DISCLOSURE: “This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and All You, but all my opinions are my own. #lifeforless #pmedia http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO
As I've gotten older, I've noticed myself doing things I never thought I'd do... stuff that only "old people" do. Like being more conscious about my trash and what I put in it and where it goes and how I can do my little part to save the earth. Did I just say "Do my part to save the earth"? Yep. I sure did.
Before I had my kids, I guess I never really cared about the state of the environment, because I was young, dumb and very short-sighted and didn't really care what happened to it, "'Cause I probably won't be here anyways". {It was the 80's and R.E.M's "End of the World as We Know it" was super popular and whatever, don't judge me} Now, you can find me and aforementioned kids at our local recycling center almost every weekend... OK, every other weekend, OK, I usually wait until the pile gets so large it becomes a fire hazard by the back door, don't judge me, at least I'm recycling.
Before I had my kids, I guess I never really cared about the state of the environment, because I was young, dumb and very short-sighted and didn't really care what happened to it, "'Cause I probably won't be here anyways". {It was the 80's and R.E.M's "End of the World as We Know it" was super popular and whatever, don't judge me} Now, you can find me and aforementioned kids at our local recycling center almost every weekend... OK, every other weekend, OK, I usually wait until the pile gets so large it becomes a fire hazard by the back door, don't judge me, at least I'm recycling.
Little Known Recycling Facts
We haven't gone full blown crunchy hippie yet, but we do recycle all of our cardboard boxes, plastic & glass water bottles, and magazines and I regularly donate stuff to the local Teen Challenge place down the street, instead of just tossing it in the trash and ending up in a landfill... baby steps folks, baby steps.
Another "old people" thing I have noticed myself doing is being more conscious about the way I treat my body. Again, I'm most definitely not full blown Jack Lalanne yet, but I am definitely more aware of my body than I was just a few years ago. I think it all started when I was 35... and found out I was expecting.
At the time I was smoking and not taking very good care of myself, but as soon as I "got the news", I quit. I have been smoke free for almost 4 years. *pats self on the back* Honestly, It's not that bad and I express this to everyone I know who smokes. Just promise yourself you'll stop for four weeks and I assure you the worst is over by then and you'll never look back.
Since then, I have also become more educated about what kinds of foods I eat and serve to my kids and the impact they can make, good or bad. I had gestational diabetes when I was carrying Micah and I was given some amazing nutritional counseling that has proven invaluable as I try to "do better".
I'm not saying we eat all organic foods and granola and do weekly family colonic flushes to rid us of toxins blah blah blah, but I do try. I have made baby steps. I cook at home more often which allows me to know exactly what is going into my food, control portions and sneak veggies in when I can.
This is not to say we don't ever eat the dreaded fast food burger & fries, or go to my favorite sushi place on special occasions {like payday}, but it is less frequent than it once was.
Baby steps, folks, baby steps.
At the time I was smoking and not taking very good care of myself, but as soon as I "got the news", I quit. I have been smoke free for almost 4 years. *pats self on the back* Honestly, It's not that bad and I express this to everyone I know who smokes. Just promise yourself you'll stop for four weeks and I assure you the worst is over by then and you'll never look back.
Since then, I have also become more educated about what kinds of foods I eat and serve to my kids and the impact they can make, good or bad. I had gestational diabetes when I was carrying Micah and I was given some amazing nutritional counseling that has proven invaluable as I try to "do better".
I'm not saying we eat all organic foods and granola and do weekly family colonic flushes to rid us of toxins blah blah blah, but I do try. I have made baby steps. I cook at home more often which allows me to know exactly what is going into my food, control portions and sneak veggies in when I can.
This is not to say we don't ever eat the dreaded fast food burger & fries, or go to my favorite sushi place on special occasions {like payday}, but it is less frequent than it once was.
Baby steps, folks, baby steps.
Click Pic For Full Recipe
Since I'm cooking at home more, that means more trips to Kroger, which is fine with me. Honestly, I love grocery shopping. I love seeing all the beautiful seasonal fruits and veggies especially the local corn they always have this time of year, I love the sales, I love the free cookies & cheese samples, I love walking in the door, full of wonder, like a child... "What's gonna be on sale today?" "What kind of new summer glasses have they got in this week"?
I love the layout of the store and the employees are so friendly and they don't roll their eyes if I have more than two or three coupons. The only thing I don't like about my Kroger is the long lines. I made the mistake of going to Kroger on senior discount day last week. Maybe it was my subconscious trying to tell me something? Or maybe I am just getting sooo old, that I forgot which day was senior discount day.
Nevertheless, the lines were full of sweet little old ladies with their coin purses out counting change to pay for their three cans of cat food and buttermilk, the little old men that have seven Hungry Man dinners and some candy {obviously widowers} and here I was, just trying to grab a few items for the week, but while I was waiting in line, I had the time to pick up a magazine and skim through it... then I put it down and grabbed "All You". "All You" has never been available at Kroger before, so you can imagine how excited I was when I saw it there.
I love the layout of the store and the employees are so friendly and they don't roll their eyes if I have more than two or three coupons. The only thing I don't like about my Kroger is the long lines. I made the mistake of going to Kroger on senior discount day last week. Maybe it was my subconscious trying to tell me something? Or maybe I am just getting sooo old, that I forgot which day was senior discount day.
Nevertheless, the lines were full of sweet little old ladies with their coin purses out counting change to pay for their three cans of cat food and buttermilk, the little old men that have seven Hungry Man dinners and some candy {obviously widowers} and here I was, just trying to grab a few items for the week, but while I was waiting in line, I had the time to pick up a magazine and skim through it... then I put it down and grabbed "All You". "All You" has never been available at Kroger before, so you can imagine how excited I was when I saw it there.
"All You" has always been one of my favorite magazines, even before I became "old". It has everything I love... A Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake recipe, easy to follow tips and tricks to make house cleaning a little bit less like drudgery, tips on saving money at the store, which deodorant works best, expert parenting advice, affordable party ideas and the coupons are amazing. Oh how I love the coupons! There's over $30 in savings in the July issue alone, which literally pays for itself. I've already clipped the $1 off body wash coupon for my next trip to the store.
"All You" also has some really informative health articles that are super reader friendly and do-able... no crazy fasting diets, but real information that I can actually incorporate into my daily life. Did you know that just by organizing your fridge differently, you can save yourself from mindless snacking, by putting the healthier options closer to the front, your mind will automatically want to grab them. Here's a few easy baby steps that anyone can make.....
My favorite coupon in the whole issue is in the very back, it's for $1 off your next issue of "All You". How cool is that?! Not sure if your store carries "All You" Yet? Check out this super easy store finder, there's even a $1 off printable coupon towards your next newsstand purchase of "All You" magazine. So next time you're at Kroger, snag the new Issue of "All You" magazine, Your belly and your wallet will thank you.
"All You" also has some really informative health articles that are super reader friendly and do-able... no crazy fasting diets, but real information that I can actually incorporate into my daily life. Did you know that just by organizing your fridge differently, you can save yourself from mindless snacking, by putting the healthier options closer to the front, your mind will automatically want to grab them. Here's a few easy baby steps that anyone can make.....
- Pre-portion your proteins, you'll be less likely to over indulge
- Prep your fruits and veggies, you'll be more likely to eat them if they are ready to eat {and so will the kids. I do this with apples sometimes, just sprinkle with a few drops of lemon juice to prevent browning, they'll last most of the day if you cut them first thing in the morning}
- Use healthier condiments, drop the high fat mayo, opt for mustard or horseradish instead
- Keep a pitcher of chilled water front and center, flavor it with lemon or fruit. Water actually quenches your thirst, while sugary drinks actually make you thirstier
- Store leftovers in individual sized portions, this helps prevent overeating and also makes for easy work or school lunches
- Exercise can turn on certain fat burning genes, so get up and do something everyday, even if it's just a brisk walk or "simple" house chores like vacuuming. *Vacuuming for 30 minutes burns about 90 calories, the same amount you'd burn in 15 minutes of kick boxing. Cleaning windows for 30 minutes burns 125 calories, the same number used in 20 minutes of power yoga (about one-third the length of a typical power yoga class).
- Foods like citrus, avocado, eggs, yogurt and blackberries are amazing metabolism boosters.
- Get plenty of rest. Sleep deprivation affects hormones related to metabolism and can actually slow it down.
- Eat within the first 30 minutes of waking up. It gets your metabolism going for the rest of the day and eat several small meals throughout the day.
My favorite coupon in the whole issue is in the very back, it's for $1 off your next issue of "All You". How cool is that?! Not sure if your store carries "All You" Yet? Check out this super easy store finder, there's even a $1 off printable coupon towards your next newsstand purchase of "All You" magazine. So next time you're at Kroger, snag the new Issue of "All You" magazine, Your belly and your wallet will thank you.
*Source:"Calories Burned Doing Household Chores." / Fitness / Weight Loss. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2013.
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