Make Your Own Fruit Stencil for Napkins.

Apparently peaches are really hard to find on anything. I searched high and low for napkins with peaches on them and I even searched for fabric with a peach print. Of course I found nothing. I came up with an idea to create my own stencil. I found an image of a peach I liked and blew it up to a size I wanted on my laptop screen and very carefully traced over it. You can also print out the image and trace over it and that would probably be safer for your computer screen but I like to live on the wild side. I found a set of blank stencil sheets at Michael's for $3.99.

Before I actually applied this to my linen fabric I did a test image first just to make sure it came out the way I wanted. I used Tulip fabric paints and Folk Art metallics for the leaves and stem. Use a small sponge brush and dab paint around the edges and fill in.

Day 1 of Diet

I decided to write a post about my healthy diet and weight loss goal for this summer's wedding. First I'm going to attempt the Paleo diet since cutting out grains (carbs) sound like the best idea. I love veggies and protein anyway so it can't be that bad. I just have keep my sticky fingers off Flora's yummy graham cracker sticks.

So I am aiming to drop 20 lbs even though I gained 30 lbs from pregnancy. Sounds like a reasonable goal. I have been doing a mixture of workouts since I get really bored. They range from a 45 min walk to the park, 1 hour gym workout with weights and cardio, Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred (LOVE), free Pilates  workouts on YouTube as well as the Nike Fitness app on my smartphone. All are excellent workouts with a combination of cardio, interval training and muscle toning.

I was excited when I hit the grocery store last night and was able to grab enough items for 3-4 healthy dinner meals + stuff for salad for just $127. (included essentials like milk, eggs, yogurt...etc). Granted I had a few items already but that is still pretty good. I really try to look at my pantry and frozen items and work off that before I just dump a ton of money on new items. That's how food gets pushed to the back of the fridge/cupboard and goes to waste. Canned and frozen veggies can easily be thrown into a soup. Add some pasta or rice with a protein and you have soup for a couple of meals. 

Last night before I went to get groceries I looked in the cupboard and saw a can of tomatoes and some pasta; threw it together with garlic and topped with cheese. Baked for 30 min and Adam had an easy meal when he got home.

Here is my meal plan for the week. 

Beverage:
Coffee
Water w/lemon
Caffeine free iced acai berry tea (no sugar)

Snacks:
Veggies & Hummus
Celery or apple with Peanut butter
Yogurt
Handful of Nuts- Almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds


Breakfast:

So this week I am making protein shakes for breakfast.

Mixture of kale
frozen strawberries
half a banana
scoop of yogurt
scoop of protein powder or nut butter
flax seeds 
almond milk.

YUM!

Lunch:

Grilled chicken (frozen)
Romaine and Arugula salad
Fresh strawberries & blueberries
Avocado
walnuts or pumpkin seeds
sauteed onions
goat cheese
Squeeze of lemon, vinegar & olive oil
Salt & pepper

Dinner:

TACO SOUP

I Found this recipe when searching Paleo recipes on Pinterest. I thought it looked delicious only I am adding some black beans, red peppers and a little jalapeno to spice it up. Soups (broth based) are the healthiest and easiest way in my opinion to lose weight. Plus it's February and it's freezing! Of course I want soup.

Later this week I will make citrus salmon with sauteed kale (buy mine fresh and then freeze) and onions.

Reuben roll-ups with mashed garlic cauliflower. The Reuben roll-ups are made with egg roll wrappers but I am using cabbage leaves for the wraps....Adam can have the extra calories...  ;)

     --Taco Soup by Kitchen Beast