T Minus One Day

With the kids starting school on Wednesday, I've entered the final countdown.  Backpacks?  Check.  Lunch boxes?  Check.  New shoes?  Check.  New outfit for the first day?  Check. 

All the rest of it?  Laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller.  Commence running and circles and flapping because the school year is upon us.

There are so many things I have planned for the hours while the two big kids are in school, and most of them are likely to be thwarted, but I've got the buzz of anticipation and it feels good. 

Because I'm working nearly full-time right now, I'm not very organized when it comes to eating.  But with the kids in school, that isn't going to be an option.  I can't very well send them to school with four green olives and a frozen chicken breast, so I'm going to have to menu up for the weeks ahead.  I'm pretty excited about that, too, actually. 

Tonight after the kids go to bed, I'm going to be drawing up my official menu for the month, and then I'll tackle shopping for all the goodies tomorrow.  My big plan is to pack not only the school-kids' lunches, but to go ahead and pack mine and my youngest's too, and maybe even the hubs, so that we all have healthy, nutritious food to get us through the day.  Or, you know, some olives and frozen chicken.

Also on the agenda for this evening is re-upping on my daily exercise commitment.   I've been flailing around, squeezing in a workout here and there, but as my working hours increase, I'm spending more time on my hiney than ever before, and it is making me more tired, more grumpy and I actually have been having trouble sleeping - all problems that disappeared with a daily hour of sweaty exercise.

I'm giving you all a pass tomorrow to get yourselves organized.  But starting August 15th, I'm on the ball and going at it full speed.  I'd love to have some company to keep me accountable and motivated. 

At this point, I'm not concerned with counting calories or losing pounds.  I just want to see myself back on a healthy routine with daily exercise and regular meals.  (How low I'm aiming, huh?)

Menus and exercise schedule coming tomorrow. 

Comments

[Elizabeth]

My goal for this year is to plan lunches for all of us. I have a tendency to just buy lunch stuff for the boys, then I'm scrambling to feed Kaitlyn and me at lunch time. Why shouldn't we get a yummy lunch too?

And I am joining you on the exercise track. I have signed up to walk a 5K on September 16th for the 2007 Memory Walk (raises money for Alzheimer's disease research). I know a 5K isn't that far, but I don't want to be huffing and puffing my way to the finish line, either.

[hollygee]

Here is kind of an interesting way to cook ahead, but vary the flavors. I learned this from a radio cooking program in North Carolina.
Put boneless chicken breasts on the cutting board and cut lengthwise so that you have two equal sized rectangle-ish pieces from each breast.
Decide what you want as seasoning on each -- however many you have -- curry powder on one, chili powder on another, ginger and green onions, etc. Then wrap thoroughly in the thicker kind of Saran Wrap. Bring a pot of water to boil, drop in the packages of chicken, turn the heat down so that the chicken will poach at a simmer for 15-20 minutes until the package is firm to the touch. Let them rest on the cutting board for 5 minutes then cut into one -- I have been fooled about the timing before.

hollygee in Marin

[Kini]

I just cannot get past that your kids go back to school tomorrow! Mine start Sept 4 (as do all public schools in Michigan now). Some days I cannot wait. Other days, I wish we had longer.

[Shrinkingmom]

Hey! School already! We still have until August 30.

And . . . yum, green olives and chicken. What's wrong with that?! ;)