And A-Weigh We Go!!

First of all let me apologize for not blogging in soooooo long. We moved in November...back to my hometown (YAY!!), and as you can imagine with a new house, husband, and a three and a half year old, things have been CRAZY! But in the most awesome way of course.

Two weeks ago I decided to recommit to Weight Watchers. (This is my 4th go round ya'll (smh)). In the last two weeks I have lost 2.8lbs but find myself reaching for more fruits and veggies than ever before, so hey maybe this things working.

From this point on, along with details of my weight loss journey I plan to bring you good ole southern recipes with a little tweaking to make them more figure friendly. Don't worry I'll still be crafting and tellin' stories to. :)

OK...Our first recipe is (drumroll please)....... A1 MEATLOAF. So delicious and sooooo comforting.

I do this for my family of three but I have made the same amount and served up to 5 people. A serving size is one slice.

1lb lean ground beef (I used 90/10)
1 egg
1/4c Panko bread crumbs
2tbsp A1 steak sauce
Additional 2 tbsp A1 for topping

Mix beef, egg, bread crumbs, and A1 with hands until thoroughly combined. Spray loaf pan with nonstick spray and press beef mixture into pan. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes. Top with additional A1 and bake another 15 minutes.

*I also add dehydrated onions to this (but shhhh don't tell my hubby :))

You should be able to get 6 slices out of this and each slice is 7 PP. YUM YUM!!

Sunday Recipe of the Day! Plus a sideline on my love of saving money.

Ok...I am in trouble ya'll . I have become totally addicted to that show Extreme Couponing on TLC. These folks are AMAZING. I saw a lady last night get $555 worth of groceries for $5. WHAT?!?!?! I am now totally obsessed about finding out how to do that for my family. I often use coupons but seeing that amount of savings really gets this southern princesses heart pounding. I mean...who doesn't love a good deal? If you know of any couponing classes around my home area of Charlotte, NC or want to share any of your tips, please feel free to comment.

Now for the good stuff (FOOD!!! :) )

Todays recipe is one of my fave breakfast dishes. It takes a little prep time because it needs to sit overnight but it is sooooo worth it. It'll make your tongue do a happy dance for sure. So...here we go...

MAPLE FRENCH TOAST BAKE

12 slices white bread, cubed
1 8oz pkg cream cheese, cubed
8 eggs
1/2c maple syrup (I use maple flavored pancake syrup...its cheaper and doesn't affect the flavor)
1 c milk

Arrange half of the bread cubes in a greased shallow 2 qt baking dish. Top with cubed cream cheese and remaining bread.
In a medium bow, whisk together eggs, milk and syrup (you can also add a touch of vanilla if you like). Pour mixture over bread making sure to coat all bread pieces. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to allow to come to room temp. Cover with foil and bake at 350* for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake and additional 20-25 minutes.
Serve warm with syrup.

Happy Eating Ya'll!!

The Southern Princess :)

Doing Laundry...And Finding a Blessing

I just put in a load of laundry (which I seem to do several times a day) and as I loaded the laundry into the washer I began to think of how blessed my family is to be able to have clothes to wear and how blessed we are to have jobs to go to and work to provide us with the things we need.
Often times, as I load the washer I think "another load of laundry...ugh," but today I decided to think about it in this way, "another load of blessings."
I encourage you to look for the blessings in the mundane tasks we do everyday and take time to thank God for the blessings that don't always feel like blessings.

Since life is always full of sweet and sour moments, I decided to include my recipe for Lemon Drifts to this post. Enjoy ya"ll!

Lemon Drifts

1c butter softened
1/2 c powdered sugar
2c flour
4 eggs beaten
2c sugar
1/2c lemon juice
5tbsp flour
1tsp baking powder

Beat butter, powdered sugar, and 2c flour together until smooth. Spread into greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 350* for 20 minutes.

Beat together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, 5tbsp flour and baking powder until well blended. Pour over top of baked crust and continue baking at 350* for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, cool and cut into bars.

Me Time...What's That???

Many of you may not know, but I am currently doing Weight Watchers in order to lose some extra weight. I would call it baby weight...but she's gonna be three in June so I'm not sure I can get away with that! LOL

Anywhoo, at my meeting on Sunday we talked about having "Me Time" and how important it was for our physical and mental health. As women, not just southern women, but especially southern women, we learn that it is our duty to take care of all of those around us. Our children, our spouse, our siblings, our parents, our co-workers...you get the idea. I am so guilty of this. I tend to put myself last on the list and am constantly trying to take care and "mother" everyone else.

It is my goal to carve out a little time for myself in the day, just to walk, or meditate, or just regain my sanity after a day of toddler wrangling! :). I encourage those of you, especially mothers, to do the same. It is crucial for ourselves and those we love to treat ourselves like the princesses we are and in turn those around us will see us as important and worthy of being treated with love and respect also. We are princesses...we are children of the most high King and He would expect us to take care of ourselves so that we are better equipped to take care of others!

Sending ya'll southern love and hugs,
The Southern Princess

The Country Girl and the Computer...a Not So Love Story

Being a not as young as I used to be Southern Princess...technology has not always been part of my everyday exsistence. I remember the days before cable, the internet, and smart phones. I remember rotary dialing (how I loved that), when the news was on every channel at 6 o'clock, and before anyone knew what a blog was!
Having recently started a serious relationship with the computer...I have learned how little I really know. It's got me missing the days of paper, pencil, and the old time yellow pages. Don't get me wrong, I love my computer and my smartphone, but sometimes...just sometimes...I miss the fun of that rotary dial!

Have a blessed Tuesday Ya'll,
The Southern Princess

Mondays...for or against?

I have always heard people complain about Mondays and going back to work. I want to challenge that notion for just a moment. Before I made the choice to leave the classroom to stay home with my infant daughter...I LOVED Mondays! There was the promise of a new week and so many things to be taught and learned (both for teacher and student). The students were always excited to see me as well as their friends and there was just a sense of excitement in the air.
If you're not a "Monday" person...this is my challenge to you...think about the promise God has put into a Monday for the blessings that will come throughout this week. Turn up the music, rock to your own beat, and make this Monday a great day!!

Happy Monday Ya'll,

Joy

Some Favorite Southern Sayings

Being a southern princess...I have heard all kinds of sayings throughout my life. My father being a former Army Ranger...not all of them are appropriate for reprinting! LOL. I have compiled a list of some of my favorite here and hope that you will feel free to share some of your own. (We'll get to the unsavory ones later ;).

Happy Life...Happy Wife

Pressure Makes Diamonds (Thanks for that one Daddy)

Find the Good in Everyday

God Is Good...All the Time

A Good Laugh Is Sunshine in a House

Kindness Matters

(My personal favorite) A Closed Mouth Gathers No Feet


Happy Saturday Ya'll,
Joy