Goals for 2012 ~ An Update

Hello Blog World,

Finally finishing my quilt the other day and ticking it off my goals for 2012 made me realise I should really go back and have a look at them and see if I am on track 4 months later.  So here goes nothing…  Be prepared for a lot incoherent rambling.

Goal 1 was to craft more.
And more specifically complete the following projects

• Finish my quilt
• Gallery Wall for Kitchen –I have the quilt made and bought some frames and have ideas in my mind, does that count??
• Bathroom Organisers
• Finish my Cross-Stitch
• Make a handbag
• Finish my Elephant Drawing and complete 2 other drawings
• Continue to learn crochet and complete and hat for Tiana
• Make a skirt
• Make my clown doll
• Make at least 2 things for my niece’s school raffle
• Make Cards for every birthday and anniversary this year (no buying last minute cards) So Far so good on this but there is still 8 months to go…
• Redo my Kitchen table table and find chairs to suit it
• Redo my book shelf
• Make a meal organiser

Not looking too good so far, but still have 8 months to go.

Goal 2 was Organise and Declutter

Source: the36thavenue.com via Michelle on Pinterest	Source: cathhasablog.blogspot.com.au via Michelle on Pinterest

• My Bathroom
• Kitchen Pantry  Half way there, it is all organised and decluttered, just need to get my vinyl chalkboard labels and jars I want
• My Craft Room
• My Bedroom
• Utilising a daily planner as to not forget about things
• Meal Organising – I haven’t made a meal organiser as such but I have been sitting down and doing up a weekly meal plan and shopping accordingly.

Not too bad there…



Goal 3 was A Healthier Life.

Source: tumblr.com via Adrienne on Pinterest

Specific goals included

• Exercising at least 2-3 times a week
• Minimal junk food ( I am only human and know I have weaknesses, but limit my self to only one or two times a week)
• Drinking at least 2 litres of water a day
• Cooking with fresh ingredients
• Planning meals ahead of time

So this is really going well on paper…except the exercise.  I am eating really healthy except for the occasional treat and drinking lots of water, and I have actually lost 8kg.  It’s not much in the big scheme of things but I am getting there.

Goal 4 was Grow my Blog and make some Friends





I am pretty happy how this is going, I am posting consistently and slowly building followers.  At the end of the day this is just a hobby, it’s my way of expressing myself, I don’t plan to make money from this space nor do I have the time or knowledge for it.  I am just having fun I work full time so I just put in what I can when I can.


Goal 5 was to Spend more time with my family

                                                                 Source: framedart.com via Lisa on Pinterest

I still feel like we’re going through the motions a bit, but we’ve had some great athletic carnivals this year so far, lovely lunches and breakfasts on Sunday and some game playing and jewellery making with my daughter.  So with the time we have I think we’re doing alright.

There you go, my goals in review.   It was a bit of ramble as you have all probably come to expect from me at times.  Did anyone else make goals, plans or resolutions this year?  Have you stuck to them?  If anyone has ideas, tips or tricks to help me stay on track please let me know.  I will be all ears and I promise I wont babble on too much.

Until then Happy Crafting.

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I Party Here

Mini Spinach Meatloaves

Hello Blog World,

First I have to say I have been a slacko the past week and have forgotten to give props to two fabulous blogs that have featured me! Yes me!! I was in such awe when I saw their posts.

Firstly to Kelley @ The Grant Life for featuring my Retro Ruffle Apron, she hosts a wonderful party every Friday and she has just posted a recipe for some scrumptious looking oatmeal!



Secondly to Katie @ The Crafty Blog Stalker for featuring my Jar of Nothing, her party is every Thursday, there is a new one up so go over and check it out for some great inspiration.



Thank you ladies for noticing me and thinking I am worthy, I was absolutely thrilled!!

But today I have another healthier recipe for you (yes still hand sewing, hopefully will be finished this weekend and I can actually start piecing my quilt together.  YAY!! And then no more recipes for a while, I promise)

I present to you Mini Spinach Meatloaves

^{(full recipe after the pretty pictures)}

As always grab your fresh ingredients.

Mix all in a bowl and form 4 round balls, make a small hollow in each and stuff with defrosted frozen spinach.



Cover hole, place in baking tray, cover with sauce and bake for 20-30 minutes.


I serve mine with jacket potato, steamed green beans and carrots.

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Mini Spinach Meatloaves (full recipe)

^{(adapted from calorie king)}

What you will need

• 160 g frozen spinach
• 2 Tbsp water
• 2 Tbsp barbecue sauce
• 500 g lean beef mince
• 1/4 cup oats
• 3 spring onions, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

How to cook it
Preheat oven to 180C.

Defrost spinach. Squeeze out excess liquid ( you can use fresh spinach if on hand, we will often do that)

In a bowl, combine mince, oats, onions, tomato paste, pepper and garlic. Mix well.

Divide mixture into 4 balls. Make a hollow in the centre of each ball and fill with one quarter of the spinach. Shape into round patties to enclose filling. Place in baking dish and spread barbecue sauce over top of loaves.

Cook uncovered in oven for 20 - 30 minutes or until meat is firm.

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This is another family favourite, and very quick to make.  Hubby normally lathers his potatoes in butter or sour cream, and I use salsa as it’s lot healthier.  Using salsa and serving with potatoes, carrots and beans the whole meal weighs in at 363 calories and 7.5g of fat but it doesn’t feel that healthier, it has heaps of taste and flavour and something I like to cook when I feel like having a fatty meal (as it makes me feel like it’s cheating because of how good it is when in fact I’m not).

On that note a quick update on the healthier lifestyle, I have been exercising every day for the past 2 weeks, I had put on 4 kilo’s over December and beginning of January, but happy to report I have lost them again and an extra one. So starting from this year I have now lost 5kg! Yay for me.

Now off to finish this darn hand sewing and don’t forget to check out Kelley @ The Grant Life & Katie @ The Crafty Blog Stalker.


Until then Happy Crafting.

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I PARTY HERE

Ham & Feta Pizza

Hello Blog World,

It’s nice to have my computer up and running again and I have just finished 30 minutes of high cardio aerobics so I am feeling great!

Today I am going to share with you another healthy recipe we often eat, it’s good for lunch or pair it with a salad and you have a nice dinner also and it fits right in with my healthier lifestyle challenge.

So today I present  HAM & FETA PIZZA

^{sorry yucky photo}

Gotta get those lovely ingredients together



Chop and mix them all in a bowl and refridgerate for 30 mins



Then bake – very simple and you end up with yummy pizzas that are healthy and my whole family loves them.  We have been having these for a good 7 years or more now so I can’t remember where I even got the recipe. It’s hand written in an old recipe book in my hand writing so goodness knows where I found it.

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Full Recipe for Ham & Feta Pizzas
You will need the following

• 4-6 Roma Tomatoes, finely chopped
• 100g crumbled reduced fat feta cheese
• 1 Red salad onion, finely chopped
• 100g shaved lean ham
• 2 tblsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregao
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 wholemeal pita breads (about 4” diameter)

Combine onions, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, oregano, pepper and half the cheese in a mixing bowl, stir well, cover and let sit in refridgerator for at least 30 minutes.

Pre-heat oven to 200d Celcius, spread tomato mixture evenly on pita bread on lined baking tray.  Sprinkle with ham and remaining cheese.

Bake for 10-15 minutes or until hot.

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See  how simple are these?  Often I will make the mixture the night before and let it sit in the fridge all day, the flavours just seep through and it’s divine!

1 pita is 1 serving and here is the nutritional information if you are interested.

Calories
245.1
Total Fat
7.7 g
Saturated Fat
3.4 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.7 g
Monounsaturated Fat
1.6 g
Cholesterol
44.0 mg
Sodium
1,313.8 mg
Potassium
466.3 mg
Total Carbohydrate
23.2 g
Dietary Fiber
3.6 g
Protein
22.1 g

This is according to Spark Recipes where I enter all my recipes for nutritional breakdowns.

Now I am still hand appliqueing so no new crafts, but I should have my first panel finished today so I will give everyone a sneak peek and I might come back with some before my blogging days crafts as it’s always fun to look back and see how far I’ve come.

I also have my first year bloggingversary coming up next month, not sure what to do.  Any ideas people?? 

Everyone enjoy their day and if you make my pizzas let me know what you think.

Until then happy crafting.

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I PARTY HERE

Mini Chicken Bran Balls with Fettuccine & Minted Yogurt Sauce

Hello Blog World,

I am doing a lot of hand appliqueing this week so there won’t be too much other crafting done, but today I am sharing a recipe that we had the other night that was absolutely delicious.

One of my goals this year is to stay on my Healthy Lifestyle Challenge and so far it’s about half half, but this recipe definitely falls into healthy weighing in at a whoppnig 496 calories per serve and only 5.7 grams of fat!!

I present to you today Mini Chicken Bran Balls with Fettuccine and Minted Yogurt Sauce

_{(full recipe after the pretty pictures)}




So gather all your wonderful fresh ingredients



Combine chicken, onions, garlic, parsley, oats, sultanas and
one egg white in a bowl and mix well and then makes some balls






Dip them in some egg white and your crushed brand flakes and bake.
Prepare your pasta and sauce while balls are baking, then serve

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Full Recipe from CalorieKing.com.au
Ingredients:

• 400 g leanchicken mince
• 3 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 Tbsp parsley, freshed, chopped
• 2/3 cup oats, rolled
• 1/3 cup sultanas
• 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup flour, plain
• 2 Tbsp bran flakes
• 2 L water
• 250 g spinach fettuccine
• 200 g yogurt, plain, non-fat
• 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp mint, fresh, chopped

Directions:
Combine chicken, onions, garlic, parsley, oats, sultanas and one egg white in a bowl and mix well.

Shape into small balls about 3.5 cm in diameter. Roll eachball in flour and shake off the excess.  Dip in lightly beaten egg white and then bran flakes. Lightly spray with cooking oil and then bake on an oven tray lined with baking paper in a moderate oven 180*C for 15 minutes or until cooked.

While the meatballs are cooking prepare the pasta. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually add pasta and gently boil until just cooked.

Prepare the yogurt sauce by combining the yogurt, juice, mint and pepper.

Drain and serve with meatballs and yogurt sauce.

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So that’s that, I have adapted this recipe from CalorieKing.com.au, this is a wonderful site with food diary, forums and chat for support and plenty of info packed articles. There is an American site too, just omit the .au.  Check it out if your keen or look me up here.

Now I am off to do some more hand appliqueing and then jumping on the treadmill.

Until then happy crafting.

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I Party HERE

Resolute This!

Hello Blog World,

While I have never really done resolutions, this year I am jumping on the bandwagon and while I am not setting resolutions as such I am setting goals I want to achieve this year.

I feel writing them down for the whole world to see makes this more serious and makes me accountable at the end of the year.

So here are my 5 goals for 2012 in no particular order – 1 week late

1. CRAFT MORE


While that’s easy to achieve with just that phrase I have certain projects I want to complete.

• Finish my quilt
• Gallery Wall for Kitchen
• Bathroom Organisers
• Finish my Cross-Stitch
• Make a handbag
• Finish my Elephant Drawing and complete 2 other drawings
• Continue to learn crochet and complete and hat for Tiana
• Make a skirt
• Make my clown doll
• Make at least 2 things for my niece’s school raffle
• Make Cards for every birthday and anniversary this year (no buying last minute cards)
• Redo my Kitchen table table and find chairs to suit it
• Redo my book shelf
• Make a meal organiser

2. ORGANISE & DECLUTTER

Source: cleanandscentsible.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest	Source: craftynest.com via Dawn on Pinterest

Again an easy goal to complete when you just say ORGANISE! But I do

have specific goals in mind.  My home is like a clutter jungle  most days

so these are things  that I want to achieve by the end of the year.

• My Bathroom (at the moment there is make-up, hair stuffs and other miscellaneous stuffs everywhere)
• Kitchen Pantry (this is just bad bad bad)
• My Craft Room (again stuff everywhere)
• My Bedroom ( we have a fairly small bedroom so something needs to be done now!!)
• Utilising a daily planner as to not forget about things
• Meal Organising

If anyone has any great tips on organising let me know, I need all the help I can get!


3. A HEALTHIER LIFE

Source: tumblr.com via Adrienne on Pinterest

I am not going to say lose weight!  That is not my goal, that is just an added bonus if it happens.  My goal is to live a healthier life in general this includes

• Exercising at least 2-3 times a week
• Minimal junk food ( I am only human and know I have weaknesses, but limit my self to only one or two times a week)
• Drinking at least 2 litres of water a day
• Cooking with fresh ingredients
• Planning meals ahead of time

It sounds pretty simple, but I need to remind myself of these things.

4. GROW MY BLOG AND MAKE SOME FRIENDS



I started this space nearly a year ago, but was very sporadic in my posting and connecting.  I have found since coming out of the winter blues in October I am really enjoying this.  But I am here to make connection so to speak.  I am passionate about crafting yet know no-one else that is! My friends get bored with me rambling on about fabric and paints and learning how to ruffle and the softest yarn etc… So I am here this year to share my passion with the blog universe and hopefully meet some friends along the way.

5. SPEND MORE TIME WITH MY FAMILY

Source: framedart.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Do you ever feel you are just going through the motions??  Some days weeks months I feel like that, everyone is busy with life, work, school, crafting, facebook, forums, tinkering with computers etc that we forget about each other.

This year I want to spend more meaningful time with my family, not just go through the motions of life.  I want to go on picnics, play games, continue my weekend date with my daughter before she grows up and out of it, go away on a romantic weekend with my husband, and have meals together! (hence the kitchen table redo)

This is my most important goal and if nothing else is achieved but this I will be a more happy person than now.

So that is it!! My goals!!  Do you have any goals for 2012? What do you do to help you stay on track and not get caught up in life?  I would be very interested to know.

Until next time Happy Crafting

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I often link up at these parties

Healthy Lifestyle Change Week 6 & 7

Hello Blog World,

So the healthy lifestyle change has been a bit of nothing the last 2 weeks, I have been on holidays and diet and exercise I think I left at home!!

So needless to say there isn’t much to write about this week, instead my challenges for this week are:

Exercise
I will aim to exercise at least 5 times this week

Source: a-fitspirational-blonde.tumblr.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Water
I will aim to get back to drinking at least 2 litres of water a day



NO Junk Food
I will aim to not eat any junk food this week, especially with Christmas around the corner, gotta save those calories for Christmas Day!

Source: thehealthychange.tumblr.com via Sue on Pinterest

So after weigh in this morning I have put on 2kg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARGH Scary! See I am the type of person who just cannot stop I need to keep going.  (sings “Just keep swimming” in my head from Finding Nemo, as I type this)

So these are my goals this week, wish me luck and let me know what you do to keep healthy especially through the holiday season.

Until then happy crafting.

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I often link up to these parties

Healthy Lifestyle Change Week 5

Hello Blog World

Just a quick update on the healthy lifestyle challenge this week and I am one day late sorry.  I am on holiday’s in my home town and it’s been a BAD BAD BAD week.   I arrived on Thursday last week so it’s not even a good excuse but this week is no better so far and as I don’t go home until Sunday night so unfortunately I don’t see it getting much better.

I have had pretty much little to no exercise and the eating OH MY BOY!!! It has been bad, cakes, chocolates, Chinese banquets, copious amounts of wine etc…

However I did weigh myself this morning and  I have stayed the same I think.  I have been doing this for 5 weeks and lost 6kg in total, so not too bad.  I just pray that I can keep it off for the rest of my holidays and get back into full swing when  get back to Brisbane,

So more of this


And less of this





So as always I am hosting my link party and last week I had two entries besides mine, Natascha’s Lovely in Pink blog, she will be posting  today about her week, I hope it’s better than mine and also Ashley over at Me and My boys has a weekly feature called Motivate me Monday’s, last week it was about the importance of water and this week it’s about trying to eat healthy during the holiday season, which I think is very hard for all of us.  Anyway check them out.



So I have managed a healthy dinner today, I am about to go for a walk now the weather is cooler and I am still using this really slow and awkward laptop, I will try to post again before  I leave for home.  I am also trying my link party again so come on people I know you are out there trying to get healthier! Please give me ideas on how to stay on track when you are away from home and struggling, I look forward to what you can come up with until then Happy crafting.

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I often link up to these parties

Healthy Lifestyle Change Week 4

Hello Blog World,

Week 3 was a bit of a disappointment, no weight lost and a few bad days. What will this week bring?

Only had one other entry in my linky party so the award for entering goes to Natascha from No Pain No Gain Tuesday, she lost 3.5 pounds last week, which is fantastic, I wonder how she goes this week.  Check it out tomorrow for her latest update!

I am putting the party up again so please, please, please people I need recipes, exercise tips, stories, motivation, basically anything goes!!

Firstly my motivation for this week!

^{(src: http://pinterest.com/pin/404769059/)}

^{(src: http://www.kindovermatter.com/2011/01/freebie-alert-free-positive-thoughts.html, Click for the free printable, and don’t forget to say thanks!)}

Monday
The weekend was terrible, bad food and not much exercise and today was the same. I had a Microsoft excel training course in the city and while I learnt lots they provided lunch!

Highs

• Healthy Breakfast achieved – protein shake
• Over 3 litres of water consumed

Lows

• Spinach and Ricotta cannelloni for lunch with a lemonade
• 3 Biscuits (or cookies) consumed
• Went to the pub with my friend after the training course and shared a bowl of wedges with sour cream and had 2 bourbons and diet coke
• No exercise

Tuesday
A pretty good day today, didn’t get on the treadmill but feel I am getting back on track.

Highs

• Healthy Breakfast achieved – Protein Shake
• Healthy Morning Tea achieved – 2 cinnamon flavoured rice cakes
• Healthy Lunch achieved – Tomato soup with 2 slices of bread, unbuttered
• Healthy Dinner achieved – Chicken Balls with couscous salad
• Over 3 litres of water consumed
• 40 minutes of aerobics

Lows

• No Treadmill

Wednesday
Ok today was not so good! No exercise and ice cream!

Highs

• Healthy Breakfast achieved – Protein Shake
• Healthy Morning Tea achieved – low fat yogurt
• Healthy Lunch achieved – left over chicken balls and couscous salad
• Over 3 litres of water consumed
• 40 minutes of aerobics

Lows

• French Toast for Dinner
• No exercise
• Peppermint Choc Top Ice-cream at the movies

Thursday
Ok need to get motivated today!!!

Highs

• Healthy Breakfast achieved – Protein Shake
• Healthy Morning Tea achieved – low fat yogurt
• Healthy Lunch achieved – More of my left over chicken balls
• Healthy Dinner achieved – grilled chicken, garden salad and low fat tzatziki
• Over 2 litres of water consumed
• 45 minutes of aerobics

Lows

• No treadmill

Friday
Busy busy day today…but not for my challenge. Spent all day at my sister in laws and got nothing else achieved

Highs

• Healthy Breakfast achieved – Protein Shake
• Healthy Morning Tea achieved - low fat yogurt
• Healthy Lunch achieved – Chicken and salad bread roll
• Over 3 litres of water consumed

Lows

• Dinner consisted of 3 party pies and 3 sausage rolls
• No exercise

Saturday
OK Market day finally arrives!!! Had to get up at 4am and be there at 5:30 to set up for opening to the public at 8am – 2pm, this is after getting to bed at around 12:30am as I was helping Kel prepare for her market. It was a great day, Kel sold lots and I sold 4 cards! But unfortunately it didn’t leave time for anything else.

Highs

• Healthy Breakfast achieved – Protein Shake
• Healthy Lunch achieved – Ham and salad sandwich
• Over 3 litres of water consumed

Lows
Terrible morning tea – plate of mini pancakes with maple syrup
It was also very hot today over 35 degrees Celsius so I gave in and bought an ice cold can of normal lemonade
By the time I got home I was starving, so I had spread out over the afternoon 6 pieces of toast with butter and vegemite!! (this constituted my dinner)
I also dozed on and off all afternoon as I had a killer headache from the heat and lack of sleep, therefore no exercise

Sunday
OK Michelle, 2 really bad days in a row!! Need to get back on track have a weigh in tomorrow!

Highs

• Healthy Breakfast achieved – Protein Shake
• Healthy Dinner achieved – Grilled chicken, garden salad and low fat tzatziki
• Over 3 litres of water consumed

Lows

• Quiche and Low Fat Iced Coffee for lunch
• No Exercise

Ok so I am a little embarrassed by this week, after having 3 really good weeks, I have seemed to slackened off a little, it’s a bit disappointing, but I still got on the scales this morning and low and behold I had lost 1/2 kg (which is over 1 pound)!  So it’s better than nothing and does show even with a bad week I can still have some positives, so to anyone out there reading this (this includes you Natascha) don’t be discouraged by a bad week. Look at the positives!!!
Anyway Check out my link party below, it’s another scorcher here today and I have to prepare for my trip to Melbourne later in the week so until then Happy Healthy Crafting.

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Also linking up with these parties