Please don't ever feel the least bit guilty for taking care of yourself and your family the way it's needed in the moment. How many weeks/months/years have you saved money, cooked at home, etc?! Most of us know exactly what you're going through and have been there many times. Honesty is a wonderful quality. :) You're doing the most important things.
Hi Amanda maybe when you are cooking a meal you both enjoy you could double-up the ingredients and make one for now and one for the freezer for times you are too busy /tired or out for the day. So happy you are back, you have such a busy life hope some time soon you are able to slow down a little 🤗
That was me last month. Doctor bill was 460., tires which were bald too much to tell you. A new battery, and dog shots that were due. We had a pipe issue thank God my husband fixed it he knew how. Still had to buy the parts. Up and downs but the good thing is we paid it all cash. No extras at all but we did it. Started with the tires. Well, the doctor I went to way before but did not get the bill, same as you I forgot about deductible. Ouch! What helped is we sold our runaway camper to a neighbor. Whew.
I love these videos! Life doesn’t always let us stick to the menu plan and that’s ok. I’d rather see real life because we all have these weeks when we just need to pick up food and that’s ok. I love how you guys did the lunch date. What is you’re job title at you’re work? Are you guys still doing door dash at all?
* Bagged salad, already cooked protein to put on top, add a roll - Quick meal. * I cook extra protein , veg , carb and store separate in the refrigerator to make more quick lunches or dinners. Great for when I do not wish to cook. Sometimes, I combine ingredients to make a soup. Again, quick and easy. * Dump already cooked rice, protein already cooked, veggies inro a bowl. Top with an Asian sauce and dinner or lunch is served.
Yes! This! 💯 Bagged salads and cooked up meat is a yummy quick dinner. 👍 I do this too. And Bowl meals are so great! 😋 🥣 🍚 🥗 🫘🍗 Cooked rice or potatoes Cooked Meat Frozen mixed veggies dumped into a container (don't cook yet) Canned or Cooked dried beans made up Bagged greens handy Cooked & put all in fridge for the week on sunday. Take some of each in a bowl add a dressing or soy sauce or salsa. If it's spicy like a taco meat bowl-serve with tortillas. Sometimes I put it on a bed of spinach or kale. So good! 😍 Heat in microwave & eat. So quick & cheap. 👌 And there are SO many variations of this idea with the different meats vegan and beans. Hope this helps Amanda 🙏 I was praying for you after I saw this video. ❤️ 💙
Those are not fails it shows everyday life. I actually change what we eat each day a few times. We have a several culvers near us. We spend 16-25 bucks depending what we get. I been starting to get the kids meals to save money. We both like the chicken strips meals. The Little Ceasars pizza segment got me chucking how you showed it.Thats what i wanted tonight but ended up making my husbands meals on wheels dinners. Thanks for sharing
Hat tip from a fellow teacher.. pick one of your days off for food prep.. On that day cook the needed meats for the week. Usually I prep a crockpot meal a casserole and a stir fry. Then it's just a heat and go.
I would totally do that, and I plan to in the future. My biggest struggle is that I am teaching, working my regular job, and keeping up with my final college classes. My time is so minimal!
I make huge batches of soup (can also do chili) and freeze individual portions. Then when I work late I just pop the soup in the microwave and add some toast or a salad - depending on what I have. Having a fast meal that’s warm is helpful.
I have soup and chili in my freezer, but Rick won’t eat either of the ones I have😂 I’m eating them for lunches. Definitely need to make some that he will enjoy
@@TheBealles Rick might enjoy some of the frozen (ready made) Asian entrees that would heat up quickly, They are obviously more expensive than making it yourself, but still way cheaper than takeout for those nights when everyone is home late. I'm lucky I have Trader Joe's near me and they have so many premade frozen bags of dinner entrees- different pasta dishes, Indian, Asian. But I think regular grocery stores make somewhat similar items.
Little Cesar hot and ready pizza is good value for money. I buy them when we're strapped for time. I freeze the left over slices and heat them up as needed.
Every week I allow myself takeout. But it’s not always actually takeout. I have a frozen pizza in the freezer always. I also keep box Mac and cheese, and I have some sausage (chicken hotdogs at the moment) in the freezer. Mac and cheese and hot dogs isn’t a culinary achievement but it fills the tummy quick. I also buy bagged salads even tho they are more expensive than just lettuce. But those conveniences keep me from the drive through most nights. Most nights. 😂 Girl. This week I was so busy, I graced the drive thru twice and ate my frozen pizza too. Tonight I ate my bagged salad and cottage cheese. No cooking happened here this week. Some weeks are like that. I take my lunch and guess what came with me? Mac and cheese with cooked tomatoes, asparagus, zucchini and cut up hot dogs. All my conveniences got used this week while I was busy doing my taxes, driving twice into the city for appointments and working. We all have weeks like that. The convenience foods or freezer meals really help. I don’t eat that way most weeks but some weeks are that way. 🤷♀️ if you don’t have crazy weeks, are you even human?
Culvers is a favorite in Wisconsin, hubby's favorite but they are too expensive. 💰 Hubby took his Dad there on Good Friday after church & for 2 meals it was $23. 😮 and it was only a burger fries and drink each. 🍔 🍟 🥤 This is why I don't eat out except birthdays. 🎉I dont even remember the last timeI went out. Crazy expensive now.😢 My tip is always have snacks & water bottle in the car. 🍎 🍏🥨 apples & pretzels are cheaper than the berries (those are a luxery)😅 Also cook food on Sunday. 🍲🥘🥗🍚 I meal prep for the week on Sundays. Cut up the veggies, make a few casseroles, batch of rice, or baked potatoes, make boiled eggs, etc.. Takes a couple hours. Then when we are so busy during the week there is always food in fridge to grab and heat in the microwave. Saves us so much time & money. Hope things get better for you all. ❤ sounds like you got a good plan with your menu list. 😊
I’ve been trying to meal prep, but I work so much during the week that the weekend is my only time to do my college work. After I graduate in May, my workload should be a little lighter.
Have you looked into the Walmart settlement on the class-action lawsuit? Walmart falsely inflated the weight of certain grocery items like produce and meat. Anyways, if you can produce receipts you may be eligible for up to $500. If you don’t still have your receipts then you can still apply for a small amount
I’m trying to meal prep when I can, and I should have more snacks. My biggest trouble is time. A full time job, student teaching, and college (not to mention UA-cam, eBay, and Instacart) leave me precious little time
I think almost everyone starts eating out more when we become empty nesters !!!! It’s so much cheaper with just 2 people and quick !!! So you are not alone in grabbing food out more often!!!! God bless !
Try keeping some frozen hamburger patties or a couple frozen pizzas handy. That sometimes helps with getting takeout and such. Sometimes life is just crazy busy.
Gotta have a pizza every so often. I noticed you guys eat a lot of carbs. But basically you are just eating the standard american diet. I used to eat the same way. I think you can run into trouble in 40's or 50's with all the carbs, bread, potatoes, pasta, sugar, etc. Most people are prediabetic but the dr doesn't check. They go by an a1c test. Checking glucose doesnt tell. Checking insulin resistance is the best test. I started eating more beans, salads, veggies. If a1c is higher than 6 then lowering carbs for 3 months can help. Diabetes is an epidemic right now and most people have it but dont know because their dr's wait until they are ready for dialysis. I like watching your videos and hope you don't mind my sharing. Its not talked about enough. And diabetes 3 is dementia. So it shows up as heart issues, stroke, ambutation toes, arthritis in hands, metabolic issues, etc. But not everyone gets affected. It just depends on how insulin resistant someone is but the body can keep the homeostasis for 10 years until it just breaks. Every time we eat we spike insulin.
Loving the food diaries! Missed yall! I know you have alot on your plate! Lol! 😊
Well, thanks for watching😊
I really enjoy the food diaries. The reality is that sometimes you just gotta do what works at the time. ❤
So true! 🥰
I absolutely loved this vlog. I'm so glad you took us a!ong for every minute of it. No fail as far as I'm concerned.
Aw 😊 thank you
Please don't ever feel the least bit guilty for taking care of yourself and your family the way it's needed in the moment. How many weeks/months/years have you saved money, cooked at home, etc?! Most of us know exactly what you're going through and have been there many times. Honesty is a wonderful quality. :) You're doing the most important things.
Thank you. I keep trying to tell myself that. ❤️
I love how you asked Uncle Rick to commit to the menu plan 😂. I hope ya'll are doing well❤
Hi Amanda maybe when you are cooking a meal you both enjoy you could double-up the ingredients and make one for now and one for the freezer for times you are too busy /tired or out
for the day. So happy you are back, you have such a busy life hope some time soon you are able to slow down a little 🤗
That definitely needs to be more of a practice!
Love your videos, sweet friend!🥰
Thank you 😊❤️
That was me last month. Doctor bill was 460., tires which were bald too much to tell you. A new battery, and dog shots that were due. We had a pipe issue thank God my husband fixed it he knew how. Still had to buy the parts. Up and downs but the good thing is we paid it all cash. No extras at all but we did it. Started with the tires. Well, the doctor I went to way before but did not get the bill, same as you I forgot about deductible. Ouch! What helped is we sold our runaway camper to a neighbor. Whew.
I’m going to have to post some things on eBay 😉
Good job
One more week to go; you're doin' great!
Thank you 😊
I love these videos! Life doesn’t always let us stick to the menu plan and that’s ok. I’d rather see real life because we all have these weeks when we just need to pick up food and that’s ok. I love how you guys did the lunch date. What is you’re job title at you’re work? Are you guys still doing door dash at all?
We do from time to time. I’m the Office Assistant at my regular job
@@TheBealles that’s wonderful! Me snd my husband do door dash every so often also.
* Bagged salad, already cooked protein to put on top, add a roll - Quick meal.
* I cook extra protein , veg , carb and store separate in the refrigerator to make more quick lunches or dinners. Great for when I do not wish to cook. Sometimes, I combine ingredients to make a soup. Again, quick and easy.
* Dump already cooked rice, protein already cooked, veggies inro a bowl. Top with an Asian sauce and dinner or lunch is served.
I’ve got to get in the habit of this 😊
Yes! This! 💯
Bagged salads and cooked up meat is a yummy quick dinner. 👍
I do this too. And Bowl meals are so great! 😋
🥣 🍚 🥗 🫘🍗
Cooked rice or potatoes
Cooked Meat
Frozen mixed veggies dumped into a container (don't cook yet)
Canned or Cooked dried beans made up
Bagged greens handy
Cooked & put all in fridge for the week on sunday. Take some of each in a bowl add a dressing or soy sauce or salsa.
If it's spicy like a taco meat bowl-serve with tortillas.
Sometimes I put it on a bed of spinach or kale. So good! 😍
Heat in microwave & eat. So quick & cheap. 👌
And there are SO many variations of this idea with the different meats vegan and beans.
Hope this helps Amanda 🙏 I was praying for you after I saw this video.
❤️ 💙
Those are not fails it shows everyday life. I actually change what we eat each day a few times.
We have a several culvers near us. We spend 16-25 bucks depending what we get. I been starting to get the kids meals to save money. We both like the chicken strips meals.
The Little Ceasars pizza segment got me chucking how you showed it.Thats what i wanted tonight but ended up making my husbands meals on wheels dinners.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks, Karrie. It’s challenging, that’s for sure!
You're doing just great for a person that's trying
Thank you 😊
Hat tip from a fellow teacher.. pick one of your days off for food prep.. On that day cook the needed meats for the week. Usually I prep a crockpot meal a casserole and a stir fry. Then it's just a heat and go.
I would totally do that, and I plan to in the future. My biggest struggle is that I am teaching, working my regular job, and keeping up with my final college classes. My time is so minimal!
Thank you for being real and transparent! Life happens right?
To everyone 😉
I make huge batches of soup (can also do chili) and freeze individual portions. Then when I work late I just pop the soup in the microwave and add some toast or a salad - depending on what I have. Having a fast meal that’s warm is helpful.
I have soup and chili in my freezer, but Rick won’t eat either of the ones I have😂 I’m eating them for lunches. Definitely need to make some that he will enjoy
@@TheBealles Rick might enjoy some of the frozen (ready made) Asian entrees that would heat up quickly, They are obviously more expensive than making it yourself, but still way cheaper than takeout for those nights when everyone is home late.
I'm lucky I have Trader Joe's near me and they have so many premade frozen bags of dinner entrees- different pasta dishes, Indian, Asian. But I think regular grocery stores make somewhat similar items.
I do the same with Chocolate and peanut butter chips, especially if my sugar is low. I grab a few of each for a snack too.
It does bring your sugar up
Little Cesar hot and ready pizza is good value for money. I buy them when we're strapped for time. I freeze the left over slices and heat them up as needed.
They sure are!
@@TheBealles little Cesar sometimes has coupons. $6 for a pizza is such a good deal 👍
Can you bake your chicken ahead, freeze it and then pull it out for lunches as you need it every few days?
I do that but I keep it on the fridge.
Every week I allow myself takeout. But it’s not always actually takeout. I have a frozen pizza in the freezer always. I also keep box Mac and cheese, and I have some sausage (chicken hotdogs at the moment) in the freezer. Mac and cheese and hot dogs isn’t a culinary achievement but it fills the tummy quick. I also buy bagged salads even tho they are more expensive than just lettuce. But those conveniences keep me from the drive through most nights. Most nights. 😂 Girl. This week I was so busy, I graced the drive thru twice and ate my frozen pizza too. Tonight I ate my bagged salad and cottage cheese. No cooking happened here this week. Some weeks are like that. I take my lunch and guess what came with me? Mac and cheese with cooked tomatoes, asparagus, zucchini and cut up hot dogs. All my conveniences got used this week while I was busy doing my taxes, driving twice into the city for appointments and working. We all have weeks like that. The convenience foods or freezer meals really help. I don’t eat that way most weeks but some weeks are that way. 🤷♀️ if you don’t have crazy weeks, are you even human?
So true! Everyone has days/weeks/months/even years that are challenging. Giving ourselves grace is important
Do what you can. Take little bites at a time. We are behind but slowly catching up. It is a lot.
I’m taking it day by day. It’s all I can do for now ☺️
Culvers is a favorite in Wisconsin, hubby's favorite but they are too expensive. 💰
Hubby took his Dad there on Good Friday after church & for 2 meals it was $23. 😮 and it was only a burger fries and drink each.
🍔 🍟 🥤
This is why I don't eat out except birthdays. 🎉I dont even remember the last timeI went out.
Crazy expensive now.😢
My tip is always have snacks & water bottle in the car. 🍎 🍏🥨 apples & pretzels are cheaper than the berries (those are a luxery)😅
Also cook food on Sunday. 🍲🥘🥗🍚
I meal prep for the week on Sundays. Cut up the veggies, make a few casseroles, batch of rice, or baked potatoes, make boiled eggs, etc..
Takes a couple hours.
Then when we are so busy during the week there is always food in fridge to grab and heat in the microwave. Saves us so much time & money.
Hope things get better for you all. ❤ sounds like you got a good plan with your menu list. 😊
I’ve been trying to meal prep, but I work so much during the week that the weekend is my only time to do my college work. After I graduate in May, my workload should be a little lighter.
@@TheBealles 🤗 light at the end of the tunnel!
What are you doing in college? 📚 📙 Sorry I must have missed this on a previous vlog.
@@Sandrashideaway education 😊
Have you looked into the Walmart settlement on the class-action lawsuit?
Walmart falsely inflated the weight of certain grocery items like produce and meat.
Anyways, if you can produce receipts you may be eligible for up to $500. If you don’t still have your receipts then you can still apply for a small amount
We don’t usually shop at Walmart so that wouldn’t work for us. It is good for others, though. I’m glad you shared
What about meal prepping or carrying snacks in your purse?
I’m trying to meal prep when I can, and I should have more snacks. My biggest trouble is time. A full time job, student teaching, and college (not to mention UA-cam, eBay, and Instacart) leave me precious little time
Have you ever tried beef bacon? It was a little weird for me. Also, I want Rick's metabolism. 😊
I haven’t. I like turkey, though. He works hard all day. Lifting 50 lb bags of potatoes over and over. He can’t keep weight on
Thanks. Nite nite. 🤗’s.
Good night 💤
You got an air fryer that's the best place for the pizza
No. I’m not a fan of air fryers 🤷♀️
Baking your bacon is the best way! I too don't like all the splatters all over my stove top.
I agree 😊
Tell Brianna we miss her !
I will 😊
😘🥰
Is it for Smokey and the gang (cats)?
The cat food is for the cats, but we don’t have a Smokey right now 😂
I just remember the video you did many years on the channel about the garden and the gangs of cats. Also them being in rival gangs / groups.
@@Rebecca-zp4gm they’re still in rival gangs… Just different ones😂
Girl you need to plant some raspberries!😅
Don’t I know it! 😂😂😂
I think almost everyone starts eating out more when we become empty nesters !!!! It’s so much cheaper with just 2 people and quick !!! So you are not alone in grabbing food out more often!!!! God bless !
That definitely has played into it. We have room in the budget so it’s easier to indulge.
Culver's has the best fish❤️
My favorite fish is at this place called Showmars. I love it!
Price is a nightmare
Definitely 👍
I won’t mention what I’ve spent last month eating out. It’s actually embarrassing. 🤫 😂
I couldn’t believe it when I added our numbers 🤦♀️ Sometimes it’s hard
Little Caesars isn't too bad price wise especially when you make several meals out of it. And it was a car emergency.
It wasn’t but still frustrating 😞
Try keeping some frozen hamburger patties or a couple frozen pizzas handy. That sometimes helps with getting takeout and such. Sometimes life is just crazy busy.
I do need to get some frozen quick meals put away. 🧐
Me too a fruit person 84 inCalif
I love fruit 😍
No way would I wait if it was a prepared me already
Gotta have a pizza every so often. I noticed you guys eat a lot of carbs. But basically you are just eating the standard american diet. I used to eat the same way. I think you can run into trouble in 40's or 50's with all the carbs, bread, potatoes, pasta, sugar, etc. Most people are prediabetic but the dr doesn't check. They go by an a1c test. Checking glucose doesnt tell. Checking insulin resistance is the best test. I started eating more beans, salads, veggies. If a1c is higher than 6 then lowering carbs for 3 months can help. Diabetes is an epidemic right now and most people have it but dont know because their dr's wait until they are ready for dialysis. I like watching your videos and hope you don't mind my sharing. Its not talked about enough. And diabetes 3 is dementia. So it shows up as heart issues, stroke, ambutation toes, arthritis in hands, metabolic issues, etc. But not everyone gets affected. It just depends on how insulin resistant someone is but the body can keep the homeostasis for 10 years until it just breaks. Every time we eat we spike insulin.
Yes. I know. It’s a problem. Definitely something I want to tackle.
If y’all move to be closer to the grand baby what if Brianna has a baby ?
We don’t plan to be far from any grandchildren, even if we had to travel
@@TheBealles I struggle with the thought of being in this situation . We have 2 boys and know one will be moving in about 2 years with his job .
You are in college, student teaching, and working. Give yourself a break.
Thank you 😊
Don't you like the salvation of of things like that's the way it happens at my house
Did you do food diaries this week?
LORD JESUS IS KING OF kings and LORD of lords!
I’m still editing. It should be up tomorrow.
You got all your eating meals under your belt now you can just get on with just eating regular meals
We did pretty good 😊