Tutorial Tuesday: Monthly Meal Planning

Tutorial Tuesday:

MONTHLY MEAL PLANNING

Happy Tuesday everyone! It's SNOWING here is Jackson and it's beautiful! In the south, we aren't used to the driving conditions, but as a nurse- we don't miss work! Therefore, Camp and I packed up early and headed to daycare and work. So thankful C's daycare remains open even in inclement weather- perks of being at a hospital daycare. Michael thankfully canceled his early class at CrossFit 27:17, but will be open the rest of the day. 

Anyways- back to the important stuff: MEAL PLANNING! I LOVE meal planning, and I am SO thankful that I began doing this task. Time consuming- yes- but WAY worth it! At the end of each month, I start from scratch- just my Mac book, coffee, and Camp! One day, I plan to draft my own version of a "Monthly Meal Plan Calendar", but in the meantime, this is the blog I got mine from-

http://www.noordinarymomentsblog.com/2012/01/monthly-menu-planner-editable-pdf.html

Follow the directions on her blog to save the file, and now you have it to reuse monthly. I save each month's calendar and can then pull meal ideas from past months that M and I really liked. 

Here is what the McElroy's January Monthly Meal Plan looks like:

As you can see, I try to cook at least 4 days/week. On Sunday's, we have "Fam Jam" family dinner at my in-laws house. On Tuesday's, we have Growth Group Bible Study, so I only have to plan for my week. On Friday's, we eat out! Saturday's have been busy and hectic lately so I've rarely made what I had planned and I've cooked something else. I don't beat myself up if something changes. However, I have found the meal plan to be extremely helpful on nights that I do cook because I don't have to even think about it! I just come home, already have my groceries bought, and make what's on the calendar. 

My meals/recipes mostly come from my Pinterest boards "taking up cooking" and "crossfit challenge". However, this month I used several of these recipes. If there are any recipes you would like I can post those. Just comment below. ALL meals that I make are "easy". I LOVE to cook, but do not consider myself a chef (yet!). 

Hope this helps yall out! I have really found this to help keep me sane on dinner nights. I have gotten into such a strict routine every afternoon, and when my routine is shaken I'm SO scattered! 

Later posts to come with my Monthly Grocery List's and Breakfast/Lunch Meal Plan. Give the Calender a try- even if you only plan to cook 2-3 nights a week. You have to start somewhere! Happy Meal Planning! Let me know what yall think!

have a happy and bundled-up day,

reagan

Friday's Faves

Friday's Favorites!

1) Sweet mornings snuggled up with my boys

2. Lunch date with the ladies to show off my sweet cheeks!

3. My big boy is LOVING his rice cereal!

4. This momma is so thankful for C's high chair, and that he doesn't mind hanging out in it while I cook!

5. So thankful my mother-in-law saved some of Michael's baby clothes. These moments are TOO SWEET!

{Other Mentions from the week:}

- this commercial that brings happy tears to momma's eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD42PJnPzH4

-excitement for Team WODMOMS being in the lead of the "I AM CROSSFIT" challenge

-Looking forward to celebrating 5 YEARS of business for CrossFit 27:17

-this momma cooked 6 nights in a row!

favorite meal was Chicken that we cooked on our new smoker for the first time

Thankful Thursday: Ruth's Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUTH!

Happiest of birthdays to my best friend, Ruthie!

I am thankful for Ruth and the impact she has had on my life! The memories of us looking through these pictures makes me laugh out loud. To think there are SO many more is such a blessing. Ruth and I met in 2003 (??) and we spent a lot of time together our senior year of high school. I made one of the best decisions of my life by choosing University of Alabama for collage/nursing school, and Ruth and I were roommates both freshmen and senior year! We knew nearly no one when we started at Bama, and after pledging Chi Omega together, we met countless people who we still call our friends!

Ruth and I are a lot alike in many ways. Our personalities are very similar, and we share a love for helping others and serving. Ruth is a tiny little lady with a HUGE heart of gold. She is talented beyond belief in academics, fashion, cooking and music. Ruth is inquisitive and eager to continue learning daily. She is a wonderful nurse, and her patients are BLESSED to be in her care (both ICU and now students!).

Through thick and thin, Ruth has never been far away (even though she live in Vegas currently!). She is always checking on me and visits with her mean more to me than anything. Austin is one lucky man to call Ruth his wife. Ruth and Austin are expecting Baby Ladner in July! CHEERS! Ruth was made to be a momma (just as I always have been), and I cannot wait for her to experience this indescribable feeling! God is SO BIG, right?!

Ruthie,
I love you so big! You have a special place in my heart, and I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me. You have contributed to my life more than you know. I thank God for you, and I pray of you, Austin, and Baby L often! Never give up. Never stop smiling. Never lose faith. Never stop praying. God is in control, and he will lead you and Austin to where he has planned. Enjoy your pregnancy (even the rough days) because before you know it Baby L will arrive! This is going to be the next best day of your life when you lay eyes and hands on your sweet little one! There is NO way to fully prepare your heart for this joy, but don't forget to enjoy EVERY minute of it!
I cherish our friendship! TODAY IS YOUR DAY! CELEBRATE!

with a heart full of love,

reagan

Tutorial Tuesday: Weekly Meal Planning/Preparation- Breakfast & Lunch

This week's Tutorial is so simple to do and oh so helpful for busy mornings when running out the door! Meal Prep for Breakfast and Lunch meals is key!

There are are several benefits to Meal Prep:
1) It helps cut down on daily expense buying meals ($5+ a day adds up!)
2) You tend to eat healthier when you pack your meals
3) You tend to eat LESS/better portions when you pack your meals
4) You know exactly what you're consuming (no hidden ingredients that add on calories/fat)
5) You save time in the long run
6) Less stress daily trying to figure out what you will eat
7) You are less likely to skip a meal- which is no good for your energy level at work and your metabolism!
8) Budget Friendly- you budget grocery expenses in a week vs. higher cost on restaurant/fast food

Below is what the McElroy fridge looks like when I open it up on Monday morning

All I have to do it grab and pack our lunch boxes (which are already laid out on the counter)! I even go as far as setting out our coffee mugs for the morning, our shaker bottles, and my water bottle for work! OCD a little? Maybe, but this leaves NO room for forgetful momma moments during a hurried morning. When packing for 3, planning ahead and 'night before prep' is a MUST or I would definitely walk out the door without something essential, which would then result in a tragic mental meltdown that 'super-momma' let one of my boys down! (No, I'm NOT perfect and my boys don't expect me to be...but I sure do try!) 

Here are my Meal Prep Tips for Breakfast and Lunch:

1) I start by meal planning for the entire month (Blog post on numbers 1-3 to come soon!)

2) When I monthly meal plan, I also create 'Grocery List' for each week of the month

3) On my Grocery List, I have a column for Breakfast Prep and Lunch Prep for both Michael and myself (Camp's meals are easy right now ;)) 

4) I do my grocery shopping on Sunday afternoon- using my Grocery List to stay organized and efficient with my time/budget

5) After shopping, I prepare and cook our Breakfast and Lunch meals for the entire week. (Meal Ideas/Recipes in another post soon!)

6) After all the cooking is complete, I set out all of our containers on the countertop. I use Glad tupperware and Ziploc bags to portion/pack our meals. This is what works best for us since I can wash and reuse tupperware weekly. This also prevents having extra tupperware taking up space in our cabinets.

7) I portion out for 5 days/week (Mon-Fri) meals. I cook breakfast at home on Sat and Sun.

8) In the fridge, Michael and I have our own individual larger sized tupperware that neatly stores our ziploc bags of meat for each day (notice on the right side of picture above).

It's as simple as that! This does take a couple of hours overall from start to finish, but it is SO worth it! Each night of the week you won't have to prepare the next day's meals because it's already done! Grab & go each day and we're off to clean/efficient/budget-friendly eating!

If you have any questions, I'd love to hear! Comment below!

Have a terrific Tuesday and go home and plan/prep some meals!

reagan

Monday's Motivation: Keep Going

I am currently participating in the "I AM CROSSFIT CHALLENGE" at our gym, CrossFit 27:17. Today begins Week 2 of an 8 week challenge to become fitter, stronger, and healthier. In teams of 3, we performed benchmark workouts/lifts, weighed in (body fat% as well), took "Before" pictures, keeping a food log daily, and took caliper measurements. 4 months postpartum, my body is simply not what it used to be. I know this is normal, and I wouldn't take back one second of my pregnancy, but it's time for change for this momma! I lost all 36 lbs of baby weight gain by 3 months postpartum. Now, after week 1 one of clean (er) eating and CrossFit, I am down to my wedding day weight (almost 3 years ago)! This number looks great on the scale and makes me oh so happy! But there is still one factor playing a large role in my contentedness...my body simply doesn't look fit. This picture reminds me that fit-bodies take time!
Whatever your fitness goals are NEVER QUIT! You just may surprise yourself. CrossFit is my way of working out. So many people think they "can't do CrossFit". I disagree with you (and I don't even know you!). Check out your local box, and give it a try. CrossFit can be scaled to ALL levels of fitness- constantly varied. Make sure you have a good coach who knows how to program safely and effectively (we're spoiled with our programming guru/my handsome hubby, Michael McElroy).
You can do it!
Team WOD MOMS is going to rock this challenge! Always remember to stay motivated by whatever ways works best for you- accountability, pictures, scale number, goals reached, shopping for smaller clothes, etc.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

have a fabulous Monday!

reagan

Welcome to my blog, One Gracious Momma!

Hello!

My name is Reagan McElroy. I'm a nurse by day and mommy/wife by life. I have always described myself as a "dreamer". I have high expectations for myself, and I truly enjoy life! I have been blessed beyond belief by Jesus, who saved my sinful soul and made me whole. Wholly His. My husband, Michael, is my hero; he is the hardest working person I know, and he wants nothing more than to make me happy and grow our business, CrossFit 27:17, to reflect and glorify God. I am a new mommy to a 4 month old happy baby boy, Camp. Being a mommy is such a blessing, and it has changed my life forever (in many more ways than one).

I am a list-maker, project-doer, and DIY lover. I recently have picked up cooking as a hobby as well! I love all things about photography (however, I am very basically educated on this topic and in need of much more knowledge!). I'm a strong momma and CrossFit lover. I always have music playing- in my head, from my phone, or at the house. I love a good party- espcially when I get to host! Im addicted to Pinterest and most all of my ideas come from here. Everyday I learn something new about mommyhood- for this is truly a skill that is ever changing.

I have always wanted to blog. I am fascinated by the fellow super-mom's out there and their never-ending talents and time-management skills! I don't know how much impact my blog will make. I don't know that it will even survive. But my hope is to touch at least one life- through Christ leading me- by my blog. I will simply share whatever I have going on in life at the time. I love trying new recipes. Im a sucker for hosting a good house party to share meaningful fellowship with family and friends. You will find posts on mommyhood, cooking and meal planning, my handsome husband Michael and our CrossFit gym, DIY projects, my little man Camp, etc.

I hope that you enjoy my posts and learn a tip or two! I hope that you see Christ's love and that you are touched by him in some way. I'm thankful for life each day I wake. I'm thankful for marrying a man who leads and gently allows me to submit to him. I'm thankful for a healthy baby and drooly kisses and gummy smiles each day. I'm most thankful to God, who has redeemed me and loved me despite all my insecurities and weakness. The only accurate way to describe myself and my life....

one gracious momma!