I’m currently in class waiting for my students to finish up on an assignment. Most of you know, that I’m a graphic/web designer by profession and this year the Lord has opened up the door for me to teach at a local community college. It’s been a great experience, however, at times difficult as I still have freelance clients. Next semester I have been given 3 classes that are mostly taught online. Praise the Lord!. He certainly has answered prayers! Starting next semester I will no longer be taking new freelance clients until the Lord directs my path as to what he wants me to do. I will have much more time to focus on my kids and family at home 🙂
This week has definitely been a great experience. I decided to take on the Eat on $30 challenge at the last minute, so I quickly put a meal plan together and did the best I could. We’ve been doing great, but let me tell you, It’s been alot of work! In order to stick to my meal plan, I’ve had to make a lot of things from scratch. When you’re working from home, trying to be a mom, wife, housekeeper and meal provider, this gets difficult! On a normal week, I would easily have put one of these things off for the following week, but I couldn’t this week. So I ended up with holey bread (which is now drying for bread crumbs), clothes in the washer starting to stank, clients on the side waiting for work to be done, and a tired mama wanting a vacation!
What has worked was that I had made stock on Saturday and was able to utilize that meat for two of my weekday meals. It made things quick and easy. (I’ll add images tomorrow as I’m writing this from school, lol!)
On Tuesday we had:
- Breakfast – Scrambled Eggs, Toast and raspberries
- Lunch – Chicken Croquettas
- Dinner – Chicken Enchilada’s and Spanish Rice
Praise God that I had made that stock on Saturday. I didn’t find out about the challenge until Sunday, so that really worked out well for Tuesday’s meals.
On Wednesday we had:
- Breakfast – Strawberry, Mango Smoothie
- Lunch – I had a salad at home, kids had pb&j at sissy’s
- Dinner – Tortilla Espanola with Fried Green Peppers from my garden – So sad, I fried up the last of my pimientos de padron 🙁 Until next years harvest!
Today we were right on track but as things usually work, I got tied up right before class. I had to get some last minute grading done, and didn’t have time to get anything going for dinner before I headed off to class. Usually the hubs does something for the kids and himself, but after so much cooking this week, the fridge is EMPTY. The pantry and freezer are well stocked but that takes a degree of cooking knowledge that my hubby is well… not so capable of. So, I ran out the door and hubby said he was going to grab something for himself and the kids. Tis the life of a working mama! We did have some extra money left which should account for this.
This challenge has really made me realize that:
- I have to give it up for working mothers. Many mothers out there are working full time jobs because they have to and have to get dinner on the table as well. It would only make it more challenging to have to figure out how to feed your family nourishing meals.
- Praise God for some pre-made food! You heard me!! I am so blessed that there are great organic brands out there when I need them. As much as I’ve been enjoying learning how to make bread, being a working mama, I don’t always have the time. I am so grateful that companies like Nature’s Pride are out there!
- This is the most blogging I’ve done in a week in awhile, it’s been enjoyable! Thanks so much for reading and all of your wonderful comments! It’s so encouraging!!
Make sure to come visit next week as I have some wonderful giveaways that I am excited to share with all of you! Besitos y un abrazo fuerte ;D
Please take a look at all of the other individuals in the Eat on $30 Challenge
- Carrie Neal – also from Atlanta – is blogging at carrienealland and tweets under@carrienealland
- Susan is our newest participant! Her blog Doughmesstic is just great. She’s on Twitter – @doughmesstic
- The amazing and fabulous Jen – who blogs from Colorado at Use Real Butter – can be followed @userealbutter
- Paula of the gorgeous blog bell’alimento is taking part! Follow her on twitter@bellalimento
- The Broke Socialite of the eponymously named blog can be followed@brokesocialite
- Betty Joan is a fellow Atlantan who blogs at Trouble With Toast . She’s actually been doing it THIS week but will be posting about her experience while we’re all doing the challenge. You can find her on Twitter @bettyjoan.
- Atlanta food blogger Jimmy of Eat It Atlanta will be taking part in a crash course week before a wedding he has to be in. Follow him @EatItAtlanta.
- Robert – @rdyson on Twitter – is also taking part from Atlanta. Check out his bloghere.
- Mike – who took part last time and made a blog especially for the challenge – will be doing it again. You can also follow him @boutte.
- Zach is kicking off a new blog with this challenge – Mise en Face. Follow him@drzachary.
- Kristina will be taking place from Tennessee via her blog TNLocavore.com and@TNlocavore
- Another Susan, this time of Frugal Hostess, tweets @frugalhostess
- Diana of A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa is on Twitter @dianabauman
- Hailey of Hail’s Kitchen blogs and tweets from Utah – @hailskitchen
- Joining the party today is Maybelle’s Mom who blogs at Feeding Maybelle. You can find her on Twitter @feedingmaybelle
- Also newly taking part is Atlantan Biz, who blogs at Wisfulfillment.
Wow, $30 sounds incredibly hard, especially for a family of FOUR!!! Sounds like you had a tiring week! Hope your weekend will be a bit more restful. 🙂
Great challenge. Sounds like you succeeded. But it's also very, very difficult, especially when you are short on time. I think I need to challenge myself a bit more (but not right now as things are quite hectic as it is.
And you are right, there are some great pre-made, organic products out there that are essential for me when life gets really hectic. I think it's just important to not rely on them too much and to re-evaluate things once in a while (which I will be doing soon).
Great job on landing the teaching jobs! Have fun! 🙂
Yes, what a wonderful challenge. And I'm sure it's just that — a challenge!
Keep up the great work! Great post!
Congrats on the teaching job, it's great that you are able to do it online and spend more time at home! Great job on the challenge too!
Hola Diana! You ARE one busy girl! Congrats on your teaching job! I find I'm having the same challenges as you 🙂
That would be difficult, but I could do it. I spend about 200 or less on groceries a wk. with two kids. That includes diapers and gas…I just do not know if I have the time to write it all out.
What a challenge. Good for you for giving it a try. I admire all of you that have children, work, cook and still have the time to blog. I don't multi task well, so I know I would be a wreck. And congratulations on the job. It sounds fabulous.
It's Pink Saturday and I have an award for you. Please stop by my kitchen when you get a chance.
Sam
Thanks for the comments and encouragement everyone! That was the hardest part for me. I honestly didn't have the time to keep up with the posts! I did my best 🙂 Next time, I'll join in spirit, lol!!
Sam – Thank you so much, I'm headed your way!!
Just stopping by wishing you a wonderful weekend 😀
Diana,
Sounds like it was definitely labeled properly… "Challenge"! You are so busy, don't know how you do it all.
Cheers,
Amber
I think you did a great job on that too, Diana! I hope the others the same. Sometimes it's good to scratch your head a little bit… motivate your brain to think more! he he…. Cheers.