No Excuses! I'm going to loose the weight, and you can too!!

Why do people make excuses for why they have extra weight? Why do they make excuses for not working out? Because they don’t have the know how nor the motivation to lose the weight, and workout! Sitting at a desk job all day does wear you out, but that doesn’t mean that you need to avoid the gym, or even your own living room!

          I know what it’s like to make excuses all day every day about why you can’t go and work out or why you can’t eat clean, but it’s really not that hard! I personally don’t have the resources to make meals for a whole week, nor do I want to (the same thing 1-2 times a day, 7 days a week?? Mmmmm no.) I do however, make 2 meals a day, I take them the next 2 days for lunches. I don’t make my own separate dinner, I simply am more cautious about what we eat so as to stick to my personal macros and goals that I have set. This may mean I eat a whole lot of salad, or I avoid a hamburger bun. Nothing so drastic that I am a burden on the lifestyle that we live. I diet in an intuitive way, I listen to my body, and make sure to cut back on my unhealthy habits where and when I can.

          Exercise? I had signed up for a gym membership and then shut it down long before I even went in! Why? 2 things, 1 it was so far from home that I would be getting up at 3:30 just to go and put in a 30 minute workout before I went in to work. Not the most pleasant time to wake up. They also jacked up the rates on my membership! Darn near doubled it! So I made sure and shut down that ASAP! For now I am working out at home and when me and my boyfriend get back from visiting his family for thanksgiving, I will be signing up at a much closer gym. I wont be going in every single day, but I will for sure be going in when I want more weight or to do cardio (at least 3 times a week.) and when the boyfriend wants to go swim, or play racquetball.

Plan the PERFECT Christmas Party

Complete Christmas Party Planning Guide 2016

Step 1: Make your guest list

 

          I always say to make your guest list so that 1. You know how many people are coming and can adjust what you need to make, buy, etc. for when they do come and 2. So that you know the ages of kids that are coming and can make sure there is plenty to do for anyone of any age, no one sitting alone in the corner! That’s never fun! And of course, having tons of activities will be sure to make this a party to remember!

 

Step 2: Choose A Start Time:

          When it comes to deciding on a start time there are a few things you will want to consider, the ages of who’s coming (too late and you get moody kids! Too early and you will either get super stressed out trying to get everything ready, or you won’t get everything ready in time!)

          If it’s a kid focused party earlier in the day tends to be better, so they are still happy and ready to play with each other, not grumpy and ready to go home! With a kid friendly party whether it be a sleep over or not, I suggest you start around 2. Gives the kids plenty of time to do all the planned activities, and play before they are either put to bed, or head home for the night.

          An adult party is a whole different story, you can start one around 5 or 6 pm and go as late as people want, depending on if there is alcohol involved or not, it can either be a some come and go, or a family style sleep over with parents and kids. (I did these all the time as a kid and everyone had fun! Gave the moms a chance to get away from the house, kids got to hang out and have fun, and all the dads could go out and watch a game or something. Guess I never really know what they can do.)

Step 3: Choose Activities for The Party

                  When it comes to choosing the activities that you will set up and have at your party, it can vary, you don’t need anything too fancy! My above all favorite party to have would be a cookie decorating party. Everyone brings in 2 dozen cookies, any type, then all the kids sit down and get to decorate their cookies, and get a few of all different kinds of cookies to take home without moms and dads having to bake and clean up the messes that come with holiday baking! (This one brings some coordination, you don’t want everyone to show up with the same 2 kinds of cookies!)

          There are so many fun holiday games that you can set up and play, some are for the younger guest, and some are fantastic for anyone and everyone. You can do pin the antler on the reindeer, snow bowling, there are so many ideas out there! Don’t be afraid of pinterest! There are so many awesome ideas on their, you can find ANYTHING you could possibly need!

Step 4: Make a Menu (If it’s what you want to do.)

          Depending on the type of party and the length of the party, if you plan on feeding your guests, make sure and decide on what you want well in advance so you have plenty of time to get it ready! You can buy fruit and cheese platters for an appetizer plate, but honestly in the end its cheapest if you cut it all up yourself, and you can do it a few days in advance and keep it in the fridge!

          You can always have a party where you invite the guests to bring a menu item each. This once again, like the cookie party, does require some planning so that you don’t all bring dessert (heck actually, im not opposed!)

Step 5: Address Invitations and Mail Out!

Step 6: Plan out Decorations

Step 7: Shop

Step 8: Prep Prep Prep!

          Figure out everything that you can make in advance, either games, cookies, foods, and decorations and start your prep work about 1-2 weeks before (depending on the size of the party and the intricacy of the items you are trying to prep!)

Step 9: Set Up and Day of!

          This is when its great to have kids! Recruit everyone with their own specific duties to make the day run smooth, don’t try and overload yourself or you will get burnt out very quickly! Most times, if you offer a friend some coffee and treats, they would be happy to bring their family over and pitch in!

Step 10: Enjoy your party!

Last Minute AWESOME Halloween Party for Kiddos!

 Non-Scary Halloween Party!

 

            Halloween is in 4 days! Holy macaroni that sure did creep up quick! Maybe you had agreed to be the host house for all the trick or treat activities for your kids and their friends, or the whole neighborhood! (been there done that!) You may have all different ages of kids, and there may be some that are too young to be out in the dark running around the neighborhood. That’s fine! They can have a blast at home! (Even make the kids who do go out and trick or treat jealous!)

            The biggest part of Halloween is the costume. By this point hopefully your kiddos have a costume ready to go, or maybe they have a football jersey they are going to where, or a princess dress. Whatever the costume, the next most important item on the list is to get a candy bag! The best thing you can do is get some washable markers, and some plain old bags and let the kids go at them! Put their names on the bags though, no need to have fights later if one kid gets more candy.

            Next, the issue I see this year with Halloween is, its on a Monday! Blech! So you will need a quick easy dinner, of course it still needs to be festive! So, mummy hotdogs! These are so simple to make and are sure to be a hit with everyone, you take hotdogs and wrap them to look like bandages with Pillsbury crescent roll dough, super quick and easy. Bake at 350 for 15 or so minutes (watch for the dough to turn a golden brown color and that should tell you when they are done!)

            I don’t usually worry about a desert, especially when most of the kids are running out the door right once its dark in order to go get all the candy they can before its time to come home to bed! (and they end up eating 90% of it anyways!) So, let them run out the door, the young kids who are at home can play all sorts of games in order to win candy and fill up their baskets!

            There are so many games that kids can play, they all have so little work to them that you can set up 3 or 4 in a few hours and entertain the kids all night! Check out my pinterest to see all sorts of fun kids games for your party!

            Look forward to sharing more holiday crafts, ideas, and DIY’s now that I have some free time and lots of time on pinterest!

@cowgirlcasey3

Helping Animals- Rescue Idea

            Do I think that every animal in the whole world will have a happily ever after story? Where they are loved and spoiled unconditionally? No. I hate to say that at all, but its true. Not all animals will be taken care of the way that they deserve. But I also know that with support and help from Colorado, and surrounding states we can make a lifelong difference for the animals here!

            Whats the plan? I know this is going to be a big question, I want to team up with many other animal lovers and open a HUGE animal rescue and sanctuary, we will welcome any and all animals and have vets, trainers, and volunteers who are experienced in all of these areas! The animals will either live out their days here, or get rehomed.           

            What animals will you take in? Any and all. No animal should be left to fend for itself, or be given away for free. We will go and pick up free animals off of craigslist. No questions asked! Once the animal is brought in we will work hard to get it all settled in and happy, then proceed as needed.

            How will you afford it? Grants, donations, and my own money. We will put 100% of the animal adoption profits back in to the rescue. We will work hard directly with companies to get supplies that are needed to run the organization. We will also make as much food on our own as we can and work with local farmers and stores to get the best possible deal that we can.

            Animal care? Animals will get the upmost care and will be “free range” if it’s a good fit, at night they will be kenneled and fed on their own (to ensure they get the proper amount of food, and any medication that they may need!) Pens, beds, etc will be cleaned daily along with food dishes, this means we will need multiple teams working together to get everything that needs done done! Animals that don’t do well with others will be kenneled with a large run, and taken out for exercise several times a day, they will also get lots and lots of one on one time with volunteers and staff. (all animals will get one on one time to be trained, and groomed, and cuddled!)

            Farm animals will likely be permanent residents, and another source of income! We can offer horse lessons, clinics, etc. with these animals so they can have a job and be spoiled rotten!

            This will take years, money, and brains but I know that we can and will do it!

The Truth Behind Struggling to Love Yourself

The Reality of Struggling with Self Love

 

            It comes in waves, sometimes it takes months for it to build up until I break, sometimes it takes one wrong thing out of one persons mouth. Unfortnately there is no telling when one of these “episodes” will come over me. I wish I could, because then, I could stop them from coming. I could stop myself from waking up in the middle of the night just to lay there and cry about the mole on my chin, or the fact that ive been gaining weight. I would find ways to loose the weight and get healthy. But I cant do this, ive tried, I hate being so down about myself but ive been compared to others for so long that Im not sure where I stand. I look down when someone tries to make eye contact worried they think im as ugly as I think I am.

            In reality, im not ugly. I have a big heart, I am hard working, Commited, and I give my all when it comes to what I do. But that doesn’t always seem like enough. I don’t ever feel that it is enough. That’s what makes it so hard. I am convinced that people are lying to me all the time because I have been taught through the terrible people that I spend my time with, that you cant trust anyone. You cant let your guard down, every time that I have, ive been screwed over. So, I rely on me only. I don’t trust others and that’s hard! I want to , but I simply cant. So, there is where we will start, by learning how to trust others so that I can start to love myself again. I need to do what makes me happy and nothing else!

            So tag along for the ride as I share stories and how I will be healing!

STOP WASTING MONEY!!! Step 1

 Setting up A Budget Binder:

 

            Seriously! QUIT Wasting your hard-earned money! How many times do I have to tell myself this!? Apparently, A LOT because I have still been so terrible this week! I’ve ate out, bought Starbucks, and just wasted money on miscellaneous crap. This needs to stop! Like NOW! So, tonight I am sitting down, putting in my headphones, and setting up our OFFICIAL budget binder! I have it all planned out, the printables made up, and all I need is to run by the office supply store and pick up a binder, and some dividers! So, if you have any interest in learning how to save more than ever before and for once, be in control of your money!

            I am going to have 5 sections in my binder, they will have subsections in them so it stays well organized and I can very quickly flip to the sections that I need to look at. This will save time and energy and make it so much easier for me to take a few minutes at the end of the day in order to put it all together! So, the main sections go as follows with their “subsections” listed below.

1.     Home

a.     Cleaning Supplies

b.     Organization Supplies

c.      Decorations

d.     Holiday Goods

2.     Grocery

a.     Food

b.     Coupons to use

c.      Rewards earned

3.     Dates and outings

4.     Vehicles

a.     Payments

b.     Fuel (including receipts!)

c.      Insurance

d.     Copies of all documents (insurance, title, etc.)

5.     Laundry

I am super excited to get this all set up, see where we are wasting money, and with the help of the coupons, where we can save! For more details, a copy of the printables, or to see the finished product stay tuned!

Never Quit! Even if You DON'T Stick to It!

Never Quit, Even if You Don’t Stick to It!

 

            I like many others have gone through diets, exercise programs, and even eating disorders trying to get my weight down and my confidence up. I don’t have the huge support team everyone wishes for, I have me. I know that once I realize that I myself am all I could ever need, I can move mountains. I also know that it isn’t going to be anything over night, but I can get in shape, save my money, and become a very successful person. How? Set my own goals and accomplish them. No one else needs to know, its all up to me and supporting myself!

            Here is how you as well can learn to love yourself and achieve all your goals: stay tuned on the blog and on YouTube for my all NEW Love yourself course. This is a real world approach, and will help you see what you need, not me telling you what to do! Rather, me encouraging you day in and day out!

            Subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss out and stay tuned for tomorrow, I will post the first portion of this!