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Addictions and Budgets

Ever have an addiction? I don't mean to something like alcohol or drugs. I mean to something like pie, LolCatz, or shoes.

Right now, I have an addiction to two sites: Pinterest.com and Polyvore.com. Pinterest allows me to find cool things on the internet then "pin" them to a "board". It's kind of like those cork boards I had growing up where I would pin pictures and stuff to. Polyvore allows me to create fun outfits and looks, then publish them and post them to Facebook. Oddly enough, some of my polyvore looks have been re-pinned over and over again on Pinterest.

These two sites are giving me maternity inspiration. Not just for clothes, but also for food.

I promised you last week that I'd hit up some budgeting updates this week, so here goes:

Craig and I did a BIG shop that wasn't actually so big. We replaced a pan of mine that got ruined due to someone (like my husband) washing it in oven cleaner. Yeah. You read right. I also did quite a bit of maternity shopping... my next big maternity shop will be in mid-September for all the Jewish holidays and some weddings we have coming up. Downside: we have a few more months of Summer. Upside: I spent around $40 on 4 tank tops and 4 dresses! WHOO HOO!

So, those two weddings we have to go to are religious - which means I need to cover as much as I can. Since it'll still be warm here, this is what I came up with:

Source: polyvore.com via Hillary on Pinterest

Not too shabby, right? Only in my dreams, I suppose.

I'll update more on our budgeting tomorrow, I promise! Join me on Pinterest.com!!

Raising Baby Glaser

I always thought that I'd be older and more established when I had kids.

Who am I kidding? I never thought I'd actually HAVE kids. Not because of biology, more because I didn't really want them. Just ask my Mom. She'll tell you. I wasn't that kid who used her Cabbage Patch doll as a baby, I pretended Aprilette (yes, that was her name) was my friend. I never wanted pregnant Barbie - I wanted office slave Barbie.

Yup. I was that kid.

Being pregnant kind of changes things. I always wanted a career... although I never really knew what I wanted to be when I "grew up". Now I know what I want and I know who I want to be for our child.

A few days ago, Craig and I went for an ultrasound (we've had a lot of them in this country) and I randomly asked the doctor if we could find out the sex of the baby. He made us wait until the ultrasound was over to say....

"Mazal tov, it's a BOY!"

So, it's official - we're having a baby boy! I never thought my first child would be a boy - and it definitely complicates things (bris, flights for parents...etc.) but it's a good complication! I can't wait to meet him - he looks beautiful already!

The news of baby boy Glaser kind of took over my week but I promise to update you with some budgeting stuff later on.

Red Lentil (Lebanese-style) Soup = AMAZING! Recipe included!

It's Friday! You know what that means? It means I'm going to do NOTHING for the next two days because this pregnant lady REALLY needs to unwind and relax. I'm going to make this a short post because A) I'm tired and B) I'm lazy. Sound like a plan?

First, I want to touch on a few emails Craig and I got from you awesome readers yesterday. If you've been watching the news, you know there's some major sh*t going on in Southern Israel (like terror attacks). We are fine and have no plans to visit Eilat right now (it's WAAAAAAY too hot - both in climate and in political issues). We live in North-Central Israel (not like South Central LA) where it's quiet and the only big thing that happens here is the H&M that just opened in our local mall (YAY!!!!) - that's as big as it gets. We're fine though.

On another note, I made red lentil soup yesterday and was pleasantly surprised at how easy and fast it was (seriously!) - so if you're ever in a bind and need a good any-time soup recipe, this is a good and hearty soup. You will NOT want to eat anything for hours, I promise. Before I dish out my recipe, I'll ask you this: What are YOU making to eat this weekend?


Here's my revised recipe (adapted from AllRecipes.com):

• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 pound red lentils
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 celery stalk
• 2 tablespoons salt
  
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Bring chicken stock and lentils to a boil in a large saucepan over low heat - you don't need to cover the pot.
   
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Stir in garlic and onion, and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, then brown it.Then add your carrots, let it sit for about 3-5 minutes.
   
3. Stir onions and carrots into the lentils and season with cumin and salt. Add in the celery Continue simmering until the lentils are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Carefully puree the soup in a standing blender, or with a stick blender until smooth. Stir in lemon juice before serving. Start will a little lemon juice -you can always add more if you need to.

Grocery Store Savings

I did it! I did it! OMG I did it! Want to know how much we spent at the grocery store??? 178.97 NIS. Holy bazinga - I can't believe it!

Here's what I bought:

Grated parm (16.92)

Bag 'o Pasta (2.40)

Light cream (8.83)

Cheese (9.38)

Cereal (9.99)

Rice (9.99)

Milk (5.21)

Rice vinegar (9.99) -- NOT on the original list

Turkey Pastrami (15.00)

Pita bead (10.00)

3 cans of Tuna (16.79)

Lemon juice (4.99)

Minced garlic (10.99)

1.09 kilo Cucumbers (3.26)

0.49 kilo Carrots (2.42)

3 Red peppers (4.22)

0.71 kilo potatoes (5.35)

3 Zucchinis (7.96)

3 onions (0.87)

Plums (3.59)

Grapes (10.83)

I only got one thing that was not on my list AND I forgot bread - no biggie though. I can always improvise and make focaccia.

Anyway, I am SO beyond excited that I can put an additional 21.00 shekels into savings. I know it doesn't seem like much but I can get less at the grocery next week based on the stuff I bought yesterday.

How'd I do it? I stayed close to my list. Craig and I will do a big shop once a month and plan our meals around that. We've done it in the past and it worked so we're doing it again. It turns out that 3 people really can eat on less than 200 shekels a week.

So, what's on the menu tonight? Lebanese Lentil Soup - it's a new recipe for me but I've been craving this stuff since we left Detroit. Given the large Arab population in the D, it's easy to find amazing red lentil soup - unfortunately, it's hard to find it in Israel. SO, I'm going to make it myself.

As I wrote yesterday, I'm revamping our budget. Did I complete it? No. Not even close. But it's started. We're on our way to eradicating our debt and saving for baby Glaser!

Budgeting + Marriage = FUN Times! Not!

I spent some time this morning reading an article about First-Year Marriage Shockers. I thought it would be entertaining since I just finished my first year of marriage but I was annoyed more than entertained. Most of the women quoted in the article didn't seem to live with their spouse prior to getting married.

Craig and I lived together for a year or so before we got married. It was a good financial move but also good to see how the other person "lives" when you live WITH them. That post brought me to a better article that talks about the 10 most shocking things that happen in your first year of marriage. Ya know, things like your friends dropping out of action, each of you gaining weight and falling into his and her house roles, and (my favorite) realizing that having a two-income household doesn't make you rich... you still feel poor. Go figure.

The second article made me giggle a little because most of it is true in our case.

Before we got married, my Dad told us that more couples get divorced due to finances than because of their sex life. He likes to remind us of that fact quite often. I have to say, the hardest part of being married, for me, is the budgeting. Inevitably, when the shit hits the fan, it really hits the fan. At the end of June through the end of July - it rained poop. We needed a new mattress (due to a bug problem); we got hit with some unexpected bills; and then my Bubba got sick. We spent our savings fund but thank g-d we had a fund started! Now we're rebuilding and stuff from last month is still kicking us in the tush this month.

Tonight, I'm setting aside some time to reconfigure our budget. I read some amazing blogs on budgeting and saving like the Simple Dollar and Fabulously Broke... in the City and they give me a lot of inspiration on how to save plus the motivation to do it - so tonight I'm going to revise. Aside from our weekly menu plan, I'm going to do some major surgery to our budget.

For my married friends - what's the hardest part about YOUR marriage?

Visitor Budgeting

So, Craig's little brother is staying with us. He's on vacation (I know, I'm jealous) and relaxin' like... well, like he's on vacation! Anyway, this impacts our household a bit because it's an extra mouth to feed. Granted, he's around Craig's height and build, so you wouldn't think it's a lot but one extra person adds up my grocery bill.

Here's house things normally work - food wise: Wednesday - Sunday, Craig and I are both home at night but Monday and Tuesday it's just me. Craig is at work. By the time I get home from work, I don't really want to eat much so I make myself a potato or a sandwich. Craig also has food provided for him at work every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon plus Monday and Tuesday night. I don't. I have to brown bag it every day.

All of this means I'm the "main eater" everyday which, in turn, means our groceries are dictated by what I want. One of my goals this week was to make 200 NIS stretch enough to feed 3 mouths. You're probably laughing at me and I totally understand why. How can $57 feed 3 people for 7 days?? I know, I sound insane.

BUT today I had the most glorious idea! I want to shop at a smaller grocery store where there isn't too much room for me to roam around and fill my cart. I can get most of the same things but I can get it cheaper and without the hassle of roaming around the store for an hour.

Here's what's on my menu for Thursday-Wednesday:

Lebanese Lentil Soup

Bubba's Potato Soup

Quinoa salad

Chicken Stir Fry (for Shabbat!)

Rissotto style Israeli Couscous

Roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts

Salmon Caesar Salad

Thankfully, we have a ton of rice, quinoa, and Israeli couscous. We have some leftover frozen salmon and chicken breast as well as some frozen veggies. All that's left to get is stuff to make a salad, ingredients for the lentil soup and potatoes.

Think I can make 200 shekels last with this menu? Tune in Friday.

Fit Pregnancy...

I read an article today about Jessica Alba. If you didn't know, she's pregnant. According to the article, Jessica Alba is making an effort to be healthier in her second pregnancy. Here's what struck me as odd: the article goes on to say that she gained more weight than recommended by physicians but at least she didn't gain as much weight this round as she did last round.

Here's my rant: Jessica Alba is GORGEOUS! I would LOVE to look like her on any given day - pregnant or not. She's a young woman (my age) who walks everyday for a half hour and makes an honest effort to eat well in her pregnancy. Who gives a flying f*ck if she gained more than the 30lbs. doctors say is the average weight to gain.

So, WHY did this irk me? I'm doing my best to be healthy during this pregnancy. I realized the other day that I'm sedentary at work for 9 hours a day, so I should probably get my tush in gear before or after work. I eat healthy... for the most part. Aside from my raging emotions, I'd say I'm doing fairly well for 15 weeks. Yet, this article posting made me wonder if it's not enough. Should I be eating less? Should I be working out for more than 45 minutes a day, three days a week? Should I worry if I'm 32lbs. heavier at 8months pregnant and not just 30?

Good Lord! The things a woman can read into! I'm all for making yourself feel good during your pregnancy - indulging in some cookies and ice cream if the mood strikes but how dare anyone comment on a woman's weight ... ESPECIALLY when she's pregnant.

No. Thank. You.

There's a special place in hell for people like that.

Budgeting - FOOD for thought

So, after my last rant post about why being pregnant sucks, I found a little euphoria ... well, maybe something to cling to that makes me happy to be pregnant.

People are so much nicer to you when they figure out you're "with child".

I've moved past the point of looking like I may be fat to looking like I'm actually pregnant! The downside ('cause there's always a downside), I no longer fit into clothes that I wore last month.

I'm trying this really awesome concept of being pregnant on a budget. Craig and I are going back to our "old ways" of planning... especially since my youngest brother-in-law is living with us for a little while (he's on vacation from South Africa). I'm still not 1000% ready to eat real people food

Here's a sampling of my menu for this week:

Pasta Alfredo

Quinoa salad - Mediterranean style

Japanese salmon salad

Israeli couscous - Risotto style

Bagel chips and creamed cheese

Quinoa salad - Israeli style

Potato Soup - my Bubba's recipe

If you haven't noticed, there's not a lot of meat on my list. Why? I am currently not a fan of meat. This kid has turned me nearly vegetarian. WTF??? Fear not, my bloggy buddies, I get plenty of protein in other ways. I may throw the boys a bone and cook some chicken for them but I'm not really a fan lately so I will steer clear.

My goals this week:

• Spend under 200 shekels at the grocery store (financial)
• Finish reading Dear G-d, Have You Ever Gone Hungry? (personal)
• Promote Joanna's awesome teleclass "7 Ways Your Website Can Really Work for Your Soul-Centered Project" (join me! It's free!) (professional)

Sad Facts on Poverty in the US

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Find this infographic on www.OnlinePoliticalScience.org

Cool Info... Education by Country

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Source: Accredited Online Schools.org and other resources

Being Pregnant... SUCKS. Part I

I had a revelation the other day...


I'M PREGNANT!

LOL, OK. I know that's not news, especially not to me.

Today, I had another revelation...

I FEEL pregnant.

That's a first.

When I was in Detroit last month, I was already showing (yes, at 9-12 weeks). But it was that "is she pregnant or just fat" kind of showing.

Now I'm actually really showing. I figured it out this morning when I was at work. I went to use the restroom and as I was pulling up my insanely stupid maternity pants I saw it... my belly. It was round. Seriously.

As I waddled back to my office, I realized I was waddling. No longer walking so much... more waddling like a duck. A duck who can walk in a straight line.

Needless to say, being pregnant is not fun for me. Are there any women out there who LIKED being pregnant? Do I have something to look forward to?

My friend, Joanna (you know, the Soulful Coach), promised me that my second trimester would be blissful. WTF! Why am I not blissful??? Why am I crankier than my grandma?? I'm hot and cold all the time; I eat wickedly weird foods together (like a Nestle Crunch ice cream bar with salt and pepper potato chips); I pee every five minutes (over share?); AND breathing is harder.

WHY IS BREATHING SO HARD??

Whew. OK. The angst is out but why am I so angsty? I feel like Mary the Federal Marshall on In Plain Sight. Yeah, you know who I'm talking about. I'm her. Right. Now.

Anyone got a valium? I kid. I kid.

Suggestions please!!!