It’s What’s up Wednesday with Sheaffer & Shay! I’m sharing a little about what’s been going on around here this month.
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What I’m Eating this Week
I’m switching it up a little this month and sharing what I’ve been eating to try to get back into a healthier routine. We had a fabulous summer and I got away from my “normal” routine and ended up with an extra 15 pounds to show for it. I’m not the type of person who looks at the scale every day, but i would like to fit into my fall/winter clothes from last year when the seasons start to change. Here are a few things I’ve been eating/doing to help me get back to my usual weight.
- Lots and lots of veggies! I love to eat, so adding extra veggies to my meal helps me feel fuller and still enjoy what I’m eating without adding a ton of empty calories. Swapping out half of my pasta or rice in a meal with a big scoop of extra veggies has been one of the easiest swaps to help me stay on track.
- Oatmeal in the morning. I’m not a big breakfast person, but every time I focus on reducing calories or losing weight, I’m ravenous when I wake up. A nice bowl of oatmeal helps me stay full for the morning. I’ve been eating the Quaker Oats with extra fiber mixed with Fairlife milk for some added protein.
- Low carb tortillas have also been a favorite this month. They still taste great but have fewer calories and have added fiber. I use these for tacos, wraps, and even with a couple of laughing cow wedges and greens for a quick and easy snack.
- Protein pasta. I LOVE pasta and always feel deprived when I try to give it up completely. Swapping out my normal stuff with this version that has added protein and helps me feel fuller quicker and longer than regular pasta. I’m not a huge meat eater so I like to get the protein in wherever I can.
- Prepping snacks in advance. At the beginning of the week, I portion out a few snacks to make sure I have easy access to healthy options when I’m craving a snack. I portion out fruit, veggies, nuts, and low fat cheeses so they are the first thing I see when I open the fridge or pantry. This helps me grab those options first before going for the bag of chips.
- All things in moderation. I know myself well enough to know that I cannot completely cut something I love out of my diet. If I know I’m going to be eating out, I will try to eat a little better the rest of the day to allow for the extra calories. I still enjoy the occasional beer or glass of wine, but I try to limit it to one to two days a week.
I’d love to know your go-to healthy swaps or meals. Please send any and all suggestions my way! Bonus if you have ideas for what to do with the giant container of vanilla protein powder I just bought. I tried to make protein iced coffee and it’s just not for me. I don’t want to waste it, so send me your ideas!
What I’m Wearing
These jeans! I’ve gone to all the stores and searched everywhere for jeans that fit just the way I like with little success. I have a couple pairs of Judy Blues that I do love, but the length is just a little off for me (I’m 5’9” with really long legs). I took a chance and bought some similar pairs online and I love them! They have just the right amount of stretch and tummy control and are finally the length I need.
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What I’m Loving
We got a puppy over the summer and I was nervous about her getting along with our other dog. They bonded immediately and it has been so fun to watch them together. They are both frenchies and have such similar personalities. We are so glad we decided to take the leap and add another sweet baby to our family!
What I’m Excited About
We are heading to the mountains this weekend with two other families and I cannot wait to get away with good friends and our kiddos. We decided to splurge and get a place with an indoor pool and lots of fun things for the kids to do (we have six adults and eight kiddos going) so we can stay in and just enjoy each other and the amazing views for a few days. I’ll post all the pictures after the trip!
What I’m Reading/Listening To
As usual, I’ve been listening to a LOT of audiobooks this month. I’ve linked them below and most of them are available on Kindle Unlimited. Here’s the list and my thoughts about each one:
The Love Haters By Katherine Center (5/5). This one is a romantic comedy set in Key West. The main character, Katie, heads to Key West to film a story about a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who happens to be her boss’s brother. I loved the way this story came together. She doesn’t know how to swim, overcomes body image issues, and bonds with his quirky family. There was a little more “meat” than your typical rom com, and it kept me laughing through most of the book.
How to End a Love Story By Yulin Kuang (4/5). Helen Zhang is a novelist who has the opportunity to turn her books into a TV series. One of the screenwriters, Grant, was involved in the death of her sister when they were in high school. This story follows the two as they navigate their feelings about her sister’s accident and learn about each other. It was a little slow at times, but overall a solid enemies to lovers story by a new author.
Hello Stranger By Katherine Center (4/5). This story follows Sadie, a portrait artist who develops face blindness after a surgery, which leaves her unable to recognize people. She is working on a portrait for a competition she has been waiting her whole life for, and meets someone in her building who becomes her subject and someone she wants to date. I enjoyed the humor in this one and how many of the pieces came together at the end with a few surprises added in.
The Jamison Valley Series By Devney Perry (6 books total) (3.8/5). A series of interconnected stories set in n the small town of Prescott, Montana. Each story follows a different couple in a group of friends and has a little more suspense than the usual chick lit. Overall, I loved how the stories connected and the small town vibes. I probably would have liked them more if I spaced them out a little better. Things were a little predictable when I got to the last couple of stories.
The Crescent Moon Tearoom By Stacy Sivinski (4/5). This book follows three sisters who run a tearoom in Chicago. They are witches with the ability to read tea leaves and tell fortunes. Their lives change when the Council of Witches visits and gives them a task to complete that might separate them. The story follows each sister as they navigate their own paths. This was a great start to my fall reading and I would recommend for anyone who likes a light witchy read this time of year.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (4.5/5). Set on an island in Georgia, this story follows Alice, a journalist, and Hayden, an author, who are both trying for the opportunity to write a biography of a once-famous heiress. It has humor, a little mystery, and of course romance. I’m a big fan of Emily Henry and this one did not dissapoint.
What Amazon Purchase Did I Love This Month
My new tote bag! I have been searching for the perfect bag to fit all of my needs and i think i might have finally found it! For context, I have been looking for something that looks nice enough to take to work, can double as a large purse when needed, and is durable enough to tote things to all the sporting events that we attend on a regular basis. This one checks all those boxes for me. I love that it’s super lightweight, looks nice, and has pockets for EVERYTHING. There’s a laptop/tablet pocket for my work necessities, deep pockets on the sides for my water bottle, and tons of options in side that make it great for tossing in snacks, my clutch, a dog leash or anything else I need. It’s also easy to clean so I don’t worry about it sitting in the grass during a soccer game. If you’re looking for an inexpensive “everything tote,” this one’s for you. I chose black because it felt like the most versitile for me, but it comes in lots of other fun colors, too!
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Speaking of Amazon finds, I just did a post with all of my favorite finds for sports moms. Check that one out here!
What I’m Looking Forward to Next Month
I love everything about this season (and the next). Bring on all the fall/holiday fun.
I hope everyone has a great week!
