PRINT | return address printing now available

That's right ladies and gents!  I'm finally getting to a point that I can offer printing!  Custom return address printing is now up and running on Etsy. I'm comfortable with my printer and feel competitive in my rates.  I'm trying to upload information to the shop as fast as I can but if you can't wait please email me, sixteensunbuckles(at)gmail.com. Or just send me a comment or hello!  I love to just chat too.



For more information check out my Etsy shop.

RECIPE BOX | pancake casserole

A big thank you to my friend, Mista for this recipe.  I love that you make it the day before then stick it in the oven for 25 minutes the next morning.  Its easy and delicious.  Just don't forget to have maple syrup on hand or you'll be running to the grocery when it opens first thing in the morning (like I did!)

 

PANCAKE CASSEROLE

2 c. flour

3 Tbl. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. coconut (optional)

1 egg

1/2 c. buttermilk

3 Tbl. vegetable oil

1/2 bag of semi sweet chocolate chips

maple syrup

Sift dry ingredients together.  In other bowl mix liquid ingredients.  Add all together and mix well.  Spray 9 x 13 baking pan with cooking spray.  Spread batter evenly.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Before baking press chocolate ships into batter.  Bake at 350 deg. for 25 minutes.  Top with maple syrup as desired.

ROCKSTAR MOM | emily copeland

Emily and I go way back.  Actually her husband, Dan and I go way back.  I think I've known Dan my entire life.  Emily is one of the most caring and thoughtful human beings I know.  I follow her on facebook and have been in awe of her fitness story.  Emily took to running to lose the baby weight.  (AND I hate to run, so props to you Emily!)  She lost of 65 pounds with determination, sweat, and making it a priority. I'm completely inspired by this mama.  Thank you Emily for sharing your wonderful story.  

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After suffering from a pretty bad case of postpartum depression after our second daughter was born, I was determined to help myself in any way to avoid it when baby number three arrived. On November 16, 2012, we were blessed with a son, named Henry Allen, our baby number three.  So here I was with three little ones. Something was going to have to change. I decided the place to start was with myself, starting with my weight. After 3 babies in 4 years I had extra weight, but I had always been heavier. I was athletic throughout high school and college. I was in denial about my actual weight. I had plenty of excuses.



With the support of my husband, and some wonderful ladies in a due date club (diaperswappers), I set out to make a lifestyle change. I knew I couldn't diet, because I would never be able to keep it up. I was afraid a year or 10 years from now I would gain it all back or be unhappily stuck on a diet for the rest of my life. After much thought I decided working out and counting calories was going to work for me. I figured eating within the calories allowed me to eat foods that I enjoyed, while still being able to lose weight.

My game plan was set.

On February 1, 2013, Operation Shrinking Women commenced in our due date club. We were going to work out, hold each other accountable, and lose the baby weight together. I committed to working out at least 5 times a week. From February - August  I did not miss a single day. No excuses. Some days it was hard to motivate myself to do something, but I was holding myself accountable to report back to the ladies I was working out with. I started with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Month 2 I alternated 2 other videos, and by month 3 I was ready for a challenge. I counted calories the first few weeks using MyFitnessPal, an app on my phone until I had a good feel for what I was supposed to be eating and my habits had changed.

It takes 21 days to make a habit!

Month 3 I started running. Running has always been hard for me, even when I was fit in high school and college. Running would take work, dedicationi, and a lot of commitment, but it was the most efficient way to burn calories in a short amount of time. Juggling working part-time, being a wife, and mother of 3 I can tell you, efficiency is key.


When I started running I could barely run a mile. It was more like walk/jogging for well over 15 minutes. I pushed myself. I set daily distance or time goals. A little farther. A little faster. I realized that I was starting to enjoy running. I was enjoying my time alone! Quiet. With no one screaming at me or pulling on me. My husband was my biggest supporter. He watched the kids so I could go out alone, and if plans did not permit a solo run I took one, two, or all three kids out with me in the jogging stroller. My husband started making dinner, a lot. The best time for me to run was at 4 pm. I couldn't get up early enough to do it in the mornings and after the kids went to bed I was exhausted and it was too dark outside. I took my weight loss day by day, making sure to carve out even the littlest bit of time to work out.

As the months passed, I loved running more and more. I loved the challenge it presented, the results it produced, and most of all my time alone. It was my time. My runs got longer in time and distance. They became easier. Now, a year later, I still run as many times a week as I can. I still focus on portion control and making good, healthy choices. If I can't get out to run because of my schedule or the weather, I make sure to fit in a video or some kind of treadmill workout. I no longer feel guilty if I miss a workout like I did in the beginning. I am happy with myself and have lost over 65 pounds. I started by setting small realistic weight loss goals and rewarded myself when they were achieved. I would have never imagined I would lose this much weight. I have now found my ideal weight. The last 4-5 months have been just maintaining the loss. I am smaller now than before my babies, before I got married, before I started college and even high school.

Most importantly I am healthier for myself and my family. I have energy again. I am happy.

 This year we started homeschooling and I increased my work hours. It has been hard to find time to work out, but it is a priority. I have to get creative some days. Some days all I can do is take the baby out in the stroller during nap time (while Daddy is home to keep an eye on the girls) or pump out a video really quickly while they are sleeping. The fact is if you don't make it your priority it will not happen! As I have journeyed into homeschooling these last few months, I find my patience tested more than ever. Family is our main focus in our house. We make sure there is at least one day a week spent as a family.  We dedicate quality time for each other. This is in addition to all the other time during the week we are together. We try to keep Christ in the center of our lives and set an example for our children to follow. We have been blessed in so many ways and try to teach our children not to take any of it for granted.




A few months ago we visited some friends we hadn't seen since the baby was born. She commented that my husband and I seemed happier, more in love than ever (and she would know as she was the main force behind our relationship). I admit I never thought we had problems, we fought minimally, but we were complacent with each other and the life we have. We weren't unhappy, but we weren't as happy as we could have been. This last year has brought us closer together and a renewed focus on our marriage. My husband's waistline has been a side effect of my working out and eating right, in a positive way. He has changed his habits and reaped the benefits of a healthier lifestyle and happier self. Working out has helped me create routine in our house that has in turn created routine for our children. There are so many days when I have one (or a ton) of "Mommy fail" moments and lose my temper or control. I let my kids push my buttons and act in ways that I am not proud of, but that is what grace is for. My kids inspire me daily to be a better mother to them in attitude (which is one of my biggest daily struggles), in health, and in action. I pray that they can see Christ in me and I can be a good steward of the blessings we have been given. I hope my children can see the dedication and perseverance that we have taken to start a healthier lifestyle not only for ourselves but for them too. Mostly, we just want our children to know that they are loved.

For those who say they can't run or work out, just try it!

Commit to it.
Create a plan of attack.
Make it a habit.
Hold yourself accountable.

There will be days when you don't feel like it, but those are the days you need it the most. When I find myself angry or in a bad mood, most of the time it can be cured with a good workout. It just makes you feel better, especially about yourself. When I started running I could barely walk/jog a mile and now run 6-8 miles several times a week. I never thought that I could/would lose as much weight as I did, run as far as I have, or commit to and stick with the lifestyle changes I have made.

Commitment and accountability have been the biggest things that have helped. Find someone to push you out of bed and out the door. Find someone to work out with. Find someone who would text you on a daily basis and ask how your workout has gone for the day. Being accountable to someone makes such a difference. There were days when I texted ladies in my workout group and asked them what their workout plan was for the day, when they were going to do it, and then later to see how their day went. Being accountable to someone else makes you much more dedicated when there is someone to report back to!

Make yourself a priority!

It takes hard work. You will be sore. I couldn't sit or stand for the first 3 days I did the work out videos (which made for some pretty funny moments in church trying to stand up and sit down for worship), but it does get easier. Prioritize your time. It takes work and commitment, but it can be done, no matter how many hats you are wearing. It is cliche', but there will be good days and bad days. What sets me apart from those who have failed is on the bad days I never let myself find an excuse to not work out or quit. There cannot be any excuses.

Find an activity that you become passionate about.  I love running.  Continue to challenge yourself.  Push yourself a little harder each day. Have a plan and set a goal.  I'm working toward a half marathon this spring!


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To get started, try one of Emily's home video recommendations: Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown, Jillian Michael's Cardio Kickbox, Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, or Jillian Michael's 6 week 6 pack

{recipe of the week} 20 freezer meals for less than $150 prepped in 2 hours

My husband and I are currently living apart.  No, there isn't anything wrong with our marriage.  He was relocated for work for the next 18 months.  My daughter and I went to visit him for the past two weeks.  If your husband is like mine, he would probably be living on soup and frozen pizza when you aren't around to cook for him.  I was determined to leave there knowing he would have some hearty and easy meals to come home to after a 12 hour work day.

I strategically planned out 20 meals my husband could easily put together. 
I purchased all the ingredients for under $150.
I prepped everything and cleaned up the mess during my daughter's two hour nap.
I might give myself wife of the year... or at least the day.

Give yourself wife of the year and try these.  They are already getting high approval ratings from the husband.  Most of them are crockpot with the exception of the stromboli recipe at the end.  Its a simple freeze and bake later recipe.  I divided all the crockpot recipes in half and put them into two gallon size bags since our family is small and we eat less at one time.

Easy peezy lemon squeezy.  Let's get started.



Chicken Cacciatore
adapted from six sisters stuff

1 lb chicken breasts

1 (26 oz) jar of chunky vegetable-style spaghetti sauce

1 zucchini, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 sweet onion, chopped

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and mix together.

Garnish: chopped black olives, shredded Parm cheese

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. 

Read more at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/09/slow-cooker-freezer-meals-make-8-meals.html#5WJ1seHmAJzPClpQ.99

1 lb. chicken
1 veggie style spaghetti sauce
1 zucchini
1 green pepper (I didn't use one)
1/2 onion
Chop everything.  Place all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe).  Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook.  Cook in crockpot on high 4 hours or low for 8 hours.  Serve with noodles or rice.

Mexican Style Chicken Chili
adapted from snappy gourmet
2 lbs. chicken breast
1 green pepper
2 garlic cloves
4 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans black beans (or your favorite)
2 small jalapenos
1 lime
1/2 tsp. cumin
Chop all ingredients except lime.  Zest and juice the lime. Place all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe).  Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook.  Cook in crockpot on high 4 hours or low 8 hours.  Serve.

Hearty Beef Stew
adapted from six sisters stuff
*this makes A LOT.  You might even want to divide this into 3 or 4 bags.
2 lb. beef stew cubes
8 carrots sliced
8 red potatoes
2 package dry onion soup mix
3 8oz. cans tomato sauce
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 package frozen peas
Chop carrots and potatoes.  Place all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe).  Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook.  Cook in crockpot on high 4 hours or low for 8 hours.  Serve.

Sesame Chicken
adapted from emilylovesfood
6 chicken thighs
1/2 onion
2 garlic cloves
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. low sodium soy sauce
1 small can tomato puree
A couple good dashes of sesame seeds
2 c. broccoli florets
Chop onion and garlic cloves.  Place all ingredients except broccoli in a gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe).  Bring a sauce pan of water to boil.  Place broccoli in boiling water and steam until they are a "tender crisp".  You want them still crispy a little, NOT done.  Cool broccoli and place in quart size freezer bag.  Place quart size freezer bag and gallon size freezer bag together in freezer (I actually stuffed them both into another gallon freezer bag so they'd always be a pair).  Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook.  Cook everything except broccoli in crockpot on high 4 hours or low for 8 hours.  Heat broccoli in microwave.  Serve the entire dish over rice.

Cilantro Lime Chicken (with corn and black beans)
adapted from six sisters stuff
1 lb. chicken breast
Juice from 2 limes
1 bunch cilantro
1 bag frozen corn
2 minced garlic cloves
1 can drained black beans
1 tsp. cumin
Chop cilantro. Place all ingredients in gallon size freezer bag (I double bag to be double safe).  Thaw in fridge 24 hours before ready to cook.  Cook in crockpot on high 4 hours or low for 8 hours.  Serve with tortillas and salsa.

Freeze, and Bake Stromboli
adapted from joel and kitty
1 package of provoline
1 box of frozen chopped spinach
2 packs of turkey pepperoni
1 big bag of shredded mozzarella
4 balls of pizza dough
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
4 aluminum 8x8 pans
aluminum foil


This makes 4 strombolis.  Thaw out spinach ahead of time. Make dough into rectangles in aluminum pans.  Layer sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and spinach. Wrap it up and pinch seams shut.  Cover tightly with aluminum foil.  Thaw in fridge fully before baking.  Place in warm oven then crank to 375 deg. F and bake until golden.  As shown above I wrote the baking directions directly onto the foil with a black sharpie.

1 lb chicken breasts

1 (26 oz) jar of chunky vegetable-style spaghetti sauce

1 zucchini, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 sweet onion, chopped

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and mix together.

Garnish: chopped black olives, shredded Parm cheese

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. 

Read more at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/09/slow-cooker-freezer-meals-make-8-meals.html#5WJ1seHmAJzPClpQ.99