Scattered Sundays
Ok smartie pants, I need your help!
Before Bennett was born I used to have a membership for Daily Burn. It was $10 a month and had thousands of workouts and it magically came through our TV via a Roku.
It was perfect for me because I could get up at 4:15 am (ok, that part wasn’t perfect), do everything I needed to do and then head off to work.
Now that I have the ability to walk 3-4 days a week AND we have Youtube on our TV, I realize I don’t need to pay for a workout service. Sooo…I need your FAVORITE Youtube workouts. I don’t want to do yoga, but I think kickboxing might be really fun. When I used to belong to Daily Burn, I also enjoyed kettlebell workouts and HIIT (I think that is what it’s called).
Give me all your ideas!
One night this week I was dead asleep and woke up to hear Jack yelling “mom, Bennett wants you”. Apparently Bennett had stumbled into Jack’s room sobbing because he had to pee and wanted me to come into the bathroom with him.
I went down the hall and Bennett is screaming at me “I need you to watch me pee. I need you to watch me pee”. So, hey, Bennett’s future therapist, you’re welcome. Apparently my kiddo is going to have a boatload of issues and will make you a lot of money.
Not sure what YOU wear to get a flu shot, but…
“Our” cinnamon roll making extravaganza happened on Wednesday. I say “our” because Jack was supposed to help me, and yet was nowhere to be seen this year. Around 8 pm I wanted to cry because I realized I was super short of cinnamon rolls for everyone on our list.
Next year I am using much smaller pans from the kitchen supply store. It was stupid trying to fill the bigger trays.
I stayed up until 10:30 making cinnamon rolls, and doing blog work at the same time. Cinnamon rolls aren’t hard to make (even 7 batches…) but there is some wait time for the dough to proof and rise.
But thankfully I did have some kitchen help. For any single people out there, at some point in any relationship, that “newly dating” excitement starts to fade. And when that happens, it is the little things that matter. Find yourself a partner who will fill frosting cups with you at 10:30 pm.
The cinnamon rolls went to staff and teachers at the boy’s schools. We did it last year and it was a hit. But many of the staff told us they left them in the school fridge/freezer and had to be let into the school over break. Lesson learned, and we delivered the goodies on a Thursday this week.
Really thinking of starting an Instagram fashion account for this kid
I shared this over on Instagram stories this week and people flipped out and were commenting things like “genius” (<—all credit goes to Troy). After years of our Christmas tree stand overflowing or being hard to water, Troy built it an evergreen beer bong. So, you’re welcome world. This idea is free to implement for yourself.
If you’re terrified of the grocery store this time of year (take some armor and a shank), why not have someone else do the shopping for you? I’m teaming up with Instacart to offer my readers a free express membership trial. Give it a shot and your guest membership is good for two weeks. That will take you through the new year! Sign up here to give it a try.
Do you watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? I finally finished it up this week and UGH. I hated the ending. No spoiler alerts but for anyone who has seen it – I was not a fan.
Here’s the thing. I’m going to watch the show regardless. You don’t have to end each season like that. I’m coming back! You’ve hooked me already! Also, I still really like her and Benjamin. They were so happy and weird together.
Bennett decided he and Jack were wearing sweaters for Santa pictures this year. Thankfully Jack was happy to go along with it. It was a half-day of school for both of them and I dropped them at school and never went home. I had everything for Santa photos, errands, and soccer in my car.
It wasn’t until we were almost at the mall that we realized Bennett was in dirty red sweats (cozy pants) from preschool. And of course, I didn’t bring any extra pants. I ran into Kohls, bought a pair of jeans, threw them on him, had the photos taken, and then returned them.
In a total 3-year-old power play, Bennett sweetly told Santa that Jack should be on the naughty list because he said a potty word (it was “butt”). We had a conversation after that about not throwing your brother under the bus. Especially when you have been an energy succubus for the last 12 months. Dick move Bennett, dick move!
Housekeeping
If you’re doing any last-minute online holiday shopping this week, I’d love for you to take a look at my Amazon store. I have rounded up the best holiday goodies, deals, and fun finds.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means we earn a small commission if you purchase through our storefront (even if you end up buying something that we haven’t listed) but the awesome part is it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Who-hoo! Check out our storefront here.
What I’m Listening To This Week
The Hilarious World of Depression is a podcast that I have enjoyed for years and it came back recently with an updated episode.
The host is a comedian with clinical depression and interviews other comics, actors, musicians, and famous people who have various forms of mental illness. I find the interviews enlightening, funny, and they so humanize what it is like to have depression, anxiety, OCD, etc.
Reader Spotlight of the Week
Long-time reader Alison left this five-star review on our Whole30 Pot Roast {Pin this recipe}:
This is the tastiest, fastest Pot Roast recipe ever and making it in the Instant Pot was toooo easy! The meat was tasty and tender and the veggies were perfect!
On Sustainable Cooks This Week
18 Make-Ahead Christmas Morning Breakfasts – 18 of the most delicious Make-Ahead Christmas Morning Breakfasts ever! 18 easy ideas for overnight breakfast casseroles, healthy dishes, and sweet treats. {Pin these recipes}
Air Fryer Bacon – Learn how to make perfect Air Fryer Bacon each and every time. It’s a great method for cooking bacon that is mess and fuss-free. You’ll love the easy cleanup and the awesome taste! {Pin this recipe}
Instant Pot Beef Tips – Super easy and incredibly tender Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy is cozy comfort food that your family will love! This is also a perfect meal prep dinner for busy weeknight meals. No pressure cooker? Don’t worry, I have slow cooker instructions for you too! {Pin this recipe}
The Five Most Popular Posts This Week
Let’s look at the top five under our consistent #1 – Virgin Mojito
- Whole30 Pot Roast – this went pretty bananas in some Facebook groups this week! {Pin this recipe}
- Nordy Bars {Pin this recipe}
- Make-Ahead Scrambled Eggs {Pin this recipe}
- Overnight Cinnamon Rolls – everyone is prepping for Christmas morning this week! {Pin this recipe}
- Canning Applebutter {Pin this recipe}
Meal Plan
Monday:: I’m photographing a new recipe. Tried to do it last week but the plan blew up in my face when I totally forgot to buy a key ingredient.
Tuesday:: Christmas Eve dinner at my awesome in-law’s (maybe. MIL is currently sick). I’m contributing (wait for it…) Overnight Cinnamon Rolls.
Wednesday:: Christmas dinner with Troy’s side of the family.
Thursday:: Christmas dinner with my side of the family.
Friday:: TBD – soccer
Saturday:: TBD – soccer
Sunday:: Movie night
What We Bought This Week
Thrive: $54.29 – most of it was toilet paper (there is another layer of TP in the box)! We also bought some organic coffee and crunchy Barney Butter. There was a free sample of diapers (I’m donating them to church), and another free sample of Artisana chocolate cashew butter that is palm oil-free. Holy smokes this stuff is good! I ate it with apples.
We’ve been ordering from Thrive for less than a year now and have saved $240. Plus the kids love the boxes for forts. 🙂 To try out Thrive for yourself, click here to get a free 30-day trial membership plus save an extra 25% off your order.
Butcher Box: $129 (hard to see everything because there are layers of meat in there (TWSS), so here is the inventory: 3 packages of organic chicken breasts, 4 packages of 100% grass-fed and finished, pasture-raised ground beef, heritage pork ribs, 100% grass-fed and finished, pasture-raised ribeyes, organic sugar-free bacon (related: Whole30 Bacon Brands), and heritage pork butt (snicker).
Costco: $56.80
What are you having this week?
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I love Fitness Blender! YouTube based, but I use their site to find videos, track favorites and plan workouts for the month. They have HIIT, kettle bells, and lots of other styles. Totally free. Based in the PNW too.
Thanks so much, and I love that there is a PNW angle as well!
I used to follow “Tone It Up” years ago (before they expanded, and it was just the two ladies. I don’t care for their current set-up). Once I got over the way they speak (the only annoying term I can recall at the moment is ‘booty’…) I quite liked their workouts, and almost reached my goal weight. I also like Lauren Gleisberg (LG). But her workouts are not videos. After I am done enjoying my Christmas and ALL the goodies that go with it, I am going to get serious about my weight/fitness and I intend to alternate between LG and rebounder workouts because I just love my rebounder (mini trampoline).
I got my flu shot back in October and dressed ALL WRONG. I am a little bummed now.
I will be getting our cinnamon rolls ready late tomorrow, or early Christmas Eve day.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I feel like I know you all. 🙂
Thanks, I’ve never heard of Tone it Up!
I can’t remember if you have an Instant Pot or not, but I’m going to try proofing my cinnamon roll dough in there today (I need to make 2 more batches). Apparently you can add a bit of olive oil to the Instant Pot insert, and proof it on the yogurt setting with the glass lid for 10-30 minutes.
Merry Christmas to you and hopefully, your grandbaby is along shortly and everyone is happy and healthy!
Like I mentioned about Tone It Up (or, TIU, as they often go by), they switched up their format from free, fun youtube workouts to a paid app (that I honestly have no idea what the workouts are like on) but, before they grew so much, I liked them. Then again, you like to run and I HATE that , so our tastes are vastly different. Maybe TIU is something you should avoid! LOL
I do have an instant pot, but not one with a yogurt setting. Or a glass lid, for that matter.
I often speed up bread rising (I say “often”, but I rarely make bread anymore…) by placing it in the cold oven along with a pan or bowl (whatever vessel is handy) of just-boiled water. The steamy warmth seems to speed things up. I forget where I learned that.
Technically the baby is due on the 27th (or 29th depending on which doctor we listen to) And everyone is on pins and needles anxiously awaiting her arrival! I am impressed you remembered! My daughter would prefer to not be in a hospital on Christmas Day, but I think a Christmas baby would suit her perfectly.
We do our big, fancy dinner on New Year’s day and on Christmas itself, we have decided to go with a lasagna. So once I get my butt off this computer, I am going to prepare those (we need two) and have them waiting patiently in the fridge For Christmas. The more I get done today, the less I will have to do tomorrow!
Correction: I HATE to run. HATE IT. Lol
I’ve done that with bread dough too! Must be one of those tips all bread bakers learn at some point. Last week I put my baking racks on the wood stove and put the cinnamon roll dough on top of them to capture some of the heat. It worked well but I’m interested in trying the IP option.
Whenever the kiddo makes its appearance, I hope it is smooth and fuss-free.
My favorite leftover lasagna tip is once everything is cooked, allow any extras to fully cool IN the pan in the fridge. Then cut pieces and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment and pop it in the freezer. After a few hours, the individual pieces will be frozen and you can store them in freezer bags. It allows you to grab just one serving at a time without thawing the whole dang thing.
We used to do that a ton when Troy would be gone 2-3 days at a time and needed a bunch of meals.
I hope she arrives smooth and fuss free as well! (We already know that she is a girl. Which was confirmed by a VERY clear 3D ultrasound)
I was wondering how putting the dough on the stove worked. I worried that it would be too warm on the bottom and start cooking it!
Whenever Hubby and I go away for our vacation, I always do what you suggested with pan of lasagna for our younger daughter! She is totally capable of cooking for herself, but we all know that she won’t, so she gets pasta galore when we leave because I leave her with lots of portioned out spaghetti sauce, portioned out lasagna and a couple packs of tortellini in the freezer. She loves it when we leave.
I have the beef tips recipe in my pkp as I type.. it smells lovely so ????
Can’t wait to hear what you think of it Maria!
That was a mighty heavy green and white kettlebell workout Troy was doing.
Merry Christmas!
Haha, yes! About 37 pounds of pure piss and vinegar. Merry Christmas!
Hey!! It’s almost Christmas! I hope you’re family has a wonderful holiday ❤️❤️❤️
You too! Your first as a new and bigger family. 🙂
My son once told a police officer I was speeding “again.”
I’d love to see what youtube exercises there are available for old ladies with the metabolism of a hibernating sloth.
I may need an instapot, but I really want a robot vacuum. The dog hair on the floor bothers me much more than the lack of cooking ability.
I wish I taught your kids, for the cinnamon rolls!
Merry Christmas
There’s a you tuber.. ‘walk with Leslie’ good for any age…
Thanks!
Haha, what a stinker!!!
There are lots of suggestions in the comments below, but honestly, I can’t stop laughing at the “metabolism of a hibernating sloth”.
Hopefully, Santa brings you both a robot vac and Instant Pot!
Merry Christmas Jeannie