Microwave Popcorn in a Brown Paper Bag

There are a couple things my husband banned me from buying. One is Ramen Noodles and the other is microwave popcorn.  In addition to all the salt, he said he checked out the ingredients and didn't like what he saw. Besides, my younger son would over indulge in both so I understood.

No more of these.....

Or these.

I never contested. I just stopped buying them both. (I know what battles to pick!) For the last 2 years or so, we have been making popcorn on the stovetop. No longer on easy street... sending my son to the kitchen to pop his own popcorn.  One of my coaches, told me that we could easily make it in the microwave still. Ive been anxious to try.  So the other day, I taught my youngest son how to make popcorn in the microwave with popcorn kernels and a brown paper bag. And I took a few more pics but I have no clue where they are!

Super easy. Delicious and none of those other chemicals. 

Every step in a healthier direction for my family is worth it!

Here's how it goes. You will need:

Popcorn kernels
vegetable oil
salt
brown paper bag

Pour 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels into a bowl

Sprinkle with a little salt and a little bit of vegetable oil.
Pour it all in a paper bag. And fold it down a few times to close it.

Place it in microwave, folded side down. 

We popped for 2 minutes.

Came out perfect! 

February Recap!

Completed 4 weeks of Focus T25!

I have completed workout programs before but this time 4 weeks feels so goooood!!!!!!

November- January were high stress months for me and February I finally felt like I was getting back in control. I developed a rhythm of waking up and before my day really starts, getting my 30 minute workout in.  Although I LOVE Shaun T, Focus T25 initially wasnt my cup a tea. That was then. Now, it fits so perfectly in my life.  I feel much better and I have worn a couple jackets in the last week that I couldnt get into because I developed back fat during Oct-Dec.  Im great at reminding people to get in their stats- record their weight and measurements and pics. Im horrible at remembering to do my own stats.  So I think I will make it a Monday morning ritual this month.  I will take measurements etc and add them in Monday morning.  I guess its because my stats were never as important to me as consistency and feeling overall fitter. 

But here are some workout pics/videos I took during the month.

workout DONE!

Making Time for Me-Time! 

Styled my hair a few different ways and wore makeup too. Just a lil goal I set for myself. Allow myself to do some things I used to love before being run over by kids.... Namely my face and hair.  Here are some pics. I graduated from Cosmetology school years ago, worked in the field a bit but for a few different reasons, it wasnt the right time for me. Still have a license and love for it all. And to get back to me, felt good.

Focus for March

• Continue to dial down the stress level. My list of issues has grown but Im maintaining control.
• Control My Diet 
• New Sneakers on March 31st
• Workout Daily- 30 mins cardio and Phase in Body Beast
• Get my kids out for a walk 1 time a week
• Me Time Continues..... Hair, Nails, Makeup, Read, Rest.

 Prosperity in 2016 

Mealplan for the Week Ahead

In my continuous effort to stay on track, I've already come up with a simple mealplan for next week. I've lost 5 lbs in the last two weeks and have really focused more on eating healthier. The 3 Day Refresh really helped get me back to thinking about what I was eating daily. In order for me to continue losing I have to follow a meal plan and follow the schedule to a workout program. I will also prep most of my foods on Sunday. I'm gonna eat cake sometimes and maybe even some other foods that are not so healthy but as long as I only do so 1 or 2 times a week and continue to follow my program, I should be ok.

Although I own quite a few workout programs, I have to fully commit to one for at least 4 weeks so I will be deciding who it will be. I'm torn between Insanity, Insanity MAX 30, or 21 Day Fix Extreme. I find that  I push myself wayyyy more when the program is challenging and right now I need a good pushin. I may go back to my first love... Insanity. I will figure it out by Sunday night. Having the mealplan done today will give me a chance to do any last minute shopping tomorrow. I will post instructions for both green smoothie and shakeology Monday or Tuesday. 

So in case you would like a simple mealplan, here is the one I will be following likely for 2 weeks.