Crock Pot Lasagna

I've made this recipe (from my pinterest) a few times and altered it a bit to make it less fatty-fat-fat. Something I learned the hard way is those noodles need to be pre-soaked in hot water (only for 5 minutes or so) or buried under a lot of sauce or else they are brittle little suckers. Also, there are three layers that go thusly: sauce, noodles, cheese. Technically there will be 4 layers or sauce unless you just want crusty cheese on top. Be careful or you will run out of sauce and have crusty lasagna, which just sounds gross.

You will need 8 oz. of lasagna noodles, 15 oz. of ricotta, 1 cup or mozzarella, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan, and 32-36 oz of sauce (most recipes call for about 24 oz, but it came out way dry so I added more), and a crock pot, obviously. My sauce usually comes from left over spaghetti night, but you can buy the jarred stuff if you so desire ( I personally like the homemade stuff better).

So, get a plastic container large enough for you to lay out your noodles and fill it with hot water (it can be from the sink, you don't need to boil it) and lay aside while you prep the cheese. In a large mixing bowl, add the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. I mash it down with a fox because the ricotta usually comes out as a tower of cheese. Thoroughly mix all the cheese together. In another bowl (or pot with leftover sauce) add your desired amount of sauce.

In your crock pot, layer 1/4 of the sauce, 1/3 of your pre-soaked noodles (I ended up with 9 noodles, so 3 noodles per layer--you can break them apart to make them fit better if necessary), and 1/3 of your cheese. Repeat sauce, noodles, cheese, sauce, noodles, cheese. Then top off with your remaining sauce. Try to make sure none of the noodles or cheese are exposed, then have a tendency to do weird things that don't taste very good, like burning. Set your crock pot to low and set for 5 hours. Most recipes say 4-6 hours, but seriously, 6 hours makes your noodles soupy and 4 hours is just not quite done. So unless your crock pot goes into hyper drive on the regular, 5 hours should be good.

This usually only yields about five servings for us, but if you have kids or can manage to not eat a ton of this stuff, then you could pull off six.

Nutrition ahoy!

5-6 servings
		Cals		Tot fat		Sat fat		Trans		Sodium
8 oz. lasagna noodles		800		4		0		0		0
15 oz. skim ricotta		560		31.5		17.5		0		525
1 cup mozzarella*		320		24		14		0		800
1/4 cup grated parm		80		6		4		0		480
Meat sauce **		770		34		13		0		7084
Total		2530		99.5		48.5		0		8889
Per serving (6)		421.6667		16.58333		8.083333		0		1481.5
Per serving (5)		506		19.9		9.7		0		1777.8
*Can up to 1.5 cups of moz, to get nutrition data multiply by 1.5
* Meat sauce is from leftover spaghetti sauce + 1 can hunts sauce. This may vary for you depending on if you make your own sauce or buy it in a jar. Most recipes call for a 24 oz. jar, but that has always made a pretty dry lasagna. I use about 32-36 oz depending on the left overs. The version I made here has .375 lbs of ground beef (spaghetti sauce had .75 lbs, so left overs were half that) and 4.25 cups of sauce.

New Workout Regiment Week 4

So I went home for the Thanksgiving and basically didn't do any of Thursday-Saturday's workouts. Lame, I know, but I only gained .8 lbs from it so I feel like I controlled the urge to stuff my face decently enough. I've also been sick since the 18th, and it peaked on the day before Thanksgiving. Still feeling it, but it seems to be getting better. I know most people won't work out period when they are sick, but I've done some research and asked doctors--as long as you aren't running a fever, there is no reason you can't workout. You may need to take it slower or not do certain workouts, but it won't make you any worse. In fact, most people feel temporarily better (not that the feeling lasts, but a little respite is better than nothing). Here is week 4:

Edit: So my in-laws came to visit for a few days and Wednesday's workout didn't happen. So instead, I did Wednesday's workout on Thursday and added a 1 mile run. On a different note, I completed part 1 of Thursday's workout 4 minutes and 15 seconds faster than the first time I tried it back on Tuesday of week 1.

Week 4

Monday 1:30 WU 20:52/19:22 33:37/12:45 49:01/15:24	3 x set 50 squats 30 alt lunges (each leg) 20 jump squats 30 side lunges 50 bridges	20 high knees 40 butt kicks 80 jumping jacks 100 seconds running in place 80 jumping jacks 40 butt kicks 20 high knees 20 squats 30 lunges 40 toe touches 50 second wall sit 100 jumping jacks 50 second wall sit 40 toe touches 30 lunges 20 squats	200 backward lunge kick up (right) 200 backward lunge kick up (left) Do in sets of 50
Tuesday 1:30 WU 16:48/15:18 28:01/11:13 36:38/8:37	10 rounds (switch sides each round) 15 Backward lunge knee up - sandbag 10 Power squats (jump up) 5 Power push ups	3 x set 10 reptile push ups 30 one jump forward, two jumps back 20 side v crunch (each side)	1 mile run
Wednesday Thursday 1:30 WU 23:11/21:41 34:06/10:55 40:43/6:37 49:04/8:21	25 – Burpee & Push-Up 25 – One Leg Step-Ups – Right Leg –Sandbag 25 – One Leg Step-Ups – Left Leg –Sandbag 25 – Elevated Push Ups & 2 Under Knees 5 – High Knees + Drop ( 25 Times ) 50 – Mountain Climbers ( 25 Each Leg ) 25 Tricep Dips 25 Ball Squats – Sandbag & Ugi Ball 25 Stand to Plank 50 Jump Mat Toe to Elbow (25 Each Side) 50 – V Star Switch Abs (25 Each Side)	3 reps - DB 20 curls 20 raises 20 curl/raises 20 iron cross 20 over head 5 push ups	100 crunches 100 side crunches (50 each side) 100 v sits 100 bicycles 100 Pilates crunches 100 Russian twists 1 mile run
Thursday	Core cardio and balance video	Repeat Left & Right Side Separate 25 Leg Lift & Lower 25 Straight Leg Lift 25 Straight Leg Cross Over 25 Bent leg press to the ceiling 25 Straight Leg Outer Thigh 25 Forward Bent L Press 25 Static Leg hold & Press Toe forward and back 25 Small Straight Leg Presses up and down
Friday	Hot mess workout - ladder (round 1-5, 5-1) ROUND 1 10 Get Ups ROUND 2 = Round 1 + 20x Backward Lunge & Sandbag Press ROUND 3 = Round 2 + 20x Sandbag Squat ROUND 4 = Round 3 + 10x Burpees ROUND 5 = Round 4 + 40x One Leg Toe Touch	Rep cycle: 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 Squats and sit ups
Saturday	3 x set 1 min burpee 1 min push up 1 min mountain climber 30 second rest 1 min jumping jacks 1 min tricep dip 1 min crunches 30 second rest 1 min wall sit 1 min plank 1 min side-side lunges	50 Lunge back & press up 50 Super girl plank 50 Sumo squat 50 Reptile plank 50 Jump lunge 50 Santana plank 50 Jump forward and 2 jumps back 50 Mini squats
Sunday	Rest

New Workout Regiment Week 3

Here is week 3. Monday is a repeat of day 2, week 1. I wanted to be able to compare workouts to see if there was any improvement. The first time I did this workout it took me 49:19. Today it took me 43:26. That's an improvement of 5 minutes and 53 seconds :) I'll updated the workouts with my times when I complete them throughout the week. Hopefully, I'll actually be able to stick to it, what with Thanksgiving coming up and a lot of travelling.

Week 3

Monday 1:30 WU 25:15/23:45 36:42/11:27 43:26/6:44	25 – Burpee & Push-Up 25 – One Leg Step-Ups – Right Leg –Sandbag 25 – One Leg Step-Ups – Left Leg –Sandbag 25 – Elevated Push Ups & 2 Under Knees 5 – High Knees + Drop ( 25 Times ) 50 – Mountain Climbers ( 25 Each Leg ) 25 Tricep Dips 25 Ball Squats – Sandbag & Ugi Ball 25 Stand to Plank 50 Jump Mat Toe to Elbow (25 Each Side) 50 – V Star Switch Abs (25 Each Side)	3 reps - DB 20 curls 20 raises 20 curl/raises 20 iron cross 20 over head 5 push ups	100 crunches 100 side crunches (50 each side) 100 v sits 100 bicycles 100 Pilates crunches 100 Russian twists
Tuesday 30:00 43:50/13:50 (oops, forgot to warm up)	3 x set 1 min burpee 1 min push up 1 min mountain climber 30 second rest 1 min jumping jacks 1 min tricep dip 1 min crunches 30 second rest 1 min wall sit 1 min plank 1 min side-side lunges	3 x set 30 jumping jacks 5 push ups 25 high knees 7 burpees 10 crunches 7 squats 5 push ups 10 crunches 5 push ups 7 squats 30 jumping jacks 1 min wall sit 25 high knees
Wednesday 1:30 WU 19:13/17:43 29:39/10:26	5 x set 10 push ups 10 side lunge step up L– sandbag 10 side lunge step up R – sandbag 10 step over squats – sandbag 10 step up kick out L – sandbag 10 step up kick out R – sandbag	100 High Knee Skips 100 Lunge kicks (50 each leg) - Sandbag 100 High Knee Skips 100 squats - Sandbag 100 High Knee Skips 25 Straight Abs 25 V Abs Left 25 V Abs Right 25 Bicycle Abs
Thursday	4 x set 20 Jump Squat & Touch Down 15 Skater –each leg 20 Reptile 20 One Leg Hop Kick	10 Minute Challenge Max dead man burpees
Friday	3 x set 8 sets - (5 jump lunges + burpee) - 8 sets 20 dumbbell swing (each arm) 20 side crunch (each side)	3 x set 10 push-ups 20 dead man burpees 30 jump-squats (NOT TUCK JUMPS) 40 mountain climbers 50 sit-ups
Saturday	3 x set 30 reps on each leg - SANDBAG LUNGE & KNEE UP 30 reps - SANDBAG ROW 30 reps (alternating legs) - DANCING CRAB 4 minutes - JUMP SQUATS	10 rounds, less one burpee each round 10 one arm sandbag swing (right arm) 10 one arm sandbag swing (left arm) 20 burpees
Sunday	Rest

A Month of Dinners

I find I usually have problems coming up with what to make for dinner. I frequently found myself waiting for my husband to come home so we could both hem and haw over what we wanted, which would lead to us being very hungry and considering take out or just making something quick and ridiculous unhealthy. So I decided to put together a list of dinners for a month. I realize a lot of these dinners aren't super "healthy", but they are way better for us than any restaurant food. I also try to cut calories where I can (low fat or light anywhere possible, baked vs. fried--stuff like that). Anyway, here is what my husband and I came up with:

Week 1

• Monday: Chicken quesadillas (https://pinterest.com/pin/82612974385739738/)
• Tuesday: Spaghetti and salad with bread
• Wednesday: Marine Corps Ball (Chicken and mashed potatoes)
• Thursday: Crock pot lasagna (use left over spaghetti sauce): https://pinterest.com/pin/82612974386099152/)
• Friday: Stuffed peppers (and steak for the hubs)
• Saturday: Rice-a-roni with chicken and peas (mixed together)

Week 2

• Sunday: Eating out – free for Veterans Day!
• Monday: Chicken quesadilla
• Tuesday: Spaghetti w/ salad and bread
• Wednesday: Crock pot chicken broccoli Alfredo (http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/09/slow-cooker-freezer-meals-make-8-meals.html) 
• Thursday: Crockpot lasagna 
• Friday: Chicken and pepper egg rolls (http://family.go.com/food/recipe-638653-chicken-and-pepper-egg-rolls-t/)
• Saturday: Chicken broccoli and cheese wrap (http://foodfamilyfinds.com/broccoli-chedder-chicken-croissant-braid-recipe/)

Week 3

• Sunday: Baked Ravioli (http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/baked-ravioli-2/)
• Monday: Grilled cheeseburger wrap and Parmesan noodles 
• (http://www.semihomemademom.com/2011/09/grilled-cheeseburger-wraps.html)
• Tuesday: Spaghetti night
• Wednesday: Travelling to Manassas
• Thursday: Turkey Day!
• Friday: Left overs!
• Saturday: Left overs!

Week 4

• Sunday: Travelling home
• Monday: Shepherd's pie (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/american-shepherds-pie/)
• Tuesday: Spaghetti night
• Wednesday: Calzone (http://www.squidoo.com/homemade-calzone)
• Thursday: Rice-a-roni with chicken and peas (mixed together)
• Friday: Chicken, veggies, mashed potatoes, bread
• Saturday: Cheeseburger-mac casserole (https://pinterest.com/pin/82612974386060313/)

New Work Out Regiment Week 2

Here is week two for work outs. When I created these workouts my goal was for them to be about 40 minutes or more. As you can see for Monday, I fell quite short of this. However, my husband was working out with me. We are quite competitive and as a result, I completed Monday's workout much faster than I normally would have. Also, I will retroactively post my times next to each day in case anyone is interested.

Week 2

Monday 1:30 WU 22:28/20:58 28:47/7:49	Hot mess workout - ladder (round 1-5, 5-1) ROUND 1 10 Get Ups ROUND 2 = Round 1 + 20x Backward Lunge & Sandbag Press ROUND 3 = Round 2 + 20x Sandbag Squat ROUND 4 = Round 3 + 10x Burpees ROUND 5 = Round 4 + 40x One Leg Toe Touch	Repeat Left & Right Side Separate 25 Leg Lift & Lower 25 Straight Leg Lift 25 Straight Leg Cross Over 25 Bent leg press to the ceiling 25 Straight Leg Outer Thigh 25 Forward Bent L Press 25 Static Leg hold & Press Toe forward and back 25 Small Straight Leg Presses up and down
Tuesday 1:30 WU 15:55/14:25 34:20/18:25 42:25/8:05	Ab Now Workout 50 Lunge back & press up 50 Super girl plank 50 Sumo squat 50 Reptile plank 50 Jump lunge 50 Santana plank 50 Jump forward and 2 jumps back 50 Mini squats	Sumo squat and step up 100 each side	1 mile run
Wednesday 1:30 WU 33:40/32:10 42:55/9:15	3 reps 50 jumping jacks 20 squats 20 squat jumps 20 alternating lunges (each leg) 15 burpees 25 push ups 30 mountain climbers 50 crunches 60 second plank hold	Rep cycle: 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 Squats and sit ups
Thursday 37:00 47:19/10:19 54:01/6:42	Core cardio and balance video	3 reps - DB 20 curls 20 raises 20 curl/raises 20 iron cross 20 over head 5 push ups	100 crunches 100 side crunches (50 each side) 100 v sits 100 bicycles 100 Pilates crunches 100 Russian twists
Friday 1:30WU 32:57/31:27 39:46/6:49 46:24/6:38	Complete 5 times 50 Sumo squats 50 Jumping jacks 50 Mountain climbers 50 push ups 50 crunches	Repeat Left & Right Side Separate 25 Leg Lift & Lower 25 Straight Leg Lift 25 Straight Leg Cross Over 25 Bent leg press to the ceiling 25 Straight Leg Outer Thigh 25 Forward Bent L Press 25 Static Leg hold & Press Toe forward and back 25 Small Straight Leg Presses up and down	80 jumping jacks 50 vertical leg crunches 20 sit ups 15 tricep dips 20 squats 10 side lunges (each leg) 15 leg lifts (each leg) 50 bicycles 15 wall push ups 40 Russian twists
Saturday 1:30 WU 15:35 (forgot to get the split)	100 High Knee Skips 100 Lunge kicks (50 each leg) - Sandbag 100 High Knee Skips 100 squats - Sandbag 100 High Knee Skips 25 Straight Abs 25 V Abs Left 25 V Abs Right 25 Bicycle Abs	10 push ups 20 tricep dips 30 bicep curls 40 second plank 50 knee to chest plank 40 second plank 30 bicep curls 20 tricep dips 10 push ups
Sunday	Rest