Money, more than just numbers.

One of my biggest goals this past year was to fine tune our budget.  I am a total math nerd so it sounded fun to me.  It was about half way through the year when I realized that money and budgets aren't just about the actual numbers...the money you spend can go further than just simply saving money or spending money.

I first understood the basics of this idea when I married Ted 9 years ago.  I watched his dad and every time he wanted to buy something or needed his car serviced or anything where he was spending money, if he knew someone who had a shop that sold it, or his brothers friends cousin sold that type of bike he would always buy from a place where his money would make a difference, and not only giving the shop money but supporting their cause and showing your trust in them.

As I worked on our budget this year I realized that you can budget your money fairly easy, but how was I to maximize the money that I was spending to not only fulfill my needs but help those people around me.

I love buying from friends and family.  This Christmas Ted and I made a goal to buy as many gifts from our friends with businesses as possible or choose locally run stores to buy from.  In a way it felt like our money was going further than just simply buying a present, it was helping a small business owner out as well.  (We do the same thing when we eat out but that is for a later post :)

So I thought I would share a few of the places I bought stuff from this year.  They are friends and family that have great businesses that I am excited to share with you! (The names of the stores are linked to each individual websites)

Please share any businesses that you or your friends or family own or use!  I am always looking for more business to support!

Rae Revival on Etsy

Beautiful hand made jewelry with a little sas!  

PrettiLilThings on Etsy

Honestly the cutest hand crocheted bows around!  She makes them for all ages! 

Bebecha

Bow ties and suspenders for men and kiddos and cute hair bows!  

This is my nephew wearing a set from Bebecha we got him for Christmas, he is so cute!

Treasure Box Trio on Etsy

You probably have seen a few posts here and on facebook about these shirts

Honestly the most comfy cute shirts!  This one I am wearing above even has a hood!

If you are here in Arizona a great new place opened up at the Biltmore Mall.  It is called The Union.  It is a seciton of small stores that are all locally built and operated and it is so fun to browse through all their cute stuff!  There are several local clothing stores, Smeeks a local candy store, a retro bike store.  Trust me you need to try it out!

New Years Fitness Resolution

This year I started a new years resolution a few weeks early....and I want you to join me!

I watched an interview with a previous Heinemann Trophy winner who said how he got ahead was by doing 5,000 pushups and 5,000 sit-ups a day on top of his normal workout routine.

Where I know that 5,000 sit-ups and pushups is a little unattainable I decided to start with a goal of 200 sit-ups and 200 pushups on top of what I do every week for workout.  And anyone can do this!  No matter what your fitness level is..no matter if you workout or not we can all do a little more!

I started by simply doing 8 pushups 3 times, 3 times a day and at the same time I alternate in 15 sit-ups 3 times, 3 times a day.  That's already 135 sit-ups a day and 72 pushups a day!  And I am slowly adding more every few days.

I still do my normal weekly routine of working out and then 3 times a day a little alarm goes off and I drop and do my extra sit-ups and pushups.  I do them in between laundry, when I wake up, after I make dinner.....or any other time!  Just as long as I do it 3 times a day!

I have already noticed a huge difference in my arm strength!  The last set each time I do my sit up and push ups I do to failure.  So the first two sets I do 15 sit-ups and 8 pushups and the last set I go until I can't go any longer.  That means some times I do more than my first two sets and some times I do less.  The idea behind going to failure is to push yourself just that little bit extra!

Whether you work, have kids, both or have a crazy busy life and can't workout at all...you can all do this!

Here is a little video I filmed yesterday explaining it a little better.  I have been doing little video tutorials for a few sources so I decided I should do them for my own blog as well!

Here is to a healthy and happy New Year!!!

Quinoa Recipe

Last night I posted a picture on instagram of what I made for dinner....several people have emailed me and commented on my post asking for the recipe. So here you go!

If you have never tried Quinoa it is amazing.  Quinoa is a grain, but is not considered a true grain it is most closely related to beets and spinach...and is a super food and is full of protein and good vitamins.  

This recipe was so tastey!  I will make this a lot!  There are lots of extras which was great to send to work with Ted for lunch and we still have more left!  

It isn't a fast recipe but wasn't too hard, just took some time to cook the Quinoa and chop all the ingredients.  Below is the link to the orignial recipe and also I am posting the recipe how I made it (I always make a few changes) the origianl recipe had tofu but we don't love tofu so I omitted it and did a few more tweaks :)

ENJOY!

Black Bean-Quinoa Salad with Basil-Lemon Dressing

Click here for original recipe

Here is how I made it:

• Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa
• 3 cups organic vegetable broth (such as Swanson Certified Organic) 
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (the original calls for double but I just added what came in the package from the store and it was plenty so about a half cup)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons garlic cloves, minced (I buy the canned fresh minced garlic in the produce section)
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen baby lima beans
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1/2 cup chopped carrot (this is about 1-2 full sized carrots chopped)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 
  
• Directions
• *Combine quinoa and vegetable broth in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until broth is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Remove from heat.
• *Combine remaining 2 tablespoons oil, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, basil, and next 6 ingredients (through garlic) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk until blended. Stir in quinoa.
• *Cook lima beans according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Cool completely. Add the lima beans, green onions, chopped carrot, and black beans to quinoa mixture; stir gently to combine. Store, covered, in refrigerator until chilled (about 2 hours).
• *Right before I served mine for dinner I added another tablespoon or two of lemon juice to freshen it up.

YUMMMM!  I might go snack on this right now!  Super healthy, super tasty!  
ENJOY!