is just right.

7. Layered Necklace– $12.99 / regularly 39- I’m loving wearing delicate layered gold necklaces right now. And so are my teens-they steal mine all the time, bahaha! This is a great price for a sweet little feminine layered set.

8. Sneakers– $69.99 / regularly $129.95 – My favorite fall outfit is leggings and a cute slouchy top/button down/hoodie/flannel with cute sneakers. I basically live in this uniform. These sneakers are my dream fall sneakers for real. I think they are just so cute.

9. Running Belt– $9.99- I walk every day. And every day I listen to a book. So I carry my phone with me. And when my leggings don’t have pockets a belt is a MUST. This one looks great and has a good price point.